How to Fix Overwatch BC-101

Some Overwatch players are encountering the BC – 101 error when attempting to log in to the game with their account. This error is signaling a failure of the client to connect to the server and is only reported to occur on console (Ps4 and Xbox One).

When you’re troubleshooting this particular issue, you should start by ensuring that Blizzard is not currently mitigating some server issues that are beyond your control. This error code might also occur due to a server outage in your area or if the game servers are in the middle of a maintenance period.

it’s also possible that you’re simply dealing with a date & time server-client mismatch. Keep in mind that Overwatch is one of those games that deploys a date & time verification when the console attempt to connect. If the date & time is way off, the connection might be rejected. In this case, all you need to do is set the date & time to the correct values.

However, a network inconsistency can also be responsible for the apparition of the BC – 101 error. You might be dealing with a fairly common TCP / IP issue in which case a router reboot or reset should fix the issue. But in case you’re dealing with a NAT issue, you will need to either enable UPnP (if supported by your router) or forward the ports required by Overwatch manually.

But as some affected users have confirmed, this problem can also occur when conflicting versions of Overwatch are installed at the same time (Overwatch and Overwatch Beta). In this case, you will need to uninstall Overwatch Beta to fix the issue.

In case corrupted system files are triggering this error code (and you’re encountering similar issues with other games), you should consider going for a factory reset if all else fails.

Method 1: Checking for Server Issues

Since this error code can be beyond your control, you should start this troubleshooting quest by ensuring that the issue is not beyond your control. It’s possible that you’re attempting to play the game in the middle of an outage period that is affecting a lot of users in your area.

To investigate this possibility, check DownDetector or Outage.report to see if other users in your region are also encountering the same BC – 101 error.

If your investigation reveals that other users are currently struggling with the same error code, you should check these two Twitter accounts (@PlayOverwatch and @BlizzardCS) to see if Blizzard posted any official announcement about this situation.

If you confirm that you are seeing this error code due to a sever issue, there is no other fix other than wait for Blizzard to fix their server issue.

However, if the investigations didn’t reveal any underlying server issue, you just confirmed that the issue is only occurring locally – In this case, one of the potential fixes below should allow you to resolve the issue.

Method 2: Setting the Current Time & date

As it turns out, Overwatch also deploys a time & date verification when a client console attempts to connect to the game servers. So if your Xbox One or PS4 console’s time is off, you can expect to see the BC – 101 error because of a date & time mismatch.

If this scenario is applicable and this is actually the source of your problem, you can fix the issue easily by setting the date & time to the correct values.

To do this, follow the instructions below associated with the console that you’re encountering the issue on:

A. Setting the correct Time & Date on PS4

1. From the main dashboard menu of your PS4, access the Settings menu.
   
2. Once you’re inside the Settings menu, scroll down through the list of options and access the Date & time menu.

   

3. Inside the Date & Time menu, access the Date and Time Settings menu.

   

4. Next, either configure the date and times values manually by choosing Set Manually or use the Set Using Internet Option to set the correct values automatically.

   

5. Once you manage to set the date & time to the correct values, restart your console and start Overwatch once the next startup is complete to see if the issue is now resolved.

B. Setting the correct Time & date on Xbox One

1. From the main dashboard menu of your Xbox Console, access the Settings menu.

   

2. Inside the Settings menu, select System from the left-hand menu, then move to the right-hand section and access the Time menu.

   

3. Inside the Time menu, move over to Time & Date and change the value accordingly.

   

4. Save the modification and restart your console. At the next console startup, launch Overwatch and see if the problem is now fixed.s

In case you’re still seeing the BC – 101 error when launching the game, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 3: Reset or Reboot your router

If you’re using a wireless connection when playing Overwatch on your console and you’re using a low-end router, it’s possible that you’re seeing this error due to the fact that it has become flooded with data. This is daily common with certain router models with limited bandwidth (especially when multiple connected devices are engaged in data exchanges at the same time).

