No Man’s Sky Failed to Join Lobby? Fixes That Work

If you see “failed to join lobby� in No Man’s Sky, it usually means the game cannot establish a peer-to-peer connection to the host player’s session. This is almost always caused by network restrictions, platform-specific settings, or a version mismatch. The fixes below resolve the issue for most players on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Formula

The calculator above is a separate tool for pace and speed, but the article is about the “failed to join lobby� error. The formula for the calculator is:

Pace (min/km) = Time (minutes) / Distance (km)
Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) / (Time (minutes) / 60)

Variables: Time is the total minutes spent traveling, Distance is the kilometers covered, Pace is how many minutes per kilometer, and Speed is kilometers per hour.

Worked Example

Using the defaults: Time = 50 minutes, Distance = 10 km.
Pace = 50 / 10 = 5.00 min/km.
Speed = 10 / (50/60) = 10 / 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h.
The calculator shows 5.00 min/km and 12.00 km/h.

What Causes “Failed to Join Lobby� in No Man’s Sky?

No Man’s Sky uses peer-to-peer networking, meaning one player’s console or PC acts as the host. When you join a friend, your game sends connection requests through the host’s network. If any step fails—NAT type, firewall, platform services, or game version—you get the “failed to join lobby� error.

Common triggers:

• Strict NAT type on either side (especially on PlayStation and Xbox).
• Firewall or antivirus blocking the game’s executable.
• Game version mismatch between you and the host.
• Platform online services down (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Steam).
• In-game multiplayer mode not enabled.

How to Fix It on PC (Steam, Windows)

For PC players, the most frequent cause is Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus blocking No Man’s Sky. Here’s what to do:

1. Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.
2. Click “Change settings� and then “Allow another app�.
3. Browse to your No Man’s Sky installation folder (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\No Man's Sky) and add NMS.exe.
4. Ensure both Private and Public network checkboxes are checked for that executable.
5. Restart Steam and the game.

If you use a third-party antivirus, add the same executable to its exception list. Also, check Steam’s own settings: Steam → Settings → In-Game → set “In-game server browser: Max pings/minute� to a higher value (like 5000) to avoid timeouts.

How to Fix It on PlayStation and Xbox

Consoles rely heavily on NAT type. If you or the host has a Strict NAT (Type 3 on PlayStation, Strict on Xbox), joining will often fail.

• On PlayStation: Go to Settings → Network → View Connection Status. If NAT Type is 3, you need to enable UPnP on your router or set a static IP and forward ports 3074 (UDP/TCP) for PlayStation, 3074 (UDP) for Xbox.
• On Xbox: Press the Xbox button → Profile & system → Settings → General → Network settings → Test NAT type. If it says “Strictâ€�, enable UPnP or port forwarding.
• On both, make sure the game is fully updated and that cross-play is enabled in the in-game Options → Network.

If you can’t change router settings, try using a mobile hotspot (with a different NAT) or ask the host to invite you from the in-game friend list rather than the platform’s party system.

Common Misconception: It’s Not Always Your Network

Many players assume the error is on their side, but it can also be the host’s. If the host has a Strict NAT, you cannot join them even if your own network is perfect. Also, if the host is playing in single-player mode (not actually hosting a multiplayer session), the game will show “failed to join lobby�. Make sure the host has loaded a save and is in the game world, not at the main menu.

Another misconception is that restarting the game always fixes it. Sometimes it does, but if the underlying NAT or firewall issue remains, the error will persist. A full router restart (power cycle) helps because it re-establishes UPnP mappings.

How to Check for Version Mismatch

No Man’s Sky updates frequently, and if you and your friend are on different versions, you cannot join. Check the version number on the title screen or in the Options menu. Both players should see the same number (e.g., 4.08). If they differ, update the game:

• Steam: Steam will auto-update, but you can force it by restarting Steam.
• PlayStation: Highlight the game → Options → Check for Update.
• Xbox: My games & apps → Manage → Updates.

If you’re on different platforms, cross-play must be enabled in the game’s Network settings. Also, ensure you’re both using the same game mode (Normal, Survival, etc.)—you cannot join a different mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does it say “failed to join lobby� even though I can see my friend in the game?

Seeing a friend in the Discoveries menu doesn’t mean you’re in the same session. The error occurs when the actual connection handshake fails. This is often due to NAT restrictions or the host’s session being full (max 4 players on PC, 4 on console, but cross-play allows up to 32 in some modes). Ask the host to leave and re-enter their game, then send a fresh invite.

Does turning off cross-play help?

Sometimes. If you’re playing with someone on the same platform, disabling cross-play can reduce network complexity. But if you’re trying to join a different platform, cross-play must stay on. Try toggling it off and on again, then restart the game.

What ports do I need to forward for No Man’s Sky?

For PC/Steam: UDP 27000-27100 (Steam networking). For PlayStation: TCP/UDP 1935, 3478-3480. For Xbox: UDP 88, 500, 3074, 3544, 4500. However, with UPnP enabled, you usually don’t need manual port forwarding. Only use port forwarding if UPnP is unavailable.

Can a VPN cause this error?

Yes. VPNs can change your NAT type or block incoming connections. If you’re using a VPN, disable it and try again. Some routers have VPN clients built-in—turn that off too.

Why does it work sometimes but fail other times?

Intermittent failures often come from the host’s network having a dynamic IP or UPnP not re-mapping correctly. Restarting the router or the game often fixes it temporarily. Also, if the host has been playing for hours, the session may have degraded—ask them to save and exit to the main menu, then reload.

Is there a way to join without an invite?

Yes, if you’re friends on the platform, you can join from the in-game Discoveries menu by selecting the friend’s session. On PC, you can also use Steam’s “Join Game� feature from the friend list. But if the error appears, the same network issues apply.

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in t | Time (minutes) | min | 0 | 0 | 1440
in d | Distance (km) | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace (min/km) | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed (km/h) | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2