9 Ways to Fix Helldivers 2 “Unable to Join Friends” Error

The “Failed to Join Game Lobby” error in Helldivers 2 is commonly encountered by users when attempting to join a different lobby, whether public or from their friends list, for matchmaking. Arrowhead has not issued a public statement or patch to address this issue, but many speculate that it is related to backend server problems.

For every user, the issue—and the solution they implement—may vary. Generally, most users find the issue to be on the game’s end. Sometimes it’s due to the lobby limit for a region, other times it’s related to your internet’s IP address. Additionally, it has been reported that sometimes a server bug can also prevent you from joining not just your friends’ lobbies, but any lobby at all.

The section below outlines the possible steps one could take to mitigate the issue. It is important to note that the problem may also lie on the user’s end, so it is advised that each step in the list should be checked off before proceeding to the next one.

1) Restart the Game

If you’re unable to connect to your friends’ lobby and continuously encounter the same error message, your first course of action should be to restart the game. This can potentially resolve any bugs or temporary glitches within the game.

A simple restart can sometimes fix issues that are otherwise hard to explain, so it should be the first thing you do if you encounter any unusual error messages in-game. Helldivers 2, at launch, was known for its performance hiccups, and most of the time, a mere restart seemed to resolve most issues.

2) Check for Server Status Updates

It’s possible that the server for your region is down at the moment, though it is rare. If you or your friends are having issues connecting to a lobby, chances are the issue lies at the server end.

At the moment, there isn’t a dedicated channel or forum where the developers post regular updates, but you can find any announcements or statements from the Helldivers team on X. Alternatively, you could also check out the Helldivers subreddit for updates from the community.

3) Use the Friend Code to Join a Lobby

Helldivers 2 allows you to generate a unique friend code to enter a lobby without manually inviting a user. This can sometimes help to eliminate any issues with external services like Steam or PSN. In the game, Crossplay is enabled by default, which is important if you need to generate a friend code.

To generate a friend code, simply follow the steps below:

1. Open your Social tab. On PC, you can do this by pressing the ‘O‘ button. On PS5, it’s the R3 joystick button.

   

2. At the bottom of the menu, where it says “Your Friend Code,” press “TAB” on PC, or ‘Y‘ on PS5 to generate a unique 8-digit code.

   

3. On the receiver’s end, this code should be manually pasted into the Search bar within the Social tab.

   

4) Use a VPN and Switch to a Different Region

On internet forums, many users have explained how the issue can be bypassed using a VPN. This would not only allow you to avoid the geo-restrictions for a certain lobby limit in your region but also enable you to switch to an area with lighter traffic, which generally increases the possibility of avoiding traffic-related errors.

If you plan to play regularly using a VPN, it is advisable to choose a safe option. We have compiled a list of the best VPNs suited for gaming if you’re interested. For playing Helldivers 2 with your friends, this might be useful, not only for improving latency-related issues but also for ensuring a secure connection to the server, making sure that Steam doesn’t flag you for any suspicious background activity.

5) Disable IPv6 to Force IPv4

At launch, many players who had bought the game simply weren’t able to log in, which prompted a serious backlash. However, as the community later found out, the game doesn’t work for most users on an IPv6 connection.

To eliminate the issue, you need to force IPv4 on your connection. The steps below show how to do just that on your PC.

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open Run.
2. Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter. This will open the network connections window.

   

3. Right-click on your connection and select “Properties.”

   

4. Under the networking tab, scroll down to “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).”
5. Uncheck the checkbox to the left of this property, and then click OK.

   

6. Restart your computer.

READ MORE: How to Fix IPv4/IPv6 ‘No Internet Access’ Error ➜

6) Restart Your Internet Router (Dynamic IP)

Since most of the time, the cause of this error seems to be the connection, particularly the player’s IP address, it’s best to try the game with a different address. This can be done by force-changing the IP address. To do this, you will need to turn off your router, wait for some time, usually around 5 minutes, and then turn it back on. Your ISP will assign you a new IP address, which you can then use to try reconnecting to the game.

7) Request a New IP Address (Static IP)

For users with a static IP, turning off the router won’t work. The only course of action for them is to request a new IP via their ISP. However, it is important to know that this may come with a substantial list of downsides, so it is vital for you to understand the reasons for having a static IP in the first place before attempting to request a new one.

8) Wait Before Trying Again

For the reasons mentioned above, namely busy servers or the lobby limit being reached for a region, it is commonly advisable to wait for a while before trying again. This will not only allow the developers to manage the high traffic load but might also clear up some lobby space as users leave the game.

Helldivers 2 did see an unexpectedly high concurrent player count during its initial launch phases, and it took the developers some time to adjust their servers to meet the demand of this highly passionate Helldiver community.

9) Wait for a Patch Fix

At launch, Helldivers 2 was a mess. It had unexpected bugs, glitches, and, to top it all off, inconsistent performance. Initially, the developers issued numerous patch fixes, often weekly, to try and fix the game. It took them some time, but as of this writing, the game is in considerably better shape than it was at launch. Hence, it is better to wait for the developers to push a patch update that permanently fixes the connection issues.

If you can’t join your friends’ lobby in Helldivers 2, make sure that you single out the cause. Try and follow the steps mentioned in the guide one by one, and using the process of elimination, you will find it easier to solve the issue.