How To Fix Diablo 3 Code 3006

Many Diablo 3 players have been getting Code 3006 when logging in or switching characters. Further, it also affects your ability to access the auction house in the game. This issue is usually caused by the servers going down or a weak network connection. But, while frustrating, don’t worry: I have a few methods to get you back to smooth sailing.

Check Blizzard’s Server Status

First and foremost, I recommend checking if the game servers are down. If they are, this is likely the cause behind Code 3006. Servers can go down for technical problems being worked on or for scheduled maintenance work. So, it’s best to rule this possibility out.

You can quickly figure this out by visiting DownDetector for Diablo 3. Once there, see the graph for the number of reports in the past few hours. If there are a lot, the servers are likely down for everyone. In this case, you have no choice but to wait. If not, move onward with the methods.

Change Your Diablo 3 Region

Sometimes, servers can get overcrowded and cause connectivity issues. Additionally, you might have poor routing to the server you are trying to connect, leading to packet loss or latency issues. For both these reasons, I recommend switching your Diablo 3 region to see if that improves the situation. 

Following are the steps to do so:

1. Exit Diablo 3 > Launch the Game Client.
2. Click Options > Account > Server Region.
3. Click the dropdown menu to select a Different Region.

   

4. Save your Settings > Relaunch Diablo 3.

Flush DNS Cache

Your DNS server is responsible for translating endpoints and making communication possible. But, to save time for duplicate requests in the future, this server also maintains a cache. However, this storage can sometimes become corrupt. You will likely encounter network-related issues like Error Code 3006 when this happens.

This is why it’s a good idea to flush your DNS cache ever so often. I suggest this as it’ll clear the storage and optimize your overall connectivity, essentially a soft reset.

Whitelist Diablo 3 In Antivirus

If your connection is fine, your antivirus software is the next most likely culprit. It might be false flagging the game as malware, restricting all of its network access. This is a cause also mentioned by the Official Customer Support for Diablo 3.

So, to solve this, I recommend whitelisting Diablo 3 in your antivirus software. This will let your AV know that this program is safe, and it will leave it alone. 

Verify Your Game Files

As the last solution, I recommend verifying the integrity of your game files. At this point, corrupted or missing files are likely to be causing the problem. While unlikely, there’s always a chance of this happening and causing Code 3006 in Diablo 3. The reasons could be an abnormal system shutdown or an update installation going bad. 

Luckily, most game clients offer built-in tools for this exact task. The process might take a few minutes, but it will automatically fix any issues your game files might have.

My Thoughts

With reports from Reddit, GameFaqs, StackExchange, and Blizzard Forums, I believe the problem has been frequent but never widespread. Of course, I say this excluding the few occasions of major server outages. This is further evident from the Official Support Article for Code 3006, listing the primary cause as server downtimes.

We're looking into the Error 3006 and connection issues with Diablo III and Hearthstone. More updates to come.

— Blizzard CS – The Americas (@BlizzardCS) January 2, 2015

So, generally speaking, you won’t be alone in facing this problem. The good thing, however, is that the Official Blizzard CS Twitter account keeps players in the loop. So, I highly recommend heading there as well. If only to confirm the suspicions and nothing else.

Sometimes, however, the problem can be caused by user-end problems. But, if this is the case, this guide will do the heavy lifting for you. Further, as the methods are simple, I am confident you won’t have too hard a time bypassing this issue. 

Lastly, if you’re still where you started from, Blizzard Support could be your saving grace. You’ll get help personalized to your case, which could be beneficial.