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FIX: Dolphin Traversal Server connection error [Netplay]
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
If you’ve encountered a Dolphin TraversalServerconnection error, here’s where you can find out more about this issue, and probably even learn how to fix it.
Many Dolphin users complained about getting a TraversalServerconnection error message whenever they tried accessing Dolphin’s Netplay feature. The issue seems to be affecting more than just one user when it occurs.
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What is Dolphin?
Assuming you don’t want to find more about the aquatic mammal, Dolphin is an awesome emulator forNintendo‘s popular GameCube and Wii consoles. The emulator runs on Windows, Android, Linux, and macOS.
As you probably figured out by now, you can use Dolphin to play both GameCube and Wii commercial releases. Some would argue that Dolphin does more justice to these titles in terms of audio/video quality.
Is Dolphin legal?
Emulators are still in a somewhat gray area, but with Dolphin, things are quite different. The code of the emulator is perfectly legal, so this is good enough reason forNintendonot to pursue it and take it down.
You can rip your own Wii or GameCube discs and play the games using Dolphin. Downloading pirated games and playing them on Dolphin, on the other hand, is not legal and you may get in trouble for doing it.
Dolphin Netplay lets you go multiplayer
If some of the games you own are intended to be played in multiplayer mode, Dolphin has you covered. The Netplay feature lets you set up online sessions with your buddies, as long as the GameCube or Wii title has a local multiplayer mode.
The advantage of using Netplay is that you don’t need a Wi-Fi connection or a Broadband adapter to connect with your friends.
However, note that while the GameCube Netplay feature should be free of errors, the same thing can’t be said about the Wii one.
How to fix the Dolphin Traversal Server connection error?
1. Forward the required ports
If you host a Netplay session, you must head to your router’s management page (default gateway in your browser) and make sure you forward the required ports. This will ensure that your friends can connect to yourserver.
Note that you can use Direct Connect and TraversalServeras hosting methods. Reportedly, using TraversalServermight spare you the hassle of port forwarding, but that strictly depends on your router.
If this doesn’t seem to work, check if you’re not behind a double NAT.
2. Make sure you use the right Dolphin version
Getting the TraversalServerconnection error might also mean you’re not using the right version of Dolphin. The latest versions usually comprise fixes for Netplay, which might curb the occurrence of the Traversalservererror.
More so, you should check if you and your friends are using the same Dolphin version. By default, Dolphin won’t allow you to use different versions, so as to avoid compatibility issues and de-synchronizations.
3. Check your security software
Some security software (antivirus, firewalls) can get overzealous and block things they’re not supposed to. Check your firewall and make sure it doesn’t have any rules configured against Dolphin. If it does, just remove them.
The same goes for your antivirus. Some antivirus/antimalware services deem emulators as pure evil, so they keep them from being executed on the target computer. As a result, your ability to host/join Netplay sessions might be hampered.
Temporarily turn off your security software and try hosting/joining the Netplay session once more.
4. Use a VPN
PrivateInternetAccess is an excellentVPNservice brought to you by Kape Technologies. It’s one of the fewVPNservices that provides its customers with 24/7 live chat support.
Using aVPNcan sometimes fix connectivity issues, especially if your connection is limited, even by accident. If, for instance, your ISPblacklistsDolphin servers or ports, you can easily bypass this limitation by using aVPN.
Private Internet Access
The same goes fornetwork congestion. If there are a lot of users on your network, your connection can take a serious blow.
This, in turn, may impede your attempts to use some services, including Dolphin and its awesome Netplay feature.
It goes without saying that this fix won’t work every time. Sometimes, it’s actually the opposite, and you might need to switch yourVPNserveror close the service altogether to access certain services.
5. Flush your DNS
Cached data on your system can really mess up with your connectivity. To prevent that from happening, a little maintenance work is required from time to time.
For this scenario, flushing your DNS might just do the trick. If you have no idea what that means, don’t worry, we’ll show you exactly how to perform this task.
ipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /registerdnsipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewnetsh winsock resetexit
Now restart your PC, and once the boot sequence completes, launch Dolphin and check if there’s any improvement. Remember that flushing your DNS is not Dolphin-specific and could get you out of many more similar situations.
6. Wait it out
No service is perfect, and Dolphin might make no exception. Bugs, errors, and glitches happen from time to time, and you need to learn how to live with them. Until they get fixed, that is.
For instance, it so happens that a few years back, Dolphin’s TraversalServerfeature had a bug, andgot stuck in an infinite loop.
If that’s the case, you probably can’t do much about it, other than post on forums and ask what’s wrong.
Final thoughts on fixing Dolphin Traversal server connection error
To sum it up, if you planned on getting your game on with your peers on Dolphin and receive the infamous TraversalServerconnection error, don’t despair just yet.
There are a few fixes that could bring you Dolphin’s Netplay feature back in no time. Although some of these suggested fixes might seem feeble, you may want to try them all out before calling it quits.
Sometimes, even as little as restarting your PC could fix a seemingly impossible issue.
Last, but not least, aVPNcould save you from a lot of hassle, especially when it comes to connection issues.
However, note that these tools alone can’t do wonders, especially if the underlying issue is on your end, or on Dolphin’s developers’ side.
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More about the topics:emulator software,VPN
Vlad Constantinescu
Vlad might have a degree in Animal Husbandry and Livestock Management, but he’s currently rocking anything software related, ranging from testing programs to writing in-depth reviews about them.
He spent 3-4 years as a software editor at Softpedia and another year as a VPN specialist before he landed his current job as an author at Windows Report.
In his free time, Vlad enjoys playing guitar, doing jigsaw puzzles, researching cybersecurity, and even having a good read on rainy days.
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