Fortnite, ARC Raiders Down: What's Behind ART00004 Network Timeout Error and How to Fix?

Christmas Eve Chaos: Fortnite and ARC Raiders Crashing with ART00004 Error Millions of gamers worldwide are facing a disappointing Christmas Eve as Fortnite and ARC Raiders experience widespread outages. The ART00004 Network Timeout error, which has left players unable to connect to game servers, has been linked to a server overload. Downdetector, a platform that tracks online outages, has reported a significant spike in complaints, with over 35,000 users in the US affected. While Embark, the game's developer, has yet to issue a statement, frustrated gamers are taking to social media to express their disappointment. So, what's behind the ART00004 error? Typically, this issue is a server-side problem, but there are some local fixes you can try to get back into the game. **Fixing the ART00004 Network Timeout Error** To troubleshoot the issue, follow these steps: * Check the server status: Visit Downdetector or the ARC Raiders Discord for real-time updates. If the servers are down, wait for Embark to restore stability. * Restart the game and launcher: Fully close ARC Raiders and Steam/Epic Games Launcher, then relaunch both to reset the connection. * Power-cycle your router: Unplug your modem/router for 30-60 seconds, then reconnect to clear cache issues. * Verify game files (PC): On Steam, right-click ARC Raiders > Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files to fix corrupted data. * Switch to a wired connection: Wi-Fi can be unstable; use an Ethernet cable for better stability. Avoid using VPNs, which may disrupt server authentication. In a separate incident, the Steam Store experienced a 'Bad Gateway' error earlier in the day, affecting thousands of users in the US. This was likely caused by overloaded Valve servers or content delivery network (CDN) failures.