Final Fantasy XIV generally runs smoothly, but occasional lag can occur, especially when interacting with retainers, NPCs, or using emotes. This guide outlines potential causes and solutions.
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What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions and Emoting?How to Troubleshoot Lag in FFXIV What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions and Emoting?
Several factors can contribute to lag in FFXIV, particularly during interactions with retainers or NPCs, or when using emotes.
- High ping or unstable internet connection
- Overloaded or congested game servers
- Emote synchronization delays (the game needs to update emote animations for other players in your instance, which can cause lag if there are delays). 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:
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Verify Internet Stability: Ensure a stable internet connection. A poor connection is a primary cause of lag.
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Check Server Proximity: Playing on a server geographically distant from your location (e.g., a North American server from Oceania) can lead to 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.
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Server Overload: Server overload, common during major patches, expansions, or after hacking attempts, can cause widespread lag. In this case, patience is key; the issue will typically resolve itself.
This concludes our troubleshooting guide for lag in FFXIV related to retainers, NPCs, and emotes. For more FFXIV tips, including Dawntrail patch release information and our analysis of the Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid, visit The Escapist.
