How to fix Initialization Error in Dead By Daylight

✓ At a glance

Try the following solutions to resolve the Initialization Error in Dead by Daylight:

• Check the server status to see if they are down for maintenance.
• If you have an old router, check your NAT settings.
• Reinstall the corrupt or missing files on PC.
• Reset time synchronisation on PlayStation and Switch, or clear Cache on Xbox.

Online games and various errors go together hand in hand ever since the concept first appeared. Dead by Daylight has a few such errors of its own, with the Initialization Error having a long track record in the game. While the exact source is something of a mystery, over the years players have found ways to fix the problem when it arises. 

How to fix Initialization Error in DBD

Pinpointing the source of the Initialization Error leads us to believe that it’s caused by internet issues. Notably, the error causes a mismatch in signal sent and received, which can be fixed in a few ways:

• Check the DBD servers
• Fix your NAT settings
• Fix corrupt game files (for PC)
• Resolve synchronisation issues (for consoles)

Check the Dead by Daylight server status

This is the simplest solution you can try. Check if the DBD servers are down for maintenance or some other reason. The best way to do it is by keeping an eye on DBD social pages, such as their X account or Discord server. If this is the cause of the error, then all you can do is wait it out, until the servers are back online.

Fix your NAT settings

Your NAT settings are a common cause of Initialization Error in Dead by Daylight, due to NAT dictating the amount of data shared between your platform and the internet. If your router uses a strict NAT type, then the game can’t process enough information for stable service.

Run a connection test to find out which NAT type you’re using. If you see that it’s NAT type A or B (alternatively, NAT 1 or 2), then you’re fine. If it’s NAT type C (or 3), then that’s likely the source of the issue. This type is most often used by older router models, while modern ones typically use A or B. 

Each router manufacturer has a different way of checking those settings, so you’re best off using the manual that came with the device to access settings. While you can’t change the NAT type itself, you can look into opening new ports and enabling UPnP to fix the issue. Otherwise, contact your ISP to replace your router with a modern device.

Fix corrupt game files (on PC)

Whether you’re playing Dead by Daylight through Steam or Epic launcher, sometimes downloaded files go missing or get corrupted. Fortunately, both launchers have options to fix this. 

For Steam, right-click DBD in your library and select Properties. Then, select the Installed Files tab and click the Verify Integrity of Game Files button. This process may take a few minutes, while Steam redownloads faulty files.

For the Epic Games launcher, you can try going the Repair route. However, players have reported that they had more success with completely reinstalling the game and fixing the issue that way.

Resolve synchronisation issues (on consoles)

If you’re playing on consoles, it’s possible that you’re facing a synchronisation issue. To resolve this on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, go to the console’s settings and locate the Time Settings. Adjusting the time to the current clock in your time zone should help clear the issue.

If you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One, clearing cache will provide the same effect. Go to the main menu and select Settings, then Devices and Connections. After that, go to Blue-Ray and then Persistent Storage. Select the Clear Persistent Storage option. With that done, shut down your Xbox for a few minutes and try launching it and the game again.