Quick facts
- Latest named patch reviewed: 0.11
- Launch hotfix addressed joins, queues and unexpected kicks
- Steam anti-cheat: Elytra
- Secure Boot and TPM: not currently required
Choose the right branch
| Symptom | First useful check | Continue |
|---|---|---|
| Login queue or cannot join | Check official notices and installed update | Server status |
| Server missing | Choose Official or Community; reset applicable filters | Server browser |
| Kicked or disconnected | Capture exact wording and server context | Queue / kicked guide |
| Crash or launch failure | Update, verify files, record the error | Crash checklist |
| Low FPS or hitching | Record resolution, preset and full hardware | Settings checklist |
| Security error | Read the current policy, not another game’s BIOS fix | Anti-cheat |
Account access versus installation
Check that Steam is signed into the account that owns the released game. An old test signup does not establish a purchased license, and a closed test installation is not the same as the current main game.
For an installed copy, restart the game after pending updates, then use Steam’s built-in file verification. Keep normal OS and GPU software current through their official channels. Do not download third-party repair executables or delete arbitrary system folders.
What the official fixes tell us
The September 10 launch hotfix targeted failed joins, unexpected kicks and extended queues. The September 12 patch 0.11 announcement adds server-browser improvements and further GPU crash fixes. These are dated changes, not proof that today’s servers are down or that every crash is fixed.
Season 1 also addressed two frame-generation crash paths. If diagnosing a crash, record whether Frame Generation was enabled and compare one setting at a time. See the focused crash page for the reporting checklist.
Platform and security boundaries
The developer calls controller support limited and Linux not officially supported. Steam Deck performance is not established here. Windows repair steps do not turn those statements into support promises.
Steam now names Elytra. The official security policy currently requires neither Secure Boot nor TPM. Do not use a generic disconnection as a reason to alter firmware or bypass anti-cheat.
Send a useful report
Include the game build, exact message, time and timezone, server ID where relevant, OS, CPU/GPU/RAM, driver version, reproduction steps and changes already tried. Redact account recovery codes, keys and personal details. Use the official Steam community or the developer-directed support destination.
What changed
The diagnostic entry point now reflects the released game and actual launch/0.11 fixes, replacing playtest-first and Easy Anti-Cheat guidance.
Update history
— Reviewed against current Steam requirements, developer FAQ and Season 1 announcements.
First published 2026-08-09. Existing URL preserved during the Early Access update.
Frequently asked questions
01Does a kick always mean a ban?
No. Read the exact message. Official launch notes also addressed unexpected kicks; a community-server ban is different from game-wide enforcement.
02Should I change BIOS settings?
Not based on this checklist. Secure Boot and TPM are not currently required under the official policy.
03Will these steps guarantee a fix?
No. They are reversible checks and evidence-gathering steps, not a universal repair promise.
Official sources
These are the first-party sources used for the claims on this page. Early Access details can change; the page records its last source review above.
- 01WARDOGS on Steam ↗BULKHEAD / Team17 · Official store
- 02WARDOGS FAQ ↗BULKHEAD developer account · Developer FAQ
- 03Launch Stability Hotfix #1 — 10 September 2026 ↗BULKHEAD · Official site
- 04Scheduled Maintenance & Patch 0.11 — 12 September 2026 ↗BULKHEAD · Official site
- 05Security & Enforcement — updated 7 September 2026 ↗BULKHEAD · Official site
- 06UPDATE: Linux Compatibility — 4 September 2026 ↗KingHoward [developer] / BULKHEAD · Developer reply