NordVPN for Gaming: Does it Work Well? (Tested 2024)

This article will show you how to use NordVPN for Gaming on your PC, Xbox and PlayStation. We will also explain how to easily set it up on your computer and consoles, and why you should use a VPN in the first place.

Are you a gamer looking for a way to enhance your gaming experience? Maybe you found that some games you wish to play are geo-restricted. Or, you are looking for a way to access bot lobbies in titles like Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 so that you can experience them casually.

You can do all of this by using NordVPN for gaming. This premium VPN lets you unblock regionally locked games. It will also ramp up your security, protecting you from DDoS attacks and keeping your sensitive data private.

While VPNs are not technically available on consoles, we will show you a few workarounds so that you can experience the benefits of using NordVPN on your Xbox and PlayStation consoles as well.

Let’s delve into the world of gaming with NordVPN.

Key Points for Using NordVPN for gaming

• NordVPN provides secure and reliable gaming with its advanced security features, and optimized and fast server connections.
• To get the best deal on NordVPN, use this 74% off coupon.
• You can easily set it up on computers, smartphones, and consoles, making it perfect for users who want to elevate their gaming experience.
• Using NordVPN can improve performance by decreasing ping and latency and protecting you against DDoS attacks while gaming on public Wi-Fi networks.

What Does a VPN do?

A VPN allows you to change your IP address by connecting you to one of its servers anywhere in the world. This connection is also encrypted, meaning that hackers and other third parties can't access your outgoing data. This will neutralize all DDoS attacks while also preventing your ISP and the government from tracking you.

Once you are connected, all sorts of benefits from using a VPN will become apparent.

Why Use NordVPN for Gaming?

Imagine you’re in the middle of an important match. Your team is depending on you, and suddenly, your game starts to lag. Or worse, you’re hit by a DDoS attack, and your game crashes. Frustrating, isn’t it? Here are all the ways in which NordVPN can help in this and similar situations:

• Stay Safe While Playing – With its advanced AES 256 encryption, NordVPN will prevent DDoS attacks and keep you safe from hackers even while gaming on public Wi-Fi networks. Its Threat Protection tool will block all ads and malware, while its kill switch will prevent your data from leaking even in worst-case scenarios.
• Improve Your Speed – Your Internet service provider (ISP) may be slowing down your connection when gaming. This can have a noticeable effect on your performance, which can, in turn, take all the fun out of playing CoD with your friends. NordVPN will protect you from bandwidth throttling, reducing lag and enhancing your gaming experience (the best no-lag VPN).
• Unlock Restricted Games – Plenty of gaming titles are unavailable in certain regions. For example, PUBG was banned in India for quite some time. Since NordVPN has 6,300+ servers worldwide, you can easily connect to another country where these limits don't exist.
• Unlimited Bandwidth – Download and play as many games as you want without worrying about reaching bandwidth limits.
• Available on Multiple Devices – NordVPN is available on computers, smartphones, and similar platforms. By installing it on your router, you can also use it on your Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4/5.
• Powerful Smart DNS Feature – In case your router doesn't support NordVPN, you can use Smart DNS to access some geo-restricted games. Keep in mind that this is not an encrypted connection, so you may still be vulnerable to DDoS attacks.
• Unlock Cloud Gaming – NordVPN lets you easily access cloud gaming platforms, allowing you to stream newest games on your device. In fact, it is the best VPN for GeForce Now.
• Many Simultaneous Connections – This VPN can hold 6 connections at the same time, allowing you to protect multiple devices in your home network.
• Remain Private & Anonymous – This is a no-logs VPN with RAM-only servers, so nobody will be able to track your online activities. By connecting to one of its obfuscated servers, your ISP won't know that you're even using it.
• Affordable Pricing – NordVPN strikes a solid balance between price and quality, and you would be hard-pressed to find a VPN with better features for a lower price.
• Money-back Guarantee – This VPN offers a 30-day refund guarantee, so you can reclaim your money if it doesn't meet your expectations.

How to Start Gaming with NordVPN

Now, let's jump into tutorials on how to set up a NordVPN. Since this process varies from platform to platform, we will provide a guide for each major platform.

1. Setting up NordVPN on PC

Configuring NordVPN on your PC for gaming necessitates the selection of a server location near you or the gaming server you aim to connect to. This way, you’re likely to have a secure and smooth gaming performance. Also, NordVPN can decrease your ping during multiplayer games.

Setting up NordVPN on a computer is very straightforward. All you need to do is follow these five steps:

1. Subscribe to and download NordVPN  (use our 74% off coupon).
2. Follow the wizard to install it on your PC.
3. Start NordVPN and log in with your username and password.
4. Connect to a VPN server in a country of your choice.
   
