Fix Black Desert Error Code 12009 [8 Possible Solutions]

Are you dealing with the annoying Black Desert Error Code 12009? Error code 12009, also known as purgatory, is usually something that happens when a player is attempting to install a new game patch or the new version of the game. The error code among PC gamers, and it causes the installation to stop when its about 99% complete.

If you want to fix the Black Desert Error Code 12009, the first thing you should try is disabling any third-party antivirus or firewall software you may be using. Another thing you could try is flushing your DNS or renaming the version.dat file. If that doesn’t work, you want to make sure you are not using a proxy or VPN, as they are known to cause this error in Black Desert. You may also need to make sure you are starting the game with administrative privileges. If all else fails, you can try power cycling your modem or updating Steam.

Black Desert Error code 12009 is a relatively frequent error code for people that play this game. The good news is that this issue is relatively easy to diagnose and resolve. In this article, we will discuss what causes this annoying error. We will also go over 8 ways that you can try to resolve this issue.

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8 Ways  To Fix Black Desert Error Code 12009

Solution 1: Disabling The Third-Party Antivirus Or Firewall

Overprotective firewall can block the communication between the server and the end-user computer. This can be corrected by disabling the real-time protection of your firewall or antivirus. Follow these simple steps to disable real-time protection on windows.

Step 1: Select the start button then click on settings > updates and security > windows security. Then select virus & threat protection > manage settings

Step 2: Switch the real-time protection off

The step is pretty much the same for third-party firewall and antivirus. Simply turn it off directly from the tray icon of your security suite.  There is a high possibility that switching off real-time protection in a third party suite might not be enough.

In the case just uninstall the third party suite and run the black Desert Online, this should solve the problem.

Solution 2: Flush Your DNS

As explained earlier, an inconsistent DNS could be the reason for the error code. In this case, the best solution is to reset your domain name server. The steps are easy to follow.

Step 1: Press the windows key + R; this will open the run dialog. Open an elevated command prompt by typing ‘cmd’ and then pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Grant administration access by clicking on ‘yes’ when prompted by the user account control

Step 2: Once you’ve gained access into the elevated type “ipconfig/flushdns” and then click enter. This will clear the DNS cache and your router will have to assign fresh DNS information

Step 3: Open the black desert online and rerun it. This should fix the problem and the game should be able to run now

Solution 3: Rename The Version.dat file

Having a remnant version.dat file could be the reason for prompting error code 12009. Renaming the older version.dat file can resolve this problem. This will cause the installer to compare it to a new file. The steps are easy and are broken down for easy comprehension. 

Step 1: Close the game and the game launcher; make sure they are not running even in the background. You will not be able to rename the file if the game is still running

Step 2: Go to my computer and navigate to the location where the black desert online is installed. Default location is my computer > local disk > X86 > Black Desert.

Step 3: Locate the file named version.dat, right-click on the file and click on rename. You can choose to rename the file as you wish what you name it to do not really matter. 

Step 4: After renaming the file, try installing the black desert online. The problem should be fixed now.

Verifying Integrity Of Game Files

If there are some missing essential files from the game’s installation, it won’t run as it should. The simple fix to this is to inspect the files to see if there are any missing ones and how they can replace them.

Step 1: Open Steam and log in to your account.

Step 2: Under the library tab, Black Desert Online should be visible. Use the “Properties” option and then select the “Local Files” tab.

Step 3: Press the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option and wait for the process to be completed.

Step 4: Restart your console.

PRO TIP: If the problem is with your PC or device, you should troubleshoot it using Restoro Repair, which scans the repositories and replaces damaged and missing files. This method works in most cases where the problem is due to a system corruption. 

Solution 4: Disabling Proxy Or VPN

Black desert online is very picky when it comes to running on a VPN network or proxy server. Many users have confirmed that they were able to update without error code 12009 after disabling the VPN. You can also decide to uninstall it entirely, uninstallation is quite simple; just follow these steps:

Step 1: Press the windows key + R to open the run box, then type ‘appwiz.cpl’. Scroll down the program and feature menu to find the VPN or proxy application

Step 2: Right-click on it and choose uninstall on the ping booster and follow the steps to complete. You should restart your computer after this

Step 3: Start Black Desert online

Solution 5: Disabling Any Ping Booster Service

This is applicable when you are using a ping booster service. The problem can be resolved by uninstalling the ping booster till after installing the new game version at least.  You can uninstall by following the simple steps

Step 1: Press the windows key + R to open the run box, then type ‘appwiz.cpl’. Scroll down the program and feature menu to find the ping booster application

Step 2: Click on uninstall on the ping booster and follow the steps to complete. It is advisable to restart your computer after this

Step 3: Start black desert online again, the problem should be resolved now

Solution 6: Granting Administrative Privileges

In some situations, the game needs to be granted administrative privileges for sensitive tasks. The absence of these privileges may cause the error to popup So, in this method, we will be providing the game with Administrative Privileges. To do this:

Step 1: First, click on the Game icon, you should see the “Open File Location” button

Step 2: Open the “Open File Location” menu

Step 3: When there, press the game executable and click on “Properties”

Step 4: The next thing to do is click on the “Compatibility” tab

Step 5: Using your mouse, check the ‘Run as Administrator’ Box. Press the apply button and then run a diagnostics to see if the issue persists

Solution 7: Power Cycling Internet Router

If the internet connection provided by your Internet service provider (ISP) is a static one; There is a possibility that the game server may have banned the IP Address that you are currently using. To do this, we will completely reinitialize the internet configurations by totally power cycling the internet router. 

