“An Existing Connection Was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host” Minecraft Error

Minecraft, with its unique aesthetic, has captivated many users. However, some players have encountered the error “An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host” while exploring the game.

If you happen to be among these users, don’t worry because this article is for you. Here, you’ll know what causes the issue and learn how to fix it.

What Is the “An Existing Connection Was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host” Error on Minecraft?

This error appears at random. And what’s more frustrating is that it does not really explain why it shows. But in truth, this error is simple. You are seeing it because an existing network was forcibly closed by the remote host, which is caused by a network connection failure.

Now, there could also be varying reasons behind this, considering that each device has its own set of configurations. Regardless of what’s causing it, the good news is that it can be resolved. We’ll share with your possible solutions you can try in the succeeding section.

How to Fix “An Existing Connection Was Forcibly Closed by the Remote Host” Error on Minecraft

So, what do you do when you encounter the error while playing Minecraft? Well, just refer to this article for solutions. You don’t have to try all of them. Just work your way from top to bottom until you find a fix that works.

Solution #1: Disable the Windows Firewall

Windows Defender plays an important role because it protects your device against unauthorized access. However, there are instances when it interferes with existing programs and process, including Minecraft. In that case, you should disable it temporarily.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Press the Windows + I keys to launch Settings.
2. Go to Update and Security.
3. Navigate to Windows Security and select Firewall and Network Protection.
4. Click the currently active network.
5. Scroll down to the Windows Defender Firewall section and make sure the toggle next to it is disabled.
6. After this, check if the problem persists.

Solution #2: Create a new registry value with Windows Registry

Creating new registry values can also fix errors with Windows. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create a new registry value and hopefully resolve the issue:

1. Into the search box, input regedit.
2. Right-click on Registry Editor and choose the Run as Administrator option.
3. When the User Account Prompt appears, choose Yes.
4. Now, before you proceed to the next step, be sure you have created a registry backup. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore your settings.
5. Assuming you already have a backup, double-click on the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE folder.
6. Double-click on Microsoft.
7. Next, double-click on .NETFramework.
8. Click v4.0.30319. If it’s not available, choose the highest version number.
9. Navigate to the right-most portion of the window and find the SchUseStrongCrypto value. If you don’t see it, create one by right-clicking on the blank area, selecting New, and clicking DWORD (32-but) Value. Name it SchUseStrongCrypto. Hit Enter to save the value.
10. Double-click on the newly created value. Set its Value Data to 1.
11. Hit OK to proceed.
12. Exit the Registry Editor.
13. Reboot your PC for the changes to take effect.

Solution #3: Reset your last game session on the Hypixel server

In case you don’t know, the Hypixel server was designed and created to play and showcase various Minecraft adventure maps. If you reset your last session on this server, you can probably resolve the problem.

To do so, follow these steps:

1. Launch Minecraft.
2. Select Multiplayer.
3. Click the Direct Connect button.
4. Into the Server Address field, input Stuck.hypixel.net_.
5. Hit the Join Server button.
6. At this point, your last game session should be reset.

Solution #4: Flush the DNS cache

By clearing your DNS cache regularly, you can remove and delete unwanted entries and invalid records. And when you see the error from Minecraft, it’s probably caused by internet connection issues. Flushing the DNS cache should help fix the problem in this case.

To flush the DNS cache, follow the steps below:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run utility.
2. Input cmd into the text field and hit Enter to launch Command Prompt.
3. Into the command line, input the ipconfig /flushdns command and hit Enter.
4. Once the DNS cache is successfully flushed, restart your PC. Relaunch Minecraft and see if the error persists.

Solution #5: Change your DNS server

Sometimes, your ISP provides you with a slow or improperly configured DNS. This can significantly affect your internet experience and could also be the reason why you’re getting the Minecraft error. To resolve this, change your DNS server by doing the following:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run utility.
2. Into the text field, input control and hit Enter. This will launch the Control Panel window.
3. Now, go to Network and Internet and select Network and Sharing Center.
4. Click on your current connection. It could either be Ethernet or WiFi.
5. Select Properties and click Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4).
6. Click Properties again.
7. Choose the Use the following DNS server addresses option and input the following values:
   • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
   • Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
8. Tick the box next to the Validate settings upon exit option.
9. Hit OK.
10. Once the changes are applied, try to play Minecraft again and see if the error has been resolved.

Solution #6: Update your device drivers

If you encounter varying issues while playing Minecraft, one troubleshooting option you can take is to check for any available driver updates. If any of your device drivers are outdated and not properly optimized, you may come across connection issues.

To update your device drivers, you may opt to do it manually or automatically. If you choose the manual method, you need to go to the official manufacturer website of your device. And then, find the correct driver and download it manually. However, take note that this option may put you at risk of downloading and installing an incompatible or wrong driver. That is why we recommend the automatic method, which involves using a third-party driver updater tool.

Solution #7: Use Control Panel to configure Java settings

The Java settings may or may not give you an awesome gaming experience, especially when not configured properly. So, make sure it is configured to give you the best performance. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run utility.
2. Input control into the text field and hit Enter. This will launch the Control Panel.
3. Go to System and Security and select Programs.
4. Choose Java.
5. If you see an Update tab, click on it and hit Update. This will update Java.
6. Go to the Advanced tab and tick the box next to Enable the operating system’s restricted environment.
7. Hit Apply then OK.
8. Restart your internet and relaunch your game. Check if it works.

Solution #8: Restart your network

Finally, you may check if there are problems with your network. You may unplug your modem and router and disconnect the cable for a few seconds. After that, reconnect the cable and plug the router back. Once everything is back to normal, try playing the game and check if the error is gone.

Summary

Hopefully, one of the fixes above worked for you. If you are still having problems with the game, reach out to the game’s support team. They can give you solutions that may work for your case.

If you have more ideas to add to this article, please do not hesitate to comment below. Or if you know someone who may need this, please do share it.