- What are the Public Test Realms (PTR)?
- Are the test realms always available to play on?
- How long are the test realms available for after they open?
- Who can play on the test realms?
- How do I know if the test realms are available to play on?
- Once the test realms are up, how do I play on them?
- Is the version of the game on the test realms the same as the one that is currently running on the public realms?
- If I find a bug or have other issues on the test realms, what should I do?
- I cannot connect to the servers, what should I do?
- Why does it say my password is wrong when I try to login?
- Are there GMs on the PTR? I submitted a GM ticket and never got a response.
- Why was I was banned without a warning?
- I saw someone cheating, what can I do?
What are the Public Test Realms (PTR)?
The Public Test Realms are special realms used to test patches before they are released to public realms. Back to top
Are the test realms always available to play on?
Generally, the test realms are only available for a variable period of time prior to a patch release. Moreover, using the test realms is by invitation. It is an invitation that we currently extend to all of our users but it is an invitation that we can revoke at any time. Back to top
How long are the test realms available for after they open?
The amount of time the test realms are open for each round of testing varies. For large content patches they may stay open for over a month, and for smaller patches they may be open only for a week or two. Back to top
Who can play on the test realms?
Players who have an active Battle.net account before the test realms go live are eligible to play on it. There may be other criteria as well, which will be announced with each round of testing if they exist. Back to top
How do I know if the test realms are available to play on?
A news item will be posted on the World of Warcraft website announcing each round of testing on the public test realms. You can also check the PTR forum. Back to top
Once the test realms are up, how do I play on them?
You must first install the PTR. Then, we encourage you to copy one of your existing characters to the test realms. To do so, please check out the following FAQs:• Setting-up the PTR• Character Copies and Pre-Made Characters Back to top
Is the version of the game on the test realms the same as the one that is currently running on the public realms?
No. The test realms are running a version of the game that contains all of the content going in next patch. To learn more about this content, we advise you to read the patch notes here. Back to top
If I find a bug or have other issues on the test realms, what should I do?
The test realms may contain additional bug report and feedback functionality that doesn't exist in the retail version of the game. Please use those features to report bugs and feedback if available. You can also report or comment on bugs on the bug report forum. For more information, please read the Feedback and Bug Reporting FAQ. Back to top
I cannot connect to the servers, what should I do?
These are test realms and they will often be taken down or crash, this is normal for testing. Please check the sticky threads in the PTR forum for an announcement about any current planned downtime. If there is not already a sticky post regarding the outage you may create a new thread to let us know of the problem. Please do not create multiple threads as they will all be deleted. Back to top
Why does it say my password is wrong when I try to login?
If you've changed the password on your account within the last 3 weeks, you won't be able to log onto the public test realms. You can try to use your old password, but there's no guarantee that it will work. Back to top
Are there GMs on the PTR? I submitted a GM ticket and never got a response.
There is no normal GM support on the PTR, there are monitors who watch for inappropriate or disruptive behavior. The EULA that applies to the normal realms also applies to the PTR. Any tickets submitted on the PTR will be closed automatically without response. Back to top
Why was I was banned without a warning?
The PTR is a tool for Blizzard and as such players who are disruptive will not be tolerated and will be removed without any warning. The normal customer service escalation procedure does not apply here. PTR Bans will last at least until the next PTR phase, if not longer. Back to top
I saw someone cheating, what can I do?
The Terms of Use Agreement for World of Warcraft applies the same to the test realms. It is a common misconception that because there is no standard GM support on the test realms that there are no consequences for cheating. We actively remove players who are cheating or otherwise acting inappropriately. Actions taken against players who do not follow the terms of use will be quick and severe.Players who suspect cheating of any kind should report it via the Blizzard support webform located here. Back to top
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