Network Issue ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders Server Connection Failure - Troubleshooting Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-05 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-05 👥 Reports: 10 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

Verify server status via official channels, then perform a full network stack reset on your local system to clear connection caches.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This error constitutes a failure to establish a connection with the ARC Raiders game servers. The system returns a network timeout or a generic connection failure message when attempting to join a match or authenticate with the backend services. The error affects the Windows platform exclusively, as ARC Raiders is currently a Windows-only title. This issue occurs across all game versions during the early access and launch phases. The error frequency is classified as occasional, typically correlating with peak player load or scheduled maintenance windows. The severity impact is game-breaking, as it prevents the core gameplay loop of cooperative matchmaking. The exact error message text varies but commonly includes phrases such as "Connection Failed," "Failed to Join Session," "Servers Unavailable," or "Network Timeout."

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The primary symptom is a modal dialog box appearing after selecting "Play" or during matchmaking, stating a connection failure. The application remains responsive at the main menu but cannot progress to a game session. Network timeout errors occur during the initial handshake with the authentication server. The user interface may display a spinning connection icon indefinitely before presenting the error. No crash dump is generated, as the application itself does not terminate. The error manifests specifically during the phase where the client attempts to communicate with the remote game server infrastructure.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Local DNS cache corruption or stale entries pointing to outdated server IP addresses. Why this causes the problem: The game client cannot resolve the correct hostname for the game servers, leading to connection attempts to invalid or non-responsive IP addresses.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Windows Socket API (Winsock) catalog corruption, disrupting all network application communication. Why this causes the problem: The underlying Windows networking subsystem fails to initialize sockets correctly for the game client, preventing any outbound connection.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: Aggressive firewall or antivirus software rules blocking the game's executable (ARC_RAIDERS-Win64-Shipping.exe) or its required UDP/TCP ports. Why this causes the problem: Outbound packets from the game are silently dropped before reaching the network, simulating a server outage from the client's perspective.

Category: Game Bug / Configuration Error

Specific technical explanation: Corrupted or invalid local game configuration files, specifically those containing server endpoint URLs or session data. Why this causes the problem: The client reads incorrect server addresses or corrupted authentication tokens from its local cache, causing it to contact the wrong service or present invalid credentials.

Category: Network Problem

Specific technical explanation: ISP-level routing issues or temporary packet loss on the pathway to the game's data center. Why this causes the problem: Network packets fail to reach the destination server within the timeout period, triggering the client's connection failure routine.

Category: Software Conflict

Specific technical explanation: VPN or proxy software interfering with the game's direct UDP connections required for real-time gameplay. Why this causes the problem: The VPN reroutes traffic through an intermediary server that may be blocked by the game's anti-cheat or introduce latency that exceeds connection thresholds.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Verify Server Status and Perform Basic Network Reset

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

Check the official ARC Raiders X (formerly Twitter) account (@ARCRaidersGame) or the official Discord server for server status announcements.
Completely exit the ARC Raiders client and the Embark Launcher.
Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an Administrator Command Prompt.
Execute the command: ipconfig /flushdns
Execute the command: netsh winsock reset
Execute the command: netsh int ip reset
Restart your computer to complete the Winsock and IP stack reset.
Launch the game and attempt to connect.

Technical Explanation: This sequence clears the local DNS cache, resets the Windows network socket catalog to a clean state, and resets TCP/IP settings, eliminating local software-based connection obstructions. Verification: The game client successfully passes the initial connection phase and proceeds to matchmaking or the lobby without displaying a connection error dialog.

Solution 2: Configure Firewall and Antivirus Exceptions

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 10 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Administrator access required Steps:

Navigate to C:\Program Files\Embark Launcher\games\arc_raiders (or your custom install directory) and locate the primary game executable, typically ARC_RAIDERS-Win64-Shipping.exe.
Open Windows Security by searching for "Firewall & network protection" in the Start menu.
Click "Allow an app through firewall."
Click "Change settings," then "Browse." Navigate to and select the ARC_RAIDERS-Win64-Shipping.exe file.
Ensure both "Private" and "Public" checkboxes are selected for the new entry.
Repeat steps 4-5 for EmbarkLauncher.exe located in its installation directory.
If using a third-party antivirus, consult its documentation to add the same two executables to its allow/whitelist.
Temporarily disable any active VPN or proxy software and attempt to connect.

