How to Fix Controller Lag in DOOM The Dark Ages
DOOM: The Dark Ages is a brutal, fast-paced shooter where precision and speed are everything, which means that if your controller isn’t keeping up, you’re already at a disadvantage. It's also super unenjoyable when things aren't running smoothly and you're bouncing around the game world. Thankfully, just like DOOM guy, we're going to save the day by walking you through how to fix controller lag, latency, and stuttering when playing DOOM: The Dark Ages on PC.
What Causes Controller Lag in DOOM: The Dark Ages?
Controller lag in DOOM: The Dark Ages can come from multiple sources, both hardware and software related. Common causes include outdated firmware, low battery levels, wireless interference, or background programs hogging system resources. Tracking down the specific cause may require a bit of trial and error, but these steps will help you narrow it down and then solve the problem. For most people, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to solve.
How to Identify if the Controller is the Problem
Before starting the other fixes, make sure the controller itself is working. You can do this by following the steps below.
- Fully charge the controller and test it in another game.
- Use a wired connection to eliminate Bluetooth-related lag.
- Try a different controller if you have one available.
If performance issues persist despite this, the cause is likely system-level or related to software conflicts.
How to Update Xbox Wireless Controller Firmware
If you're using an Xbox controller, outdated firmware is probably the reason behind the crappy controller experience.
- Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect your controller via USB for the most stable connection.
- Launch the app. If an update is needed, you’ll get a prompt.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware.
- Once done, remove the controller from your Windows device list, reboot your PC, and reconnect the controller to test it in-game.
How to Update PS5 DualSense Controller Firmware
For PS5 controller users, staying updated is just as critical:
- Head to Sony’s official site and download the DualSense Firmware Updater.
- Install and run the updater.
- Plug in your controller using a USB-C cable.
- Follow the steps provided to complete the update.
- Afterwards, unplug and reconnect your controller before launching DOOM: The Dark Ages again.
Performance and System Tweaks
If your controller is working properly but you're still getting lag, stuttering or latency in DOOM: The Dark Ages, try optimising your system settings:
- Lower in-game graphics settings temporarily to reduce strain and test for input improvement.
Disable Steam Input
- Right-click the game in your Steam Library.
- Select Properties, then go to the Controller tab.
- Choose Disable Steam Input from the dropdown menu.
Enable Game Mode in Windows
- Open Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, then toggle it On to prioritise game performance.
- Close background apps like overlays, streaming/recording software, and other high-resource tools that may interfere with game input.
If nothing in this guide has worked, you'll probably just have to wait for the game to be updated. Which shouldn't take too long, as DOOM usually gets pretty quick performance patches.