Vista WiFi Wireless 60 Second Lag Problem
Vista WiFi Wireless 60 Second Lag Problem
Have you ever used Skype, World of Warcraft (WoW), or any delay sensitive application online and noticed an annoying hiccup every 60 seconds? Based on my tests this lag is caused by Windows Vista wireless background scans used to keep available wireless networks updated.
My theory is that every 60 seconds Windows Vista’s wireless manager scans for other WiFi networks. This scan causes a minor hiccup in wireless networking because the client radio stops transmitting and receiving information on the current WiFi channel while it listens for networks on other channels.
A simple ping test and a timer can be used to measure the impact of this scan process. The results of my test are below. The replies are around 30ms or less but every 60 seconds they jump to over 500ms.
Time: 8:51:34 PM — Reply: 839ms
Time: 8:52:33 PM — Reply: 709ms
Time: 8:53.32 PM — Reply: 590ms
For basic Internet browsing and email the above delay spikes go unnoticed but for more interactive applications like voice over IP (VoIP) and online gaming, the lag caused by the scans can be annoying.
Below are screen shots of a Windows Vista station “pinging” www.yahoo.com using the following command “ping -t www.yahoo.com -l 1400″ and Windows Vista’s clock.
Vista 60 Second Lag Fix
There doesn’t seem to be a way to fix this lag issue using configurable settings available in Windows Vista’s wireless manager or WLAN Autoconfig. Turning off Vista automatic connection features didn’t help.
Vista Anti-Lag (VAL)
The only way I was able to stop the delay spike from occurring was to use a third party program called Vista Anti-Lag available at www.codecase.de.
Results of ping test after enabling Vista Anti-Lag are below….no more delay spikes!
Vista Anti-Lag (VAL) v1.1.1 Download
I was able to download Vista Anti-Lag from here.
Vista Anti-Lag (VAL) optimizes your wireless connection in Windows Vista (every edition).
Benefits / features:Stops “Lag Peaks” / “Lag Spikes”
No dropouts / droppers anymore with Skype and Voice Over IP
Download at full speed without interruptions
Lag free gaming with Windows Vista
The best: IT’S FREE!Background:
Windows Vista doesn’t work with the optimal wireless settings. Some of these settings are causing 1-5 sec dropouts with many wireless cards, which are appearing every 30-60 sec. These dropouts are very hated in the gaming community and if users are using voice over IP applications or other real-time protocols.
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Thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks Zaib
I had this problem for far to long after I got my new laptop, but now finally I can use Skype and play online without having constant spikes. It worked like a charm.
Thanks once again :)
Timo
Unfortunately, it works for some but not all.
I’ve used this, WLAN Optimizer and the netsh command line “fix” (turning off wlan autoconfig); none work.
My theory – since these applets work for some and not others, apparently there must be a chipset and/or driver issue at play.
Glad that others are finding a way out though. ;-)
Wow, I thank you very much.. I thought it had to do w/ my router.. but.. I’m going to install VAL..!
I kept getting 500 ping while playing BF2142.. now I should play smooth @ 50 ;)
Thanks allot dude!
Saved my online play :P
Btw my keyword for search on Yahoo was.
“troubleshoot wifi lag spike”
Your on top ;)
Thanks again.
Ehh.. I just realized your link is DEAD. I also realized I can’t find it anywhere their all dead links! Ehh.. not good.
ChokeGreeen — just uploaded version I used. Now download link for Vista Anti-Lag (VAL) v1.1.1 is good.
THANK YOU, i have had this delay problem for about 3 weeks now with my new computer, and i dled the vista antilag and it works amazing! no delays for about 2 days now (knock on wood). thanks again!
THX alot! when i first got my pc no trouble at all… then suddenly my connection began dropping, then my downloads stop 5 seconds out of 10. but VAL fixed it! THX again. ;-)
Thanks Zaib, I got a router a while ago and accepted the fact I would not be able to play games anymore until I stumbled upon this. Not a single spike anymore, no lag, no dcs! Yessss, I love you man. =D
thank you man this program saved me the headache of doing long cabling
I tried this, it only help me a little bit. I’ve been struggling for this issue to be resolved for so long, bought a new router, bought a new wireless usb, update drivers on EVERYTHING, and tried a whole lot of little fixes, im almost ready to just say to hell with vista for now.