Dead By Daylight Error 8012: Troubleshoot Connection Issues and Get Back to Playing

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Dead By Daylight (DBD) is a popular online asymmetric multiplayer survival horror game enjoyed by a vast community of players. However, like many online games, players can sometimes encounter connection issues that prevent them from accessing or staying connected to the game services. One specific error that players may encounter is Error Code 8012.

When this error occurs, players typically see a message on their screen stating:

CONNECTION ERROR
Cannot connect to online services. Please try again later.
Error code: 8012

This error is frustrating as it abruptly disconnects players from the game, interrupting their gameplay experience. While the message suggests an issue with online services, the root cause can stem from various factors, ranging from server-side problems to issues with the player’s own network or game installation. Understanding the potential causes is the first step toward resolving this connectivity problem and getting back into the Fog.

Understanding the Potential Causes of Error Code 8012¶

Error Code 8012 in Dead By Daylight is primarily a connection-related error. While it often points to server issues, several other factors on the player’s end can also trigger this error. Identifying the specific cause applicable to your situation will help you apply the most effective solution.

Server Outages or Maintenance¶

The most straightforward cause for Error 8012 is an issue with the Dead By Daylight game servers themselves. Game developers regularly perform maintenance or updates, which can require servers to be temporarily taken offline. Unexpected technical difficulties or high traffic loads can also lead to server outages. If the servers are down for maintenance or experiencing unexpected problems, you will be unable to connect, and Error 8012 is a common symptom. This is entirely outside the player’s control and requires patience until the servers are operational again.

Unstable or Unreliable Internet Connection¶

A stable and robust internet connection is fundamental for playing online multiplayer games like Dead By Daylight. If your internet connection is experiencing instability, high latency, packet loss, or insufficient bandwidth, the game client may struggle to maintain a consistent connection with the game servers. This can lead to disconnections and trigger Error 8012. Even brief drops in connectivity can be enough to cause the error. Wireless (Wi-Fi) connections are often more prone to instability and interference compared to wired (Ethernet) connections.

Corrupted DNS Cache¶

The Domain Name System (DNS) translates human-readable website addresses (like deabydaylight.com) into machine-readable IP addresses. Your computer or console stores a cache of these translations to speed up future connections. If this DNS cache becomes corrupted or contains outdated information, your system might try to connect to the wrong IP address for the Dead By Daylight servers, resulting in a connection failure and potentially Error 8012. Flushing the DNS cache clears out this stored information, forcing your system to request fresh translations.

Issues with Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)¶

Dead By Daylight uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) to prevent cheating in the game. The EAC system runs alongside the game client and needs to function correctly for you to connect to online matches. If the Easy Anti-Cheat installation is corrupted, damaged, or not running properly, it can prevent the game client from connecting to the game’s online services or even launching correctly. Since EAC is integral to the online functionality, problems with it can manifest as connection errors like 8012.

Firewall or Antivirus Interference¶

Security software, such as firewalls and antivirus programs, is designed to protect your computer from malicious threats. However, these programs can sometimes mistakenly identify legitimate game connections as suspicious activity and block them. If your firewall or antivirus software is too strict or incorrectly configured, it might be interfering with Dead By Daylight’s ability to communicate with its servers, leading to connection errors. Checking your security software settings is a crucial troubleshooting step.

Outdated Game Client or Operating System¶

Running an outdated version of Dead By Daylight or your operating system (Windows, console OS) can sometimes lead to compatibility issues that prevent successful connection to online services. Game updates often include critical fixes for connectivity problems or changes required to interact with the latest server versions. Similarly, operating system updates can contain network stack improvements or bug fixes. Ensuring both your game and system are up to date is a good practice for preventing errors.

Corrupted Game Files¶

While less common for a specific connection error like 8012 compared to crashes or launch issues, corrupted or missing game files can potentially affect the game’s ability to function correctly, including its networking components. Verifying the integrity of your game files through your game launcher can rule this out as a potential cause.

Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Dead By Daylight Error Code 8012¶

Now that we have explored the potential causes, let’s go through a series of troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve Error Code 8012 on Dead By Daylight. These steps progress from checking external factors like server status to addressing potential issues on your own system and network.

1. Check Dead By Daylight’s Server Status¶

As Error 8012 often indicates a problem with connecting to online services, the very first step should be to confirm that the game servers are actually online and functional. If the servers are down for maintenance, experiencing an outage, or undergoing unexpected issues, no amount of troubleshooting on your end will allow you to connect.

You can check the server status through several official and unofficial channels. The official Dead By Daylight Twitter account or other social media channels are often the first place where server status updates are posted. The official Dead By Daylight forums or website might also have status announcements. Additionally, third-party websites dedicated to tracking the status of online services, such as DownDetector, can provide crowd-sourced information on whether other players are reporting issues. If you confirm the servers are down, the only solution is to wait for the developers to bring them back online. Keep an eye on the official channels for updates on the server status.

2. Ensure a Stable and Reliable Internet Connection¶

An unstable internet connection is a frequent culprit for connection errors in online games. Dead By Daylight requires a consistent data flow to the servers. If your connection is intermittent, experiencing high latency (ping), or suffering from packet loss, it can lead to disconnections and Error 8012.

