Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Godlike.Host offers hosted Factorio servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
Fix Factorio multiplayer lag by identifying which clock is failing: FPS, UPS, or the network. Low FPS with normal UPS is a rendering problem on one computer. Low UPS means the factory simulation cannot complete its 60 updates per second. Normal UPS with stuttering or delayed actions points to latency, packet loss, UDP reachability, routing, or host geography. A desync is different again: it is a disagreement about the simulated game state, not ordinary network lag.
Use FPS and UPS to identify the problem
Start with Factorio’s performance display while the slowdown is happening. FPS measures how quickly a player’s computer renders frames. UPS measures how quickly the shared game simulation advances. Factorio targets 60 FPS and 60 UPS; at 60 UPS, each simulation tick has only 16.667 milliseconds to finish.
| What you see | What it usually means | Who is affected | First place to investigate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low FPS, normal UPS | The simulation is keeping up, but rendering or GPU work is slow. | Usually one player or one computer | Graphics load, display settings, drivers, and that player’s hardware |
| Low UPS for everyone | The factory simulation is taking more than 16.667 ms per tick. | All connected players | Time-usage/debug profiling and the largest simulation systems |
| Normal UPS, delayed actions or rubber-banding | Input is arriving late or inconsistently. | One player, a subset of players, or everyone, depending on the route | Latency, packet loss, UDP forwarding, firewall rules, and host location |
| Desync notification or divergent game state | Clients no longer calculate the same state. | Usually the affected connection or the whole session | Code, mods, scenarios, or hardware miscalculation—not ordinary latency |
Scope is a useful clue. If only one participant sees a visual slowdown, compare that player’s FPS and UPS with another player’s. If everybody’s UPS falls at the same moment, the shared simulation or host is the likely bottleneck. If UPS remains healthy while actions feel delayed, stop changing factory layouts and examine the connection.
Fix low UPS by profiling the simulation
Capture the slowdown, not an idle moment
Open Factorio’s time-usage or debug performance view while the UPS is low. Inspect both the largest average costs and the largest maximum spikes. An average identifies work that consumes time continuously; a maximum can reveal an occasional event that causes visible pauses. Profile during the actual slowdown, because a quiet factory can hide the system responsible for a late-game stall.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
- Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
- Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
- Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
- High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
The performance guide identifies several update systems that can dominate a tick:
- Entities and their update work
- Trains and train pathing
- Circuit networks
- Fluid calculations
- Heat networks
- Electric networks
- Radars
- Lua and other mod-script updates
Do not guess from the size of the base alone. Use the timing display to select the system with the highest measured cost, then change that workload and check UPS again.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Reduce expensive factory sections
When entities or a particular subsystem dominate the timing view, simplify the section that generates that work. Remove unnecessary entities, consolidate redundant processing, and avoid leaving large numbers of machines or networks active when they provide no production value. Make one change at a time and observe the timing view again so you know which change helped.
If the simulation is close to the limit, small permanent costs matter. A factory that runs at 60 UPS during quiet periods can still drop below the target when trains arrive, circuits switch state, or a large production block activates. Test the busiest operating condition rather than relying on the UPS shown while nobody is moving materials.
Optimize trains and pathing
If train updates or pathing are the largest cost, inspect the rail system for avoidable complexity. Reduce unnecessary train activity and simplify the parts of the network that force frequent recalculation. A dedicated server will not make an overworked train system calculate faster; it only changes where the simulation process runs.
Rank #2
- High Performance Cat6 Cable - The Cat6 ethernet cables 100ft supports frequencies of up to 500 MHz and high-speed 10GB internet connection for LAN network applications such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones and more, while remaining fully backward compatible with your existing network.
- Outdoor&Indoor Ethernet Cable - The cat 6 ethernet patch cable features 8 solid copper conductors 24 AWG. Each of the 4 unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) are separated by a PE cross insulation to isolates pairs and prevent crosstalk and covered by a 5.8mm PVC jacket with RJ45 connectors and gold-plated contacts. The molded strain relief boots help avoid snags that will damage your cables. They are molded for flexibility and resist common wear and tear.
- Lan Cable with RJ45 - UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors, this cat6 cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 500 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- High Quality Control - are designed with extremely well-matched components for outstanding uniform impedance and very low return loss, providing lower crosstalk, and a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Each Cat 6 internet cable 6 ft goes through rigorous testing to ensure a secure wired internet connection with exceptional speed and reliability.
- Support – Cat6 Ethernet cable with CM grade PVC jacket complies with TIA/EIA 568-C.2, is ETL verified and RoHS compliant. If an item is defective or breaks within a year, we will issue a replacement. For questions or concerns please contact our friendly, USA-based customer Support team.
