Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error: 2026 Complete Fix Guide and Loot Recovery Rules
The Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error reads “Client and server are out of sync!” and forces a Reload Game. Common triggers are unstable internet, server-side bugs after Supercell updates, cache corruption, or device clock desync.
The fastest fixes are to restart the app, switch networks, restart the router, clear the cache, and check the Supercell server status.
What Is the Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error?
The Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error displays the message “Client and server are out of sync!” mid-game. The error usually appears with a Reload Game button that forces the game to reload. Therefore, your current attack, raid, or Clan War move gets interrupted.
Supercell publicly acknowledged the bug in November 2023 via @ClashofClans on X. The issue resurfaces after most major Town Hall update windows (including the TH17 rollout in March 2025). Furthermore, the error can also stem from your device or network, even when Supercell servers are healthy.
Quick Tip: Check the Clash of Clans Twitter/X handle (@ClashofClans) and DownDetector before troubleshooting your device. A confirmed Supercell outage means the fix is on their side.
5 Fastest Fixes for the Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error
These 5 fixes resolve the Out of Sync error in most cases. Run them in order before moving to the deeper troubleshooting ladder.
- Close Clash of Clans completely (force quit), then reopen.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or vice versa) to test the connection.
- Restart your router (power off for 30 seconds, then power back on).
- Clear the Clash of Clans cache (Android: Settings > Apps > Clash of Clans > Storage > Clear Cache).
- Check the Supercell server status on DownDetector and @ClashofClans on X.
Heads-up: Do NOT clear the app’s “data” or uninstall before linking your Supercell ID. Always confirm your account is connected via Settings > Help and Support > Disconnected.
8 Common Causes of the Out of Sync Error
The table below maps each trigger to the side of the system at fault and the typical fix path. Use it as your first diagnostic check.
| Cause | Side | Typical Fix Path |
|---|---|---|
| Server-side bug after Supercell update | Supercell | Wait for hotfix, monitor @ClashofClans |
| Unstable internet connection | Local | Switch network, restart router, run speed test |
| High server traffic during events | Supercell | Wait 15-30 minutes |
| Cache corruption | Local | Clear Clash of Clans cache |
| ISP throttling or blocking | Local | Test with VPN or change DNS |
| Device system clock desync | Local | Set device to network time (auto) |
| Outdated game client | Local | Update Clash of Clans from store |
| Multiple Supercell ID accounts | Account | Sign out other accounts, restart the app |
Quick Tip: Device clock desync is one of the most overlooked causes. Supercell servers verify timestamps on every action; an off-by-30-seconds clock can trigger the Out of Sync error.
For broader Clash of Clans village strategy and layout setups that pair with troubleshooting, see our Clash of Clans Base Building guide.
The Full 18-Step Diagnostic Ladder
Run these steps in order, from quickest fixes to deepest. Most Out of Sync errors clear within the first 6 steps.
- Force-quit Clash of Clans and reopen.
- Restart your phone or tablet.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data to test the connection.
- Run a speed test (you need at least 5 Mbps stable).
- Forget your Wi-Fi network and reconnect with the password.
- Restart your router (power off 30 seconds, then power back on).
- Clear Clash of Clans cache (Android: Settings > Apps > Clash of Clans > Storage > Clear Cache).
- Update Clash of Clans from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Disable any active VPN or proxy.
- Test with a VPN as a diagnostic tool to check ISP blocking.
- Reset network settings (iOS: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset Network Settings).
- Check device clock (Settings > Date and Time > Set Automatically).
- Switch DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1).
- Check Supercell server status on DownDetector and @ClashofClans.
- Wait 15 to 30 minutes during a confirmed Supercell outage.
- Sign out of any extra Supercell ID accounts.
- Reinstall Clash of Clans (link your Supercell ID first).
- Submit a Helpshift ticket via Settings > Help and Support > Contact Us.
Heads-up: Steps 1 through 6 fix about 80% of Out of Sync errors. Steps 7 through 13 fix another 15%. Steps 14 through 18 are for persistent or post-update bugs.
