12 Fixes for Minecraft An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by Remote Host Error

Minecraft is a very popular online multiplayer game without any doubts. And so, its server is always busy which leads the gamers to struggle with several issues and errors from time to time. Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host indicates there is an issue with your internet connection and it is failing to connect to the Minecraft server. Many users manage to fix Connection Lost Internal Exception: java.io.IOException problem by disabling the security programs installed on their computers. Yet, there are a few other troubleshooting hacks that help you fix an existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host Minecraft error on your PC.

How to Fix Minecraft An Existing Connection was Forcibly Closed by Remote Host Error

You may be clueless why Connection Lost Internal Exception may occur on your Windows 10 PC. Before applying any troubleshooting methods, you must know why the problem occurs. Here are a few possible reasons that cause the discussed problem.

• Unnecessary programs running in the background are conflict with Minecraft
• Connectivity issues from the server
• Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the URL or program
• Outdated or faulty graphics drivers
• Corrupt cache files in the host file
• Conflicts within the app and server maintenance activity

Now, you know the reasons that cause Minecraft an existing connection was forcibly closed on startup issue. Move ahead to the next section to find the troubleshooting methods.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some basic troubleshooting methods that will help you attain a fix for Minecraft errors with simple hacks.

1. Use Official Minecraft Launcher

In case, if you are using a third-party launcher to open Minecraft, it may cause a Minecraft connection issue. Always use the official launcher to log in to Minecraft. Also, make sure you use the updated version of Minecraft to avoid any errors.

2. Clear Browser Cache

If you face Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host Windows 10 issue in any browser, try using a different browser. Open a new tab in some other browser and navigate to Minecraft.net. Login using your credentials. If you did not face any errors in a new browser, clear browsing history, and cache in your primary browser.

3. Verify Server Status

Despite Minecraft does not have any official status page, you can check its status on the Twitter support account. If there is any problem with the Connection Lost Internal Exception issue, you can find the same on this page. Also, if there are any server maintenance activities, you may face the same problem.

1. Visit the Mojang Status page on Twitter.

2. Check if there are no issues associated with Minecraft.

3. Also, check Reddit and Minecraft.net and look whether all other users have reported about the problem.

4. If you find any server or maintenance activities, you have no other options than to wait.

4. Restart Minecraft launcher

As a basic troubleshooting method, try restarting the Minecraft launcher. That is log out of your Minecraft account and then log in again after a while. This workaround is pretty simple and here are a few steps to restart the launcher.

1. Firstly, click on LOG OUT in your Minecraft account as depicted.

3. Now, right-click on the empty space in Taskbar.

4. In the Processes tab of the Task Manager window, search and select the Minecraft tasks that are running in the background.

5. Then, click on End task at the top right corner of the window.

6. Reboot your computer.

7. LOG IN again with your credentials.

Now check if you have fixed An existing connection was forcibly closed issue.

Also Read: How to Get Windows 10 Minecraft Edition for Free

5. Re-login to Microsoft Account Again

To avoid Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host issue, signing in again into your Microsoft account might help you a lot. This will fix all the account synchronization issues and you can try the following instructions to do the same.

1. Navigate to the search menu and type Microsoft Store. Then, click on Open.

2. Now, click on your profile icon and then select the Sign out option.

3. Now, click on Sign in as shown.

4. Now, select your Microsoft account and click on the Continue button.

5. Type the login credentials and sign in back to your Microsoft account.

6. Disable Antivirus Temporarily (if Applicable)

One other possible reason that causes the discussed Minecraft issue is your security suite. When your antivirus programs detect Minecraft files and folders as a threat, you will face several conflicts. So, read our guide on How to Disable Antivirus Temporarily on Windows 10 and follow the instructions to disable your Antivirus program temporarily on your PC.

After fixing the discussed Minecraft issue on your Windows 10 PC, make sure to re-enable the antivirus program since a system without a security suite is always a threat.

7. Disable Proxy Server

If any inappropriate network settings are contributing to the Connection Lost Internal Exception, they could be resolved by resetting the network. Few users make sure of proxy servers to hide their network identity. But this may contribute to several issues with applications and programs on your computer.

Read our guide How to Disable VPN and Proxy on Windows 10 and implement the steps as instructed in the article.

After disabling the VPN client and proxy servers, check if you have fixed the discussed issue in your account. Still, if you did not attain any fix, try connecting to a mobile hotspot.

8. Update Windows OS

All the bugs and faulty updates in your computer can be fixed by Windows updates. Microsoft releases frequent updates to fix all these problems.

