Helldivers 2 has been a hit among players, but a frustrating issue is currently blocking new recruits from even stepping onto the battlefield. If you’re seeing the dreaded “Request 16, Error -1, Status 500” message when trying to launch Helldivers 2, you’re not alone. Let’s understand what this error means, why it’s happening, and what (if anything) you can do to fix it.
What is Helldivers 2 Request 16 Error -1 Status 500?
This error primarily affects new players trying to access Helldivers 2 for the first time. After downloading the game and launching it, the error message appears before players can even complete the tutorial.
Error Message
“Request 16, Error -1, Status 500”
This message points to a server-side issue where the game client cannot successfully communicate with the backend servers.
Why is This Error Happening?
According to a recent statement from the Helldivers 2 development team, the error stems from a problematic backend update. This update caused the planet liberation system to malfunction, drastically increasing the liberation rates. To prevent further issues, the developers paused the Galactic War system temporarily.
Unfortunately, this backend issue also prevents new players (those who haven’t completed the tutorial) from connecting to the game servers at all.
- Existing players can still log in and play.
- New players, or anyone trying to access the game for the first time, get blocked with Request 16 Error -1 Status 500.
- The Galactic War itself is paused while the developers fix the root issue.
What Players Are Experiencing
This error has been widely reported on Reddit, Steam forums, and community groups. Here’s a snapshot of what affected players are saying:
- Many new players across platforms (Steam and PS5) are locked out.
- Players who purchased the game on the same day as their friends or partners found that new players were blocked while existing players could still log in.
- Some players on family-shared accounts (Steam) experienced the issue, while the main account holder could still play.
- Reports indicate that the issue may also be affecting new players in specific regions, such as France.
What Players Have Tried (But Doesn’t Work)
Community members have tried numerous troubleshooting steps, but none have resolved the issue because it’s entirely on Arrowhead’s servers. These include:
- Verifying game files on Steam
- Restarting PCs and consoles
- Disabling antivirus and firewalls
- Updating DirectX and Visual C++ libraries
- Reinstalling the game
None of these solutions work because the root problem is server-side.
Official Status and Developer Response
The Helldivers 2 team acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the Galactic War system was paused due to a backend bug. While the pause was intended to protect the game’s balance, it unintentionally blocked new player logins entirely.
The developers do not have an ETA for the fix, but they are actively working on it.
We are aware that this is preventing new players from accessing the game. We will keep you updated as soon as we have more information.
There is no confirmed player-side fix. If you’re a new player seeing Request 16 Error -1 Status 500, the only option is to wait for the developers to release a server-side fix.
What You Should Do
- Monitor the Official Helldivers 2 Twitter account, Steam community page, and Discord for updates.
- If you just purchased the game and want to raise your concerns, you can contact Arrowhead Game Studios directly or open a support ticket with Steam or PlayStation Support.
Final Thoughts
The Request 16 Error -1 Status 500 in Helldivers 2 is not caused by player error. It’s a server-side bug introduced by the developers during a recent backend update. New players are most heavily impacted, and the only real solution is to wait for the developers to fix the backend.
Have you encountered this error? Share your experience in the comments below and let us know if you find any new solutions.
