You tried to join a game, or got dropped mid-session, and Roblox showed "Error Code 266: Your connection timed out. Check your internet connection and try again."
It means the Roblox app could not establish or maintain its connection to the game server before the connection timed out. It happens on PC, Mac, and mobile.
266 is a connection error, not a ban or a creator kick. It sits alongside other Roblox error codes and fixes, but its message points you toward network and app troubleshooting.
Find your likely cause below, then work through the numbered fixes in order.
| Likely cause | Fastest fix |
|---|---|
| Weak or busy wifi | Switch networks or restart your router (fixes 1-3) |
| Slow or blocked connection | Check speed, firewall, and VPN (fixes 4-6) |
| Broken Roblox install | Reinstall and clear old app data (fixes 7-9) |
| Roblox-side outage | Check status.roblox.com and wait |
Fix your connection first
Roblox describes 266 as a connectivity timeout, including timeouts caused by low bandwidth or slow internet. These fixes go from fastest to most involved, so start at the top.
1. Rejoin the game and restart Roblox
A restart is a quick test for a temporary app or connection problem.
- Close Roblox completely.
- Reopen it and join the same game.
If you get in and stay in, you are done.
2. Restart your router and modem
Restarting your network equipment can clear a temporary local connection problem.
- Unplug your router and modem from power.
- Wait about 30 seconds.
- Plug them back in, wait for the lights to settle, and rejoin.
3. Try a different connection
This test helps show whether your network is involved. Roblox suggests trying a wired connection or another internet source to rule out an inconsistent wireless connection.
- On PC, plug in an ethernet cable if you can.
- On mobile, switch between wifi and mobile data, or join through a phone hotspot.
- Rejoin the game on the new connection.
If 266 disappears on the other connection, focus on your original network.
4. Check your internet speed
Roblox recommends at least 4 to 8 Mb/s when one person in the home is using the connection. Run any free speed test to see where you stand.
If you are under that, pause downloads and video streams on other devices, move closer to the router, and try again.
5. Let Roblox through your firewall
Firewalls and security software can block game traffic. Roblox uses UDP ports 49152-65535, so blocked ports can prevent the app from connecting correctly.
Open your firewall or antivirus settings and make sure Roblox is listed as an allowed app.
6. Test without your VPN
If you use a VPN, disconnect it briefly and rejoin. If 266 still appears, turn the VPN back on and continue to the reinstall steps.
Still timing out? Reinstall Roblox and clear its old data
If your connection checks out, corrupted app files or saved app data may be involved. Use the steps for your device.
7. On Windows
- Uninstall Roblox from Settings > Apps.
- Press Win + R, type
CMD, and press Enter. - In the Command Prompt window, type
cd AppData\Localand press Enter. - Type
rmdir /s Roblox, press Enter, then typeyto confirm. - Restart your PC and reinstall from the official Roblox download page.
If your PC also dumps you out of games without any timeout message, the fixes for Roblox closing on PC go deeper on install and driver problems.
8. On Mac
- Quit Roblox.
- Drag the Roblox app to the Trash, or select it and press Command-Delete.
- Reinstall from the official download page.
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security and confirm Roblox has permission to run.
9. On iPhone and Android
- Force close the Roblox app.
- Restart your device.
- Reinstall Roblox from the App Store or Google Play.
- Check that your date and time are accurate. Roblox recommends this to help keep the device in sync with its servers.
If nothing works, it might be Roblox, not you
Check Roblox's status page, try a different game, and ask a friend if they can join. If the same timeout is affecting many players or experiences, wait and try again later.
One last check: read the error message again. Error 267 is a separate creator or system kick and may include a ban message. Error 268 says you were kicked for unexpected client behavior. It is not a ban family, and neither code should be diagnosed from a 266 timeout message.
If Roblox crashes to your desktop instead of showing a timeout dialog, work through the fixes for "An error occurred and Roblox cannot continue" or "An unexpected error occurred and Roblox needs to quit" instead. Those are app crashes, not connection drops.
