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Proxy was too slow to respond (timeout)

You might be here because: “proxy too slow to respond” · “proxy timed out when launching” · “session won’t start, proxy timeout” · “it just hangs then fails” · “reason timeout” · “proxy is really slow” · “stuck on connecting”

Short answer

The proxy accepted the connection but did not finish in time. The app shows “The proxy was too slow to respond. It may be overloaded — try again shortly.”. No session was created.

Check first

  • Are you signed in to the desktop app, and is the app up to date? An old build can be refused for saves and launches — see ‘Please update Driftstack to keep editing’ (old desktop build refused).
  • Is the proxy saved and tested? Open Proxies, find the row, press Test (SOCKS5) or Check VPN (OpenVPN/WireGuard) and read the result.
  • If the app shows it is offline, reconnect and try again — proxy changes and tests need a connection.
  • Is a proxy actually chosen for the profile you are launching? Open the profile’s Edit and look at the Proxy picker.

Likely causes and fixes

  1. The proxy is overloaded or half-down. Wait a minute and launch again. If it keeps timing out, the server’s own advice is: retry, then change proxy.
  2. Wrong port (a service that answers but is not a proxy). Something answered but never completed the proxy handshake. Check the port against your provider’s details.
  3. A different proxy from the same provider works? Then this one endpoint is the problem — ask the provider for another, or pick another from your list.
  4. Every proxy from this provider times out. That is the provider’s side. A proxy from a different provider launching confirms it.

A 422 timeout is a statement about the proxy at that moment, not a temporary Driftstack error, so the SDKs do not retry it automatically.

If it still fails

Press Talk to a person in this chat (or open Help) and include: the proxy label and host, the times you tried, and the Test result from the Proxies tab (the latency shown, if any). If a proxy tests green repeatedly but launches keep timing out, a person should look.