Start by performing a basic check of your internet connection. You can run a speed test using online tools to check your download and upload speeds, as well as your ping. While specific requirements vary, a stable connection with low ping (ideally under 50ms) and sufficient bandwidth (check DBD’s recommended requirements) is necessary for smooth online gaming.

If your speed test results are poor or inconsistent, troubleshoot your home network. Try these steps:

• Restart Your Router and Modem: This is a simple yet often effective fix. Unplug both your modem and router from the power outlet, wait for at least 30-60 seconds, and then plug the modem back in. Wait for it to fully boot up (lights should indicate a stable connection), then plug in the router and wait for it to boot up.
• Use a Wired Connection: If you are currently playing on Wi-Fi, switch to an Ethernet cable connection between your PC or console and the router. Wired connections are significantly more stable, faster, and have lower latency than wireless connections, making them ideal for online gaming. This step alone resolves many connectivity issues.
• Reduce Network Congestion: Ensure other devices on your network aren’t consuming excessive bandwidth (e.g., streaming high-definition video, downloading large files) while you are trying to play.
• Check Cables: Ensure all Ethernet cables are securely plugged in and are not damaged.

If general internet troubleshooting doesn’t improve the connection stability, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to investigate potential issues with your line or service.

3. Power Cycle Your Gaming Device and Network Hardware¶

Performing a full power cycle of your PC, console, and network devices can help clear temporary glitches or errors in the system’s memory and network components. This is more thorough than a simple restart.

For PC:
1. Turn off your PC completely (not just restart).
2. Once the PC is off, unplug the power cable from the back of the computer or from the wall outlet.
3. Press and hold the power button on your PC for about 15-20 seconds to discharge any residual power.
4. Wait for about 1-2 minutes.
5. Plug the power cable back in.
6. Turn on your PC and try launching Dead By Daylight again.

For Xbox Console:
1. Press and hold the Xbox button on the front of the console for about 10 seconds until it shuts down completely.
2. Unplug the power cable from the back of the console and from the wall outlet.
3. Wait for at least 30-60 seconds.
4. Plug the power cable back into the console and the wall outlet.
5. Press the Xbox button on the console or controller to turn it back on. You should see the green boot-up animation.
6. Launch Dead By Daylight and see if the error is resolved.

For Router/Modem: (Already covered in step 2, but reiterating as part of a combined power cycle).
1. Unplug the power cables from your modem and router.
2. Wait for at least 30-60 seconds.
3. Plug the modem back in and wait for it to fully initialize.
4. Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully initialize.

Performing a power cycle on all involved devices (PC/Console + Modem + Router) in this sequence can often resolve stubborn connection issues.

4. Flush DNS Cache¶

A corrupted or outdated DNS cache can prevent your system from correctly resolving the IP addresses of the Dead By Daylight servers, leading to connection errors. Flushing the DNS cache forces your operating system to get fresh DNS information.

Here’s how to flush the DNS cache on Windows:
1. Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. You might need to confirm in a User Account Control window.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

ipconfig /flushdns

4. You should see a confirmation message that says, “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
5. Close the Command Prompt.
6. It’s recommended to restart your PC after flushing the DNS cache, although sometimes it’s not strictly necessary. After restarting, launch Dead By Daylight and check if the error persists.

Additional DNS Troubleshooting: If flushing DNS alone doesn’t help, you could also try resetting other network components via Command Prompt (Admin):

ipconfig /registerdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

After running these commands, restart your computer. These commands help re-register your DNS, release and renew your IP address, and reset the network catalog.

5. Repair or Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)¶

Easy Anti-Cheat is essential for playing Dead By Daylight online. If the EAC installation is corrupted or not functioning correctly, it can prevent you from connecting to the game servers. You can try repairing the EAC service directly from the game’s installation folder.

Here are the general steps:
1. Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
2. Navigate to the Dead By Daylight installation directory on your computer. The default location depends on where you installed the game and which launcher you used (e.g., Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dead by Daylight, Epic Games: C:\Program Files\Epic Games\DeadByDaylight).
3. Inside the Dead By Daylight folder, locate and open the EasyAntiCheat folder.
4. Find the executable file named EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
5. Right-click on EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe and select Run as administrator.
6. A window will appear. Select Dead By Daylight from the game drop-down list.
7. If EAC is not installed, choose the Install Easy Anti-Cheat option. If it is already installed, select the Repair Service option.
8. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the process.
9. Once the repair or installation is finished, close the setup tool.
10. Restart your PC.
11. Launch Dead By Daylight through your usual game launcher and see if you can connect without Error 8012.

6. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings¶

Your security software might be preventing Dead By Daylight from connecting to the internet. Ensure that your firewall and antivirus programs are not blocking the game or the Easy Anti-Cheat service.

