Hollow Knight High Ping & High Latency Issue: How to FIX

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Hollow Knight High Ping & High Latency Issue: Hollow Knight, developed by Team Cherry, is a beloved indie metroidvania game renowned for its captivating gameplay, beautiful art, and atmospheric soundtrack.

Although primarily a single-player experience, recent multiplayer or online features in certain versions or mods have introduced new challenges—specifically, issues related to high ping and high latency. These network-related problems can lead to lag, delayed inputs, or even disconnections, severely impacting gameplay.

If you’re experiencing high ping, high latency, or slow response times while playing Hollow Knight’s online components, this article will guide you through the causes and provide detailed solutions to help fix these issues on PC and consoles.

Understanding High Ping & High Latency in Hollow Knight

Ping is the time it takes for your device to send a signal to the game server and receive a response, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower ping means faster communication, while higher ping indicates delays.

Latency generally refers to the delay between a player’s action and the game’s response, which is influenced by ping but can also be affected by other network factors like jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth.

When you have high ping or latency in Hollow Knight, you might experience:

  • Delayed player inputs

  • Laggy movement or attacks

  • Rubber-banding or teleporting characters

  • Interrupted or failed multiplayer sessions

  • Slow matchmaking or connection errors

Common Causes of High Ping & Latency in Hollow Knight

Several factors can contribute to high ping or latency:

  • Slow or unstable internet connection

  • Wi-Fi interference or weak signal

  • Using VPNs or proxies that route traffic inefficiently

  • Background downloads or network-heavy applications

  • Network congestion during peak hours

  • Server location far from your physical location

  • Outdated network drivers or firmware

  • Firewall or security software blocking or throttling traffic

  • Router or modem configuration issues

  • Console or PC network settings misconfigured

How to Fix Hollow Knight High Ping & High Latency Issues

Follow these step-by-step fixes to improve your network performance and reduce latency.

1. Check Your Internet Connection Speed & Stability

A slow or unstable internet connection is the most common cause of high ping.

  • Use websites like Speedtest.net to test your internet speed and ping.

  • A stable connection with at least 10 Mbps download and upload speed is recommended for online gaming.

  • Check for frequent packet loss or high jitter (variation in ping).

2. Use a Wired Ethernet Connection Instead of Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is convenient but can introduce latency due to interference and signal loss.

  • Connect your PC or console directly to your router via Ethernet cable.

  • Wired connections provide a more stable and lower-latency link.

  • If using Wi-Fi is necessary, position your device close to the router and reduce interference (move other electronics away).

3. Close Background Applications Using Bandwidth

Applications such as streaming services, downloads, or cloud backups can consume bandwidth and increase ping.

  • Close any non-essential apps while gaming.

  • Pause downloads or streaming on other devices connected to the same network.

  • On Windows, check the Task Manager for apps using network resources.

4. Avoid Using VPNs or Proxies During Gameplay

VPNs and proxies can route your traffic inefficiently, increasing ping.

  • Disable VPN or proxy services when playing Hollow Knight online.

  • If necessary for privacy, try using gaming-optimized VPN servers.

5. Restart Your Router and Modem

Sometimes routers accumulate errors affecting network performance.

  • Power off your modem and router.

  • Wait 1-2 minutes, then power them back on.

  • This can refresh your network connection and clear temporary issues.

6. Update Network Drivers and Firmware

Outdated drivers and firmware can cause latency spikes.

PC:

  • Open Device Manager → Network adapters.

  • Right-click your network adapter → Update driver → Search automatically.

  • Visit your motherboard or network card manufacturer’s website for latest drivers.

Router:

  • Check your router’s admin page (usually accessed via browser IP like 192.168.1.1).

  • Look for firmware update options and apply updates.

7. Optimize Router Settings for Gaming

Certain router settings can reduce latency and improve stability.

  • Enable Quality of Service (QoS) and prioritize traffic for your gaming device.

  • Disable unnecessary features like SPI firewall, port forwarding rules you don’t use, or parental controls during gameplay.

  • Set a static IP address for your PC/console for better traffic management.

  • Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if you must use wireless (faster and less congested).

8. Change DNS Servers

Switching to faster, more reliable DNS servers can reduce latency.

  • Use DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).

  • On Windows, you can change DNS via Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Use the following DNS server addresses.

  • On consoles, this can be adjusted in network settings.

9. Check Server Location & Region Settings

Connecting to distant servers increases ping.

  • If Hollow Knight’s online or multiplayer features allow, select the server or region closest to your physical location.

  • Some versions or mods have regional matchmaking options—use them.

10. Disable Firewall or Security Software Temporarily

Firewall or antivirus software may block or slow down game traffic.

  • Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus and check if latency improves.

  • If yes, add exceptions for Hollow Knight and the platform’s executable (Steam, GOG, etc.).

  • Be cautious and re-enable security software after testing.

11. Test With Different Network

Try using a different internet connection to see if the problem is network-specific.

  • Use a mobile hotspot or a friend’s network.

  • If latency is normal, your home network may be the issue.

12. Console-Specific Network Fixes

PlayStation:

  • Go to Settings → Network → Test Internet Connection to check your ping.

  • Enable UPnP on your router or set up port forwarding for PlayStation Network ports.

  • Use static IP and manual DNS.

Xbox:

  • Go to Settings → General → Network Settings → Test Network Speed & Statistics.

  • Use Alternate MAC Address reset in network settings if needed.

  • Enable UPnP and port forwarding.

Nintendo Switch:

  • Use wired connection with the LAN adapter if possible.

  • Switch to 5 GHz Wi-Fi band if using wireless.

13. Contact Your ISP

If your ping is consistently high and none of the above fixes help, contact your Internet Service Provider.

  • Ask if they have any network issues in your area.

  • Request assistance for gaming-optimized connections or lower latency plans.

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FAQs About Hollow Knight High Ping & Latency

Q1: What is considered high ping in Hollow Knight?
A: Ping above 100ms can cause noticeable lag. Ideally, keep ping under 50ms for smooth gameplay.

Q2: Why does my ping suddenly spike in the middle of gameplay?
A: Possible causes include background downloads, network congestion, Wi-Fi interference, or server issues.

Q3: Can my PC specs cause high ping or latency?
A: No, ping depends on your network connection. However, low specs can cause frame drops, which feel like lag.

Q4: Does Hollow Knight have dedicated servers?
A: Hollow Knight primarily has a single-player focus, but some mods or versions use peer-to-peer or community-hosted servers, affecting latency.

Q5: Why is my ping low on speed tests but high in Hollow Knight?
A: Speed tests use nearby servers optimized for testing. Game servers might be farther or have different routes.

Q6: Will switching to a wired connection always fix high ping?
A: Wired connections typically reduce ping but won’t fix ISP or server-related latency.

Q7: Are there in-game options to reduce lag in Hollow Knight?
A: Not directly for network latency. Lowering graphics settings can improve frame rates, but network issues need external fixes.

Q8: Can mods cause network lag or high ping?
A: Some mods with online features may increase network demands or cause instability.

Q9: Should I upgrade my router for better latency?
A: Modern routers with QoS and gaming modes can help reduce latency on busy networks.

Q10: How do I know if the issue is on my end or server side?
A: If other online games or devices have similar high ping, the problem is likely your network. If only Hollow Knight lags, check game updates and forums for server issues.

Conclusion

High ping and latency in Hollow Knight can disrupt gameplay, especially for online or multiplayer modes. While frustrating, most latency issues are related to network setup, hardware, or software configurations that you can troubleshoot and fix with patience.

Start by testing and improving your internet connection, switching to wired where possible, closing background apps, and updating drivers. Router optimization, DNS changes, and server selection also play vital roles. For consoles, system and network settings adjustments can significantly reduce latency.

If problems persist, contacting your ISP or seeking help from game support can provide tailored assistance. By following the steps outlined here, you should be able to enjoy Hollow Knight with smooth, responsive gameplay and minimal lag.

If you want platform-specific help or more advanced network troubleshooting, feel free to ask!

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