How To Fix Death Stranding Error Code 51003

In recent times, many players have been plagued by the notorious Death Stranding error code 51003. This error is commonly associated with server overloads and traffic surges, leading to unstable server connections and disrupting the gameplay experience.

This guide aims to shed light on the issue and provide various workaround strategies to tackle this frustrating occurrence.

Understanding the Death Stranding Error Code 51003

The Death Stranding error code 51003, a frequent occurrence among gamers, manifests primarily due to server instability. This instability can be attributed to server outages or excessive server traffic, resulting in the server’s inability to respond to incoming requests effectively. Consequently, this leads to a disconnection or failure to connect to the server, thus bringing about the error.

“Connection to the Death Stranding game server is unstable.
Switching to Offline Mode…
Error Code: 51003″

Is it a Universal Problem?

Interestingly, this issue seems to predominantly affect players who own the standard version of the game. Conversely, those who have upgraded to the Director’s Cut version appear to be spared from this predicament.

Probing into the Problem: The Role of Server Status and Traffic Surge

Server Status

The first port of call when encountering the Death Stranding error code 51003 is to examine the server status. Oftentimes, the issue arises due to server outages where the game servers are overwhelmed by the influx of user connections, leading to instability and disconnections.

Unfortunately, in such scenarios, the players are left with limited recourse as the problem stems from the developer’s side. The onus is on the developer’s team to scale their servers to accommodate the burgeoning game traffic, thereby averting such outages and the ensuing error codes.

Traffic Surge

A significant cause of this error is the sudden surge in server traffic. This surge is often spurred by game promotions or giveaways. For instance, the recent free giveaway of Death Stranding by Epic Games led to an influx of new players, thereby leading to a spike in server traffic and subsequently, the error code 51003.

Checking the Server Status: A Two-Pronged Approach

A practical approach to gauge the server status is through two main channels.

1. Official Updates: One method is to keep an eye on the game’s official Twitter handle for any updates regarding server status or outages.
2. Third-Party Services: Another method is to resort to third-party services like DownDetector to ascertain if others are encountering similar issues. If a significant number of users report the same problem, it becomes apparent that the issue lies with the game developers rather than individual user connections.

Decoding DNS Servers: Their Role and Significance

The DNS servers on your computer play a crucial role as they are responsible for resolving domain names to their respective IP addresses. If the DNS server on your network fails to resolve the connection from your computer to the game servers, the request will not reach its destination.

Moreover, discrepancies with the DNS servers can lead to frequent connection drops, potentially triggering the Death Stranding error code 51003. To tackle this, you may need to alter the DNS server on your computer.

How to Change DNS Servers

To change your DNS servers, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Network and Internet > Advanced network settings > More network adapter options.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties.
4. Double-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option.
5. Choose the ‘Use the following DNS server addresses‘ option and provide one of the following DNS server addresses:
   • Google: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
   • Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
6. Click OK and close the windows.
7. Restart the game client on your computer and check if the issue persists.

Also Read: How To Fix Overwatch 2 Error Starting Game

Upgrading to Director’s Cut: A Potential Solution

If altering the DNS servers doesn’t ameliorate the issue, you might consider upgrading your game to the Director’s Cut version. While it may sound absurd, multiple accounts have substantiated that the Death Stranding error code 51003 seems to spare players with the Director’s Cut DLC.

While this does come with an additional cost, it can potentially resolve the issue altogether. If you’re not keen on this option, you may have to bide your time until the servers regain stability before you can resume your online gaming experience.

Alternative Strategies: Playing During Non-Peak Hours and Checking Server Status

Playing During Non-Peak Hours

As the error primarily stems from server overloads, playing the game during non-peak hours can potentially circumvent the problem. This strategy aims to avoid the times when the servers are overwhelmed with players, thereby reducing the likelihood of encountering the error.

Checking Server Status

In the absence of a dedicated server status page for Death Stranding, it can be challenging to ascertain the exact server status. However, platforms like DownDetector can provide insights into potential server issues based on reports from other players.

A Final Word: The Waiting Game

While these strategies can provide temporary respite, the ultimate solution lies in the hands of the game developers. As they work to scale their servers to accommodate the increasing traffic, players may need to exercise patience and wait for the issue to be resolved.

In the meantime, exploring other games like Halo Infinite could be a great alternative to keep yourself engaged while waiting for the Death Stranding servers to stabilize.

Please note that this guide provides general solutions for the Death Stranding error code 51003 and may not work for all players. Always consult official support channels for game-specific issues.