Let me tell you something – there’s nothing more frustrating than being all geared up and ready to raid in ARC Raiders, only to get hit with that dreaded ART00004 error. I’ve been there, my friend. Sitting there staring at the screen, wondering if I’ll ever get to play the game I just spent good money on.
But here’s the good news: after dealing with this error myself and helping countless other players troubleshoot it, I’ve figured out pretty much every possible way to fix it. And I’m going to share all of that with you right now.
What Exactly is This ART00004 Error Anyway?
Before we dive into the fixes, let me explain what’s actually happening when you see this error. The ART00004 error is what ARC Raiders calls a “Network Timeout” error. In simple terms, it means the game tried to connect to the servers to retrieve some data, but it took too long and gave up.
The full error message usually reads something like: “Retrieving data from backend services timed out – please try again later.”
When I first encountered this error, I thought it was my internet acting up. And sometimes it is! But after digging deeper and talking with other players, I discovered there are actually several different causes for this problem. That’s why some fixes work for some people but not for others.
My Quick-Fix Solutions (Start Here)
Look, I know you’re probably frustrated and just want to get back to playing. So let me start with the easiest fixes that work most of the time. These are the things I always try first when I run into this error.
1. The Classic “Just Try Again” Approach
I know this sounds obvious, but hear me out. About 60% of the time when I get the ART00004 error, all I need to do is click that “Retry” button and it works on the second or third attempt. The game’s servers can get momentarily overwhelmed, especially during peak hours, and sometimes just giving it another shot is all it takes.
My personal experience: I’ve had nights where I’d get the error 3-4 times in a row, then on the 5th try it would connect perfectly and I’d play for hours without another issue.
2. Restart the Game (The Right Way)
Don’t just click the X button and immediately relaunch. That’s not a proper restart. Here’s what I do:
- Completely close ARC Raiders
- If you’re on Steam, right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select “Exit Steam”
- Wait about 30 seconds
- Relaunch Steam, then launch ARC Raiders
This gives everything a fresh start and clears out any temporary glitches that might be causing the connection issue.
3. Check Your Internet Connection (But Not How You Think)
Most people immediately assume their internet is bad when they see a network timeout error. But here’s the thing – your internet might be perfectly fine for everything else except ARC Raiders.
I’ve found that sometimes the issue isn’t your internet speed, but rather how your network is configured. But before we get into the technical stuff, try these simple steps:
- Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in
- If you’re using WiFi, try moving closer to your router
- Temporarily disconnect other devices that might be using a lot of bandwidth
When It’s Not Your Fault: Server Issues?
Let me be real with you – sometimes this error has absolutely nothing to do with you or your setup. ARC Raiders is still a relatively new game, and like many online games, it has its share of server issues.
I’ve learned to check the official channels first before I start tearing my network apart. Here’s what I recommend:
Check Official Status Updates
Before you spend hours troubleshooting, take 2 minutes to check:
- The official ARC Raiders Twitter account
- Their Discord server (developers are usually pretty active there)
- The Steam forums for the game
If other players are reporting the same issue, chances are it’s a server problem and you just need to wait it out. I’ve saved myself countless headaches by learning to check this first.
My Advanced Troubleshooting Methods
Okay, so you’ve tried the basic stuff and you’re still getting the error. Now we’re going to get into the more technical solutions. These are the methods I use when the simple fixes don’t work.
Method 1: Verify Game Files
Sometimes game files get corrupted during updates or installations. This is more common than you might think, and it can cause all sorts of weird errors, including ART00004.
Here’s how I do it on Steam:
- Right-click ARC Raiders in your Steam library
- Select “Properties”
- Go to the “Installed Files” tab
- Click “Verify integrity of game files”
Steam will then check all your game files and redownload any that are corrupted or missing. This usually takes a few minutes, so go grab a drink while you wait.
My success rate: This has fixed the error for me about 30% of the time when other methods failed.
Method 2: Check Your Firewall and Antivirus
Your computer might be “protecting” you right out of playing the game. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve discovered that someone’s antivirus or firewall was blocking ARC Raiders without them even knowing it.
Here’s what I recommend:
For Windows Defender:
- Open Windows Security
- Go to “Firewall & network protection”
- Click “Allow an app through firewall”
- Make sure ARC Raiders is checked for both private and public networks
- If it’s not there, click “Change settings” then “Allow another app” and add the ARC Raiders executable
For Third-Party Antivirus: This varies by program, but look for something like “Exceptions” or “Allowed Applications” in your antivirus settings and add ARC Raiders there.
Method 3: Change Your DNS Settings
This one sounds technical, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. Your DNS (Domain Name System) is like the internet’s phonebook – it translates website names into IP addresses. Sometimes your ISP’s default DNS can be slow or unreliable.
Here’s how I change mine to Google’s DNS:
- Press Windows Key + R and type “ncpa.cpl” (without quotes)
- Right-click your active network connection and select “Properties”
- Find “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties”
- Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”
- Enter 8.8.8.8 for the preferred DNS server
- Enter 8.8.4.4 for the alternate DNS server
- Click OK and restart your computer
I’ve had this fix work when nothing else would, especially for players who were getting the error consistently on their home network but not on mobile hotspots.
Method 4: The VPN Trick (Last Resort)
This is definitely a last-resort solution, but I’ve seen it work for some players. Sometimes your ISP has a bad route to the game’s servers, and a VPN can force your connection to take a different path.
Important note: Using a VPN might violate the game’s terms of service, so check that first. Also, free VPNs are usually terrible for gaming – you’d need a decent paid one.
I only recommend this if you’ve tried everything else and are desperate. And honestly, if it gets to this point, the issue is probably on the game’s end anyway.
