How to fix An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host Minecraft

by Tashreef Shareef

Tashreef Shareef is a software developer turned tech writer. He discovered his interest in technology after reading a tech magazine accidentally. Now he writes about everything tech from... read more

Updated on March 8, 2022

• Seein the Minecraft an existing connection was forcibly closed error will stop you in your tracks while playing the game.
• To start fixing this problem, disable Windows Firewall and add Java SE Binary to the exception list.
• Explore our thorough PC Games Hub for more interesting and useful information.
• Don't forget to check out our detailed Minecraft section for more useful tips and tricks for Minecraft. 

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When trying to log in or access your Minecraft server, you may encounter the ‘An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host’ error. The full error reads:

Connection Lost
Internal Exception: java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host

This error can occur due to multiple reasons, and the solution will vary accordingly. The common reasons for the error include firewall blocking the connection, internet connection, and router issues.

In this article, we take a look at some of the common solutions to help you resolve an existing connection that was forcibly closed by the remote host error on your Minecraft server.

Why am I getting Connection closed message in Minecraft Bedrock?

If you encounter No Internet connection error in Minecraft, your connection will be forcibly closed. There are numerous reasons for this, but the most likely are the server issues.

If the Minecraft server isn’t working, you might have to contact the administrator and report the issue so it can be fixed.

It’s also possible that Minecraft failed to authenticate your connection, and if that happens, make sure that your credentials are correct and that nothing is blocking the software.

How do I fix the Minecraft server error java.io.ioexception?

1. Turn off Windows Firewall

1. Click on Start and select Settings.
2. Open Update and Security.
3. Click on Windows Security.
4. Scroll down and click on Firewall and network protection.
5. Click on your currently active network.
6. Toggle the switch to turn off the Windows Firewall.
7. Once disabled, launch Minecraft to see if the error is resolved.

If the error is fixed, disable public access for Java™ Platform SE Binary. Here is how to do it.

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
3. In the Control Panel, go to System and Security.
4. Open Windows Defender Firewall.
5. Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall link from the left pane.
6. Locate Java™ Platform SE Binary.
7. Check the Private box for the option. If there is more than one option for Java Platform, mark all of them as Private.
8. Click OK to save the changes.
9. Reboot the computer and try to connect to the server to see if the error is resolved.

2. Change server-side view distance

1. Stop the server if running.
2. Click on Files.
3. Select Cong Files.
4. Select Server Settings.
5. Locate the View Distance option.
6. Change it to 4.
7. Scroll down and click Save to apply the changes.
8. Start your server and check for any improvements.

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Lowering the server view distance seems to have worked for multiple users. However, if the issue persists, lowering the player’s render distance to lower settings can help as well. You can change it in the video settings.

3. Chane your IPv4 DNS address

1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
2. Type control and click OK.
3. In Control Panel, go to Network and Internet.
4. Click on Change Adapter Settings from the left pane.
5. Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties.
6. Scroll down and double-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
7. Select Use the following DNS server addresses option.
8. Enter the following in the Preferred and Alternate DNS server field, respectively:
   8.8.8.8
   8.8.4.4
9. Click OK to save the changes.

Apart from the Google DNS server address mentioned above, you can also use other third-party, public DNS server address if you want. Try starting your server and check if the error is resolved.

4. Check your network for issues

If you have a smartphone with cellular data, create a WiFi hotspot on your phone and then connect your computer to the network. Try connecting to the Minecraft server and check if the issue is resolved.

If you are able to connect to the Minecraft server through the hotspot, the issue is mostly with your home network.

Restart your home network

1. Make sure the router or modem is powered on.
2. Pull the power from the router to turn it off.
3. Disconnect the ethernet cable.
4. Leave the device idle for a few minutes.
5. Reconnect the Ethernet cable and power on the router.
6. Wait for all the LED indicators on the router to stop blinking.
7. Connect your computer to the network and check if the error is resolved.

If the issue persists, try contacting your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to see if they can help with the issue.

5. Reinstall Java

1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
2. Type control and click OK.
3. Click on Uninstall a program.
4. Select Java from the list of installed apps.
5. Click on Uninstall.
6. Once uninstalled, download and install the latest version of Java.
7. Reboot the computer and check for any improvements.

6. Reinstall Minecraft

1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
3. Select Minecraft from the list of installed apps.
4. Click on Uninstall. Click OK to confirm the action.
5. Once uninstalled, download and reinstall the latest version of Minecraft.

The existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host when accessing the Minecraft server error can occur if your firewall is blocking the connection. In some instances, incompatible versions of Java, as well as issues with your home network, can cause the problem.

Follow all the steps in the article one by one to fix the error. Do let us know which method helped you resolve the issue in the comments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• How do you fix Minecraft an existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host?

  To fix the error, go to Start > Update and Security and disable Windows Firewall. Next, add Java™ Platform SE Binary to the white list. You may also want to check your home network for issues.

• What does an existing connection was forcibly closed mean?

  This error occurs when the client and the host fail to establish a connection. According to Minecraft, the error occurs due to issues with the user’s computer and not their servers.

• What does Java IO IOException mean?

  Java IO IOException usually indicates a failure in input and output operation. In Minecraft, the error occurs if the user’s computer fails to connect to the Minecraft server.

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