Facing War Thunder connection error 80130182? Learn how to fix the authorization server unavailable issue on Steam, PC, Xbox & PS5 in 2026.
If you’re trying to launch War Thunder and suddenly hit War Thunder connection error 80130182, you’re probably staring at a frozen “connecting to server” screen or a message saying authorization server unavailable.
It’s frustrating—especially when your internet seems fine and nothing has changed on your end. But here’s the important thing you need to know right away:
You’re not alone, and this error is extremely common.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about Error 80130182 in War Thunder by combining official Gaijin guidance and technical support documentation with real player experiences from Reddit and the War Thunder forums.
It also provides step-by-step fixes you can apply immediately. Whether you’re on Steam, PC, Xbox, or PS5, this guide is built to help you get back into the game.
What Does War Thunder Error 80130182 Actually Mean?
When you see Error 80130182 War Thunder, it means the game cannot authenticate your account with Gaijin’s servers. In simple terms, your client is unable to reach the authorization server, so login fails before you ever reach the hangar.
This is essentially a failed “handshake“ between your computer and the secure game servers.
You may see this error appear in several ways, such as a specific message stating “War Thunder authorization server unavailable” or “Authorization server unavailable 80130182.”
Other players encounter a generic “War Thunder login failed” notification, a “War Thunder authentication error,” or simply get stuck in an endless “connecting to server” loop.
Even though it looks serious, this error does not usually mean your account is banned or broken. It is distinct from account freezes; it is strictly a connectivity hurdle involving SSL/TLS protocols or port blocking.
Before Fixing Anything: Are War Thunder Servers Down Right Now?
Before changing system settings, you should always ask yourself one key question:
Is War Thunder down right now?
Many players report that War Thunder error 80130182 appears during server outages, even when there’s no official maintenance notice. Reddit threads often fill up with “same issue here” comments within minutes.
Signs the Issue Is Server-Side
You can usually identify a server-side issue if you see War Thunder server status 2026 searches spiking on Google Trends, or if friends and community members can’t log in either.
Another clear sign is when both the Steam login and Gaijin launcher login fail simultaneously. If the error disappears later without you changing anything, or if third-party services like DownDetector show a sudden spike in reports, the problem is almost certainly not on your end.
If this is happening, the best fix is patience. During a Gaijin server outage, waiting is often the only solution. Checking the official War Thunder Twitter (X) handle or the “News” section on the main website can confirm if a DDoS attack or unplanned maintenance is occurring.
Why You’re Seeing War Thunder Connection Error 80130182
When servers are online, the issue is usually local. Based on official documentation and community reports, the most common causes include Steam authentication service failure, which is particularly common during Steam Tuesday maintenance.
Other frequent culprits are the Windows Firewall blocking War Thunder’s access to specific ports like TCP 80 or 443, or your antivirus blocking the game due to false positives from heuristics scanning.
Additionally, a corrupted DNS cache can cause the game to look for old server IP addresses, while network packet loss or high ping instability can disrupt the connection.
The game’s anti-cheat system also struggles with VPN or peer-to-peer interference, as it flags inconsistent IP locations. Finally, broken SSL/TLS protocols in Internet Explorer settings (which the launcher uses) or background apps using network priority can also trigger this error.
This explains why the error feels random—sometimes it’s your system, sometimes it’s Gaijin’s servers.
How You Can Fix War Thunder Error 80130182 (Step-by-Step)
Follow the steps below in order. You don’t need to try everything—stop as soon as the game connects.
Fix 1: Restart and Retry the Game
Yes, it’s simple—but it works. Start by closing War Thunder completely via Task Manager to ensure no ghost processes remain active.
Next, exit Steam completely from the system tray if you are using that platform. Restart your PC or console to clear any temporary RAM issues, and then relaunch the game.
Temporary authorization issues often clear themselves, especially during high traffic events like “Operation SUMMER” or major update launches.
Fix 2: Check Steam Login vs Gaijin Login
Many players report War Thunder Steam login error 80130182 while the Gaijin login still works. This often happens because the “token” passing between Steam and Gaijin gets desynchronized.
To troubleshoot this, launch the game using the Gaijin launcher (launcher.exe) directly from the folder and log in with your Gaijin email and password manually.
Avoiding Steam authentication temporarily can be a quick workaround. This alone fixes many cases of War Thunder error 80130182 Steam, generic “War Thunder login failed” messages, and issues linked to “Steam Link” accounts.
Fix 3: Allow War Thunder Through Windows Firewall
Your firewall may be blocking the authorization request without warning, treating the game’s encrypted traffic as suspicious. You specifically need to allow aces.exe, which is the actual game client, and launcher.exe, which handles updates and login.
To do this, open Windows Security and go to the Firewall & network protection section. Click on Allow an app through firewall, then add both files to the list.
Ensure that you enable the checkboxes for both Private and Public networks. This fix directly targets problems where War Thunder cannot connect to the server or remains frozen at the connecting screen, and it resolves blocks on Ports 27022-27042 (UDP) which the game uses.
Fix 4: Check Your Antivirus Software
Some antivirus programs—especially Bitdefender, or Avast—can block War Thunder’s network access due to its “Gaijin.net Agent” background updater.
