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Big Walk Co-op Troubleshooting

Fix Join Code, session, crossplay, version, password, host and online-service errors.

What are you seeing?

Start from the message on screen if there is one. Otherwise pick the symptom that fits.

I see an error message

Paste it, or type the part you remember.

I do not have an error message

Pick what is happening.

The 22 in-game messages and the checks beside them were last confirmed against the official FAQ on Sep 2026.

One session broke, or nothing online works at all?

These two failures need different checks, and telling them apart saves the most time.

Only this one session fails

  • The host is inside the game with their character loaded
  • You have the code the host is showing now
  • The password is the current one
  • Both versions share the first two numbers
  • Both crossplay preferences allow this session
  • The host has not ended or recreated the session
Run the join checks

You cannot host or join anything

  • The device is online
  • Automatic date and time is on, with the right time zone
  • The network can reach Epic Online Services
  • The game has been restarted since the last attempt
Check clock and services

Can't join a friend? Check these first

Work down the list. Almost every failed join stops at a host, a version, a join detail or a crossplay preference.

  1. 1. Has the host loaded into the world?

    The session only exists once the host is inside the game with their character loaded. Two people waiting on the main menu look exactly like a broken Join Code.

  2. 2. Do the version numbers match enough?

    The third number can differ between players. The first two cannot.

    Only the first two numbers have to match. Example: 1.2.3 and 1.2.9 can play together, 1.2.3 and 1.3.0 cannot.

  3. 3. Is the join information current?

    A Join Code and password belong to one running session. The host can change the password from Session Details without ending the session.

  4. 4. Do both crossplay preferences allow this session?

    The host and the joining player need compatible crossplay preferences. On its own, playing from different platforms is not the problem.

  5. 5. Is the host session still open?

    Host ended, session not found, closed to new players and host timeout all describe the host session, before they describe anyone’s network settings.

  6. 6. Does nothing work anywhere?

    If no session opens on any device, the system clock and the reachability of Epic Online Services matter more than the host details.

Errors that come up most

These are the messages players hit when a session will not open. Every one of them starts at the host session or at a join setting.

Version mismatch

Confirmed

Official message

“Your version of Big Walk doesn't match the host's version.”

What it means

The two builds are not compatible for one session.

Check first

  1. 1. Compare the first two numbers on both devices.
  2. 2. A different third number is allowed.

What to do

  1. 1. Both players close and reopen the game.
  2. 2. Install any pending update.
  3. 3. Compare the numbers again.
  4. 4. The host opens a fresh session.

If that doesn't work: If the first two numbers still differ, one device is on an older release and has to update before it can join.

Which platforms can play together

Crossplay preferences mismatch

Confirmed

Official message

“You are trying to join a game session with different crossplay preferences than yours.”

What it means

The host and the joining player do not have compatible crossplay preferences for this session.

Check first

  1. 1. The host’s crossplay preference
  2. 2. The joining player’s crossplay preference
  3. 3. Platform
  4. 4. Version

What to do

  1. 1. Open the multiplayer settings on both devices.
  2. 2. Allow crossplay on both sides.
  3. 3. Re-open the host session and join again.

If that doesn't work: If both settings already allow it, confirm you are using the code the host is showing now, then compare versions.

Open Crossplay Guide

Wrong password

Confirmed

Official message

“The password you entered didn't match the password set by the host.”

What it means

The password entered does not match the one the host set.

Check first

  1. 1. Ask the host to open Session Details.
  2. 2. Confirm the password in use right now.
  3. 3. Enter it again exactly.

What to do

  1. 1. The host checks the password in Session Details.
  2. 2. The joining player types it again.
  3. 3. If it still fails, the host sets a new password and sends that one.

If that doesn't work: A password can be changed while the session runs, so an older message is the usual reason it keeps failing.

Join Code and password

Session not found

Confirmed

Official message

“The session you are trying to join isn't available.”

What it means

The session being joined is not available any more.

Check first

  1. 1. Is the host still in the world?
  2. 2. Is this still the running session?
  3. 3. Is the code the one the host is showing?
  4. 4. Did the host restart the session?

What to do

  1. 1. Ask the host to confirm they are still in the world.
  2. 2. Get the current code from the host menu or Session Details.
  3. 3. Join again with that code and the password.

If that doesn't work: A code from an earlier session keeps failing forever. This message is not evidence of a firewall or port problem.

Other wording for the same problem

  • “Failed to find and join the session.”
  • “Your session expired.”
Get the current code

Host not responding

Confirmed

Official message

“Connection timed out. The host is not responding correctly.”

What it means

The join attempt timed out because the host did not answer correctly.

Check first

  1. 1. Is the host inside the world, not on a menu?
  2. 2. Is the host’s game still running?
  3. 3. Is the code the current one?

