How to Fix Age of Empires 2 Stuck at Signing into Multiplayer Services

News: If you’re a passionate enthusiast of Age of Empires 2, you may have faced the exasperating challenge of getting trapped at the “Signing into Multiplayer Services” screen. However, worry not, as there exist multiple solutions to overcome this issue. This piece will delve into various effective techniques to resolve the Age of Empires 2 multiplayer services connection problem.

Check Your Internet Connection:

Begin by confirming the stability and functionality of your internet connection as the initial step. Occasionally, an unreliable connection can lead to complications with online services. Verify your internet status by attempting to access a webpage. If you face any problems, consider restarting your router or modem. To accomplish this, disconnect the power cord, wait for approximately 30 seconds, and then reconnect it. Allow the router or modem to completely power on before proceeding further.

Run the Game as an Administrator:

Granting administrative privileges to the game executable (AoE2DE_s.exe) or its desktop shortcut can potentially resolve permission-related hindrances that might impede the game’s access to online services. To do so, right-click on the game executable or desktop shortcut, choose “Run as administrator,” and then affirm any permission prompts by selecting “Yes.”

Verify Integrity of Game Files (PC Only):

Ensuring the accuracy of game files through verification can identify and rectify incorrect or missing data, potentially resolving obstacles that hinder the game’s smooth operation. To initiate this process:

1. Launch Steam and navigate to the Library section.
2. Right-click on Age of Empires 2 in the game list.
3. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
4. Go to the “Local Files” tab within the Properties window.
5. Click on the “Verify integrity of game files” option.

This action will prompt Steam to examine the game’s files, identifying any discrepancies and correcting them to maintain the integrity of the game data.

Update Windows:

To guarantee optimal performance, ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date, as updates often include fixes for network-related and compatibility issues that might impact online gameplay. Follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Go to “Settings.”
3. Select “Update & Security.”
4. Click on “Check for updates.”
5. Proceed to install any available updates.

Should your system prompt a restart after the updates are installed, it’s advisable to restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect and maximize compatibility improvements for your gaming experience.

Check for Server Issues:

Occasionally, the issue might not originate from your end but could be related to the game’s servers. To investigate this possibility:

1. Visit the official Age of Empires forums or their social media channels.
2. Check server status pages provided by the game’s developers or official sources.
3. Look for any announcements regarding server issues, maintenance schedules, or downtime.

These resources often provide updates about ongoing server problems, maintenance, or any known issues that might be affecting multiplayer services. Staying informed through these channels can help identify whether the problem lies with the game servers rather than your own setup.

Disable VPN or Proxy:

Sure, here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. For VPN:

   • Open Settings.
   • Click on “Network & Internet.”
   • Select “VPN.”
   • Find your active VPN connection and click on “Disconnect” to turn it off.

2. For Proxy:

   • In Settings, click on “Network & Internet.”
   • Choose “Proxy.”
   • Turn off “Automatically detect settings.”
   • Disable “Use a proxy server” under “Manual proxy setup.”

Disabling these services, such as VPN or proxy connections, can sometimes resolve issues that interfere with the game’s ability to connect to multiplayer services.

Sign In to Xbox Live:

Here are the steps you can take if you’re playing Age of Empires 2 through Steam:

1. Launch the game through Steam.
2. Once in the game, navigate to the main menu.
3. Look for the Xbox Live sign-in option.
4. Click on it and enter your Xbox Live credentials.
5. Ensure successful sign-in to access the game’s multiplayer services.

Sometimes, signing into Xbox Live from within the game can resolve any issues with online services, especially if you’re experiencing connectivity problems or difficulties accessing multiplayer features.

Use a VPN:

Some users have reported that using a VPN has helped them get past the Signing into multiplayer services screen. If you are comfortable with using a VPN, this might be worth a try. Subscribe to a VPN service, install the VPN app, log in to the app, and connect to a server.

Check Windows Services:

If you are receiving the signing into multiplayer services message and your internet is fine, it could be a Windows service causing the problem. Press the Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. In the Services window, find the relevant service (e.g., Xbox Live Networking Service), ensure the service is running, and set to Automatic.

Uninstall and Reinstall Age of Empires 2:

Here are the steps to reinstall Age of Empires 2, depending on your platform:

For PC:

1. Open Control Panel or Settings:

   • Go to “Programs” > “Programs and Features.”

2. Uninstall the game:

   • Find Age of Empires 2 in the list of installed programs.
   • Select it and choose to uninstall.

3. Restart your PC.

4. Reinstall from the original platform:

   • Use the platform where you initially acquired the game (e.g., Steam, Microsoft Store).
   • Download and reinstall Age of Empires 2.

For Xbox:

1. On your Xbox console:

   • Press the Xbox button on your controller.
   • Select “My games & apps.”

2. Uninstall the game:

   • Highlight Age of Empires 2.
   • Press the menu button on your controller.
   • Choose “Uninstall.”

3. Reinstall the game:

   • Find the game either under “Ready to install” or in the Xbox Store.
   • Select “Install” to reinstall Age of Empires 2.

Reinstalling the game ensures that all game files are in their default state, potentially resolving persistent issues that may have occurred due to corrupted files or other technical problems. Remember to back up any important in-game settings or profiles before uninstalling.

Contact Age of Empires 2 Support:

If you’ve exhausted all the troubleshooting steps without success, reaching out to the official support team for Age of Empires 2 is a prudent next step. Provide them with comprehensive details regarding the steps you’ve undertaken and any error messages encountered during the process.

In summary, facing the challenge of being stuck at the “Signing into Multiplayer Services” screen in Age of Empires 2 can indeed be frustrating. However, by diligently following the outlined steps in this guide, you enhance the likelihood of resolving the issue and ultimately experiencing uninterrupted gameplay. If further assistance is needed, contacting the game’s official support team ensures specialized help to address the problem.

FAQ:

What might be causing the persistent problem of being unable to progress past the “Signing into Multiplayer Services” screen in Age of Empires 2?

A: There are multiple potential causes for this problem, such as an unstable internet connection, permission limitations, server malfunctions, or interference from VPN or proxy services.

Could elevating the game’s privileges by running it as an administrator resolve the issue of connecting to multiplayer services?

A: Indeed, running the game as an administrator might grant the necessary permissions, enabling the game to access online services effectively.

Under what circumstances would it be advisable to contemplate uninstalling and then reinstalling Age of Empires 2?

A: If none of the alternative solutions prove effective, reinstalling the game could be a beneficial step to address persistent issues. This process ensures that all game files are reset to their default state, potentially resolving the problem.