Hence, make sure whether you are using the updated version of the Windows Operating System and if any updates are pending in action, use our guide How to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update

After updating your Windows Operating System, check if you have fixed Minecraft connection issue.

Also Read: Fix Windows Found Drivers for Your Device but Encountered an Error

9. Update GPU Drivers

Being a graphically intensive game, your graphics driver is essentially important for your gaming experience. If the drivers are outdated or faulty, make sure you update them. You can search for the newest releases of drivers from its official websites, or you can update them manually.

Follow our guide 4 Ways to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 10 to update your driver and check if you have fixed the issue.

10. Roll Back GPU Drivers

Sometimes, the current version of GPU drivers may cause any launching conflicts and in this case, you have to restore previous versions of installed drivers. This process is called rollback of drivers and you can easily roll back your computer drivers to their previous state by following our guide How to Rollback Drivers on Windows 10.

11. Reinstall GPU Drivers

If you still face Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host after updating your GPU drivers, then reinstall device drivers to fix any incompatibility issues. There are several ways to reinstall drivers on your computer. Yet, you can easily reinstall Graphical drivers as instructed in our guide How to Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers on Windows 10.

After reinstalling GPU drivers, check if you can access Minecraft without any errors.

Method 1: Launch Minecraft as Administrator

You must need administrative rights to access a few features of Minecraft. Hence, you are advised to launch Minecraft with administrator privileges as instructed below.

1. Right-click on the Minecraft shortcut on the desktop or navigate the installation directory and right-click on it.

2. Now, click on Properties.

3. In the Properties window, switch to the Compatibility tab.

4. Now, check the box Run this program as an administrator.

5. Finally, click on Apply and OK to save the changes.

Method 2: End Incompatible Background Processes

If there are so many incompatible programs like AVG Antivirus, BitDefender, ByteFence, Comcast Constant Guard, Comodo Internet Security, ESET Antivirus, Kaspersky Internet Security, Lavasoft Ad-aware Web Companion, McAfee Anti-virus / Intel Security, Norton Antivirus, PCKeeper / MacKeeper, Reason Security, Webroot SecureAnywhere, ZoneAlarm Firewall that will interfere with Minecraft. If you have any of these applications on your computer try to disable them as instructed in our guide on How to End Task in Windows 10.

Also Read: Fix Exit Code 0 Minecraft on Windows 10

Method 3: Delete Windows Store Cache

Removing the Microsoft Store cache will fix an existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host Minecraft error. This can be executed by executing a simple command. Follow the below-mentioned instructions to implement the same.

1. Press and hold Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialog box.

2. Now, type wsreset.exe and hit Enter.

Ensure you have fixed the discussed issue.

Method 4: Disable 3D Display Mode Feature (NVIDIA)

Still, if you are annoyed with Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host, it may be due to incompatible settings associated with your graphics card. If you are using higher-end graphical cards you will see 3D Display Mode settings. You are advised to disable this feature as instructed below.

1. Press the Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.

2. Now, click on System as shown.

3. From the left pane, click on Display and scroll down to the right screen. Then, click on Advanced display settings as shown.

4. Now, look for the Advanced display settings feature and turn off this option. Check if you can fix the discussed issue. If not, please move ahead to the next troubleshooting method.

Also Read: Fix Minecraft Black Screen in Windows 10

Method 5: Disable SLI Mode (NVIDIA)

Scalable Link Interface (SLI) is developed by NVIDIA to couple two graphics cards to deliver a single output. This increases the processing power of your computer yet it develops bugs in Windows 10 PC as well. When two or more graphics cards are enabled on your computer, you will face the Connection Lost Internal Exception issue. Follow the below-mentioned instructions to disable this feature.

1. Right-click on any empty space on your Desktop and then select NVIDIA Control Panel.

2. In the next screen, please check the Set SLI configuration link which is under the 3D settings menu.

Method 6: Disable Stereoscopic 3D (For NVIDIA Graphics)

Several graphics cards in your computer may come with a Stereoscopic 3D features but your games may not be compatible with them. As a result, you may face Connection Lost Internal Exception: java.io.IOException issue. Here are a few instructions to disable this feature.

1. Disable the antivirus program in your Windows 10 computer as instructed above.

2. Now, go to the search menu and type Control Panel. Then hit Enter.

3. Now, click on Uninstall a program as shown.

4. Then, right-click on Stereoscopic 3D and click on Uninstall as shown.

5. Wait until the program is uninstalled on your PC and reboot your computer. Also, ensure that this option is deleted from NVIDIA Control Panel.

