FIX: FFXIV Lags While Communicating

Final Fantasy XIV generally runs smoothly, but occasional lag can occur, especially when interacting with retainers, NPCs, or using emotes. This guide explains potential causes and solutions.

Table of Contents

What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions or Emotes?How to Troubleshoot Lag in FFXIV

What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions or Emotes?

Lag in FFXIV, particularly during interactions with retainers or NPCs, or emote use, can stem from several sources:

• High ping or unstable internet connection: A poor connection directly impacts responsiveness.
• Server congestion or overload: High player volume can strain server capacity, leading to delays.
• Emote synchronization: Emote animations require synchronization across players in the same instance. Delays in this process can cause lag, especially with server overload or insufficient PC resources. Lag during emoting often points to overloaded servers or a PC that no longer meets the game's minimum requirements.

How to Troubleshoot Lag in FFXIV

Assuming your PC meets FFXIV's recommended specifications, here's how to address lag:

1. Verify Internet Stability: Ensure a stable and strong internet connection.
2. Check Server Proximity: Playing on a server geographically distant from your location can result in high ping and lag. Consider transferring to a closer server if necessary. While high ping doesn't always cause problems, it can contribute to lag spikes.
3. Server Overload: Lag can occur during peak times like major patch releases or expansion launches, or after hacking attacks. In such cases, patience is key; the issue should resolve itself.

This concludes our guide to fixing lag in FFXIV during retainer interactions or emote use. For more FFXIV tips and information, including the Dawntrail patch release schedule and our Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid analysis, check out The Escapist.