Risk of Rain 2 (Ror2) has been out for a while now and has a loyal and passionate fanbase. Its intense, action-packed gameplay, combined with cooperative multiplayer, makes it a popular choice for friends looking to take on challenging runs together. However, if you’re new to the game or returning for some multiplayer fun and find that the multiplayer mode has suddenly stopped working, don’t be perplexed. You aren’t the only one facing this issue. That being said, you must now be wondering whether there are fixes that you can try to restore the multiplayer mode in-game. Continue reading to find out.
Many players have recently reported a recurring issue in Risk of Rain 2 (Ror2) where, after creating a party with a friend via Steam, only the host can reach the character select screen while the other player gets booted out of the lobby. This frustrating bug seems to prevent proper matchmaking and has left many unable to start a multiplayer session. So, let’s get into the details of how to fix it.
Ror2 Multiplayer not working: How to fix it
Despite being a recurring issue, the developers have yet to officially address the recently reported multiplayer bug in the game. Now, in the absence of an official fix, there are some workarounds based on past instances. So, if you’re facing this problem, it’s worth trying out these potential solutions.
Crossplay
A common workaround for this issue is to disable crossplay if both you and your friend are playing the game via Steam, as crossplay has been known to cause problems when enabled. Turning it off has helped many bypass the bug and successfully start multiplayer sessions. If you’re still facing the issue with crossplay turned off, try turning it on to see if that resolves the problem. Likewise, if crossplay is already enabled, switch it off and attempt to play again.
Internet and VPN
If you’re experiencing connection issues, such as players being unable to join your lobby, check if anyone in your group has an active VPN. A VPN can interfere with network connections and cause problems with joining games. Disabling the VPN often resolves the issue, allowing players to connect and join the lobby successfully.
Windows firewall
Another potential fix is to make sure that the game has proper access through your Windows firewall. One player reported that they were able to resolve the issue by checking that the game was allowed through the firewall, then disconnecting from the internet, restarting their PC, and reconnecting. After doing this, they had no further problems joining lobbies with friends. If you don’t know how to allow the game through your Windows Firewall, follow these steps:
- Begin by pressing the Windows + R keys together to open the Run Command Box.
- Here, type the command “ms-settings:system” and hit enter. This will open the Windows Settings menu.
- In this menu, go to Privacy & Security.
- Now, select the Windows Security option.
- After this, under the “Protection Areas” tab, go to Firewall & Network Protection.
- Here, choose the “Allow an app through Firewall” option, and click on the Change Settings option.
- On the list available, search for the executable file of Risk of Rain 2 (Ror2), and checkmark both Private and Public settings.
- If you can’t find it from the list of apps, click on “Allow another app…“
- Select Browse and search for the executable file via the File Explorer. Once you find it, select the file and click on OK. Once again, checkmark both Private and Public settings for the file.
- Then, hit OK to save your changes.
- Run the game, and see if the error still occurs.
Enable DHCP
One player reported an issue where they encountered a black screen when trying to join the lobby during character selection. They resolved the problem by switching their PC from a static IP to DHCP, which refreshed their network settings and allowed them to connect successfully. To switch from a static IP to DHCP on Windows, go to your network settings by typing “Network and Sharing Center” in the search bar. From there, click on “Change adapter settings”, right-click on your active network connection, and select “Properties”. In the list, double-click “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and choose “Obtain an IP address automatically”. This will enable DHCP, allowing your network to assign an IP automatically, which may fix connection issues.
Verify Game Files
On Steam, right-click on Risk of Rain 2 in your library, go to “Properties”, select the “Installed Files” tab, and click “Verify integrity of game files”. This will ensure that your game is properly installed and may fix connection problems if caused by file corruption.
Check for Updates
Make sure that Risk of Rain 2 is up-to-date, as updates often include fixes for known issues. In Steam, head to your library, right-click on Risk of Rain 2, and select “Properties”. Go to the “Updates” tab and make sure the game is set to update automatically. Alternatively, check for updates manually by launching the game and looking for any prompts to update.
With those workarounds, we hope you were able to get back to the game with your friends with no further issues. Now before you leave, don’t forget to bookmark DigiStatement for more gaming content like this. Read more: Risk of Rain (RoR) 2 not launching with mods: How to fix it