   If you’re unsure which server to choose, use the Quick Connect button, which automatically picks an optimal server based on your location and network conditions, including internet connection speed.

5. Use NordVPN for gaming on your computer.

2. Using NordVPN on PlayStation 4

You can quickly start gaming with NordVPN on PlayStation consoles by using its Smart DNS tool.

1. Find out your IPv4 address by visiting this website.
2. Log in to NordVPN and go to your dashboard
3. Under SmartDNS click Enable > Activate SmartDNS

4. Start your PS4/PS5 and visit Settings > Network > Set up Internet Connection.

5. For PS4, select Custom and pick if you want to use a LAN or Wi-Fi connection. We highly recommend a cable connection as it is faster and more reliable.
6. Choose Automatic for your IP address settings and Do Not Specify under DCHP Host Name.
7. Manually set up your DNS Settings.
   
   For Primary DNS, enter the value you've received from NordVPN's SmartDNS. Do the same for Secondary DNS.

3. NordVPN for Gaming on PlayStation 5

1. Repeat the first four steps of the PS4 guide.
2. Click on your connection and visit Advanced Settings > DNS Settings > Manual.
3. Enter the same Smart DNS values for your Primary DNS and your Secondary DNS.
4. Start playing geo-restricted games!

Remember, SmartDNS is useful for accessing unavailable games, but since it doesn't encrypt your data we wouldn't use it if our goal was to remain private. We'll mention an alternative method a bit later.

4. Gaming with VPN on Xbox

To use NordVPN for gaming on your Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One, you will have to create a virtual router on your computer. Don't worry, this isn't as complicated as it sounds.

1. Log in to your NordVPN app on your computer.
2. Connect to a VPN server you wish to use for gaming.
3. Use an ethernet cable to connect Xbox to your PC.
4. On your computer, visit Control Panel and open View network status and tasks under the Network and Internet tab.

5. Locate your NordVPN connection, right-click on it, and select Properties.

6. Under Sharing, enable the box that says Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection.

7. In the Home Networking Connection window, pick Xbox's ethernet.
8. Open Settings on your Xbox Series X/S and select Test Network Connection to pair it with NordVPN.

9. Use your virtual router to play geo-restricted games on your Xbox console.

If you are looking for alternatives to NordVPN, take a look at our guide on the best VPNs for Xbox.

5. Gaming on Smartphones (Android and iOS)

Many gamers use NordVPN on iOS or Android games like Pokemon Go. Since you can easily hop from server to server, it's a perfect tool to help you catch exotic Pokemon. Setting up NordVPN on all smartphones is very similar, you'll just have to follow these 3 steps:

1. Download the NordVPN app from your Apple App or Google Play Store.

2. Start NordVPN and register or log in with your user credentials.
   
   Make sure to allow the app to create a VPN connection.
3. Connect to a VPN server of your choice.
   
   For the most performance, use the IKEv2 protocol. If speed is what you are after, choose NordLynx.

How to Set Up NordVPN for Gaming on Your Router

If you like to play games on multiple consoles, computers, or even smartphone devices, consider installing NordVPN directly on a router. This way, you can use a VPN connection instead of SmartDNS, which will also make you private. Not to mention that it's much more convenient, as you won't have to manually set it up on each device separately.

1. Check if your router supports NordVPN.
   
   To do this, just enter the model name in the search bar on the NordVPNs tutorial page.
2. Find your router IP address
   
   It's usually written on a sticker at the back of your router. If it is missing, simply google “control panel IP address for *insert router model*.
3. Open the router's Control Panel.
   
   Simply paste your router's IP address into your browser.
4. Configure your Router.
   
   This step will heavily depend on the type of router you use. Make sure to visit the tutorial page to find specific instructions for your model.
5. Connect Xbox to your computer
6. Start gaming with NordVPN on your Xbox Series X/S

How to Improve your Gaming with NordVPN

If you are into competitive gaming, just subscribing to NordVPN may not be enough. Here are a few things you should do to optimize NordVPN for gaming:

• Use NordLynx Protocol – This is NordVPNs unique implementation of WireGuard. It offers low ping and latency, blazing speeds, better security, and instant server connection. Because of it, NordVPN is great for gaming. It is one of our favorite PUBG VPNs.
• Connect to Close VPN Servers – They will provide you with the best ping, top speed, and most reliable connection. It's a good idea to do a quick speed test before jumping into a game. It may save you frustration and a few unnecessary deaths due to high latency. Do this every time you hop onto a new server.
• Use a Wired Connection – Forget Wi-Fi and get that ol' ethernet cable from your drawer. It will provide you with a much stabler and faster connection, which is crucial if you are a competitive gamer.
• Improve your Security – Make sure that important safety features, like kill switch and various leak protection tools, are always enabled to shield yourself from potential threats.
• Disable Unnecessary Applications – Some background applications may use a lot of bandwidth which can affect your in-game performance.
• Ignore Obfuscated Servers – Unless you live under an oppressive regime enabling obfuscation isn't ideal for gaming. In fact, it will actually slow down your connection. The same is true of Onion-Over-VPN servers.
• Keep NordVPN Up to Date – NordVPN is frequently rolling out updates that can optimize your connection to servers. Make sure that you always have the latest version of the client.