Trim circuit, fluid, heat, and electric-network work
For circuit, fluid, heat, or electric costs, look for networks that are broader or more active than the design requires. Split or simplify redundant networks where practical, remove inactive sections, and avoid repeatedly evaluating logic that does not affect production. The appropriate change depends on what the time-usage view identifies; there is no universal “low UPS” switch.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteReview radars and mod scripts
Radars can add a measurable update cost in a large world. Remove radars that are no longer needed or reduce unnecessary coverage if radar work is prominent in the profile. If Lua or another mod-script update is expensive, disable the suspected mod in a copy of the save or report the behavior to its author. Test with the exact mod set used by the session; changing mods on only one client creates a separate compatibility problem.
Keep a before-and-after record of UPS and the timing category that changed. If removing a workload does not alter the profile, restore it and investigate the next largest category instead of continuing to redesign the factory blindly.
Fix low FPS when UPS is healthy
Low FPS with high or stable UPS is a local rendering bottleneck. The shared simulation is meeting its tick deadline, so changing trains, circuits, or server hardware is unlikely to help that player’s frame rate.
- Compare the affected player’s FPS and UPS with another player’s at the same location and moment.
- Lower graphics options that increase rendering or GPU work, then check FPS again.
- Close other GPU-intensive applications and confirm that the game is using the intended graphics processor.
- Check for a location-specific rendering load, such as a dense area, large number of visible entities, or extensive visual effects.
Because FPS is client-specific, one player can need graphics changes while the rest of the group needs no network or server change. Do not interpret a low FPS reading as evidence that the server’s UPS is low.
Rank #3
- Cat 6 performance at a Cat5e price but with higher bandwidth
- High Performance Cat6, 30 AWG, RJ45 Ethernet Patch Cable provides universal connectivity for LAN network components such as PCs,computer servers,printers,routers,switch boxes,network media players,NAS,VoIP phones
- Jadaol cat6 standard cable support Cat8 and Cat7 network and provides performance of up to 250 MHz 10Gbps and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T/1000BASE-TX (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)
- UTP(Unshielded Twisted Pair) patch cable with RJ45 gold-plated Connectors and are made of 100% bare copper wire, ensure minimal noise and interference
- The unique flat cable shape allows for a cleaner and safer installation. You can easily and seamlessly make the cable run along walls, follow edges & corners or even make it completely invisible by sliding it under a carpet.
When UPS is normal, diagnose the connection
Separate latency from packet loss
Latency is the time for an action to travel to the host and for the result to return. Packet loss means some traffic must be retransmitted or recovered, producing freezes, missing updates, or bursts of movement even when the average delay looks acceptable. A route can also be consistently slow without dropping packets.
Use the symptom pattern to narrow the fault:
- If only one player experiences delayed actions, inspect that player’s local connection, Wi-Fi conditions, and route to the host.
- If players in one region are affected while others are comfortable, suspect host geography or an inter-region route.
- If everyone stutters together while UPS remains normal, inspect the host’s uplink, UDP reachability, and the route shared by all participants.
- If the problem appears only during wireless use, test the same computer over a wired connection before changing the factory or renting a server.
A Cat6 Ethernet cable can help isolate Wi-Fi instability on a local network. It cannot repair low UPS or a poor long-distance route.
Verify UDP reachability and port handling
Factorio uses UDP and commonly uses port 34197. For an internet-hosted game, confirm that the required UDP port is forwarded to the machine running the host. Check the host computer’s firewall and antivirus software as well; either can block UDP while other internet applications continue to work.
Some routers rewrite the source port. That behavior can interfere with a session that expects stable UDP port handling, so check the router’s NAT behavior if forwarding appears correct but connections remain unreliable. Verify the rule against the host’s current local IP address, and retest after any router or firewall change.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Do not expose a port simply because a connection feels slow. Port forwarding addresses reachability; it does not reduce a factory’s simulation time or shorten a geographic route.
Rank #4
- 40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 ethernet cable support max. 40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
- Excellent Anti-interference: The ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
- Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
- PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
- Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5
Make every participant use the same build and mods
All players must use the exact same Factorio game version and the same mods for a session. A version or mod mismatch can prevent joining or produce behavior that looks like a network problem. Confirm the version and mod list on every machine before troubleshooting latency further.
Choose the right multiplayer topology
| Topology | Best fit | Advantages | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAN | Players on the same local network | Shortest local path and no internet routing between participants | Limited to people who can reach that network; Wi-Fi quality still matters |
| In-game client-server host | Small groups where one player can host | Quick to start and requires no separate machine | The host must run the game and forward traffic; the forwarding path can add an extra network hop |
| Dedicated server | Groups that need a persistent or independent host | Separates hosting from a player’s rendering session and can stabilize availability | Still depends on simulation workload, UDP reachability, route quality, and the server’s geography; self-hosting requires administration or paid hosting adds operating cost |
Use LAN when the group is local
LAN play is supported for players on the same local network. It removes the internet path between the participants, making it a useful control test: if the same save is smooth on LAN but not over the internet, the factory is less likely to be the cause. A wired test can further separate wireless interference from other local-network issues.
Recommended Free Tools
Understand the extra hop in an in-game host
With an in-game client-server host, traffic is forwarded through the host player’s machine and connection. That forwarding path can add an extra hop and additional lag. The host should therefore be geographically close to most participants and have a stable connection, not merely a powerful computer.
