What is jitter, and why should you care?

Simply put, it’s what makes your internet feel glitchy or unreliable at times. It’s especially annoying during gaming, video calls, or streaming—those moments when even the smallest disruption can throw everything off.

This happens when data packets (the little chunks of information your device sends and receives) don’t arrive on time. It’s like trying to have a conversation where the other person’s words arrive out of order or with weird pauses. For gamers, it might mean your commands feel delayed or your character suddenly teleports. Frustrating, right?

That’s why it’s important to understand how these disruptions affect your online experience. The good news? By the end of this blog, you’ll not only know what is jitter but also how to fix it.

What is Jitter?

To answer what is jitter, you need to understand how data moves through networks. When you’re online, information travels in packets; small chunks of data sent to and from your device.

It occurs when the timing of these packets becomes inconsistent. Ideally, packets should arrive in a steady, predictable flow. However, delays or disruptions can cause them to arrive out of order or at irregular intervals. This inconsistency in timing is what we call jitter.

This is what jitter looks like:

During gaming.
Your character seem to “teleport” or respond late to your actions.
Opponents move unpredictably, making it hard to compete.

In video calls.
Audio stutters, making it hard to understand the other person.
Video freezes or becomes out of sync with the audio.

While streaming.
You see buffering, pixelated video, or hear audio dropouts.

File transfers and downloads.
Can slow down large file uploads or downloads.
Businesses relying on data exchange can face productivity losses.

Types of Jitter

To fully understand what jitter is, it’s helpful to know that not all jitter is the same. Different types of jitter have different causes and solutions. Knowing the type of jitter affecting your connection is key to fixing it effectively and improving your online experience.

Type of Jitter	What It Is	When It Happens	Who Experiences It Most	Why It Happens	Why It Matters
Random Jitter	Caused by unpredictable factors like interference or network noise.	Common in wireless connections, where signals can be disrupted by devices, walls, or noise.	– Home users on Wi-Fi networks. – Urban residents with crowded network environments.	Wi-Fi signals are easily disrupted by walls, electronic devices, or other networks nearby.	Can cause sudden stutters in video calls or teleporting characters in games. Fix Wi-Fi interference or switch to wired.
Deterministic Jitter	Occurs due to specific identifiable reasons, like hardware limitations or poor configurations.	Consistent and repeatable, usually during specific tasks like file uploads or video streaming.	– Users with outdated or misconfigured equipment. – Small businesses with basic hardware setups.	Older routers, switches, or poor Quality of Service (QoS) settings lead to consistent issues.	Identifying and fixing it, such as upgrading hardware or configuring your router, restores reliability.
Periodic Jitter	Happens at regular intervals, often due to scheduled tasks or device functions.	Occurs during predictable times, such as firmware updates or background processes.	– IT professionals managing networks. – Power users with complex setups (e.g., frequent updates).	Scheduled tasks like firmware updates or backups running at predictable times.	Disruptions during important activities can be avoided by scheduling updates manually.
Data-Dependent Jitter	Related to the size or structure of data packets being sent.	Happens during tasks involving large data, like video streaming or large file transfers.	– Streamers or users downloading/uploading large files. – Businesses transferring large amounts of data.	Larger packets, such as those from high-resolution streaming or data transfers, take longer to process, causing lag.	Causes buffering or delays. Using faster routers or optimizing packet sizes can resolve this.

Knowing the type of jitter affecting your connection can make troubleshooting much easier and save you money. For instance, if deterministic jitter is the issue, a simple firmware update might fix the problem instead of buying a new router.

Key takeaways:

Home users. If you’re on Wi-Fi, random jitter is likely your issue. Consider using a wired connection or reducing Wi-Fi interference.
Gamers and streamers. You might face data-dependent jitter during high-bandwidth activities. A faster router or prioritizing traffic with QoS settings can help.
Businesses. If you manage networks or handle a lot of data, you’re likely to face deterministic or periodic jitter due to equipment limitations or scheduled tasks.

How to Measure It?

Now that you know what jitter is, the next step is learning how to measure it. Identifying the level of jitter in your network helps determine whether it’s a problem..

Here are the tools and methods you can use:

Speed & ping tests.
These tests send packets to a server and measure the time it takes to get a response. Try ours here. Look for inconsistencies in the timing of replies.

Jitter measurement tools.
Applications like PingPlotter or PRTG measure jitter directly. They provide data on packet timing, delays, and network performance.

For most activities, jitter under 30 milliseconds (ms) is acceptable. Activities like gaming or video calls perform best with jitter below 15ms.

What Causes Jitter?

Jitter doesn’t happen randomly; it’s caused by specific issues in your network. Here are the most common reasons:

Network congestion.
When too many devices are using the same connection, the network gets overloaded. This delays data packets and increases jitter.

Route changes.
Sometimes, data packets are sent along different paths to avoid congestion. These alternate routes can cause uneven delivery times.

Wireless interference.
If you’re using Wi-Fi, interference from other devices or signals can disrupt packet timing.

Hardware problems.
Faulty routers, switches, or cables can delay or drop packets.

Improper network configurations.
Poorly set up Quality of Service (QoS) settings can lead to uneven prioritization of data packets.

