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 explains potential causes and solutions.

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What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer/Emote Interactions? How to Troubleshoot FFXIV Lag

What Causes Lag in FFXIV During Retainer/Emote Interactions?

Lag in FFXIV, particularly when interacting with retainers or NPCs, or using emotes, can stem from several sources:

• High ping or unstable internet connection: A poor network connection directly impacts responsiveness.
• Server congestion or overload: High player activity or server issues can cause delays. Emote lag, in particular, can be due to the game synchronizing animations across players in your instance. Performance issues on your end (PC not meeting minimum requirements) can also contribute.

How to Troubleshoot FFXIV Lag

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 Location: Playing on a server far from your physical 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 isn't always problematic, it can occasionally cause lag spikes.
3. Account for Server Overload: Server overload often occurs during major patches, expansions, or after hacking incidents. In these cases, patience is key; the issue should resolve itself.

This concludes our guide to resolving lag in FFXIV when using retainers or emotes. For more FFXIV tips, including the Dawntrail patch schedule and coverage of the Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid, explore additional resources.