📖 Don't Starve Together PS5? Fix Your Multiplayer Meltdown Now
Can't Join Friends' Servers in Don't Starve Together (PS5) – Troubleshooting Guide
Updated for 2024/2025 • Comprehensive Solutions • Latest Patch Fixes
Don't Starve Together (DST) on PlayStation 5 is best enjoyed with friends, but many players encounter frustrating issues when trying to join a friend's server. This comprehensive guide compiles all known problems and solutions to help you get back to surviving together.
We'll cover common symptoms (like "Server Not Responding", "Version Mismatch", infinite loading screens), explore their causes, and provide step-by-step fixes.
Quick Links
Interactive Diagnostic Tool
Check off each item as you troubleshoot your connection issue:
Common Symptoms & Error Messages
When you "can't join a friend in Don't Starve Together PS5", the game may present one of several symptoms or error messages. Recognizing these can help pinpoint the cause:
You attempt to join a friend's game and get an immediate error that the server isn't responding. Often accompanied by failure to connect at all.
The game seems to hang on the loading screen when joining a friend's world, eventually dropping back to the main menu without connecting. Sometimes it appears as if the friend "left the server" before load completes.
You briefly connect (your friend might see a join message) then you disconnect after a few seconds. You may see "Connection failed" or "Connection timed out".
The game refuses a connection, citing a version difference between you and the host. This happens when one player's DST is not on the same update as the other.
You can't find your friend's hosted server in the server browser, or it shows with a "???" ping or incompatible version tag.
Accepting a friend's invite does nothing, or you see a message "This activity isn't supported by this game" with a strange "en-US" tag. The "Join" button might be grayed out on the PS5 invitation prompt.
(Less common) You join successfully but get disconnected when entering or exiting caves, which involve switching server shards.
NAT Type Strict vs Open (Network Address Translation Issues)
A PS5 network test showing NAT Type 3 (Strict). Strict NAT can prevent peer-to-peer connection in DST, causing "Server not responding" errors. Players with NAT Type 3 often can't join friends' servers on PS5 due to blocked ports.
One of the most common culprits for "server not responding" or endless connecting is your network's NAT type. On PS5, NAT Type 1 means open (direct connection), Type 2 means moderate (behind a router but ports open), and Type 3 means strict (behind a router with no open ports).
If either you or your friend has NAT Type 3 (Strict), it can block direct connections between consoles. In practice, this often means you can join public Klei servers or random games (which are hosted on dedicated servers) but cannot join a friend's peer-hosted world.
Why NAT matters:
Don't Starve Together uses a peer-to-peer style connection for friend-hosted worlds. If both peers are behind strict NATs, they can't establish a connection. One player described seeing this error often on PS4, and solved it by getting a fixed IP from their ISP, effectively moving to an open NAT.
Steps to fix NAT issues:
- Check your NAT Type: On PS5 go to Settings > Network > View Connection Status. Scroll to NAT Type. If it's Type 3, that's likely a problem. Ideally you want Type 2 (moderate) for online play.
- Enable UPnP on your router: Most modern routers support Universal Plug and Play, which automatically opens the necessary ports for gaming consoles. Log in to your router's admin interface and ensure UPnP is turned On. Then reboot your router and test your PS5 connection again.
- Use Port Forwarding (manual alternative): If UPnP isn't available or doesn't help, you can manually forward ports. Sony's recommended ports for PlayStation online are UDP 3478-3479 and TCP 3478-3480, among others.
- Consider a wired connection: Using Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi can sometimes improve NAT status or at least stability.
- Check for double NAT: If your network has multiple routers/modems, you might be in a double NAT scenario which often results in Type 3. Putting your modem in bridge mode can help.
- Retest after changes: After each change, go to Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection on PS5. This will update your NAT Type status. Aim for Type 2.
Pro Tip:
If adjusting NAT settings isn't possible (e.g. on some university or cellular networks), one workaround is to host the game on the player with open NAT. The strict NAT player can often join a moderate NAT player's world, but not vice versa.
