Connection Problems

Understanding Connection Issues

Connection problems are among the most frustrating issues for both server owners and players. This guide helps you identify, diagnose, and resolve various connection-related problems.

First Step: Check System Status

📊 Always start here: Before troubleshooting individual connection issues, check our Service Status Page to see if there are any:

• Network infrastructure issues
• Data center connectivity problems
• Scheduled maintenance affecting your region
• Known issues with specific game types

If there’s a platform-wide issue, individual troubleshooting won’t help until the system issue is resolved.

Basic Connection Troubleshooting

Verify Server Status

Control Panel Check

1. Platform Status: Check status.gamelords.gg first
2. Server State: Confirm server shows as “Online” or “Running”
3. Recent Restarts: Check if server restarted recently
4. Resource Usage: Ensure server isn’t overloaded
5. Console Errors: Look for connection-related errors

Quick Tests

# Test server connectivity (replace with your server IP)
ping your-server-ip.com
telnet your-server-ip.com 25565    # Minecraft default port
telnet your-server-ip.com 28015    # Rust default port

Common Connection Error Messages

”Connection Timed Out”

Causes:

• Server is offline or starting up
• Firewall blocking connection
• Network routing issues
• Incorrect IP address or port

Solutions:

1. Verify server is running
2. Check firewall settings
3. Try connecting from different network
4. Confirm correct connection details

”Connection Refused”

Causes:

• Server not listening on specified port
• Port forwarding misconfigured
• Service not started properly
• IP binding issues

Solutions:

1. Restart server completely
2. Verify port configuration
3. Check service status
4. Review network settings

”Authentication Failed”

Causes:

• Steam/game client authentication issues
• Outdated game client
• Server authentication problems
• Account restrictions

Solutions:

1. Restart game client and Steam
2. Update game to latest version
3. Check Steam server status
4. Verify account is in good standing

Game-Specific Connection Issues

Minecraft Connection Problems

Version Mismatch

Error: "Incompatible version" or "Outdated client/server"

Solutions:

• Ensure client and server versions match exactly
• Check for mod/plugin version compatibility
• Verify protocol version compatibility
• Update client or downgrade server as needed

Authentication Issues

Error: "Failed to verify username" or "Authentication servers are down"

Solutions:

# server.properties temporary fix
online-mode=false              # Disable authentication temporarily

• Check Mojang authentication server status
• Restart Minecraft client and launcher
• Clear Minecraft cache files
• Verify internet connection stability

Whitelist Problems

Error: "You are not whitelisted on this server"

Solutions:

# Console commands
whitelist add playername
whitelist on
whitelist list

Rust Connection Issues

EasyAntiCheat (EAC) Problems

Error: "EAC disconnected" or "EAC connection failed"

Solutions:

1. Verify EAC service is running:

   # Windows
   sc query EasyAntiCheat

2. Restart EAC service
3. Run game as administrator
4. Disable conflicting software
5. Reinstall EAC if necessary

Steam Authentication

Error: "No Steam logon" or "Steam auth timeout"

Solutions:

• Restart Steam client
• Verify Steam is online
• Check Steam server status
• Log out and back into Steam
• Clear Steam web browser cache

Queue System Issues

Error: "Queue is full" or "Position in queue timeout"

Server Configuration:

server.queuelimit 100          # Adjust queue size
server.queueafkgraceseconds 30 # AFK grace period

ARK Connection Issues

BattlEye Problems

Error: "BattlEye initialization failed" or "BattlEye kick"

Solutions:

1. Update BattlEye manually
2. Run ARK as administrator
3. Add ARK to antivirus exceptions
4. Verify BattlEye service is running
5. Restart computer

Mod Synchronization

Error: "Mod mismatch" or "Download timeout"

Solutions:

• Clear mod cache: Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\346110
• Restart Steam and ARK
• Check internet connection speed
• Verify mod subscriptions on Steam Workshop
• Use ARK Server Manager for better mod handling

Password Protection

Error: "Invalid password" or "Server password required"

Server Configuration:

ServerPassword=YourPasswordHere
ServerAdminPassword=AdminPassword

Source Engine Games (CS2, TF2, GMod, L4D2)

Steam Authentication

Error: "VAC authentication error" or "Steam authentication failed"

