Technology
Internet Disconnects When Playing Games: What Are The Ways To Fix It?

As we know, gaming has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Console games have transitioned into full-on interactive movies that can keep you engaged for hours at a time. Online multiplayer modes are now the norm rather than the exception.
There’s just one problem: game performance is frequently bogged down by poor internet connections. Video streaming can be painfully slow due to limited bandwidth or inconsistent connectivity.
Some people will simply wait it out until they get a better connection but this only makes things worse as more data gets uploaded and processed. For some people, spending half an hour waiting for something trivial to load becomes untenable so they give up and quit the game.
For others, there may not be anything they can do about it except bear with bad lag for an extended period of time which could hurt their overall enjoyment of the game.
Internet connections vary widely depending on how close your house is to a wireless network, what kind of router you have, and where your computer is connected to connect (via cable or wifi).
This article will go through ten different ways to fix low quality online gameplay including tips and tricks for both console gamers and PC players.
Tips to Prevent your internet from disconnecting
Sometimes, gamers are framed for something malicious that they’re not even involved in. This is usually due to an antivirus program blocking the game because it thinks there is malware inside of it, or your firewall software detecting suspicious activity coming from the game.
Usually, developers include specific signatures (proofs) that show how the game works within the code, making detection easy for anti-malware programs.
But some people may try to make money off of the game by selling fake tools or other games, which can look like legitimate content. So instead of disabling these features, some companies remove those proofs so that anti-malware cannot detect the game, creating a loophole that people could take advantage of to make money.
One of the most common reasons for game disconnects is your computer’s antivirus software blocking Origin, Steam, or both. This can happen if there is an issue with either the program or the settings within it.
If you are using Windows 8,8.1,or Linux, make sure to check whether your antivirus has a “Steam Mode” option. This will allow the app to recognize steam as legitimate so it doesn’t get blocked in future.
For windows users, you can also disable automatic updates while gaming to avoid issues like this. However, this may not be a good idea if you want your system to receive all possible updates!
Lastly, try changing your internet browser; Firefox is said to run better than Chrome or Explorer when playing games online, which could help reduce lag.
Reboot your modem or router
One of the most common reasons for poor game performance is a bad connection. This can be caused by many things, such as an unstable internet source or network issues in your area.
If you are experiencing low framerates while gaming, it may be time to reboot your modem or router.
Use a different network location
One of the biggest reasons that gamers are given an internet disconnect is because they use the same exact connection to play games as they do to browse the web or chat with people.
If you’re in-depth looking at something on YouTube, for example, you might forget that you have logged into your own Instagram account while playing video games!
When you start up a new game, it automatically searches for available networks and connections before letting you play. If there isn’t one readily available, it will ask if you would like to create one yourself.
Most gamers now have this happen once every few days, but some players get disconnected far more than that. This can be very frustrating when you’ve spent time creating an elaborate character and situation only to find out that you lost connectivity.
Change your IP address
One of the biggest reasons that gamers are given an internet disconnect is because they use a different IP address when playing games. Changing your IP address will fix this!
Most gaming consoles have a setting where you can assign yourself a new, private IP address. This allows you to connect with no issues since people using the internet cannot see what console you are using or if you’re even connected.
By changing your IP address, you get a new unique identifier for your computer which makes it harder to track your gameplay. You also do not need to change your DNS settings – changing your IP address takes care of that!
This article will help you find a good IP address and how to easily test if yours works.
Connect using a different cable

One of the most common reasons people are given for poor internet connectivity while gaming is when they use a wireless controller or headset as their console access device.
If you have run out of wired connections, try switching your input source from Wireless to Wired. Or if you’re only experiencing issues with one game, switch controllers or headsets around to see if that fixes it.
Internet connectivity can be tricky, but don’t give up! If you’re still having troubles, look into whether the game has optional in-game settings such as Resolution or Texture Settings that you can adjust.
Use a different wireless router
One of the main reasons gamers are experiencing internet disconnects is because their current router cannot handle all of the games they want to play, or the game servers require a faster connection. As routers become more powerful every year, you may not need to upgrade your current one for quite some time!
There are several types of routers that people use, and which ones are best depends mostly on what you will be doing with yours. Most people choose between WiFi-only access points (WAP), network attached storage (NAS) devices, or both.
Use a different wireless connection

