How to Resolve Connection Issues in Zero Hour [Windows 10]

How to resolve connection issues / problems in C&C Zero Hour.
If you are one of the many players affected by the "unable to connect to other players" message in Zero Hour then you have come to the right place. In this tutorial / guide, I will show you how I've managed to keep connecting to other players via multiplayer online over the years I've played the game. In this guide, I am using Windows 10 here (however most steps I believe will work on the likes of Win 7 and Vista too).
1. Run as administrator and compatibility mode for XP SP3
2. Check windows firewall - add an exception
3. Check for anti-virus software - add an exception
4. Set a static IP address
5. Forwarding ports
6. Boot up Zero Hour and enter a port override
7. Turn off your router firewall to narrow down the problem
8. Switch off your anti virus software
9. Switch off your windows firewall
10. Enable DMZ
11. Switch to a wired connection
12. Contact your ISP
13. Try a different computer
14. Try a different internet connection
15. Try a different router
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Game: Command & Conquer Generals: Zero Hour

[@michox]

16. Try a different house 17. Try a different city 18. Try a different country 19. Try a different planet 20. Try a different galaxy

[@kem5993]

😂😂😂

[@Evan_PNT]

I really want to play but I read or listen to English very poor, so I can't solve the problem according to the clip. But I really appreciate this video. Thanks for the video :)

[@yousefdajani5307]

You don't have to open all the ports. The games uses only 1 UDP port. Choose any port, and open it on your router. And enter that port in the game options. That's it!

[@DoMiNaToR3]

True port 16000 I believ

[@TheNieffi]

Nothing solved my issue so far. I refuse to either pack my pc or buy a new router. :/

[@-doom-2782]

This my problem in 7 years i will follow this tips hopefully it's working

[@BananaPeelzOfficial]

Hey Domi, where did you say I can buy Generals from for 7 pounds. What was the website name?

[@DoMiNaToR3]

G2a.com

[@BananaPeelzOfficial]

Thanks :)

[@dk-lifter3782]

I have used hours upon hours to make zh work. Havent played this game in 10 years and was looking forward to play it again! But alas, i give up, for now, maybe forever. So those of you actuslly able to play this with gentool. Do you still often/reguarly have to find a way around to make zh work or? Does it just work for most part after you figured it out. I dont want to use hours to make this game work to have to sit down and do it All again in another way 1 week after....

[@aliqais7387]

Did everything right and yet same issue not fixed

[@satkotech]

16. Try a different planet

[@المختارالمختار-م4ب]

My problem is game has detected a mismatch this means the multiplayer game has lost synchronization data what is this

[@mohaglade4892]

I launch the game with game ranger but then it goes to the part where it shows IP ADRESS and Remote IP in my case remote IP is empty and causes Timed out connexion issue any advice?

[@davidcohen5300]

tnx this video was very good one!!! i fainaly can play whit my frend on local!

[@_kronic-montana6528]

Hi Dominator how are u ? I have an m8 which does not connect to other players, your video seems fine to me but you speak English and we don't understand everything.... could you help?

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Ask in my discord

[@_kronic-montana6528]

@@DoMiNaToR3 ok i add u

[@omidhosseini6146]

Hi man can u help I dont have the same retour like u I have done all just to put the Numbers on my retour can u help me plz

[@sharksoffo1113]

even aod things its work

[@jakiro6979]

well.. just did this.. now not only that C&C doesnt work at all. i've restared pc and Origin doesnt work anymore at all.... just my luck...

[@DoMiNaToR3]

jakiro ask in my discord tech support

[@jakiro6979]

@@DoMiNaToR3 hey thanks for reply, i've sorted it out, completely reinstalled Origin and the stuff other than Generals works now, too bad that didnt managed to get this game to work online, been playing it since long time ago and would have enjoyied some challanges... your streams are class, cheers and all the best!

[@martiniden338]

How about for windows 7m

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Probably all the same steps but you might have to google yourself how to do each one (if the menus look different)

[@mo7774]

I downloaded the game from u torrnet . does this method work with it?

