Final Fantasy XIV generally runs smoothly, but occasional lag can occur, especially when interacting with retainers, NPCs, or using emotes. This guide helps troubleshoot and resolve these lag issues.

Table of Contents

What Causes Lag in FFXIV When Interacting with Retainers or Emoting?How to Resolve Lag in FFXIV

What Causes Lag in FFXIV When Interacting with Retainers or Emoting?

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

• High ping or unstable internet connection: A poor internet connection directly impacts responsiveness.
• Server congestion or overload: High server traffic can lead to delays in processing actions.
• Emote synchronization: Emotes require syncing animations across players in the same instance, causing lag if delays exist. Lag during emoting often points to overloaded servers or a PC that no longer meets minimum game requirements.

How to Resolve Lag in FFXIV

Assuming your PC meets FFXIV's recommended specifications, try these steps:

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. Account for server overload: Server overload is common during major patches, expansions, or after hacking incidents. In these cases, patience is key; the issue will usually resolve itself.

This concludes our guide on fixing lag in FFXIV related to retainer interactions and emotes. For more FFXIV tips, including Dawntrail patch updates and our analysis of the Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid, visit The Escapist.