PSN Outages & Server Status
Before delving into complex fixes, always verify the online services are up:
PlayStation Network (PSN) status
If PSN is undergoing maintenance or outages, no one will be able to join multiplayer sessions. Check the official PSN status page for any ongoing issues. If PSN services (especially Gaming and Social) are down, you may see errors when inviting or joining games.
Check PSN StatusKlei Servers status
DST on PS5 still relies on Klei's matchmaking services (for authentication, server listings, etc.). Klei has a status page where you can check if all systems are operational. If Klei's servers are down, you might be unable to see friends' servers or your client might fail to authenticate.
Check Klei StatusOther network services
If other online games on your PS5 also fail, the problem could be with your internet connection itself rather than DST. Do a quick test: try joining an online session in another game, or run the PS5 Internet Connection Test (in Settings > Network).
PlayStation Plus requirement:
Also confirm that both you and your friend have active PlayStation Plus subscriptions. DST is an online multiplayer game (not F2P), so PS Plus is required to host or join games on PS5. One player in Klei's bug forum realized their issue was simply that they weren't logged into PS Plus after an update.
Game Version Mismatch Errors
If you see a "Version Mismatch" message when trying to join a friend, it means your game client isn't on the same version as the host's game.
This typically happens if one of you hasn't updated DST to the latest patch. On consoles, updates are usually automatic, but there are scenarios where a mismatch can occur:
- The update rollout timing differed by region (so one player's console got the patch earlier).
- One of you hasn't launched the game in a while and it didn't auto-update until launched.
- Automatic updates might be disabled on your console.
Solution:
Ensure both you and your friend are on the latest version of Don't Starve Together: Console Edition. On PS5, highlight the DST game icon, press the Options button and select "Check for Update." Install any available update.
Generally, keeping your PS5 connected and in Rest Mode with auto-updates on will prevent this issue.
Cross-generation note:
PS5 and PS4 players can play together, provided both run the same game version. DST uses the same game servers for PS4 and PS5 (it's essentially the same application, labeled "Console Edition"). So a PS5 player can join a friend on PS4 as long as neither is out-of-date.
There was a notable instance in mid-2024 where PS5 got a patch slightly earlier, causing a short-lived mismatch with PS4 players – but Klei usually coordinates updates closely. When in doubt, ensure both players fully restart the game to force any patch downloads.
Crossplay Limitations on PS5
Important Note:
Don't Starve Together is not fully cross-platform between consoles and PC. If you're trying to join a friend but one of you is on PC (Steam) and the other is on PS5, you will not find their server – it's not a supported scenario.
According to Klei's info, DST "supports limited crossplay on specific platforms, meaning players on PC, Mac, and Linux can join each other's servers, but crossplay between console and PC players is not available." In other words:
- PC/Mac/Linux players play together (they all use Klei's servers via Klei Accounts/Steam).
- Console players: PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch each have their own separate server pools. A PS5 player can only play with other PlayStation players (PS4 or PS5).
Workarounds:
If you have friends on other platforms, the only way to play together is for everyone to be on the same platform or purchase the game on the same platform. Some community solutions for cross-platform play (like using third-party tools or server proxies) exist for other games, but DST does not support any official crossplay bridging.
However, PC players can play with Mac/Linux players normally (since those are all under the Steam/Klei ecosystem).
For PlayStation users, "crossplay" effectively means PS4 and PS5 interoperability – which is supported. Ensure PS4 friends have the game updated (and ideally the same DLC if any, though DST doesn't have paid DLC that splits players, aside from cosmetic item collections).
Long-tail keyword tip:
Many frustrated players search phrases like "can't join friend in don't starve together ps5 2024" – often the cause is this cross-platform confusion or an update issue. If you come across such threads, the answer is usually to ensure you're on the same platform and version, as crossplay beyond that isn't supported.
Account Linking & PS Plus Considerations
Some players wonder if they need to link a Klei Account or if account issues might block multiplayer. Here's the breakdown:
Klei Account linking
On PS4/PS5, you have the option to link your game to a Klei Account (for accessing account rewards, item skins, loyalty gifts, etc.).
This is not required to play multiplayer, and it does not enable cross-platform play. It's mostly cosmetic/optional. Failing to link a Klei account will not prevent you from joining a friend's server on PlayStation Network.
