If you’re running into the infamous Escape from Tarkov (EFT) connection loop, then these errors usually peak during “wipe” days or major updates when the authentication servers are getting hammered by thousands of players at once.
Since Error 103003 (Access Denied) and Error 213 (Auth Server Connection) are often linked to your network’s handshake with the Battlestate Games (BSG) servers, here is a breakdown of how to get past them.
1. The “Mobile Hotspot” Trick (Most Successful Fix)
Surprisingly, the most effective community fix isn’t technical—it’s just changing your IP route temporarily.
-
Close the Tarkov launcher completely.
-
Enable Mobile Hotspot on your phone and connect your PC to it.
-
Open the launcher and log in.
-
Once you see the “Play” or “Update” button, disconnect from the hotspot and switch back to your regular Ethernet/Wi-Fi.
-
Click Play. This usually bypasses the “bottleneck” at the authentication gate.
2. Clear Launcher Cache & Temp Files
If the launcher is stuck in a loop of “Repairing” or “Access Denied,” it might be trying to read corrupted local data.
-
Clear Cache: Open the launcher, click the arrow under your username (top right), and select Clear Cache.
-
Clear Temp: In the same menu, go to Settings and click the button to Delete logs or clear the temp folder.
3. Run as Administrator
Error 103003 often triggers because the launcher doesn’t have the permission to write the “authentication token” to your drive.
-
Right-click the BsgLauncher.exe (usually in
C:\BsgLauncher). -
Select Properties > Compatibility.
-
Check Run this program as an administrator.
-
Apply and restart the launcher.
4. Use a VPN (to a different region)
If the auth server for your specific region is down or overloaded, a VPN can help you “knock on a different door.”
-
Connect to a server in a different region (e.g., if you are in Asia, try a European server like Germany or Poland).
-
Launch the game. Once you reach the main menu, you can usually turn the VPN off to play with your normal ping (though you may need to keep it on until the “Profile Loading” screen finishes).
5. Check Server Status
If none of the above work, the servers might simply be offline for everyone.
-
Check the Official Tarkov Twitter (X) for maintenance announcements.
-
Check Downdetector to see if there is a massive spike in reports.
1 Trackback / Pingback