You should add exceptions for aces.exe and launcher.exe in your antivirus settings. You can find these files by navigating to your installation folder, which is usually located at C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\War Thunder.
Alternatively, you can temporarily disable your antivirus or its real-time protection to test if it is the culprit. This resolves issues related to the antivirus blocking the game, false “War Thunder internal server error” messages, or “File not found” errors caused by quarantine.
Fix 5: Flush Your DNS Cache (Highly Effective Fix)
A corrupted DNS cache is one of the most common causes of War Thunder connection error 80130182. Your computer might be trying to connect to a server IP that no longer exists.
To fix this, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the command ipconfig /flushdns. Afterward, restart your PC.
As a pro tip, if flushing doesn’t work, try changing your DNS server to a public service like Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) for better stability.
This process clears outdated routing data and often immediately fixes cases where the War Thunder connection is lost to the server, endless login loops occur, or there are resolution failures for “auth.gaijinent.com”.
Fix 6: Reset Winsock and Network Stack
If flushing DNS doesn’t work, your Windows network stack (Winsock Catalog) may be corrupted. This catalog tells your computer how to handle network requests.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run the command netsh winsock reset. Once the command executes, restart your computer.
Resetting the network stack can fix packet loss, broken socket connections, and authorization handshake failures. This is especially helpful for fixing War Thunder packet loss, curing endless loading screens, and resolving issues that occur after a Windows Update.
Fix 7: Close Background Network Apps
Some background apps interfere with authentication traffic. High-bandwidth applications can choke the specific packets War Thunder needs for login.
You should close VPNs (unless using a dedicated gaming VPN like ExitLag or WTFast), torrent clients like uTorrent or BitTorrent, and any other peer-to-peer software.
Additionally, disable network overlays such as Discord Overlay or NVIDIA ShadowPlay. This step targets peer-to-peer download settings, helps disable peer exchange conflicts in War Thunder, and resolves network conflicts visible in Task Manager background processes.
Fix 8: Clear War Thunder Cache Files
Corrupted cache data can trap you in a login loop. The game stores local profiles that can get bugged after a patch.
To clear this, locate the War Thunder cache folder, which is usually inside the main game directory. Delete the temporary cache files found in folders named cache and compiledShaders, then relaunch the game.
This often fixes the War Thunder connecting to server loop, persistent loading screens, and “Incompatible server version” errors.
Fixing War Thunder Error 80130182 on Consoles
On Xbox
If you’re on Xbox, start by restarting the console and router, preferably performing a cold boot by unplugging them for 30 seconds.
Check your NAT type in the settings; “Open” works best, while “Strict” NAT causes issues. Test your internet connection in Network Settings and wait if the servers appear unstable. This applies to War Thunder error 80130182 Xbox and general Xbox Live status service disruptions.
On PS5
If you’re playing on PlayStation, restart your PS5 and test your network settings to verify the PlayStation Network (PSN) status.
It is also helpful to power-cycle your modem or router. If issues persist, simply retry once the servers stabilize. This helps with War Thunder error 80130182 PS5 and potential PSN licensing issues.
Why Many Players Say This Error “Fixes Itself”
Reddit discussions reveal a clear pattern where the error appears worldwide and multiple players report it simultaneously. In these cases, local fixes don’t always work, and the issue eventually disappears on its own.
This confirms that many instances of Error 80130182 are server-side, not user error. That’s why reinstalling rarely helps and waiting often does. It is often a load-balancing issue on Gaijin’s end.
When You Should Contact Gaijin Support
If the issue lasts more than 24 hours, it’s time to contact Gaijin Entertainment Support.
Prepare a screenshot of the error, your game logs (specifically the .clog files located in the .game_logs folder), and your network details (DxDiag).
This is relevant when searching for how to contact a Gaijin support ticket, issues with the Gaijin.net agent, or general War Thunder login issues today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Error 80130182
Why does War Thunder say authorization server is unavailable?
Because your game can’t reach Gaijin’s authentication servers due to server outages, ISP blocking, or blocked network traffic at the firewall level.
How do you fix connection error 80130182?
Check server status, flush DNS cache, allow firewall access, disable antivirus, and retry login. In rare cases, using a mobile hotspot temporarily can confirm if your ISP is the problem.
Are War Thunder servers down today?
Often, yes. This error frequently appears during temporary server disruptions or DDoS attacks which Gaijin occasionally faces.
How do you allow War Thunder through your firewall?
Add aces.exe and launcher.exe to Windows Firewall exceptions to ensure the game has unrestricted inbound/outbound access.
Does resetting your connection fix War Thunder login errors?
Yes. DNS flush and network reset fix many login failures by clearing “stale” connection data.
Final Thoughts
War Thunder connection error 80130182 is annoying—but it’s also one of the most common and least permanent login issues in the game.
Remember that you shouldn’t rush to reinstall, as it’s a 100GB+ download and rarely fixes this specific error. Always check the server status first, as most cases resolve with simple network fixes or simply by waiting.
Once the authorization servers respond again, you’ll be back in your hangar without losing progress.
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