If you’re into live streaming, video games, or e-sport competitions, then you’re likely familiar with the live broadcasting platform Twitch.tv.
If you’re anything like me, having Twitch up regularly is a great way to keep up with the latest news in the video gaming world. However, pulling up my favorite Twitch streamer can sometimes result in the infamous “There was a network error. Please try again. (Error #2000),” also known as the Twitch network error 2000.
This error can be frustrating and baffling since there are so many things that can cause it to pop up. So, let’s jump in and find out what it means, what causes it, and how to fix it.
What Does The Twitch Network Error 2000 Mean & What Does It Look Like?
While the Twitch network error 2000 is a very broad and non-specific error message, there are several reasons it pops up. In most cases, it means that there was a problem connecting to Twitch’s servers, and so Twitch returns the error message: “There was a network error. Please try again. (Error #2000)”.
You may also have a screen that is accompanied by the loading icon in your browser tab, and the content you’re trying to stream may become “temporarily unavailable” and cut to a blank/black screen. Unfortunately, this error is a widespread issue that can happen on most browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft’s Edge.
What Are The Causes Behind The Twitch Network Error 2000?
Several causes can trigger the Twitch network error 2000, including any of the following:
- Internet Connection Issues: Twitch requires a strong and stable connection for the streaming service to work properly. Having a weak internet service provider, being on Wi-Fi, or having an unstable home network can all cause the Twitch network error 2000.
- Browser Cache or Cookie Troubles: If you’re using an outdated browser or one that has a corrupted cache, or is full of stored cookies, this can lead to a slower internet connection. It may even fail entirely to establish a connection with Twitch. If Twitch runs fine in incognito mode, or on another browser, this could be the reason.
- Conflicts With Antivirus or Browser Extensions: In some cases, the Twitch network error 2000 can be caused by third-party browser extensions that are interfering with the website. It could also be your antivirus software that is blocking Twitch entirely. The easiest way to find out if the problem stems from one of these is to disable the browser extensions one-by-one, and temporarily turn off your antivirus software.
Why Do I Get The Twitch 2000 Network Error When I Load a VOD?
If you’re trying to watch a Twitch VOD (video on demand), and you receive the Twitch network error 2000 message, this is most likely because the VOD is still processing. In general, it can take up to 24 hours for a VOD to be ready and watchable after a stream has ended. So, if you’re trying to watch a VOD that is less than 24 hours old, please wait a bit longer and try again.
8 Ways to Fix The Twitch Network Error 2000
To help you get back to your favorite streamers and the content they create, try out any of the solutions below to resolve the Twitch network error 2000. The fixes will be in order from the easiest to implement, to the more complex and time-consuming.
1. Reload or Refresh the Stream
If you believe the Twitch network error 2000 is occurring because of an internal glitch server-side on Twitch’s end, then simply refreshing or reloading the stream may be the quickest way to fix the problem. To refresh your browser, click on the circular arrow icon in the top left-hand corner of your browser.
2. Restart Your Browser/Switch Browser
If reloading the stream doesn’t work, another super easy fix is to simply close down your internet browser and restart it. If your internet browser is out of date, restarting it will update it if you have the automatic updates turned on. This may solve the error message completely.
Otherwise, you may want to try switching browsers to see if another one works. If another works, then you know it was your initial browser that was causing the error. If it is your initial browser causing the error to pop up, then move on to solutions 4 and 5 below to resolve the Twitch network error 2000 on your preferred browser.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
If reloading the stream and switching browsers don’t work, check your internet connection. An unstable or poor connection to the internet can cause the Twitch network error 2000 to pop up, as live streaming takes up a ton of bandwidth.
We recommend here to close out everything except a single browser tab, and then use an internet speed test to see what kind of connection you’re getting. Once you know, write it down and compare it with what your internet service provider guarantees for the amount you are paying for. If it is low-speed, you might want to contact your ISP to either upgrade your package or have a technician come over and replace an old line.
