If you’re trying to reduce your ping in Final Fantasy XIV, you’re not alone in the fight against lag.
Whether you’re dodging AoEs in Savage raids or weaving your rotation in PvP, every millisecond matters. A delay of even a few hundred milliseconds can be the difference between a clean clear and a frustrating wipe. In a game as fast-paced and timing-sensitive as FFXIV, good ping isn’t just a luxury, it’s essential.
Let’s dive into what’s really going on behind your ping and how you can bring those numbers down for smoother gameplay.
What Causes High Ping in Final Fantasy XIV?
To fix a problem, you first have to understand it. Ping is the time it takes for data to travel from your computer to the game server and back. When you have high ping, it means that round trip is taking longer than it should. But why?
Example of a high ping in FFXIV. Source: Square Enix Forum
Here are some common culprits:
1. Physical Distance from the Server
FFXIV’s data centers are based in specific regions (like North America, Europe, Japan, and Oceania). If you’re playing on a server far from your actual location, you’ll naturally experience more latency.
2. Routing Issues
Sometimes your data doesn’t take the shortest or most efficient path to the server. It might bounce through multiple servers, internet providers, or regions. This inefficient routing can significantly increase ping.
3. Network Congestion
Playing during peak hours or sharing your internet with others streaming, downloading, or gaming can bog down your connection.
4. Wi-Fi Problems
Wireless connections are convenient but less stable. Interference from walls, other devices, or even your microwave can create delays.
5. Background Applications
Anything else using your network, especially downloads, cloud syncing, or streaming can hog bandwidth and affect your ping.
6. ISP Throttling or Instability
Some ISPs throttle gaming traffic or simply aren’t optimized for low-latency activities. This can introduce unpredictable spikes in latency.
Now that you know the enemies, let’s talk strategy.
6 Ways to Reduce Your Ping in Final Fantasy XIV
1. Use NoPing
Let’s start with one of the most effective tools: NoPing. This is a service specifically built to reduce ping and lag in online games by optimizing your routing. Think of it as a shortcut for your data.
NoPing has servers all over the world and works by rerouting your connection through optimized paths that avoid unnecessary hops or slow connections. For players outside their server’s home region, this can make a huge difference.
Besides lower ping, it also helps reduce packet loss and jitter. Installation is easy, and you can choose from different routes to test which one performs best for your location and server.
Here’s how to use NoPing to reduce your ping in FFXIV:
- Sign-up through the website and download NoPing (you can try it for free)
- Open NoPing and search for Final Fantasy XIV inside the software
- Once you find Final Fantasy XIV, click on it and, on the next screen, select “Choose automatic” or “Choose manual” and click “Continue”. We recommend choosing automatic, as NoPing’s technology analyzes all routes on a global scale and automatically selects the best option for you.
- On the next screen, click on “Optimize Game”.
- And that’s it, you can start playing Final Fantasy XIV with optimized ping!
You can test different servers within NoPing to see which gives you the lowest latency.
2. Choose the Right Data Center
This might sound obvious, but some players don’t realize how much it matters. Playing on a server close to your physical location is the easiest way to lower ping. If you’re in Europe, stick to European servers. In North America? Try to avoid jumping to Japanese or Oceania servers, no matter how tempting their RP scenes may be.
If you’re set on playing with friends across the globe, consider moving your character to a closer World in their Data Center via the World Transfer Service—or just use NoPing to help with the distance.
3. Use a Wired Connection
Wi-Fi is convenient, but Ethernet is reliable. A wired connection reduces interference, stabilizes speed, and can shave down your ping by a noticeable margin. If you’re gaming seriously, this upgrade is worth it.
4. Close Background Applications
Make sure nothing else is competing for your internet. Pause downloads, close YouTube, and keep Discord on low data mode if needed. You can also disable auto-updates on platforms like Steam or Epic Games to prevent surprise bandwidth spikes.
5. Restart Your Router Regularly
Routers can get overloaded over time. A simple reboot can clear up memory and help refresh your connection to your ISP. You’d be surprised how often this solves lag problems.
6. Contact Your ISP
If you’re consistently getting high ping, especially during specific times of day, your ISP might be part of the problem. Ask them about gaming-optimized plans or see if there’s a known issue in your area. Sometimes switching providers (if you have the option) can lead to much better latency.
Game Settings to Improve Your Performance in Final Fantasy XIV
Ping isn’t the only thing that can make your game feel sluggish. Performance also depends on how well your system handles the game. Fortunately, tweaking a few settings can make a difference.
Here are a few tips to help keep FFXIV running smoothly:
Lower Graphic Settings (If Needed)
If you’re playing on an older PC or your game feels choppy during busy scenes, lower your settings:
- Reduce shadows and reflections
- Set draw distance to medium or low
- Disable depth of field and ambient occlusion
FPS drops often feel like lag even when your ping is fine, so smoother visuals can improve your experience overall.
Enable “Display Server Info”
In the system settings under “Network,” you can turn on a feature that shows your ping and packet loss in real time. This helps track issues as they happen and gives you a clearer picture of what’s going on when something feels off.
Limit Frame Rate
If you’re getting screen tearing or overheating your hardware, try limiting your FPS. You can do this in-game or via your GPU’s control panel (NVIDIA or AMD). Stable FPS contributes to a more consistent gameplay feel.
Avoid High-Population Areas
Limsa Lominsa is great for glamour, but it’s also a lag trap. Hanging out in quieter zones like your FC house or the Firmament reduces the strain on your system and connection.
FAQ
What is a good ping for Final Fantasy XIV?
Ideally, anything below 100ms is great. Below 50ms is excellent. You can technically play up to 150–200ms, but it may affect your reaction time in tight combat scenarios, especially in endgame content.
Does FFXIV have built-in lag compensation?
Yes, FFXIV has some built-in leeway to account for latency, especially for GCD (Global Cooldown) abilities. However, it’s not foolproof, and high ping will still impact your ability to double weave and perform mechanics cleanly.
Can I change my FFXIV server location without creating a new account?
Yes! You can use the World Transfer Service to move your character to a different server, or use the Data Center Travel feature if you want to play with friends temporarily in another region.
Ping problems in Final Fantasy XIV aren’t just annoying—they’re game-breaking when you’re trying to progress, raid, or even just vibe in Bozja.
The good news is that you have options. From switching to Ethernet, closing apps, or using tools like NoPing, you can take real steps to improve your latency and enjoy smoother gameplay.
At the end of the day, FFXIV is all about timing, whether that’s landing the perfect double weave or dodging a last-second tankbuster. So why let lag stand in your way?
Take some time to optimize your setup, test what works for you, and you’ll be surprised at how much better the game feels.
Play FFXIV without worryting about high ping! Download NoPing now and start your free trial!
