How to Fix Lag and Stuttering Caused by Controllers in Cronos The New Dawn

Controller lag is something that 99.9% of users who play games on PC aren't even aware of. They spend hours and hows chasing their tails looking for the problem that is causing in-game performance issues, all while ignoring their controllers. Although this doesn't happen in all games all the time, there are some games that are prone to problems and some controllers that cause more issues than others, so in this guide, we'll show you how to fix stuttering in Cronos: The New Dawn that is caused by controllers.

Do controllers really cause lag in Cronos The New Dawn?

The bulk of PC users don't realise that controller lag is actually a thing and is often mistaken for game performance issues. Most of the causes are directly related to the controller or the way it communicates with your system. The most common causes are outdated firmware, low battery power, Bluetooth interference, or background processes consuming system resources. Steam Input configuration conflicts can also add unnecessary delay.

What causes controller lag in Cronos: The New Dawn

Input lag and stuttering can appear for a variety of reasons. The most common ones include:

• Outdated firmware on Xbox or PlayStation controllers
• Low battery power on wireless controllers
• Weak or unstable Bluetooth connections
• Background applications consuming CPU or memory
• Conflicts with Steam Input settings

Because every system setup is different, you may need to test several solutions before finding the one that works for you.

How to fix lag and stuttering caused by controllers in Cronos The New Dawn

Start with a few simple checks before making larger changes:

• Fully charge your controller. Low battery levels can cause both latency and connection drops.
• Test your controller in another game. If lag appears elsewhere, the issue is not specific to Cronos The New Dawn.
• Switch to a wired connection. A USB cable bypasses most wireless interference problems.
• Try a different controller if you have one available to compare performance.

If these steps do not fix the lag, it's time for some serious work!

Fixes for Xbox and PlayStation Controllers

Xbox Wireless Controller

• Install the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
• Connect your controller to the PC with a USB cable.
• Open the app and update the controller firmware if prompted.
• Remove the controller from the Windows device list, restart your system, and reconnect it.

PS5 DualSense Controller

• Download the official DualSense Firmware Updater from Sony’s website.
• Install and run the tool on your PC.
• Connect the controller with a USB-C cable.
• Follow the instructions to update the firmware.
• Disconnect and reconnect the controller before launching Cronos The New Dawn again.

Other Non-Controller Related Things to Check

Below are a few other things you will want to check that aren't controller-related but might just fix some of the performance issues you are having in-game.

System and game settings adjustments

Lower in-game graphics settings
Heavy graphics settings can indirectly affect controller responsiveness. Open the settings menu in Cronos The New Dawn and reduce shadows, effects, and draw distance. If your graphics card supports FSR, DLSS, or XeSS, enabling one of these options can also improve smoothness and reduce perceived input delay.

Disable Steam Input for Cronos The New Dawn

• Open your Steam Library and right-click on Cronos The New Dawn.
• Select Properties, then open the Controller tab.
• From the dropdown menu, choose Disable Steam Input.
• Relaunch the game and check if responsiveness improves.

Enable Windows Game Mode

• Open Windows Settings and navigate to the Gaming section.
• Select Game Mode and switch it on.

This prioritises system resources for your game, which may reduce stuttering.

Close background applications

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and close unnecessary applications such as overlays, streaming tools, or additional game launchers. Freeing up resources ensures that your controller inputs are processed without delays.

Use Lossless Scaling

Lossless Scaling is an inexpensive utility available on Steam that can inject frame generation techniques into games. While not specifically designed for controller input, it can reduce overall stuttering and improve smoothness, which often translates to better responsiveness during gameplay.