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Some people do

[@Hannn727]

Well, it did not work :(

[@Lothyde]

Try this guide generalscentral.com/multiplayer/how-to-play-online/

[@mckevingozon6698]

How about on windows 8?? :(

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Most likely all the same but each step might be slightly different. You might have to google yourself each step (where to turn your windows firewall off for example)

[@mckevingozon6698]

Can you make it to me :( Bcoz it doesn't work :(

[@cncHD]

Thank you very much Dominator for uploading this!

[@arshansoleymanianfar854]

My default gate way is identical with my DNS, I only have one DNS

[@Ammar.D]

I literally did every thing in the video and still unable to connect to players I'm so frustrated right now

[@DMRMRT_TR]

are u using windows 10 ?

[@Ammar.D]

@@DMRMRT_TR yes, I'm contemplating installing Ubuntu I fucking hate Win10

[@CryBite]

@@Ammar.D same

[@DoMiNaToR3]

How to fix connection issues (unable to connect to other players) in Command and Conquer Generals Zero Hour. Step 1 - 01:03 Step 2 - 02:23 Step 3 - 04:59 Step 4 - 06:24 step 5 - 15:03 Step 6 - 19:06 Step 7 - 20:12 Step 8 - 21:15 Step 9 - 22:10 Step 10 - 22:44 Step 11 - 23:37 Step 12 - 24:04 Step 13 - 24:32 Step 14 - 25:14 Step 15 - 25:41 List all of steps - 25:59

[@amjadoveq4067]

I have done every single step and it still not working idk why please help me

[@JohnnyCapss]

I cant connect at all. Im able to get into the lobby but one the game starts it disconnects. It was working fine the other day with no issues. Didnt change anything. What can I do to fix this? I have Windows 10.

[@TheNiceGuyJr]

I'm in campus so i cannot modify my router. did everything else still not working

[@alacabamba]

You are an absolute legend. The Internet needed this video badly, thanks.

[@KeeleMVP]

I can get into a game but then I always get the disconnect count down message. Anyone know which specific solution might counter that? I did the first 5 suggestions from the vid with no luck. Cheers in advance for anyone with any insight

[@acemanph]

Tried almost everything except the port forwarding since my internet provider doesnt aloow it, All didnt work. Too Sad.

[@igvarrr]

Same here. Port forwarding is impossible unless you pay extra...

[@hendrson7890]

You are best in general zero hour in all youtu.be er

[@Miguel_Sanchez69]

If your game crashes after some minutes in game, it helped for me to deaktivate g-sync in the driver settings on nvidia gpus.

[@ianlamacraft6707]

This is a fantastic piece of work. Thank you.

[@rushhours5254]

This is not worked for me please help me? to fix that by another way?

[@malikishtaiwe1684]

it's 2021 and im back to this game thx dominator for the help

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Welcome back

[@moukhaangel]

hello boss, sometimes we face a problem when playing zerohour online using gentool, a mismtch messege shows up, and then it counts in our stats as a disconnect ! this issue is killing me :( how to solve it ? although I have all setting as you said, also Options.ini is with the correct ip . I'm using w10 and firewall off no antivirus , this is not always happening , btw, serious error also is coming up sometimes when game is overloaded with units

[@husamaleryani5349]

Finallly, I fixed the problem. I changed my router to another brand and it worked!

[@eliej4900]

Any Ideas on how to solve Lan problems on windows 10? We tried to play C&C generals zero hour together in LAN. We were able to set up a lobby and start the game. I load into the game in a couple of seconds while both loading bars are full. My brother takes more time and on his screen only his bar loads not mine. In the mean time when I'm waiting for him to load I get the connection timed out screen and if I want to kick my brother. When 15 sec (out of 60) are left he can join. A couple seconds later we both have the "connection time out screen for each of us"(I can kick him, he can kick me). Both of us tried to host same thing. Any idea how to solve this?

[@SirFaceFone]

Use a VPN on both PCs such as Windscribe, that solved our issue.

[@eliej4900]

@@SirFaceFone I downloaded windscribe but I don't know how to use it. Any help?!