Technical Explanation: This creates explicit inbound and outbound rules in the Windows Firewall for the game and launcher, preventing them from being blocked. Disabling VPNs tests for routing conflicts. Verification: Network monitoring tools like Resource Monitor show "Established" connections for the game process, and the game connects successfully.

Solution 3: Clear Local Game Configuration and Cache

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 7 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: None Steps:

Ensure the ARC Raiders client and Embark Launcher are fully closed.
Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and press Enter. This opens the C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local directory.
Locate and open the EmbarkLauncher folder.
Within this folder, find and delete any subfolders or files related to arc_raiders or ARC Raiders. Common cache folders are named Cache, Saved, or WebCache.
Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local and delete the ARC Raiders folder if it exists.
Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents and delete the ARC Raiders folder if it exists.
Launch the Embark Launcher. It will redownload necessary configuration files.

Technical Explanation: This removes potentially corrupted JSON configuration files, cached server lists, and invalid authentication tokens, forcing the launcher and game to fetch fresh, correct data from official sources. Verification: The launcher performs a first-time setup upon launch, and the game's connection process starts from a clean state.

Solution 4: Perform a Network Route Diagnostic

Difficulty: Advanced Time Required: 15 minutes Success Rate: Medium Prerequisites: Knowledge of Command Prompt Steps:

With the game and launcher closed, open a standard Command Prompt.
Execute a continuous ping to a reliable external host to check for general packet loss: ping -t 8.8.8.8. Let it run for 30 seconds, then press Ctrl+C. Note any "Request timed out" or high latency (>150ms) responses.
To diagnose routing issues, a traceroute is needed. You will need to find the current game server IP. While this changes, you can often find it via network monitoring. As an alternative, test general routing health: pathping 8.8.8.8.
Examine the output for high latency or packet loss at specific "hops" (intermediate routers). Consistent loss at an early hop indicates a local network or ISP issue.
If the issue is suspected at the home router, power cycle it by unplugging it from power for 60 seconds, then plugging it back in.

Technical Explanation: This diagnostic identifies where on the network path between your PC and the internet the failure occurs, distinguishing between a local issue, an ISP problem, or a remote server problem. Verification: The ping test shows 0% packet loss and stable latency, and the game connection succeeds after the router power cycle if that was the fault point.

Solution 5: Repair or Reinstall Game Files

Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 20-40 minutes Success Rate: High Prerequisites: Stable internet connection for redownloading Steps:

Open the Embark Launcher.
Navigate to your ARC Raiders game library.
Click on the game's settings or "..." menu.
Select "Verify" or "Repair" game files. The launcher will compare local files with the server and replace any that are missing or corrupt.
If no repair option exists or the error persists, select "Uninstall."
After uninstallation, restart your computer.
Reinstall ARC Raiders through the Embark Launcher to a default directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\Embark Launcher\games\).

Technical Explanation: This ensures all game binaries, dependencies, and configuration files are intact and at the correct version, eliminating corruption in the core game client as a cause. Verification: The installation completes without errors, and the first launch after repair/reinstall connects successfully.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a clean network stack by periodically executing ipconfig /flushdns from an elevated command prompt. Configure static firewall rules for the game executables as outlined in Solution 2 to prevent updates from breaking permissions. Establish a routine to verify game file integrity through the Embark Launcher after major game patches or system updates. Monitor the performance of your home router and power cycle it monthly to clear its internal memory and connection state tables. Keep your network adapter driver updated from the manufacturer's website, not just through Windows Update.

SECTION 6: WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT

Contact Embark Studios support if all documented solutions fail and public server status indicators confirm the service is operational. Escalation is required when the error is isolated to a single account on multiple, verified-working networks and systems. Prepare to provide the launcher.log file located in %localappdata%\EmbarkLauncher and the ARC Raiders log files from %localappdata%\ARC Raiders\Saved\Logs. Include a DXDiag report and the results of the network diagnostics from Solution 4. Official support channels are accessed via the Embark Studios website under the "Support" section.