Network & Connectivity Issues

Fix Dead by Daylight lag and disconnects. Learn troubleshooting steps for network issues, including wired connections, router restarts, and port forwarding.

Encountering network issues in Dead by Daylight can be frustrating, leading to lag, disconnections, and a poor gameplay experience. This section provides practical steps to diagnose and resolve common connectivity problems, ensuring smoother chases and more successful escapes or captures.

Understanding Lag and Disconnects

Lag refers to a delay between your actions and their appearance on screen, often caused by high ping or packet loss. Disconnects are sudden terminations of your connection to the game server. Both significantly impact gameplay, making it harder to dodge attacks or land hits.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

1. Restart Your Router and Modem: This is the most common fix for many network issues. Unplug both devices, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in. Allow them a few minutes to fully boot up.
2. Check Your Internet Connection Speed: Use online speed test tools to verify your download and upload speeds. Dead by Daylight recommends a stable connection with at least 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.
3. Wired vs. Wireless Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is almost always more stable than Wi-Fi. If possible, connect your gaming device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.
4. Close Background Applications: Other programs running on your PC or console might be consuming bandwidth. Close any unnecessary applications, especially those that stream video or download files.
5. Update Your Network Drivers: On PC, outdated network drivers can cause performance issues. Visit your motherboard or network adapter manufacturer's website to download the latest drivers.

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Port Forwarding: Some routers may block necessary game traffic. You can try port forwarding for Dead by Daylight. The specific ports can be found on the official Dead by Daylight support website or through community guides. This involves configuring your router to allow direct communication for the game.
• Check for ISP Throttling: In rare cases, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might be throttling your connection. Contacting them can help clarify if this is an issue.
• Firewall and Antivirus Settings: Ensure your firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking Dead by Daylight. You may need to add an exception for the game's executable.
• Router Quality of Service (QoS): Some routers allow you to prioritize network traffic for specific applications. Configuring QoS to prioritize Dead by Daylight can help reduce lag.

Troubleshooting Specific Errors

If you encounter specific error codes (e.g., "Error Code 8012"), search for these codes on the official Dead by Daylight support page or community forums. Often, these codes point to particular issues that have documented solutions.

When to Contact Support

If you've tried all the above steps and are still experiencing persistent network issues, it might be time to contact your ISP or the Dead by Daylight support team. Provide them with details of the troubleshooting steps you've already taken.