PlayStation Network accounts
You and your friend should be friends on PSN to easily join via the "Friends-Only" server setting or invitations.
If one of you is using a sub-account or playing as a guest on the console, make sure that account has PS+ and is properly set up for online play. Sometimes family settings or parental controls on sub-accounts can restrict online communication; ensure none of those apply.
PlayStation Plus
Having an active PS Plus subscription on your account is mandatory for online play in DST. Both the host and the joining player need it.
If you get errors like "Cannot use this feature without PlayStation Plus", that's self-explanatory – the only fix is to subscribe or renew PS+. In one report, a user encountered join issues and a commenter asked if they had PS+ – the original poster realized they were on a secondary account without Plus. After switching to the correct account with Plus, the multiplayer worked.
Account region differences
Not usually a problem for PSN friend play (PSN friends can be from any region), but note that the game region or version could matter in rare cases.
For example, if you have a North American copy and your friend has an Asian copy, the game versions might not align exactly at the same time. However, DST is not region-locked for multiplayer on PSN – you can join international friends as long as the game versions match. The issue is more about PSN region servers, which we'll discuss in the PSN region bug section.
The 2024 Invite Bug & Fixes
In May 2024, a DST update (version 2.95) on PlayStation introduced a serious bug that broke the ability to join friends' games in several ways. This was a widely reported issue:
- Players could not invite or join friends' worlds at all after the update.
- The server list would show games, but attempts to connect would result in infinite loading or immediate failure.
- Accepting a friend's invite yielded a strange error ("activity not supported") or simply did nothing.
This wasn't your fault or your friend's – it was a bug in the game itself. One user lamented "it was 3 changes/fixes and now no one can join any server… all the servers [show] 1 player", indicating the update essentially isolated everyone. Many initially thought their internet was acting up until Klei acknowledged the bug.
An example of the PS5 invite error during the 2024 bug. Invites showed "en-US Session Name" and "This activity isn't supported by this game" instead of working. The workaround was to use the in-game server browser to join friends until a patch fixed invites.
Workaround:
Klei quickly issued a partial server-side fix (version 2.96) the next day. Joining via the Server Browser was restored after a game restart.
Charles B., a Klei developer, posted: "You should now be able to join your friends' games through the browser... You will need to restart the game before it starts working. Joining via invitation is still broken, as is joining a dedicated server."
In practice, this meant: to play with friends, host the world as Friends-Only (or Public with a password) and have friends find it in the in-game Browse Games list. The invite button from the PS5 dashboard would still fail.
Solution:
This invite bug was fully fixed in patch 2.99 (July 2024). Klei noted "This should be fixed in the next update (2.99)" and indeed after that patch rolled out, invites began working normally again.
So, if you experienced this issue, make sure your game is updated past that version. Post-2.99, you should be able to simply invite friends via the PSN interface or join through the in-game friends tab as expected.
Important:
If you're reading this in late 2024 or 2025+, the invite bug should no longer be affecting players (it was fixed mid-2024). Thus, if you currently cannot use invites, double-check that you're not experiencing a recurrence due to some new bug or a mismatched game version. As of early 2025, no widespread invite issues have been reported since the fix. The in-game server browser join method is always an alternative if invites ever act up again.
PSN Region Mismatch (Cross-Region Play Issue)
Another sneaky issue discovered in mid-2024 was that players from different PSN regions were unable to join each other's games. For example, someone on a North American PSN account couldn't join a European friend's server, even if both were on the same game version. This wasn't always the case; it appears a patch inadvertently introduced a region lock bug.
A Klei developer acknowledged: "I've found an issue where players are no longer able to join games between regions and I'm working to find a solution."
This was fixed in the July 2024 updates. After those patches (2.98/2.99), cross-region friend connections began working again. If you suspect region issues, ensure your game is fully updated.
Other Troubleshooting Tips and Tweaks
If you've gone through the major categories above (NAT, updates, invites bug, etc.) and still "can't join my friend's server", consider these additional tips which have helped some players:
Host as "Public" with Password
Some players reported that setting the server visibility to Public (but adding a password) allowed friends to join more reliably than the Friends-Only setting. It's a bit counterintuitive, but using a Public lobby sometimes bypasses whatever issue was blocking the Friends Only join.