Solutions:

1. Restart Steam client
2. Verify game files through Steam
3. Check Steam server status
4. Disable Steam overlay temporarily
5. Run game without additional software

Server Browser Issues

Error: "Server not responding" or "Failed to connect after retries"

Solutions:

• Use direct connect with IP address
• Refresh server browser multiple times
• Check Steam server browser status
• Try connecting through console:

  connect ip:port

Plugin/Mod Conflicts

Error: "Disconnected by server" or "Client/server mismatch"

Solutions:

• Verify all required plugins are installed on client
• Check SourceMod plugin compatibility
• Disable conflicting client modifications
• Update plugins to latest versions

Network and Firewall Issues

Port Accessibility

Common Game Ports

Game	Default Port	Protocol
Minecraft	25565	TCP
Rust	28015	UDP
ARK	7777	UDP
CS2	27015	UDP
GMod	27015	UDP
TF2	27015	UDP
L4D2	27015	UDP

Testing Port Accessibility

# External port testing tools
nmap -p 25565 your-server-ip.com
telnet your-server-ip.com 25565

# Online port checkers
# Use websites like canyouseeme.org or portchecker.co

Firewall Configuration

Windows Firewall

# Allow specific port (run as administrator)
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Minecraft Server" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=25565

# Check firewall rules
netsh advfirewall firewall show rule name="Minecraft Server"

Linux iptables

# Allow port through iptables
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 25565 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 25565 -j ACCEPT

# Save rules (Ubuntu/Debian)
sudo iptables-save > /etc/iptables/rules.v4

Router Port Forwarding

1. Access router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Find port forwarding section
3. Add rule for game port:
   • External port: Game port (e.g., 25565)
   • Internal port: Same port
   • Internal IP: Server’s local IP
   • Protocol: TCP/UDP as required

DNS and IP Resolution

DNS Issues

# Test DNS resolution
nslookup your-server-domain.com
dig your-server-domain.com

# Use direct IP if DNS fails
ping 123.456.789.101

Dynamic IP Problems

If using dynamic IP:

1. Set up Dynamic DNS service (DynDNS, No-IP)
2. Configure router to update DDNS automatically
3. Use static IP if possible for servers
4. Monitor IP changes and update as needed

Advanced Connection Diagnostics

Network Tracing

Traceroute Analysis

# Windows
tracert your-server-ip.com

# Linux/Mac
traceroute your-server-ip.com

# MTR (better continuous tracing)
mtr --report --report-cycles 100 your-server-ip.com

Common Traceroute Issues

• High latency at specific hop: ISP routing issue
• Timeouts: Firewall or routing problems
• Packet loss: Network congestion or hardware issues
• Long routes: Suboptimal routing paths

Bandwidth Testing

Connection Speed Tests

# Linux bandwidth testing
iperf3 -c your-server-ip.com -p 5201

# Windows/Online alternatives
# Use speedtest.net or fast.com for general testing

Game-Specific Bandwidth Requirements

Game Type	Per Player	Peak Usage
Minecraft	0.5-1 Mbps	2-3 Mbps
Rust	1-2 Mbps	3-5 Mbps
ARK	1-3 Mbps	5-8 Mbps
FPS Games	0.5-1 Mbps	1-2 Mbps

Packet Analysis

Wireshark Analysis

For advanced troubleshooting:

1. Install Wireshark on client machine
2. Capture packets during connection attempt
3. Filter by protocol and port
4. Analyze handshake and error patterns
5. Look for retransmissions and timeouts

Common Packet Patterns

• SYN retransmissions: Connection timeouts
• RST packets: Connection refused
• ICMP unreachable: Routing or firewall issues
• Fragmented packets: MTU size problems

ISP and Hosting Provider Issues

ISP-Related Problems

Common ISP Issues

1. Port blocking: Some ISPs block game server ports
2. Traffic shaping: Throttling of gaming traffic
3. Routing problems: Suboptimal network paths
4. DNS hijacking: ISP redirecting DNS queries

Solutions and Workarounds

# Alternative ports for blocked defaults
# Minecraft
server-port=25564              # Try different port
query.port=25564

# Use VPN or proxy if ISP blocks gaming traffic
# Contact ISP to request port unblocking
# Switch to gaming-friendly ISP if necessary

