What does the connection error I am seeing mean?

This is a generic error which means that you cannot connect to the server. This most often happens when your CMDR cannot be loaded.

• Perform a file validation. This is different for each of our PC platforms:
  • Epic: To verify the installation of game files, navigate to the game in your Library and click on the three dots or right-click on the game icon. Then, on the drop-down navigation, click Manage. Once this is open, select "Verify".
  • Steam: Open your Game Library on Steam, then  right-click on Elite Dangerous. Select Properties from the menu, then select 'Local Files' from the left-hand panel. On the Local Files page, select 'Verify integrity of game files, Steam will then verify your files.
  • Standalone launcher: Open the launcher as you normally would, then select "Options" in the top right, and in the drop-down menu select "Validate Game Files".
• If you're using an AMD graphics card please update to the latest drivers here: https://www.amd.com/en/support. Once you have the latest drivers, you should be able to play properly.
• If the problem persists after following the above steps, please send us a ticket as it's likely we will need to move your CMDR in order to get you back into the game.

This error appears when you experience a problem connecting to the matchmaking server.

• If this error only appears when in-game with other players, it's likely port forwarding will help, we have a guide that shows how to set this up here.
• Otherwise, log in to your router and look for any content filters and disable them, if available, try another router.
  
  

Could not connect to the transaction server.

If you are getting disconnected while in game or on the menu screen when you first start the game with an error message saying "Could not connect to transaction server" this is often caused by a problem between your computer and our game servers.

This is likely to be caused by a networking error that affects TCP or HTTPS, and can sometimes be a client desync.  It's also possible for this to be on our side.

These errors are usually temporary, so hopefully you can get back online as soon as possible but if you are still having trouble, please get in touch via the button below. 

• This is usually a temporary CMDR error involving a module or the CMDR data itself, we would suggest restarting the game where you will hopefully be able to reconnect.
• If the problem persists, please send us a ticket as it's likely we will need to make some changes to your CMDR in order to get you back into the game.

These errors are variations of problems connecting to the adjudication or in-game mission servers.

• When requesting missions, you are downloading a chunk of data over a short time. Therefore, for best results, we recommend making sure that nothing else is using your network in the background. For this reason, we would recommend avoiding streaming services such as YouTube/Twitch and making sure not to be downloading large files.
• Log in to your router and disable any content filters that may be present, in particular, look for anything that aims to filter fragmented traffic. 

This is a multicrew timeout. Alternatively it may be trouble finding others when in CQC on the Xbox One and is most commonly down to NAT type restrictions on your network gateway/router.

For help understanding what your NAT type is:

"A NAT (Network Address Translation or Network Address Translator) is the virtualization of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. NAT helps improve security and decrease the number of IP addresses an organization needs." - searchenterprisewan.techtarget.com

 

• Please make sure that you and the player(s) you are playing with have compatible NAT types, ideally, all players should have an open NAT. 
• Check to see if you and other players within your group can multicrew with other players, the player that cannot is likely where the problem exists, therefore we recommend that they send us a ticket.

If you are experiencing errors connecting to the matchmaking or adjudication servers whilst playing please follow the steps below.

Connection errors can often caused by a number of problems. Please review our Connectivity Troubleshooting Steps to rule out the most common problems before proceeding.

Verify your game files as follows:

• Ensure that the game is not currently running and open the Elite Dangerous launcher.
• Select the correct way to repair your game files
  
  • Normal Frontier Installation: Go to Options and select Validate Game Files.
  • Steam: If you are using Steam you can use Steam's built-in verify integrity function.
  • Xbox One: Re-install the game as normal.
  • Playstation: Re-install the game as normal.

PC USERS: If you've already completed the above steps and continue to regularly encounter 'Error connecting to Matchmaking (or Adjudication) Server' messages we encourage you to obtain a Netlog file and submit it to our QA team for them to review.

You can create a Netlog file as follows:

• If you are currently playing the game please select Save and Exit to exit to the main menu to enable the Network section of the Options menu.
• Open the Network options menu.
• Set Logging to On.
• Continue to play the game until you encounter the error.
• Your Netlog file will appear in the location listed under Path in the Network options menu. You can also locate these using this FAQ article.

Please send this to our QA team by creating a report on our issue tracker.