Recently we’ve seen many Overwatch players reporting that their Overwatch lost connection to game server. If you also run into this annoying issue, don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together several fixes to help you fix the issue.
Fixes to try:
You don’t have to try them all; just work your way down the list until you find the one that works for you.
- Reboot your network
- Update your network driver
- Run Blizzard’s Battle.net Looking-Glass
- Reset Winsock data
- Flush your DNS and Renew your IP
- Avoid Wireless interference
- Disable the proxy server
- Change the DNS server
- Close bandwidth hogging applications
Fix 1: Reboot your network
By rebooting your network, your Internet connection speed may be back to normal. So maybe it will also resolve this annoying issue. 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 its normal state.
3) Try launching Overwatch again.
See if Overwatch will lose connection to game server again, if not, you have fixed this issue. If this issue persists, try the next fix, below.
Fix 2: Update your network driver
If the network driver on your PC is missing or outdated, it may cause this issue. Try updating your network driver to see if you can resolve this issue.
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 drivers 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 device to automatically download the correct version of this driver, then 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 Or click Update All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system (this requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you click Update All.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).
Fix 3: 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.
You can post the test results with the detailed information of your problem on the official forum of Overwatch and see if anyone can help you analyze the results and solve your problem. Or you can try the next fix, below.
Fix 4: Reset Winsock data
Winsock is a programming interface and supporting program in Windows operating system that defines how Windows network software should access network services. Resetting Winsock data may be helpful for dealing with some network connection issues. Here is how to do it:
1) On your keyboard, press the Windows Logo Key and then type cmd in the search box. When you see Command Prompt in the list of results, right-click it and then select Run as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the Command Prompt.
2) In the Command Prompt, type netsh winsock reset and hit Enter.
Launch Overwatch after you restart your PC to see if Overwatch can connect to game server. If Overwatch lost connection to the game server, try the next fix, below.
Fix 5: Flush your DNS and Renew your IP
If Overwatch lost connection to game server, it is also probably caused by the DNS and IP issues. Try flushing your DNS and renewing your IP and maybe this issue will be resolved. 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 the Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the 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 the Command Prompt as administrator. You will be prompted for permission. Click Yes to run the 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 if Overwatch can connect to game server. If it can, you’ve resolved this issue. If this issue is not fixed, don’t worry. Try the next fix, below.
Fix 6: Avoid Wireless interference
If Overwatch lost connection to game server when your PC connects to the Internet via your Wi-Fi network, this issue is probably caused by wireless interference. Follow the instructions below to avoid wireless interference and improve your Wi-Fi signal:
1) 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.
2) 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 your the game will lose connection to game server again. If the issue reappears, don’t worry. There’re more fixes for you to try.
Fix 7: Disable the proxy server
If you’re using a proxy server, it may also cause the connection problem. Follow the instructions below to disable your proxy server to see if this issue reappears:
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 sever, disable it.
Launch Overwatch to see if this annoying issue persists. If so, try the next fix to change the DNS server.
Fix 8: Change the DNS server
Google Public DNS provides you with a speed boost and an increased security. Try changing the DNS server in your PC to the Google Public DNS addresses to see if this issue can be resolved. 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 Control Panel.
2) View 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 will lose connection to game server. If not, congratulations! You’ve fixed this issue. If this issue reappears, try the next fix, below.
Fix 9: Close bandwidth hogging applications
If you’re running other applications like OneDrive, Dropbox and iCloud that require Internet connection to download and upload files, or if your family members are watching TV shows at the same time, Overwatch may lose connection to game server.
To resolve this issue, you 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 then select End task.
Launch Overwatch to see if this annoying issue reappears.
Hopefully one of the fixes above resolved this issue for you. Please leave your comment below if you have any questions.