Question Wireless input delay exclusively on desktop PCs ?

[Icediamondshark]

So for basically months now I've been struggling with unplayable amounts of input delay when using any wireless connections on my pc. It was a problem with my old pc, and I've kept searching for answers, but nobody responded to my posts on reddit. So I was like surely It's because my pc is too old. It was way out dated by that point. So I upgraded to a completely new setup with r5 5600, rtx2070s and b550m pro4 mobo. Exact same issue.

And you could be asking, well then clearly the problem is with the wireless adapter I'm using then. Well, I used that adapter on my school laptop, no delay, and then tried bluetooth, no delay. Surely the problem is with the monitor right? Well, I've connected the laptop to my monitor with an hdmi cable. No noticable delay. At this point I am so desperate I'm thinking I will be forced to use a wired connection no matter what. I would be happy to hear if any of you have suggestions as to what I could do.

Information: Ryzen 5 5600, RTX 2070 Super, ASRock B550M Pro4 AM4 Mobo, G.Skill Aegis 2x8gb 3000Mhz+Kingston FURY Beast 2x8gb 3200Mhz, Samsung 990 EVO 2TB SSD 5000MB/s, it's around 25% full, Cooler Master V750 750 w 80+ Gold Power Supply that I bought used from FB Marketplace. OS: Windows 11 Home, LG M2232D 1920x1080 Monitor, Fractal Pop Air case.

Ipconfig /all results:

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : IcePC
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Ethernet:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : A8-A1-59-A6-06-42
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::493a:4356:2c23:f7db%2(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.103(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, August 11, 2025 12:40:05 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Monday, August 11, 2025 3:25:40 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 94937433
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . : 00-01-00-01-2D-9C-28-58-A8-A1-59-A6-06-42
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.0.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : E8-48-B8-C8-20-00
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

 

[MJS WARLORD]

When you say input delay do you mean online gaming or just general typing such as using search box to find something or things like typing in a word document ?

In reality it should not make any difference if you are using ethernet or wi-fi , slow or delayed inputs are usually caused by viruses , malware or things running in the background that you may not be aware of so their are a few things you could check.

Look in start up menu and disable everything except Realtek audio manager and anti virus.
Look in add/remove for any items you dont recognise and delete them.
Run malwarebytes and see if it finds anything , if it does then repeat until it finds nothing because the program does not always find multiple segments on first pass.

 

[Icediamondshark]

When you say input delay do you mean online gaming or just general typing such as using search box to find something or things like typing in a word document.

In reality it should not make any difference if you are using ethernet or wi-fi , slow or delayed inputs are usually caused by viruses , malware or things running in the background that you may not be aware of so their are a few things you could check.

Look in start up menu and disable everything except Realtek audio manager and anti virus.
Look in add/remove for any items you dont recognise and delete them.
Run malwarebytes and see if it finds anything , if it does then repeat until it finds nothing because the program does not always find multiple segments on first pass.

Yeah, when I'm talking about input day I'm talking about completely offline functionality. The input delay is completely neglegable when connecting wired.

 

[cruisetung]

input delay from what? wifi adapter or wireless keyboard/mouse? you even mentioned bluetooth. please clarify

 

[Ralston18]

@Icediamondshark

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used)?

Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

List of all connected peripherals.

Make and model modem, router, or modem/router if combined? What and how many network devices?

Run "ipconfig /all" (without quotes) via the Command Prompt. Copy and paste the full results herein.

= = = =

Also, I will add the suggestion that you apply some of the other available Windows tools in order to observe system behavior.

E.g., Task Manager, Resource Monitor, Process Explorer (Microsoft, free).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

Use all three tools but only one tool at that time.

Boot the system and wait until all is stable. Then open the tool window and simply explore and watch as necessary.

Leave the tool window open and viewable. Then do some things that you know or expect will be delayed. Do not be in a rush and wait a bit between each action.

Watch the tool window for what changes, happens, or even stops happening when the wireless input slows

Indeed watch networking related parameters but do not ignore other processes etc. that may be running.

Also consider that there may be more information available. Look in the router's logs (if available and enabled). The logs may be capturing some relevant action or problem.

Who has full admin rights to the router? You will need help from that person.

 

[drivinfast247]

Fresh install of Windows after hardware change ?

