I can't connect to the server

[George]

Every time I try to connect to a server it crashes.

[Ghost]

Hi, try updating your Windows first, as I've come across many, many errors related to crashes and failed launches by Windows 10 not having the latest update.

Download the latest Windows 10 update from the link below: Your version is the SECOND one down.

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4093105%20


If that doesn't work try the following:

1 ) Run the game with Admin priveleges.

C:\Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > Black Desert Online > bin64 > BlackDesert64.exe <-- right-click > Properties > Compatibility > Run this program as an Administrator


2) Delete your 'usercache' folder and the game's 'Cache' folder.

Delete the 'usercache' folder titled 'Black Desert' located in your Documents folder.
C:\Local Drive > Users > (your username) > Documents > Black Desert

Also delete the 'Cache' folder in the game's directory as well.
C:\ > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > Common > Black Desert Online > Cache


3) Clear your Steam Download Cache by right-clicking the Steam client in the Taskbar > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.


4) Delete both the 'bin' and 'bin64' folders in the Black Desert Online game folder.
C:\ > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > Common > Black Desert Online > bin
C:\ > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > Common > Black Desert Online > bin64

Then verify integrity of game files: Steam Game Library > Black Desert Online > right-click > Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.


5) Download the bdo.bat file from the link below.
https://blackdesert.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/115004988185/bdo.bat

Place it into your Black Desert Online game directory.
C:\Program Files(x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Black Desert Online <--- place the bdo.bat file into this directory.

With the Steam Client running, launch the game from the bdo.bat file by double clicking it.

[George]

I don't know why but step 1) succeeded.
I only have one user on my computer and he is the administrator of it. I don't know... anyway... Thanks for your help!

[Ghost]

Originally posted by GioRgSaVv:

I don't know why but step 1) succeeded.
I only have one user on my computer and he is the administrator of it. I don't know... anyway... Thanks for your help!

Not a problem. And yeah, sometimes it's the simplest fix is all it takes. : )

[Calenst]

I had to go through all the steps listed, but they worked!
I had a problem of getting a Data Decoding Failed (2) whenever I ran the game and hit the "Start" button on the main menu.
It's my first time playing this game, and I was perplexed that this game wasn't running when every other game ran fine.

Thank you so much for this answer. I'll be sharing this as I'm seeing other people are having the same problem.

[RedDeath117]

I know it's been a few years since this post, but I'm having trouble with the Data Decoding failure again. This fix use to work for me, but now I'm stuck again.
If anyone sees this, could they please post a new fix or send me to some place that might have details?
It has been two weeks since I sent in a ticket to PA and still haven't gotten a reply.

[Proctor Cain]

In order to run BDO, I have had to run the Steam client as Admin since I got BDO in 2017.
Signing on to my PC with an Admin account also works for me, but it seems that for some, that's not sufficient and they find that they clear their problem by also running the Steam client as Admin.

[RedDeath117]

Thank you for replying, but sadly, this was a no go for me. I've even tried running it from inside the game file and it still doesn't work. I don't understand what could be blocking my access if I can't even get in through admin permissions.

[KittoTaisho]

So I've tried everything on this list and I still can't connect to a server. Everything is updated and running fine but when I try to start the game from the starting menu inside them game it says "processing" then the window closes and when I click start again it says "failed to connect to server"

[Proctor Cain]

Just to add some comments..

I guess it should be obvious but the Windows update link given by Ghost in post #1 is 3 years out of date. Using the Windows Settings tool is probably safest way to get latest updates.

By "Steam Client" I am referring to "Steam.exe" which is in "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\ " by default. I.e. not the BlackDesert64.exe app mentioned by Ghost.

If you can get as far as the Pearl Abyss Launcher, the one that opens up after clicking "Play" in Steam Library, down the bottom right there is a "scan files" button just to the left of "Start game". Click "Resize Launcher" if you can't see it. Try running that. I don't know if it achieves the same result as "Verify Integrity of Game Files" in Steam, but I just ran it and it appeared to download some updates, and I can still run the game afterwards. (Phew)

[RedDeath117]

Still no change sadly. I've checked on my updates and tried the "Scan Files", but still get the decoding failed notification...