Overwatch keeps disconnecting? Don’t worry… Although it’s incredibly frustrating, you’re definitely not the only person to experience this problem. Thousands of Overwatch players have recently reported the very same issue. More importantly, you should be able to fix it pretty easily…
Fixes to try:
Here’s a list of fixes that have resolved this issue for other Overwatch players. You don’t have to try them all. Just work your way through the list until you find the one that does the trick for you.
- Reboot your network
- Update your network driver
- Reset Winsock data
- Flush your DNS and renew your IP
- Close bandwidth-hogging applications
- Change your DNS server
- Avoid wireless interference
- Disable the proxy server
- Run Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass
Fix 1: Reboot your network
This might be the easiest way for you to try when Overwatch keeps disconnecting. See if you can resolve this issue after you reboot your network. Here is how to do it:
1) Unplug your modem (and your wireless router, if it’s a separate device) from power for 60 seconds.
2)Plug in your network devices again and wait until the indicator lights are back to their normal state.
3) Launch Overwatch again.
See if Overwatch keeps disconnecting again. If so, try the next fix, below.
Fix 2: Update your network driver
If Overwatch still keeps disconnecting after you reboot your network, this issue is most likely caused by your network driver. Try updating your network driver to see if this issue can be fixed.
There are two ways to update your network driver: manually and automatically.
Manually update your network driver – You can update your network driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website, and searching for the latest driver for your network adapter.
Or
Update your network driver automatically – If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update your network driver manually, you can, instead, do it automatically with Driver Easy. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing. Driver Easy handles it all.
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 Update next to your network adapter to automatically download the correct version of its driver, and you can install it manually. 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 (This requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All. You get full support and a 30-day money back guarantee).
After you update your drivers to the latest version, launch Overwatch to see if Overwatch keeps disconnecting again. If not, congratulations! You’ve resolved this issue. But if this issue reappears, don’t worry. Try the next fix, below.
Fix 3: Reset Winsock data
Winsock is a programming interface and supporting program in the Windows operating system. It defines how Windows network software should access network services. If its data goes wrong, this issue may occur.
In this case, resetting Winsock data may resolve this issue, because resetting Winsock data helps deal with some network connection issues. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and press Ctrl, Shift and Enter at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt.
2) In the Command Prompt, type netsh winsock reset and press Enter.
Restart your PC to complete the reset.
3) Run Overwatch to see if it keeps disconnecting. If this issue reappears, try the next fix, below.
Fix 4: Flush your DNS and Renew your IP
Some DNS and IP issues can also trigger this frustrating issue. Try flushing your DNS and renewing your IP to see if you can fix this issue. Here is how to do it:
To flush your DNS:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl, Shift and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt.
2) Type the command line ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter on your keyboard.
To renew your IP:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and Rat the same time to open the Run dialog. Type cmd and then press Ctrl, Shift and Enter on your keyboard at the same time to run Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run Command Prompt.
2) Type the command line ipconfig /release and press Enter on your keyboard.
3) Type the command line ipconfig /renew and press Enter on your keyboard.
4) Launch Overwatch.
See Overwatch keeps disconnecting again. If not, you’ve fixed this issue. If this issue reappears, don’t worry. Try the next fix, below.
Fix 5: Close bandwidth-hogging applications
Bandwidth-hogging applications can also be the root of this issue. If you’re running other applications like OneDrive, Dropbox and iCloud that require an Internet connection to download and upload files, or if your family members are watching TV shows at the same time, Overwatch may keep disconnecting.
In this case, the fix is simple: You just need to close those bandwidth-hogging applications. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press Ctrl, Shift and Esc at the same time to open the Task Manager.
2) Right-click the bandwidth-hogging applications and select End task.
Launch Overwatch to see if this issue reappears. If yes, try the next fix to change your DNS server.
Fix 6: Change your DNS server
Google Public DNS provides you with a speed boost and increased security. Try changing the DNS server in your PC to the Google Public DNS addresses to see if you can fix this issue. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Then type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2) View the Control Panel by Category. Click View network status and tasks.
3) In the pop-up window, click Change adapter settings.
4) Right-click your current network and then select Properties.
5) Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4) to view its properties.
6) Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Use the following DNS server addresses. For the Preferred DNS server, enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.8.8; for the Alternative DNS server, enter the Google Public DNS address: 8.8.4.4. Then click OK to save the changes.
7) Restart your PC and launch Overwatch.
See if Overwatch keeps disconnecting. If not, you’ve fixed this issue. If it persists, try the next fix, below.
Fix 7: Avoid Wireless interference
If your PC connects to the Internet via your Wi-Fi network, this issue is also probably caused by wireless interference. Wireless interference will slow down your network speed and even cause Overwatch to keep disconnecting from the game server. To fix this issue, you need to avoid wireless interference and improve your Wi-Fi signal. Here is how to do it:
- Move your router to a new location. If your router is in the center of your home, you’ll get a better Wi-Fi signal.
- Move wireless devices such as cordless phones or microwave ovens away from your router, or turn off those devices.
Launch Overwatch again to see if this issue is fixed. If not, try the next fix, below.
Fix 8: Disable the proxy server
You may run into this issue if you’re using a proxy server. The proxy server may slow down the connection speed to the game server. Try disabling your proxy server to see if you can fix this issue. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
2) Navigate to the Connections tab. Select Never dial a connection if you see it (somewhere below Choose Settings if you need…). Then click on LAN settings.
3) Uncheck the box next to Use a proxy server for your LAN. If it is already unchecked, check the box next to Automatically detect settings. Then click OK.
4) If you’re using a VPN or a third-party proxy server, disable it.
Launch Overwatch to see if this issue persists. If this issue reappears, try running Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass.
Fix 9: Run Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass
Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass is a network diagnostic tool that can be used to test your server connection. Follow the steps below to test your server connection:
1) Visit Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass.
2) Select your region and the service (Overwatch). Check all of the testing items and then click Run Test.
3) You can post the test results with detailed information about your problem on the official forum of Overwatch and see if anyone can help you analyze the results and solve your problem.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave us a comment below.
