Everything You Need to Know About Elden Ring Offline

Do you know how to set up and play Elden Ring offline? It’s pretty straightforward, but there are some details you may have missed. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

How Do You Start Elden Ring Offline? 

You can either change a setting in the game’s main menu or directly disconnect your device from the internet to play Elden Ring offline.

1. Computer

Since the online mode is enabled automatically, you have to manually adjust the setting to go offline. In the game’s main menu, navigate through “Settings,” “System,” “Network” and “Launch Settings” to deactivate it. Restart your game for the feature to take effect. 

You can also disconnect your game client from the internet to play games offline. Since FromSoftware only offers Elden Ring on Steam, you must go through its tedious disconnection steps.

Check the “Remember Me” box in account settings and uncheck the “Don’t save account credentials on this computer” box in security settings. Then, you have to make sure there are no active or pending downloads. Start the game before finalizing, then close it once you ensure it runs offline.

Once you’ve done each of these steps, select “Steam” from the main window and hit “Go Offline.” It displays an explanatory pop-up where you must choose the “Enter Offline Mode” option to begin. Now, you can play Elden Ring without an internet connection.

2. Steam Deck

Since Elden Ring is playable on the Steam Deck, you can play it offline on one. Just like on a computer, you can play without wifi by going to the main menu and selecting “Settings,” “System,” “Network” and “Launch Settings.” Make sure to restart the game after going offline to get the change to take effect.

If you want to disconnect from wifi entirely, go to your “Internet” settings and toggle “Enable Wi-Fi” off. Remember to only put your Steam Deck in sleep mode, as turning it completely off forces you to revalidate your ownership of Elden Ring — meaning you can only play after reconnecting to the internet.

3. Xbox

If you don’t have Xbox Gold or Game Pass Ultimate, you’re already set to play Elden Ring offline. Even if you do, you only need to go to “Settings,” “System,” “Network” and “Launch Settings” to deactivate the online mode. Make sure to restart the game before proceeding.

Alternatively, you can directly disconnect your Xbox from the internet. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, then navigate to “Profile & system,” “Settings,” “General” and “Network settings.” Once there, hit the “Go offline” option. If you want to remove it from the wifi entirely, select the option to “Forget wireless network” to clear its internet connection.

For those with a wired connection, simply unplug the LAN cable from the back of your console to disconnect it. You can then play offline automatically since Elden Ring won’t be able to connect to the internet. 

If you can’t play Elden Ring without internet access, it may be because you haven’t correctly set up your Xbox to allow offline access. Make sure the console you’re playing on is set as your home Xbox so it registers you actually own the game.

4. PlayStation

Unless you have PlayStation Plus, you automatically play offline. Even if you do, you can always go through “Settings,” “System,” “Network” and “Launch Settings” in the game’s main menu to enable offline mode. Once you relaunch the game, you can play without wifi.

You can also disconnect your Playstation from the internet entirely. Since it’s automatically enabled by default, you have to manually change the setting. Go to settings, then choose “Network” and uncheck the “Connected to the Internet” box. If you have a wired connection, remove the LAN cable from the back of your console.

Tips for Playing Elden Ring Offline

Do you know what to expect when you first start playing the game offline? There are quite a few gameplay and technical changes you should know about. 

Here’s what you should know when playing Elden Ring offline:

• Playing: Going offline deactivates all multiplayer features like appraisal health boosts, summons, player invasions, spirits and bloodstains. You must adapt your playing style to their absence if you’re used to them.

• Saving: While saving works just like it usually does, know you have to choose to restore from your “local” saves if you ever enable online mode again. Otherwise, you will lose the progress you made while offline.

• Pausing: Even though you can’t play with others while offline, the game still won’t let you pause. If you want to step away, you’ll have to find a Site of Grace to rest at or fully quit the game.

As long as you keep these tips in mind, going offline isn’t a huge commitment. You’ll have a much better playthrough when you know what to expect going in.

How Do You Go Back Online in Elden Ring?

Enter Elden Ring’s settings on the main menu, then go to “System,” “Settings,” and “Launch Settings” to find the option to go online. If you went offline by disconnecting your system, you have to walk yourself back through the initial steps you followed.

You can go back and forth between offline and online mode as much as you’d like. There’s no penalty for doing so. Whether you travel without wifi often or find yourself missing summons, it’s okay to keep switching it up to fit your mood.

Why Should You Play Offline?

You should play Elden Ring offline if you want performance improvements, less clutter, fewer invasions and no cheaters. Since some people report drops in their framerate while playing it on Steam Deck, an offline performance boost is ideal. 

Although it’s not the perfect fit for everyone, it’s a great alternative to online mode because you get both technical and visual improvements. Even if you don’t want to commit to it, try it out to see how you like it.

It’s Time to Go Offline

Elden Ring has been out for long enough that the offline mode may be just what you need to get back into the game. Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy the Lands Between even better when you explore it with a new play style and fresh eyes.