The error: connection to server timed out (code: leaf) on Apex Legends is an old one, and it’s supposed to be fixed ages ago. But many players are still reporting getting it all the time. In this post, we’ll go through some working fixes step by step, so make sure you check them out below!
Try these fixes…
You don’t have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that does the trick!
1: Check your Internet connection
2: Install all the game updates
3: Configure your DNS settings
Fix 1: Check your Internet connection
The first thing you can do is to make sure your Internet connection is valid and able to connect to Apex Legends servers. A few things you can look for to check your Internet connection go as below:
- Try to power cycle your router and modem. Unplug the power cables from your router and your modem, leave them disconnected for at least 30 seconds, then plug the cables back into both devices. When your Internet is working again, check if you still get the error code leaf.
- If you’re playing Apex Legends on Wi-Fi, make sure there’s no overcrowding. In other words, if your Wi-Fi is connected to multiple devices, disconnect the ones you don’t need at the moment.
(Also if possible, play on a wired connection. It’d provide a more stable and reliable connection.) - If you have low-speed Internet, it could lead to an unstable Internet connection. You can google “Internet speed test” and pick a tool to test your Internet speed. However, when your Internet connection is unreasonably slow, consider contacting your Internet provider for help.
If your Internet connection is valid but you still don’t get response from the Apex Legends servers, try the next fix.
Fix 2: Install all the game updates
This one may seem obvious, but it did help some players to solve the error code leaf when they try to join a match on Apex Legends, so you may want to make sure your game is updated all the time.
The good new is, the Origin client and the Steam client will automatically download available updates and install them for you, so you don’t actually have to worry. However, if you’ve turned off the automatic updating option at some point before, make sure you turn it on or manually install the updates for your Apex Legends.
If your game stays up-to-date but you still run into error code leaf, move on to the next fix.
Fix 3: Configure your DNS settings
When you use your ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) default DNS server, some possible issues like crowded cache could cause the server connection failure. What you can do is switching to a public DNS server to solve the problem. We’ll use the Google DNS server as an example. Here’s how:
- On your taskbar, right-click the network icon, then click Open Network & Internet settings.
- Click Change adapter options.
- Right-click the network you’re using, then click Properties.
- Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), then click Properties.
- Select Use the following DNS server addresses, fill in the Google DNS server addresses as below, then click OK.
Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
If changing to a public DNS server doesn’t connect your game to the server, try the last fix.
Fix 4: Update your network driver
If your network driver is outdated or faulty, it could be responsible for the code leaf server connection issue. You may want to update your network adapter driver to make sure it’s functioning properly.
There are two ways you can get the right driver for your network adapter: manually or automatically.
Manual driver update – You can update the network adapter driver via Device Manager. Note that Windows doesn’t update its database very frequently. That said, it’s possible that your network adapter driver needs an update, but Device Manager can’t do it for you if it doesn’t detect a new version in the Windows database.
Automatic driver update – If you don’t have the time, patience, or computer skills to update your driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct driver for your exact network adapter and your Windows version, then it will download and install it correctly:
1) Download and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
3) Click the Update button next to the flagged network adapter driver to automatically download the correct version of the driver, then you can manually install it (you can do this with the FREE version).
Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. I’m using a graphics driver as an example here, since updating your graphics driver could solve many game issues (This requires the Pro version which comes with full support and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.)
Fix 5: Switch to another server
We know the error code leaf is a server connectivity issue, and the problem is more likely with the server-side. One last thing that players can do is to switch to a low ping server. The option of choosing a server is hidden, and here’s how to bring it to the front:
- Launch Apex Legends.
- When you see the main page with the Continue button in the middle, wait for at least 1 minute. DO NOT press any keys or click any button on the screen.
- When you’re prompted to exit the game, click Cancel to go back to the main page.
- Now you’ll see an option of Data Center at the bottom of your main page.
- Click Data Center, then you’ll see a list of all available servers with their ping times and loss rate. You can choose a low ping server or try several servers until you can join the game.
Hopefully this article solves the error code leaf for you and you can now join a match on Apex Legends! Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions or questions.
