Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Screenshot by GameSkinny

How to Fix MtG Arena Error Code -1

What kind of an error is an error code with a negative number value? -1? Really?

MtG Arena is home to many Magic: the Gathering fans who opt to play this card game online and are not able to play the game because of some measly “error” may be infuriating to many. MtG Arena Error Code -1 can be fixed, and here’s what you can do.

Recommended Videos

How to Solve MtG Arena Error Code -1

Before you start troubleshooting, make sure that you have disabled all of your security software, such as antiviruses, firewalls, and VPNs (and check if MtG Arena works properly without these), as they are known to interfere with your game connection sometimes, and make sure to try and restart your router (some even suggest taking it out of the power socket for a minute)

The first method to troubleshoot the MtG Arena Error Code -1 on Windows is to flush your DNS completely, restart your PC, and hope that this resolves the issue. Mac users should try and change their DNS, I’ll post more info about that below.

Screenshot by GameSkinny
  • As an administrator, open the Windows command prompt (cmd.exe) by typing “cmd” into your Windows start menu, right-clicking the Command Prompt icon, and choosing the option “Run as Administrator”. Now, we’ll type some commands, and you’ll wait for them to execute for a short while (you’ll know when they’re done when new letters stop coming out on your screen.
  • Type ipconfig /flushdns and then press Enter on your keyboard.
  • Type ipconfig /registerdns and then press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig /release and then press Enter.
  • Type ipconfig /renew and then press Enter.
  • Type netsh winsock reset and then press Enter.
  •  Restart your computer completely and after Windows boots back up, launch the MTG Arena again.

If this does not work, let’s try to change your DNS completely.

I recommend you try using the one made by Google or the one made by Cloudflare (instructions available on their respective sites).

If the DNS change still does not work, please try completely uninstalling MtG Arena and conducting a fresh installation.

If nothing works, please contact Wizards of the Coast support here. Please let them know what you’ve done when it comes to troubleshooting, as it will help them shorten the troubleshooting process as a whole.

Check out more of our Magic: the Gathering articles, such as Top 10 Timeless MtG Arena Decks and best budget Commander decks.


GameSkinny is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Nikola L
Nikola L
Staff Writer
Nikola's been a member of GameSkinny since March 2024. He enjoys various game genres, but you'll most likely see him chasing quotas in Lethal Company with friends and grinding roguelike/roguelite games such as Vampire Survivors, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Brotato. Loves 90s, driving, video making, and music.