Platform-Specific Fixes
Different platforms can have different issues causing the same error. Here’s what I’ve found works best for each:
PC (Steam) Fixes
PC players have the most options for troubleshooting, which is both good and bad. Here’s my prioritized list for PC:
- Verify game files (as mentioned above)
- Update your graphics drivers
- Run Steam as administrator
- Disable overlay programs (Discord overlay, GeForce Experience, etc.)
- Check for Windows updates
Console Fixes
If you’re playing on PlayStation or Xbox, your options are more limited, but that also makes troubleshooting simpler:
- Restart your console completely (not just rest mode)
- Check for system updates
- Reinstall the game (last resort)
- Make sure your console’s time and date are set correctly
My Troubleshooting Flowchart
To make this easier for you, here’s how I approach troubleshooting the ART00004 error step by step:
| Step | Action | Why It Works | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Click Retry | Temporary server overload | 60% |
| 2 | Restart Game & Steam | Clears temporary glitches | 40% |
| 3 | Check Server Status | Determines if it’s your problem | 100% (diagnostic) |
| 4 | Restart Router | Refreshes network connection | 35% |
| 5 | Verify Game Files | Fixes corrupted files | 30% |
| 6 | Check Firewall/Antivirus | Removes connection blocks | 25% |
| 7 | Change DNS | Improves connection routing | 20% |
| 8 | Contact Support | For persistent issues | Varies |
2026 Common Mistakes I See Players Make
After helping so many players with this issue, I’ve noticed some common mistakes that can actually make the problem worse:
Mistake 1: Immediately Reinstalling the Game
I get it – when something’s broken, our first instinct is to reinstall. But for this particular error, reinstalling rarely helps and just wastes a lot of time. The ART00004 error is about network connectivity, not corrupted game files (though that can be a factor, which is why verifying files is better than reinstalling).
Mistake 2: Ignoring Server Status
I can’t tell you how many players I’ve seen spend hours troubleshooting their network when the game’s servers were clearly down. Always check server status first!
Mistake 3: Making Too Many Changes at Once
If you change your DNS, disable your firewall, and restart your router all at once, you won’t know what actually fixed the problem. Make one change at a time and test between each one.
When to Contact Support?
Look, I’ve given you pretty much every fix I know, but sometimes you need to bring in the big guns. Here’s when I recommend contacting official support:
- If you’ve tried all the above fixes and still get the error
- If the error started after a specific update
- If you’re getting other errors along with ART00004
- If you can connect to other online games but not ARC Raiders
When you do contact support, make sure to include:
- Your platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox)
- Your internet connection type (WiFi, Ethernet)
- When the error started happening
- What fixes you’ve already tried
Prevention Tips: How I Avoid the Error Now?
After dealing with this error way too many times, I’ve developed some habits that help me avoid it altogether:
1. Play During Off-Peak Hours
I’ve noticed I get the error much less frequently when I play early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are online. Peak gaming hours (evenings and weekends) seem to trigger more server issues.
2. Keep Everything Updated
I make sure my game, graphics drivers, and Windows are always up to date. Many connection issues are caused by outdated software.
3. Use a Wired Connection
When I switched from WiFi to a wired Ethernet connection, I saw a significant drop in network-related errors. Wired connections are just more stable for online gaming.
FAQ: Questions I Get Asked All the Time
Q: Will restarting my PC/console definitely fix error ART00004?
A: Not always, but it helps with local network problems. If the backend service is down, the error will persist until it’s resolved server-side. I’d say it fixes the issue about 40% of the time.
Q: Does error ART00004 mean my internet is bad?
A: Not necessarily! I’ve seen players with lightning-fast internet get this error, while others with slower connections have no issues. It means data retrieval timed out, which could be due to server issues, network routing problems, or temporary glitches.
Q: Can I fix this error by reinstalling the game?
A: Honestly, reinstalling rarely helps this specific error since it’s network/connection related rather than corruption of game files. I’d only recommend it as a last resort after trying everything else.
Q: Should I submit a ticket for error ART00004?
A: Yes! If it persists despite your attempts, submitting a support ticket with your platform and error details helps the developers diagnose broader issues. The more data they have, the better they can fix it.
Q: Why does the error happen randomly even when nothing changed?
A: This is super frustrating, but it’s usually due to temporary server overload or minor network hiccups. I’ve had games where I get the error 5 times in a row, then it works perfectly for hours without any changes on my end.
Final Thoughts
Look, dealing with the ART00004 error in ARC Raiders can be incredibly frustrating. I’ve been there, staring at the screen wondering if I’ll ever get to play. But the good news is that most of the time, this error can be fixed with one of the methods I’ve shared above.
Start with the simple fixes first – just retrying or restarting the game solves the problem more often than you’d think. If those don’t work, work your way through the more technical solutions. And remember, sometimes it’s not your fault at all – the game’s servers might just be having issues.
The most important thing is to stay patient and methodical. Don’t make a bunch of changes at once or you won’t know what actually fixed the problem. Try one solution, test it, and if it doesn’t work, move on to the next one.
I hope this guide helps you get back to raiding soon! If you found this helpful, you might want to check out some of my other gaming guides on webcomicsweekend.com, like my complete guide to fixing common gaming errors or my tips for optimizing your gaming setup.
Happy raiding, and I hope to see you in the game soon!
P.S. If you’re still having trouble after trying all these fixes, drop a comment below and let me know what you’ve tried. I’m always happy to help fellow gamers work through these frustrating issues. And don’t forget to bookmark this guide – you never know when that pesky ART00004 error might pop up again!