Error codes

L:100 and L:101 - Launcher failed to launch the streaming app

If the Shadow launcher is unable to connect and start the video stream, the launcher will display one of the following error codes: L:100, L:101.

Solutions

1. Try starting your Shadow again. It's possible your Shadow timed out on the first attempt, but will successfully connect on a second attempt.
2. Shut down your Shadow from the launcher before starting it again. To perform this action, click the Help icon at the top right corner of the launcher, then click Shutdown Shadow. Wait 2-5 minutes, then try to start Shadow again.
3. If Shadow still displays one of these errors, contact Shadow Support and send your diagnostics logs.

L:200 / 500 - Try to start again in a few minutes.

This error means that your Shadow didn't manage to launch the stream. This can be linked to a maintenance or a technical problem, potentially already known to Shadow's teams and in the process of being resolved.

Solutions

First of all, you can visit Shadow's server status page, to check that no incidents are already in progress.

This page is updated in real time by Shadow's teams in case of maintenance or ongoing incidents.

You can also find information about ongoing maintenance and incidents on Shadow's Discord, in the #announcements section.

In this case, we invite you to wait until the end of the intervention and try to connect a few minutes / hours later.

However, if this error "L:200" persists even if no announcement has been made in your area, please contact the Support team.

L:201 / L:202 - Our services are experiencing overload at the moment

This error means that your Shadow didn't manage to launch the stream. This is caused by an overload of Shadow's infrastructure.

Please try again later and check the status of Shadow's services to stay updated.

L:203 - Shadow can't connect and we’ll give you priority for the next 10 min

This error means that your Shadow didn't manage to launch the stream. Too many users tried to connect to Shadow at the moment and you'll be given priority for the next 10 min.

Please try again in a few minutes.

R:101 - Your Shadow is Not Connected to this Device

Error R:101 occurs if you've connected to your Shadow while it is already running on another device. This may also occur if you've tried running multiple instances of Shadow on the same device.

You can resolve this error by logging in to your Shadow account using the preferred device. Error R:101 will appear again if you log in to Shadow on another device, causing your device to disconnect.

If error R:101 continues to appear and you have not attempted to run Shadow on multiple devices, contact Support for assistance.

R:105 - Unfortunately Windows encountered a crash

You will see this error if your Windows has crashed and resulted in a blue screen of death  (BSOD).

To correct this, please shut down your Shadow session via the launcher and restart. You can do this by clicking the help icon in the top right corner of your launcher and choosing 'Shut Down Shadow.'

S:101 - An Issue Happened with the Streaming Services

Error S:101 can happen on Shadow if Windows starts without the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or GPU drivers enabled.

Solutions

Try all of the suggestions provided below in order, starting with the first:

1. Shutdown and completely restart your Shadow
2. Enable your Graphics Card
3. Install the Latest Graphics Drivers

Shutdown and completely restart your Shadow

1. Open the Start menu, then click the Power button to shut down Windows. Tip: You can also shut down Shadow from the launcher. Click the help icon in the top right corner.
2. Close the Shadow application.
3. Wait 5 minutes, then start Shadow again.

Enable your Graphics Card

1. On your Shadow, open the Start Menu, then search for Device Manager.
2. Open Device Manager, then expand or double-click Display adapters.
3. Right-click the NVIDIA graphics card (GPU), then select Enable device.

Install the Latest Graphics Drivers

If your graphics card does not have the latest graphics drivers installed, it may have trouble applying a resolution high enough to support your displace. Try installing the latest graphics drivers from NVIDIA.

S:102 - Unable to Display Protected Content

This error message indicates that the content or program you're trying to access has been blocked on Shadow and other streaming services. Content is usually blocked to prevent users from pirating content on websites such as Netflix. Due to Shadow not having a physical monitor attached, the HDCP chain is broken, and some sites/applications will display a black screen in place of video.

Workarounds

Use Firefox. We don't know why it doesn't care as much about copy protection, but it doesn't. Or, you can disable hardware acceleration in your browser.

If you're using a full application of something like Netflix from the Windows store, or any other application downloaded from the Internet, try using the browser version if applicable, as well as the first workaround mentioned above.

S:103 - Update Your Graphics Drivers in Shadow

Shadow displays this error if the graphics drivers you have installed in Shadow are too old and require an update. Easiest way to do this is to install Quadro Experience (now RTX experience (yes they changed the name, no, it won't turn your P5000 into an RTX card))

U:101 and U:103 - An issue happened with the update services

Errors U:101 and U:103 can happen if an issue occurs while Shadow is updating. This includes both component updates and Windows updates on your Shadow.

Solution

Restart your Shadow to correct this issue:

1. When you see the error, wait for 5 - 20 minutes. Shadow and Windows will have to finish all updates.  
2. After waiting, shut down your Shadow from the Application Launcher by clicking Help > Shut Down Shadow.
3. Close the Shadow application.
4. Restart the Shadow application and try again.

If the error persists, please contact Support to receive technical assistance.

V:100/V:101 - Launcher couldn't connect to Shadow

This error means the launcher couldn't connect to your Shadow. These errors can occur for multiple reasons:

• Your local machine is performing an update that is blocking communication between Launcher and Shadow Datacenter.
• There is a firewall that is blocking the Shadow Launcher's communication.
• There is a problem with your local network or your ISP.

Solutions

1. Check that your local machine is not currently updating, especially the OS and drivers.
2. Disable your Antivirus, Firewall, VPN, or Proxy.
3. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to your modem.
4. Restart your networking gear:
   1. Remove the power cable from your router and or modem as well as any dumb switches (switches without management interfaces)
   2. After 60 seconds, turn on the modem and reconnect your Ethernet cables.
   3. Once your internet connection is available, try connecting again.

L:102 and L:104 - Launcher Failed to Connect to Shadow

If Shadow times out while trying to start your stream, the launcher displays one of the above error codes, indicating the launcher has failed to connect to your Shadow. These errors typically occur if:

• Your Shadow is performing an update in the background, such as a Windows update. You'll need to wait for the update to complete before it will let you in.
• Shadow is not able to start a video stream using your internet connection. The connection may be unstable or lower than Shadow's minimum requirements.

Solutions

Start with the first step below, proceeding through each step until the issue is resolved.

1. Try starting your Shadow again. It's possible your Shadow timed out on the first attempt but will connect on a second attempt.
2. Shut down your Shadow from the launcher before starting it again.To shut down Shadow from the launcher:
   1. Click the Help icon, then click Shut Down Shadow.
   2. Wait 2-3 minutes, then try to start Shadow again.
   3. If Shadow still does not start, shut down Shadow and wait 10-15 minutes before starting Shadow again. This should be enough time to finish any pending updates.
3. Check if your internet connection is stable. Run a speed test following our article, Network Requirements and Optimization. If your test results show a high ping, an unstable download speed, or jitter, this may prevent you from establishing a stable connection to your Shadow.
4. Try connecting to Shadow on a different network or device. Connect to a different network (at a friend's place, work or school, or on a 5G/4G/LTE data network). If the issue persists, try using another computer or phone also compatible with Shadow. This will help determine if the issue is with your device, network connection, or your Shadow.