An annoying Helldivers 2 unable to establish connection error is frustrating many players. There are multiple reasons why this connection login message appears, and it occur on both PC via Steam and on PS5. If you are experiencing this issue, we recommend trying all of the solutions listed below, as many users report using one of them to finally get into this thrilling alien co-op shooter. Here’s how to fix the ‘Unable to Establish Connection’ error and enter Helldivers 2.
How to fix Helldivers 2 ‘Unable to Establish Connection’ error
The following are several solutions you can try to fix and troubleshoot the Helldivers 2 ‘Unable to Establish Connection’ error screen:
- Make sure that the game isn’t experiencing server maintenance – If this is the case, you’ll have to wait a few hours and you can hopefully try again one it’s done.
- Set your Internet protocol to IPv4 – This has a good chance of working as many PC users on Reddit report that this has helped them. In your Control Panel, go through Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Centre, and then Change Adapter Settings. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 and set 8.8.8.8 as your preferred forced DNS (or 8.8.0.0 as an alternative DNS). You can also disable IPv6, though you may need to re-enable after you quit the game.
- Hit spacebar multiple times trying to connect – Sometimes, hitting spacebar to attempt connecting to the game will actually work. This has been described in a message from one of the developers. As of February 12, 2024, the “total capacity of concurrent players was increased from 250,000 to 360,000 total.” This means that if the servers are at capacity, you need to hope that someone leaves the game so that a new player can get it in.
- Change internet connection – For some users, disabling their ethernet connection and switching to Wi-Fi instead worked for them.
- Add game as an exception to anti-virus – For Windows Firewall and/or other anti-virus programs, add the Helldivers 2 .exe file or the entire folder as an exception or the folder. How it works depends on the program, but that could solve the problem.
- Watch full intro – Strangely, skipping the intro can make some players unable to establish connection, but watching the full introduction video has helped many players finally get into the game.