Alexis Kestler
Have you tried playing the new Honkai Star Rail game only to be greeted by the dreaded “Request failed. The current network environment is at risk” error? I feel your pain. I ran into the same problem during the Honkai Star Rail beta testing, and let me tell you – it was incredibly frustrating!
But don‘t worry, with the right troubleshooting steps you can get past this error and enjoy seamless adventures aboard the Astral Express. In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through exactly why you‘re getting this message and all the possible fixes to get you playing Honkai Star Rail in no time.
What Causes the “Request Failed” Error in Honkai Star Rail?
Let‘s first understand what this error message means. When you launch Honkai Star Rail, your device sends a connection request to the Hoyoverse game servers to verify your account and download the latest game data. If the request fails, you‘ll see the “current network environment is at risk” error.
There are a few reasons why the request might fail:
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Server Issues – The game servers could be down for maintenance or overloaded with traffic from millions of eager Honkai Star Rail players. At peak times, the servers simply can‘t handle the influx of connection requests.
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Connectivity Problems – An unstable internet connection prevents your device from maintaining consistent communication with Honkai Star Rail‘s servers.
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Custom DNS Settings – Using third-party DNS servers can interfere with routing requests to Hoyoverse‘s game servers.
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Firewall/Antivirus Blocking – Overly restrictive firewalls or antivirus software might block critical game files, processes, or connections.
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Corrupted Game Files – Damaged or missing game files cause your client to fail authentication checks when connecting to the server.
Without a stable connection, the client-server handshake breaks down and you get the dreaded “request failed” message.
By the Numbers – Scale of Honkai Star Rail‘s Connectivity Issues
To understand the scale of the problem, Honkai Star Rail already has over 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store in just the first week after launch.
With millions of active players across the globe, downtime or connectivity problems quickly spiral out of control. Gamers have flocked to complain about the error on Reddit, Hoyoverse forums, and Discord servers.
Furthermore, since Honkai Star Rail is an always-online game, a stable low-latency internet connection is critical. Even small amounts of lag or packet loss will ruin the real-time combat experience.
Here‘s a quick comparison of wired vs wireless connections:
| Connection Type | Average Latency | Packet Loss | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wired (Ethernet) | <20 ms | Minimal | Most reliable |
| Wi-Fi | 15-30 ms | Moderate | Signals can fluctuate |
| Mobile Data | 30-100+ ms | High | Network congestion issues |
As you can see, Wi-Fi and especially cellular data are much more prone to lag spikes, packet loss, and random disconnects compared to wired ethernet. This makes the “request failed” error more likely on wireless connections.
Fixing “Request Failed” in Honkai Star Rail – Detailed Troubleshooting
So you‘ve encountered the infamous “request failed” in Honkai Star Rail. Before you pull your hair out in frustration, follow these troubleshooting steps to identify and resolve the problem:
1. Switch Between Mobile Data and Wi-Fi
First, determine if the issue is linked to your specific home or mobile network by switching connections:
- When on Wi-Fi, turn off Wi-Fi and try playing via mobile data.
- If mobile data works, the issue is with your home Wi-Fi.
- If mobile data also fails, turn Wi-Fi back on and test again to confirm which network(s) are problematic.
This quick test can reveal whether the “request failed” error stems from a problem with your Wi-Fi network, mobile carrier, or something else.
2. Optimize Your Network Environment for Gaming
If you pinpointed that your home Wi-Fi or mobile data network is the culprit, some optimization can improve connectivity:
- Restart your wireless router and modem – This refreshes the connection.
- Check for firmware updates – Old router firmware can cause bugs.
- Enable Quality of Service (QoS) – QoS prioritizes gaming traffic on your network.
- Port forward – Opening ports ensures data flows smoothly to your device.
- Change DNS server – Use public DNS servers like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1).
- Disable bandwidth limiting – Remove caps that throttle your connection speed.
Adjusting these router and modem settings specifically for gaming purposes can resolve frequent “request failed” errors.
3. Disable VPN and Add Honkai Star Rail to Exclusions
If you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), try launching Honkai Star Rail with it disabled. VPNs often cause connectivity issues for games.
Also check your antivirus, firewall, and any network filtering software. Add game-related executables and domains to exclusions so they aren‘t blocked:
- honkaistarrail.exe
- HoYoLab app
- hoyoverse.com
- hsr.hoyoverse.com
Whitelisting Honkai Star Rail can prevent critical game traffic from being blocked.
4. Clear Cache and Reinstall Game
If you‘ve ruled out network problems, corrupted game files may be the issue:
- In the Honkai Star Rail app, go to Settings > Other > Clear Cache to wipe temporary files.
- Uninstall and reinstall the game from your app store.
- When reinstalling, use a stable wired connection if possible.
- Restart your device after installing for a clean slate.
This eliminates any corrupted files or registry issues that may be interfering with server requests.
5. Contact Hoyoverse Customer Support
If you still can‘t resolve the “request failed” error after trying these troubleshooting steps, reach out directly to the Hoyoverse support team:
- Email [email protected] with your UID, server details, and troubleshooting steps you‘ve tried.
- The support team can investigate issues between your account and their servers.
- They also may have additional troubleshooting guidance not covered here.
Explaining your situation thoroughly to customer support is the best way to get specialized help resolving persistent “request failed” errors.
Persistence is Key!
I know how incredibly frustrating the “request failed” error can be, crashing your excitement about starting a new adventure in Honkai Star Rail.
But don’t abandon hope! Methodically trying the troubleshooting techniques outlined in this guide should identify the root cause and get you playing smoothly.
With the stunning interstellar environments and adrenaline-pumping combat, Honkai Star Rail is worth the effort to troubleshoot any connectivity hiccups. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey aboard the Astral Express. The cosmos awaits!