[@SirFaceFone]

@@eliej4900 Sign up on their site. Download the program on both PCs. Open it up, sign in, then just click the big turn on button. Do this on both PCs (You can sign in with the same email on both). That's it. Then just play the game (select Online on Generals) as usual.

[@eliej4900]

@@SirFaceFone I am trying to establish connection through network lan lobby but it isn't working. Any ideas?!

[@SirFaceFone]

@@eliej4900 I'm not sure how to use Network, we used the Online tab > Create game in 1v1 or any of the server, refresh on the other PC then join the game

[@james0n114]

compele waste of time...10h trick video about how to fix something..come on....FFS

[@AKU666]

Honestly i tired to have problems with desyncs in generals and some weird bug when units suddenly stop to move. So i just moved to Beyond All Reason. Desyncs rarely happening in that game too, but i have a hope that eventually someone will look into problem and fix it eventually because it's open-source project.

[@DoctorSatch]

Online IP is for playing on Revora servers. Local IP is for VPN connections like Gameranger, Radmin VPN and others. It goes with no issues when they are different (definitely they are different)

[@thiagosouza117]

MIssmatch problem bro, do you have any tip ?

[@hmhq7943]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJDClZaPe650o6s

[@igvarrr]

I bought the game a few days ago over the new EA app. Origin is no more... I've installed everything properly and the game runs and is fully patched. Everything runs smoothly. I've tried all of the steps and nothing worked... I always get a firewall problem error message on game ranger... 😞 *UPDATE After research, I have realized that my ISP is blocking me from port forwarding. I do not have a public IPv4 address. I am restricted by CG-NAT... As always, it's all about money. They will give you a public IP if you pay extra... Mother....ers.

[@del1nk798]

its just wont work :( i done everything and stil nothing..just shame..

[@hustlebo]

How do i fix 1 second delay when i play multiplayer?

[@ChiefCrackola]

Would this work for disconnection menu issue?

[@A-Dead-Soul]

For me it nearly broke my new pc. Do you know how to fix it? Since everytime when i go online to play against myself. It works for like 5 min and then out of nowhere crashes. I tried to reinstall CnC, Use your tips, Search online & use my other origin account. But nothing works while on my old PC it works great. It used to do the same when i played single player skirmishes, But oddly enought works sort of. *Still crashes in custom maps.*

[@ReasonablySane]

Our problem is that we are using a lan cable between computers. We're using the same computers we used a year ago and it worked great. Now, though both can see each other. whenever we try to play, computer B never sees computer A loading when computer B starts the game. However, computer A can see computer B has loaded and enters the game. Computer B enters the game after about 20-30 seconds and kicks computer A out immediately.

[@shank4223]

Thank you so so much! I've been here since 1k subs. If you watch you're older videos u killed me lol. Dahman93. JIjIJ

[@Michigsr]

My brother has Nat open. I have Nat strict. I can not change that because i use hotspot to play online. Is it possible if he as host with open nat and i join that we after are not able to connect correctly? Hope someone can help me

[@renoa2000]

Only Thing that worked, was switching to another Internet Provider, That solved the whole Connection Problem

[@aimanal-yousefi5246]

not work with me I am trying to play the game between via windows 8 and 10 I can see the other pc in the game but when start the game the connection get out

[@sarkismourani2713]

It only happens with me when i create the game, knowing that i did every step in the video but it stills giving me the same error. Any solution?

[@khaledalktiesh8341]

Hi, I added my firend but when I create a game, he can’t find it, the game does not appear to him, anyone know why ?

[@Johny40Se7en]

Hell of a faff, but you made it so easy to follow the guide. Thank you fella 👍🙂

[@HamaelSurk]

I just buy the game cause I want it to play it but it say Service not available failed to fetch server data due to interference

[@abass_-wg4nw]

i tryed everything but still fushing game

[@filipondrek868]

Hello i have problem : FAILED TO CONNECT ROOM. Anydoby know what i have to do ?