Know what a dedicated server can and cannot fix
A dedicated server can stabilize hosting by allowing the simulation to run independently of a player’s rendering session. It does not automatically increase UPS: an expensive factory remains expensive wherever it runs. It also cannot correct packet loss between a player and the server or make a distant route short.
Choose a location near the majority of players. If the group is split between regions, compare the practical experience for each group rather than choosing a location based only on the host’s own connection. Self-hosting avoids a hosting bill but requires you to maintain the machine, network, forwarding, and firewall. Paid hosting transfers those operational tasks but does not remove the need to select an appropriate region or monitor UPS.
Best Value
- 👌 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗬-𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 -> 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗗!: Each & every of our cable is individually tested with a 𝐃𝐒𝐗-𝟖𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐂𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐑 to ensure customer satisfaction, the most highest & consistent quality & compliance with 568.2C standards
- 💪 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬-𝗗𝗨𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 & 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥-𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘: Our cable produces the strongest signal, along with the best conductivity, when compared to any other cable of the whole market | Our cable is an outstanding choice for 10 gigabit ethernet | RoHS certified | REACH certified | ISO 9001:2015 certified
- 🤝 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧: Copper & aluminium mix ensures the most perfect price-to-performance & durability ratio for customers | Monk Cables enable customers to reap the rewards of CCA through huge savings
- ❤️ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘-𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘, 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗬-𝗧𝗢-𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞-𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 & 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗢𝗥 𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘: Our cable comes packaged in a hassle-free & tangle-free easy-pull box | Running "ft" count after every foot makes measuring the cable extremely easy | Fire-retardant, sunlight-resistant & weather-proof plenum jacket fulfils rigorous fire protection safety standards for usage in plenum air spaces which typically are above drop ceilings or below raised floors
- ✅ 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗧𝟲 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗨𝗠 𝗖𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘, 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗨𝗬!: Ridiculously easy 30 days return policy | 24/7 super-friendly customer support, with 100% satisfaction guarantee | If you ever face any issues while using our product, we will replace it right away, no questions asked!
Set latency buffering deliberately
Factorio’s latency setting represents expected round-trip latency. The game buffers input so every client can apply actions in deterministic order. Tomas, a Factorio developer, described it this way: “This number defines a lag between the time of user action occurence and the time of application of that user action.”
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use the setting as a stability-versus-responsiveness control:
- On a long-distance or variable connection, higher buffering can reduce visible stalls because the client has more time to receive and order input.
- Higher buffering also makes actions feel delayed, because an input waits longer before application.
- Latency hiding makes common actions feel immediate, but combat and some state-heavy interactions remain latency-sensitive.
Change the setting only after confirming that UPS is healthy and the connection is the remaining problem. Increase buffering when short stalls are more disruptive than delayed input; use less buffering when the route is stable and immediate control matters more. Judge the result during movement, construction, and combat rather than from a menu or an idle base.
Do not confuse lag with a desync
A desync is a disagreement in simulated game state: clients no longer have the same result even though they are meant to execute the same simulation. It is not simply a high ping, a dropped packet, or low UPS. The Factorio Wiki states: “Networking-, latency or performance problems do not cause desyncs.”
If the game reports a desync, investigate code, mods, scenarios, or hardware miscalculation instead of trying to solve it with port forwarding or a higher latency setting. Check whether the problem follows a particular mod or scenario and whether every machine is running the same game version and mod set. A dedicated server may make hosting more consistent, but it does not repair a deterministic-state disagreement caused by software or hardware.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →A practical order of operations
- Reproduce the problem and record FPS and UPS for the affected player and, if possible, another participant.
- If UPS is low, open the time-usage/debug view during the slowdown and identify the largest average or maximum update cost.
- Reduce only the workload represented by that cost—such as entities, trains, networks, radars, or mod scripts—and measure again.
- If FPS is low while UPS is normal, work on the affected computer’s rendering load rather than the server.
- If both FPS and UPS are healthy, determine whether the delay affects one player, a region, or the whole group.
- For an internet session, verify UDP forwarding for the commonly used port 34197, firewall and antivirus permissions, and router source-port behavior.
- Confirm that every player has the exact same game version and mods.
- Compare LAN, the current in-game host, or a dedicated server near most players when topology or geography is suspect.
- Adjust latency buffering only after separating simulation performance from network behavior, accepting that more buffering trades responsiveness for fewer stalls.
- If the symptom is a desync, stop treating it as lag and investigate code, mods, scenarios, or hardware miscalculation.
What the 60-UPS target tells you
The 60-UPS target is a diagnostic threshold, not a promise that every factory will remain at that rate forever. At 60 UPS, the simulation has 16.667 milliseconds per tick. A profile that consistently exceeds that budget will lower UPS for everyone, while a profile that stays within it shifts attention away from factory computation and toward the local renderer or network path. Keeping that distinction clear prevents the most common wasted fixes: changing graphics settings for a simulation bottleneck, renting a server for a packet-loss problem, or forwarding ports to solve a desync.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
