Battlefield 2042 servers down as open beta launches in early access

Battlefield 2042 Webster Mackay
Battlefield 2042 Webster Mackay (Image credit: Electronic Arts)

What you need to know

  • Battlefield 2042's ongoing beta test has faced widespread connectivity issues preventing players from accessing multiplayer modes.
  • The Battlefield 2042 beta has launched on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, first accessible via early access for those with Battlefield 2042 preorders, plus active EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions.
  • Battlefield 2042 open beta access follows on Oct. 8, welcoming all players, ahead of the full game's Nov. 19 release date.

Updated Oct. 6, 2021: Battlefield 2042 beta server connectivity has improved on console and PC following the initial rollout. While players may experience intermittent issues, we continue to round up top bugs and issues via our beta guide.

The ongoing Battlefield 2042 beta has been knocked offline following its early access launch. The pre-release test, available on consoles and PC, recently opened to those with Battlefield 2042 preorders, plus subscribers to EA Play and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Battlefield 2042 beta servers were knocked offline on Wednesday, as the first wave of players attempted to access its multiplayer offerings. "Unable to connect to the EA servers," states an in-game notification. "Please check your Internet connection, make sure the Platform Client is online and try again. Please see ea.com/unable-to-connect for more information."

The issue also presents itself via after accessing the beta main menu, preventing players from selecting the play button to commence matchmaking, coupled with the "Unknown Error" notification.

Electronic Arts lead community manager, Adam Freeman, has stated Electronic Arts is scaling up server capacity to account for player demand.

Battlefield 2042 Connecting

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

When the Battlefield 2042 beta returns, players can get hands-on with one map and multiplayer mode, ahead of the title's full release slated for Nov. 19, 2021. The action centers around Orbital, a large-scale conflict spanning a space center in French Guiana, with a high-stakes rocket launch placed center stage. The beta also shows the full extent of its new extreme weather systems, including full-fledged tornadoes that tear through its multiplayer locales.

Battlefield 2042 works best on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with support for up to 128 players, with some of the most extensive maps to date. While the title supports cross-play between systems, the game separates those on older Xbox One and PS4 consoles, with lobbies capped at 64 players on older systems.

Matt Brown

Matt Brown was formerly a Windows Central's Senior Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.