# Unable to connect to shared realms - Server Handler Error Error **URL:** \ **Category:** Wicked Bug Reporting\ **Tags:** technical-issues, co-op\ **Created:** [December 30, 2025, 8:13am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194 "2025-12-30T08:13:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 8:13am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/1 "2025-12-30T08:13:56Z")
I created a realm and shared it and was able to play for one evening, however, from the next evening, I can no longer connect. Game appears to time-out on loading screen (when connecting to shared realm) then returns to menu with pop-up: “Server Handler Error Error = ExceptionOnConnect (1)” I looked into this and it says is a wi-fi issue but I am on a wired connection. I have tried restarting PC; verifying files; re-downloading beta; creating new realm. There could be some other variable but I don’t believe I changed anything else so I am assuming it is a bug in the game. [Link to requested files](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rLQ_KGSDcFNRR8oiOujQlRU2nJ3himxo?usp=sharing) ---
**Author:** ![askan94](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/askan94/32/15231_2.png) [@askan94](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/askan94)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/2 "2025-12-30T19:44:25Z")
Here is a few things you can try (ofc you dont have to) **before you try those other things you can try to set the game to run as an Administrator** and start the game **Network Profile:** Ensure your connection is set to **Private**. Public profiles have stricter firewall rules that can block game server handshake protocols. **Settings \> Network & internet \> Ethernet \> Network profile type** **Windows Firewall:** Verify your game is explicitly allowed. Updates sometimes reset these permissions. **Settings \> Privacy & security \> Windows Security \> Firewall & network protection \> Allow an app through firewall** **Reset Network Settings:** This clears all saved network configurations and reinstalls your network adapters to factory defaults. **Settings \> Network & internet \> Advanced network settings \> Network reset** **Flush DNS and Reset Winsock:** Clears corrupted entries that prevent stable connections to game servers. **Run these commands in** **(Administrator) Command Prompt 1.** _ipconfig /flushdns_ **2.** _netsh winsock reset_ **3.** _netsh int ip reset_ **Date and Time Synchronization** Many modern game servers use time-stamped security certificates. If your Windows clock is even slightly out of sync with the server, it will reject the “handler” request. **Right-click Taskbar Clock \> Adjust date and time \> Sync now** (Ensure your system is fully updated via the Windows Update catalog) I dont think you need to do these but i add them here: **Disable Proxy:** Windows sometimes activates a proxy server by default, which can interfere with direct game server connections **Settings \> Network & internet \> Proxy \> Turn off “Use a proxy server”** **Delivery Optimization:** This Windows feature can use your bandwidth to upload updates to other PCs, causing spikes that trigger server errors **Settings \> Windows Update \> Advanced options \> Delivery Optimization \> Turn off “Allow downloads from other PCs”** ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/3 "2025-12-30T20:09:05Z")
hey Dan\_Badd, I see you are having some troubles. I’m not sure if Askan’s tips will help, but it won’t hurt either. (Do let us know if they _did_ work!) Thank you for the files and testing you already did, I have escalated your topic now. Silas ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/4 "2025-12-31T11:04:09Z")
Just tried them and has fixed the issue thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 11:04am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/5 "2025-12-31T11:04:40Z")
Thanks! It worked!! ☺👍 ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 11:25am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/6 "2025-12-31T11:25:33Z")
Which one specifically helped you? ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2025, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/7 "2025-12-31T12:54:44Z")
I’m not sure sorry. I did all the suggestions before testing. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/8 "2026-01-02T12:21:00Z")
Unfortunately, the error returned the following day. I tried all of the suggested things again and none have resolved it. I either get stuck on a black screen with “Attempting to Connect” that sometimes boots me back to the main menu, or i get stuck on a loading screen, and then eventually get booted back to the main menu with the “Session Handler Error” pop-up. I ![20260101175521_1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/wickedforum/original/2X/5/5d56a534ef52f12a9ed8a04d6bc4afdbfc4f97db.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/9 "2026-01-02T14:43:29Z")
> [@Dan\_Badd](#): > > “Server Handler Error Error = ExceptionOnConnect (1)” Could you try with a VPN from different locations? I realise this is an generic step but it has helped some users in this beta. I’ve also relayed your problem into the proper channels! Silas ---
**Author:** ![askan94](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/askan94/32/15231_2.png) [@askan94](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/askan94)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/10 "2026-01-02T16:08:14Z")
Steam \> Library \> Right-click No Rest for the Wicked \> Properties \> Installed Files \> Verify integrity of game files After that go to Launch Option: Right-click game in Steam \> Properties \> Launch Options \> Type -force-d3d12 If the session handler error persist try dropping your resolution to 1440p or 1080p (I even play in windowed mode at a much lower resolution its even something i prefer nowadays in all games 😂) ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Badd](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/dan_badd/32/11958_2.png) [@Dan\_Badd](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Dan_Badd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/11 "2026-01-03T01:19:18Z")
Ok, so I tried @aska94’s suggestions directly above, and I was able to get back into my realm. However, once in-game my character was being moved/teleported around the screen. Two red icons appeared: • A meter icon which appears to indicate latency (showing ~261 ms) • A second “script/scroll”-looking icon which I assume is a state divergence / desync warning. ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/uploads/wickedforum/original/2X/c/c0e97082b58be739e98bf0e2d35df84a262cbf83.jpeg) After a short period it returned to _“Attempting to Connect”_ and then booted me back to the menu. I then tested using a VPN (various regions in Asia as well as Australia, where I’m based). With the VPN enabled, the realm holds, although the latency meter is higher (~386 ms). Notably, the second red script/scroll icon does not appear when connected via VPN — the game is laggier but more stable as it isn’t de-syncing.. ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/12 "2026-01-03T10:25:59Z")
Thank you Dan for following up! This will be useful information for the team 😉 Silas ---
**Author:** ![Marchena](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/marchena/32/15523_2.png) [@Marchena](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Marchena)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/13 "2026-02-16T22:43:18Z")
I have this problem, but I’m on the steam deck. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/14 "2026-02-17T00:28:08Z")
> [@Dan\_Badd](#): > > “Server Handler Error Error = ExceptionOnConnect (1)” Hey Marchena, You get the exact error code above? Silas ---
**Author:** ![Daewron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/47e85d/32.png) [@Daewron](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Daewron)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/15 "2026-02-27T15:39:57Z")
Replying here because Im having the same issue. My friend created the realm, and we played with no issues so far, but yesterday that error appeared. After I restarted the game, Ive managed to enter the realm, but today the error appeared again. I still didnt try any of the “fixes”, and Im located in Brazil, if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/forum.norestforthewicked.com/silas-inservio-pax/32/10458_2.png) [@Silas-Inservio-Pax](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/u/Silas-Inservio-Pax)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 5:07am UTC](https://forum.norestforthewicked.com/t/unable-to-connect-to-shared-realms-server-handler-error-error/21194/16 "2026-02-28T05:07:36Z")
Hi Daewron, Can you screenshot this and also try the soft fixes that have been found by other players? Let me know if one of them worked or didn’t! Silas