Fix: SnowRunner Multiplayer Not Working Issue

Are you facing difficulties while trying to play SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode? You’re not alone. Many players encounter problems when attempting to connect and play in multiplayer mode, especially when trying to enjoy the Co-Op mode with someone on the same network. In this article, we will provide you with solutions to fix the issue of not being able to connect to multiplayer mode in SnowRunner.

Understanding the Possible Causes

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first explore the potential causes of multiplayer connection issues in SnowRunner. These issues can arise due to various factors, such as your internet provider, router settings, or firewall configurations. By understanding the root causes, we can address them effectively and get your multiplayer mode up and running smoothly.

Opening Ports on Your Router

One of the most effective ways to resolve connection issues in SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode is by opening the necessary ports on your router. This process allows the game to establish a proper connection with the host and ensures smooth gameplay. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to open ports on your router:

1. Access your router’s settings page. If you’re unsure how to do this, you can refer to the manufacturer’s documentation or search online for instructions specific to your router model.
2. Look for the “Port Forwarding” or a similar setting in your router’s settings. The location of this setting may vary depending on your router’s interface.
3. Once you’ve found the Port Forwarding settings, enter the following details:

• External Port: 11700
• Internal Port: 11710
• Protocol: TCP

Next, create a port for UDP by entering the following details:

• External Port: 48800
• Internal Port: 49000
• Protocol: UDP

These ports are specifically for the game. Additionally, you need to open ports for the Epic Games launcher. Open the following ports: 80, 433, 443, 3478, 3479, 5060, 5062, 5222, 6250, and 12000-65000. Enter each port individually in both the External Port and Internal Port boxes. Make sure to select “Both” (TCP & UDP) as the protocol.

Save the settings and restart your router for the changes to take effect.

Enabling DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)

If opening ports on your router doesn’t resolve the multiplayer connection issue, you can try enabling the DMZ feature if your router supports it. The DMZ feature allows a local host (your gaming device) to be exposed to the internet for specific services like gaming. Here’s how to enable DMZ on a TP-Link Archer VR600 router:

1. Access your router’s settings page.
2. Look for the DMZ settings and enable it.
3. Enter the IP address of your gaming device as the DMZ host. This IP address will be specific to your device and can usually be found in the network settings.
4. Save the changes and restart your router.

Enabling the DMZ feature can help bypass any potential firewall restrictions and improve the multiplayer connection in SnowRunner.

Opening Ports in Windows 10/11

In some cases, the issue may lie within your Windows firewall settings. To ensure a smooth multiplayer experience in SnowRunner, you can open the required ports on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system. Here’s how:

1. Type “Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security” in the Windows search box and open it.
2. Click on “Inbound Rules” and select “New Rule.”
3. Choose “Port” and click “Next.”
4. Select “TCP” and enter the following ports in the “Specific local ports” box: 80, 433, 443, 3478, 3479, 5060, 5062, 5222, 6250, 11700-11710, 12000-65000.
5. Follow the instructions, allowing the connection and naming the rule as “SnowRunner1.”
6. Repeat the process for UDP ports by selecting “UDP” and entering the following ports: 80, 433, 443, 3478, 3479, 5060, 5062, 5222, 6250, 12000-65000, 48800-49000. Name this rule as “SnowRunner2.”
7. Similarly, create outbound rules for both TCP and UDP protocols using the same port ranges.

By opening the necessary ports in your Windows firewall, you can ensure that SnowRunner has the required network access for seamless multiplayer gameplay.

Antivirus and Windows Defender Firewall

Sometimes, antivirus software or Windows Defender Firewall settings can interfere with the multiplayer connection in SnowRunner. To avoid any potential conflicts, you need to ensure that your antivirus software and firewall settings are not blocking the game’s connection. Here’s what you can do:

1. Type “control panel” in the Windows search bar and open the Control Panel.
2. Click on “Windows Defender Firewall” and then select “Advanced settings.”
3. Go to the “Outbound Rules” tab.
4. Click on “New Rule…” from the right panel.
5. Select “Program” and locate the game’s executable file (exe).
6. Allow the connection and name the rule as “SR” (SnowRunner).

