Fix: Baldur's Gate 3 Server Shutting Down Error - Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing the frustrating “server shutting down” error in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) can halt your adventure abruptly. While the message might suggest a server-side issue, it’s often related to problems on your local machine. This guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to resolve this error and get you back into Faerûn.

Let’s explore common causes and effective solutions to address the BG3 server shutdown error.

Common Causes and Solutions for BG3 Server Shutdown Error

Several factors on your computer can trigger the “server shutting down” error in Baldur’s Gate 3. These often involve conflicts with other software, game file corruption, or permissions issues. Here’s a breakdown of troubleshooting steps to systematically address these potential causes:

1. Initial Checks: Manual Save and Background Programs

Before diving into more complex solutions, start with these basic checks:

Manual Save Test: If you’re encountering this error when loading a save, try starting a new game and immediately attempt a manual save. Then, try loading that manual save. This helps determine if the issue is with specific save files or a more general problem. Auto-saves can sometimes be corrupted, and moving from your starting position triggers auto-saves, potentially overwriting a manual save from your current playthrough.
Close Non-Essential Programs: Ensure you close all unnecessary applications running in the background before launching BG3. Programs like antivirus software, firewalls, overlays from graphics tools, monitoring software, and chat applications are known to interfere with games. Shutting these down can eliminate potential conflicts.

2. Antivirus and Firewall Interference

Antivirus and firewall software can sometimes mistakenly flag Baldur’s Gate 3 as a threat, blocking its access to files or folders and causing errors. Here’s how to check and resolve issues with common antivirus programs:

BitDefender: BitDefender might prevent BG3 from creating necessary files and folders, leading to shutdown errors. To fix this, add both the game executables and the Larian Studios “My Documents” folder to BitDefender’s trusted lists.
- Navigate to: Advance Threat Defense > Ransomware Protection / Safe Files > Application Access.
- Add exceptions for BG3 executables and the Larian Studios folder in your Documents.
Windows Defender: Windows Defender can also cause file system errors that impact BG3. Creating an exception for the game can resolve these issues.
- Go to: Start > Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Add or remove exclusions.
- Add an exclusion for the Baldur’s Gate 3 game folder.
Avast and AVG: Avast and AVG are known to block game access to the “My Documents” folder, causing save-related problems. In some cases, the launcher itself is the issue.
- For Avast, adding LariLauncher.exe to the trusted apps list has been reported to fix the problem.
- For AVG, some users have reported the launcher being quarantined.
- Consult Avast or AVG help documentation for instructions on adding exceptions or checking quarantined items.
- Note: Since Patch 7, BG3 saves profiles in the local AppData folder, which has reduced the frequency of these antivirus-related save issues.

3. Clear LevelCache Folder

Corrupted files within the LevelCache folder can cause problems when saving or loading games. Deleting the contents of this folder can often resolve these errors.

Open File Explorer and in the location bar, paste: %LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3LevelCache and press Enter.
Delete all files and folders within the LevelCache folder.

4. Verify Integrity of Game Files

Game file corruption can lead to various issues, including server shutdown errors. Both Steam and GOG Galaxy have built-in tools to verify and repair game files:

Steam:
1. In your Steam Library, right-click on Baldur’s Gate 3.
2. Select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click “Verify Integrity of Game Files…”
5. Steam will check and redownload any corrupted or missing files.
GOG Galaxy:
1. In the Galaxy client, select Baldur’s Gate 3.
2. Click the settings icon at the top right (next to the “Play” button).
3. Under “Manage Installation,” select “Verify / Repair.”
4. GOG Galaxy will verify and repair your game installation.

5. Run Game Executable Directly as Administrator

Bypassing the Steam or GOG Galaxy client and running the game executable directly as administrator can sometimes resolve launch or loading issues.

Exit the Steam or GOG Galaxy client completely.
Navigate to your Baldur’s Gate 3 installation folder. Typically: ..SteamAppscommonBaldurs Gate 3bin (for Steam).
Right-click on the game executable (bg3.exe for Vulkan, or bg3_dx11.exe for DirectX 11).
Select “Run as administrator.”

6. Disable Steam Cloud Support

Steam Cloud synchronization issues can occasionally interfere with save games and cause errors. Disabling Steam Cloud, either globally or specifically for BG3, can help isolate this problem.

Globally Disable Steam Cloud:
1. In the Steam client, click “Steam” in the top left menu.
2. Select “Settings.”
3. Go to the “Cloud” tab.
4. Uncheck “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications which support it.”
Disable Steam Cloud for BG3 Only:
1. In your Steam Library, right-click on Baldur’s Gate 3.
2. Select “Properties.”
3. Go to the “General” tab.
4. Under the “Steam Cloud” section, uncheck “Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for Baldur’s Gate 3.”
Alternatively, you can exit Steam/Galaxy and launch the game directly from the executable as described in step 5 to temporarily bypass cloud sync.

7. Rename Larian Studios AppData Folder

Renaming the Larian Studios folder in AppData forces the game to recreate it on startup. This can resolve issues related to corrupted configuration files or saved game data.

Open File Explorer and in the location bar, paste: %LocalAppData%Larian Studios and press Enter.
Rename the “Baldur’s Gate 3” folder to something like “Baldur’s Gate 3_old.”
Launch the game. A new “Baldur’s Gate 3” folder will be created.

Note: If you have Steam Cloud enabled, the client will likely download your existing profile from the cloud into the new folder.

8. Rename Larian Studios Documents Folder (For Older Saves)

If you played BG3 in Patch 6 or earlier and still have profiles and saves from that time, these older files in the “Documents” folder might conflict with Patch 9 and later versions. Renaming the “Baldur’s Gate 3” folder in “Documents” prevents potential conflicts during startup.

Navigate to your Documents folder and open the “Larian Studios” folder.
Rename the “Baldur’s Gate 3” folder within to “Baldur’s Gate 3_old_documents.”
Alternatively, you can delete this folder entirely if you no longer need your old saves.

9. Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This can help identify if a background program or service is causing the “server shutting down” error.

Press WinKey + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
In the “General” tab, select “Selective Startup.”
Uncheck “Load startup items” (if checked).
Ensure “Load system services” and “Use original boot configuration options” are checked.
Go to the “Services” tab.
Check “Hide all Microsoft services.”
Click “Disable all.” (Make a note of currently enabled/disabled services if needed).
Click “OK” and reboot your computer.
Test Baldur’s Gate 3.
After testing, revert to normal boot configuration by running msconfig again and selecting “Normal startup” on the “General” tab.

10. Create a New Windows Administrator User Account

Creating a new Windows administrator user account can help determine if the issue is related to your user profile settings or permissions.

Create a new Windows administrator user account through Windows settings.
Switch to the new account.
Launch Baldur’s Gate 3 directly from the executable (as administrator – step 5).

11. Contact Larian Support

If none of the above steps resolve the “server shutting down” error, and especially if a new game also crashes or gives errors when loading, it’s recommended to contact Larian Studios Support directly.

Gather your latest save file (and older saves if requested).
Provide details of the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.
Contact Larian Support through their website: Larian Support

To locate your save files for sending to support:

Open File Explorer and paste the following in the location bar: %LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory and press Enter.
Each save is a folder within this directory.
Zip the save folder(s) by right-clicking and selecting “Send To | Compressed (zipped) Folder.”

By systematically following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the “server shutting down” error in Baldur’s Gate 3 and get back to your adventures in the Forgotten Realms.