Client dropped by server and Warning: Connection Problem

Article ID: 1452-HCVB-6984

If you receive the error message "WARNING: Connection Problem" in the upper right-hand portion of your screen while playing, or if you are dropped from a server with the error message "Client dropped by server", there is a network connectivity issue interfering with game traffic between your machine and the server you are playing on.

Common Causes

• You are using a wireless connection or a 56K modem (these devices may not be able to accommodate the bandwidth requirements of the game)
• There is a virus, a P2P program, or some other background application running on your network or on your machine which is using up the bandwidth needed to maintain your connection to the game server
• There are other computers on your local network which are using up the bandwidth needed to maintain your connection to the game server
• The network connection for the server you are playing on is overloaded (this may result from having inadequate bandwidth to support the players who are joining the game or from other applications being run on the server)
• Your rate, cl_updaterate, or cl_cmdrate settings are not configured correctly for your connection speed
• There is a conflict with your router, modem and/or Internet Service Provider and Steam

Troubleshooting

Programs which interfere with Steam

Review the FAQ below to ensure you are not running any applications which may be interfering with Steam:Please check the Programs which interfere with Steam topic to see if a background application is causing the issue.

Spyware, Adware, and Viruses Interfering with Steam

Review the Spyware, Adware, and Viruses Interfering with Steam topic for instructions on scanning for viruses and removing malicious software from your computer.

Bypass Your Router

If you are using a router, try bypassing the router by connecting directly (with a cable) to the cable/DSL modem.

Reduce Network Traffic

Try shutting down any other machines on the network to increase the bandwidth available to the machine you are using.

Change your rate setting

These are the default rates based upon connection speed:

• 56K Modem: 3500 to 5000
• DSL: 7500
• Cable/T1: 9999

Use the rate # (where # is the rate setting for your connection) command in the console to change your rate setting.

Change your cl_updaterate setting

The default cl_updaterate is 20, setting the value to a higher number increases the download demand on your connection.Use the cl_updaterate 20 command in the console to change your cl_updaterate setting to 20.

Change your cl_cmdrate setting

The default cl_cmdrate is 30, setting the cale to a higher number increases the upload demoand on your internet connection.Use the cl_cmdrate 30 command in the console to change your cl_cmdrate setting to 30.

Zen (UK) Routers

or other ISP customers using a SpeedTouch ST585/ST546/ST536/ST780WL, BT Home Hub, or BeBox router

Please follow this Zen Detail Report with specific instructions on how to resolve this issue if you are using this hardware.

If that does not resolve the issue, then please follow these directions:

*Note: if you are not comfortable with Telnet or editing your router's advanced configuration, we recommend contacting your ISP or router manufacturer for assistance*

• 1. Click on "Start", then select "Run", type "cmd" and press Enter or click "Ok". This will bring up a command prompt.
  2. Type "telnet speedtouch", or if that doesn't work then type "telnet 192.168.1.254".
  3. You will be prompted to login to the modem with a username/password. The default is one of the following: Username: Administrator
     Password: None (leave this field blank)OR:Username: admin
     Password: adminIf neither of those combinations work, please contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance.
  4. Once you have logged in, you will be presented with the command line of your modem. This is where you must enter the following commands:
     • Type connection bindlist and press enter. This will list connection bindings.
     • Look for a line that contains "GAME" and some port numbers. For example: GAME(UDP) udp 27010-27011
     • Enter the command: connection unbind application=GAME(UDP) port=27***-27*** and press enter. The port numbers in this command must match the numbers that are listed in your GAME port listing, similar to the example above.
  5. When finished, close the command line and launch Steam. Try joining the game server and see if it works correctly. If it does not, please contact your router manufacturer or Internet Service Provider for assistance.