Grounded 2 just released into Early Access on Steam, and it's a surprisingly great upgrade from the original with tons of cool new features and gameplay mechanics. While things run fairly smoothly for the majority of people playing the game with a controller, a few people are having some stuttering issues, which is actually caused by the controller, not the game, so follow along as we show you how to fix the problem quickly and easily.

Takeaways:

  1. Can a controller cause lag or stuttering in Grounded 2?
  2. What are the best ways to fix the input delay in Grounded 2 on Steam?
  3. Are there any system-level settings that improve responsiveness?

What Causes Controller Lag in Grounded 2

Input lag can happen for a number of reasons, including:

  • Outdated controller firmware
  • Low battery on wireless controllers
  • Bluetooth interference
  • Background apps are draining system resources
  • Steam Input conflicts
  • The exact cause can vary depending on your setup. Use the following steps to isolate and fix the problem.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps First

Before making any major changes, start with these quick tests:

  • Fully charge your controller. A low battery can lead to performance issues.
  • Test the controller in a different game to rule out hardware failure.
  • Switch to a wired connection to eliminate Bluetooth-related problems.
  • Try using a second controller if available to compare performance.

If these steps do not fix the controller lag and stuttering, follow the steps below.

How to Fix Controller Lag in Grounded 2

Xbox Wireless Controller

  • Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
  • Connect your controller via USB to ensure a stable connection.
  • Launch the app. If an update is available, it will prompt you.
  • Complete the update process.
  • Remove the controller from the Windows device list, restart your PC, and reconnect it.

How to Fix Controller Lag in Grounded 2

PS5 DualSense Controller

  • Download the DualSense Firmware Updater from Sony’s official website.
  • Install and run the tool on your PC.
  • Connect your controller with a USB-C cable.
  • Follow the on-screen steps to complete the update.
  • Disconnect and reconnect the controller before launching Grounded 2.

Fix Controller Lag in Grounded 2

Lower Grounded 2's Graphics Settings

  • Open the in-game settings and reduce options like shadows, effects, and draw distance.
  • Enable FSR, DLSS, or XeSS if supported by your GPU to improve input responsiveness.

Disable Steam Input for Grounded 2

  • In your Steam Library, right-click Grounded 2.
  • Select Properties, then go to the Controller tab.
  • From the dropdown menu, select "Disable Steam Input."
  • Relaunch the game and test for improvement.

Enable Windows Game Mode

  • Open Windows Settings and go to the Gaming section.
  • Select Game Mode and turn it On.
  • This will allocate more system resources to the game.

Close Background Applications

  • Use Task Manager to close apps like Discord overlays, OBS, or game launchers.
  • Freeing up system resources can improve overall input response time.

Use Lossless Scaling

If you haven't already tried it, grab Lossless Scaling and use it as a frame gen tool. It's super cheap and does an amazing job of fixing FPS issues and some stuttering problems.