Apex Legends Connection to Server Timed Out [Fixed]

Many users have experienced problems with the server connection timing out in Apex Legends. It can happen after a major update, when there are problems with Apex servers themselves, or seemingly for no reason at all on your end.

Troubleshooting apex connection to server timed out can be as easy as restarting your computer or as complex as adjusting the open ports on your router, depending on what’s causing the problem. 

What Does Connection to Server Mean?

Your game is locally stored on your personal computer, but the matches are played from a server that everyone connects to. When you’re unable to connect to a game server, it means that you can’t reach the remote connection that establishes the match and links you to the other players. 

Apex Legends Connection to Server Timed Out

When you try to join a match and get the error message that your connection to the server timed out, it means that your game and the server haven’t communicated. Whatever connection you have to EA’s online services is broken and must be repaired. 

Restart the Game

Sometimes all you need is a simple client restart to fix the timeout issue you’re experiencing. Since Apex might be having problems, it’s best to restart by closing the program entirely via the task manager.

1. Type “Task Manager” into the Window search bar.
2. Click “Task Manager” to open the app.
3. Right-click on the entry for Apex Legends under the list of apps.
4. Choose “End Task.”

Once the game is gone, restart it and see whether you can join a match.

Run as Administrator

When running a program as an administrator, it has more rights and access than programs without administrator status. Sometimes running a game like Apex with administrator rights can help solve issues with the program.

1. Type “Apex Legends” in the Windows search bar.
2. Right-click on the listing for the game and choose “Open file location.”
3. Look for ApexLegends.exe in the folder and right-click on that file.
4. Choose the Compatibility tab and then select the box that says “Run this program as an administrator.”
5. Click “Apply” to save your changes.

Once you’ve done this, try rerunning Apex to see whether you can join a match. If it doesn’t fix the problem, you can go back to the file and uncheck the box to remove administrator permissions.

Restart Your Computer

Closing the game and restarting your computer can also help re-establish your connection to the game servers. It’s a simple solution but works surprisingly often. Once the computer is back on, let everything fully load before you run Apex Legends. 

Check If Apex is Still Up and Running

Sometimes you can’t connect to the server because the server itself is having problems. A quick way to check is to ask your friends who you’re playing with whether they’re experiencing the same error via Discord or another chat program. If they are, the problem is probably the servers, and you’ll all have to wait until they’re back online.

You can also go to a site like Down Detector to see whether other users report problems with Apex Legends. When there is a specific spike in reports, multiple users are having issues accessing the game. 

Clear Your Cache

If files in your game cache are damaged or corrupted, clearing your cache might fix the timeout issue.

1. Type “%programdata%" into the Windows Search bar.
2. Click the “%programdata%” folder that appears in the results.
3. Open the “Origin” folder and delete every file except the LocalContent folder. 
4. Type “%appdata%" into the Windows Search bar.
5. Click the “%appdata%” folder that appears in the results.
6. Click “AppData” in the address of the folder at the top.
7. Open “Local.”
8. Delete the “Origin” folder.

Once you’re done, restart your computer. Then try to play Apex Legends again to see whether this creates a stronger server connection. 

Check Network Adapter Drivers

Some players getting this error message found luck with updating their network adapter drivers. Old drivers can cause problems in other programs, but they’re quick and easy to update.

1. Type “Device Manager” into the Windows search bar and click on the “Device Manager” app.
2. Unfold the list of Network adapters in Device Manager.
3. Right-click on the adapter you’re using. For example, mine says “Intel(R) Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265”
4. Click “Update driver.”
5. Click “Search automatically for drivers.”
6. Follow the prompts to install the new drivers if Windows finds an update.

If you discover that you do need updated drivers, let the installation process finish. Next, shut down your computer and turn it back on. Finally, restart Apex Legends and try to join a match.

Update Router Firmware

Sometimes a firmware update for your router can cause problems connecting to Apex Legends. Sign in to the control panel for your router and look for the option to update its firmware. Once the process is complete, you can restart your computer and try to connect again. 

Open Ports in Your Router

Opening specific ports can help games function better because an open port is designed to accept incoming connections. Which ports you should open depends on what type of device you’re using since there are different ones for consoles and PC. To open ports, you’ll have to configure your router settings.

1. Open your router settings. Most routers allow you to log in by typing in your router’s IP address and entering your login name and password.
2. Open Advanced Settings. This might be a different name, depending on your router brand. It could be Additional Settings or Expert Settings, for example.
3. Find the selection for Port Forwarding. Most modern routers have an easy-to-change setup for forwarding ports built into their software.
4. Place the IP address of your computer into the entry that requires it. Choose the ports you want to open based on what device you’re using.
5. Save your settings and restart your router, modem, and computer before attempting to play Apex Legends again. 

Before you set up port forwarding, make sure you’re playing on a device with a static IP address. That’s something else you can change in your router settings, if necessary. It might be called DHCP Settings, Static IP, or something similar. 

Change Security Permissions

One fan found a fix that requires changing Apex Legend’s security permissions in Windows. It worked for many different players after an update made their connections to the servers less stable, and they started experiencing this error.

1. Type “Apex Legends” into the search bar and right-click on the game entry.
2. Choose “Open File Location.”
3. Right-click on ApexLegends.exe and click “Properties.”
4. Click the Security tab.
5. Highlight “SYSTEM” under Group or users names and then click “Edit.”
6. Highlight a group under Group or user names in the pop-up.
7. Make sure each entry is checked for “Allow” in the Permissions for Authenticated Users box.
8. Repeat the step on each group under Group or User Names.
9. Click “Apply,” and then click “OK.”

Once you’re done, restart your computer and try to connect to Apex Legends again.

While none of these solutions will work for everyone, there’s a good chance that one of them can help you connect to Apex Legend’s servers again.

Start with the most straightforward solution and work your way through to the more complicated ones so that you’re sure the simple issues are fixed. Frequently, you’ll find one of the first things you do helps you get back into the game.