How to Fix Apex Legends Lag: 10 Best Solutions (Tested 2024)
Reading time: 16 min
Updated on March 18, 2024
Stuttering, latency, and packet loss are the last things you want to see as you’re closing in on a win in Apex Legends. PC games like Apex Legends usually lag when your hardware doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements needed to run the game. It can also occur if your in-game settings are too high for your computer to handle.
However, these are just the most common reasons why you might be experiencing lag during your gaming sessions. Read on to learn about other possible causes and the 10 best fixes to solve lag in Apex Legends.
What Steps Can You Take to Fix Apex Legends Lag?
Fix 1. Meet the minimum system requirements
One of the most common reasons for experiencing lag in Apex Legends is because your hardware doesn’t meet the minimum requirements needed to run the software. For this reason, the first thing you should do is check your PC is powerful enough to work efficiently.
Apex Legends minimum system requirements
| OS | 64-bit Windows 7 |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-6300 3.8GHz / AMD FX-4350 4.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor |
| RAM | 6GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 / Radeon HD 7730 |
| GPU VRAM | 1GB |
| Storage | Minimum 22GB of free space |
If your specs are below what is listed here then this will likely be the reason you are experiencing lag.
However, meeting these requirements won’t necessarily solve the issue. You are probably better off taking a look at the recommended system requirements for Apex Legends instead. Meeting the minimum requirements for running the game doesn’t necessarily mean that it will run smoothly or without certain compromises, such as having to play on minimum settings at 30fps.
Apex Legends recommended system requirements
| OS | 64-bit Windows 7 |
| CPU | Intel i5 3570K or equivalent |
| RAM | 8GB |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290 |
| GPU VRAM | 8GB |
| Storage | Minimum 22GB of free space |
Meeting or exceeding these recommended settings will mean that you can run Apex Legends on medium settings at a stable 60fps. For higher resolutions or even higher frame rates, you may need better hardware to meet those goals. If your PC meets these requirements and you are still experiencing lag then your hardware probably isn’t the issue.
Fix 2: Try Changing In-Game Servers
When servers have more traffic, connection speeds are usually slower, which makes it more likely to experience lag. Your speeds are also likely to be slower (due to high latency) the further away you are from a server’s physical location. In Apex Legends, you can choose between different game servers. Choosing a server closer to you with less traffic can reduce lag. Servers that show a ping (latency) below 120 ms are the best option for a more stable experience.
You can change your Apex Legends server by pressing the Tab button or by clicking on the Data Center button on the title screen, where you can then choose a server from the list. Make sure to match up the server region to your home region for the best possible experience
Fix 3. Install the latest patch
Updating your Apex Legends game to the latest version available can reduce lag and resolve issues with the game failing to establish a server connection. Usually, Apex Legends will do this automatically and prompt you to do so if you launch a dated version of the software. However, errors can happen. To do this manually:
- Launch your gaming app of choice (e.g., Origin, Steam).
- Select Apex Legends in your game library.
- Click “Update” in Steam, or right-click and select “Check for Update” in Origin.
- Wait for the update to install.
- Launch the game.
You can also change the settings in your gaming app to enable automatic updates. The Xbox app for Windows automatically updates all games. On console, bring up the options for Apex Legends and select “check for update” to ensure you’re using the latest version.
Fix 4. Update your device drivers
Outdated drivers can cause lag, especially if they are related to graphics or network cards. It’s important to verify that all system drivers are up to date.
Verifying and updating your drivers can be done manually by visiting the manufacturer’s website or automatically by using third-party software. Driver Easy is a piece of software that automatically recognizes your system and finds the required drivers.
If you’re unsure which drivers you’re missing, or you don’t have the patience to check manually then using software is a great option. It also eliminates the risk of user error and saves time checking each site’s driver list on your own.
Fix 5. Configure Apex Legends to High Performance
In Windows, you can configure games and other resource-intensive software to have priority for system resources. While this change can’t make up for a lack of required hardware, it can give a slight boost that turns a stuttering experience into a stable one. To configure your Apex Legends settings for the best performance possible:
- Type “Graphics settings” into the search bar on your desktop.
- Open the program from the results. Inside the settings, make sure “Classic app” is set in the preferences bar, and then click “Browse.”
- Navigate to where your Apex Legends file is saved and click on the Apex Legends .exe file. It will now be listed in the “Graphics settings.” Click on it and then select “Options.”
- Choose “High performance” and click “Save.”
