If one is an avid Dota 2 player, their gaming streak might be abruptly interrupted when Dota 2's servers go down.
Competitive Dota 2 players often aim to fit in as many matches as possible before ending the day. However, plans can change quickly once errors like “connected to the Dota 2 game coordinator logging in” appear, signaling that Dota 2’s servers are offline.
Dedicated players might feel lost when Dota 2 servers are down. Fortunately, Valve usually fixes server issues within an hour.
Why is Dota 2 Down?
Dota 2 servers typically go down when Valve pushes out a new update or takes down the game’s matchmaking services for maintenance. Since Dota 2 uses Valve’s dedicated servers, server issues can stem from Steam-related problems or external issues. If any of Valve’s services go down, Dota 2 is likely to follow, causing the infamous “Dota 2 Game Coordinator is down” error. Connectivity issues on your end might also cause these problems.
How to Check Dota 2’s Server Status
The best way to check Dota 2’s server status is through community hubs like Reddit and other community-reliant detectors. When Dota 2’s servers are down, players report issues on these platforms.
Dota 2 Server Outage Reports
Dota 2 players use buttons to indicate server problems, and the results are reflected in graphs. If you see a spike in reports, it indicates that Dota 2’s servers are down.
How to Check the Server Status of All Steam Services
Dota 2 can go down alongside Steam, so it’s also useful to check Steam services’ server status. Steamstat.us is an excellent tool for monitoring Steam’s database.
Once on the main page, focus on two sections: the Dota 2 Game Coordinator (API) and Steam Community. If the first is down, you can’t queue for a match. If the Steam Community is down, most Steam services will be affected, including chat and Dota 2.
Steam Service Status Interface
If the Dota 2 Game Coordinator and Steam Community are up, check the servers in your region by city names. If servers in your region are down or under maintenance, you can queue in a different region, though your ping will be higher.
If the servers are down, wait for them to come back online. Steam services usually go down every Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm CT for maintenance, lasting about 10 minutes.
What to Do If Dota 2 Servers Are "Up" But You Can’t Play
If the servers are up, but you can’t queue for a match, there might be a connection issue on your end. Before troubleshooting, check for pending updates for Dota 2 and Steam. Verify the integrity of your game files to ensure they aren’t corrupt.
1) Restart Your Router and Computer
Restarting your router re-establishes the connection between your end and Valve’s servers, potentially fixing any issues. Restarting your computer simultaneously can resolve software-related bugs.
2) Troubleshoot Your DNS Configuration
If restarting didn’t help, change your DNS settings. Default DNS servers provided by ISPs can go down; switching to a commercially available DNS can help troubleshoot.
3) Try a Cabled Connection or a Mobile Hotspot
Switching to a wired connection or mobile hotspot can help troubleshoot your connection. If an Ethernet cable works, continue using it until your Wi-Fi is fixed. If you can only connect via a mobile hotspot, contact your ISP.
4) Contact Your ISP
As a last resort, contact your ISP and Valve. ISP operators have tools to check your network status and can reset or guide you through additional troubleshooting. If all else fails, submit a support ticket to Valve, detailing all the troubleshooting methods you’ve tried to avoid redundant suggestions.
By following these steps, you can determine the status of Dota 2's servers and troubleshoot any connectivity issues you might face.