How to fix error "Connection lost" in desktop app
The “Connection lost” error can appear when your computer can’t resolve the Multilogin launcher address correctly.
➡️ Start by adding 127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt to the hosts file → clear the DNS cache → restart the Multilogin desktop app.
If that doesn’t fix the connection, try changing your network DNS to Google DNS using the steps at the end of this guide.
You’ll need administrator access
Editing the hosts file and clearing the DNS cache require administrator permissions.
Edit the hosts file
The hosts file tells your computer which address to use for launcher.mlx.yt. Adding the Multilogin launcher entry there can fix the connection when your computer is resolving that address incorrectly.
Check the hosts file before saving127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt should appear only once. Leave an empty line at the end of the file.
Windows
Option 1: use Command Prompt
- Open the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt”
- Right-click it and select “Run as administrator”
- Run:
echo 127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt >> %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Press Enter
Option 2: edit the file manually
- Open:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
- Open the file with administrator permissions
- Check whether this line already exists:
127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt
- Add it if it’s missing
- Save the file
macOS
Option 1: use one Terminal command
- Open “Terminal”
- Run:
echo "127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts
- Press Enter
- Enter your Mac administrator password when prompted
Option 2: edit the file with Nano
- Open “Terminal”
- Run:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
- Enter your administrator password
- Add:
127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt
-
Press
Control + X -
Press
Yto save - Press Enter to confirm
Linux
- Open “Terminal”
- Run:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
- Enter your administrator password
- Add this line with the other IPv4 entries:
127.0.0.1 launcher.mlx.yt
-
Press
Control + X -
Press
Yto save - Press Enter to confirm
- Run:
resolvectl flush-caches
- Restart Multilogin
Flush the DNS cache
Your computer may still remember an old or incorrect address even after you update the hosts file. Flushing the DNS cache clears that saved result so the new launcher mapping can take effect.
Windows
- Open “Command Prompt” as administrator
- Run:
ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart Multilogin
macOS
- Open “Terminal” and run:
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache
- Then run:
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
- Restart Multilogin.
Linux
- Open “Terminal”
- Run:
resolvectl flush-caches
- Restart Multilogin
Still seeing “Connection lost”?
If the hosts file is correct and the DNS cache is cleared, the problem may be with the DNS servers your network is using.
Switching to Google DNS gives your computer another way to resolve network addresses and can help when your current DNS is causing the connection issue.
Windows
- Open the Start menu and search for “Run”
- Enter
ncpa.cpl - Find your active network connection
- Right-click it and select “Properties”
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” → “Properties”
- Select “Use the following DNS server addresses”
- Enter:
- Preferred DNS server:
8.8.8.8 - Alternative DNS server:
8.8.4.4
- Preferred DNS server:
- Click “OK”
macOS
- Go to Apple menu → “System Settings” → “Network”
- Select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection
- Click “Details”
- Open “DNS”
- Click
+ - Add:
8.8.8.88.8.4.4
- Click “OK”
Linux
- Open “Settings” → “Network”
- Select your Wi-Fi or wired connection
- Click the cogwheel icon
- Turn off automatic DNS
- Enter:
8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
- Save the changes
- Flush the DNS cache again:
resolvectl flush-caches
- Restart Multilogin
If the connection still fails, also check that your computer’s date and time are synced correctly.