POE 2 Failed To Connect To Instance | Step-By-Step Fix

Failed to Connect to Instance is a classic Path of Exile network error. It usually means your game client is trying to join a “ghost” version of a map or town that the server has already closed or crashed.

Here is the step-by-step fix, starting with the specific trick that solves this 90% of the time.

1. The “Ctrl + Click” Trick (Force New Instance)

The error often happens because your character is stuck trying to rejoin a broken map instance. You need to force the game to generate a fresh one.

1. Go to the entrance of the zone you are trying to enter (or the Waypoint map).

2. Hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard.

3. Click the zone entrance or Waypoint destination.

4. A menu will pop up listing “Instances.”

5. Select “New” to create a fresh version of that zone.

2. Change Your Gateway (Server Hop)

If you can’t even log in to your character, your specific regional server (Gateway) might be having a hiccup.

1. Go to the Log In screen.

2. Click “Gateways” (usually on the right side).

3. Select a different server, even if the ping is slightly higher (e.g., if you are on Texas, try Washington D.C.).

4. Log in. This forces your character data to move to a different physical server.

3. Switch Networking Mode (Lockstep vs. Predictive)

Sometimes your connection is too unstable for “Lockstep” mode, causing the instance to timeout before you load.

1. Go to Options > Game.

2. Find Networking Mode.

3. Change it from Lockstep to Predictive.

4. Try entering the zone again.

   • Note: You can switch it back later, but “Predictive” is much more forgiving for instance loading.

4. The “Shader Cache” Clear

If you crash/fail only when entering a specific town or map, your local files for that area are likely corrupted.

1. Close the game.

2. Go to your Path of Exile install folder (usually inside Steam/steamapps).

3. Delete the folder named ShaderCache (or ShaderCacheD3D11 / ShaderCacheVulkan).

4. Restart the game. It will rebuild these files fresh (loading might be slower for the first few minutes).

Summary:

• Quickest Fix: Ctrl + Click the zone entrance to make a new instance.

• If you can’t login: Change your Gateway at the main menu.