Why does my server keep timing out on Apex?

Answered by Stephen Mosley

When it comes to the ‘connection to server timed out’ error in Apex Legends, there can be several factors at play. Let’s delve into each of them to understand why your server keeps timing out.

1. Faulty Game Servers:
The most common reason for experiencing this error is often due to issues with the game servers themselves. Apex Legends, being an online multiplayer game, relies heavily on stable and well-maintained servers to ensure smooth gameplay. If the servers are experiencing technical difficulties or undergoing maintenance, it can lead to connection timeouts and disrupt your gaming experience. Unfortunately, this is something that is beyond your control as a player and can only be resolved by the game developers.

2. Slow Internet Connection:
Another possible reason for the server timing out is a slow internet connection. If your internet speed is not sufficient to handle the demands of online gaming, it can result in connection issues and timeouts. To check if this is the case, you can perform an internet speed test to determine the stability and speed of your connection. If the results show a consistently low speed or high latency, you may need to consider upgrading your internet plan or troubleshooting your network setup.

3. Third-Party Applications:
Certain third-party applications running in the background can interfere with your game’s server connection. These applications, such as antivirus programs, firewalls, or VPNs, may have settings or configurations that conflict with the game’s requirements. It is recommended to temporarily disable such applications and see if the server timeouts persist. If the problem disappears after disabling them, you can try adjusting their settings or adding exceptions for Apex Legends to ensure they do not hinder the game’s connection.

4. Improper System Configurations:
In some cases, improper system configurations can also lead to server timeouts. Outdated or incompatible network drivers, incorrect DNS settings, or even router misconfigurations can all contribute to connection issues. Updating your network drivers, resetting your router, or configuring the DNS settings to use public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) can potentially resolve the problem.

5. Peak Gaming Hours:
During peak gaming hours, when a large number of players are trying to access the game servers simultaneously, it can put a strain on the servers and result in connection timeouts. This is particularly evident in popular games like Apex Legends. If you notice that the timeouts occur more frequently during specific times of the day, it is likely due to server congestion. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do in this situation other than trying to play during off-peak hours or being patient until the server load reduces.

6. Personal Experience:
I have personally encountered the ‘connection to server timed out’ error in Apex Legends on multiple occasions. In some instances, it was due to server maintenance or technical issues on the developer’s end, which resolved itself after some time. However, there were also instances where the problem persisted, and I had to troubleshoot my internet connection, disable certain applications, or tweak my system configurations to resolve the issue.

The ‘connection to server timed out’ error in Apex Legends can be caused by various factors, including faulty game servers, slow internet connections, third-party applications, improper system configurations, and server congestion during peak gaming hours. It is important to identify the possible cause in your specific situation and take appropriate steps to rectify the problem.