So you’ve finally installed Little Nightmares III — ready to enter the eerie world of Low and Alone — but instead of stepping into the Spiral, you’re greeted with a dreaded “Connection Error” or “Network Issue” message.
Don’t worry — you’re not alone (pun intended). Many players have faced similar issues after launch, especially when connecting to servers, co-op sessions, or syncing data through Steam.
This comprehensive guide explains every possible solution, from simple Wi-Fi resets to advanced Windows and DNS tweaks. Whether you’re trying to start the single-player mode or join a co-op friend, follow these steps carefully and you’ll be back exploring the nightmare in no time.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide involves changes to Windows network settings and security options. Follow the steps exactly as written and restart your system after major changes.
1️⃣ Reconnect or Switch Your Network
Let’s start with the simplest fix — reconnecting your network. Sometimes Little Nightmares III can’t reach its servers due to a temporary network glitch or Wi-Fi instability.
Here’s what to do:
Disconnect your PC from Wi-Fi.
Turn Wi-Fi off, wait 10–15 seconds, and turn it back on.
Reconnect to your network and launch Little Nightmares III again.
If the issue persists, try switching to a different connection — for example, your mobile hotspot:
Enable mobile data on your phone.
Turn on Personal Hotspot.
On your PC, connect to your phone’s Wi-Fi.
Open Little Nightmares III and test the connection.
If it works on mobile data, your main router or ISP is likely blocking the game’s ports.
2️⃣ Perform a Full Power Cycle
Still facing issues? It’s time to give your hardware a short nap. Power cycling clears cached network data and fixes most routing errors.
Follow these steps:
Shut down your PC completely.
Unplug the power cable.
Turn off your Wi-Fi router and unplug it as well.
Wait at least 60 seconds.
Reconnect the router, wait until it fully boots.
Plug your PC back in and restart.
Launch Little Nightmares III again.
A power cycle often fixes “can’t connect to co-op server” or “connection lost” issues without changing any settings.
Sometimes the DNS servers provided by your ISP fail to resolve Little Nightmares III’s online servers correctly. Switching to a global DNS like Google or Cloudflare can fix this.
Use Google DNS:
Open Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
Click your active network → Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties.
Choose Use the following DNS server addresses and enter:
Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8
Alternate DNS: 8.8.4.4
Tick Validate settings upon exit → OK.
Or Cloudflare DNS (faster for some players):
Preferred DNS: 1.1.1.1
Alternate DNS: 1.0.0.1
Restart your PC and try launching Little Nightmares III again. Many players report immediate success after switching DNS servers.
4️⃣ Disable IPv6 Temporarily
Little Nightmares III uses a standard IPv4 handshake for most online activity. If IPv6 is active, it can occasionally confuse the routing path.
Go to Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center.
Click your active connection → Properties.
Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
Click OK and restart the game.
If it starts connecting normally, IPv6 was likely the problem. You can re-enable it later for normal browsing.
5️⃣ Run Little Nightmares III as Administrator
Sometimes the game fails to reach its servers because it lacks the required system permissions, especially when installed under Program Files.
Here’s how to fix it:
Open Steam → go to your Library.
Right-click Little Nightmares III → Manage → Browse local files.
In the game folder, right-click LittleNightmaresIII.exe → Run as administrator.
To make it permanent:
Right-click the file → Properties → Compatibility.
Check Run this program as an administrator → Apply → OK.
Now launch the game again. Many co-op connection errors vanish with this single step.
6️⃣ Allow Little Nightmares III Through Firewall and Antivirus
Windows Firewall or antivirus tools sometimes block Little Nightmares III’s online access, treating it as an unknown application.
Step 1 – Allow through Firewall
Open Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall.
Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Select Change settings → Allow another app.
Browse to the installation folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Little Nightmares III
Add LittleNightmaresIII.exe and tick both Private and Public boxes.
Click OK.
Step 2 – Allow through Windows Security (Ransomware Protection)
Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection.
Scroll down → Manage ransomware protection.
Click Allow an app through controlled folder access → Yes.
