Grounded multiplayer not working? Fix it here.

Can't join friends in Grounded

Grounded ties co-op to Xbox Live even on Steam. Both players need an Xbox/Microsoft account signed in.

1. Check and fix your NAT type — Strict NAT is the #1 cause of 'can't join friends'. You need Moderate or Open to host and to receive invites reliably.
   • On Steam: Settings → In-Game → check the 'NAT' indicator, or test via Steam's network settings.
   • On Xbox: Settings → General → Network settings → 'NAT type'.
   • On PlayStation: Settings → Network → View Connection Status → 'NAT Type'.
   • If Strict: enable UPnP and/or port-forward (see those fixes). Tether to a phone hotspot once to confirm — if it works there, the issue is your home router.
2. Use the lobby / join code instead of a friend invite — Steam and platform friend-invites fail far more often than copy-paste codes. Most co-op games have a 'share lobby code' button.
   • Host creates the lobby, then copies the lobby/join code (not the friend invite).
   • Send the code in chat; the joiner pastes it into 'Join with code'.
   • If invites still fail, this bypasses the broken invite pipeline entirely.
3. Sign in with your Xbox/Microsoft account even on Steam, then invite through the Xbox friends list.

Grounded multiplayer not working

1. Power-cycle your router and relaunch the game — A 30-second router reboot clears stale NAT and UPnP leases that silently break peer-to-peer connections. Fully quit the game (don't just minimise) and reopen it.
   • Unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for full sync.
   • Completely close the game (check Task Manager / Force Quit — overlays can leave it running).
   • Relaunch the game and try joining again.
2. Enable UPnP on your router — UPnP lets the game open its own port automatically. With it off, you'll often get Strict NAT and can't host or receive invites.
   • Log in to your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).
   • Find 'UPnP' or 'Universal Plug and Play' and turn it ON.
   • Save and reboot the router, then retry the game.
3. Port-forward the game's ports — If UPnP alone doesn't help, forward the ports manually so your router routes game traffic to your PC/console. Use the per-game port list on the game's page.
   • Note the ports listed for your game (Steam P2P uses UDP 27015–27030 and UDP 3478 / 4379 / 4380).
   • In your router, create port-forward rules (UDP) pointing to your device's local IP.
   • Set a static LAN IP (DHCP reservation) so the rule keeps working after reboots.
   • Test again — your NAT should now read Moderate or Open.
4. Turn off VPN, proxy, and 'kill switch' tools — VPNs and routing tools reroute P2P traffic and trigger Strict NAT or total blocks. Disable them for the session.
   • Fully quit your VPN app (not just disconnect — quit it).
   • Disable any proxy in Windows Settings → Network → Proxy.
   • Temporarily uninstall 'kill switch' / firewall-overlay tools if the issue persists.
   • Retry the join with a direct connection.

Grounded connection failed / lost world

1. Allow the game through firewall & antivirus — Over-aggressive security software flags game executables as threats and drops the connection after join.
   • Windows: Allow the game .exe through Windows Defender Firewall (Private + Public).
   • Add the game and Steam/Epic to your antivirus allow-list.
   • On Mac: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Firewall → allow the game.
2. Use a wired connection to stop lag & drops — Wi-Fi jitter causes 'connection failed' and mid-session drops. A cable removes most of it.
   • Plug in Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi for the host especially.
   • If Wi-Fi only, move close to the router and use 5 GHz.
   • Close bandwidth-heavy apps (streaming, downloads) during play.
3. Verify game files (fixes corrupted installs) — A half-downloaded or corrupted file causes 'connection failed' right after joining. Verifying redownloads the broken bits.
   • Steam: Library → right-click game → Properties → Installed Files → 'Verify integrity of game files'.
   • Epic: Library → three dots → 'Manage' → 'Verify'.
   • Console: a corrupted install usually needs a full reinstall from the store.

Grounded crossplay not working (Xbox ↔ Steam/PC)

1. Enable the in-game crossplay toggle — Crossplay is OFF by default in many games. Both players must turn it on, or a Steam player simply can't see an Xbox/PS player.
   • Open the game's multiplayer / network settings.
   • Turn ON 'Crossplay' (or 'Cross-platform play') on every player's client.
   • Restart the lobby after changing it — the setting often only applies to new sessions.
   • If your platform combo isn't supported, see the crossplay note on the game's page.
2. Make sure everyone is on the same version & region — Even a one-patch difference blocks joins. Test branches, beta opt-ins, and region settings must all match.
   • Confirm all players are on the same game version (no one on a beta/test branch).
   • Match region/server selection in the game's settings.
   • If one player is on Steam and another on a different store, check the crossplay note on the game's page.
3. Crossplay runs through Xbox Live — both sides must be signed into a Microsoft account and on the same game version.

Grounded error codes explained

CANNOT CONNECT

Xbox Live NAT is Strict. Open UDP 3074 / 3544 or enable UPnP.

VERSION MISMATCH

Different patch. Update both clients.