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Comment by climb_stealth | Hacker News Reader

Does anyone know a solution against input lag? I have a pro controller, but even having it 20cm from the Switch it still has noticeable delays with inputs in games. It's my biggest gripe with the console. Plugging in the controller doesn't seem to fix it.

Otherwise, pre-pandemic the Switch has been a godsend on 20 hour flights.

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Are you playing on the Switch's screen or a TV? Input lag on some TVs can be bad and they usually have a game mode to minimize this. I primarily use a pro controller and couldn't time certain wall jumps on Mario 64 until I put my TV into game mode. It was maddening for a while.

See data here: https://displaylag.com/display-database/

I'm pretty sure I have seen it on both. As in both in docked and handheld mode. It's odd because I make sure the controllers are fully charged as well. It's not in all games either which makes me think it could be a games thing. But then I have seen it in Nintendo games which somewhat rules it out again.

It's odd. Not a dealbreaker but very noticeable when it happens.

Never heard of that before so looked up. Sure enough there was a giant motion-to-photon latency table compiled by someone using gutted controllers and a camera, which in the end seems to all fall within 5.7-7.5 frames(95-125ms). This is almost ten times the typical input latency in a PC, and also roughly coincides with equatorial circumference of Earth(134 light-milliseconds). hmm.

1: https://w.atwiki.jp/smashsp_kensyou/pages/40.html

Oof, 125ms is pretty shocking.

They link some comparisons [0], including the PS4 controller which has a 13ms input delay. Switch controller really is 10x slower, oof.

[0] https://imgur.com/6rVNjSU

One fix for input lag I have seen is to have the console in flight mode and just enable bluetooth for the controller's connection. The switch needs to undocked to enable flight mode. The WiFi connection seems to be causing interference. If you need internet access, use an ethernet connection (older switch docks require USB to ethernet adapter, OLED docks have an ethernet port built in).

Ooo, thanks for the tip! I'll try that next time. I don't ever really care about the wifi once in a game.

I have the older version so it would have to be through an adapter. The OLED model sounds nice but I can't justify the price for an upgrade.

> Plugging in the controller doesn't seem to fix it.

There's an option in system settings to use wired communications; if you don't enable that, plugging it in just does charge and play. (OTOH, apparently if you use it in wired mode, amiibo scanning is disabled, if that's relevant to you)

You are a legend! Thank you for mentioning it because I was not aware of it. I have enabled it now and will give it a try next time.

I was wondering about because there is no indication whether wired mode is even used.

All device firmware updated? I haven’t noticed any controller latency. Maybe display lag?

Yup, everything up to date. I'm reasonable certain I have seen both docked and in handheld mode. Though the latest I remember is Super Mario in docked mode. Two people coop and there is a noticeable delay before inputs are applied.

It's odd but no dealbreaker. I'm just always curious whether anyone else is experiencing it.

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