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Since launch, Helldivers 2 players have faced plenty of connection errors, with one ‘failed to connect to server’ error message becoming pretty infamous. Developer Arrowhead Game Studios have been working hard to put a fix to it, but thanks to so many players still trying to access the servers, the issue hasn’t disappeared quite yet.
So if you’re one of those players that keeps receiving error messages saying you’ve failed to connect to the server, we’ve put together a quick guide to explain why it’s happening, and if there’s anything you can do to fix it.
‘Failed to connect to server’ Helldivers 2 error fix
The ‘Failed to connect to server’ error in Helldivers 2 happens when your game client has connection issues with the game servers on PC or PS5. This is usually caused by issues with the servers themselves or server maintenance, but there are a few measures you can take to make sure and potentially fix Helldivers 2 and its local files yourself.
Restart the game and your device
Maybe your internet was briefly cut out while you were trying to connect. Trying again could be a quick and easy way to fix it without going to major lengths. Restarting the game can help. But sometimes, the easiest and most effective way to solve an issue is restarting your PC. We can’t count the number of times the old ‘turn it off and on again’ has fixed a problem, so it’s always worth trying if you’re completely stuck.
Check if the servers are down
Before you go trying to fix anything, you should check if Helldivers 2 is down across different platforms. There’s no point spending ages trying to fix something when server outages are to blame. Head to the official X (formerly Twitter) handle and see if an announcement has been made about whether or not the servers are down. Check server status to ensure that server congestion isn’t what’s stopping you from entering matchmaking. You can contact Helldivers 2 support if this persists.
Check your internet is working
If you’ve checked the servers are down, this probably isn’t the cause, but it’s always worth checking. Sometimes, your failure to connect the servers could just be a problem with your own internet connection. Connectivity problems can also lead to the server request failed message. It might be worth quickly restarting your router too and re-establishing your network connection, just to see if this changes anything.
Go wired
If possible, it might be worth changing to a wired connection. Ethernet cables will give you a more stable connection, and may remedy any internet problems you’re having.
Disable crossplay between PC and PS5
While this didn’t fix it for us, many players have reported that the issue can be caused by having crossplay enabled. Head to your in-game settings and disable crossplay, before trying to connect once more. If all else fails, this might be your last option.
Verify the integrity of game cache on Steam
This is one for PC players. Head to your Library and right-click Helldivers 2 in your Steam library. Open up ‘Properties’, and then head to the ‘Installed Files’ tab. From here, click ‘Verify integrity of game files’. This will check you have all the correct files installed and download any missing ones.
Helldivers 2 failed to connect to server FAQs
Why is Helldivers 2 not connecting to the server?
Chances are that the maximum number of login requests has been exceeded, meaning you’ll have to wait for someone to log out before you log in as a new player.
Can you play Helldivers 2 if it doesn’t connect to the server?
No, it is an online game. So even if you play solo, you need to be connected to a server.
