A few options to rule out major groups of causes:
1: try cable internet. If that helps, check WIFI problems.
2: try a different pc, or laptop to play the game, while not changing your internet connectivity. If that helps, check software problems, or hardware problems.
3: try playing another large game on the same laptop / pc you play PvZGW. Think of Call of Duty, GTA, Batllefield etc... If you experience no issues by playing comparable games, think of specific PvZGW software, or connectivity issues.
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Cable internet problem:
- If your pc, or laptop is connected to cable internet, check if the cable is damaged. If so, try a new cable.
WIFI / connectivity problems:
- If your pc, or laptop is connected to WIFI internet, then connect it to cable internet. Cable internet is always better than WIFI.
- If changing to cable internet helps, then WIFI is likely to be the problem.
- If WIFI is likely to be the problem, change bandwidth channel. That way you use another frequency that other routers in your environment usually don't use. Standard automatic bandwidth is channel 6. That is the most common used channel and most people never change channel. Try channel 4, 5, or 7. Your internet provider can advise you how to change channels.
- If changing channels brings no solution and it's still likely that the connectivity problem is caused by WIFI, then think of replacing your old router for a strong new one. Routers from different brands come with different qualities, so make sure you search the internet for the best reviews. If you recently bought a new router and since that time the connectivity sucks, it's advisable to contact your provider.
- Do a ping test yourself.
- Ask your internet provider to runs tests.
- Ask EA games to check the connection between their servers and your pc.
Software problems:
- Try reïnstalling PvZGW (your achievements stay, they are connected to your account).
- Try reïnstalling Origin (your achievements stay, they are connected to your account).
- Turn of any Firewall, or antivirusprogram on your pc, or laptop and play the game. They may be blocking the program. Make sure you turn everything on again, before you use internet again.
- Malware, or viruses can make your pc and internet connection seem running slower. Check your pc, or laptop for malware and viruses. Opinions vary, but my advice is to buy Kaspersky Antivirus, pretty much the best software to help you out. Do a full scan. Hard malware and viruses can also attack registery components. If you suspect deeper issues, ask an expert in pc's to check it.
- Clean up your pc. CCleaner is free software that can help you with that.
- There's usually a lot of unnecessary software running on the background that takes connectivity, or capacity. An expert can help you select programs that are unnecessary to use while you play the game.
- Software updates are necessary (also PvZGW updates). Also think of Driver updates. Check online manuals, or a pc expert to do Driver updates.
Hardware problems:
- When your pc runs slower, check the temperature of your CPU. If it's is too high, do a hardware cleanup. On a good working pc less than 50 degrees Celcius, or 122 Fahrenheit shouldn't be a problem. Dust in ventilators can make them slower, which causes higher temperatures. The cooler your CPU, the better it runs.
- I assume your pc is capable, since you told you had no issues in the past. If not sure, check 'can you run it' from systemrequirementslab on the internet and check your current Windows performance index.
If all those basic solutions fail to help you out, there are other options. But you need an expert to check your pc, or you need EA - customer service. EA, or your internetprovider always checks the regular options first. So make sure to do the regular options yourself before calling them. That will cost you less time and money on the phone.