Step 1: Start by unplugging the power cord from the source

Step 2: Wait for at least 5 minutes, and then proceed to plug the cord back in

Step 3: Grant internet access

Step 4: Launch your game

Solution 8: Granting Access In Firewall

At times, Microsoft Window’s firewall might be blocking the game from connecting to the servers. Here, we will be granting the game access in the Firewall. Follow these steps:

Step 1: On your keyboard, Hold down the “Windows” + “S” Keys at the same time and type in “Firewall“

Step 2: You then select the first option that reads, “Allow an app or feature Through Firewall”

Step 3: Press the “Change Settings” option

Step 4: Use your mouse to navigate the list and ensure you check both the “Public” and “Private” option for “Black desert error” and “Steam“

Step 5: Press apply and then run a check to see if the problem is solved

Solution 9: Forcing Steam Update

Your Steam client may not be up to date. This could be related to the issue. There is a need for the latest version of the Steam update for Black Desert to function properly.

Therefore, in this step, we will be forcing it to update. To do this, You need to have granted the application administrative privileges. You could read option 1 to see how to do that.

Step 1: Start by navigating to the “Steam” menu on the top left corner of your screen

Step 2: You should see the option “Check for Steam Client Update”

Updates will automatically be downloaded and installed. After that, the game should reboot immediately

What Causes The “Black Desert Error Code 12009?

Below, we will take a quick look at a few reasons why you are facing this error.

1. Third Party Firewall Or Antivirus

An overprotective third-party firewall or antivirus can be a reason for the error code. There is a possibility that there is a false positive interference with your system’s connection to the game server. This is because the security suite is flagging some of the files the game installer needs to run.

Administrative Privileges

In many cases, the game usually involves administrative privileges before particular tasks that are considered to be sensitive by Windows can be performed. If the game doesn’t have Administrative Privileges, it might malfunction, thereby triggering an error code.

2. DNS Inconsistency

This is common when there is a communication problem between the end-client and the game server. An inconsistent DNS (domain name server) could be the problem affecting the communication between the server and your pc. If you suspect this, you could level(flush) your current DNS value to fix the problem.

3. Old Version.dat file

This is a common cause prompting the error code 12009. The installer relies on old version.dat file when crosschecking the current version against the new one being installed. The installer can be forced to create a new file by renaming the old version.dat file. 

The game might be missing essential files for the connection process to occur. During startup, the requirement of all the data is not that important in the game.

However, when the game is loaded with a recognized connection, it requires all the files to be intact to load the maps. In other words, if there is an absence or when a particular file is missing, it might prompt the error code 12009.

4. VPN Or Proxy Connection Issues

Connection could be denied when you try to connect through VPN network or proxy server. Black Desert is notoriously known to encounter myriads of problem when it is forced to work through VPN or proxy. Black Desert Online Launcher is quite choosy when it comes to connection with a VPN network or proxy server. 

The Ip Ban 

This happens whenever there’s an IP Address associated with your internet connection that has been blacklisted by the game’s server. This could lead to an issue which sets off the error code. In most cases, the connection that was made available by the ISP is not a static one; which means the IP Address is frequently being changed.

As a result of this, one IP Address might get associated with multiple users. If this occurs, any terrible act being carried out by the other user might get you blacklisted through the game’s server. Don’t be mad; it’s the robots at work.

5. Ping Booster Interference

Error code 12009 has been reported by some users to occur when they use a Ping Booster Servicer. Servicers like WTFast, Haste and Ping Booster have been reported by users to cause error code 12009. You can simply fix this by turning off the utility while updating to a newer version.

6. Game Port Closed

This is a common trigger for error code 12009 in Black Desert Online Launcher. This occurs when the main ports used by the game are closed.  The closed port affects the communication between the download server and your PC. 

Conclusion

Black Desert Error Code 12009 can be annoying and make the game frustrating to play. Error code 12009 is occurs when a player is attempting to install a new game patch or the new version of the game.

When it comes to fixing the Black Desert Error Code 12009, the first step is to disable your third-party antivirus or firewall software if you have that installed. Make sure you are not using a proxy or VPN because those utilities are known to cause this error in Black Desert. Also, flushing your DNS or renaming the version.dat file can be viable solutions to this issue. Another thing to remember is you need to run Black Desert with administrative privileges. If nothing else works, you can try power cycling your modem or updating Steam as a last resort.

We hope in reading this article you were able to fix this annoying problem in Black Desert. Thank you for reading!