Elden Ring Connection Error Occurred: Released in 2022, Elden Ring is an action role-playing game set in a dark fantasy world, developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.
Since its launch, the game has garnered widespread acclaim, particularly for its stunning visuals and engaging gameplay mechanics.
However, many players have reported experiencing the “Connection Error Occurred” issue, which prevents them from accessing the game server. This problem is particularly prevalent in multiplayer mode, where users are frequently disconnected.
If you find yourself facing this connectivity issue, this troubleshooting guide is here to assist you. Below, we outline several potential solutions that may help resolve the problem.
It appears that a significant number of players are struggling with server connectivity, especially when attempting to join co-op matches. This may be due to server congestion or outages affecting specific regions.
Elden Ring Connection Error Occurred: How to FIX
Furthermore, several factors could be contributing to the connection error you are experiencing in Elden Ring.
These may include problems with your internet connection, an outdated version of the game, or obsolete networking drivers. Additionally, conflicts arising from DNS cache data or issues with your internet service provider’s DNS servers could also play a role.
On a different note, using an outdated operating system, having conflicts with VPN services, not utilizing the recommended ports, or specific in-game voice chat settings could also lead to this error. It’s important to address these potential issues to ensure a smoother gaming experience.
1. Turn Off Voice Chat in Elden Ring
To begin with, it is advisable to turn off the voice chat feature in Elden Ring, as some players have indicated that the “connection error occurred” issue might arise from conflicts related to voice chat. Here’s how you can disable it:
- 1. Launch Elden Ring and navigate to the Settings menu.
- 2. Select the Network tab and deactivate the Voice Chat option. Ensure that you are connected to the internet.
- 3. After making this adjustment, attempt to summon another player in the game world.
If this solution does not resolve the issue, feel free to re-enable the voice chat feature.
2. Check Internet Connection
For optimal performance, it’s advisable to ensure that you have a reliable and high-speed internet connection, regardless of whether you are using a wired or wireless setup.
Upon launching the game, it may need to download extra resources while connected to the internet. If your connection is unstable, you could experience frequent server connectivity problems. Consider connecting to an alternative network if one is accessible to improve your gaming experience.
3. Check the Elden Ring Server Status
Occasionally, problems with the game server or outages can lead to various errors and connectivity issues within the game. To stay informed, be sure to monitor the official @ELDENRING Twitter account for real-time updates and the most current information.
If you encounter any downtime or outages, simply wait a few hours before attempting to connect again. However, if there are no reported server issues, feel free to proceed to the next troubleshooting method.
4. Update Elden Ring
If you haven’t refreshed your Elden Ring game in a while, it’s a good idea to check for updates and install the latest patch, if one is available. Here’s how you can do that:
- 1. Launch the Steam client and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Select Elden Ring from the list on the left side.
- 3. The client will automatically check for any available updates.
- 4. If an update is found, click on the “Update” button to start the installation.
- 5. Be aware that this process may take some time, depending on the size of the update.
- 6. After the update is installed, close the Steam client.
- 7. Finally, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
5. Verify Integrity of Game Files
Issues with game files, such as missing or corrupted data, can be quite frustrating when playing on your PC. Even if the game launches without any errors, you may encounter network connectivity problems that can disrupt your experience in co-op mode. To resolve these issues, follow these steps:
- 1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
- 2. Locate Elden Ring in your list of installed games and right-click on it.
- 3. Select ‘Properties’ from the context menu, then go to the ‘Local Files‘ tab.
- 4. Click on ‘Verify Integrity of Game Files’ to initiate the verification process.
- 5. Allow the process to complete, which may take some time.
- 6. After it finishes, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
This should help restore the game’s functionality and improve your gaming experience.
6. Update Windows
Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is crucial for both general PC users and gamers. Regular updates help minimize system glitches, enhance compatibility, and prevent crashes. Running an outdated version of Windows can lead to various performance issues and software malfunctions. To ensure your system is current, follow these steps:
- 1. Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings.
- 2. Navigate to the Update & Security section, then click on Check for updates within the Windows Update area.
- 3. If there is a feature update available, choose the option to Download and install it.
- 4. The update process may take some time, so be patient.
- 5. Once the update is complete, restart your computer to finalize the installation.
Staying updated will help maintain your system’s efficiency and reliability.
7. Run the game as an administrator
To prevent any issues related to user account control and privileges, it’s important to execute the game’s executable file with administrative rights. Additionally, you should ensure that the Steam client is also launched as an administrator on your computer. Here’s how to do it:
- 1. Locate the Elden Ring shortcut on your desktop or in your files.
- 2. Right-click the shortcut and select ‘Properties‘ from the context menu.
