It can be very frustrating when you’re already in the zone playing Runescape, and you get the message “Connection lost please wait attempting to reestablish.”
Fortunately, we have the solution.
Runescape is a unique massively multiplayer online game with a player base of close to 17 million.
Like in other games, you can experience outages, connectivity problems, and other similar issues.
If you get this particular error on Runescape, we are here to help!
To fix connection problems while playing Runescape, reboot your modem and router. If this doesn’t work, connect your PC directly to your router. As a last resort, reset your Winsock and IP stack. There may be incorrect entries or corrupt data in the catalog.
Before we proceed to the actual solutions to this issue, let us discuss the possible reasons you see the connection lost message on Runescape.
Causes of Connection Lost Attempting to Reestablish Runescape
If you get a “connection lost” message, it means your PC is having network issues, and you can’t play Runescape.
Your device will keep trying to establish a connection but cannot predict when it will be back. So, here are possible reasons you are experiencing the problem:
1. Server Outage
In this case, you are not the only one getting the message. When the Runescape server is down, all players in your area will have difficulty connecting.
2. Connectivity Problem
Long periods of disconnection can happen when your service provider is experiencing issues. There may be interference in your connection, as well.
3. Not Enough System Resources
Your PC has not enough memory to play the game. This issue is commonly caused by uneven RAM allocation and occurs when multiple users use the device several times without restarting it.
4. Game Client Issue
Your network client failed to connect you to the main game server. You are expected to end the game and restart it when this happens.
5. Firewall Blocks
Your computer may identify Runescape as an unrecognized source. Your firewall then blocks the unwanted traffic, resulting in a lost connection.
These are the possible causes of a lost connection when playing Runescape.
Now, we can determine the best course of action to fix the problem.
How to Fix Connection Lost Please Wait Attempting to Reestablish
When you get a “connection lost please wait attempting to establish” message, it is likely you have connectivity problems.
Thankfully, you can easily fix this with a simple reboot.
Rebooting your modem and router is the first thing you should do when something is wrong with your connection.
It refreshes your connections and resolves wireless issues, so you can start playing your game in no time.
- To reboot your modem and router, unplug the power and Ethernet cables from the router first.
- Next, unplug the modem.
- Wait for 2-3 minutes until the modem powers off.
- Reconnect the Ethernet cables, plug the modem, and then the router.
Rebooting your modem and router should improve slow connections. If this doesn’t work, proceed to the solutions below.
Solution #1: Connect Your Computer Directly to Your Router
If your PC fails to establish a connection, you may be dealing with latency issues. You can have fast speeds, but when your latency is high, it can affect your gaming performance.
In this case, your device needs to communicate directly to your router.
The best way to improve your connection would be to connect your computer to your router using an ethernet cable.
Here’s how you can connect to your router with a wired connection:
- Plug an end of the network cable into your modem’s WAN port.
- Plug the other end into the WAN or WLAN port of your router.
- Plug in your router and wait for 2-3 minutes.
- Turn off your PC and connect an Ethernet cable to it.
- Connect the other end to one of the LAN ports on your router.
You should be connected to the Internet when you turn your computer on.
Note: Directly connecting your PC to the router offers a more secure connection as your cable has security features.
Solution #2: Use 5G WiFi For A More Stable Connection
If you can’t connect your computer to your router using an Ethernet cable, the next best thing would be to use 5G WiFi.
Your router usually has two WiFi types, with the 5G variety offering better speeds and a more stable connection.
This type of performance is comparable to a wired connection and is an excellent way to enjoy your favorite online game like Runescape.
Connecting to the 5G WiFi will get rid of the connection notification in the game.
Here’s how to activate 5G WiFi on your router:
- Log in to your router’s dashboard on a web browser.
- Go to Advanced Settings.
- Find Wireless Settings.
- Select Enable 5G.
- Connect your computer to the 5G WiFi.
Note: Make sure your PC is near your router when playing Runescape to enjoy improved speed and performance.
Solution #3: Clear Your Device’s Memory
One cause of the “Connection Lost” notification that’s not related to your connection is a resource issue.
If your system does not have enough memory capacity to run the game properly, it can cause performance issues, and ultimately, you’re going to see this message.
You want to ensure that your system meets the hardware requirements to run the game.
You also want to clear your device’s memory so it can process the game much more effectively.
Here are some ways to clear your device’s memory:
- Close other open applications other than Runescape.
- Close or cancel your current downloads.
- Close process-intensive websites like Netflix and YouTube.
- Stop playing movies while playing Runescape.
Note: Freeing up your computer’s memory can take time, but it’s part of your regular maintenance routine, so your apps run more smoothly.
Solution #4: Allow RuneScape Through Your Firewall
Your computer’s firewall is an excellent way to improve your system’s security. However, it can also cause problems where it can stop apps from connecting to the internet.
Your firewall can block games like Runescape, and you won’t be able to go through to their servers.
The game can suddenly disconnect and display the “Connection Lost” message.
To ensure that Runescape is not blocked by your firewall, you must add rules and exceptions to allow it.
As soon as you tell your firewall to allow Runescape, you should be able to resolve this issue and enjoy playing your game.
Here’s how to add an application like Runescape through your firewall:
- Open Control Panel on your computer.
- Select Windows Firewall.
- Click on Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
- Select the RuneScape.exe file.
- Click Add.
Note: An alternative that you can do is to allow Runescape on your router’s firewall via its web interface.
Solution #5: Flush Your DNS Cache
The DNS cache is a database that has the record of websites and server names with their associated IP address.
You can think of it as a phonebook that has all the details you need to navigate the internet.
There are instances when the contents of this database can get corrupted, and your computer will have a hard time looking for a particular address.
If the entry that’s affected is for Runescape’s servers, the “Connection Lost” message can come up and ruin your game.
Here’s how to flush the DNS cache on your computer:
- Open the Start menu on your computer.
- Type in cmd, then press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /flushdns, then press Enter.
- Type ipconfig /release, then Enter.
- Lastly, type ipconfig /renew, then press Enter.
Note: You will see a success message to let you know that you typed in the correct command.
Solution #6: Reset Winsock and IP Stack
It’s not just your DNS cache that can get corrupted. Sometimes, your network configuration can get messed up and give you a hard time connecting to the internet.
It’s not just your connection with Runescape’s servers that are going to be affected, but everything.
There’s a way to reset your network configuration, and that’s by resetting Winsock and your IP configurations.
If flushing your DNS cache does not resolve the issue, this is the step that you need to perform.
Here’s how to reset Winsock and your IP stack:
- Type cmd on your Start menu search.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
- Type in netsh winsock reset.
- Type in netsh int ipv4 reset.
- Type in netsh int ipv6 reset.
Tip: You’ll need to restart your computer for the settings to take effect.
This is how you fix the “Connection Lost” message on Runescape. These steps should take care of your connection, allowing you to play Runescape without any issues.
If you continue to experience connectivity issues with the game, you can contact Runescape support to get it back up and running.
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Bottom Line
Now that you know the causes and fixes to the “Connection lost please wait attempting to reestablish” message, you can get back to enjoying your game.
You should now be able to play Runescape uninterrupted.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.