Factorio is an incredibly popular game that allows players to build factories, automate production, and create complex industrial networks.
Unfortunately, sometimes players may encounter the error “Factorio Could Not Establish Network Communication With Server.” This error can be caused by several things, ranging from your network connection or the game itself.
In this article, we’ll go over each possible cause and how to address it. Let’s jump in!
Factorio Could Not Establish Network Communication With Server Error: 3 Surefire Fixes
Follow these fixes in order to fix the “Factorio Could Not Establish Network Communication With Server” error:
Turn Off the Firewall or Antivirus
The first thing you can do to troubleshoot this error is to turn off any firewall or antivirus software. Firewall [1] and antivirus programs can sometimes prevent Factorio from connecting to a server.
To do this, open the settings of the program and locate the option to disable them. Once disabled, try to reconnect to the Factorio server.
A Bizarre Fix
This fix is provided by users, and some users report that it worked for them.
- Start a brand-new Factorio multiplayer game.
- As soon as the multiplayer game finishes loading, return to the main menu (not to the desktop).
- Join a multiplayer game immediately. Connect to the IP address of your friend.
- For both players, complete steps 1 to 3 in order for the host to initiate a game and for the other player to successfully join.
Configure Your Router
- Select Firewall > NAT under the Outbound tab
- Choose Manual Outbound NAT Rule generation (Advanced Outbound NAT or AON)
- Select Save
- Find the rule titled "Auto-created rule for LAN" at the bottom of the page
- Click the plus sign at the end of the row to copy the rule
- Change the rule to include only the source IP of the device that requires a static port, as well as any other necessary settings
- Check the box for Static Port on that page
- Select Save
- Put the rule first in the list
- Click the Apply Changes button
- Select Diagnostics > States
- Enter the device's IP address in the Filter box
- Click Filter
- Click Kill
Conclusion
The “Factorio Could Not Establish Network Communication With Server” error is a frustrating one, but hopefully, these steps have helped you fix it.
If the above steps do not work, it is recommended to contact Factorio’s support team or your router manufacturer for further assistance.