[@Cubano507]

I followed the video. However, I am using an ISP hotspot where the ISP offers internet plans for using their router. I cannot access the router in order to configure settings. I tried all others steps that I could though still. It seems I cannot connect to other players still. Any suggestions?

[@egccrypto2349]

It tells me that all are good except for the port 80. It doesn't even recognize its existence and says that it fails and that I should check my input.

[@FloetschMaster]

open ports and port forwarding is a huge difference.... the first iopens just a port... the second translates a port and retirects the trafik to a specifig destination (i.e 443 -> 4443), and opens the translated port not the port before the translation

[@ChameleonAgarioMore]

Dominator what is the direct counter to humvees as gla and china other than scud launcher and mig, is there something that can directly engage a fight against those little pains, do the battle buses work?

[@FloetschMaster]

cnc net says you need only port 8054.. and you should never open port 80...

[@Mads-eu5pw]

tryed it all still no luck ;/ anyone know something i can try?

[@emoji159]

thanks for this video man

[@rubendomanico8601]

IT says failed to join, the game is a different version. When i try to join the server, Please help. My patch is 1.04

[@Lothyde]

Check the troubleshooting section of this guide to fix your problem generalscentral.com/multiplayer/how-to-play-online/

[@nicdaveckerl]

i have to run it with Windows Vista compatibility! with Windows XP service pack 3 it dont find the cd and dont start. Someone has a solution?

[@Nothing-kz9pj]

Step 16: Try a different game. Seriously I love this game from childhood but I've spent more time trying to fix it than actually playing it. So many errors and problems from compatibility to resolution, serial numbers, buildings exploding for no reason, bad cracks etc... and then I keep disconnecting when trying to play online -.-

[@denisflorian2431]

then..buy it?

[@Nothing-kz9pj]

@@denisflorian2431 people also have many complaints and issues with the original version

[@ncubejs]

we need a remasrter zh

[@anonymoushe2640]

I am using mobile data usb thetring internet so tell me about how to solve

[@CryBite]

didn't help me. I tried all of them but the router method - which I can't do bcs my stepfather won't let me tinker with it

[@Lothyde]

You should try using a VPN like windscribe

[@9xPika]

Nice video, Very informative and easy to follow.

[@mo7774]

the port 80-80 don't working in my router is it important? Does it affect the rest of the portals?

[@Lothyde]

That port is not used by the game, check this guide for updated info regarding which ports are used by the game generalscentral.com/multiplayer/how-to-play-online/

[@fireboy5559]

It didn't work but your talk is properly thx

[@JohnnyCapss]

I cant connect at all. Im able to get into the lobby but one the game starts it disconnects. It was working fine the other day with no issues. Didnt change anything. What can I do to fix this? I have Windows 10.

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Did you check everything I mentioned? If so try reinstalling or another router

[@JohnnyCapss]

I tried that too. Nothing. Now I cant even log on line to the game itself. Other games work fine.

[@vladimirtimoshenko8006]

Does it guide usefull for NAT (Network Address Translation)?

[@yurayurann9122]

Hello! I really like the game ZH .I configured everything as in video, but in any way won't connect to players .I can't open the ports. the router is not present .Help me what can I do? thank you!

[@Lothyde]

Check this guide generalscentral.com/multiplayer/how-to-play-online/

[@diplomatpubgmobile4496]

It didn't work. What I must do???

[@yurayurann9122]

Although the server GAMERANGER everything is fine!

[@sebowski3734]

Tried everything multiple times for up to a week, but everything failed. After I got too frustrated, I tried pinging my router from my extern server. No response, even though, I allowed tcp, udp und icmp for every port in case of udp and tpc. It failed. Tried nmap tcp/udp all ports (no ping probe) - nothing. This seems to be a provider problem. The provider only uses IPv6, but this option is not supported amongst all cnc games. In my case, this is "kabel vodafone", a german internet provider. I will give this some more tests on monday to be sure, but this seems to be a permanent problem with cnc online. :( I'll keep you updated. Keep up the good work!

