How To Fix Overwatch 2 “Game Server Connection Failed” Error

Ever since its release, Overwatch 2 has managed to attract thousands of recurring and new players to the game. This influx of players can lead to congested matchmaking and even failure to connect to the game servers, an issue that has been bothering a lot of players.

Players can fix the Unable to connect to servers error through a handful of tried and tested ways. You can try restarting your router, checking Overwatch 2 server status, whitelisting Overwatch 2 and even changing your region in the game.

This was a quick summary of how to fix the Unable to connect to servers error in Overwatch 2. Read the article below for detailed solutions.

Quick Facts

What Is The “Game Server Connection Failed” Error In Overwatch 2?

The error message usually appears on the matchmaking screen and can be an indicator of many things. It usually means that the server that you’re trying to join is either full or temporarily down, preventing you from joining it.

On some rare occasions, the error message can also hint at an issue with your local network and its performance. This would require troubleshooting at your end but can usually be fixed easily.

How To Fix the Game Server Connection Failed Error In Overwatch 2

There are various methods you can try in order to effectively diagnose and resolve this issue. These methods can largely be implemented in quick and simple steps.

1. Check The Server Status Of Overwatch 2

The first thing you’re going to want to do is to check whether the issue is with Overwatch 2 servers or with your own network. You can do this by visiting sites such as downdetector and seeing whether the game servers are online or not. In case there are multiple reported issues or if the servers are offline, you will not have to troubleshoot further.

If the servers are working incorrectly or if they are down, there is nothing you can do except wait for the developers to sort the issue out on their end and restore the servers.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

The next thing you can do is check the stability of your own internet connection. Overwatch 2 requires a relatively stable network connection with preferably low latency for you to be able to play the game smoothly and connect to the servers quickly.

You can measure your network performance by visiting test sites such as Fast or Speedtest and conducting a few tests. The presence of abnormal or worse-than-expected test results indicates that your internet connection is most likely at fault here.

You can proceed to perform a quick router restart by following the steps below to refresh your network.

1. Press and hold the router’s power button to turn off the router.
2. Unplug the power cord from the switch and wait for around 30 seconds.
3. Reconnect the power cable of your router and turn it on.

Doing so will most likely flush out any issues with your internet connection and if the issue still persists you should try contacting your ISP to seek better help.

3. Make Sure That Your Antivirus Is Not Affecting Overwatch 2

Sometimes the Battle.net client can cause problems with your antivirus and your protection software can blacklist Overwatch 2 and prevent it from accessing the internet. If you have windows defender you can follow the steps below to whitelist Overwatch 2.

1. Open the Windows search bar, type Windows Security, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Virus and threat protection tab and click on manage ransomware protection.
3. Set Controlled folder access to On.
4. Click on Add an allowed app and select browse all apps.
5. Select Overwatch.exe from the game folder to add it to the list.

Relaunch Overwatch 2 to check if the issue has been resolved. If you have other Antivirus programs, follow its user guide to whitelist Overwatch 2 and prevent any issues in the future.

4. Try Switching To A Different Server In Overwatch 2

It is also possible that servers of a specific region could be temporarily down, leading to a failure to connect to the servers. You can switch the region to a different one by following the steps below.

1. Launch the Battle.net App.
2. Go to the Games tab and select Overwatch 2.
3. Click on the globe icon next to the game version.
4. Then select a different server from the list.
5. Restart the Battle.net application.

This will change your servers to alternate ones that may still be working properly.

5. Disable VPN and Proxy Servers

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a proxy server can sometimes interfere with your connection to Overwatch 2 game servers. These services route your internet traffic through a different server, which may cause increased latency or even block the connection to the game servers. To ensure a stable connection, try disabling your VPN or proxy server temporarily while playing the game. Here’s how you can do that:

For VPN users:

1. Locate the VPN application on your device, typically found in the system tray (Windows) or the menu bar (Mac).
2. Open the VPN application and click on the “Disconnect” or “Turn Off” button. The exact wording may vary depending on the VPN software you are using.
3. Verify that your VPN is disconnected by checking the application’s status or by visiting a website that displays your IP address, such as whatismyip.com.

