Steam Multiplayer games keep disconnecting

Question

I wanted to ask why my steam games keep disconnecting during multiplayer sessions? My WiFi runs on 5GHz, it’s connected to the Ethernet and the frames are fine? I used Microsoft family safety, but it doesn’t have any restrictions enabled?

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for getting back to me. You can try a few things that often fix random disconnects. First, turn off any VPN or proxy, as these can interfere with multiplayer connections. Next, refresh your network settings by opening Command Prompt and running:

ipconfig /flushdns

netsh winsock reset

Restart your PC afterward. It’s also a good idea to check Steam Status to make sure their servers aren’t having issues. Updating your network drivers can help too.

Finally, test your connection to Steam by going to Steam → Settings → Downloads, clicking Clear Download Cache, and restarting Steam. If problems persist, restart your router and make sure VPNs are disabled.

Let me know if this helps or if you need more guidance, I’m happy to help!

Warm regards,

Edward

Answer 2

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft community and explaining what’s going on. To better understand the issue, could you confirm something for me? When the disconnect happens, do you see any specific error message in Steam or the game,like “Connection Lost,” “Timed Out,” or “Server Closed”? Also, does it happen after playing for a while or completely at random? Knowing this will help us figure out whether the problem is coming from your network settings, the game servers, or something like session timeouts.

In the meantime, here are a few things you can try:

Make sure you’re only using one connection, disconnect Wi-Fi if you’re on Ethernet. Check your router’s NAT type and set it to “Open” or “Moderate.” Allow Steam through your firewall by going to Windows Security - Firewall & Network Protection -Allow an app through firewall. If you’re using a VPN or proxy, turn it off. Restart your router and PC to clear any stale sessions. Finally, verify your game files in Steam by right-clicking the game in your Library, selecting Properties, then Installed Files - Verify.

Let me know if this helps or if you need more clarification, I’m happy to assist!

Warm regards,

Edward

Answer 3

There can be several reasons why your Steam multiplayer games keep disconnecting, even if your WiFi is on 5GHz and connected via Ethernet. Here are some potential causes and solutions:

1. Network Stability: Even if you're connected to a strong WiFi signal, network stability can be affected by interference or congestion. Ensure that your router is functioning properly and consider rebooting it.
2. Firewall or Security Software: Sometimes, security software or firewalls can interfere with game connections. Check your firewall settings to ensure that Steam and your games are allowed through.
3. Network Configuration: If you are using Microsoft Family Safety, even without restrictions enabled, it may still affect network performance. Try temporarily disabling it to see if it resolves the issue.
4. Game Server Issues: The problem might not be on your end. Check if the game servers are experiencing issues or maintenance.
5. Driver Issues: Ensure that your network drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to connectivity issues.
6. Quality of Service (QoS) Settings: If your router has QoS settings, make sure they are configured correctly to prioritize gaming traffic.

If the problem persists after checking these factors, you may want to consider reaching out to Steam support for further assistance.