One of the biggest causes for internet disconnects is using your current wifi network as an authentication source when playing games.
Change your DNS server address
One of the most common reasons that gamers experience internet disconnects is when their ISP switches out their current DNS (domain name system) provider for one of theirs.
When you open up a new web browser window, it will ask you to choose what DNS service to use. You can usually pick between Google’s 8.8.8.8 or Amazon’s 9.9.9.9, but there are other options as well.
Most ISPs give you the chance to switch from their default DNS service to something else at least once per month! If yours does not, try looking online for another good option. Some even offer free ones which is very helpful.
Reboot your computer
One of the most common causes for poor game performance is something called “lag” or “packet loss.” This happens when there are not enough electrical charges left in a part of your computer equipment to transmit information effectively.
If this occurs while you are gaming, your graphics may look muddy or jittery (tremulousness). Audio may also be affected as some people have very sensitive hearing so it is possible to hear extra noise from lost packets.
Rebooting can sometimes fix this type of problem, but only if it was caused by software running in the background. To make sure that doesn’t happen, close all other apps before rebooting.
Another way to prevent lag is to limit how many programs you have open at one time. Only needed applications should be opened, and those should be closed individually instead of all together like we usually do.
Network problems
There are few things more frustrating than trying to play a game, launch an app or website, and then get stuck as you search for a network connection. You may be running out of bandwidth, which is why your gameplay is getting slower and/or times out.
This can easily be fixed by searching through each device’s settings to make sure that “auto-detect” is selected instead of “manual connect.” This way, it does not need to look for a WiFi signal every time there is activity!
Another potential cause of slow down in connectivity is too much usage of apps at one time. If possible, try limiting how many apps you have open at once to save some processing power for gaming.
It is also important to remember that most games now require online authentication so they will work only if you are connected to the internet.
Antivirus Blockage or firewall
One of the most common reasons for game lag is antivirus software blocking your computer from connecting to the internet or your router rejecting connections due to suspicious activity.
If you’re experiencing lag while playing games, check if your antivirus program is up-to-date and whether it has detected any unexpected programs running.
You can also try resetting your router or changing its configuration settings to see if that fixes the problem.
VPN service
A virtual private network (or VPN) service connects you to the internet through their own servers that they pay to lease out space on. This allows your device to connect directly to the server instead of going through an intermediary source such as a router or computer.
A good VPN will keep things anonymous by being able to shift where your connection is coming from depending on where you are connecting from. For example, if you’re in Canada then it would use Canadian servers, if you were in China then Chinese ones.
Modem connection issues
One of the most common reasons for game disconnects is a lack of signal or poor connectivity. This can be caused by many things, including bad internet service providers (ISPs), wireless networks that are not working due to limited bandwidth, buildings with heavy use of wifi which weaken the connection, or your device being able to receive a good enough signal but not strong enough to maintain a stable connection.
If you’re experiencing lag while playing games, it may be time to look into how well your ISP and router work together. Some people have experienced success by switching ISPs or changing their router settings. You might also want to consider buying an ethernet cord so that you do not need wifi to play games.
Another solution, if you’re in a relatively safe area, is to connect to a wired network instead of using wifi. Many companies these days offer free wifi services at certain locations which can help you get past this problem.
Ethernet Cable issues
One of the most common causes for game disconnects is an Ethernet cable that gets tangled up or connected to another device. This can happen due to using poor cables, having too many devices, or simply moving a console around without taking care to put it back in place properly.
If you are experiencing frequent connection issues, check your cords! Pull out each cord just to make sure it’s not loose and putting some pressure on the port can help determine if there is a problem.
Another way to test whether this is the issue is by connecting only one device at a time to see if the same thing happens.
Technology
Pintarnya raises $16.7M to power jobs and financial services in Indonesia

Pintarnya, an Indonesian employment platform that goes beyond job matching by offering financial services along with full-time and side-gig opportunities, said it has raised a $16.7 million Series A round.
The funding was led by Square Peg with participation from existing investors Vertex Venture Southeast Asia & India and East Ventures.
Ghirish Pokardas, Nelly Nurmalasari, and Henry Hendrawan founded Pintarnya in 2022 to tackle two of the biggest challenges Indonesians face daily: earning enough and borrowing responsibly.
“Traditionally, mass workers in Indonesia find jobs offline through job fairs or word of mouth, with employers buried in paper applications and candidates rarely hearing back. For borrowing, their options are often limited to family/friend or predatory lenders with harsh collection practices,” Henry Hendrawan, co-founder of Pintarnya, told TechCrunch. “We digitize job matching with AI to make hiring faster and we provide workers with safer, healthier lending options — designed around what they can reasonably afford, rather than pushing them deeper into debt.”
Around 59% of Indonesia’s 150 million workforce is employed in the informal sector, highlighting the difficulties these workers encounter in accessing formal financial services because they lack verifiable income and official employment documentation.
Pintarnya tackles this challenge by partnering with asset-backed lenders to offer secured loans, using collateral such as gold, electronics, or vehicles, Hendrawan added.
Since its seed funding in 2022, the platform currently serves over 10 million job seeker users and 40,000 employers nationwide. Its revenue has increased almost fivefold year-over-year and expects to reach break-even by the end of the year, Hendrawn noted. Pintarnya primarily serves users aged 21 to 40, most of whom have a high school education or a diploma below university level. The startup aims to focus on this underserved segment, given the large population of blue-collar and informal workers in Indonesia.
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“Through the journey of building employment services, we discovered that our users needed more than just jobs — they needed access to financial services that traditional banks couldn’t provide,” said Hendrawan. “We digitize job matching with AI to make hiring faster and we provide workers with safer, healthier lending options — designed around what they can reasonably afford, rather than pushing them deeper into debt.”

