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

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

Author : Nicholas Jan 09,2025

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

Final Fantasy XIV generally boasts excellent optimization, but occasional lag can still occur, especially when interacting with retainers, NPCs, or using emotes. This guide explains potential causes and solutions.

Table of Contents

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?

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

  • High Ping/Internet Connectivity Problems: A weak or unstable internet connection directly impacts responsiveness.
  • Server Overload/Congestion: High server traffic, often during major updates or expansions, can lead to noticeable lag. Emote lag specifically can result from the game synchronizing animations across players in your instance, which is further hampered by server delays.
  • Insufficient PC Specifications: If your computer struggles to meet FFXIV's minimum requirements, performance issues, including emote lag, are likely.

How to Troubleshoot Lag in FFXIV

Assuming your PC meets FFXIV's recommended specifications, troubleshooting steps include:

  1. Verify Internet Stability: Ensure a stable and strong internet connection.
  2. Check Server Location: Playing on a geographically distant server (e.g., a North American server from Oceania) often leads to high ping and potential lag spikes. Consider transferring to a closer server if necessary. While high ping doesn't always cause problems, it's a common culprit.
  3. Account for Server Overload: Server overload is common during major updates, expansions, or after security incidents. In such cases, patience is key; the issue will likely resolve itself.

This concludes our guide to resolving lag in FFXIV during retainer interactions and emoting. For more FFXIV tips and information, including the Dawntrail patch schedule and our analysis of the Echoes of Vana'diel Alliance Raid, visit The Escapist.

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