You can also try restarting the modem or router that your computer is connected to, as this can sometimes help too. To do this, find the power cord for the modem or router, unplug it from the power outlet, and then plug it back in after about 30 seconds.
4. Disable Ad Blockers or Extensions
As we briefly mentioned, in some cases, ad blockers or other browser extensions can interfere with live streaming and cause the Twitch network error 2000 to appear.
To check if this is the case, disable all ad blockers and other extensions that are running in the browser and then reload the Twitch stream. If the problem is solved, then you know that one of those extensions was causing the issue. You can turn them back on one at a time to find out which was conflicting with Twitch. Here is how to disable extensions on Google Chrome.
- Launch a new Google Chrome window.
- Click on the 3 dots in the top right corner.
- Choose the More Tools – Extensions.
- In the Extensions tab, disable all by toggling them off.
- Refresh Twitch to see if you get the network error message.
Note: turning off extensions for all internet browsers work similarly to the noted steps above.
5. Clear Your Browser’s Cache/Cookies/History
Another potential solution to the Twitch network error 2000 is to clear your browser’s cache, cookies, and history. This can help because sometimes web browsers can get bogged down with too much data, and this data can interfere with how the browser works.
For Google Chrome/Mozilla Firefox/Microsoft Edge:
- Click on the 3 dots in the top right-hand corner (Chrome) or the hamburger menu in the top right (Firefox).
- Choose the settings from the drop-down list.
- Click on the Privacy & Security Option (left-hand sidebar).
- Scroll down until you see an option for Clearing Browser Data.
- Click on Clear Data or Clear Browsing Data.
- In the new tab that opens, choose to clear the browsing data, cookies, and cached data. This is found under the basic tab. On Chrome, there is an option for more Advanced Selections if you’d like.
- Now move on to the “Time Range” and make sure to choose “All Time”.
- Then hit the clear data button and wait.
Once it is done clearing, close down the tab completely and open a new tab and try to stream Twitch again.
6. Temporarily Disable Antivirus.
In some cases, your antivirus software or firewall can interfere with Twitch and cause the Twitch network error 2000 to appear. If you have antivirus software or a firewall, try to disable it temporarily and then reload the Twitch stream. If the problem is solved, then you know that one of those was causing the issue.
If you still want to use antivirus software or a firewall, then you can try to whitelist Twitch. This means that you allow the software or firewall to run on Twitch, but not on any other websites.
7. Disable Your VPN
There are a lot of Twitch streamers out there who have partnerships with top-of-the-line VPN providers. Sadly, even VPNs can sometimes cause the Twitch network error 2000 to pop up.
Typically, lower-quality VPNs will block high-traffic content in an effort to make you pay for their more premium service or add-on features. So, keep in mind that if you are running a VPN, try disabling it and loading Twitch to see if it is the cause of the error message. If it is, you may need to run Twitch without a VPN or you may need to switch VPN providers.
8. Flush Your DNS to Resolve Network & Connectivity Issues
If you’re still having issues, you can try to flush your DNS. While it’s not complicated, it does involve using the Command Prompt feature on your Windows computer. So, if you’re not comfortable doing it, skip this option.
- Press the Windows Key + S.
- In the Start Menu that pops up, type in CMD or Command Prompt.
- Run it as an administrator.
- When the CMD loads up, type in the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns
- Allow the command to execute and then close the CMD.
This will ensure that you’re not having any network issues that cause the Twitch network error 2000 message.
Twitch Network Error 2000 Solved!
While Twitch as a live streaming platform has completely revolutionized on-demand entertainment, fielding 140 million active users across 9.2 million active streamers monthly, can be a challenge. Its immense size doesn’t keep it safe from technical errors and mishaps.
If you’re a regular Twitch viewer, and you’ve come across the Twitch network error 2000, let us know in the comments section below. Kindly share with us too how you resolved the problem!
Please note: If you’re still using the Twitch Desktop App, it was discontinued as of April 2022 and can no longer be used to watch Twitch streams.
