Killing Floor «Connection Failed» SteamError 12 Fix for Server Owners and Admins

Whatcha lookin' at?
The guide is just below!

I. The Introduction

Hello, whoever you are.

If you are here, you are most likely currently struggling with being disconnected from multiplayer servers in the Steam version of Killing Floor. I will go straight to the point: if you are a player, — a client, — this guide will not anyhow help you. It is created for server owners and administrators solely, since this error, sadly, can only be eliminated on the server side, — not on the client side.

First of all, a bit of prehistory: the funny part is this error, apparently, exists since like 2011-2012 and keeps randomly appearing from time to time, depending, as I think, on Steam client's updates. Neither different Killing Floor forums, nor Reddit offer any kind of stable solution since then. There are several kind of temporary fixes that work for some, but do not for the others. Upon the whole, I want to offer you a reliable, stable fix that will work on any machine, operating system and server type.

This fragment from a server log illustrates how does this error look for a server admin:



And this is how a client, — a player, — is familiar with this error:



Credits:
Important notice! I am just a writer. I have written and own this guide, because I find this information nearly precious and I am sure it needs to be shared with the community for the sake of good.
The work itself and its testing was done by Sir Arthur and dkanus. The basis for this work is the RevEmu emulator originally created by bir3yk. So, if you want to thank someone, — thank these lads. I do not own this project.
And the last thing! Myxa sonnaya provided me with some nice and funny pictures I am using in this guide =)

II. The Guide

2.1. Windows — 7 and higher

As a Killing Floor server owner or administrator hosting on Windows 7 or higher, to eliminate the «Connection Failed» error on your server, you need to patch it with the required version of RevEmu emulator.

To do this, you need to place these files[drive.google.com]in the «System» folder of your Killing Floor server directory. This is it. Path to the required directory usually looks similar to this:



There is also a very nice bonus feature for Windows hosts and admins in this patch. It will be very useful for home-hosting administrators in situations, when the server and the client are running on the same machine and using the same operating system and user account. Once your server is patched with the RevEmu emulator, the dependency between your server, — the batch file that starts it, — and your Steam client dies. This means:

• You no longer have to start your server strictly in the required order: Steam Client → The Game → The Server. You are now free to do it in any order you wish.
  
• You can also start the server without launching Steam at all, — and it will perfectly run.
  
• It will no longer show you as «In-Game» on Steam, while your server is running, but you are not in the game yourself.
  
• If you have been playing on your own server, glitched and had to close the game, you can just relaunch it and reconnect without getting the «The game is already running!» error from Steam.

2.2. Linux — all distributions

As a Killing Floor server owner or administrator hosting on any distribution of Linux, to eliminate the «Connection Failed» error on your server, you need to patch it with the required version of RevEmu emulator.

To do this, first of all, you need to head to the «bin» folder of your Killing Floor server directory. In this folder, you need to find a file named «steamclient.so» and rename it strictly, — this is important!, — to «steamclient_valve.so». After that, you need to place these files[drive.google.com]in the same folder. That is all of it.

III. ???

IV. PROFIT!!1

V. =)

All of the above will undeniably greatly simplify both the hosting and the gaming experience! We genuinely hope it will be useful for many! Wishing you great games, folks! =)

[MADMAX]

Dear Guys, you all do the kf community better

[zaoth]

awesome, thx for sharing

[DJ Archus]

Long live the "obscure russian DLLs from crackers"!

[RastaBunnny]

hey there!
for the ones who asked: the solution for linux is finally here! enjoy

[RastaBunnny]

thank you!

[Jofraniac]

I understand, great guide anyway, I'm sure it will help many server owners. Thank you.

[RastaBunnny]

yep. only tests are planned for linux yet. the guys will keep me in touch. if the solution for linux finally appears, i will update the guide ^^

[Jofraniac]

So no solution for linux servers since the required files for patching are all windows dlls, right?

[RastaBunnny]

nah, it has nothing to do with any kind of progression in the game ^^

[gero]

does this disable achievements?. i started having this issue on my dedicated server a around week ago. thanks