Fixing Fall Guys Error Code 200_1040: An In-Depth Troubleshooting Guide

Have you found yourself staring at the cryptic Fall Guys error "200_1040 – Session Expired" and wondering why you keep getting booted from games? As a streaming gamer myself, I know how frustrating and immersion breaking connection issues like this can be.

In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through all the potential causes of error code 200_1040 along with proven solutions to get you back in the race. With the right fixes and optimal network setup, you can say goodbye to this pesky error interrupting your fun. Let‘s dive in!

What Is Error Code 200_1040 and Why Does It Happen?

Since Fall Guys went free-to-play in June 2022, the servers have been slammed with new beans looking to dive into the chaotic multiplayer races and mini-games. In the first two weeks, the concurrent player count skyrocketed [insert statistic].

This massive influx of players has led to overwhelmed servers struggling to handle the demand. As a result, you may encounter connectivity issues like error 200_1040.

Specifically, 200_1040 indicates that your gaming session has ended abruptly, disconnecting you from the Fall Guys server. The two main causes are:

Overloaded Servers: Too many players accessing Fall Guys simultaneously can bog down the servers, eventually dropping connections like yours.

Client-Side Connection Problems: Issues with your game files, home network, or internet access may also break connectivity with the Fall Guys servers.

So how do you get to the bottom of error 200_1040? Follow this step-by-step guide to fix the most common causes.

Method #1: Verify Your Game Files

One sneaky culprit behind error 200_1040 can be corrupt or missing game files on your end. Verifying and reinstalling Fall Guys replaces any damaged files to restore full functionality.

Here‘s how to verify and reinstall on both Epic Games and PlayStation:

On Epic Games:

Launch the Epic Games app and open your Library.
Find Fall Guys and select the three dots next to it.
Choose "Verify" – this scans your files and replaces anything corrupt.

[Image showing Verify option]

If verification doesn‘t work, pick "Uninstall" to completely remove Fall Guys.
Finally, head to your Library again and reinstall Fall Guys fresh.

This will replace any missing or damaged files that could be preventing proper connectivity.

On PlayStation:

Go to Settings > Storage > Games and select Fall Guys.
Scroll down and choose "Check for Corruption" to scan files.
If corrupted data is found, pick "Delete" to remove Fall Guys entirely.
Then head to the PlayStation Store and reinstall Fall Guys.

With clean game files across both platforms, error 200_1040 should disappear.

Method #2: Restart Your Network Hardware

Another simple but effective fix is restarting your router, modem, and endpoint device to refresh all connections:

Turn off your gaming device (PC, PlayStation, etc) completely.
Unplug your router and modem from power.
Wait 1 minute before plugging them back in and powering on.
Once rebooted, try loading Fall Guys again.

Restarting clears out any temporary connection glitches or memory leaks in the networking hardware. Odds are this quick reboot will resolve 200_1040 straight away.

Method #3: Update Your Network Drivers and Firmware

Outdated network drivers and firmware can also throw a wrench in Fall Guys connectivity. Updating to the latest versions squashes any bugs:

Update Network Adapter Drivers

Right-click the Start menu and choose Device Manager.
Expand Network Adapters.
Right-click your adapter and select Update driver.

This will install the newest driver from Windows Update.

Update Router/Modem Firmware

Log into your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1).
Find the Firmware or Upgrade section.
Check the current firmware and install any available updates.

Keep drivers and firmware updated whenever new versions release for maximum compatibility.

Method #4: Forward the Necessary Fall Guys Ports

If you have a strict router firewall, it may be blocking Fall Guys‘ outbound connections by default, resulting in 200_1040 errors.

Manually forwarding the required Fall Guys ports will open them up:

Log into your router admin page.
Navigate to the Port Forwarding or Virtual Servers section.
Add a new Custom Service with these port ranges:
- UDP Ports: 7000-7001, 7003-7006, 9000-9001
- TCP Ports: 80, 443, 9946-9956
Save your port forwards and they will take effect immediately.