 

[Icediamondshark]

@Icediamondshark

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used)?

Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

List of all connected peripherals.

Make and model modem, router, or modem/router if combined? What and how many network devices?

Run "ipconfig /all" (without quotes) via the Command Prompt. Copy and paste the full results herein.

= = = =

Also, I will add the suggestion that you apply some of the other available Windows tools in order to observe system behavior.

E.g., Task Manager, Resource Monitor, Process Explorer (Microsoft, free).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

Use all three tools but only one tool at that time.

Boot the system and wait until all is stable. Then open the tool window and simply explore and watch as necessary.

Leave the tool window open and viewable. Then do some things that you know or expect will be delayed. Do not be in a rush and wait a bit between each action.

Watch the tool window for what changes, happens, or even stops happening when the wireless input slows

Indeed watch networking related parameters but do not ignore other processes etc. that may be running.

Also consider that there may be more information available. Look in the router's logs (if available and enabled). The logs may be capturing some relevant action or problem.

Who has full admin rights to the router? You will need help from that person.

Okay, I got some time on my hands, I managed to collect most details you asked for but I'm a bit hesitant to send in the results of ipconfig/all because It contains ip information

 

[Icediamondshark]

Fresh install of Windows after hardware change ?

Yes

 

[Ralston18]

The ipconfig /all information is common to many network systems and is overall a basic, starting troubleshooting tool.

At most redact any naming (device or network) that could be personally revealing.

Key is to understand the difference between public and private IP addresses. You do not want to reveal the IP address provided by your ISP.

You can find that address by googling "What is my IP".

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-private-ip-address-2625970

You can easily find other similar links and information.

= = = =

From my system:

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Install the latest PowerShell for new features and improvements! https://aka.ms/PSWindows

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . :[Redacted}
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.[Redacted].comcast.net

Ethernet adapter [Network name redacted]:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1[Redacted].comcast.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 8C-EC-4B-7E-7E-D4
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.118(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, August 11, 2025 6:27:24 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, August 19, 2025 6:27:23 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 74-40-BB-D5-2D-BE
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Your results will likely be similar. For example the Default Gateway address of 192.168.1.1 is used by many routers and thus small networks. There are other addresses that are commonly used - 192.168.0.1. Varies.

[Note: you do not need to use Powershell. Using the command prompt will provide the same results.]

 

[Icediamondshark]

The ipconfig /all information is common to many network systems and is overall a basic, starting troubleshooting tool.

At most redact any naming (device or network) that could be personally revealing.

Key is to understand the difference between public and private IP addresses. You do not want to reveal the IP address provided by your ISP.

You can find that address by googling "What is my IP".

FYI:

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-private-ip-address-2625970

You can easily find other similar links and information.

= = = =

From my system:

Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Install the latest PowerShell for new features and improvements! https://aka.ms/PSWindows

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . :[Redacted}
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : hsd1.[Redacted].comcast.net

Ethernet adapter [Network name redacted]:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : hsd1[Redacted].comcast.net
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 8C-EC-4B-7E-7E-D4
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.118(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, August 11, 2025 6:27:24 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, August 19, 2025 6:27:23 AM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Bluetooth Network Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 74-40-BB-D5-2D-BE
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32>

Your results will likely be similar. For example the Default Gateway address of 192.168.1.1 is used by many routers and thus small networks. There are other addresses that are commonly used - 192.168.0.1. Varies.

[Note: you do not need to use Powershell. Using the command prompt will provide the same results.]

Alright, I've updated my post

 

[Ralston18]

Immediate suggestions regarding "ipconfig /all"

1) Configure the DNS Servers to Google at 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

2) On the router the IP lease time is only 3 hours. Technically should not make a difference but short lease times can be problematic. I use a week. [Note: who has full admin rights to the router? That person will need to change the lease time.]

3) Disable IPv6

 

[Icediamondshark]

Immediate suggestions regarding "ipconfig /all"

1) Configure the DNS Servers to Google at 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

2) On the router the IP lease time is only 3 hours. Technically should not make a difference but short lease times can be problematic. I use a week. [Note: who has full admin rights to the router? That person will need to change the lease time.]

3) Disable IPv6

Okay, I think I have admin access to the router. By ip lease time do you mean DHCP Address Lease Time?