[@DoMiNaToR3]

I think IPV6 has no chance but not sure

[@sebowski3734]

​@@DoMiNaToR3 Well, I still can't narrow it down completely. After more tests, IPv6 almost seems to be the issue for online play in general, but I can't explain, why Tiberium Wars / Kanes Wrath works with Hamachi (Network Game) and Generals / Zero Hour doesn't, since it should eliminate the v6 problem completely. On the other hand, Hamachi causes it's own fair share of problems, so: more blackboxes... If I ever find a solution, I'll let you know.

[@phlippk8175]

Same Problem ;-) Mit der Vodafone Box funktioniert es nicht. Es liegt am IPv6. Bei Unitiy Media kannst du die Telefon Komfort Option dazu buchen für 5 € monatl. Mit der Fritz Box geht es dann. Du musst dir aber Dual-Stack freischalten lassen!

[@phlippk8175]

Hintergrundinfos gibt es hier: www.meine-bandbreite.de/

[@phlippk8175]

@@DoMiNaToR3 I´m sure. You need IPv4. Otherwise all your useful tipps are useless...

[@BenzAlobeidy]

i hope one day to play with you

[@Sarmad.S]

That fixed it! thanks

[@davidmoore39]

Thanks Domi I got this video from your stream today..

[@davidmoore39]

It works now too! My firewall was blocking Genevo and so it would not allow me to play online!

[@adnankaro5708]

Can’t go online tell check your Internet how can I fixed

[@Lothyde]

Try this guide generalscentral.com/multiplayer/how-to-play-online/

[@sharksoffo1113]

i tried every thing but i can play 1v1 2v2 but no more why??

[@DoMiNaToR3]

SHARK SOFFO ask on my discord tech support

[@sharksoffo1113]

how i can do that ??

[@XronisFountoukidis]

Thanks!!! it helped a lot!

[@anonimous3933]

How kan i install the game? Help

[@marwanhallak9341]

Thank you Domi you are the best ❤️

[@anonimous3933]

Main ses log in with administreisiom

[@bozzpepz9930]

not working

[@stemoleum]

All the support from Boston USA! Keep it up!

[@nourned6051]

Thankyou

[@HamaelSurk]

Are the servers still on?

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Play on gameranger

[@Hannn727]

GG

[@simcity2011]

Dominator this fix was amazing ty !

[@MarvoldX]

Much love to you from Palestine, i really enjoy ur videos, keep on man ❤❤

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Omar Nabulsi thank you :)

[@mo7774]

عمر شلون نجحت وياك؟

[@thesteedskiy8833]

Fakestine

[@TheRealSebastianLee]

Use VPN if all this doesn’t work!!!

[@rushhours5254]

how ???????

[@TheRealSebastianLee]

Use VPN, that’s how

[@TheRealSebastianLee]

GameTech93 unfortunately there are no free VPN’s out there. If there is a few, I wouldn’t trust them. There are a few VPN services that will offer Unlimited VPN, up to 5 devices for a one time fee instead of paying monthly.

[@TheRealSebastianLee]

GameTech93 try it out to see if it works. If so, find a VPN at an affordable price.

[@WaelHaddad69]

good one dom

[@kingbach24]

I do I fix mismatch issue?

[@DoMiNaToR3]

It means you have different game files to the other players. Don’t edit your files

[@kingbach24]

@@DoMiNaToR3 Would changing the Game resolution to 1080 and Camera Height, cause mismatch? Even if I do the same changes to all the players?

[@alanhind3159]

thank you it is work

[@TheFishCostume]

Every time I try to do multiplayer, even if there's no other players, the game runs way too fast. Does anyone know how to fix this? I've tried changing config files, I've tried going into the skirmish options to change the game speed, I've tried limiting the game to one core, and I've tried forcing the game's framerate to 30 with Radeon Settings, but nothing has worked.

[@DoMiNaToR3]

Got a video clip example ??

[@TheFishCostume]

@@DoMiNaToR3 I actually got it to work after I posted that comment. I used RivaTuner to limit the game's framerate and now it's playable. Thanks for the response, though.