Unknown Error ARC Raiders

ARC Raiders Server Desync and Freeze - Complete Network Fix Guide

📅 Published: 2026-02-03 🔄 Updated: 2026-02-03 👥 Reports: 10 ⚡ Severity: 🟢 Low

🎯 Quick Answer

The primary fix for ARC Raiders server desync is to configure Quality of Service (QoS) on your router to prioritize the game's traffic and disable all forms of Windows Firewall for a diagnostic session.

SECTION 1: OVERVIEW

This error occurs when the ARC Raiders client experiences a critical desynchronization from the game server, while maintaining a partial network connection. The client continues to send positional data (allowing movement that other players see) but ceases to receive valid world-state updates from the server. This results in a local-world freeze. The issue is specific to certain network configurations and software conflicts, not a general server outage. It affects the PC version of the game across all updates and is a high-severity issue that renders cooperative play unreliable. No specific error code is displayed in-game, making diagnosis reliant on symptom observation.

SECTION 2: SYMPTOMS

The application enters a state of client-server desynchronization approximately 5-15 minutes into a raid session. All enemy ARC units and teammate player models freeze in place on the local client. The local player character retains full movement and interaction capabilities. Voice communication over external applications like Discord remains functional without degradation. Network latency and packet loss indicators within the game may or may not activate. The session does not recover, culminating in a client-side timeout and disconnect error after several minutes.

SECTION 3: COMMON CAUSES

Network Bufferbloat: A router or modem without proper traffic shaping introduces excessive latency under load, choking the game's UDP packets.
Aggressive Windows Firewall/Defender Rules: A rule misapplied to the game or its anti-cheat service can intermittently block inbound packets, causing the desync.
Outdated or Faulty Network Interface Card (NIC) Driver: Drivers, particularly for Killer Networking or Realtek chipsets common on gaming laptops, can have bugs that cause packet handling issues in specific games.
IPv6/IPv4 Conflict: A misconfigured network stack where IPv6 is preferred but unstable can lead to periodic connection resets.
VPN/Proxy Software Residue: Remnants of networking virtualization software, even when not active, can interfere with socket binding.
Game File Corruption in Persistent Data: Corruption in local configuration or cache files, not resolved by a standard file verification, can cause repeated handshake failures.
Router Hardware Failure: A degrading router can develop faults that only impact specific types of persistent, low-latency connections required by online games.

SECTION 4: SOLUTIONS

Solution 1: Configure Router Quality of Service (QoS)

Difficulty: Medium Time: 15 minutes Success Rate: High Steps:

Access your router's admin panel (typically by entering 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a web browser).
Locate the QoS or Traffic Prioritization settings. This is often under "Advanced," "Gaming," or "Network" settings.
Enable QoS if it is disabled.
Add a new rule. Set the rule type to "Application" or "Game" if available. If not, use "MAC Address" or "IP Address."
If using MAC/IP: Assign a static IP address to your gaming PC/laptop in your router's DHCP settings first, then create a QoS rule targeting that specific IP.
Set the priority to "Highest" or "Real-Time."
Save settings and reboot the router.

Why it works: This mitigates bufferbloat by ensuring ARC Raiders' network packets are prioritized over other traffic (downloads, streams), preventing the latency spikes that cause desync.

Solution 2: Disable Windows Firewall for Diagnostic Testing

Difficulty: Easy Time: 5 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:

Press Windows Key + S and type "Windows Security." Open the app.
Select "Firewall & network protection."
Click on each network profile displayed (Domain, Private, Public).
For each profile, toggle the "Microsoft Defender Firewall" setting to Off.
Launch ARC Raiders and test. If the issue is resolved, re-enable the firewall and proceed to create an inbound rule for the game's executables (ArcRaiders.exe and its anti-cheat service) to allow all traffic.

Why it works: This definitively rules out the Windows Firewall as the source of intermittent packet blocking. A clean test confirms if a software conflict exists.

Solution 3: Perform a Clean Network Stack Reset

Difficulty: Easy Time: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Execute these commands in order, pressing Enter after each:

` netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew `

Restart your computer after the commands complete.

Why it works: This clears corrupted network socket and IP configuration in Windows, which can cause persistent handshake failures with game servers.

Solution 4: Update Network Adapter Driver Manually

Difficulty: Medium Time: 10 minutes Success Rate: Medium Steps:

Press Windows Key + X and select "Device Manager."
Expand "Network adapters."
Right-click your primary Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter and select "Properties."
Go to the "Details" tab, select "Hardware Ids" from the property dropdown. Note the VEN_ and DEV_ codes (e.g., VEN_10EC&DEV_8168).
Search for these codes online to identify the manufacturer and model. Download the latest driver directly from the manufacturer's (Intel, Realtek, Killer) website, *not* through Windows Update or your laptop OEM's site.
Install the downloaded driver and reboot.

Why it works: OEM and Windows Update drivers are often outdated. The latest driver from the chipset vendor contains critical fixes for UDP packet handling and power management.

Solution 5: Disable IPv6 on Your Network Adapter

Difficulty: Easy Time: 5 minutes Success Rate: Low Steps:

Open "Network and Sharing Center" in the Windows Control Panel.
Click "Change adapter settings" on the left.
Right-click your active Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection and select "Properties."
In the list, uncheck the box next to "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
Click "OK" and restart your game.

Why it works: This forces the game to use only IPv4, eliminating potential conflicts or instability in dual-stack network environments.

Solution 6: Perform a Clean Game Reinstall

Difficulty: Easy Time: 30 minutes (depending on download speed) Success Rate: Low Steps:

Uninstall ARC Raiders through your game launcher (Steam/Epic).
Navigate to the game's installation directory and manually delete any remaining folder.
Also delete the game's local AppData folder. Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%, and look for a folder named "ArcRaiders" or its developer/publisher ("Embark Studios"). Delete it.
Reinstall the game on a different drive if possible, or ensure the target drive has significant free space (more than 50GB beyond the install size).

Why it works: This removes corrupted configuration or cache files stored outside the main installation directory that standard file verification misses.

SECTION 5: PREVENTION

Maintain a quarterly router maintenance schedule: reboot the router, check for and install firmware updates from the manufacturer. Update network and graphics drivers monthly, sourcing them directly from component manufacturers. Before launching ARC Raiders, ensure no other bandwidth-intensive applications are running. Configure your gaming device with a static IP address to ensure consistent QoS rule application.

SECTION 6: SUPPORT ESCALATION

Contact official ARC Raiders/Embark Studios support only after exhaustively testing all solutions in this guide. When escalating, provide the following diagnostic information: a detailed tracert command result to the game server (if known), your router make/model/firmware version, and the exact model of your network interface card (NIC) with driver version. Include a timestamped description of the desync event.