What an A+ bufferbloat grade actually means

Your game can feel responsive when nobody else is using the internet, then lag when someone starts a download or video call. A bufferbloat grade helps show whether your connection's delay grows when it is busy.

An A+ is a good result, but it does not mean your ping is always low or that every game will run smoothly. The Bufferbloat Test measures how much response time increases under download and upload load, then gives the result a grade from A+ to F.

Run the bufferbloat test

1. Open the Bufferbloat Test on the computer or device whose connection you want to check.
2. For a baseline, pause downloads, video streams, cloud backups, and other heavy internet use on your network. Keep the device in its usual position and use the connection you normally game on.
3. Start the test and let it finish. It checks response time while the connection is idle and while it is handling download and upload activity.
4. Note the grade and the reported response-time change during each load phase. If you can, repeat the test once with another household download or upload running.

For a useful comparison, change one thing at a time. For example, run once on Wi-Fi and once with Ethernet, or test before and during a large upload. Try to keep the device and test conditions similar.

What the grade means

A+ means little added delay in this test

The connection stayed responsive while the test created download and upload activity. That is a strong sign that ordinary network load is not adding much delay between your device and the test endpoint under these conditions.

For gaming, that is encouraging if lag appears when another device uses the internet. It does not guarantee that a particular game server is nearby, that your game will have low ping, or that your Wi-Fi will never drop packets.

A+ does not mean your starting ping is low

The grade is about how much delay grows under load, not a promise that the starting response time is small. A connection could begin with a relatively high response time and add very little when busy, yet still feel slow in a game because the baseline delay is already high.

Check the actual response-time readings as well as the letter grade. A+ and a low starting ping are both useful, but they answer different questions.

A lower grade means load added more delay

If the grade is lower, the connection's response time increased more during the test's download or upload activity. This can make actions feel delayed when someone is streaming, backing up files, or sending a large file. Upload activity can be especially disruptive when it fills the connection's queue.

A poor grade does not prove that your router is broken. The cause could be router queue management, Wi-Fi interference, a busy internet connection, or activity from another device. Repeat the test before deciding what to change.

The grade is not a speed score

Bufferbloat and internet speed are related but distinct. A fast plan can still have delay that rises sharply under load, while a slower connection may keep its response time more consistent. Use a speed test to check download and upload throughput, and the bufferbloat result to check delay under load.

How to improve a poor result

1. Pause heavy network activity. Stop game downloads, cloud backups, large uploads, and high-resolution streams, then test again. If the grade improves, the connection is sensitive to competing traffic rather than necessarily faulty.
2. Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet. If practical, connect the gaming device to the router with an Ethernet cable and rerun the test. On Windows 11, check Settings › Network & internet to see the active connection. On macOS, open System Settings › Network. On an iPhone, open Settings › Wi-Fi; on Android, open Settings › Network & internet › Internet (the wording can vary by device). A better wired result points to Wi-Fi conditions, while a similar result on both connections suggests looking beyond the wireless link.
3. Reduce competing traffic while gaming. Pause downloads and backups on other devices, or schedule them for later. If the problem happens only while someone uploads, try pausing that upload first and compare.
4. Look for queue management on the router. Router settings may call this feature SQM, Smart Queue Management, or QoS. Check your router's own instructions for the correct menu and settings. If available, enable the feature and rerun the test; names and controls differ between router models.
5. Restart and update the router. Restart it once, then check the manufacturer's instructions for a firmware update. Retest after each change so you can tell whether it helped.
6. Contact your internet provider if the problem persists. If results remain poor on Ethernet with other network use paused, share the test conditions and readings with your provider. Ask whether your modem, plan, or line is contributing to delay under load.

Why your game may still lag with an A+

The test measures the connection to its own test endpoint, not to every game server. Your game's route may be longer, the server may be busy, or the game's own network may be having trouble. Wi-Fi interference can also cause brief stalls that do not happen during the test.

Compare the grade with what you experience. If lag only appears during downloads, retest while that activity is happening. If it happens even when the network is otherwise quiet, check the game's displayed ping and test connection stability at the time of the problem. A single A+ result is a helpful snapshot, not a guarantee for every match or every hour.