Fix: Red Dead Online (RDR2) Can’t Connect to Server

Red Dead Online edition will no longer receive any major content update from Rockstar Games because developers are working on existing modes and resources to offer changes rather than only delivering themed content. However, players still love the main Red Dead Redemption 2 title as an integrated part of it. But some unfortunate players are experiencing the Red Dead Online (RDR2) Can’t Connect to Server error.

Yes! It happens whenever players try to get into the Red Dead Online game mode or you can say trying to connect to the RDR2 servers. This is one of the major and common issues among the Red Dead Online (RDR2) players because of the server outage, poor internet network, issues with the game files, etc. Sometimes closed NAT settings, restricted open ports, using blocked DNS addresses, and more can be other possible reasons.

Fix: Red Dead Online (RDR2) Can’t Connect to Server

It’s highly recommended to follow the troubleshooting methods below to try fixing this error manually. Rockstar Games Support officially suggested all of these workarounds, and plenty of affected players found them useful. So, without wasting any more time, let’s jump into it.

1. Check the Rockstar Games Service Status

First, you should check out the Rockstar Games Service Status page to ensure there is no service outage or scheduled maintenance. If in case, the Red Dead Online Status is currently active and running fine as per the status, then you can head over to the next method. If there is an issue with the server, wait around a couple of hours and check the status again. Try loading the Red Dead Online game during off-peak time.

2. Check your Internet Connection

Check your internet connection properly whether it’s working or not. A poor or unstable internet connection can lead to slow loading and server connectivity issues. It’s better to contact your ISP to increase the network speed or fix the technical issue related to your IP address. Sometimes upgrading the current data plan to a higher package can help a lot.

Try using a Giga Fiber connection for better stability and increased data speed. If, in case, you’re using a Wi-Fi network, then try using a wired (Ethernet) connection or vice versa to cross-check the issue. Rockstar Games Support recommends at least 1 Mbps of upload speed and 7.5 Mbps of download speed to get a better gaming experience in Red Dead Online. Just run any online network-speed testing tool to ensure what’s yours.

3. Check the Open Network Ports

Red Dead Online requires the following ports to be open depending on your gaming device. Open Ports differ for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. It’s recommended to configure these open network ports on your router settings for better performance. However, if you’re not using Wi-Fi or don’t know how to perform it, make sure to contact your internet service provider and request to schedule technical support.

For PC:

• Port 6672 (UDP)
• Port 61455 (UDP)
• Port 61457 (UDP)
• Port 61456 (UDP)
• Port 61458 (UDP)

For Xbox One:

• Port 88 (UDP)
• Port 53 (UDP and TCP)
• Port 3544 (UDP)
• Port 4500 (UDP)
• Port 500 (UDP)
• Port 3047 (UDP)
• Port 6672 (UDP)
• Port 61455 (UDP)
• Port 61456 (UDP)
• Port 61457 (UDP)
• Port 61458 (UDP)
• Ports 30211-30217 (TCP)

For PlayStation 4:

• Port 465 (TCP)
• Port 983 (TCP)
• Port 1935 (TCP)
• 3478 (TCP)
• 3479 (TCP)
• 3480 (TCP)
• Port 3478 (UDP)
• Port 3479 (UDP)
• 10070 – 10080 (TCP)
• Port 6672 (UDP)
• Port 61455 (UDP)
• Port 61456 (UDP)
• Port 61457 (UDP)
• Port 61458 (UDP)
• Ports 30211-30217 (TCP)

4. Check the NAT Settings (Consoles Only)

A Network Address Translation (NAT) is the process of mapping an internet protocol (IP) address to another one by replacing the header of IP packets during in-transit via a router. This basically helps to improve the depletion of security and reduces the number of IP addresses of an organization. But sometimes the NAT type may be closed for your IP address which can trigger server connectivity issues due to the blocking of ongoing connections.

NAT Type Definitions:

1. OPEN: Can play games with any NAT type.
2. MODERATE: Can play games with open or moderate NAT types.
3. STRICT: Can only play games with open NAT types.

It’s recommended to set the Open NAT type to reduce online server connectivity issues while gaming or streaming services dramatically. As the NAT type issue appears more on gaming consoles, you can check NAT type by following the steps below.

Xbox One NAT Type Settings:

• Go to the Settings menu on your Xbox One console.
• Choose to Network > Head over to the Current Network Status section.
• Here you can see your NAT Type settings.
• If the NAT Type 2/3 (Moderate/Strict) then make sure to change it to Type 1 (Open) via the Router settings. Alternatively, you can contact your ISP for technical support.

5. Clear Cache (Xbox One)

The Xbox One console needs to clear the temporary cache data sometimes to refresh the system to work properly. As it doesn’t have a dedicated option to clear the cache, you can follow the steps below to clear the cache on an Xbox One console:

• Turn off your Xbox One console properly.
• Once the LED indicator lights are closed on the console, make sure to unplug the power cord from the back of your console.
• Now, wait at least a minute, and then plug back the power cord into your console.
• Finally, power on the console, and press the Power button to boot the system.

