This error means the device being used to join a Parsec stream is having issues handling the stream. There are multiple potential fixes, described below.
Issues with the N version of Windows
If you have Windows 10 N, you need to manually install the Media Feature Pack to use software decoding. See how to get the Media Feature Pack.
Clients using an AMD GPU with broken drivers
Some recent AMD drivers from version 23.2.1 to 23.3.1 cause connection issues with Parsec. AMD patched the issue in version 23.3.2. To resolve it, upgrade to that or a newer version of the driver:
- Go to AMD's driver site
- Search for the name of your GPU and select it
- In the newly opened page, select your operating system
- Download and install version 23.3.2 or newer
Lower the resolution of the host
Try lowering the resolution on the computer you're joining to 1920x1080 and try joining again. If that fails, try 1280x720 instead.
- If you're joining your own computer hosted via the Computers tab, lower it in Parsec's settings > Host > Resolution
- If you're joining a friend that is hosting via the Computers tab, ask the friend to lower it through Windows' display settings instead
Update your drivers
Get the latest drivers for the graphics card of the machine you're using to join a computer. Search directly on NVIDIA, AMD or Intel's site for the GPU you have.
If everything else fails, use software decoding
If you're not on Android or Raspberry Pi, you can change Parsec's settings > Client > Decoder to Software.
This will allow Parsec to at least work, although with worse performance. If you're connecting to M1 Macs with Intel, that has issues currently and should run fine with software for now. If you have really old hardware (anything older than "Recommended" in the client requirements), this will be your only choice.