The Blizzard Downloader is a tool used to download Blizzard game clients like StarCraft II, Diablo II and Warcraft III. It allows users to download large files without being limited by a host's bandwidth by using a peer-to-peer protocol. Your computer may need to be configured in certain way to optimize the speed and functionality of the Downloader. Below are basic steps that will resolve many common Blizzard Downloader Issues.
If you are experiencing a specific error message, please check the Blizzard Downloader Common Errors page for solutions before continuing troubleshooting.
Power Cycle Your Modem and Router
Many common file transfer issues can be solved by simply resetting the connection on your modem and router. Please visit our Connection Troubleshooting page for detailed instructions on how to power cycle your modem and router.
Disable the Peer-to-Peer Protocol
Some ISPs restrict or block peer-to-peer traffic. Disabling peer-to-peer may increase your download performance Additionally, older or faulty network equipment may not be able to handle the number of connections that the peer-to-peer protocol attempts to create.
To disable Peer-to-Peer:
- Click on the "View" menu
- Select "Preferences"
- Uncheck the box labeled "Enable Peer-to-Peer Transfer"
- Click the "OK" button
Disable Proxy Settings
Check to see if your computer is configured to use a proxy server. An internet proxy is an intermediate computer server that sits between an end user and the internet. It is usually used to filter or redirect normal traffic requests. Most home internet users should not be configured to use a proxy server.
To Remove Proxy Settings:
- Click on the Start Menu
- Click "Control Panel"
- Click "Internet Options" (This might be under "Network and Internet")
- Click on the "Connections" tab
- Click on the "LAN Settings" button
- Uncheck "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN"
- If "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN" is already unchecked, try to toggle "Automatically detect settings". If it is checked, uncheck it. If it is not checked, check it.
- Click the "OK" button
*Note: If proxy settings were enabled, we highly recommend running virus scans. These settings are often enabled by a virus in an attempt to steal your personal information. Please visit our Computer Security page for more information.
Confirm Administrator Access
Windows
Please ensure that you are logged in to an Administrator account within Windows in order to properly use the Blizzard Downloader and patches. We only offer support for our games if played on an Administrator account. If you have additional permissions questions, you should refer to your Windows help files or documentation.
*Note: If you are running Windows Vista or 7, please start the the downloader application by right clicking on it and selecting "Run as Administrator".
Mac OSX
Repairing File Permissions
File permission problems can arise when Mac OS X is updated. This can cause our games not to launch or to unexpectedly quit when certain game features are accessed. Please use the steps below to repair file permission settings on the hard drive you have installed our games on.
- Click on the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Open the Applications folder.
- Open the Utilities folder.
- Double click on the Disk Utility application icon.
- Select the hard drive the game is installed on.
- Select the Disk First Aid option.
- Click on the Repair File Permissions button.
Try to start the start the downloader again.
Changing Account File Permissions
Since Mac OS X is a true multi-user operating system and only administrators can install programs, problems can arise when normal users attempt to create new player profiles, or download online content for our games. This stems from the fact that non-administrator accounts do not have write access to the game folders. To set write access for a non-administrator level account.
- Find the game folder on the hard drive and click on it.
- Click on the File menu in the menu bar.
- Select the Get Info menu item.
- Click on the Ownership and Permissions item in the folder's Info window.
- Click on the Details: item if there is one.
- Click on the Others: choice bar. If you are asked for a user name and password enter the user name and password for an administrator account you have on the system.
- Select the Read & Write item in the Others: choice bar.
- Click on the "Apply to enclosed items" button.
Try to start the start the downloader again.
Shut Down Background Applications
Third-party programs and services running in the background could be using up system and network resources, negatively affecting the Blizzard Downloader. Please visit this page for instructions on how to temporarily disable third-party applications.
Firewall Configuration
A firewall is a program or device that fitlers internet traffic ports. There are two types of firewalls that can prevent can prevent the Blizzard Downloader from working correctly if they are not properly configured. Software firewalls usually work by filtering or blocking information to individual programs. Software firewalls are oftentimes integrated with antivirus software. Hardware firewalls work by filtering traffic before it ever reaches your computer. Hardware firewalls are usually integrated with your router. Please visit our Router Configuration page for steps on properly configuring your firewalls.
Run a Virus Scan
A trojan, virus, or keylogger could be interfering with the Blizzard Downloader. Please update your antivirus software and virus definitions before running a scan. For more information, please visit our Computer Security page.
Network Card Driver Updates
Some connection and network issues can be resolved by updating your network card drivers. These drivers can are usually located on your computer manufacturer's website. For a list of common computer manufacturers and network card support sites, please visit this page.
Tried Everything Here?
If the above solutions do not help, please open a Support Ticket and include:
- The exact text of any error message[s] you're seeing, preferably in text form. These contain a lot of useful information that we need. If that is not possible or you can't copy it, try to take a screenshot of it.
- Where in the download or patch process the error occurs
- Whether the above steps affected the problem- Any other information that may help us troubleshoot the problem