A. Router Reboot

If this scenario is applicable, you should be able to fix the issue by rebooting or resetting your router. This fix was confirmed to be effective by several different affected users that were previously encountering the BC – 101 error.

Start with a simple router reboot by pressing the Off button on the rear of your network device and wait for a full minute before starting your router once again. As opposed to a router reset, this procedure will not reset any custom settings or credentials.

Note: While your router is turned off, it’s recommended that you also remove the power cable from the power outlet in order to ensure that the power capacitors are completely drained.

B. Router Reset

However, if this operation didn’t work and you are still seeing the same BC – 101 error when trying to establish a connection with Overwatch serves, you should also go for a router reset.

But keep in mind that this operation will end up clearing any personalized settings that you previously established – This includes any forwarded ports, custom credentials, whitelists, and blocked items.

If you decide to go ahead with this operation and perform a router reset, look for the reset button on the back of your router. In most cases, you will need a toothpick or something similar to reach it.

IMPORTANT: Some routers are configured to ‘forget’ the ISP credentials when a reset is performed. So before initiating this procedure, ensure that you have the credentials at the ready so you can re-establish the Internet connection once the operation is complete.

To perform a router reset, use a sharp object to press and hold the Reset button until you see all the front LEDs flash at once, then release the button. Next, re-insert the ISP connections to establish the Internet connection if necessary, then restart your console and launch Overwatch to see if the issue has been resolved.

In case you still end up encountering the BC – 101 error, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 4: Deleting Overwatch beta

As it turns out, this issue can also occur if you have Overwatch Beta installed on your computer (on top of the main game). As it turns out, the two-game versions are known to conflict with each other (especially on Xbox One) especially now since Overwatch Beta is no longer being maintained. This problem is reported to occur on both PS4 and Xbox One.

If this scenario is applicable and you’re encountering the same problem, follow one of the guide below (the one that’s applicable to your console of choice) to uninstall Overwatch Beta and prevent the console with the main game application.

A. Deleting Overwatch Beta on Ps4

1. From the main dashboard menu of your PS4, use the left thumbstick to navigate to the Library entry, then press the X button on your controller to access it.

   

2. Once you’re inside the Library menu, select Games from the left-hand site menu, then move over to the list of games on the left and locate Overwatch Beta.

   

3. Select Overwatch from the list of items and press the Options button on your controller, then use the Delete entry on the right-hand corner of the screen.

   

4. Launch Overwatch and see if you’re still encountering the BC – 101 error when you attempt to connect to Blizzard servers.

B. Deleting Overwatch Beta on Xbox One

1. Press the Xbox One button on your console to open up the guide menu. Once you’re inside use it to access the My Games & apps menu.

   

2. Once you’re inside the My Games & Apps menu, scroll through the list of games and locate Overwatch Beta. Once you see it, select it and press the Start button, then choose Manage game.

   

3. From the Manage game menu, move over to the right-hand side pane and select Uninstall all to make sure that you remove everything related to Overwatch Beta (base game + add-ins and updates).
4. Once the beta version of Overwatch is uninstalled, launch the regular game once again and see if you’re still encountering the BC-101 again once you’re trying to connect to Blizzard’s servers.

In case the same problem is persisting, move down to the next potential fix below.

Method 5: Forwarding the ports used by Overwatch

If none of the fixes above have allowed you to fix this error code with Overwatch and you’ve made sure that there’s nothing wrong with your Internet connection, you should start troubleshooting for a port issue.

Keep in mind that Overwatch requires a selection of specific ports (depending on the platform) in order to run in a reliable matter. Fortunately, most routers nowadays are perfectly capable of forwarding the ports that are required automatically with a technology called UPnP (Universal Plug and Play).

However, if you’re using an older router model that doesn’t support UPnP, you will need to do the dirty work yourself and forward the ports manually.