6. Power Cycle your Wi-Fi Router

Sometimes only rebooting the game or device or switching the internet connection may not be useful because there might be an issue with the Wi-Fi router. In that case, you should perform the power cycle method on your Wi-Fi router to fix the internet connectivity-related issues. To do that:

• Turn off the router first from the power source.
• Once the LED indicators stopped lighting, unplug the power cable from the router.
• Now, wait for around 5 minutes, and then plug back the power cable into the router.
• Turn on the router and check for the Red Dead Online server connectivity error.

7. Disable Antivirus Program on PC

If you’re still facing issues with the Red Dead Online server connectivity issue on your PC then make sure to disable the antivirus program temporarily to cross-check the issue again. It may also be possible that your antivirus is working quite aggressively to block ongoing connections and prevent game files to sync properly. To do that:

• Press the Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings.
• Click on Update & Security > Click on Windows Security from the left pane.
• Go to Virus & threat protection > Click on Manage settings.
• Next, you’ll need to simply turn off the Real-time protection toggle.
• If prompted, click on Yes to proceed further.
• Once done, you can try launching the Red Dead Online game again to check for the issue.

8. Change Domain Name Servers (DNS) to Public

It’s also highly recommended to try changing the current DNS address on your gaming device or router to a public DNS address for better reachability and faster connectivity speeds. Well, the Google DNS address is quite popular and widely used across worldwide as a public DNS that you can try.

For PC:

• Go to the Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
• Right-click on the active network connection > Select Properties.
• Now, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCIP/IPv4) in the list > Click on Properties.
• Select Use the following DNS server addresses > Enter 8.8.8.8 for the Preferred DNS Server addresses.
• Then enter 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS Server addresses.
• Once done, click on OK to save changes > Reboot the PC and run the game.

For Wi-Fi Router:

• Just log in to your connected Router page from the web browser.
• Go to WAN > Enter your preferred DNS Server addresses (8.8.8.8).
• Enter the alternate DNS server addresses (8.8.4.4) > Make sure to Save changes.
• Once done, reboot your router and check running the Red Dead Online game.

For Xbox One:

• Open the guide menu by pressing the Xbox button on your controller.
• Go to the System tab from right > Select Settings.
• Select Network > Select Network settings.
• Select Advanced settings.

Please Note: Make sure to write down your existing DNS server addresses from the screen as a backup (if anything goes wrong, you can change it to the previous DNS)

• Select DNS settings > Select Manual.
• Enter 8.8.8.8 for the Primary DNS address and 8.8.4.4 for the Secondary DNS address.
• Once done, reboot the console to change effects.

For PlayStation 4:

• Go to the Settings menu > Select Network.
• Now, select Set Up Internet Connection > Select Wi-Fi or LAN (depending on what you use).
• Select Custom > Select IP Address Settings to Automatic.
• Set DHCP Host Name to Do Not Specify > Select DNS Settings to Manual.
• Here enter 8.8.8.8 for Primary DNS and 8.8.4.4 for Secondary DNS > Select Next.
• Set MTU Settings to Automatic > Set Proxy Server to Do Not Use.
• Once done, reboot the console to apply changes.

9. Verify and Repair Game Files on PC

You should also verify and repair the installed game files on the PC because corrupted or missing games files may cause some issues with the game launching as well as server connectivity. It’s a better idea to always verify and repair the game files via the game launcher that you’re using. To do so:

For Steam:

• Open the Steam client > Go to LIBRARY.
• Right-click on Red Dead Online from the left pane.
• Select Properties > Go to LOCAL FILES.

• Now, click on Verify integrity of game files > Wait for the process to be completed.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the PC to apply changes.

For Epic Games Launcher:

If in case, you’re using the Epic Games Launcher then you can follow the steps below to fix the Red Dead Online server connectivity issue.

• Open Epic Games Launcher > Go to Library.

• Click on the three-dots icon next to Red Dead Online.
• Select Verify and wait for the process to be completed.
• Once done, make sure to reboot the PC to apply changes.

For Rockstar Games Launcher:

• Open the Rockstar Games Launcher on your PC.
• Next, make sure to sign in to the account > Go to Settings.
• Select the Red Dead Online game from the list under My installed games on the left pane.
• Click on Verify Integrity under the Verify game file integrity option on the right pane.
• Wait for the process to be completed and a pop-up message will appear that your game is verified and ready to play.
• Launch the game and check for the issue again.

10. Contact Rockstar Support

If none of the methods work for you,, then contact Rockstar Support for RDR2 to submit a report for the same issue. You should create a support ticket to get a faster resolution as developers will take a look at the issue closely. Though the Rockstar Games team is dedicated enough to optimize and scale the game servers, the overloaded number of active players at the same time or occasional technical faults can trouble players mostly.

That’s it, guys. We assume this guide was helpful to you. For further queries, you can comment below.