ARC Raiders Disconnecting Every 30 Seconds - Complete Fix Guide
🎯 Quick Answer
The most effective solution is to perform a full system and network stack reset by restarting your computer and router, then verifying the integrity of the game files through Steam.
SECTION 1: OVERVIEW
The ARC Raiders 30-second server disconnect is a persistent network synchronization failure between the client and the game servers. This error manifests as a complete and consistent severance of the connection approximately 30-60 seconds after joining a match, resulting in a forced return to the lobby or main menu. The issue is platform-agnostic but primarily affects the PC version distributed via Steam. The problem's severity is high, as it renders the core gameplay loop unplayable. While no specific error code is always displayed, the behavior indicates a failure in the game's network handshake protocol or its tolerance for latency variance. The root cause is often localized to the client's network stack configuration, software conflicts, or specific router settings that interfere with the game's persistent UDP connections.
SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS
The application maintains a stable connection to the ARC Raiders lobby and menus. Upon loading into a match—whether Expedition or another mode—the game operates normally for a period of 30 to 60 seconds. At this point, the connection terminates abruptly. The player is removed from the match and returned to the lobby interface, often with a notification of connection loss. In-game, this may be preceded by a temporary freeze or the appearance of connection warning icons. The disconnection is consistent and repeatable across multiple matchmaking attempts. The local network and internet connection otherwise remain functional for all other applications and services during and after the event.
SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES
- Corrupted Network Stack: A malformed or stuck state in the Windows network socket registry (Winsock) or TCP/IP stack can create persistent packet routing errors that ARC Raiders' netcode does not gracefully handle.
- Anti-Cheat Service Conflict: The game's anti-cheat service may enter a faulty state where it incorrectly invalidates the network connection, interpreting irregular traffic as a security violation and terminating the session.
- Router NAT/Firewall Aggressiveness: Overly aggressive firewall rules, NAT table timeouts, or QoS (Quality of Service) settings on the router can prematurely close the specific UDP ports or persistent connections required by ARC Raiders.
- DNS Resolution Latency: Using a default ISP DNS server with high latency or poor routing to Embark's servers can cause critical handshake timeouts during gameplay, triggering a disconnect.
- Shader Cache Corruption: Corrupted or conflicting shader cache files generated by the GPU driver can cause micro-stutters and frame-time spikes that the network logic may misinterpret as an unstable connection.
- Outdated or Faulty Network Drivers: Network interface card (NIC) drivers, especially for onboard Ethernet or Wi-Fi chipsets, that are outdated or have known bugs in their packet scheduling can cause the consistent timing of disconnects.
- Background Process Interference: Certain non-essential services, VPN clients, network monitoring software, or RGB controller utilities can inject latency or interfere with socket binding.
SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS
Apply these solutions in sequential order. Each solution builds upon the previous to isolate and resolve the underlying cause.
Solution 1: Full System and Network Stack Reset
Difficulty: Easy Time: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Steps:- Close ARC Raiders and the Steam client completely.
- Shut down your computer completely (select "Shut down," not "Restart" from Windows, to ensure a full power cycle).
- Unplug the power cable from your router and modem for 60 seconds.
- Plug the modem back in, wait for all status lights to stabilize.
- Plug the router back in, wait for it to fully boot.
- Power on your computer.
- Launch Steam and attempt to play ARC Raiders.
Solution 2: Flush DNS and Reset Windows Socket
Difficulty: Easy Time: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:- Press
Windows Key + Xand select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin). - Execute the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each:
`
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /renew
`
- After the commands complete, restart your computer as instructed.
netsh winsock reset command rebuilds the corrupted network catalog. ipconfig /flushdns removes stale DNS entries that may be pointing to an overloaded or distant game server instance.
Solution 3: Configure Static DNS and Disable IPv6
Difficulty: Medium Time: 7 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:- Press
Windows Key + R, typencpa.cpl, and press Enter. - Right-click your active network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) and select Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
- Select "Use the following DNS server addresses".
- Enter
8.8.8.8for the Preferred DNS server and8.8.4.4for the Alternate DNS server (Google DNS). - Click OK.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and uncheck the box to disable it.
- Click OK to close all windows.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run
ipconfig /flushdns.
Solution 4: Verify Game Files and Reinstall Anti-Cheat
Difficulty: Easy Time: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click ARC Raiders and select Properties.
- Go to the Installed Files tab and click "Verify integrity of game files."
- Wait for the process to complete and download any repaired files.
- Navigate to the ARC Raiders installation directory (typically
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Arc Raiders). - Locate the anti-cheat service folder (e.g.,
EasyAntiCheat). - Run the
EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exeor equivalent installer as Administrator. - Select ARC Raiders from the dropdown menu and click "Repair Service."
- Restart your computer.
Solution 5: Adjust Router Settings for Persistent Connections
Difficulty: Hard Time: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:- Access your router's admin panel (commonly
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1via a web browser). - Locate the Firewall or Security settings.
- If available, set SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection) Firewall to "Low" or "Disabled" temporarily for testing.
- Find NAT (Network Address Translation) settings.
- Increase the UDP Timeout or Session Timeout value to 300 seconds (5 minutes) or the maximum allowed.
- Locate QoS (Quality of Service) settings.
- If QoS is enabled, ensure it is not throttling or deprioritizing traffic to/from your PC's IP address. Consider disabling QoS entirely for testing.
- Save settings and reboot the router.
Solution 6: Perform a Clean GPU Driver Installation
Difficulty: Medium Time: 10 minutes Success Rate: Low-Medium Steps:- Download the latest driver for your GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) from the manufacturer's website.
- Download and run Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from Guru3D.
- Boot Windows into Safe Mode.
- Run DDU and select "Clean and restart" for your GPU type.
- After the restart, install the previously downloaded GPU driver package, selecting "Custom Installation" and then "Perform a clean installation."
- After installation, navigate to
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Arc Raidersand delete the "ShaderCache" folder. - Launch the game to allow it to rebuild shaders.
SECTION 5: PREVENTION
To prevent recurrence, maintain a clean network stack by periodically flushing DNS (ipconfig /flushdns). Avoid modifying network adapter settings after a stable configuration is found. Establish a router maintenance schedule, performing a full power cycle (unplugging for 60 seconds) once per month to clear cached states. Before launching ARC Raiders, ensure no bandwidth-intensive applications or peer-to-peer clients are running in the background. Keep your network adapter drivers updated directly from the motherboard or NIC manufacturer's website, not through Windows Update.
SECTION 6: SUPPORT ESCALATION
If all solutions fail, contact Embark Studios support through the official ARC Raiders website. Before contacting support, gather the following diagnostic information: a detailed description of the error timing, your complete system specifications (CPU, GPU, RAM, motherboard, NIC), router make and model, a traceroute result to the game servers (if known), and a list of all applied fixes from this guide. This information is critical for support to identify less common hardware or ISP-level routing issues.