• Add Exceptions: Open your firewall or antivirus settings and look for options to add exceptions or allow specific applications access through the firewall. Add DeadByDaylight.exe and EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe (or the EAC service executable if listed separately) to the list of allowed programs.
• Temporarily Disable: As a test, you can try temporarily disabling your firewall and antivirus software (be sure you are disconnected from the internet and not browsing risky sites while they are disabled). Launch the game to see if you can connect. If the game connects successfully with the security software disabled, then it is indeed the source of the problem. Remember to re-enable your security software immediately after testing and proceed to add exceptions instead of leaving them disabled permanently. Consult the documentation for your specific security software for instructions on adding exceptions.

7. Verify Integrity of Game Files¶

Game files can sometimes become corrupted or go missing, potentially affecting the game’s functionality, including networking. Game launchers like Steam and Epic Games Store have built-in tools to verify the integrity of game files and replace any corrupted or missing ones.

• For Steam:
  1. Open the Steam client.
  2. Go to your Library.
  3. Right-click on Dead by Daylight in your game list.
  4. Select Properties.
  5. Go to the Installed Files tab.
  6. Click the Verify integrity of game files button.
  7. Steam will scan the game files and redownload any that are missing or corrupted. This process can take several minutes.
• For Epic Games Store:
  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Go to your Library.
  3. Find Dead by Daylight and click the three dots (…) next to its title.
  4. Select Manage.
  5. Under the Installation section, click the Verify button.
  6. The launcher will check and repair the game files.

After the verification process is complete, launch the game and check if the error persists.

8. Update Game and Operating System¶

Ensure both Dead By Daylight and your operating system (Windows) are fully updated. Game developers frequently release patches that fix bugs, including connectivity issues. Similarly, operating system updates can contain important network-related fixes and improvements.

• Update Dead By Daylight: Your game launcher (Steam, Epic Games Store) should automatically manage game updates. Ensure the game is not pending an update.
• Update Windows:
  1. Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
  2. Go to Update & Security (or Windows Update).
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. Download and install any available updates. Restart your PC if prompted.

9. Consider Other Potential Network Issues¶

If none of the above steps work, the issue might be with a more complex network configuration or a problem outside your immediate control (e.g., ISP issues affecting specific game servers).

• Try a VPN: In some rare cases, your ISP’s routing to the game servers might be problematic. Using a reputable gaming VPN can sometimes reroute your connection and bypass the problematic path. This is not a guaranteed solution but can sometimes help diagnose if the issue is related to routing.
• Check for ISP-Specific Issues: Check online forums or contact your ISP to see if there are known issues in your area affecting online gaming or specific services.

10. Reinstall Dead By Daylight¶

As a last resort, if none of the troubleshooting steps resolve Error 8012, the game installation itself might be fundamentally corrupted in a way that verification cannot fix. Uninstalling and then performing a clean installation of Dead By Daylight can sometimes resolve deep-seated issues.

• Uninstall: Use your game launcher (Steam, Epic Games Store) or Windows ‘Add or remove programs’ settings to uninstall Dead By Daylight.
• Clean Up: After uninstalling, it’s a good idea to check the installation directory to ensure no residual files were left behind. Manually delete the game folder if it still exists.
• Reinstall: Download and install Dead By Daylight again through your game launcher.

This is a time-consuming process but can sometimes fix problems that other methods cannot.

Additional Tips and Common Errors¶

While the focus is on Error 8012, other connection errors exist in Dead By Daylight. Some common ones and brief notes on potential fixes include:

• Error Code 8001: Often related to Xbox console connectivity issues. Power cycling the console or clearing the persistent storage cache on Xbox are common fixes.
• Error Code 107: Can relate to corrupted game files or cache issues. Verifying file integrity or clearing the game’s cache are primary steps. A full reinstallation might be needed if files are severely corrupted.
• Error Code 8014: Similar to 8012, often indicates a connection issue, sometimes linked to outdated drivers (especially graphics drivers). Updating drivers and ensuring a stable network connection are key.

Always ensure your graphics drivers and other system drivers are up to date, as outdated drivers can sometimes cause unexpected game behavior, including connectivity problems.

If you have tried all the relevant troubleshooting steps and are still encountering Error 8012, it might be necessary to contact Dead By Daylight Support. Provide them with detailed information about the error, the steps you have already taken, and details about your system and network setup.

Summary¶

Error Code 8012 in Dead By Daylight is a connection issue that prevents players from accessing online services. It can be caused by server outages, unstable internet connections, corrupted DNS cache, issues with Easy Anti-Cheat, interference from security software, outdated game/system files, or corrupted game data. Troubleshooting involves systematically checking these potential causes: first confirming server status, then addressing your internet connection and network hardware, followed by checking and repairing game-specific components like Easy Anti-Cheat and game files, and finally ruling out software interference or outdated systems. While frustrating, Error 8012 can often be resolved by carefully following these steps.

Sometimes, watching a video guide can provide additional visual context for troubleshooting steps. Here is a placeholder for a relevant video:

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(Note: Actual embedding of a YouTube video requires finding a relevant video URL and using appropriate markdown/HTML or a platform-specific embedding method. Since I cannot browse the live web, I will leave this as a descriptive placeholder. In a real scenario, I would find a video like “How to Fix Dead By Daylight Connection Errors” and link or embed it.)

Were you able to resolve Error 8012 using these methods? Do you have any other tips that helped you fix this issue? Share your experience in the comments below!