Additionally, create outbound rules for both Steam and Epic Games Launcher to prevent any connectivity issues related to these platforms.

Using a VPN

If all else fails, you can try using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to work around the multiplayer connection issues in SnowRunner. A VPN can help bypass any network restrictions imposed by your internet service provider, thereby improving your chances of establishing a successful multiplayer connection. Keep in mind that using a VPN may introduce some latency, so choose a VPN server that offers good performance for gaming.

NAT Loopback & Hairpinning

If you’re still experiencing connection issues, you can contact your internet service provider and inquire about enabling “NAT loopback” or “Hairpinning” on your network. These features can help resolve certain connection issues in SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode by ensuring proper communication between devices within your network.

Checking Your NAT Type on PC

Checking and adjusting your NAT type on a PC can significantly improve your online gaming experience, including SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode. Here’s how you can check and change your NAT type on a Windows computer:

1. Go to Windows Settings and click on “Gaming.”
2. Select “Xbox Networking.”
3. Check the NAT Type. If it is not Open and shows an error like “Teredo is unable to qualify,” click the “Fix it” button.
4. After the fix, click the “Check again” button to ensure that the NAT Type has changed to Open.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your NAT Type is optimized for multiplayer gaming and resolve any previous issues with SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode.

Changing Your NAT Type on PlayStation & Xbox

If you’re playing SnowRunner on a PlayStation or Xbox console, the NAT Type of your network can affect the multiplayer connection. NAT Type 3 (Strict/Closed) can cause connection issues, while NAT Type 1 (Open) or 2 (Moderate) are recommended for a better gaming experience. To achieve this, you can enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) or QoS (Quality of Service) features on your router.

Enabling UPnP

UPnP automatically forwards the necessary ports for your console, helping achieve NAT Type 1 or 2. Here’s how to enable UPnP on your router:

1. Log into your router’s settings using a web browser.
2. Locate the UPnP settings, usually under advanced settings or network settings.
3. Enable UPnP and save the changes.
4. Restart both your router and console.

If UPnP is not available or doesn’t resolve the issue, you can consider using QoS as an alternative.

Setting Up QoS

Quality of Service (QoS) prioritizes traffic to specific devices or applications within your home network, ensuring smooth gameplay and achieving NAT Type 1 or 2. Here’s how to set up QoS on your router:

1. Access your router’s settings using a web browser.
2. Find the QoS (Quality of Service) settings, usually located under advanced network settings or wireless settings.
3. Activate QoS and create a QoS priority rule or policy for your console.
4. Set the priority to the highest level and choose both TCP and UDP protocols.
5. For PlayStation, use the following port ranges:

• TCP: 3478-3480
• UDP: 3074, 3478-3479

For Xbox, use the following port ranges:

• TCP: 3074
• UDP: 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500

1. Specify the required port range for your console and save the changes.
2. Reboot both your router and console.

After enabling UPnP or configuring QoS, check your console’s network settings to ensure that the NAT type has changed to Type 1 (Open) or Type 2 (Moderate).

Conclusion

SnowRunner’s multiplayer mode can provide an exciting and immersive gaming experience. However, connection issues can dampen the fun. By following the solutions provided in this comprehensive guide, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix most common multiplayer connection problems in SnowRunner.

Remember to open the necessary ports on your router, enable the DMZ feature if available, check and adjust your Windows firewall settings, ensure that your antivirus software and firewall are not blocking the game’s connection, and consider using a VPN if needed. Additionally, contact your internet service provider for NAT loopback or hairpinning support, and optimize your NAT type on both PC and console.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying seamless multiplayer gameplay in SnowRunner. Happy gaming!