- 3. Navigate to the ‘Compatibility‘ tab.
- 4. Check the box that says ‘Run this program as an administrator.’
- 5. Click ‘Apply‘ and then ‘OK’ to confirm the changes.
Remember to repeat these steps for the Steam launcher to grant it administrative access as well.
8. Disable Windows Firewall or Antivirus Program
It’s quite possible that your Windows Defender Firewall or any third-party antivirus software is interfering with your game connections or preventing game files from functioning correctly. To troubleshoot this issue, consider temporarily disabling the real-time protection and firewall settings. Here’s how you can do that:
- 1. Open the Start Menu and type “firewall” in the search bar.
- 2. From the search results, select “Windows Defender Firewall.”
- 3. In the left sidebar, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.”
- 4. A new window will appear. Here, choose the option to “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended)” for both Private and Public Network Settings.
- 5. After making your selections, click OK to apply the changes.
- 6. Finally, restart your computer to ensure the new settings take effect.
After completing these steps, try launching the game again to see if the Elden Ring connection error has been resolved.
In addition, it’s essential to disable the Windows Security protection as well. To do this, follow these instructions:
- 1. Open the Windows Settings by pressing the Windows key and the ‘I’ key simultaneously.
- 2. Navigate to the Update & Security section, then select Windows Security from the sidebar.
- 3. Click on the Open Windows Security button to launch the application.
- 4. Proceed to the Virus & threat protection section and select Manage settings.
- 5. Locate the Real-time protection option and toggle it off.
- 6. If a confirmation prompt appears, click Yes to continue.
- 7. For additional security adjustments, you may also choose to disable Cloud-delivered protection and Tamper protection if desired.
9. Try Using Google DNS
Occasionally, the custom DNS server address provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may cause connectivity problems with game servers. To enhance your connection speed and reliability, it’s advisable to switch to a public DNS service, such as Google DNS. Below are the steps to easily configure Google Public DNS on your Windows computer, which might help resolve the connectivity issue you’re experiencing.
- 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to bring up the Run dialog.
- 2. Type “control” and hit Enter to access the Control Panel.
- 3. Navigate to “Network and Internet,” then click on “Network and Sharing Center.”
- 4. Locate your active connections, selecting either Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or any other applicable option.
- 5. Click on “Properties,” then double-click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” to open its properties window.
- 6. Select the option for “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter 8.8.8.8 as your Preferred DNS server.
- 7. For the Alternate DNS server, input 8.8.4.4. Be sure to check the box for “Validate settings upon exit.”
- 8. Click “OK” to apply the changes, and then launch the Elden Ring game to see if the issue has been resolved.
By following these instructions, you should experience improved connectivity while gaming.
10. Set up Game Network Settings
Occasionally, issues with the network settings within the game can lead to various connectivity problems with the game server. To mitigate these conflicts, it is advisable to adjust the network configurations in the game’s settings menu. Here’s how you can do it once you’re in the game:
- 1. Open the Settings menu within the game.
- 2. Locate and select the Network section.
- 3. Set the Cross-Region Play option to enable matchmaking.
- 4. Choose Play Online under the Launch Settings category.
By following these steps, you can enhance your connection stability and improve your overall gaming experience.
11. Try Disabling Overlay Apps
Certain widely-used applications may include their own overlay features, which can operate in the background and potentially interfere with gaming performance or even prevent games from launching. To resolve this issue, it is advisable to disable these overlays by following the instructions outlined below:
Disable Discord Overlay:
- To start using the Discord application, open it and locate the gear icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Once you’re in the settings, navigate to the Overlay section found under App Settings and activate the Enable in-game overlay option.
- Next, head over to the Games tab and find Elden Ring in the list.
- After selecting it, be sure to disable the Enable in-game overlay option. Don’t forget to restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
Disable Xbox Game Bar:
- To access Windows Settings, simply press the Windows key and the letter I simultaneously. Once you’re in the Settings menu, navigate to the Gaming section and select Game Bar.
- Here, you’ll want to disable the option for recording game clips, taking screenshots, and broadcasting through the Game Bar.
- If you have difficulty locating the Game Bar settings, you can use the search feature within the Windows Settings to find it quickly.
Disable Nvidia GeForce Experience Overlay:
- To begin, open the Nvidia GeForce Experience application and navigate to the Settings menu. Locate the General tab and turn off the In-Game Overlay feature.
- After making this adjustment, it’s important to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect before relaunching your game.
- Additionally, remember to disable any other overlay applications that might be running in the background, such as MSI Afterburner, Rivatuner, RGB software, or any similar third-party overlays.
We hope you find this guide helpful! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below.