Connection issues can cause a variety of different issues, such as lag and disconnects. Connection issues are also the most common cause of issues around matchmaking or starting matches.

This guide contains basic troubleshooting steps, more advanced troubleshooting steps, and finally instructions for how to create the log files our technical support team needs to help you troubleshoot any more advanced issues.

 

Basic Checks

Let's try the simple things first.

  1. Restart your router or modem.
  2. Disable any VPN software you may be using.
  3. Check for Installation Issues
    1. Open your Steam Library and right-click on Eternal Return
    2. Go to Manage > Browse local files
    3. In the folder, right-click on EternalReturn.exe and choose "Troubleshoot compatibility"
    4. Click on "Try recommended settings"
    5. Click on "Test the program"
    6. If it shows Steam login error, accept it and save Settings
    7. Open the game via Steam again

Disable IPv6

If you can launch the game but are unable to get into a match please disable your IPv6 settings

  1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard
  2. Type "ncpa.cpl" and press Enter
  3. Right-click on your network and select Properties
  4. Disable Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6) in the list
  5. Restart your computer

If you experience network connection issues after rebooting, reset your settings like this:

  1. Press Windows key + R
  2. Type "cmd" and press Enter
  3. Type "Netsh winsock reset" 
  4. Restart your PC.

Firewall/Antivirus Issues

Make sure that Eternal Return is excluded from Windows Firewall or any other firewall/antivirus scanner programs.

You can unblock Eternal Return in the Windows Defender Firewall by following these steps:

  1. Go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left.
  3. Click Change settings.
  4. Find Eternal Return and check for both private and public then click OK.

Please note that if you’re using a different firewall, you may need to unblock Eternal Return there too.

DNS

DNS (Domain Name Server) is what "matches" your everyday links to the internet with an actual IP address.

Your system will automatically collect and store IP addresses and other DNS results to speed up subsequent requests it makes to the same hostname. This is perfectly normal, but at times bad or corrupted results may be stored, and they need to be cleared from your cache to communicate with hosts correctly. Likewise, your TCP/IP settings may get corrupted and need resetting.

To clear your DNS cache and reset your TCP/IP settings, please follow these steps:

  1. From Windows Start, search for "cmd".
  2. Right-click on Command Prompt and click Run as Administrator.
  3. In the console, type the following command:ipconfig /flushdns
  4. If the command was successful, you will see the message "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."
  5. Afterwards, type:netsh int ip reset
  6. Once done, restart your computer as prompted.

This should not only fix the issue but will generally make your connection feel smoother and more responsive.

If the above doesn't help, you can try using an alternate DNS server. In the worst-case scenario, when using a bad DNS, the requests you make to a domain will not be answered because they’re unable to reach their destination.

To make sure this does not happen, please change your DNS to one of the three suggested below:

  • Google Public DNS (aka 8.8.8.8)
  • Cloudflare DNS (aka 1.1.1.1)
  • Quad 9 DNS (aka 9.9.9.9)

Here’s how to do it.

  1. Go to the Control Panel / Settings.
  2. Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings.
  3. Select the connection for which you want to configure the DNS. For example:
    1. To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, right-click Local Area Connection > Properties.
    2. To change the settings for a wireless connection, right-click Wireless Network Connection > Properties.
  4. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
  5. Select the Networking tab.
  6. Under This connection uses the following items, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
  7. Click Properties.
  8. Click Advanced and select the DNS tab.
  9. If there are any DNS server IP addresses listed there, note them down for future reference (in case you need them again later), and remove them from this window.
  10. Click OK.
  11. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
  12. If there are any IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server, write them down for future reference.
  13. Replace those addresses with the IP addresses of the DNS servers you want to use:
    1. (Google Public) For IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
    2. (Cloudflare) For IPv4: 1.1.1.1
    3. (Quad 9) For IPv4: 9.9.9.9
  14. Restart the connection you selected in step 3.

Router DNS

If the game is crashing while you're trying to find a match, there might be an issue with your router's DNS settings. You can change your DNS settings by:

  1. Login to the router IP address
  2. In basic settings, change the DNS server from automatic to manual and enter "8.8.8.8" and "8.8.4.4"
  3. Disable "Super DMZ" in the Advanced Settings tab
  4. Delete or turn off any values in Port Forwarding

Collect Logs and Contact Support

If all of the above fails, our technical support team will be happy to help you troubleshoot the issue.

To speed things up, we ask that you provide data about your system, your connection, and your game client before you contact us (or we’ll reply and ask you to provide that information).

The instructions for how to create the log files with the data we need can be found on this page. We will need all three logs: DxDiag, WinMTR, and player.log.

The form below can only accept one file, so please archive your logs into a zip file to attach them all at once.