Many Roblox issues are known to the community, some more confusing than others. Regarding connectivity-related issues, most questions are about the one known as “Game ID=17” error.
This problem is a bit confusing for users as it has a different error code and is also known as the Roblox 279 Error, though most refer to it as code 17 due to the ID number.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about this issue, including why it occurs and how to solve it.
Let’s get started.
Table of ContentsShow
Roblox Error Code 279 (Game ID=17) Explained
This Roblox error occurs when there’s an issue with the user’s connection to the game server. Many reasons can cause it to happen, but we managed to narrow down the list and find out exactly which are the most common causes.
According to users, this error mostly occurs when joining larger, more complex worlds but can also be a sign of a poor internet connection, a sudden connection loss, low bandwidth, or an issue with the user’s firewall or antivirus settings blocking connection to the server.
The screen presented to the user contains the following message: “Failed to connect to the Game. (ID = 17: Connection attempt failed.) (Error Code: 279)”, and it looks like in the example image shown below.
As you can observe in the screenshot, the error panel does not provide extensive information to the user. It simply informs them that they are unable to connect and suggests a potential connection issue on their side.
However, solving this problem is not as daunting as it sounds, and in the following sections, we’ll show you how to do it.
Fix 1: Restart Your Router And Perform A DNS Flush
One of the most triumphant solutions for the Roblox ID 17 glitch (Roblox 279) is executing a DNS Resolver Cache Flush and restarting your router.
This works because sometimes the invalid records and cache pileup can cause connectivity issues to specific services, one of them being Roblox’s servers.
It’s wise to do this every once in a while, and if you haven’t done it before, we’re about to show you how in just a few easy steps.
Clearing the DNS cache helped many users, and it should help you with the Roblox 17 error as well.
- Press the Windows and S buttons on your keyboard at the same time. A search field will open. In it, type Command Prompt, right-click the first result, and choose Run as Administrator.
- In Command Prompt, type in the following command: “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter on your keyboard to initiate it. You will get a returning confirmation message stating that the DNS Resolver Cache is flushed successfully.
Now we recommend rebooting your computer and your router at the same time.
To do this, press the power button on your router and wait until the lights go off. If it’s a switch and not a button, toggle it off, and that will cut electricity from the device.
Wait for about five minutes, and while you’re waiting, restart your computer too. Once the five minutes pass, restore power to your router and wait until the connection is up and running.
Now you can launch Roblox and see if you can join the game or server you previously couldn’t.
Another connection-related reason causing users to be unable to join a Roblox game or a server is a slow connection and not enough bandwidth to load all the files in some of the larger Roblox worlds.
To ensure this isn’t the case, test your connection using this simple yet convenient website called Speedtest.
If the results don’t come up as optimal, the problem could be an ongoing download or simply an issue on your ISP’s end. You can either pause all downloads on your end to free up some bandwidth for Roblox or contact your internet service provider.
If the speed test displays great connection ping and speed, but you’re still unable to join the Roblox server and consistently receive Error Code 17, the problem may be your Windows Firewall obstructing the connection. Refer to the following section for additional details regarding this matter.
Fix 2: Add Roblox To Your List Of Firewall Exceptions
Some users reported success upon including Roblox in their list of Firewall exclusions. In their case, the problem was their firewall obstructing the connection due to potential hazard.
To prevent this, follow the steps below and add Roblox to the list of trusted apps.
- Simultaneously press Windows + S on your keyboard to open the Windows search panel. Within it, type in Firewall & Network Protection and then press Enter on your keyboard.
- Scroll down until you see the Allow an App Through The Firewall option, then click it, as shown in the image below.
- Search your computer for the Roblox executable file and add it as an exception.
You can do the same within your antivirus settings, although we cannot list the exact steps since every antivirus software is different.
Now you can start Roblox again and see if the problem is still there.
Fix 3: Clear Your Browser’s Cache And Cookies
Accessing Roblox through your browser is much easier if a pileup of corrupt cache files and cookies is not causing any problems.
To ensure that’s the case, and assuming your current browser of choice is Chrome, you can do the following:
- Open Chrome and click on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of your screen.
- From the dropdown menu that appeared, choose Settings to open the configuration panel.
- Scroll down until you see the Privacy and Security section, and then click on Clear Browsing Data, as shown in the image below.
- Select all of the options, as shown in the image below, and finish by clicking Clear Data, located in the bottom-right corner. Make sure to choose All-Time within the time range field.
Now you’ve successfully cleared your browser’s cache and cookies, meaning if the problem was caused by a pileup of corrupt data, it now won’t bother you anymore.
Launch Roblox and see if the error 17 is solved.
Conclusion
The Roblox 17 error, also known as the Roblox 279 error, is a connectivity-related issue that prevents users from joining a server or a world. By using the methods listed in the guide above, you should be able to resolve it with ease.