Add both the main .exe and the one under Win64 (if applicable).
If you use antivirus software like BitDefender, Norton, or McAfee, add these same .exe files to their “Exceptions” or “Allowlist.”
7️⃣ Run Network Reset Commands in CMD
If Little Nightmares III still fails to connect, the issue may be in your Windows network stack. Resetting it often resolves hidden socket or DNS errors.
Follow these carefully:
Search cmd → right-click Command Prompt → Run as administrator.
Execute these commands one by one (press Enter after each):
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /renew
Once finished, restart your PC.
Launch Little Nightmares III again.
This refreshes your system’s network configuration and clears any corrupt entries preventing the game from reaching servers.
8️⃣ Check VPN or Proxy Settings
Some players use VPNs to connect to different regions or improve ping — but occasionally these tools interfere with Little Nightmares III’s co-op session authentication.
Try the following:
If you use a VPN, turn it off and re-launch the game.
If you’re not using one, try enabling a reputable VPN and select a nearby region (e.g., same country as your Steam account).
If disabling or enabling VPN changes the result, your ISP or region’s routing is likely blocking the default server path.
9️⃣ Try a Wired (Ethernet) Connection
While Wi-Fi is convenient, it’s also prone to packet loss — a major cause of failed server handshakes.
If your PC has an Ethernet port:
Connect it directly to your router using a LAN cable.
Disable Wi-Fi temporarily.
Launch Little Nightmares III again.
This eliminates signal fluctuations that can cause “Lost connection to co-op partner” or “Server not responding” messages.
🔟 Verify Date, Time, and Region Settings
Little Nightmares III uses timestamp verification when connecting to online sessions. If your system clock is incorrect, the handshake may fail.
Steps to fix it:
Right-click the clock on the taskbar → Adjust date and time.
Turn ON Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically.
Click Sync now — if you see a red error, click again until it succeeds.
In Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region, confirm your correct country.
Now reopen Steam and try the game again.
11️⃣ Verify or Repair Little Nightmares III Game Files
If the above steps don’t help, the problem could be a missing or corrupt network dependency in the game files.
To repair via Steam:
Open Steam → Library.
Right-click Little Nightmares III → Properties.
Select Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
Wait for Steam to complete the scan.
Once it’s done, restart Steam and the game.
Corrupted or incomplete files often cause launcher errors or failed co-op logins.
💬 FAQs
Q1. Why does my game connect only on hotspot but not home Wi-Fi? Your router or ISP is likely blocking specific ports. Contact your ISP or reboot your router with factory settings.
Q2. Do these fixes work for co-op disconnections too? Yes. Most co-op errors (“Can’t join friend’s game,” “Connection lost”) are caused by DNS or firewall conflicts fixed by the steps above.
Q3. Can I safely disable IPv6 or change DNS? Yes, both are reversible and safe. They simply change how your PC resolves network requests — not your overall internet security.
Q4. Should I reinstall the game? Reinstalling should be your last resort. Always try verifying game files before a full reinstall.
Q5. Is this related to Steam’s server outage? If all online games are failing, check Steam Status — sometimes the issue lies with Valve’s servers.
🎮 Final Thoughts
Little Nightmares III might transport players into surreal horror worlds, but a “Connection Error” on your PC can feel like a nightmare of its own. Thankfully, it’s almost always a local configuration issue — not the game itself.
By working through these steps — changing DNS, disabling IPv6, running as admin, verifying files, and checking firewall permissions — you’ll solve 90% of connection problems.
Once fixed, you can return to what matters: exploring the haunting beauty of the Spiral with Low and Alone, and experiencing the eerie co-op moments the developers intended.
💡 Pro Tip: After major Windows or network updates, revisit your firewall and DNS settings — they sometimes reset automatically.
Jonathan is a US-based gaming journalist with more than 10 years in the industry. He has written for online magazines and covered topics ranging from PC performance benchmarks to emulator testing. His expertise lies in connecting hardware reviews with real gaming performance, helping readers choose the best setups for play.
