Network Issue ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders Banding Issues - Network & Client Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 5 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Perform a full console power cycle and verify your network's NAT type is set to Type 1 or 2 to resolve the primary server-client desynchronization causing banding.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

Banding, or rubber-banding, is a network desynchronization error where the game client's positional data conflicts with the authoritative game server. This results in the client correcting the player's location, creating a disruptive snapping or "banding" effect. The problem is confirmed on the PlayStation 5 platform following specific game updates. This is a common issue post-patch, with a game-breaking severity impact. The error directly impedes core gameplay, causing failed inputs, delayed actions, and character teleportation, which leads to mission failure and loss of progression. No explicit error code is generated; the malfunction manifests entirely through in-game network performance degradation.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application exhibits severe network latency and packet loss symptoms during raid sessions. Character movement input results in delayed or ignored response, followed by a rapid correction that teleports the character to a previous position. This rubber-banding event typically occurs within 60-120 seconds of loading into an instance. The game world state may freeze while player inputs queue, then resolve in a rapid sequence. Enemy entities continue to move and attack according to server authority during client-side freezes, resulting in unexplained player damage or death. The session remains connected, but the gameplay loop becomes non-functional due to desynchronization.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Persistent console cache conflicts with network stack initialization, causing corrupted socket handling and increased UDP packet loss. Why this causes the problem: The corrupted network stack fails to maintain a consistent packet stream with the game server, triggering constant positional reconciliation (rubber-banding).

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Router or modem Network Address Translation (NAT) filtering is set to a restrictive type (Type 3/Symmetric), blocking or throttling the required UDP ports for ARC Raiders. Why this causes the problem: Restrictive NAT interferes with the peer-to-server connection, increasing latency and jitter, which manifests as desynchronization.

Category: Game Bug

Specific technical explanation: The game client retains corrupted or outdated session data from a previous patch, leading to protocol handshake failures with the updated game server. Why this causes the problem: The version mismatch in session logic causes intermittent rejection of player state updates, forcing the server to reassert its authoritative state.

Category: Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: The PlayStation 5's DNS configuration uses a slow or unreliable resolver, increasing initial connection latency and timeout rates during dynamic server discovery. Why this causes the problem: High DNS latency can cause the client to connect to a geographically distant or overloaded game server, guaranteeing high ping and banding.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Background system or game downloads consume upstream bandwidth, saturating the connection and causing bufferbloat in the network queue. Why this causes the problem: Bufferbloat introduces massive, variable latency spikes that break the real-time synchronization required between client and server.

Category: Software Conflict

Specific technical explanation: The console's system software has a pending update that contains critical network stack or stability fixes not yet applied. Why this causes the problem: Running outdated system firmware can introduce incompatibilities with the game's netcode, which is optimized for the latest OS protocols.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Full Console Power Cycle and Cache Clear

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: None Steps:

From the PS5 home screen, navigate to Settings > System > Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode. Set both During Media Playback and During Gameplay to Don't Put in Rest Mode.
Fully close the ARC Raiders application if it is running.
Press the physical power button on the front of the PS5 console until it beeps a second time (approximately 7 seconds). The system will power down completely.
Unplug the power cable from the back of the PS5 console for 60 seconds.
Reconnect the power cable and turn on the console. Launch ARC Raiders and test in a raid.

Technical Explanation: This procedure clears the volatile system cache and resets the network hardware stack. A full power discharge ensures corrupted temporary data in RAM and network buffers is purged, allowing for a clean initialization of all game and system services. Verification: Monitor the consistency of character movement and enemy behavior during the first 3 minutes of a raid. Successful resolution eliminates the teleportation effect and restores real-time response to input.

Solution 2: Configure Open NAT and Port Forwarding

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Access to router admin interface Steps:

On the PS5, go to Settings > Network > Connection Status and select View Connection Status. Note the console's IP Address and MAC Address.
Access your router's web administration interface (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
Locate the DHCP Reservation or Static IP section. Assign a permanent IP address to your PS5 using its MAC address.
Find the Port Forwarding or Port Triggering section. Create a new rule with the following parameters:

* Service Name: ARC Raiders * Protocol: UDP * External Port Range: 3478-3480, 7777-7787 * Internal IP Address: [The static IP assigned to your PS5] * Internal Port Range: Same as external range.

