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 provides solutions.

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What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions and Emotes?How to Resolve Lag in FFXIV

What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer Interactions and Emotes?

Lag in FFXIV, particularly during interactions with retainers or NPCs, or while emoting, can stem from several factors:

• High ping or unstable internet connection: A poor connection directly impacts responsiveness.
• Overloaded servers: High server traffic can lead to delays.
• Emote synchronization: Emotes require server-side synchronization with other players, causing lag if delays exist. Lag during emoting often points to overloaded servers or a PC that no longer meets minimum requirements.

How to Resolve Lag 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: High ping can result from playing on a geographically distant server (e.g., playing on a North American server from Oceania). 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 attempts. In these cases, patience is key; the issue will usually resolve itself.

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