Are you experiencing issues with the Stardew Valley multiplayer mode? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many players encounter difficulties when trying to connect and play with friends.
Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve these issues and get back to enjoying the cooperative farming experience.
In this blog, we’ll explore various methods to fix Stardew Valley multiplayer not working, so you can dive back into the game with your friends without any hassle.
How To Fix Stardew Valley Multiplayer Not Working?
To fix Stardew Valley multiplayer not working, you can update Stardew Valley, restart network devices, and check firewall and antivirus settings. Additionally, you can change network settings, and check NAT type.
1. Update Stardew Valley
Sometimes, the issue with multiplayer not working in Stardew Valley can be due to running an outdated version of the game.
Updating Stardew Valley ensures that any patches or fixes for multiplayer issues are applied, potentially resolving your connection problems.
For PC (Steam):
- Open the Steam client and go to your ‘Library.‘
- Find Stardew Valley in your game list.
- Right-click on Stardew Valley and select ‘Properties.‘
- Go to the ‘Updates‘ tab in the Properties window.
- Ensure that ‘Always keep this game updated‘ is selected.
- If an update is available, Steam should automatically start downloading it. If it doesn’t, you may need to restart Steam or initiate the download manually.
For PlayStation:
- Highlight Stardew Valley from the Home screen.
- Press the ‘Options‘ button on your controller.
- Select ‘Check for Update‘ from the menu.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.
For Xbox:
- Press the ‘Xbox‘ button to open the guide.
- Go to ‘My games & apps‘ and select ‘See all.‘
- Under ‘Games,’ highlight Stardew Valley.
- Press the ‘Menu‘ button on your controller and select ‘Manage game and add-ons.‘
- Select ‘Updates‘ from the menu. If an update is available, it will be listed here.
- Select the update to download and install it.
2. Restart Network Devices
Network connectivity issues can often be the culprit when facing multiplayer problems.
Restarting your network devices can refresh your connection and may resolve any temporary glitches that are preventing you from connecting to Stardew Valley’s multiplayer.
- Turn off your computer and unplug your modem and router.
- Wait for at least one minute before plugging your modem and router back in.
- Turn them on and wait for the lights to stabilize, indicating a connection.
- Turn your computer back on and try connecting to the multiplayer game again.
3. Check Firewall And Antivirus Settings
Firewalls or antivirus programs can sometimes block Stardew Valley from connecting to the internet properly.
Ensuring that Stardew Valley is allowed through your firewall and adding exceptions in your antivirus can help resolve these issues.
For Firewall:
- Open Start, search “firewall,” and open “Windows Defender Firewall.“
- Select “Allow an app through firewall.“
- Click “Change settings” (admin rights needed).
- Locate Stardew Valley or click “Allow another app…” to add it.
- Check “Private” and “Public” boxes for Stardew Valley.
- Click ‘OK,’ restart the game, and check multiplayer functionality.
For Antivirus:
- Open your antivirus.
- Go to settings or configuration.
- Find “Exclusions” or “Allowed apps.“
- Add Stardew Valley (locate the game’s .exe if needed).
- Save changes and exit antivirus.
- Start the game and test multiplayer.
4. Change Network Settings
Adjusting your computer’s network settings can sometimes resolve connectivity issues with Stardew Valley’s multiplayer feature.
This can include changing your IP settings to ensure they’re configured correctly for your network.
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type “network settings,” and select the appropriate option.
- Click on ‘Change adapter options‘ and right-click on your active network connection, then select ‘Properties.‘
- Scroll down to ‘Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)‘ and click ‘Properties.‘
- Ensure that ‘Obtain an IP address automatically‘ and ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically‘ are selected or enter the correct static IP and DNS information if necessary.
- Click ‘OK‘ to save your changes and close out of the network settings.
- Restart your computer and attempt to connect to Stardew Valley multiplayer once again.
5. Check NAT Type
The NAT type on your network can significantly impact your ability to join or host a multiplayer game in Stardew Valley.
If your NAT type is Strict or Moderate, it may prevent you from connecting with other players who have a different NAT type.
- Access your router’s settings by entering its IP address into a web browser.
- Look for the NAT settings (this could be under a section like “WAN” or “Network“).
- If your NAT type is set to Strict or Moderate, try changing it to Open or the least restrictive setting available.
- Save your changes and restart your router.
- Once your network is back online, check if the multiplayer issue in Stardew Valley is resolved.
6. Check Steam Username
If you’re playing Stardew Valley on Steam, your Steam username might be causing issues with the multiplayer function.
Special characters or unusual formatting in usernames have been known to cause problems.
- Open your Steam client and click on your profile name in the top right corner.
- Go to your profile page and look for the ‘Edit Profile‘ button.
- Check your current Steam username for any special characters or spaces.
- If necessary, change your username to remove these characters.
- Save your changes and restart Stardew Valley to see if the multiplayer issue has been fixed.
7. Disable VPN Connections
VPNs can cause connectivity issues with multiplayer games due to routing your connection through different servers.
Disabling your VPN might improve your connection stability with Stardew Valley’s multiplayer servers.
- Turn off any active VPN connections.
- If your VPN software launches on startup, ensure it is completely closed.
- Restart Stardew Valley and attempt to connect to the multiplayer mode again.
8. Contact Stardew Valley Support
When all troubleshooting steps fail to resolve your multiplayer issues in Stardew Valley, reaching out to the game’s support team can provide you with more personalized assistance.
- Visit the Stardew Valley support page.
- Look for a ‘Contact‘ or ‘Support‘ option to get in touch with the support team.
- Provide a detailed explanation of the issue, any error messages you’re receiving, and the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
- Wait for a response from the support team with further instructions or solutions.