- Restart your computer and launch Apex Legends to see if it is performing any better.
Fix 6. Configure Apex Legends in-game settings
In-game settings also play a crucial role in how well the game runs on your PC. Sometimes a game setting you weren’t aware of is the culprit for your poor gaming experience.
Configure the FPS settings for Apex Legends
- Open Origin and click on “My Game Library.”
- Right-click on Apex Legends and click on “Game Properties.” Uncheck the box next to “Enable Origin In Game for Apex Legends,” then “Save.”
- Click “Advanced Launch Options” and paste “+fps_max 60” into the “Command line arguments” box, then click “Save.”
- Restart Origin and launch Apex Legends to see if the performance has improved.
What these changes do is stop Apex Legends from using more system resources to run the Origin overlay. While this is minor, any boost to FPS can make a difference. The “+fps_max 60” change limits your game to a maximum frame rate of 60fps. This will stop your game from trying to use more system resources to deliver higher framerates, which may reduce stuttering and screen tearing.
Set the Apex Legends video settings to Low
- It is also worth changing the graphics settings in the game as well, as they might be set too high for your PC to handle. If this is the case, setting them lower could solve your issues.
- Go to the game’s settings and click on the “Video” tab.
- Set “V-Sync” to “Disabled” and “Model Quality” to “Low”.
- Set all other advanced video settings to as low as possible.
- Relaunch the game to check if the gameplay has improved.
While Apex Legends usually is good at automatically detecting your system settings, it can sometimes miss the mark. It’s always good to check these settings manually to see if they are the issue. This is particularly important for V-Sync, especially if you limited the fps cap in the prior steps. V-Sync will attempt to match your in-game framerate with your monitor’s refresh rate (Hz). If you have a high refresh rate monitor (such as 144Hz), your game may use more resources than it has trying to match that framerate.
Disable fullscreen optimizations on your computer
Windows has a Fullscreen Optimizations feature that enables it to optimize the performance of games when they’re running in full-screen mode. As good as this feature is, it could be the cause of your lag, and it may be worth disabling if the prior steps don’t fix your issue.
- Go to the file location where Apex Legends is saved.
- Right-click on the Apex Legends .exe file and select “Properties.”
- In the ‘“Properties” menu, click on the “Compatibility” tab and check the box next to “Disable full-screen optimizations,” and then click “Apply.”
- Save your changes and restart your computer.
- Launch a game of Apex Legends to see if things have improved.
Fix 7. Disable Game DVR on your computer
Windows automatically enables DVR in the Xbox app, which is usually fine, but it can cause compatibility issues with certain games. Disabling it could solve your problem.
For Windows 10 (build 14393 or earlier):
Search for “Xbox” in the desktop search bar and open it. Click on the gear icon to the left to open settings, then navigate to the “Game DVR” tab and disable it. Then restart your computer and launch Apex Legends to see if there is a difference.
For Windows 10 build (later than 14393):
Press the Windows key on your keyboard + I to open settings. Click on the “Gaming” section and then “Game DVR” on the left. From here, you should see a button labeled “Record in the background while I’m playing a game.” Switch this off and then restart your computer and launch Apex Legends to see if there is a difference.
Fix 8. Check your network’s bandwidth
The lag could be a result of bandwidth issues on your network. Internet speeds of 15-20 Mbps should be enough to run games. However, if you have a lot of devices connected to your network, your bandwidth could potentially fall below this.
To check, do a speed test and run the test a few times to be sure the results are accurate.
For gaming, you only really need to focus on the download speed. As long as it’s above 15 Mbps, it shouldn’t really be the cause of the lag. When it comes to gaming, latency is even more important.
To check your latency, run a ping test. I recommend using http://ping-test.net/.
What you’re looking for is a result between 0 and 60 ms. Going beyond this point will likely lead to slow performance and might be the reason for your dissatisfaction..
If latency is the issue, there are several solutions. However, it is a case of trial and error to find out the cause of the problem:
- Close all other programs on your computer and make sure no downloads are taking place.
- Check to see if anyone else on your network is using up a lot of bandwidth. This is likely the case if they are using Netflix or some other streaming service.
- If you have connected your PC to the internet via Ethernet, double-check the cable is connected correctly at both ends.
- Restart your router.
Fix 9. Restart or reinstall your game
- On your chosen gaming app (e.g., Steam), right-click Apex Legends and click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- Launch your chosen gaming app (e.g., Steam) and click again on Apex Legends. There should now be an option to Install it again.
