If Elden Ring says “Connection Error Occurred,” first check whether the relevant game or platform service is down. If services are available, update the game and platform, then test your connection with a wired Ethernet cable before changing router settings. That order helps distinguish a service-side problem from an issue with your game files, Wi-Fi, or home network.
Try these fixes in order
Start with checks that cannot disrupt your network settings. Move on to router or DNS changes only if the simpler tests do not help.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Elden Ring (PS5) (European Version) | $34.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Elden Ring, 1 PS5-Blu-ray Disc | $74.03 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5 | $43.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Bandai Namco Entertainment Elden Ring (PS5) | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Elden Ring - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
1. Check Elden Ring and platform service status
Check Steam, PlayStation Network, or Xbox network status, as applicable, and look for an official Elden Ring maintenance notice. If the service you use is experiencing an outage, local troubleshooting cannot restore it; wait for service to return and try again. Status can change quickly, so check close to the time you encounter the error.
2. Install game and platform updates
Make sure Elden Ring and your platform’s system software or client are up to date, then restart the game and try connecting again. Update availability and distribution differ by platform. For example, Bandai Namco’s August 27, 2026 notice covers update distribution for PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam; its May 28, 2026 PC notice lists App Ver. 1.16.2 and Regulation Ver. 1.16.1. Those are version details from dated notices, not confirmation of the latest versions today.
#1 Best Overall
- Collaborating with George R.R. Martin to create the ELDEN RING mythos has been a genuinely delightful experience and a source of wonderful inspiration. The team is working hard to ensure that the world of ELDEN RING will be a fascinating place for players to explore, filled with peril and wonder from its furthest reaches to its lowest depths. This is a FromSoftware title through and through, rich in fantasy and RPG action. We sincerely hope you look forward to it.
- Building the world of ELDEN RING with Miyazaki-san and his team was a treat! The graphics, mythos, and action-RPG gameplay will deliver an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait for people to see what ELDEN RING has in store for them.” Said George R.R. Martin.
3. Let the regulation file download
On console versions, Bandai Namco says regulation files download when you log in to the game server. Allow that process to finish before attempting online play. If the game is out of date, authentication or matchmaking may fail until the update completes.
4. Restart the game, device, and router
- Close Elden Ring completely, rather than leaving it suspended or in the background.
- Restart your PC or console, then launch the game and test the connection.
- If the error remains, turn off your modem and router. PlayStation Support advises waiting at least five minutes before turning them back on. Once the connection is restored, try the game again.
5. Test with wired Ethernet
If you are using Wi-Fi, connect the PC or console directly to the router with Ethernet and try again. Steam Support recommends testing a direct wired connection to determine whether the problem is related to the connection. If the game works over Ethernet but not Wi-Fi, focus on wireless signal or interference; if it fails both ways, continue with the service, device, and router checks. A Cat6 Ethernet cable is one suitable option for making this test.
Rank #3
- Elden Ring: Nightreign - Seekers Edition /PS5
6. Check security software, VPNs, and background programs
Firewalls, VPNs, antivirus tools, and other network-filtering or background software can interfere with a connection. Bandai Namco specifically identifies security tools and VPNs as possible factors, while Steam lists firewalls and interfering programs among possible causes. Use the software vendor’s instructions to make a temporary diagnostic change, then restore your normal protection. Do not leave security tools disabled as a permanent fix.
7. Improve the Wi-Fi connection
If you cannot use Ethernet, move the PC or console closer to the router, reduce obstructions, and avoid a congested wireless connection where possible. Bandai Namco advises playing where the network connection is stable. Retry the game after each change so you can tell whether the wireless connection was contributing to the error.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors8. Check router firmware and NAT or port restrictions
Check whether your router has a firmware update and review its NAT status. Router menus, ISP policies, and network setups differ, so avoid applying a port list blindly or changing several settings at once. PlayStation’s guidance for network errors lists TCP ports 80, 443, 3478, 3479, and 3480, and UDP ports 3478, 3479, and 49152–65535. That is PlayStation network guidance, not a universal Elden Ring port requirement. If you do not know how to interpret your router’s settings, ask your ISP before changing them.
9. Use DNS or another trusted network as a diagnostic
PlayStation lists a temporary DNS change as a possible troubleshooting step. Treat it as a test, not a guaranteed fix: record your original setting and restore it if the change does not help. You can also try another trusted connection, if available. If Elden Ring works there, your usual router or ISP may be involved; that result does not establish that Elden Ring’s servers are healthy.
Best Value
- ELDEN RING, developed by FromSoftware Inc. and produced by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc., is a fantasy action-RPG and FromSoftware's largest game to date, set within a world full of mystery and peril
- Journey through the Lands Between, a new fantasy world created by Hidetaka Miyazaki, creator of the influential DARK SOULS video game series, and George R. R. Martin, author of The New York Times best-selling fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire
- Traverse the breathtaking world on foot or on horseback, alone or online with other players, and fully immerse yourself in the grassy plains, suffocating swamps, spiraling mountains, and foreboding castles
- Create your character in FromSoftware’s refi ned action-RPG and defi ne your playstyle by experimenting with a wide variety of weapons, magical abilities, and skills found throughout the world
- Charge into battle, pick off enemies one-by-one using stealth, or even call upon allies for aid - many options are at your disposal as you decide how to approach exploration and combat
10. Contact support with details that can be reproduced
If the error continues, report the exact message and the conditions in which it appears. Bandai Namco requests detailed error information and how frequently communication failures occur. Include:
Quick Recap
- Your platform and Elden Ring game version.
- The full error message and when it appears, including how often it happens.
- Your NAT type, if available, and whether you are using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
- Your general network setup and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
