MTU Configuration for Latency Optimization

Optimize your network for smoother online gaming

What is MTU and Why Does It Matter?

MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) is the maximum size (in bytes) of a single packet that your network can send at once.

If a packet is too large for your connection, it gets fragmented (split into smaller parts). This can lead to:

• Higher ping

• Packet loss

• Connection instability

• Lag spikes in games like Call of Duty Mobile on GameLoop

So, setting the correct MTU helps your connection send packets efficiently — with less delay and more stability.

Recommended MTU Value for Gaming

A common optimized MTU value for gaming is:

1458

Why not the maximum (like 1500)?

• Modern networks (especially with NAT, VPNs, or Wi-Fi) often require slightly smaller packets.

• A value like 1458 avoids fragmentation, making it ideal for low-latency online gaming.

However, you can also test and find the best MTU for your own connection.

Find the Best MTU for Your Connection (Optional)

This step is optional, but helps if you’re using custom network setups or want to be exact.

📍 Step-by-Step: MTU Ping Test

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

   • Press Start, type cmd, right-click → “Run as Administrator”

2. Type the following command and press Enter:

ping google.com -f -l 1462

If you see “Packet needs to be fragmented”, reduce the number by 10 and try again:

ping google.com -f -l 1462

3. Keep lowering the number until you find the highest value that works without fragmentation.

4. Add 28 to your final value (because 28 bytes are used for headers).

Example:
If ping -f -l 1430 is the highest that works without errors:

1430 + 28 = 1458

Set MTU Permanently in Windows

Once you have your ideal MTU (e.g., 1458), follow these steps:

🔧 Step 1: Check Your Network Interface Name

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator

2. Run this command:

netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

You’ll see something like:

MTU      MediaSenseState      Bytes In       Bytes Out      Interface

1500       1                                   123456         789012          Wi-Fi

In this example, your interface name is: Wi-Fi

Step 2: Set MTU for Your Interface

Replace "Wi-Fi" with your actual interface name, and set the MTU:

netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface “Wi-Fi” mtu=1458 store=persistent

✔️ This command saves the new MTU setting permanently.

Step 3: Verify It

To confirm your MTU is now applied:

netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

Check if it now shows 1458 in the MTU column.

Why This Matters for GameLoop & Online Games

When playing online games (especially FPS titles like Call of Duty Mobile), every millisecond counts.

A misconfigured MTU can cause:

• High ping

• Lag during combat

• Slow map loading

• “Network Error” messages

A properly tuned MTU ensures clean packet flow, reducing ping and jitter for a smoother online experience.

Final Tip

After setting MTU:

• Restart your PC and modem/router to apply all network changes cleanly

• Consider pairing this with manual DNS configuration (like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8)