Re: BF2042 Matches Not Launching Since 12/26/2023
Have you tried entering the DNS address for your Ethernet / Wifi connection in Windows ? Below I attach a screen shot of how to do this, order according to the numbering. In my case this solved the problem of connecting to the main server in CoD WW II and newer. The auto-detect option does not always work correctly.
Screen attached --> configure.jpg.
I have DNS configured in Windows (I do it every time after Windows formatting) and believe me, everything works much better for me, even websites open faster.
The second probable cause of this error (if DNS does not help) is a poorly configured firewall rule for the BF2042.exe application (you probably blocked the connection for it by accident), go to Windows Firewall / Antivirus / External firewall that you installed because you thought the firewall was Windows is vulnerable, go to the rules for the BF2042.exe application, and if you don't have one, create it and allow all connections (outgoing and incoming).
If these 2 things mentioned above do not help, read how to enable the UPNP IGD option in your router (The UPNP IGD option causes the router to open outgoing NAT ports itself - and outgoing ports are needed for gaming), after unlocking, restart the router using the same programming/browser to make changes to the router.
If that's not enough, read how unblock the NAT ports on your router, find the ports to be unblocked for the BF2042 game and unblock them, then restart the modem using the modem software/same browser you used to change the settings.
GL & Happy New Year.