Understanding the causes of jitter helps you pinpoint why your connection isn’t stable. Whether it’s congestion, hardware, or interference, knowing the source is key to fixing it.

How to Reduce Jitter?

Now that you understand what is jitter and what causes it, let’s explore practical ways to reduce it. Before jumping into solutions, identify the type of jitter affecting your connection, as this can guide you toward the best fix.

1. Upgrade Your Network Hardware

What is “old hardware”?
If your router or modem is more than 3-5 years old, it’s likely outdated. Older devices often struggle to handle modern internet speeds and workloads, causing delays and jitter. You may also experience jitter if your cables are damaged or outdated (e.g., older Ethernet cables like Cat-5 don’t support gigabit speeds).
When should you change your router?
If your internet feels sluggish or unstable, or it frequently disconnects, it might be time for a router upgrade. Most routers now support advanced features like Quality of Service (QoS) settings and gigabit Ethernet ports, which help reduce jitter.

2. Implement Quality of Service (QoS) Settings

What is QoS?
QoS is a feature available in many modern routers that allows you to prioritize specific types of internet traffic. For example, you can set gaming or video calls to take priority over other devices, reducing jitter caused by competition for bandwidth.
How do you implement QoS?
You can configure QoS through your router’s settings. Many ISPs also provide Wi-Fi management apps that make this process easier. For example, Race Communications offers the Race CommandIQ® app, which lets you manage your network, set priorities, and monitor device activity right from your phone.

race commandiq app guide

3. Use Wired Connections Instead of Wi-Fi

Why does this help?
Wi-Fi connections are prone to interference from walls, devices, or even neighbors’ networks, which can lead to jitter. Ethernet cables, on the other hand, offer a direct and stable connection that avoids these issues.
When should you switch to Ethernet?
If you’re gaming, making video calls, or streaming high-quality videos, a wired connection can drastically improve stability and reduce jitter.

4. Reduce Network Congestion

What is network congestion?
Congestion happens when too many devices are using the same internet connection simultaneously. This overloads the network, delaying data packets and increasing jitter.
Does this apply to everyone?
If you have Fiber to the Home (FTTH) internet, like Race Communications’ fiber plans, network congestion is much less likely because fiber can handle higher bandwidths even during peak times. However, if you’re using cable or DSL, you may notice jitter when multiple devices are active.

5. Employ Jitter Buffers

What are jitter buffers?
A feature used in applications like VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or video conferencing tools. It temporarily stores data packets and releases them in the correct order to smooth out inconsistencies in delivery.
Is this advanced? Do you pay for it?
They are typically built into apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or VoIP phones. You don’t need to pay extra. However, their effectiveness depends on the app and your network’s performance. For gamers or advanced users, hardware jitter buffers are available, but these are less common and more technical to set up.

6. Optimize Your ISP Settings

When should you contact your ISP?
If you’ve tried the above fixes and still experience jitter, your ISP might need to adjust your settings. For example, they can check for issues with your connection or upgrade you to a higher-speed plan. Race Communications’ fiber plans offer symmetrical upload/download speeds, which reduce the chance of jitter during uploads.
Can jitter be your ISP’s fault?
Yes, in some cases. Poor upload speeds or an unstable connection from your ISP can contribute to it. If your ISP can’t resolve the issue, it may be time to change your internet provider. Switching to fiber internet, like Race Communications, gives you a stable connection with minimal jitter.

What’s the Difference Between Jitter vs Lag/Latency vs Ping?

It’s easy to confuse terms like jitter, lag, ping, and latency, but each describes a different aspect of your network performance.

See the difference in the table below:

Factor	Definition	Impact	Example
Jitter	Variability in packet timing.	Causes choppy or unpredictable performance.	Choppy audio or teleporting in games.
Lag (Latency)	The delay in data reaching its destination.	Consistent delays in communication.	A noticeable delay before an action occurs.
Ping	The round-trip time for data packets.	High ping results in slower responses.	Delayed commands in gaming.

How are they related?

Ping and latency often refer to the same thing: the total time it takes for data to travel to a server and back.

Lag is another term for high latency. It describes noticeable delays that disrupt your experience.

Jitter is different. It refers to inconsistencies in how quickly data packets arrive, even if the overall latency or ping is low.

Key takeaway:

Ping/Latency/Lag measures the speed of your connection.

Jitter measures the stability of your connection.

Both are critical for a smooth online experience. For gaming, streaming, or video calls, you need low ping and low jitter to avoid disruptions.

Say Goodbye to Internet Problems with Fiber Optics

A stable and fast internet connection is essential for gaming, streaming, video calls, and everything else you do online. Unfortunately, older technology like DSL or cable can lead to delays, interruptions, and inconsistent performance. Fiber internet offers a modern solution.

With fiber, you get faster speeds, more reliability, and better performance, even during peak usage hours. Fiber’s advanced infrastructure ensures smoother connections and minimal disruptions, giving you the seamless online experience you deserve.

If your current internet provider can’t deliver, it’s time for an upgrade. Race Communications’ fiber plans are built to handle the demands of modern households and businesses. From ultra-fast downloads to consistent video calls, fiber makes lag, delays, and interruptions a thing of the past.

Switch to fiber today and experience a connection designed for the future!