Also Read: Fix Minecraft Server Can’t Keep Up

Method 7: Set Anti-aliasing Values to Default

If you have accidentally changed your anti-aliasing settings from their default values, you will face Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host issue. Yet, you can easily bring back the settings to default values by following the below-mentioned instructions.

1. Exit from Minecraft processes and press Windows + E keys together to open Windows Explorer.

2. Then, paste the following path into the navigation path and hit Enter.

%LocalAppData%PackagesMicrosoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalStategamescom.mojangminecraftpe

Note: If Windows cannot find the mentioned location, skip to the next troubleshooting method.

4. Now, open the options.txt file.

5. Finally, find the following entry and set the value to 4 as gfx_msaa:4

Check if you have fixed Connection Lost Internal Exception issue.

Method 8: Change DNS Address

Several users have suggested that switching to Google DNS addresses may help you fix an existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host Minecraft error. If you launch Minecraft properly and facing a black empty screen, follow our guide to change the DNS address. This will help you fix all DNS (Domain Name System) problems so you can launch the game without any hustles.

After changing your DNS address, check if you can launch existing connection was forcibly closed issue or not.

Also Read: 6 Ways to Fix Minecraft Error Unable to Save Download

Method 9: Remove Minecraft Entries from Hosts File

If the hosts file has edited entries of Minecraft.net or Mojang domain, you will face Connection Lost Internal Exception issue. Hence, you have to remove the entries to resolve the same. Here are a few instructions to remove Minecraft entries.

1. Press Windows + E keys together to open Windows Explorer.

2. Now, switch to the View tab and check the Hidden items box in the Show/hide section.

3. Now, copy and paste the following path into the navigation path of File Explorer.

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

4. Now, select and right-click on the hosts file and select the Open with option as shown.

5. Now, select the Notepad option from the list and click on OK as depicted.

6. Now, the hosts file will be opened in Notepad as follows.

7. Now, click on Ctrl + F keys to open Find window. Here, type Minecraft in the Find what tab and click on Find Next as shown.

8. If you did not get any search results, it means you do not have any corrupt Minecraft files on your PC. If you find the Minecraft section, right-click on it and delete them.

9. Now, save the file by clicking on Ctrl + S keys together.

10. Exit Notepad and check if you have fixed check if you have fixed the discussed Minecraft problem.

Method 10: Reset Microsoft Store

Clearing all the data and corrupt cache associated with Minecraft is made possible by resetting Microsoft Store. This method is much more drastic than clearing the Microsoft Store cache (as instructed in Method 3), but it does not delete any apps and games installed already.

1. Hit the Windows key and type Microsoft Store.

2. Now, select the App settings option as highlighted.

3. Now, scroll down the Settings screen and click on the Reset option as highlighted.

Note: Your app data will be deleted while resetting Microsoft Store.

4. Now, confirm the prompt by clicking on Reset and rebooting your computer.

Also Read: What Does Error Code 1 Mean on Minecraft? How to Fix it

Method 11: Reinstall Minecraft

If none of the methods has helped you, then as a last chance, uninstall the software, reboot your PC and then reinstall it later. Here are a few steps regarding the same.

1. Press and hold Windows + I keys together to open Windows Settings.

2. Now, click on Apps.

3. Now, search and click on Minecraft Launcher and select Uninstall option.

4. Now, confirm the prompt if any, and reboot your PC once you have uninstalled Minecraft.

5. Visit the Minecraft Launcher official site and click on the DOWNLOAD FOR WINDOWS 10/11 button as depicted.

6. Now, navigate to My downloads and run the MinecraftInstaller setup file.

7. Click on Next button in the Microsoft Launcher Setup window.

8. Then, click on the Next button after choosing the Destination Folder.

9. Finally, click on Install button.

Here, you have reinstalled the Minecraft launcher on your computer. It would have fixed all the issues associated with the app.

Also Read: 27 Best Free Modded Minecraft Server Hosting Websites

Method 12: Switch to Old Minecraft Launcher

This method is a proven workaround to fix Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host in your Windows 10 PC. This involves installing the older version of Minecraft and the instructions to implement the same are listed below.

1. Navigate to the official Minecraft download website.

2. Now, click on Download for Windows 7/8 under NEED A DIFFERENT FLAVOR? menu as shown.

3. Now, wait until the software gets downloaded to your device and run the Setup file in My downloads to install the same.

4. Cancel any prompts and follow the on-screen instructions to install the previous version of Minecraft.

You can also raise a ticket to reach out to Minecraft support.

Recommended:

We hope that this guide was helpful and you could fix Minecraft An existing connection was forcibly closed by remote host on your device. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below. Let us know which topic you want us to explore next.