For Proxy server users:

Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar.
2. Click on “Internet Options” and then select the “Connections” tab.
3. Click on the “LAN settings” button.
4. Uncheck the box next to “Use a proxy server for your LAN” and click “OK.”
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click on “Network” and then choose your active network connection (usually Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
3. Click on the “Advanced” button, and then select the “Proxies” tab.
4. Uncheck any enabled proxy protocols, such as “Web Proxy (HTTP)” or “Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).”
5. Click “OK” and then “Apply” to save the changes.

After disabling your VPN or proxy server, relaunch Overwatch 2 and check if the “Game Server Connection Failed” error has been resolved.

6. Check your firewall settings

Firewall settings could be another factor causing the “Game Server Connection Failed” error in Overwatch 2. Firewalls are designed to protect your computer from unauthorized access, but they can sometimes block legitimate connections, such as those from Overwatch 2.

To ensure that your firewall isn’t interfering with the game, you may need to add Overwatch 2 to your firewall’s allowed list or adjust the settings to permit the game to connect to the servers.

Consult your firewall’s documentation or support website for detailed instructions on how to make these changes. Once you’ve updated your firewall settings, restart the game and check if the connection issue has been resolved.

7. Contact Blizzard Support

If you have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article and the “Game Server Connection Failed” error in Overwatch 2 still persists, it’s time to reach out to Blizzard Support for further assistance. Blizzard Support can provide more personalized help in resolving the connection issue and may have additional troubleshooting steps or insights into known issues.

To contact Blizzard Support:

• Visit the Blizzard Support website.
• Click on the “Games, Apps & Accounts” tab and select “Overwatch 2.”

• Browse through the available help articles or use the search function to find solutions for your specific issue.
• If you can’t find a solution, click the “Contact Support” button to get in touch with a Blizzard representative.
• Choose the relevant issue category and provide as much information as possible about the problem you’re facing. This will help the support team understand and address your issue more effectively.

Conclusion

Unable to connect to servers is a common issue faced by many players across the globe. If the game servers are up and running you can easily fix the issue by diagnosing your network connection, whitelisting the game and even switching servers to a different region. These methods have seemed to resolve the issue for most players and might help you too

Overwatch 2 Problem FAQs

How do I fix Overwatch 2 failed to connect?

To fix the “failed to connect” issue in Overwatch 2, try checking the server status, testing your internet connection, whitelisting the game in your antivirus software, disabling VPN or proxy servers, checking your firewall settings, changing your server region, or contacting Blizzard Support.

How do I fix server error message Overwatch 2?

To fix the server error message in Overwatch 2, start by checking the game server status on websites like Downdetector. If the servers are online, try the troubleshooting steps mentioned above to diagnose and resolve the issue.

Why won’t Overwatch 2 work?

Overwatch 2 might not work due to server issues, network connection problems, antivirus software blocking the game, VPN or proxy servers interfering, or firewall settings preventing the game from connecting. Follow the recommended troubleshooting steps to identify and fix the issue.

Why does Overwatch 2 say error?

Overwatch 2 displays an error message when it encounters an issue connecting to the game servers. This could be due to server congestion, network problems, or other technical issues. Use the troubleshooting steps outlined in the article to address the problem.

Why is Overwatch 2 stuck on game server connection failed?

Overwatch 2 might be stuck on “game server connection failed” due to server issues or problems with your local network. Check the server status and your internet connection, and try the additional troubleshooting steps provided in the article to resolve the issue.

Is Overwatch 2 servers fixed?

To check if Overwatch 2 servers are fixed or experiencing issues, visit websites like Downdetector that display real-time server status information. If the servers are working correctly, any connection issues might be due to problems with your local network or device settings.