Fix problems and look things up: errors, glossary and FAQ.
Most IRC problems show up as a short message from the server. Find yours below.
| You see | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Cannot connect / connection refused | Check your internet connection and the server address and port. Try the encrypted port (6697) or the plain one (6667), and try again in a few minutes in case the server is busy. |
| Connection timed out / ping timeout | The connection dropped. Reconnect. If it keeps happening, check your Wi-Fi or switch networks. A Session Keeper keeps your seat warm while you are away. |
| Connection throttled / reconnecting too fast | Networks limit how quickly you can reconnect. Wait a minute or two before trying again. |
| You are banned from this server | Your address is blocked on the network. Contact the network's staff through its website for details. |
| Certificate or protected-connection warning | The server's certificate could not be verified. Only continue if you trust the network and the address you typed. |
| You see | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Nickname is already in use | Someone on that network has it. Pick another with /nick newname. If it is your registered nickname, see "Registering and protecting your nickname". |
| Erroneous nickname | The nickname uses characters or a length the network does not allow. Use letters, digits and the symbols listed under "Connecting to a network". |
| Nickname change too fast | Wait a little and try again. Many networks limit how often you can change nickname. |
| This nickname is registered. Please identify | The nickname belongs to someone, perhaps you. Sign in with your password, or choose another nickname. |
| You see | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Cannot join: invite only (+i) | The room needs an invitation. Ask an op to /invite you. |
| Cannot join: bad channel key (+k) | The room is password-protected. Join with /join #room key. |
| Cannot join: you are banned (+b) | An op has banned your address. Ask politely, in private, through a room op or the network's help room. |
| Cannot join: channel is full (+l) | The room has reached its user limit. Try again later, or ask an op. |
| Cannot join: you need to be registered (+r) | The room only lets in people with a registered, signed-in nickname. Register and sign in. |
| Too many channels | You have joined the maximum number of rooms the network allows. Leave one with /part. |
| No such channel | The room does not exist, or its name has a typo. Check the name and the leading #. |
| You see | What it means and what to do |
|---|---|
| Cannot send: the room is moderated (+m) | Only ops and voiced members can talk right now. Wait, or ask an op for voice. |
| Cannot send: no external messages (+n) | You are not in the room. Join it first. |
| You were kicked | An op removed you, with a reason. You can rejoin, but read the topic and rules first. |
| Excess flood / you were disconnected for flooding | You sent too many lines too quickly. Use a paste site for long text. |
| You do not have operator status | Only ops can use that command in this room. Ask an op, or check that your name shows @. |
| No such nick/channel | The person is not connected, changed nickname or is not in that room. Try /whois or /whowas. |
| Nobody answers | Rooms are slow at times. Keep the window open, repeat your question once after a while, and be patient. |
| Missing messages after reconnecting | IRC does not store history by default. Use a Session Keeper, or a network that replays history. |