Dead By Daylight players know the thrill of escaping a killer or successfully hunting down survivors. But nothing ruins the excitement faster than Error Code 8012 popping up and preventing you from connecting to online services. This guide will walk you through several methods to fix this pesky error and get you back into the fog.
What Causes Dead By Daylight Error Code 8012?
Before we dive into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what might be triggering Error 8012:
- Server outages or maintenance on Dead By Daylight’s end.
- Unstable or slow internet connection on your side.
- Corrupted DNS cache on your computer.
- Issues with the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) software.
Now let’s explore how to tackle each of these potential causes.
Method 1: Check Dead By Daylight Server Status
Sometimes the problem isn’t on your end at all. Before trying more complex fixes, it’s worth checking if Dead By Daylight’s servers are experiencing issues.
Step 1: Visit a reputable server status checker website (like DownDetector or IsTheServiceDown) and search for Dead By Daylight.
Step 2: Check Dead By Daylight’s official social media accounts (Twitter is usually the most up-to-date) for any announcements about server maintenance or outages.
If the servers are down, unfortunately, you’ll need to wait it out. But if everything looks good on their end, move on to the next method.
Method 2: Stabilize Your Internet Connection
A shaky internet connection is a common culprit for Error 8012. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
Step 1: Run a speed test using a site like Speedtest.net to check your current connection quality.
Step 2: If your speeds are significantly lower than what you’re paying for, try these quick fixes:
- Restart your modem and router (unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in).
- Connect your PC or console directly to the modem with an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi.
- Close any bandwidth-heavy applications or downloads running in the background.
Step 3: If problems persist, contact your Internet Service Provider to check for any known issues in your area.
Method 3: Flush Your DNS Cache
A corrupted DNS cache can sometimes interfere with game connections. Here’s how to clear it:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Windows Terminal (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
Step 3: You should see a message saying “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
Step 4: Restart your computer and try launching Dead By Daylight again.
Method 4: Repair or Reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat
Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) is essential for Dead By Daylight, but it can sometimes cause connection issues if it’s not working correctly.
Step 1: Navigate to your Dead By Daylight installation folder. This is typically located in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dead by Daylight
Step 2: Open the “EasyAntiCheat” folder.
Step 3: Right-click on “EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe” and select “Run as administrator”.
Step 4: In the EAC window that opens, select Dead By Daylight from the drop-down menu (if it’s not already selected).
Step 5: Click the “Repair Service” button. If you don’t see this option, choose “Install” instead.
Step 6: Once the process completes, restart your computer and try launching the game again.
Method 5: Verify Game File Integrity (Steam Users)
Corrupted game files can sometimes cause connection errors. If you’re playing on Steam, here’s how to check and repair your Dead By Daylight installation:
Step 1: Open Steam and go to your Library.
Step 2: Right-click on Dead By Daylight and select “Properties”.
Step 3: Click on the “Local Files” tab.
Step 4: Click “Verify integrity of game files…”
Step 5: Wait for the process to complete. Steam will download and replace any corrupted files it finds.
Step 6: Once finished, restart Steam and try launching Dead By Daylight again.
With these methods, you should be able to resolve Error Code 8012 in Dead By Daylight and get back to your matches. If you’ve tried all these steps and are still encountering issues, it may be worth reaching out to Dead By Daylight’s official support channels for more personalized assistance. Happy surviving (or hunting)!