Potential Issues with Using NordVPN for Gaming

Even when using a top-tier VPN, you might encounter occasional issues.

1. Slow VPN Connection

Latency and high ping may be frustrating, but they are also generally easy to solve. Start by switching servers and perform a speed test before jumping into the game. In case that doesn't work, you can switch to another protocol or restart your app. If you are gaming with NordVPN on a console, make sure to only use a wired connection.

2. Can't Change my Location

If your IP remains the same while you're connected to a new VPN server, something is off. Disable all unnecessary background apps that may be revealing your identity, such as μTorrent. If you use NordVPN to browse the Web, make sure to clear your cache and cookies. Here's how to do it on Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.

3. NordVPN Isn't Connecting

The most common culprit in this scenario is your firewall. To test this, temporarily disable your firewall or create an exception for NordVPN. For Windows users, you can access it by going to Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

If these steps don't resolve your problem, reach out to NordVPN customer support. Luckily, it is available 24/7 via live chat.

Alternative Gaming VPNs

Though NordVPN is an excellent choice for gaming, there are other VPNs you may want to consider. Here's a quick summary of the best VPNs for gaming you will find on the market. All of them have router support, so you can use them on your consoles as well.

1. Surfshark – Affordable Gaming VPN

Surfshark is a powerful gaming no-logs VPN that is perfect for people on a budget. This VPN has 3,200 servers in 100 countries and uses WireGuard protocol to provide the fast speeds needed for gaming. Because of this, it is one of our favorite VPNs for Modern Warfare 3.

Surfshark also uses AES-256 encryption and advanced security methods to prevent cyberattacks. It can hold unlimited simultaneous connections and has Smart DNS, so you can use it on Xbox and PlayStation consoles if your router isn't supported.

Get a better picture of the service in our Surfshark VPN Review or in our Surfshark for Gaming article.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is another reliable VPN with a no-logs policy and high-end AES encryption. It has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, making it easy to access bot lobbies worldwide. ExpressVPN uses Lightway protocol, which is a bit slower but still suitable for gaming. We had a lot of success with using this VPN for Roblox.

ExpressVPN offers SmartDNS and sells premium VPN routers that will make the whole setup really convenient. This means that you can use it as a VPN for PS5 and other consoles.

Find out more in this ExpressVPN Review. For additional information, read our ExpressVPN for Gaming guide.

3. IPVanish

IPVanish is a high end no-logs VPN app with AES 256 encryption and strong cross-platform support. It has 2,000 servers in 50+ countries and uses WireGuard to provide some of the fastest speeds we've seen yet. As such, it is an ideal VPN for CS:GO and similar games that rely on fast reflexes.

IPVanish also has unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can pair all your devices. It comes with one drawback though – it is based in the US which raises privacy concerns.

Visit our IPVanish VPN Review for more info.

Since everyone has different needs, picking out the best VPN for gaming is not an exact science. Feel free to try out multiple services and see which one resonates with you.

Conclusion on using NordVPN for gaming

NordVPN is a top-notch choice for gaming, offering benefits such as DDoS protection, improved ping, and complete privacy. It easily bypasses geo-restrictions, letting you play limited early access games and join bot lobbies in different countries, making it an ideal VPN for Warzone.

Its powerful cross-platform support, extensive server network, and advanced protocols will give you an edge even during competitive matches. Better yet, you can use it on consoles, which are naturally incompatible with VPNs. Overall, we believe that NordVPN is the best VPN service currently available.

Other VPN Gaming Guides

• Best VPNs for Call of Duty
• Best VPNs for Steam
• Best VPNs for Warzone Mobile
• Best VPNs for GTA Online
• Best VPNs for Dota 2
• Best VPNs for FFXIV
• Best VPNs for LoL
• Best VPNs for Minecraft
• Best VPNs for Quest 2
• Best VPNs for WoW
• Setting up a Meta Quest VPN

NordVPN for Gaming FAQ

This NordVPN for Gaming article was last edited on April 22, 2024.