While Indonesia already has job platforms like JobStreet, Kalibrr, and Glints, these primarily cater to white-collar roles, which represent only a small portion of the workforce, according to Hendrawan. Pintarnya’s platform is designed specifically for blue-collar workers, offering tailored experiences such as quick-apply options for walk-in interviews, affordable e-learning on relevant skills, in-app opportunities for supplemental income, and seamless connections to financial services like loans.
The same trend is evident in Indonesia’s fintech sector, which similarly caters to white-collar or upper-middle-class consumers. Conventional credit scoring models for loans, which rely on steady monthly income and bank account activity, often leave blue-collar workers overlooked by existing fintech providers, Hendrawan explained.
When asked about which fintech services are most in demand, Hendrawan mentioned, “Given their employment status, lending is the most in-demand financial service for Pintarnya’s users today. We are planning to ‘graduate’ them to micro-savings and investments down the road through innovative products with our partners.”
The new funding will enable Pintarnya to strengthen its platform technology and broaden its financial service offerings through strategic partnerships. With most Indonesian workers employed in blue-collar and informal sectors, the co-founders see substantial growth opportunities in the local market. Leveraging their extensive experience in managing businesses across Southeast Asia, they are also open to exploring regional expansion when the timing is right.
“Our vision is for Pintarnya to be the everyday companion that empowers Indonesians to not only make ends meet today, but also plan, grow, and upgrade their lives tomorrow … In five years, we see Pintarnya as the go-to super app for Indonesia’s workers, not just for earning income, but as a trusted partner throughout their life journey,” Hendrawan said. “We want to be the first stop when someone is looking for work, a place that helps them upgrade their skills, and a reliable guide as they make financial decisions.”
Technology
OpenAI warns against SPVs and other ‘unauthorized’ investments

In a new blog post, OpenAI warns against “unauthorized opportunities to gain exposure to OpenAI through a variety of means,” including special purpose vehicles, known as SPVs.
“We urge you to be careful if you are contacted by a firm that purports to have access to OpenAI, including through the sale of an SPV interest with exposure to OpenAI equity,” the company writes. The blog post acknowledges that “not every offer of OpenAI equity […] is problematic” but says firms may be “attempting to circumvent our transfer restrictions.”
“If so, the sale will not be recognized and carry no economic value to you,” OpenAI says.
Investors have increasingly used SPVs (which pool money for one-off investments) as a way to buy into hot AI startups, prompting other VCs to criticize them as a vehicle for “tourist chumps.”
Business Insider reports that OpenAI isn’t the only major AI company looking to crack down on SPVs, with Anthropic reportedly telling Menlo Ventures it must use its own capital, not an SPV, to invest in an upcoming round.
Technology
Meta partners with Midjourney on AI image and video models

Meta is partnering with Midjourney to license the startup’s AI image and video generation technology, Meta Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang announced Friday in a post on Threads. Wang says Meta’s research teams will collaborate with Midjourney to bring its technology into future AI models and products.
“To ensure Meta is able to deliver the best possible products for people it will require taking an all-of-the-above approach,” Wang said. “This means world-class talent, ambitious compute roadmap, and working with the best players across the industry.”
The Midjourney partnership could help Meta develop products that compete with industry-leading AI image and video models, such as OpenAI’s Sora, Black Forest Lab’s Flux, and Google’s Veo. Last year, Meta rolled out its own AI image generation tool, Imagine, into several of its products, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Meta also has an AI video generation tool, Movie Gen, that allows users to create videos from prompts.
The licensing agreement with Midjourney marks Meta’s latest deal to get ahead in the AI race. Earlier this year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg went on a hiring spree for AI talent, offering some researchers compensation packages worth upwards of $100 million. The social media giant also invested $14 billion in Scale AI, and acquired the AI voice startup Play AI.
Meta has held talks with several other leading AI labs about other acquisitions, and Zuckerberg even spoke with Elon Musk about joining his $97 billion takeover bid of OpenAI (Meta ultimately did not join the offer, and OpenAI denied Musk’s bid).
While the terms of Meta’s deal with Midjourney remain unknown, the startup’s CEO, David Holz, said in a post on X that his company remains independent with no investors; Midjourney is one of the few leading AI model developers that has never taken on outside funding. At one point, Meta talked with Midjourney about acquiring the startup, according to Upstarts Media.
Midjourney was founded in 2022 and quickly became a leader in the AI image generation space for its realistic, unique style. By 2023, the startup was reportedly on pace to generate $200 million in revenue. The startup sells subscriptions starting at $10 per month. It offers pricier tiers, which offer more AI image generations, that cost as much as $120 per month. In June, the startup released its first AI video model, V1.
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Meta’s partnership with Midjourney comes just two months after the startup was sued by Disney and Universal, alleging that it trained AI image models on copyrighted works. Several AI model developers — including Meta — face similar allegations from copyright holders, however, recent court cases pertaining to AI training data have sided with tech companies.
Got a sensitive tip or confidential documents? We’re reporting on the inner workings of the AI industry — from the companies shaping its future to the people impacted by their decisions. Reach out to Rebecca Bellan at [email protected] and Maxwell Zeff at [email protected]. For secure communication, you can contact us via Signal at @rebeccabellan.491 and @mzeff.88.
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