Out of Sync Behavior by Game Mode
Different game modes handle the Out of Sync error differently. The table below maps the typical behavior across the most common modes.
| Game Mode | What Happens | Loot Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Home Village Attack | Attack rolls back if before 50% damage | No loot, troops return |
| Home Village Defense | Defense usually saves at server level | Trophies typically protected |
| Builder Base Versus | Versus match rolls back if interrupted | Trophies and Versus battle protected |
| Clan Capital Raid | Raid attempt rolls back if early | Capital Gold and Raid Medals not awarded |
| Clan War | Attack rolls back if pre-50% | War stars not credited |
| Clan War Leagues (CWL) | Same rules as Clan War | War stars not credited |
| Friendly Challenge | No loot at stake; just match interrupts | No impact |
| Legend League | Attack rolls back; daily attack count protected | Legend trophies typically retained |
Quick Tip: Take a screenshot of the Out of Sync error before tapping Reload Game. Therefore, you have evidence for a Helpshift ticket if loot or war stars do not return.
Loot and Army Recovery Rules
The Out of Sync error usually rolls back the action server-side. If the error triggers BEFORE Town Hall destruction or 50% damage, the attack typically reverts. Therefore, your troops return to army camps and your loot is not awarded.
If the error triggers AFTER Town Hall destruction or 50%+ damage, the raid usually saves. Furthermore, heroes often return without HP loss, and spell flasks may return to inventory. For Clan War, war stars only credit if the destruction percentage was logged on the server before the disconnect.
Heads-up: Loot recovery is not guaranteed. Submit a Helpshift ticket with your Player Tag and a screenshot if losses persist after one hour.
For deeper army composition advice once your connection is stable, see our Clash of Clans Hero Equipment Tier List for the strongest TH17 setups.
How to Check Supercell Server Status
Run through this 6-step server status check before deep-troubleshooting your device. A confirmed Supercell outage means the fix is on their side.
- Open DownDetector (downdetector.com/status/clash-of-clans) on a browser.
- Check the live spike chart for outage activity in the past 24 hours.
- Open X (Twitter) and search “@ClashofClans” or “Clash of Clans server.”
- Open Supercell’s help page at supercell.com/help for any maintenance announcements.
- Check r/ClashOfClans on Reddit for player-reported outage threads.
- If multiple sources confirm an outage, wait 15 to 30 minutes for Supercell’s hotfix.
Quick Tip: A confirmed Supercell outage cannot be fixed from your end. Therefore, save your time and bookmark a single status page (DownDetector) for fast checks.
How to Submit a Helpshift Ticket to Supercell
If the standard fixes do not resolve the issue, submit a support ticket through Supercell’s in-game Helpshift system. Therefore, the support team can investigate your account directly.
- Open Clash of Clans on your device.
- Tap the Settings gear icon in the bottom right of the Home Village screen.
- Tap “Help and Support.”
- Browse FAQ first to confirm there is no listed issue match.
- Tap “Contact Us” at the bottom right of the help screen.
- Describe the issue with timestamps and your Player Tag (#XXXXXXXX).
- Attach a screenshot of the Out of Sync error message.
- Submit and wait 24 to 72 hours for a response.
Heads-up: Include the exact time the error occurred (with time zone), your Town Hall level, and the game mode you were in. Therefore, Supercell support can pull server logs faster.
Out of Sync Error on iOS vs Android vs PC Emulator
On iOS, the device clock check is at Settings > General > Date and Time. The network reset is at Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset Network Settings. iOS does not expose an app-specific cache clear, so reinstall is the cache-clear path.
On Android, the cache clear path is Settings > Apps > Clash of Clans > Storage > Clear Cache. The network reset is at Settings > System > Reset Options > Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile and Bluetooth. Android also exposes Battery Optimization, which can throttle background sync.
On PC emulators (Bluestacks, LDPlayer, MEmu), the most common Out of Sync trigger is virtual machine network instability. Therefore, restart the emulator, disable bridged networking, and ensure the emulator’s Android version is current. Furthermore, allocate at least 2 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores to the emulator instance.
If your account itself needs maintenance after fixing the connection, see our Change Clash of Clans Name guide for the rename token process.
Out of Sync vs Other Common Clash of Clans Errors
The error messages below all show during gameplay, but each has a different root cause. Use the table to confirm you are dealing with the right error before troubleshooting.
| Error Message | Cause | Fix Path |
|---|---|---|
| “Client and server are out of sync!” | Server desync, network, cache, clock | The 18-step diagnostic ladder above |
| “Maintenance break in progress” | Scheduled Supercell server maintenance | Wait for the announced end time |
| “Connection lost. Reload?” | Total connection drop | Restart Wi-Fi or mobile data |
| “Update required” | Old client version | Update from Google Play or App Store |
| “Account banned” | Terms of service violation | Submit Helpshift appeal |
| “Village under attack” (mid-attack lock) | Defensive shield triggered | Wait for attack to end, then play |
Quick Tip: Read the exact error message before troubleshooting. Different Supercell errors require different fixes.
