How to Fix REANIMAL Controller Causing Lag & Stuttering

REANIMAL is a super fun little game inspired by Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares II and for the most part it runs fairly smooth and stable. However a few people have been having random stuttering and lag during gameplay. Typically the first place to look is graphics settings but you might be surprised to learn the issue is actually your controller, so follow along as we show you how to fix the issue with controller related stuttering and lag.

Is My Controller the Reason REANIMAL Feels Janky?

Controllers aren’t usually the first thing people blame for performance problems, but they can cause noticeable issues, you might think are being caused by something else.

Common signs of controller-related problems include:

• Input latency (actions triggering late)
• Performance lag (FPS drops or hitching)
• Frame pacing issues (uneven frame delivery)
• Slow-motion or heavy movement during tense scenes

Before trying anything else:

• Make sure controller batteries are fully charged (if wireless)
• Use a wired USB connection if possible
• Avoid Bluetooth if you’re already experiencing delay , it often adds latency

How to Fix REANIMAL Controller Causing Lag & Stuttering

Wireless (Bluetooth) controllers are the most common cause of controller-related stutter and input delay.

Connect your controller using a USB cable and play for a few minutes.

• If the problem disappears > Bluetooth is the issue
• If it remains > continue with the steps below

Update Controller Firmware (Xbox / PS5)

Xbox Wireless Controller Firmware Update

• Install the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store
• Connect your Xbox controller via USB
• Update firmware if prompted
• Do not disconnect during the update
• Reboot your PC once finished
• Re-pair the controller if using Bluetooth again

PS5 DualSense Firmware Update

• Install the official DualSense Firmware Updater on Windows
• Connect the controller via USB
• Follow on-screen instructions
• Do not disconnect until complete

Generic Controller Firmware Update

If you have a random branded generic controller you should also check if there is a firmware update available. Some brands are better supported than others so don't be surprised if you don't see anything available.

Is Controller Causing Game Stuttering or FPS Lag in REANIMAL?

While controllers can cause issues, they’re not always the only culprit. REANIMAL relies heavily on stable frame pacing to maintain atmosphere, so general performance problems can feel like controller lag.

Below are fixes that help overall stability and input responsiveness.

General Performance Fixes That Help Controller Feel Better

Once you have updated your controller firmware, you can also check out a few of the other suggested fixes and tweaks you can use to get better performance.

Clean Install Graphics Drivers Using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)

For many players, this alone fixes stuttering.

• Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from its official site
• Download the latest stable GPU driver (NVIDIA or AMD)
• Disconnect from the internet
• Run DDU and remove current GPU drivers
• Restart your PC
• Install the fresh driver
• Restart again and reconnect to the internet

Launch REANIMAL and check if movement and camera control feel smoother.

Cap Your FPS for Stability

Unstable framerates often feel like input delay.

• Go to Settings > Graphics > Frame Rate Cap
• Lock to 60 FPS if your system can’t maintain higher consistently
• Avoid uncapped framerates , frame swings can cause micro-stutter

Close Background Software

Programs that use CPU, disk, or overlays can interrupt frame delivery:

• Browsers
• Recording tools
• RGB software
• Performance overlays