Don’t Starve Together Server Not Responding: Fixes

If you see “Server Not Responding” in Don’t Starve Together, it usually means your client can’t reach the host or the game’s connection has timed out. The fix is to first check your internet connection, then verify the game files, and if you’re hosting, adjust your firewall and port forwarding settings. This article walks through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions for both players and dedicated server hosts.

What Causes the “Server Not Responding” Error

The error appears when your game client sends a network request to the server (a friend’s hosted game, a dedicated server, or Klei’s matchmaking servers) and doesn’t get a reply within a set time. This can happen for several reasons:

• Your internet connection dropped or has high packet loss.
• The host’s game crashed or froze, but the client hasn’t detected it yet.
• Firewall or antivirus software is blocking the game’s network traffic.
• Port forwarding is misconfigured for a dedicated server.
• Klei’s online services are temporarily down (rare, but possible).
• Your game files are corrupted, causing the client to hang while loading.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Start with these simple steps—they solve most cases of the error:

1. Restart the game and Steam. Fully close Don’t Starve Together and Steam, then relaunch them. This clears temporary network glitches.
2. Check your internet connection. Run a quick speed test or try loading a website. If your connection is unstable, fix that first.
3. Toggle your network adapter. Disable and re-enable your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter in your OS network settings.
4. Try a different server. Join a public server to see if the problem is specific to one host.
5. Restart the host’s game. If you’re playing with friends, have the host leave the world and re-enter, or restart the server entirely.

Verify Game Files (Steam)

Corrupted or missing game files can cause the client to hang while loading a world, which often shows as “Server Not Responding.” Here’s how to check them:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click Don’t Starve Together and select Properties.
3. Go to the Installed Files tab.
4. Click Verify integrity of game files.
5. Wait for Steam to download any missing or broken files, then relaunch the game.

This process usually takes a few minutes. It won’t delete your saved worlds or mods.

Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Windows Defender Firewall or third-party antivirus software can silently block the game’s network traffic, causing the server to appear unresponsive. To fix this, add an exception for the game:

1. Open Windows Security (or your antivirus software).
2. Go to Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.
3. Click Change settings, then Allow another app.
4. Browse to the game’s executable file (usually in Steam\steamapps\common\Don't Starve Together\bin).
5. Make sure both Private and Public boxes are checked.
6. Restart the game.

If you use a third-party antivirus, add the game folder to its exclusion list as well. Some programs have a “gaming mode” that can interfere with online play.

Port Forwarding for Dedicated Servers

If you’re hosting a dedicated server (not just a friend’s game), the “Server Not Responding” error often means incoming connections can’t reach your machine. Don’t Starve Together uses UDP ports 10999 and 11000 by default. You need to forward these ports on your router:

1. Find your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
2. Log into your router’s admin panel.
3. Look for a section called Port Forwarding or Virtual Server.
4. Create two rules: one for UDP port 10999 and one for UDP port 11000, pointing to your computer’s local IP address.
5. Save the settings and restart the router.

Note that your computer’s local IP address can change. Set a static IP in your router’s DHCP settings to keep the forwarding working.

Common Misconception: Mods Are Always the Problem

Many players immediately blame mods when they see “Server Not Responding.” While mods can cause crashes or desyncs, they rarely cause a pure network timeout. The error is almost always a connection issue, not a mod issue. However, if you’re playing with mods and the problem persists, try disabling them temporarily:

• In the main menu, go to Mods and disable all mods.
• Try joining the same server again.
• If the error disappears, re-enable mods one by one to find the culprit.

Klei Servers and Region Issues

Sometimes the problem is on Klei’s side. Their matchmaking and authentication servers can experience outages. You can check the status of Klei’s services on their official forums or Twitter/X account. Additionally, if you’re in a region far from the server host, high latency can cause timeouts. Try joining a server in your own region or ask the host to switch regions.

Advanced: DNS and Router Cache

Occasionally, your router’s DNS cache can become stale, preventing the game from resolving Klei’s server addresses. Flushing your DNS cache is a safe, quick fix:

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (type cmd in the Start menu, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”).
2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
3. Restart the game.

If that doesn’t help, restarting your router entirely can clear any other network glitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does “Server Not Responding” keep happening even after I restart the game?

If the error persists, the issue is likely on the host’s side (firewall, port forwarding) or your own network stability. Try joining a different server to isolate the problem. If all servers fail, check your internet connection and firewall settings.

Can I fix this error by lowering my graphics settings?

No, the error is network-related, not performance-related. Lowering graphics won’t affect connection timeouts. However, if your computer is struggling to load the world, it might appear unresponsive, but that’s a different issue (freezing, not a network error).

Do I need to port forward if I’m just joining a friend’s game?

No. Only the host needs to port forward (if they’re running a dedicated server). For a normal friend-hosted game, the host’s computer acts as the server, and you connect directly to them. Port forwarding is only needed for dedicated servers that others connect to from the internet.

What do the UDP ports 10999 and 11000 actually do?

These are the default ports Klei uses for game traffic. Port 10999 is the main game port, and 11000 is used for Steam’s networking layer. If you’re hosting a dedicated server, both must be open for players to connect reliably.

Is there a way to see if Klei’s servers are down?

Yes. Check Klei’s official forums or their Twitter/X account for server status announcements. You can also use third-party websites that monitor game server status, but they might not be accurate for Klei’s matchmaking services.

Will reinstalling the game fix the error?

Reinstalling can help if the issue is corrupted game files, but verifying files (as described above) is a faster first step. Reinstalling won’t fix network or firewall problems. Try all other fixes before resorting to a full reinstall.

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