Fix: “Failed to connect to instance” Error in Path of Exile 2

The “Failed to connect to instance” error in Path of Exile 2 on PC usually appears when the game cannot establish a connection to a specific server instance. An instance is a dedicated game environment such as a town or map that the server generates for your character. Each time you move to a new area, a fresh instance is created. When this error occurs, the game fails to load the new zone, disconnects you, and sends you back to the main menu.

The most common reasons for this issue include a poor or unstable network connection, a character loading problem, a faulty or unresponsive instance, or even a regional restriction.

Before trying the solutions below, check the Path of Exile 2 server status. If an outage is in progress, wait until it’s resolved. Also, restart your router to clear temporary network glitches that might be interrupting your connection to the servers.

1. Switch to Another Server

If the server you’re trying to join is down or unstable, switching to another gateway may resolve the issue. This forces the game to connect through a different and healthy server region.

1. Open the main menu of Path of Exile 2.
2. Click on the Gateway option and choose a different server.
3. Start a new session and verify if the error is gone.

2. Select a New Instance Using CTRL + Click

If the game fails to transition you between maps or areas, that particular instance might be unavailable. Holding Ctrl while clicking a map or waypoint lets you manually create a new instance, forcing the game to load a fresh one.

1. Stay in-game after the error appears.
2. Hold Ctrl and left-click the desired area or waypoint.
3. Select New Instance and click OK.

3. Switch to Another Character

Logging in with a different or older character forces the game to connect to a separate, stable instance. This method often helps you bypass the corrupted or faulty instance that’s preventing your main character from loading.

1. Relaunch Path of Exile 2 on your PC.
2. On the character selection screen, choose an older or alternate character.
3. Enter the game and check if you can connect successfully.

4. Run “ipconfig /flushdns” in Command Prompt

If restarting the router doesn’t help, running the ipconfig /flushdns command clears outdated DNS records. This forces your system to fetch fresh routing information from DNS servers, resolving potential domain mismatches.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Type the command below and press Enter.

   ipconfig /flushdns

   

3. Close Command Prompt and restart your PC.
4. Launch Path of Exile 2 again to see if the issue is resolved.

5. Try Connecting Using a VPN

A VPN routes your internet traffic through a different network, assigning a new IP address. This can help you bypass regional restrictions or ISP-related routing problems that may be causing connection failures.

1. Launch your VPN application.
2. Click Connect to establish a secure connection.
3. Run Path of Exile 2 and check if you can connect to the game.

6. Verify Integrity of Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files are a frequent cause of this error. Verifying game integrity through Steam ensures that any damaged or missing files are automatically replaced with fresh copies.

1. Open Steam on your computer.
2. In your Library, right-click Path of Exile 2 and select Properties.
3. Go to the Installed Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.
4. Wait for Steam to finish the scan. It will automatically repair any problematic files.

7. Reinstall the Game

If none of the above methods work, reinstalling Path of Exile 2 can fix persistent issues caused by corrupted installation files or damaged cache data. A clean reinstall ensures all components are restored to their default state for a stable connection.