Common Issues and Fixes
A few recurring problems show up on Reddit and Helpshift threads about the Out of Sync error. Each one has a clean fix.
The error keeps coming back after every attack. Your local network is likely the cause. Switch DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1), and run a speed test for stability.
My Clan War attack didn’t count. If the error triggered before 50% destruction, the attack rolls back and the war star is not awarded. Submit a Helpshift ticket if you crossed 50% before the error.
My Clan Capital raid medals are missing. Capital Gold and Raid Medals only credit on completed attacks. Therefore, partial raids interrupted by Out of Sync errors do not award medals.
The error only happens on Wi-Fi. Your router may be dropping packets to Supercell servers. Restart the router, then test with a different DNS or 5 GHz band.
I lost my Legend League trophies. Legend League attacks usually roll back on Out of Sync. The daily attack count is also protected. Submit a Helpshift ticket if trophies are still missing after 24 hours.
The Out of Sync error appears at the same time every day. Your local ISP may throttle Supercell servers during peak hours. Test with a VPN to confirm, then contact your ISP.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does “Client and server are out of sync” mean in Clash of Clans?
The message means your device and the Supercell server have lost synchronization mid-action. The game cannot confirm whether your latest move was registered. Therefore, the game forces a Reload Game to recheck the server state before continuing.
2. How do I fix the Clash of Clans Out of Sync Error?
Start with the 5 fastest fixes: force-quit the app, switch network, restart your router, clear the Clash of Clans cache, and check the Supercell server status. Then run the 18-step diagnostic ladder if the error persists. Most Out of Sync errors clear within the first 6 steps.
3. Is the Out of Sync error a Supercell issue or my device?
It can be either. Check DownDetector and @ClashofClans on X first. If multiple players are reporting outages, the issue is server-side; otherwise, your device, network, or DNS is the likely cause.
4. Does Clash of Clans roll back attacks after an Out of Sync error?
Usually yes, if the error triggered before Town Hall destruction or 50% damage. Your troops return to army camps and no loot is awarded. If the error triggered after 50%+ damage, the raid typically saves and loot is credited.
5. Will I get my loot back after an Out of Sync error?
Loot recovery depends on when the error triggered. If the attack rolled back, your army cost is preserved but no loot is awarded. If the raid saved past 50% destruction, loot is typically credited; if not, submit a Helpshift ticket with screenshots.
6. Can a VPN fix the Clash of Clans Out of Sync error?
A VPN is a diagnostic tool, not a permanent fix. If the game runs smoothly on a VPN, your ISP is likely throttling or blocking Supercell servers. In that case, switch DNS to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1), or contact your ISP.
7. Does clearing cache fix the Out of Sync error?
Yes, clearing the Clash of Clans cache resolves the error in many cases tied to corrupted local data. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Clash of Clans > Storage > Clear Cache. On iOS, the cache clear path requires a reinstall.
8. How do I check if Clash of Clans servers are down?
Open DownDetector (downdetector.com/status/clash-of-clans), check @ClashofClans on X, visit supercell.com/help for maintenance notices, and scan r/ClashOfClans for player-reported threads. Multiple confirming sources mean a server-side outage.
9. How do I contact Supercell about the Out of Sync error?
Open Clash of Clans, tap the Settings gear icon, then “Help and Support,” then “Contact Us.” Describe the issue with your Player Tag (#XXXXXXXX), timestamps, and a screenshot. Supercell typically responds within 24 to 72 hours via Helpshift.
10. Does the Out of Sync error count my Clan War attack?
War stars only credit if the destruction percentage was logged on the server before the disconnect. Attacks that rolled back before 50% damage do not credit war stars. Submit a Helpshift ticket if you crossed 50% before the error and the star was not awarded.
Axee Davies is the founder of AxeeTech, publishing gaming guides, codes, and Windows how-tos since March 2013. A tech enthusiast for 13+ years — starting with smartphones and Android rooting — he now runs a site that puts out a new guide every day for Roblox players, traders, and Windows users. More about AxeeTech