How to Fix FFXIV Lagging When Talking to Retainers or Using Emotes

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 When Interacting with Retainers or Using Emotes?How to Resolve Lag Issues in FFXIV

What Causes Lag in FFXIV When Interacting with Retainers or Using Emotes?

Several factors can contribute to lag in FFXIV, particularly during interactions or emote use:

• High ping or unstable internet connection: A poor network connection directly impacts responsiveness.
• Overloaded servers: High server traffic can lead to delays in processing actions.
• Emote synchronization: Emote animations require synchronization with other players in the instance, causing potential lag if delays occur. Lag during emotes often stems from overloaded servers or a PC failing to meet minimum game requirements.

How to Resolve Lag Issues in FFXIV

Assuming your PC meets the recommended FFXIV specifications, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify internet stability: Ensure a stable and strong internet connection.
2. Check server proximity: Playing on a distant server (e.g., a North American server from Oceania) can increase ping and cause lag. Consider transferring to a closer server if necessary. While high ping doesn't always cause problems, it can occasionally trigger lag spikes.
3. Account for server overload: Server congestion often occurs during major patches, expansions, or after hacking incidents. In such cases, patience is key; the issue should resolve itself.

This concludes our guide to fixing lag in FFXIV when interacting with retainers or using emotes. For more FFXIV tips, including Dawntrail patch updates and Alliance Raid analysis, check out The Escapist.