Network Issue ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders Online Connection Error - Game Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 8 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Perform a full game and launcher restart, then verify your network configuration is not blocking the game's required ports.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

The ARC Raiders online connection error is a network timeout failure preventing client-server communication during login or active gameplay sessions. This error affects the Windows PC version via Steam and the PlayStation 5 console version. The issue occurs across the current live build of the game, particularly during periods of high server load such as exposition events. This is a common occurrence with a high severity impact, as it constitutes a game-breaking condition that blocks access to online features and progression. The error manifests as a generic connection loss notification, often without a specific error code, resulting in a forced return to the main menu or desktop. The underlying cause is typically a failure in the persistent socket connection to the game's matchmaking and session servers.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application displays a network connectivity warning dialog box during the initial login sequence or mid-exfil gameplay. The primary symptom is a sudden termination of the online session, followed by an automatic return to the game's main menu screen. In some instances, the game client may freeze for 10-15 seconds before the disconnect notification appears. No specific error code is presented to the user; the interface shows only a generic message regarding connection loss. The failure occurs most frequently during the transition from the lobby to an active session, or during the final exfiltration sequence. Post-disconnection, the player's inventory and loot progression typically remain intact upon a successful subsequent login.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: Consumer router or firewall software is blocking the UDP ports required for ARC Raiders' real-time game server communication. The game requires an uninterrupted outbound connection on a range of high-numbered UDP ports. Why this causes the problem: The game client cannot establish or maintain the low-latency data stream with the dedicated server, resulting in a timeout. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: A memory leak or socket handle accumulation in the game's network stack after multiple consecutive play sessions without a full process restart. Why this causes the problem: The application exhausts available network resources, causing new connection attempts to fail despite a functional physical internet link. Category: Configuration Error Specific technical explanation: DNS cache on the local system contains stale or incorrect records for the game's authentication and session servers. Why this causes the problem: The client resolves the server hostname to an outdated or invalid IP address, preventing a successful TCP handshake. Category: Software Conflict Specific technical explanation: Overly aggressive packet inspection or filtering by third-party security suites (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky) or VPN clients. Why this causes the problem: The security software incorrectly identifies game traffic as anomalous and terminates the connection. Category: Network Problem Specific technical explanation: High packet loss or latency spikes on the route between the client and the game's regional data center, exceeding the game's network tolerance thresholds. Why this causes the problem: The game server disconnects the client due to repeated missed keep-alive packets or unsustainable lag. Category: Game Bug Specific technical explanation: Server-side session persistence error where the player's account is flagged as "in-game" after a crash, preventing a new login. Why this causes the problem: The authentication server rejects the new connection attempt because it conflicts with the existing, ghost session record.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Full Application and Platform Restart

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

Completely close the ARC Raiders application. On PC, use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to ensure the process ARC Raiders.exe is terminated.
Fully exit the game launcher. For Steam, right-click the Steam icon in the system tray and select 'Exit'.
On PlayStation 5, close the game from the Control Center, highlight the ARC Raiders icon, press the Options button, and select 'Close Game'.
Restart the gaming platform (Steam client or PS5 console).
Launch ARC Raiders and attempt to log in.

Technical Explanation: This procedure clears the game's runtime network state and forces a fresh authentication handshake with the platform's backend, resolving session persistence errors and freeing locked network resources. Verification: A successful login and stable connection lasting beyond the initial lobby screen confirms the fix.

Solution 2: Network Configuration and Port Forwarding

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrative access to your local router. Steps:

Identify your PC's local IP address by opening Command Prompt and executing ipconfig. Note the IPv4 Address.
Access your router's admin interface (typically via 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in a web browser).
Locate the Port Forwarding, Virtual Server, or Applications & Gaming section.
Create a new rule with the following parameters: Protocol: UDP, External/Start Port: 7777, End Port: 7787, Internal IP: [Your PC's IP from Step 1].
Apply the rule and restart your router.
On your PC, configure a static firewall rule. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security, create a new Inbound Rule for ports 7777-7787 (UDP) and allow the connection.

