An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host Minecraft

The reason you are here is that you got this connection error in Minecraft realm.

Connection Lost

Internal Exception: java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host

It’s alright, errors happen. Especially when it involves a PC game that requires access through a server.

The good thing here is that I have provided a solution that would resolve this error below but, I think it will benefit you more if you understand what the error is and why you are getting it.

What Is Internal Exception: java.io.IOException?

This is a connection error in Minecraft that occurs when your computer is trying to establish a connection to the Minecraft server you chose. Then the connection gets interrupted while travelling between the server and your computer.

This simply means that the host and the clients failed to establish a connection which then leads to the error.

How to Fix Minecraft Internal Exception Java.io.ioexception

Minecraft has stated on its website that the connection error has nothing to do with their servers but its user’s computers.

Here’s how you can troubleshoot your computer to fix the connection error,

1. Switch Windows Firewall Off

Here’s how,

1. Open windows settings with the following command on your keyboard:

Windows key + I

2. Click on update and security.

3. Select windows security by your left-hand side.

4. Click on firewall & network protection in the protections area section.

5. Check for the network that is currently active and click on it. To know which network is active, you will see (active) beside your network.

6. Under Microsoft defender firewall, switch the toggle off to disable windows firewall.

7. Restart Minecraft to check if the error is gone. If the error is gone, then next for you to do is to complete the troubleshooting with the next step.

Here’s how,

Disable Public Access For Java™ Platform SE Binary

1. Search and select control panel in windows search.

2. Change view by to small icons.

3. Click on windows defender firewall inside control panel.

4. By your left-hand side, select allow an app or feature through windows defender firewall.

5. Click on change settings.

6. Look for Java™ Platform SE Binary inside allowed apps and features.

7. Once located, check the box as private. If you find multiple Java™ Platform SE Binary, check all of them as private.

8. Click on ok.

9. Restart your computer.

Once your computer boots back up, you shouldn’t get the Internal Exception Java.io.ioexception error in Minecraft anymore.

2. Enable Native Sandbox

Here’s how,

1. Search for configure Java in windows search.

2. Click on configure Java in the search result.

3. Navigate to the advanced tab.

4. Scroll down to the advanced security settings section.

5. Check the box beside enable the operating system’s restricted environment (native sandbox).

6. Click on apply then ok.

7. Launch Minecraft to see any improvements.

3. Use a VPN

Some Minecraft users that have this same error discovered that the error ultimately resolved itself after using a VPN.

There’s a high chance this will work for you as well.

All you have to do is to download ProtonVPN and install it on your computer.

They have a trial version for you test it with.

After installing the software on your computer, connect to a region that is very close to your location.

Once you’ve done all that, launch Minecraft to check if you are still getting the error.

4. Change Your DNS Address

You can use any DNS server of your choice, but for the sake of this tutorial, we will use the Google DNS server.

Here’s how,

1. Search for control panel in windows search.

2. Click on control panel from the search result.

3. Set the view by to small icons by your top right-hand corner.

4. Click on network and sharing center inside control panel.

5. Click on change adaptor settings by your left-hand side

6. Right-click on the network you are connected to and select properties.

7. Now, double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) to open its properties.

8. Check the use the following DNS server addresses option.

9. Type in the following DNS respectively:

• Preferred DNS server – 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS server – 8.8.4.4

10. Click on ok.

11. Run Minecraft to see if your problem is resolved.

5. Lower Your Server-side View Distance

By lowering the server-side view distance, you shouldn’t get the Internal Exception Java.io.ioexception error anymore in Minecraft realm.

Here’s how,

1. Stop the server if it’s active.

2. Click on files.

3. Click on config files.

4. Select the server settings.

5. Scroll down a little bit to find the view distance option.

6. Once you find it, reduce the number to 4.

7. Click on save.

8. Restart your server

9. Launch Minecraft to see if you don’t get the error again.

6. Check Your Network

There’s a high chance the java.io.IOException Minecraft error is caused by your ISP (internet service provider).

A simple way to confirm this is to create a mobile hotspot on your smartphone and then connect your computer to it.

Once you’ve done that, launch Minecraft to see if you get the Internal Exception Java.io.ioexception error.

If you don’t get the error, it means the problem is from your network.

And a simple way to fix this is to restart your network.

Restart Your Network

Here’s how,

1. Turn off your modem or router by disconnecting all cables.

2. Leave your device idle for at least 5 minutes.

3. Reconnect your devices and hold on for a while for it to fully come up.

4. Connect your computer to the network and try Minecraft real again to see if the error is fixed

If the issue continues, you should contact your network provider for technical assistance.

7. Reinstall Java

If the error persists, you should consider uninstalling and reinstalling Java.

Here’s how,

1. Search and select command prompt in windows search.

2. Set the view by at the top left to small icons.

3. Click on programs and features in command prompt.

4. Look for the Java program file. When you find it, right-click on it and select uninstall. If Java refuses to uninstall, use this guide to uninstall stubborn programs.

5. After uninstalling, you want to download the latest version of Java and install it on your computer.

6. Run Minecraft to see if you still get the java.io.IOException Minecraft error.

8. Reinstall Minecraft

If reinstalling Java doesn’t fix the error, then you should reinstall Minecraft itself.

Use the instructions I provided in step 6 to uninstall Minecraft.

When you are done uninstalling Minecraft, you should download and install it on your computer again.