Restart Everything
A classic step – restart the DST game, the PS5 console, and even your router. This can clear temporary network cache or stale connection data. Fresh sessions can magically succeed after an hour of failures.
Try a Different Network
If possible, test your PS5 on another internet connection (for instance, use a mobile hotspot or take your console to a friend's place) to see if the issue might be specific to your network.
Check for Console Updates
Ensure your PS5 system software is up to date. Occasionally, system networking updates can improve connectivity. Likewise, if your friend is on a PS4, have them check for any system updates.
Ensure your PS5 system software is up to date. Occasionally, system networking updates can improve connectivity. Likewise, if your friend is on a PS4, have them check for any system updates.
Reinstall the Game
This is a more drastic measure and usually not necessary for network issues, but if you suspect your DST installation is corrupted (perhaps if other DST features are glitchy too), you could try deleting and reinstalling Don't Starve Together.
DNS Settings
Some users find that using a public DNS (like Google's 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) on their console's network settings can improve connection reliability. While DNS usually wouldn't block joining, a slow DNS can delay the resolution of Klei's server addresses.
Split-Screen Considerations:
DST on console allows split-screen play. If you are playing split-screen and trying to join another server, ensure both "players" on your console are properly signed in (at least as guests with PSN). Also note that a split-screen pair counts as 2 players; a friend's server with a max player count of 2 might already be full if they didn't account for that.
By systematically going through the above steps, you should cover virtually all possible causes. Below we provide a diagnostic checklist you can use to tick off each item as you try it.
Patch History
Analogies & Real Gamer Anecdotes
Connecting with friends in Don't Starve Together can sometimes feel like trying to tune two tin-can telephones – if the string (network) is tangled or the cans (consoles) are in different neighborhoods (regions), you're not going to hear each other. Many players have been in your shoes: for instance, one frustrated gamer on Reddit shared how their group spent "like an hour with 20 tries" to join the host, only to get booted to the menu each time. They eventually gave up in despair – "Sadness ensues," wrote one user after describing repeated failures. The good news is that these stories often have happy endings: "I just tried again, no issues so far – ty Klei" one player reported after a fix was deployed.
Think of the process like surviving a season in DST: you prep (check settings), you have to adapt to the unexpected hounds (bugs), and sometimes you need a science machine (router tweaks) to prototype a solution. Occasionally, the best strategy is like dealing with Deerclops – if a bug is rampaging, you hunker down and wait for the devs (or "giants") to pass by with a patch.
It's not "game over, man" when you can't join immediately – with patience and the right steps, you'll be cooking monster stew over the campfire with your buddies in no time.
One analogy: fixing NAT issues is akin to building a roadsign in the wilderness – you're basically telling the internet "hey, my PS5 is here, send the DST data this way!" Without that sign (open ports), your friend's invite might wander the void like Wilson in the dark without a torch. And we all know how that ends in DST – not well.
A Real Player Story:
A pair of friends once couldn't connect for days; they tried everything, and it turned out the culprit was a simple router firmware update that had flipped off UPnP. Enabling it instantly opened their path. They joked that their "Internet Science Machine" finally unlocked the "friends together" prototype. The moment they saw each other's goofy survivor characters finally load into the same world, it was as satisfying as finding Chester on day 1.
In summary, don't starve (or stress) together – use the above toolbox of solutions. Almost every problem has a solution found by someone in the community: whether it was a Reddit tip about switching to a passworded public server, or a Klei dev reassuring players that a fix was incoming, the DST community has weathered these connectivity storms much like surviving winter in-game. Now it's your turn to take this knowledge and get back to the fun part: actually playing Don't Starve Together with your friends, and not just fighting the join screen!
Summary Checklist
To wrap up, here's a quick checklist to troubleshoot "Can't join friend in DST on PS5" issues. You can use this list like a diagnostic flowchart – check each item off as you verify it:
By the end of this checklist, in 99% of cases you will have either resolved the issue or identified the root cause. From NAT woes to patch bugs, we've covered the landscape. Now, time to Survive Together in the Constant!