Technical Explanation: This ensures the game's required UDP traffic for peer-to-server communication is not blocked by the router's NAT or the operating system's firewall, reducing timeouts. Verification: Use a tool like netstat -an in Command Prompt after launching the game to confirm an established connection on a port within the forwarded range.

Solution 3: DNS and Network Stack Reset

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 3 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Command Prompt run as Administrator on Windows. Steps:

Open Windows Search, type cmd, right-click 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.
Execute the following commands in sequence, pressing Enter after each:

ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer after the commands complete.
Upon reboot, launch the game directly to test the connection.

Technical Explanation: This clears corrupted local DNS cache and resets the Windows socket catalog to a default state, removing any software-induced corruption that interrupts network connectivity. Verification: Successful resolution of game server hostnames and a stable connection indicates the network stack corruption has been cleared.

Solution 4: Disable Conflicting Software

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Ability to modify security software settings. Steps:

Temporarily disable any active VPN or proxy service.
Open your third-party antivirus or security suite (e.g., Norton, McAfee).
Navigate to its firewall or network protection settings.
Add ARC Raiders.exe (typically located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ARC Raiders) to the exclusion, whitelist, or allowed applications list.
If the issue persists, perform a clean boot in Windows to test. Press Win+R, type msconfig, go to the Services tab, check 'Hide all Microsoft services', then click 'Disable all'. Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager to disable all startup items. Restart and test the game.

Technical Explanation: Real-time scanning and intrusion prevention systems can misinterpret the game's constant UDP packet flow as malicious activity, severing the connection. Verification: A stable connection while the security software is configured with exclusions confirms the conflict.

Solution 5: Verify Game File Integrity

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 10-20 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Steam client installed. Steps:

Open your Steam Library and right-click on 'ARC Raiders'.
Select 'Properties' > 'Installed Files'.
Click the 'Verify integrity of game files' button.
Allow the process to complete. Steam will download and replace any missing or corrupted files.
For PlayStation 5, highlight the game icon, press the Options button, select 'Check for Update'. If no update is found, select 'Check Game Files' or 'Repair' if available.

Technical Explanation: This replaces corrupted or outdated network configuration files within the game's installation directory that may contain incorrect server endpoints or broken assets. Verification: The launcher will report "All files successfully validated." A subsequent successful login indicates repaired files were the cause.

Solution 6: Update Critical System Drivers

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: Low Prerequisites: Internet connection for downloads. Steps:

Update your network adapter driver. Press Win+X and select 'Device Manager'. Expand 'Network adapters', right-click your adapter, and select 'Update driver'. Choose 'Search automatically for updated driver software'.
Update your motherboard chipset drivers. Visit your motherboard manufacturer's website, locate your model, and download the latest chipset driver package.
For advanced users, update your router's firmware. Access your router's admin panel and check for a firmware update section.

Technical Explanation: Outdated network or chipset drivers can cause packet handling inefficiencies and timeouts that exceed the game's strict network requirements. Verification: Device Manager will show the updated driver version. Improved connection stability post-update confirms the driver was a contributing factor.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a consistent network environment by assigning a static IP address to your gaming device within your router's DHCP settings. Configure permanent firewall exceptions for the ARC Raiders executable in both Windows Defender and any third-party security software. Establish a routine to perform a full restart of the game client and its launcher after every 2-3 gameplay sessions to prevent memory-related network stack degradation. Monitor your network latency and packet loss using continuous ping tests (ping -t 8.8.8.8) in a Command Prompt window during gameplay to identify ISP-related issues. Keep your router's firmware updated on a quarterly schedule.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Embark Studios support if all solutions fail and the error persists exclusively with ARC Raiders while other online games function normally. Prepare the following diagnostic information: the exact time and date of the error, your Internet Service Provider details, and a traceroute report generated by running tracert live.arcraiders.com in Command Prompt. On PC, provide the game's log files located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\ARC Raiders\Saved\Logs. Official support channels are accessible via the ARC Raiders website or the Embark Studios support portal. Include your platform, game version, and a detailed description of the troubleshooting steps already performed.