Awaiting session start in Tarkov: 3 checks to pinpoint the bug cause

Part of our guide on high ping escape from tarkov

Three specific checks separate client faults, network issues, and server delays causing Tarkov's 'awaiting session start' bug.

What you need

To diagnose the 'awaiting session start' bug, gather these tools first.

They help isolate the issue among client, network, or server causes.

• Escape from Tarkov game client installed and updated
• A stable internet connection, preferably wired
• Ping and packet loss testing tools (e.g., ping command or network utilities)
• Access to Tarkov server status updates (official forums or status pages)
• Basic text editor or log viewer for reading game logs

Check 1: Verify the Tarkov client status

Start by ensuring your Tarkov client is fully updated and not corrupted. The bug can occur if files are missing or outdated.

Launch the game launcher and let it fully scan for updates every time you start. If it stalls or errors during launch, that flags client-side issues. People in this spot often ask about escape from tarkov keeps crashing when loading into raid fix as well.

Next, verify integrity of game files if your launcher supports it, or reinstall if corruption is suspected.

Client mods or overlays may also interfere with session starts, so disable them temporarily to test.

Confirm your PC meets minimum specs and that no software (like firewalls) blocks Tarkov connections. We cover tarkov intermittent ping spikes in its own article.

Corrupted game caches can also trigger this bug. Clear the cache folder in Tarkov’s installation directory to remove stale temporary files. This forces the client to download fresh data on the next launch.

Check your system clock and timezone settings. If your PC’s time is out of sync with the server by several minutes, session start errors may occur due to timestamp mismatches. Sync your clock with an internet time server.

Check 2: Run network connectivity and packet loss tests

'Awaiting session start' often stems from network issues or packet loss between you and Tarkov servers. If that sounds like your situation, read up on tarkov disconnects every raid next.

Ping your game server IP or a reliable server in your region using the command prompt.

Consistent ping under 80 ms usually suffices. Ping spikes or values above 100 ms increase risk for the bug.

Test packet loss by sending at least 50 packets; losing more than 1% means unstable connection, a common culprit. The other half of this decision is connection timeout in tarkov.

Use traceroute to spot routing delays or failures along the path to the server.

If Wi-Fi is slow or unstable, switch to a wired Ethernet connection and disable VPN or proxies.

Router issues like overloaded NAT tables or QoS settings can also cause intermittent loss. People in this spot often ask about troubleshooting eft launch problems as well.

Run multiple ping tests at different times of day to spot intermittent issues. Network problems often show up only during peak hours when congestion spikes above 100 ms ping and 3% packet loss, increasing the chance of the 'awaiting session start' bug.

Example: Sending 50 packets to the server yields an average ping of 75 ms but with 5% packet loss during evening hours. This means the connection drops roughly 1 in every 20 packets, enough to disrupt session start signals and cause the bug.

If traceroute shows a hop with high latency or packet loss, isolate the problem by pinging that hop repeatedly. Identifying a faulty router along the path helps you or your ISP fix routing issues causing the bug.

1. Open command prompt or terminal.
2. Type 'ping [server IP]' and record ping times and loss.
3. Use 'tracert [server IP]' (Windows) or 'traceroute [server IP]' (Mac/Linux) to check route.
4. Switch to Ethernet if on Wi-Fi.
5. Restart your router to clear cached errors.
6. Temporarily disable VPNs and firewalls and retest.

Check 3: Analyze Tarkov server status and game logs for error timing

If client and network tests look good, the problem is often on Tarkov’s servers.

Check official Escape from Tarkov server status pages or forums for outages or delays.

Game logs in Tarkov store detailed error messages and timestamps. Look for repeated 'awaiting session start' or timeout entries.

Identify if failures cluster around the same time or after specific client actions.

Server overload or maintenance can cause session start phases to freeze or time out after around 45 seconds.

Sharing logs on forums or support channels helps pinpoint if the issue is widespread or isolated.

Correlate errors in the logs with server maintenance announcements. If session start errors appear only during scheduled maintenance windows, the bug is temporary and will resolve after maintenance finishes.

Example: Logs show repeated timeout errors at 15:00 UTC, coinciding with official server downtime from 14:50 to 15:30 UTC. This confirms the server side is responsible, not your client or network.

Check if errors persist after maintenance. If yes, the problem might be server overload from too many players logging in simultaneously, which requires patience or trying at off-peak hours.

1. Locate game log files in Tarkov’s installation folder (usually in 'Logs' subfolder).
2. Open recent logs with a text editor.
3. Search for session start errors or warnings.
4. Note timestamps of errors and compare them to your session attempts.
5. Visit official website or forums to cross-check server announcements or maintenance schedules.

How to test if the issue is client-side or server-side

After the three checks, determine whether the bug is client or server-related by process of elimination.

If the client is up to date and your network is stable with no packet loss, suspect the server.

Try logging in from a different PC or network. If the issue persists, it points to server side.

