Phasmophobia is an incredibly fun game, especially when played with friends, as you hunt ghosts and tackle the chilling mysteries together. However, recent updates have introduced a few technical hiccups in the game, including the frustrating “ClientTimeout” error that has left many players unable to connect to their lobbies. If you’re encountering this issue, don’t worry—read on to find out some effective fixes to get you back to ghost-hunting without interruptions!
The “ClientTimeout” error in Phasmophobia disrupts gameplay by disconnecting players from the server, often forcing them back to the main menu mid-game. This issue can occur every 10 minutes or even within seconds of starting an investigation, regardless of who hosts the session. This frequent disconnection interrupts progress, making it nearly impossible to complete investigations and enjoy a multiplayer experience with friends.
Phasmophobia ClientTimeout Error: How to fix
Currently, there is no guaranteed fix for the “ClientTimeout” error. But this error is not entirely new and it has popped up earlier with a dev even recognising it in the past. So, what we do have are some player-suggested workarounds that you can try out to see which one improves your connection and fixes the issue.
First steps
Start with a few simple troubleshooting steps. First, restart the game to clear any temporary glitches, and then restart your device to refresh its network and system processes. Next, try running Phasmophobia as an administrator by right-clicking the game icon and selecting “Run as Administrator” to grant it the necessary permissions. Finally, check your internet connection for stability, as any interruptions or weak signal can cause connectivity issues. Restart your router, switch to a wired connection, or switch networks to see what works out for you.
Close background apps
Another helpful tip to fix “ClientTimeout” errors in Phasmophobia is to close any other applications that use the internet while playing the game. Apps like web browsers, Discord, streaming services, and programs like Wallpaper Engine can consume bandwidth and strain your network, especially if you have limited internet speed. Closing these background applications can free up bandwidth, resulting in a more stable connection for the game and reducing the likelihood of disconnections.
Verify Game files
Verifying game files can help fix missing or corrupted files that may be causing the “ClientTimeout” error in Phasmophobia. To do this, open your Steam Library, right-click on Phasmophobia, and select Properties. Go to the Installed Files tab and choose Verify Integrity of Game Files. Steam will then scan the game’s files and replace any damaged or missing ones, which can resolve issues that lead to connection errors.
Clear Download Cache
Some players have suggested clearing the game’s download cache in Steam, which can sometimes resolve connection-related issues. To do this, go to Steam’s settings, navigate to “Downloads,” and select “Clear Download Cache.” This can help refresh any corrupted files or outdated data that might be causing disruptions.
Switch to a Different Server
Another workaround players have found helpful is switching to a more stable server. For example, some players facing issues on the SEA (Southeast Asia) server reported smoother gameplay after switching to EU (European) servers. Server stability can vary depending on location, so trying out different servers may lead to a more stable connection.
Avoid Hosting with Mods or Questionable Players
Some players suspect that mods or players using third-party apps can cause lobbies to crash. Hosting without mods or ensuring all players in the lobby are using the standard game version could reduce the risk of disconnections. Although this may not eliminate the issue entirely, it could help in maintaining a more stable connection.
Check for Updates
Make sure that both Phasmophobia and Steam are fully updated. Sometimes, the “ClientTimeout” error can be caused by outdated versions or patches that have not been applied. Check for any game or Steam client updates that may address connectivity issues. Updating can often resolve bugs and compatibility problems introduced in previous versions.
Clear Steam Cache and Change Download Region
Right-click on the Steam icon, go to “Settings,” and select the “Downloads” section. Here, you can clear the download cache, which removes any temporary files that might be causing issues with game data. Additionally, try changing your download region to a different location. Sometimes, a region closer to the game server or a more stable region can reduce connection drops and improve performance.
Use a VPN
If the issue persists, try using a VPN to improve your connection stability. Some players recommend ProtonVPN, a free plan with unlimited data at medium speeds. A VPN can sometimes bypass network restrictions or routing issues that may cause the “ClientTimeout” error. However, keep in mind that VPNs can sometimes introduce additional latency.
Open Game Ports
For players familiar with network settings, opening specific ports on your router may enhance connection stability for Phasmophobia. The standard ports the game uses are 5055, 5056, and 5058. To open ports for Phasmophobia, log into your router by entering its IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.1) in your browser, then navigate to the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” section. Create a new rule, naming it (e.g., “Phasmophobia”), and enter the ports 5055, 5056, 5058 (standard) and 27000, 27001, 27002 (alternative), selecting TCP/UDP for protocol. Input your device’s IP address (found by typing ipconfig in Command Prompt and checking “IPv4 Address”), save the settings, and restart the router.
DNS cache
One quick fix that has worked for some players is flushing and registering the DNS cache. To do this, open Command Prompt and enter ipconfig /flushdns to clear the DNS cache, followed by ipconfig /registerdns to refresh the DNS settings. This can help resolve connectivity issues by resetting how your system connects to the game servers.
GPU drivers update and set FPS limit
Updating your GPU drivers and setting an FPS limit can help resolve Phasmophobia’s “ClientTimeout” error. To do this, first update your graphics drivers by going to your GPU manufacturer’s website (like NVIDIA or AMD), downloading the latest drivers, and following the installation steps. Next, launch Phasmophobia, go to Settings > Graphics, and set an FPS limit to reduce system strain. This combination has helped some players improve connection stability.
Reinstall
As a last resort, reinstalling Phasmophobia can help fix persistent “ClientTimeout” errors. Uninstall the game from your Steam Library, restart your device, and then reinstall Phasmophobia. This fresh installation can clear out any corrupted files or settings causing the issue, often restoring a stable connection.
Well, those are some of the most effective workarounds that could help you get past the client timeout errors in Phasmophobia. We hope this was helpful. For all other guides and news like this, keep visiting DigiStatement. Also, click here to find out how to fix the left mouse button not working issue in Phasmophobia.
