How to Fix Controller Lag in Final Fantasy XVI
The Final Fantasy XVI Demo had quite a few performance issues on PC which made a lot of people very skeptical about the full version. Thankfully though, this doesn't seem to be too much of an issue as the full release of Final Fantasy 16 runs far better than the demo version. But! You might run into some controller lag and stuttering issues that you need to deal with.
How to Fix Controller Lag in Final Fantasy XVI on Steam
The good news is that 99% of the time controller lag and random FPS drops are usually caused by something as simple as low battery levels or outdated firmware. While this may sound like an odd fix, it's worth checking because a controller frequently disconnecting and reconnecting can confuse the game, leading to performance problems. This issue has been around for a long time for games such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and more recently Warhammer 40k Space Marines 2. So to avoid this, make sure your controller’s batteries are fully charged before starting any of the more complicated steps below.
How to Update Your Xbox Wireless Controller Firmware
- Install the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
- Launch the app and connect your controller via a USB cable.
- If an update is available, you will be prompted to download it. If no update appears, your controller is already up to date.
- During the update, do not disconnect your controller to avoid damaging it. The process typically takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
- After the update, close the app, then go to Settings > Devices and remove the Xbox controller from the device list.
- Restart your computer, reconnect the controller, and test your game to see if the lag has improved.
How to Update PS5 Wireless Controller Firmware
For PS5 controllers, you'll need to update the firmware through a dedicated app on your PC:
- Download and install the Firmware Updater for DualSense Wireless Controllers on your Windows PC.
- Open the app and connect your PS5 controller using a USB cable.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm any requests to download additional software (the firmware update).
- As with the Xbox controller, ensure the controller stays connected throughout the process to prevent issues.
Is My Controller Causing Lag in Final Fantasy XVI?
It’s hard to say definitively whether your controller is the culprit, but it’s certainly a possibility. Since it's an easy issue to address, follow the steps above to rule out outdated firmware or low battery levels. Once you’ve confirmed your controller isn’t the problem, you can explore other potential solutions for performance issues in the game. More than likely they are early release issues that game patches will solve soon enough.