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Dying Light 2 Not Letting Me Join Friends on Windows 11: How to Fix Connection Error

Dying Light 2 is a popular action RPG game that many players enjoy playing with friends. However, some Windows 11 users face difficulties joining their friends’ sessions. This connection error can be frustrating but is usually fixable with a few simple steps.

This guide will help you understand why Dying Light 2 might not let you join friends and walk you through easy-to-follow solutions. You don’t need to be a tech expert to troubleshoot these issues.

By the end, you will know how to fix common connection problems and get back to playing with your friends smoothly. Let’s get started.

Follow the steps carefully, and you should see improvements quickly.

Quick Note: What to Check Before You Begin

  • Internet Connection: Make sure your internet is stable and working properly.
  • Game Updates: Check if Dying Light 2 is fully updated to the latest version.
  • Windows 11 Updates: Ensure your system has the latest Windows updates installed.
  • Friend’s Game Status: Confirm your friend’s game is running and they are online.
  • Platform Compatibility: Verify that you and your friend are playing on the same platform (e.g., both on Steam or Epic Games).

Step 1: Restart Your Game and PC

Sometimes, simple restarts can clear temporary glitches that cause connection errors. Close Dying Light 2 completely and also restart your PC.

Why? Restarting helps refresh system resources and network connections, which might fix minor bugs.

Step 2: Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus software might block the game’s connection attempts. Follow these steps to allow Dying Light 2 through the firewall:

  1. Press Windows + S and type Windows Defender Firewall, then open it.
  2. Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. Find Dying Light 2 in the list. If it’s not there, click Allow another app and browse to the game’s installation folder to add it.
  4. Make sure both Private and Public checkboxes are checked for the game.
  5. Click OK to save changes.

Why? Firewalls protect your PC by blocking unknown connections, but sometimes they mistakenly block legitimate game traffic.

Step 3: Verify Your NAT Type

Network Address Translation (NAT) type affects your ability to connect to other players. Ideally, NAT should be Open or Moderate. Strict NAT can cause connection issues.

To check your NAT type on Windows 11:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Status.
  3. Click on View your network properties.
  4. Look for NAT type under your network adapter details.

If your NAT type is Strict, consider enabling UPnP on your router or setting up port forwarding for Dying Light 2.

How to Enable UPnP on Your Router

  1. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (usually something like 192.168.1.1).
  2. Log in with your username and password (check your router’s label or manual if unsure).
  3. Find the UPnP settings, often under Advanced or Network sections.
  4. Enable UPnP and save your settings.
  5. Restart your router.

Why? UPnP allows your router to automatically open ports needed for online gaming, improving connectivity.

Step 4: Use Steam or Epic Games Friend System Properly

If you are using Steam or Epic Games, ensure you are joining friends through the correct platform’s friend list or invite system.

  • Open your game via Steam or Epic launcher.
  • Use the in-game friend list or overlay to join friends’ sessions.
  • If an invite doesn’t work, try sending a new invite or restarting the game.

Why? Sometimes invitations from different platforms or launching the game outside the launcher cause connection problems.

Step 5: Check Your VPN or Proxy Settings

If you use a VPN or proxy, it might interfere with your game’s connection. Try disabling them temporarily.

How to disable VPN on Windows 11:

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN.
  2. Select your VPN connection and click Disconnect.
  3. Try joining your friend again.

Why? VPNs can cause latency or block certain game servers, preventing you from joining friends.

Step 6: Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files might cause connection errors. You can verify game files to fix this.

For Steam users:

  1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
  2. Right-click Dying Light 2 and select Properties.
  3. Go to the Local Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.
  4. Wait for the process to complete, then restart the game.

For Epic Games users:

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
  2. Go to Library and find Dying Light 2.
  3. Click the three dots next to the game and select Verify.
  4. Wait until the process finishes and relaunch the game.

Why? Verifying ensures all game files are intact and fixes any corrupted files that could cause issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does Dying Light 2 keep saying connection error when joining friends?

This usually happens due to network issues, firewall blocks, or mismatched game versions. Following the steps above should help resolve it.

Can I play with friends if we use different platforms?

Dying Light 2 supports cross-platform play, but you must use the in-game friend system correctly. Sometimes, platform-specific issues may arise.

Do I need to open specific ports on my router?

Yes, opening certain ports can improve connectivity. Check Dying Light 2’s official documentation for the exact port numbers.

Is a wired connection better than Wi-Fi for this game?

Yes, a wired Ethernet connection generally provides a more stable connection, reducing errors and lag.

Will disabling antivirus completely solve connection errors?

Not always. You can try temporarily disabling antivirus to test, but it’s better to add the game as an exception instead of leaving antivirus off.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still cannot join friends, consider these final options:

  • Visit the official Dying Light 2 Support page for updates and known issues.
  • Check community forums like Steam Discussions or Reddit for similar problems and solutions.
  • Contact your ISP to ensure no restrictions or outages affect your connection.
  • As a last resort, reinstall the game to fix deep errors.

Conclusion

Connection errors in Dying Light 2 on Windows 11 can be caused by many factors, but most are fixable with simple troubleshooting. Always start with basic steps like restarting your PC and checking your internet. Then, move on to firewall settings, NAT type, and verifying game files.

By carefully following this guide, you should be able to join your friends and enjoy the game together without interruptions. Remember to keep your game and system updated, and use official resources if you need extra help.

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