Connection and Lag: ARC Raiders Troubleshooting for Network
In an online-only extraction shooter, your connection is your lifeline. High ping, packet loss, and "rubber-banding" can ruin a run faster than any enemy. If you are experiencing network lag or disconnects, this article is for you. We will explore how to optimize your connection to the game servers.
Network issues can be client-side (your house) or server-side (the game). Distinguishing between the two is the first step. This ARC Raiders troubleshooting guide focuses on fixing the issues you can control, ensuring your line to the server is as clean and fast as possible.
Home Network Optimization in ARC Raiders Troubleshooting
The golden rule of online gaming is: never use Wi-Fi if you can avoid it. Wi-Fi is subject to interference from walls, microwaves, and other devices. This causes "jitter"—tiny spikes in latency that cause your character to teleport. Always use a wired Ethernet cable for a stable connection.
If you must use Wi-Fi, use the 5GHz band, not the 2.4GHz band. 5GHz is faster and less congested, though it has shorter range. Ensure you are close to the router. Packet loss on Wi-Fi is the number one cause of "hit registration" issues where your shots don't seem to count.
DNS and Routing in ARC Raiders
Your ISP's default DNS server might be slow or unreliable. Changing to a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can improve connection negotiation speeds. This won't lower your in-game ping drastically, but it can fix login timeouts and matchmaking errors.
To flush your current DNS cache, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type ipconfig /flushdns. This clears out old, potentially bad routing data and forces your PC to find a fresh path to the game servers.
Router Settings for ARC Raiders
UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) should be enabled in your router settings. This allows the game to automatically open the ports it needs to communicate. If UPnP is off, your NAT type might be "Strict" or "Moderate," which restricts who you can match with and causes disconnects.
If you are comfortable with advanced networking, you can set up Port Forwarding manually. Check the official support page for the specific TCP/UDP ports used by the game. Forwarding these ports to your PC's IP address ensures a direct, unblocked channel for game data.
Server Side Issues in ARC Raiders Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the servers are just overloaded. This happens frequently during launch weeks or events. If you are getting "Connection Failed" errors, check the official Twitter/X account or the game's Discord status channel.
If the servers are struggling, there is nothing you can do but wait. Continually spamming the "Reconnect" button can actually trigger a temporary IP ban from the login server for flood protection. Be patient and wait for the "All Clear" from the developers.
Region Selection in ARC Raiders
Ensure you are connected to the correct server region. The game usually selects the closest server automatically, but sometimes it puts you in the wrong region (e.g., placing a European player in NA servers). Check the settings menu for a "Region" selector.
Playing on the wrong region guarantees high ping. If you are playing with friends from overseas, the game will usually host the match on the squad leader's server. Be aware that the non-host players will experience significant lag in these cross-region parties.
VPN Usage and ARC Raiders
Using a VPN is generally discouraged for gaming as it adds an extra hop to your connection, increasing latency. However, in some rare cases, a VPN can actually fix routing issues if your ISP has a bad path to the game server.
If you are experiencing constant packet loss on a specific server, try connecting via a "Gaming VPN" or GPN (Gamers Private Network) to a node near the game server. This can bypass the congested node on your ISP's route. Use this only as a last resort.
Network Fix Checklist
- Ethernet: Use a cable, not Wi-Fi.
- DNS: Switch to 1.1.1.1.
- Flush DNS: Run ipconfig /flushdns.
- Region: Check in-game selector.
- Background: Close bandwidth-heavy apps.
Conclusion on Network Fixes
A stable connection is the unsung hero of competitive gaming. By optimizing your home network and ensuring your router is configured correctly, you eliminate the variables that cause lag. You can't fix the servers, but you can ensure your road to them is paved.
With your network optimized and your crashes resolved, you are ready to dominate. Don't forget to apply the tweaks from our ARC Raiders best settings guide to ensure your visual performance matches your network speed. Good hunting, Raider.
