Its lightning-fast reaction time to in-game happenings and complete lack of input lag are two key features that contribute to the PlayStation 4’s widespread appeal as a gaming console.
On the other hand, some players may feel that the PS4 controller they use is not as responsive as it should be.
Is it true? Let’s find out what the specifics are, shall we?
Does Connecting a PS4 Controller to the Console Reduce Input Lag?
Simply plugging in your PlayStation 4 controller will make the input lag significantly better. When a PS4 controller is turned on but is not plugged into the console, the battery power is used to power the controller. Each time you press a button on the controller, it must first send a message over Bluetooth to the gaming console. The longer this process takes, the greater the amount of input lag that will be present.
The charging process for a PlayStation 4 controller begins as soon as the USB cable connecting it to the console is inserted.
On the other hand, it connects to the console not through Bluetooth but rather through USB.
Your input lag will be significantly reduced thanks to this significantly faster method of sending data between devices.
Does Connecting Your Controller to a Power Source Reduce Input Lag?
A connection that is hardwired rather than wireless will almost invariably offer faster response times.
If you plug in your controller, however, you probably won’t notice much of a difference at all.
We put this claim to the test by having several of our staff members connect their PS4 Slims and play NBA 2K18.
There was no discernible difference that we could see between the two groups. The majority of people’s reaction times were roughly equivalent to one another.
However, there was a discernible change when we moved one group to a different location in the room from where they were sitting with their consoles.
The group that used the plugs saw a minimal to nonexistent decrease in their performance. The group using wireless controllers had an average reaction time that was 0.2 seconds slower than the other groups.
Choose a wireless connection if you want to play video games with your friends at home but don’t want to deal with the hassle of tangled wires.
Alternately, when you don’t want anyone to trip over you, you can choose to make this connection instead.
On the other hand, if you are going to be competing at an e-sports event, you will need to plug in your controller.
What Causes the Input Lag on My PS4 Controller and How Can I Fix It?
Having input lag on your PlayStation 4 controller is one of the most frustrating things that can happen.
It has the potential to slow down the pace of the game, which can be the deciding factor in whether a team wins or loses.
You are in luck because there are a few things you can do to fix it.
1. Restart the Game System Console
You can see if the problem persists after you restart the PlayStation 4 console by trying to play a game.
To accomplish this, first power down your PlayStation 4 and then disconnect it from its electrical outlet.
Then, give it a pause for a minute and a half before plugging it back in.
After a few moments, you should hear two beeps: the first one when you press it for the first time, and the second one seven seconds later.
This will cause the connection between your controller and the console to be reset.
2. Determine whether or not the Controller has lost its charge.
If you just recently noticed that your PS4 controller is laggy, the problem is probably the battery.
If this is the root of the issue, charging your controller should rectify the situation.
Make sure that you allow it to charge for the appropriate amount of time.
If you are charging your PS4 controller with the USB cable that was included with your console, the process should take about two hours to finish.
It could take up to three hours or even longer if you are using a charger that is not specifically designed for your device.
3. Determine whether or not your controller is being affected by interference from other devices.
If your controller was functioning normally but suddenly stopped, there is a possibility that other devices are causing interference.
If this is the case, you will be able to eliminate the interference by turning off the aforementioned devices.
If this is not the case, there may be an issue with the controller that you are using.
4. Eliminate All Traces Of Dust
Stick drift is one of the most significant issues that can occur with PS4 controllers. This occurs when the centre of the analogue stick that you are using is slightly off.
Dust can cause a character to move or act even if the control stick isn’t being pressed in any particular direction.
Dust, debris, and worn-out analogue sticks are the most common factors contributing to this issue.
To repair your PlayStation 4 controller, proceed as follows:
- On either side of the controller, two screws need to be removed. These screws are what hold the controller’s entirety together.
- Using a prying tool, carefully remove the back panel of the controller, taking care not to break it in the process. After removing these pieces, the battery ought to come out without any trouble.
- Dust that may have accumulated in any of the buttons or crevices of the controller should be removed with compressed air. After that, pat it dry with a towel as necessary.
- Put the pieces of your PS4 controller back together in the opposite order.
5. Invest in a second Controller.
It would appear that there is a problem with the controller. If the issue is still occurring, you should try switching to a different PS4 controller.
If it does, then the console is most likely the source of the problem.
If it does not, the problem most likely lies with the controller.
You have the option of having it repaired or replaced.
How can the input lag in the controller be reduced?
Bluetooth is used for communication between the PS4 controller and the console. One of the issues with Bluetooth is that it can be slow at times.
It’s possible for there to be delays whenever you press a button and the console takes its sweet time responding to you.
If you’re having a problem with lag while playing a video game on your PlayStation 4, the problem might be with the controller. Here are a few pointers to help reduce the amount of input lag experienced when using your PS4 controller.
- When you are playing, you should turn off the Bluetooth connectivity on any other devices that are in the room. Bluetooth signals are susceptible to interference from other devices, which can lengthen the delay between user inputs.
- Before you begin playing, check to see that the controller has a full charge. This can also cause an increase in input lag if the device is running low on battery.
- Put an end to the light colour effects on the Dualshock 4. Even though they are entertaining to look at, they add to the input lag.
- Instead of using your controller wirelessly, you could try connecting it to your computer using a USB cable.
On a PS4, how do you reduce the delay when inputting data?
The problem of input delay affects gamers and can put them at a disadvantage in competitive situations.
The good news is that there are ways to bring it down.
Follow these steps on a PS4 to reduce the amount of delay experienced when making inputs:
- You can turn off your PlayStation 4 by pressing and holding the power button on the console until you hear two beeps. The next step is to remove the power cable from the back of the console or the wall outlet.
- After a minute and a half, connect your PS4 to the console. Make sure that the HDMI cable you are using meets the requirements of either the HDMI 2.0 or the HDMI 2.0a standard.
- After turning on your PS4, navigate to the Settings menu, then select Sound and Screen, and finally Video Output Settings. If you have a TV that is capable of supporting HDR, you need to make sure that the “Resolution” setting is set to Automatic and that the “HDR” setting is set to Off. Alternately, if your television does not support HDR, you should make sure that the resolution is set to Automatic.
- After that, navigate to the PlayStation 4 Controller Settings by going to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices > Controller Settings. Make sure that DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller is selected under “Input Device.”
- Now navigate your way back to the Settings menu and select Sound and Screen. Check to see that the “Video Output Information” displays the appropriate rate for the video output (60Hz).