Save the rule and restart your router.
On the PS5, run Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. Confirm the NAT Type is reported as Type 1 or Type 2.

Technical Explanation: Port forwarding directs incoming game server traffic directly to the console, bypassing restrictive NAT filtering. A static IP ensures the forwarding rule remains valid. This minimizes latency and prevents connection timeouts that cause desynchronization. Verification: The PS5 network test confirms an open NAT type. In-game, banding ceases, and connection quality indicators remain stable.

Solution 3: Rebuild PS5 Database and Clear Game Save Data

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Game progress is backed up to cloud storage (PS Plus) if clearing save data. Steps:

Power down the PS5 completely using Solution 1, Steps 2-3.
Press and hold the physical power button again until you hear a second beep (about 7 seconds). This boots the console into Safe Mode.
Connect a controller via USB cable and press the PS button.
Select option 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database.
Select 1: Clear System Software Cache. Confirm the operation.
Return to the Safe Mode menu and select 5: Clear Cache and Rebuild Database again.
Select 2: Rebuild Database. This process will scan the drive and re-index data.
Upon reboot, navigate to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Saved Data > PS5 Games. Locate and delete only the Saved Data for ARC Raiders. Do not delete the Game App itself.
Launch ARC Raiders. The game will synchronize fresh save data from the server.

Technical Explanation: Rebuilding the database fixes corrupted file system indexes that can cause asset streaming delays. Deleting local save data forces the client to download a fresh, uncorrupted profile from the server, eliminating version conflict errors that disrupt network play. Verification: The game loads without prior configuration errors. Banding incidents are resolved, and gameplay proceeds with stable server communication.

Solution 4: Optimize DNS and Network Configuration

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None Steps:

On the PS5, go to Settings > Network > Settings > Set Up Internet Connection.
Hover over your current connection type (Wi-Fi or LAN) and press the Options button on the controller. Select Advanced Settings.
Set DNS Settings to Manual.
For Primary DNS, enter 1.1.1.1.
For Secondary DNS, enter 8.8.8.8.
Set MTU to Manual and enter the value 1473.
Save all settings and test the internet connection.

Technical Explanation: Using high-performance public DNS resolvers (Cloudflare and Google) reduces the time taken to resolve the game server's domain name, ensuring optimal server selection. Adjusting the MTU can prevent packet fragmentation on some ISPs, reducing latency. Verification: Perform a network test and note the connection speed. While not a direct banding test, a faster DNS resolution contributes to a more stable initial handshake with an optimal game server.

Solution 5: Manage Bandwidth and Disable Cross-Play

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: Low to Medium Prerequisites: None Steps:

From the PS5 home screen, press the PS button to open the Control Center.
Navigate to Downloads/Uploads and pause any active background downloads.
Launch ARC Raiders and navigate to the Settings menu.
Locate the Gameplay or Network settings tab.
Find the Cross-Play option and set it to Off.
Apply the settings and restart the game.

Technical Explanation: Pausing downloads eliminates bufferbloat by freeing upstream bandwidth. Disabling Cross-Play limits matchmaking to players on your local platform and region, which often routes you to physically closer servers with lower inherent latency, reducing desync potential. Verification: Matchmaking times may increase, but in-game latency and banding decrease significantly. This confirms the issue was related to server distance or peer connection quality.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain console system software and game client updates upon release. Schedule a monthly full power cycle (Solution 1) to clear system cache. Configure and maintain a permanent static IP and port forwarding rule for the console. Regularly verify no other devices on the local network are performing high-bandwidth activities during gameplay sessions. Monitor the NAT type weekly via the PS5 network test. Use a wired Ethernet connection exclusively; avoid powerline adapters or Wi-Fi extenders that introduce latency.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact official ARC Raiders support if all solutions fail and banding persists exclusively in this application. Escalation is required when the PS5 network test confirms NAT Type 1, packet loss is 0%, and latency is under 50ms, yet desynchronization continues. Provide the exact game version from the title screen, your PS5 system software version, and a video capture of the banding behavior. Official support channels are located within the game's official website or the publisher's support portal. Do not share router credentials or personal IP addresses.