Alex Ruben
How To Fix the “Server Name Could Not Be Resolved” Error During FitGirl Game Installation
If you’ve ever tried installing a FitGirl game and kept hitting that annoying “Server Name Could Not Be Resolved” message, you’re not imagining things. Sometimes Windows (or your network) just refuses to talk to the server properly, throwing DNS hiccups your way and stopping the download dead in its tracks. It’s super frustrating, especially since it feels like a random bug, but the good news is, there are some solid tricks to get around it. These steps can help you pinpoint whether it’s your DNS, firewall, or just a corrupt cache, and as a bonus, you might learn a bit about how Windows handles network stuff.
Basically, fixing this error can let your game download or verify files without breaking a sweat, even if the server’s acting weird. So, let’s walk through what’s worked before — no guarantees, but it’s worth a shot.
How to Fix the “Server Name Could Not Be Resolved” During Game Install
Method 1: Flush Your DNS Cache and Reset Network Settings
This background trick helps clear out old DNS entries that might be messing up your connections for no good reason. Kind of weird, but sometimes Windows just gets confused about where it’s supposed to find stuff. Doing this flushes the cache and often kickstarts the connection again.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator. You can do this by typing cmd in the Start menu, then right-clicking and choosing Run as administrator.
- Type the command:
ipconfig /flushdnsand hit Enter. - To be thorough, run:
netsh winsock reset— this resets the network stack, which can help if DNS isn’t the only thing acting up. - Finally, restart your PC and try the install again.
Why do this? Sometimes Windows holds onto outdated DNS info, which prevents connecting to the server correctly. Clearing it out is like telling Windows to freshen its memory. On some setups, this fixes the error right away; on others, you’ll need to go further.
Method 2: Switch to a Different DNS Server
If flushing didn’t do the trick, maybe your DNS provider is acting flaky. Switching to a public DNS like Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) can help Windows find the server better, especially if your ISP’s DNS is the culprit.
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options.
- Right-click your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and pick Properties.
- Scroll to Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), select it, then click Properties.
- Choose Use the following DNS server addresses.
- Type 8.8.8.8 in the preferred DNS field, and 8.8.4.4 in the alternate.
- Click OK and close the windows.
- Restart your connection (disable and re-enable Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then try the game installer again.
This is a common fix for DNS-related errors — provided the problem is DNS, not something else blocking the connection.
Method 3: Run the Installer with Administrative Rights & Disable Antivirus if Needed
Sometimes Windows Security or an active antivirus can think the installer’s sketchy, blocking network requests during the drive to download files. On one machine it worked after disabling AV temporarily, on another… not so much. So, try running the setup as admin, and if that doesn’t help, temporarily disable antivirus or Windows Defender real-time protection.
- Right-click the installer file and select Run as administrator.
- Open Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
- Click on Manage settings under Virus & Threat Protection Settings.
- Switch off Real-time protection for now (remember to turn it back on later).
When disabling security, be cautious. Only disable it briefly and don’t visit risky sites. Sometimes, security features block the install from fetching files because it thinks they’re unsafe or suspicious.
Method 4: Use a Different Network or VPN
If none of the above works, tempting as it sounds, try switching networks — say, connect to a different Wi-Fi or use a mobile hotspot. Sometimes, your network infrastructure or ISP filters make server resolution a nightmare. A VPN might also help route your traffic more directly.
This isn’t the first thing to try, but on connectivity rails like these, it can turn things around pretty quick. Plus, it’s a quick way to see if your local network is at fault.
Extra Tip: Manually Set the Server Address or Use Hosts File Tweak
If you’re comfortable digging deeper, sometimes editing the hosts file (located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) to point the problematic server’s IP directly can solve the resolution problem. This is kinda advanced and runs the risk of messing stuff up if done wrong, so only do this if you know the server’s IP and it’s a last resort.
Wrap-up
All these steps might seem a bit overkill, but fixing DNS or network issues usually does the trick — at least, enough to let your game install or verify. A lot of times, Windows just gets confused about where to find things, and these resets or changes clear things up. Can’t promise perfection, but it’s a decent starting point for that annoying “could not resolve server” message.
Summary
- Flush DNS cache with
ipconfig /flushdns - Switch DNS to 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1
- Run installer as administrator and disable antivirus temporarily
- Try different networks or use a VPN if possible
- Consider editing the hosts file if nothing else works
Fingers crossed this helps
Overall, resolving DNS issues can be a pain, but these methods cover most common causes. Fingers crossed this helps someone avoid a full reformat or hours of troubleshooting. Sometimes, just a quick DNS flush or switching networks is enough to get past the error and get that game downloaded.