 

[bill001g]

It is extremely unclear what you are calling input delay and why you think the wifi is involved.

Key is your comment that you used a HDMI cable and suddenly the problem is gone. Where you connecting to the monitor using some kind of screen sharing or other method that would require the actual screen image to be tranmitted over wifi.

If you are just comparing using the laptops screen it has some issue but not when you use a hdmi connected monitor that is not likely wifi related.

Normally people talk about using a "wired" connection mean they are using a ethernet cable.

 

[Icediamondshark]

It is extremely unclear what you are calling input delay and why you think the wifi is involved.

Key is your comment that you used a HDMI cable and suddenly the problem is gone. Where you connecting to the monitor using some kind of screen sharing or other method that would require the actual screen image to be tranmitted over wifi.

If you are just comparing using the laptops screen it has some issue but not when you use a hdmi connected monitor that is not likely wifi related.

Normally people talk about using a "wired" connection mean they are using a ethernet cable.

I never said I thought the issue was wifi related. My pc doesn't even have the ability to connect to internet wirelessly.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with @bill001g . The term input delay, and what you are experiencing, aren't matching up in my brain.

Maybe you mean ping? If you had high ping your gaming would suffer, because it's taking too long for the data to come from a server and get to you, and vice versa.

What are you doing when this happens? Surfing, playing online?

 

[Icediamondshark]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with @bill001g . The term input delay, and what you are experiencing, aren't matching up in my brain.

Maybe you mean ping? If you had high ping your gaming would suffer, because it's taking too long for the date to come from a server and get to you, and vice versa.

What are you doing when this happens? Surfing, playing online?

I am talking about input delay. When I press a button in game there is a delay between my press and what happens on screen.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I am talking about input delay. When I press a button in game there is a delay between my press and what happens on screen.

Then it's likely ping. The time it takes for your pc to interact with server and server back to you. Which type of games? First person shooter?

 

[Icediamondshark]

Then it's likely ping. The time it takes for your oc to interact with server and server back to you. Which type of games? First I

Then it's likely ping. The time it takes for your pc to interact with server and server back to you. Which type of games? First person shooter?

It's simply retroarch gba emulation. It's where I usually do my input delay tests. It does not require internet at all. The issue is only noticable when I play wirelessly.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

It's simply retroarch gba emulation. It's where I usually do my input delay tests. It does not require internet at all. The issue is only noticable when I play wirelessly.

What controller are using? Keyboard and mouse, Xbox controller?. Connected by Bluetooth or 2.4ghz?

 

[Icediamondshark]

What controller are using? Keyboard and mouse, Xbox controller?.

What controller are using? Keyboard and mouse, Xbox controller?. Connected by Bluetooth or 2.4ghz?

I've tried multiple controllers. I tend to use my mayflash magic ns2 adapter, but my pc also has bluetooth with a use of an usb adapter. The controllers I've tested were the 8bitdo pro2, dualsense, and 8bitdo micro. Although I can do more tests because I have a few more controllers. Thing to take note of here is that the mayflash wireless adapter is definitely not at fault here because I've tested this adapter on my old school laptop and there was no latency that was noticable.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Bluetooth is a no go. Simply too much lag.

I see the mayflash is also BT only.

Ideally you need to go onto a controller with 2.4ghz fast wireless adaptor. Less issues.

Do you have other BT components plugged in? If so, only use one at a time. BT gives of a lot of noise and make even simple things laggy.

 

[Icediamondshark]

Bluetooth is a no go. Simply too much lag.

I see the mayflash is also BT only.

Ideally you need to go onto a controller with 2.4ghz fast wireless adaptor. Less issues.

Do you have other BT components plugged in? If so, only use one at a time. BT gives of a lot of noise and make even simple things laggy.

Definitely not true. Unless you play super competatively like 10ms of lag is not going to matter. I own a phone, tablet and latency on those devices is completely negligable with bluetooth. So the issue isn't with bluetooth in of itself.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Definitely not true. Unless you play super competatively like 10ms of lag is not going to matter. I own a phone, tablet and latency on those devices is completely negligable with bluetooth. So the issue isn't with bluetooth in of itself.

Good luck in solving your problem 👍