wacom tablet lagging windows 10

"Why can't my Wacom Intuos keep up with my hands?" Well, you're not alone on this one. Many people around the world have experienced the same frustration, which is less than ideal for such a pricey gadget. The good news is that there are several ways to fix this problem.

I was at possibly the worst time in my career. This client needed six comic book panels every day. Talk about tight deadlines! Fortunately, I didn't panic. A little troubleshooting here, some minor tweaks there, and hey presto, all my Intuos issues were gone.

Today I'd like to share 6 credible fixes to Wacom Intuos lag. These tips will also help you if you're experiencing the same issues with Huion, X-pen, and other pen or display tablets.

Let's dive into it.

6 Causes of Wacom Intuos Lag and How to Fix Them
1. Driver Compatibility and Conflict
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2. Unstable Bluetooth Connectivity
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3. Issues with the stylus
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4. Pen Sensitivity settings
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5. Software Configurations
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6. Microsoft Windows Settings for Touch and Synaptic
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Conclusion

6 Causes of Wacom Intuos Lag and How to Fix Them

1. Driver Compatibility and Conflict

When I was a newbie in the digital artscape, I thought all computer hardware was plug and play. But Chuck, an IT guy I met at an internship, set me straight.

He taught me that installing compatible drivers helps you get the best out of any piece of computer hardware. Installing the latest drivers solves virtually every problem with your Intuos (provided it's not physical damage).

Step 1

Head over to Wacom's "Drivers page"

Step 2

Find the Wacom driver settings that are ideal for your computer's operating system

Step 3

Launch the installer package, follow the prompts until the drivers install. It's also wise to restart the computer. I've experienced less lag when I shut down and power up again.

This ensures that the components are fully integrated into your operating system.

Step 4

Wacom releases periodic driver updates. These provide bug fixes and patches to most software issues. Visit the Wacom Desktop Centre once in a while to access the latest updates.

2. Unstable Bluetooth Connectivity

I love the flexibility of working on my large, Bluetooth-enabled Wacom Intuos Pro. However, I've found that an unstable wireless connection may come with some lag.

The following steps usually work:

Step 1

Look around your workspace for powered Bluetooth devices that can be the source of interference

Step 2

Turn off any non-essential Bluetooth devices or computer hardware

Step 3

Check if your computer has the latest Bluetooth version that works with your Intuos.

These steps often do the trick. If they fail, I connect my Tablet to my PC with a USB cable. This allows me to get back to work with less Wacom tablet lag as I shelve the Bluetooth connectivity issue.

3. Issues with the stylus

Wacom's Bamboo range of pen/stylus reignited my passion for digital art. However, I've realized that these pens can also cause lag. As you may know, getting a bamboo stylus requires a substantial investment.

You can try the following fixes before giving up and getting a new pen:

Step 1

A lack of power guarantees lag. You can start by charging the pen for a longer period. It's also prudent to regularly acquire a fresh set of batteries if your stylus is battery-powered.

Step 2

Worn-out nibs can also be the culprit. Replacing the nib can fix the lag.

Step 3

If you have a Bluetooth-enabled pen, an unstable connection can be the cause for the lag. It helps to recheck the connectivity settings for any pairing or compatibility issues.

4. Pen Sensitivity settings

I wish I could tell you that pen lag can be solved with a single trouble-shooter window. Unfortunately, drawing tablets depend on many software services working in unison.

You could try the following if you still experience lag after resolving Bluetooth connectivity issues:

Step 1

Open the Wacom Intuos tablet properties. Then, select your pen from the tool row.

Step 2

Go to double click settings to customize the distance between the pen and tablet surface. Here, you'll need to move the dialog box sliders until you're comfortable with your Wacom settings.

Step 3

Next, play with the Tip Feel to get a broader or narrower range of pen pressure sensitivity. Start with a softer Tip Feel. Try a firmer Tip Feel if the pen still behaves erratically or sluggishly.

Step 4

Sometimes, I still experience some lag after these tweaks. In such cases, you can go to the Tip Double Click Distance slider. Sliding to make the distance smaller usually does the trick.

If these steps fail to reduce the drag, you can go to the pen tab settings in the Wacom Tablet Properties. Then click on Restore Default. From there, you can choose to uninstall the Wacom driver and look for the latest ones.

5. Software Configurations

Using Adobe Photoshop for years has taught me a few tricks. For instance, allocating gigs of space to your scratch disk allows the software to work faster. Sure, this means that other applications may have less memory.

However, it's one of the most foolproof ways of eliminating Wacom Intuos lag.

Step 1

Open Adobe Photoshop if it wasn't already running

Step 2

Go to the top bar and press edit

Step 3

Scroll down to the bottom of the drop-down menu and select Preferences

Step 4

Now, click on performance

Step 5

This will bring a bunch of other setting options. Focus on the Memory Usage panel

Step 6

Now, drag the slider to the right. This will increase the amount of memory allocated to Photoshop.

Note: The memory usage will revert to default once you've closed Photoshop. It may be wise to ensure that all background processes terminate once you close photoshop.

6. Microsoft Windows Settings for Touch and Synaptic

"Finally, they've gotten it right!" was my initial reaction to using Windows 10 when it rolled out. There are loads of areas of marked improvement, especially with features like Windows Ink. However, the touch and synaptic features need loads of tweaking if you want to use an Intuos.

These tweaks can help eliminate Wacom pen lag on a Windows 10 device:

Step 1

Click on the Windows Start key on your keyboard

Step 2

Type Control Panel once the search bar pops

Step 3

Click Tablet and scroll to Pen Options

Step 4

This will activate a bunch of options. Select Pen and Touch as you Press and Hold

Step 5

Click on settings to see what options are enabled

Step 6

Deactivate Enable Press and Hold for Right-Clicking by unchecking the option if it's enabled

Step 7

Press Apply then OK to enable the changes. Now you can take your Wacom Intuos for a spin as you experience less lag.

Conclusion

Pen lag is an ongoing concern, even for seasoned multi-media artists. The good news is that there are many ways to overcome the problem. It's just a matter of trying out some of these methods to see which one works.

Ezoic

Author

Diane Park

I've been obsessed with gadgets ever since I saw a comlink in Star Wars (which today we would call a "wearable" haha). My basement is full of old phones, gaming consoles, and even CD players that fascinated me at various points in life. These days my job as a software developer keeps me busy, but I still have time to indulge in reviewing a new gizmo. My current interests include AI, VR, and eco-freindliness of tech stuff we use everyday.