Hosting Provider Network

Game Lords Network Features

• DDoS Protection: Automatic attack mitigation
• Multiple Locations: Choose closest data center
• Network Redundancy: Multiple network providers
• Traffic Optimization: Gaming-optimized routing

When to Contact Support

Contact Game Lords support if:

• Multiple players report connection issues
• Problems persist across different ISPs
• Network graphs show unusual patterns
• Suspected DDoS or network attacks

Regional and Geographic Issues

Geographic Latency

Expected Latency by Distance

Distance	Typical Latency
< 500 miles	10-30ms
500-1500 miles	30-70ms
1500-3000 miles	70-120ms
Intercontinental	120-300ms+

Optimization Strategies

1. Server location: Choose closest to player base
2. Multiple servers: Regional server clusters
3. CDN integration: Content delivery optimization
4. Peering arrangements: Direct ISP connections

International Connectivity

Common International Issues

• Submarine cable outages: Affect intercontinental connections
• Government filtering: Some countries block or throttle gaming
• Currency routing: Traffic taking inefficient paths
• Political restrictions: Access limitations by region

Solutions

# Configure multiple connection methods
# Use gaming VPNs for affected regions
# Partner with local hosting providers
# Implement region-specific servers

Mobile and Console Connections

Mobile Hotspot Issues

Common Mobile Problems

1. NAT limitations: Strict NAT types blocking connections
2. Data throttling: Reduced speeds after data caps
3. Network switching: Switching between cell towers
4. High latency: Inherent mobile network delays

Mobile Optimization

# Server settings for mobile-friendly gameplay
# Minecraft Bedrock optimizations
allow-cheats=false
difficulty=1                   # Easier difficulty for mobile
max-players=10                 # Lower player counts

Console-Specific Issues

PlayStation/Xbox Networking

Common Console Connection Issues:
- NAT type restrictions (Open/Moderate/Strict)
- Platform-specific authentication
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Network configuration requirements

Nintendo Switch

• Unique networking: Different NAT handling
• WiFi limitations: Hardware network constraints
• Portable mode: Connection switching issues
• Friend code systems: Platform-specific connectivity

Monitoring and Prevention

Connection Monitoring Tools

Server-Side Monitoring

# Enable connection logging
log on
sv_logbans 1
sv_logecho 1
sv_logfile 1

# Monitor connection attempts
# Check for patterns in failed connections
# Track geographic distribution of players

Automated Alerts

Set up alerts for:

• Connection failure rate above threshold
• Unusual geographic connection patterns
• Authentication failure spikes
• Network latency increases

Prevention Strategies

Proactive Measures

1. Regular testing: Test connections from various locations
2. Multiple connection methods: Provide alternative access
3. Clear documentation: Connection guides for players
4. Community communication: Update players on issues

Connection Best Practices

Server Configuration:
  - Use standard ports when possible
  - Configure fallback connection methods
  - Enable connection keep-alive
  - Implement graceful disconnect handling

Player Education:
  - Provide connection troubleshooting guides
  - Maintain updated server information
  - Create video tutorials for common issues
  - Establish support channels for help

Getting Help with Connection Issues

Information to Gather

Before Contacting Support

1. Error messages: Exact text of error messages
2. Player locations: Geographic distribution of affected players
3. Connection method: Direct IP, server browser, etc.
4. Network traces: Traceroute and ping results
5. Recent changes: Any server or network modifications

Diagnostic Commands

# Gather network diagnostics
ping -t your-server-ip.com     # Continuous ping test
tracert your-server-ip.com     # Route tracing
nslookup your-domain.com       # DNS resolution test
telnet your-server-ip.com port # Port connectivity test

When to Escalate

Support Escalation Triggers

• Multiple unrelated players affected
• Regional connection patterns
• ISP or hosting provider issues suspected
• Security concerns (DDoS, attacks)
• Infrastructure problems indicated

Community Resources

Player-Contributed Solutions

• Community forums: Player troubleshooting discussions
• Discord channels: Real-time connection help
• Video tutorials: Visual troubleshooting guides
• Regional communities: Location-specific solutions

Remember: Connection issues often have multiple causes. Systematic troubleshooting and patience are key to identifying and resolving the root cause.