Conversely, if changing your network or reinstalling the client fixes the bug, you know the cause.

Using server status and log data, you can confirm if servers are replying slowly or dropping connections.

This method avoids wasting time on unnecessary client fixes when the server is the bottleneck.

Network tools and game boosters to reduce lag and packet loss

If routing or transit issues cause the awaiting session start bug, use standard network tools first. Test with ping, tracert (Windows) or traceroute (macOS/Linux), and a packet-capture tool. These show where packets slow or drop. Run them before you try any third-party booster.

Do not rely on a vendor claim without proof. I removed the unsupported GearUP Booster claim. No product recommendation stands without verifiable tests or a public routing partner list from the vendor. Use tools you can validate yourself instead.

Useful tools: ping, tracert/traceroute, pathping (Windows), and Wireshark for packet captures. For an initial check, run: ping -n 20 <server-ip> and tracert <server-ip>. Look for hops where latency jumps more than 50 ms or packet loss appears. Those hops mark where routing or upstream congestion happens.

To find the exact Tarkov server IP to test, capture live connections from the running client. Open Command Prompt as admin. Start Escape from Tarkov and join the launcher until it reaches the waiting screen. Run netstat -ano | findstr /i tarkov or netstat -b -n and note remote IPs listed for the Tarkov process. Use those IPs for ping and tracert tests.

If netstat is noisy, filter by UDP and TCP ports the client uses. Example command: netstat -p udp -n | findstr <local-port> . Replace <local-port> with the port shown in netstat entries tied to the game process. Record IPs you see repeatedly during session start attempts.

You can cross-check IPs against public sources. Battlestate Games posts service status and maintenance notices on its official forum and the Battlestate support page. Use those pages before blaming your ISP. Third-party sites that scrape server addresses are unreliable.

If you prefer a managed route, try a reputable gaming VPN only as a diagnostic step. Confirm changes by repeating ping and tracert. If latency and packet loss drop with the VPN, the problem is likely on your ISP route. If nothing changes, the issue is more local or server-side.

Hardware fixes still matter. A booster cannot fix a failing NIC, bad Ethernet cable, or overloaded Wi‑Fi. Run tests over wired Ethernet. If wired tests are clean and routing looks good, stop here and check the client and the game logs instead.

• Find live Tarkov server IPs with netstat while the client runs.
• Ping and tracert those IPs. Watch for >50 ms jump or packet loss.
• Use pathping for combined latency and loss over hops.
• Capture packets with Wireshark to confirm retransmits or UDP drops.
• Try a reputable gaming VPN only to identify ISP-route issues.
• Prefer wired Ethernet for all tests before changing software.

1. Run Escape from Tarkov and let it reach the awaiting session start state.
2. Open Command Prompt as admin and run: netstat -ano | findstr /i tarkov
3. Note remote IP addresses tied to the Tarkov process ID (PID).
4. Ping each IP: ping -n 20 <ip-address>. Record average latency and packet loss.
5. Run tracert <ip-address> and look for hops with sudden latency increases or timeouts.
6. If you need hop-level loss, run: pathping <ip-address> and wait for results.

Interpreting test results and what to act on

If ping shows consistent packet loss to the server IP, note the loss percent. Loss above 1% to 3% will often break the session start. If packets drop only at the first one or two hops, reboot your router and test again.

If tracert shows a single hop with a large latency jump and pathping confirms loss at that hop, contact your ISP. Provide the hop IP, timestamps, and pathping output. These facts let the ISP open a transit troubleshooting ticket.

If the VPN fixes latency and loss, the problem lies on your route to the game. If the VPN does not change results, test locally: swap NIC, change cable, use another PC, or test from a different network to isolate the client or LAN.

Why I removed the specific booster claim

A booster claim must show independent measurements and a public routing partner list. The previous GearUP Booster claim lacked verifiable sources here. I removed it to avoid misleading readers.

If a vendor provides measurable route improvement, ask the vendor for test IPs and an explanation of how routing is changed. Then replicate their tests with the commands above before buying.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the 'awaiting session start' bug

Not checking the router’s firmware or settings can cause overlooked issues. Outdated firmware or strict firewall settings on the router can block game packets, leading to session start failures.

Some players disable necessary game ports by mistake. Confirm that UDP ports 27015-27030 and TCP ports 27015-27030 are open or forwarded correctly to avoid blocking game sessions.

Failing to document and compare test results makes troubleshooting less effective. Log your ping, packet loss, and error timestamps systematically to spot patterns, reducing guesswork and speeding up the fix.

• Ignoring packet loss – Test network thoroughly; ping alone is not enough.
• Rushing to reinstall without checking server status – Could be a known server outage.
• Assuming Wi-Fi is fine – Switch to Ethernet to rule out wireless interference.
• Overlooking game logs – They hold clues about timing and error origin.
• Using VPNs without testing – They can add latency or packet loss.

Questions people still ask

I’ve traced this bug through layered client checks and network tests on live Tarkov sessions.