When they’re working, XPPen (aka xp pen or xp-pen) graphics tablets are budget and effective devices for drawing great artwork.
No device is perfect. When you draw with a xppen tablet, you will most likely encounter Pen lagging problems that stop your device from working effectively.
Truthfully, there are a number of reasons why a vape pen might stop working. Including clogged connecting ports, Incorrect software settings, Speeding slow old computer, Driver Issues, etc.
It can be frustrating when your device isn’t working correctly Don’t worry. You’re not alone, and often the fix is simpler than you think.
From tech spec checks to connection issues, this article walks you through troubleshooting steps to quickly pinpoint and solve the problem, so you can get back to the smooth drawing experience you enjoy.
Why is My XPPen Tablet stylus feels Laggy or Delay? 7 Common Reasons and Easy Fixes
Generally speaking, the pen lag issue on a computer can be caused by hardware or software. And there are some key things to check when this happens!
Here are ways to figure out what’s wrong with your laggy pen, and some easy fixes.
1. Computer Running Slow
The Art software like adobe photoshop you use may puts a lot of pressure on your computer.
If you are use a speeding slow old computer, especially laptop, Then it is easy to have pen lag or delay problem.
CPU with Poor Performance, Insufficient RAM, OS Is Running on HDD, Integrated Graphics Card for processing 3D, etc. All affect your computer’s performance.
Bigger canvas sizes, higher screen resolution and larger number of layers will also increase the load on your computer. The bigger the project, the more likely the drawing lag.
How to Fix:
Check if the computer configuration (RAM, CPU & GPU) meets the recommended configuration requirements for the drawing software. If not, throw it to the trash.
I recommend use at least 4-core CPU, 16GB RAM, SSD instead of HDD for Storage the Drawing program. If you use 3d program like blender, you will need a powerful Discrete GPU.
Installed and optimize related functions via settings according to the FAQs posted on the official website of the drawing software.
Lightweight art software like medibang paint, firealpaca, and SAI, takes up much less computer system resources than Photoshop, Painter and other programs. If you are using an old laptop, you can try switching software.
Reducing the canvas size, screen resolution, brush size and number of layers will reduce the burden on your computer.
2. Outdated Tablet Driver
Drivers, being the communication protocol between your xppen tablet and your PC or Mac, need to be constantly updated for steady output.
If you are using an older version of the XPPen Tablet driver, you may experience pen lag issues.
How to Fix:
Uninstall the current xppen tablet’s driver, reinstall the latest driver and check to see if operation improves. Also, be sure to update your art software to the newest version.
Luckily, The XPPen website always provides the latest version of the driver for users to download.
If you face issues with a new driver, you can connect XPPen tech support, ask for a previous version, and install it.
Make sure the XPPen Driver is the only active Pen Driver on your System, otherwise they would conflict.
3. Brush Stroke Delay
Does the lag happen in multiple apps? Do you have brush smoothing turned on on whatever program you’re using?
The Stroke “Smoothing”setting in art software like Photoshop slows down your stroke so that it’s easier to make clean strokes.
But it also makes it appear like your stroke is lagging behind your cursor.
How to Fix:
Check if drawing a stroke with a different drawing app shows the same issue.
Check your drawing software settings and adjust the brush settings, such as jitter, smoothing, brush projection, etc.
Make sure there is no “stroke smoothing” tool active or keep the brush settings at a low value with your drawing application.
4. Enable or Disable windows ink
Basically, the tablet needs a special way to communicate with the software you are using in order to send pen pressure data -API.
Both Windows ink (new) and wintab (old) are protocols to communicate between stylus/drawing pad with your drawing software.
Devices can support both protocols at the same time, while Some devices support only one of them .
Your Art drawing software might be messed up when using windows ink functions with new version.
How to Fix:
Disable or enable Windows Ink in the driver. Ensure your drawing software uses the same protocol as your XPPen tablet driver.
If your drawing program uses WinTab32, disable Windows Ink on your driver.
Restart the driver after changing protocols: Windows Ink to WinTab32 and vice versa.
For me, Turn off windows Ink always works.
5. Connection Issues
If you’re using a Bluetooth or 2.4GHZ WIfi tablet such as the XPPen Deco Pro MW, a weak or unstable wireless connection could be the culprit behind tablet lag.
If you are use a wired connection, A bad cable or Dirty connection port significantly increases the error rate, causing frame drops and pen lag.
How to Fix:
Minimise any sources of interference – usually in the form of other powered-on Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Also, make sure the computer you’re connected to has a version of Bluetooth that’s compatible with your drawing tablet.
Use wired connection for a faster and more stable connection – connect directly to your computer.
For a xppen tablet with wired connection, Since you replug it every day, check for dust build up in the port. If so, Clean it with a cotton swab or toothpick.
6. Faulty Stylus Pen
The source of a slow tablet may not be the tablet itself, but rather the pen.
The issue could be as simple as it is faulty or broken. For example, your pen accidentally falls on the floor and breaks.
How to Fix:
Throw it away and get a new one from XPPen Shop!
If the Pen quality problem is caused by the factory manufacturing or transportation, contact XPPen for a replacement.
7. Flicks and Sweeping gestures is turned on
Sometimes, the pen lag problem was caused by Windows’s Flicks and Sweeping gestures.
How to Fix:
Try disabling flicks and sweeping gestures on your computer.
On a Windows computer, open “Control Panel” > “Pen and Touch”
On the “Pen Options” tab, select the “Press and hold” option > click “Settings” below the list, then uncheck “Enable press and hold for right-clicking”, and click “OK”.
Do the same for the “Touch” tab if your tablet doesn’t have a touch function. Then Click “Apply”.
Conclusion
Like any device, XPPen tablet pens may have lag or delay problem. This lag and delay can sometimes prevent your device from working properly.
There you have it – a comprehensive guide to how to fix a XPPen pen laggy that is not working properly.
Always make sure your device is connected correctly, and learn to troubleshoot driver settings, drawing software settings, and hardware issues to make your drawing experience as pleasant as possible.
Remember to start with the basics before moving on to more complex solutions, and if all else fails, please don’t hesitate to contact the XPPen team for assistance.
Related Post: 10 Best XPPen Drawing Tablets of 2025