At times, an error in the installation process might result in lag, boot errors, and related issues. Following this process could potentially resolve problems tied to lag if previous troubleshooting attempts haven’t worked.
Fix 10: Use a VPN to Fix Apex Legends Lag
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can let you connect to Apex Legends using a different server from your own. This can help you avoid your bandwidth being throttled by your ISP and help you connect to a server located closer to the Apex Legends server you want to play on. This is likely to reduce lag and increase speeds if you aren’t close to an Apex Legends server or have a strict ISP that limits your bandwidth.
VPNs can also protect you from cyber-attacks and let you play online with friends from other countries by choosing a server in their location.
To use a VPN with Apex Legends:
- Download and install the VPN of choice on the PC that you play Apex Legends on.
- Launch the VPN client and connect to a server.
- Launch Apex Legends and choose a game server close to the location of your VPN server.
- You will probably see that your ping times have reduced if poor latency was the source of your lag.
The top VPNs on the market have excellent connection speeds for gaming that help you to play Apex Legends without compromise.
3 Best VPNs for Apex Legends
1. ExpressVPN — Super-Fast Connection Speeds and Excellent Security
Key Features
- Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Split tunneling feature
- Works on up to 8 devices simultaneously
- 30-day money-back guarantee
I decided to use ExpressVPN for playing Apex Legends and found that the connection speeds were consistently fast. In fact, I found that my speeds were usually no slower than my speeds when using no VPN at all. Latency was reliably low, with ping only rarely going above 60 on faraway servers.
On top of this, ExpressVPN also has some of the most advanced encryption available and a bunch of built-in features such as split tunneling. Split tunneling allowed me to split my traffic by having some applications make use of an encrypted connection while others passed through my regular network. This lets me switch servers for gaming frequently while keeping my other browsing sessions consistent.
Not only does the software support all major operating systems, but it also has custom firmware for routers, media streaming devices, games consoles, and smart TVs. You can try ExpressVPN risk-free at a monthly price of $4.99 for a 2-year + 6 months free subscription. If you find that ExpressVPN isn’t right for you, you can get a refund through the 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this successfully and had my money back within a week without any hassle.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Get ExpressVPN's Black Friday Deal! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as $4.99 per month + get extra 6 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to 82%)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. CyberGhost VPN — Intuitive Interface for Easy Server Selection
Key Features
- Over 11,670 servers in 100 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Split tunneling feature
- Works on up to 7 devices simultaneously
- 45-day money-back guarantee
If you get CyberGhost for Apex Legends, you will probably notice its intuitive user interface on startup which makes it easy to find the right servers and settings for smooth gaming. Connection speeds were impressive for Apex Legends, at between 150 Mbps and 300 Mbps (compared to base speeds of between 200 and 350 Mbps) depending on the server with low latency. On most servers, my ping was between 30 and 100 ms. On distant servers, it rose to 200 ms, which did produce a noticeable lag.
CyberGhost’s split tunneling feature is very effective, and its WireGuard encryption protocol was both fast and secure. CyberGhost is available on all popular operating systems, consoles, routers, mobile devices, and more.
CyberGhost’s 2-year + 4 months plan costs only $2.03 a month. There is also a 45-day guarantee so you can try out CyberGhost risk-free. I received my money within a week when testing this policy.
3. Private Internet Access — Huge Selection of Servers for a Seamless Gaming Experience
Key Features
- Over 35,000 servers in 91 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Split tunneling feature
- Works on up to unlimited devices simultaneously
- 30-day money-back guarantee
I like to use Private Internet Access (or PIA) for gaming, and it has a good reputation as a fast, reliable VPN. PIA’s main advantage is its large number of servers to choose from (over 35,000 servers in 105 countries), so finding fast servers was not difficult. PIA also offers split tunneling and works on all major operating systems, games consoles, and select routers.
I managed to get connection speeds of between 150 Mbps and 300 Mbps (compared to 200 to 350 Mbps base speeds) and a ping below 60 ms when connected to servers close to me. However, servers far away from my home location didn’t perform as well with speeds falling below 100 Mbps and latency of over 150 ms. This made these servers too laggy to play very well on.
If you want to get PIA for your next gaming session, the price is competitive at $2.19 a month for a 2-year + 2 months plan, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested the refund policy and had my money back in 4 days.
FAQ on Apex Legends Lag
Why do Apex Legends servers lag?
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Summary: Top 3 VPNs to Fix Apex Legends Lag
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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