[Image showing port forwarding rules]

With these ports opened, Fall Guys traffic will flow freely to the game servers once again.

Method #5: Switch to an Ethernet Connection

WiFi is prone to interference and signal drops which can sever your Fall Guys connection. If possible, switching to a wired ethernet connection provides the most stable online gaming experience:

Eliminates signal degradation from distance/obstructions
1Gbps speeds vs. max 300Mbps on WiFi
No competing devices and minimal interference

Simply run an ethernet cable from your router LAN port directly into the LAN port on your gaming platform. This ensures the most consistent, lag-free connection for smooth Fall Guys online play.

Optimizing Your Home Network for Fall Guys and Gaming

Beyond specific troubleshooting steps for error 200_1040, optimizing your overall home network setup will prevent future connectivity issues in Fall Guys and other online games.

Use Quality Equipment

Avoid old, outdated routers prone to performance problems. Invest in a solid modern router like the ASUS ROG Rapture or Netgear Nighthawk Pro. These gaming-focused models have the power to handle high bandwidth applications like Fall Guys even with multiple users/devices connected.

Pair your router with a reliable DOCSIS 3.1 modem like the ARRIS SURFboard S33 or Motorola MB8611. DOCSIS 3.1 handles gigabit speeds and has more stable channel bonding than 3.0 models.

Eliminate Interference

Keep your router and endpoint devices away from interference sources:

Other WiFi networks and Bluetooth devices
Microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones that emit RF
Large metal objects like ducts or pipes that disrupt wireless signals

Also choose a less cluttered 5 GHz WiFi channel vs. the more crowded 2.4 GHz range if possible.

Optimize Access Point Placement

Position your router‘s access points in a central area of your home for wide, strong coverage. Avoid putting it in a far corner or congested entertainment center.

Utilize WiFi mapping tools from Ekahau or NetSpot to analyze signal strength across your home and identify dead zones. Adding a mesh WiFi system like Google Nest or Linksys Velop can help fill in weak areas prone to disconnects.

Prioritize Gaming Devices

Use Quality of Service settings to prioritize traffic from your gaming systems above other lower-priority devices like mobiles and tablets. Many routers have a "Gaming" mode that does this automatically. This prevents bandwidth hogging that can lead to lag and disconnects in games.

Test Regularly

Run periodic speed tests on your network during peak usage times to catch any dips in performance before they ruin your Fall Guys sessions. If speeds drop below 10-15Mbps down, call your ISP to investigate potential problems.

By selecting the right gear and optimizing your home network setup with these tips, you can build a gaming and streaming oasis free of annoying 200_1040 errors.

When to Wait Out 200_1040 Server Problems

Sometimes despite your best efforts, error 200_1040 rears its head due to problems on Fall Guys‘ end. Server maintenance, new game updates, or ongoing stabilization from the free-to-play transition can cause temporary connectivity trouble.

When servers are clearly overloaded, your only recourse is to wait it out:

Check the Fall Guys Server Status Page to see any identified issues.
Monitor Downdetector for spikes in recent 200_1040 reports that indicate wider problems.
Try again in 1-2 hours when servers may have stabilized after upgrade downtime or traffic surges.

As eager as you may be to play, hammering their overloaded servers with retry attempts will only make matters worse. Be patient and come back when services have recovered.

Closing Thoughts

Error 200_1040 interrupting your Fall Guys fun is massively aggravating, especially during a heated match. But with this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, you now have the tools to identify the root cause and get back up and running.

Quick fixes like restarting your network or reinstalling game files can instantly resolve 200_1040 in many cases. For long-term stability, optimize your home network setup with strong gear, reduced interference, and gaming-centric settings.

And if Fall Guys‘ own servers happen to be slammed, just hang tight for a bit before reattempting connections. In no time, you‘ll be diving over giant fruit pendulums and racing across seesaws again with minimized 200_1040 interruptions.

With the right networking knowledge in your toolbox, don‘t let error 200_1040 stop you from grabbing crowns and enjoying all the zany fun Fall Guys has to offer. Now get out there and start stumbling towards victory!