If you have a router that supports UPnP, follow the first guide (A) to enable UPnP, and facilitate automated port forwarding. In case you’re using an older router that doesn’t support UPnP, follow the second guide (B) to forward the required ports manually:

A. Enabling UPnP from Router Settings

1. Access your router settings by typing the IP address inside the browser navigation bar (at the top). Enter one of the following addresses and press Enter to access your other settings:

   192.168.0.1
   192.168.1.1

   

   Note: If none of these two addresses work, search online for specific steps of accessing your router based on your model and router manufacturer.

2. Once you finally arrive at the login screen of your router, enter your login credentials. If you haven’t changed the default credentials, use the defaults based on your router manufacturers. In most cases, the user is admin and the password is 1234.
   Note: If these credentials don’t work, search online for the specific credentials according to your router model.
3. After you finally have access to your router settings, look for the Advanced (NAT Forwarding) and look for the UPnP option. When you see it, make sure that it’s enabled.

   

4. After you finally manage to enable UPnP, restart bot your router and the console that’s currently showing the BC-101 error code and see if the issue is resolved.Note: Keep in mind that the exact menu and instructions that you will need to follow will ve different depending on your router manufacturer (the steps above were performed on a TP-Link router). If the menus that you’re seeing are way different, search online for specific steps on enabling UPnP.

B. Forwarding Overwatch ports from Router Settings

1. Follow Step 1 and 2 from the guide above to access your router settings.
2. Once you’re inside your router settings menu, expand the Advanced menu, then look for an option named NAT Forwarding or Port Forwarding. Once you finally manage to locate the menu that lets you forward the ports manually, start adding the ones that Overwatch requires (according to the console that you’re using):

   Overwatch - Playstation 4
   
   TCP: 1935, 3478-3480
   UDP: 3074, 3478-3479
   
   Overwatch - Xbox One
   
   TCP: 3074
   UDP: 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

3. Once you manage to forward the required ports, reboot both your router and your console and see if the issue is now fixed.

If the required ports were already forwarded or you just forwarded them but it had no effect (still seeing the BC – 101 error), move down to the final fix below.

Method 6: Performing a factory reset

If none of the potential fixes above have worked for you, it’s very likely that you are dealing with a local corruption issue that is somehow tied to the system files of your console. In this case, this problem will not go away conventionally with a power cycling procedure.

And since you already tried reinstalling the game, your best chance at fixing this problem is to reset every OS file and ensure that no corrupted files are actually contributing to the apparition of the BC – 101 error.

Note: Before starting this process, keep in mind that that this operation will ultimately reset your console to a factory state. This means that everything that’s not backed up will be removed. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you back up your saves on Sony’s cloud or on a USB stick.

If you want to go ahead with the process of performing a factory reset, follow one of the guides below to initiate a factory reset on your console:

A. Factory Resetting PS4

1. On the main menu of your Ps4, navigate the horizontal menu at the top, then access the Settings menu.
   
2. After you are inside the Settings menu, scroll all the way down to the Initialization menu and access it with the X button.
3. Inside the Initialization menu, select Initialize PS4 and press X once again to cd start this procedure.

   

4. At the next screen, select Full to ensure that you’re going for the full-circle initialization procedure.

   

5. You will be asked to confirm, and after you do so, you will be presented with a progress bar. Keep in mind that depending if you’re using a HDD or SSD and the size of it, this operation might last 1 hour or more.
6. Once the initialization procedure is complete, follow the on-screen prompts to reinstall and redownload the games saved games from Sony’s cloud and update your system’s firmware to the latest build so you are able to go online.
7. Launch Overwatch once again and see if the issue is now resolved.

B. Factory Resetting Xbox One

1. On the main dashboard menu of your Xbox One console, press the Xbox button once to pop open the guide menu. Once inside, use it to navigate to All Settings and then Console Info.

   

2. Inside the Console Info menu, access the Reset Console option from the left section of the screen.

   

3. At the confirmation prompt, use the Reset and Remove everything button to perform a full factory reset.

   

4. Press the A button to initiate the operation, then wait for the process to finish and your console to restart.
5. Next, reinstall Overwatch along with the latest firmware update and see if the error is now resolved.