DirtBound Not Working? Fixes for Loading, Lag and Sign-In

Most DirtBound problems fall into four groups: the game runs slowly, your saved times or circuits are gone, the Google sign-in fails or a lobby refuses you. Each one has a fix in the game’s settings or a clear message on screen. This guide pairs the messages the game shows with what they mean, taken from the game’s own English text on November 1, 2026. UBG76 does not run the game or its servers, so for problems that persist, use the Send feedback link at the bottom of the DirtBound home screen.

What does DirtBound need to run?

DirtBound needs a current web browser with WebGL. The game loads from dirtbound.fr, so you need a connection to open it. The game draws its 3D scenes with the three.js WebGL renderer, so it does not need the newer WebGPU. There is no download or plugin. We tested it only in Chrome, on a desktop and on a phone-sized touch screen. Online leaderboards, lobbies and publishing circuits also need a Google sign-in.

Why is DirtBound slow or choppy?

The graphics preset is the usual cause. DirtBound draws forests, shadows, smoke and lighting in real time, and the Normal preset expects a reasonable computer. Open Settings, then Graphics, and pick Low. It removes trees, rocks, campsites, shadows, smoke and glow, lowers the resolution and shows each frame as soon as it is ready for less input delay. The game labels it the preset for low-end PCs. A new preset applies at the next start, or right away from the pause menu.

During a race you can also open the pause menu with Esc or P and turn on Performance mode. If you picked Ultra, which adds sunbeams, contact shadows, animated spectators and undergrowth, step back to Normal first. A slow frame rate does not make you slower on the clock, because timing counts physics steps and not drawn frames, but it makes the car harder to control.

Why is there no sound?

Browsers block sound until you interact with a page. DirtBound starts its music and engine sound after your first click, key press or tap. If it stays silent, check the bars icon on the home screen and the three sliders on the Settings, Sound tab. Music while racing is off by default, so a silent race with engine noise is normal.

Why did my best times or circuits disappear?

Without an account, DirtBound keeps your settings, best times and unpublished circuits in your browser’s local storage. Nothing goes to the server. Clearing site data, a private window, a different browser or another device all start you over. If the editor says “The browser refuses to save (storage full?)”, your browser’s storage for the site is full or blocked.

To keep a circuit safe, publish it. Published circuits and online leaderboard times are stored on the game’s server under your account.

Why does Google sign-in fail?

The message on screen tells you which case you hit:

• “Accounts unavailable” means the account server is down for the moment. Try again later. Solo play still works.
• “Sign-in cancelled” means the Google window was closed before it finished. Pop-up blockers can do this.
• “Address not verified by Google” means your Google account’s email address is not verified. Verify it with Google first.
• “Session expired: sign in with Google again” appears after the 30 day sign-in cookie runs out.
• “This username is already taken” means another player has it. Usernames are 2 to 20 characters: letters, digits, spaces, underscores, dots and dashes.

Why was my lap refused?

The server checks every lap before ranking it. “Lap refused” comes with a reason, such as the ghost not going round the circuit or the lap not ending at the time given. They mean the server could not confirm the lap from its recorded ghost. Drive another lap and it is checked again. A lap driven with the secret booster is not refused but simply never sent.

Why can’t I join a DirtBound lobby?

Lobby errors are spelled out too. “Lobby full (8 players maximum)” means you need another lobby. “No lobby with this code” means the 5 character code is wrong or the lobby has closed, and lobbies close after 15 minutes without activity. “The game has already started” means you wait for the current race to end. “Lobby open in another tab” means DirtBound is open twice: close the other tab. The Multiplayer page covers the rules behind these.

Does DirtBound work on a phone?

Yes. On a touch screen you hold a finger down and slide toward where you want to go, and the car accelerates by itself. We drove a stage this way on a phone sized touch screen. Phones have less power than computers, so the Low preset helps there too.