Elden Ring 'Online Service Is Currently Unavailable' Fix

What it means

'The online service is currently unavailable' (or 'unable to connect to the online service') means Elden Ring can't reach FromSoftware's matchmaking servers.
Most of the time the servers really are down — maintenance, an outage, or load right after a patch — and there's nothing to do but wait.
If everyone else is online fine, then the block is on your side: a firewall, VPN, your platform's network being down, or your internet.

Affected Models

Elden Ring on PC (Steam)
Elden Ring on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
Elden Ring on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Common Causes

FromSoftware servers down for maintenance or an outage
Server overload right after a major update or DLC release
PlayStation Network or Xbox Live itself having problems
Your firewall, VPN, or proxy blocking the game's connection
Local internet outage or DNS issue
An older game version still trying to connect after a patch — needs updating

How to Fix It

Check whether it's the servers.

Look up FromSoftware/Bandai Namco server status and Downdetector for Elden Ring.
Also check PlayStation Network or Xbox Live status if you're on console.
If any of those show problems, that's your answer — the only fix is to wait.
Update the game.

After a patch, an out-of-date client can't talk to the servers.
Make sure Steam / the console has fully downloaded the latest Elden Ring update, then relaunch.
Restart the game and your network gear.

Fully close Elden Ring and reopen it.
If that doesn't help, power-cycle your router (off 30 seconds, back on) and reconnect.
A stale connection or DNS hiccup clears with a restart more often than you'd think.
Turn off VPN/proxy and check the firewall.

Disconnect any VPN or proxy.
Make sure Elden Ring (and on PC, start_protected_game.exe) is allowed through Windows Firewall and your antivirus.
On consoles, run the built-in connection test to confirm you're actually online.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Elden Ring server outages usually last?

Scheduled maintenance is normally an hour or two and FromSoftware announces it in advance on their socials.
Unplanned outages — common in the first day or two after a big patch or DLC drop, when everyone piles on at once — can take several hours to settle.
There's no way to force a connection during one; the offline game still works, so play that until the service comes back.