How to fix high ping and lag in online games when a VPN client is enabled?

CHOOSE THE NEAREST GEOGRAPHICAL SERVER AND SWITCH THE PROTOCOL TO LIGHTWEIGHT UDP.

Routing game packets through overloaded or distant intermediate nodes sharply increases network latency. Choosing the right protocol and setting up direct tunneling stabilizes response times and reduces jitter.

Causes of Increased Network Latency in Gaming Sessions

Game engines are sensitive to transmission speeds of small UDP packet queues. If the VPN server is on another continent or traffic is forced through a heavy TCP stack waiting for delivery confirmations, physical distance and encryption overhead cause lag and latency spikes.

Practical Steps to Lower Ping

connect to server locations physically close to the specific game's servers
use high-speed protocols with minimal overhead (Hysteria 2 or TUIC)
set up game launcher exclusions via Split Tunneling for direct connection
prioritize wired Ethernet connections over the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band