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Ask the host to stay in the session.
  2. 2. Both sides restart the game.
  3. 3. The host opens the session again, then you join.

If that doesn't work: This starts as a host-session problem. General network checks come after the host is confirmed active, and they are guidance rather than a proven cause.

How hosting works

Connection timed out

Confirmed

Official message

“Your connection timed out while trying to connect to the host.”

What it means

The join attempt ran out of time while reaching the host.

Check first

  1. 1. Host still inside the world
  2. 2. The same first two version numbers
  3. 3. Current code and password
  4. 4. Device online

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Confirm the host is still in the world.
  2. 2. Compare the first two version numbers.
  3. 3. Use the code the host is showing now.
  4. 4. Restart the game on both sides and retry.

If that doesn't work: This message does not name a single network cause, so there is no reason to start with router settings.

Run the join checks

Failed to host a session

Confirmed

Official message

“Failed to host a session.”

What it means

This device could not open a session of its own.

Check first

  1. 1. Internet connection
  2. 2. System clock
  3. 3. Reachability of the online service

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Close and reopen the game.
  2. 2. Confirm automatic date and time is on.
  3. 3. Try hosting again.

If that doesn't work: If joining other sessions works but hosting does not, keep the same player as the save owner and retry hosting after a restart.

What to try when hosting fails

Can't host or join anything?

When every session fails on every device, the cause is local. Two checks explain most of it.

Set the system clock first

  • Automatic date and time: on
  • Date, time and time zone correct
  • Clock in the right year

A clock that is clearly wrong blocks both hosting and joining. Turn on automatic date and time, restart the game, then try to host again.

Then test Epic Online Services

If the clock is correct and nothing online works, the device may not be reaching the online service Big Walk uses.

  1. 1. On PC or Mac, open a terminal and run ping api.epicgames.dev
  2. 2. On Windows, run netsh winhttp reset proxy
  3. 3. Check whether the router or parental controls block Epic Games
  4. 4. Restart the game and try to host again

These are the two checks the official FAQ names. It does not point at NAT types or port forwarding.

Official FAQ →

Every official error message

Big Walk can print 22 session messages. Grouped by what went wrong, they come down to five situations.

Open a group to see its fixes.

Joining and session

The host is not reachable, the session is no longer running, or there is no room and no way in.

Session not found, host timeout and connection timeout sit in the list above.

Session is full

Confirmed

Official message

“The session you are trying to join is full.”

What it means

This hosted session has no room for another player right now.

Check first

  1. 1. How many players are already inside?
  2. 2. Is this the running session, not an older code?

What to do

  1. 1. Wait for a slot, or ask the host to open a new session if the group is re-forming.
  2. 2. A session holds 2–12 players, and the 2 / 3 / 4+ setting does not cap joins.

If that doesn't work: If you chose 2 Players and more people joined, that is how the setting works: it configures challenges, not the session size.

2 vs 3 vs 4+ explained

Try the connection again

Confirmed

Official message

“Error connecting to session, please try again.”

What it means

The join attempt failed and the game is asking for a retry.

Check first

  1. 1. Host still in the session
  2. 2. The code and password in use now
  3. 3. Compatible versions

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Wait a moment, then join again with the current details.
  2. 2. If it repeats, both sides restart and the host re-opens the session.

If that doesn't work: Retrying is the official instruction, and it does not name a network cause.

Join checks in order

Closed to new players

Confirmed

Official message

“The server is closed to new players at the moment.”

What it means

The running session is not accepting new players at the moment.

Check first

  1. 1. Ask the host whether the session is still open to joins.
  2. 2. Confirm this is the running session.

What to do

  1. 1. Wait for the host to open it to new players, or join a session the host starts fresh.

If that doesn't work: This describes the host session, not a public queue.

Hosting and saves
Compatibility and session settings

The session exists, but a build difference or a setting stops the join.

Version mismatch, crossplay mismatch and wrong password sit in the list above.

System time is wrong

Confirmed

Official message

“Connection timed out. Your system time appears to be set incorrectly. Please ensure your system time is correct.”

What it means

The device clock looks wrong, and that can block hosting and joining.

Check first

  1. 1. Device date and time
  2. 2. Automatic time setting
  3. 3. Time zone

What to do

  1. 1. Turn on automatic date and time.
  2. 2. Confirm the time zone and the year.
  3. 3. Restart the game.
  4. 4. Try the join again.

If that doesn't work: If hosting and joining still fail with the clock correct, test whether the device can reach Epic Online Services.

Other wording for the same problem

  • “Your system time appears to be set incorrectly. This may cause issues when hosting or joining sessions.”
Check clock and services
Online services and hosting

The device cannot reach the online service, or cannot open a session of its own.

Failed to host a session sits in the list above.

Failed to access online services

Confirmed

Official message

“Failed to access online services.”

What it means

The game could not sign in to its online services.

Check first

  1. 1. The device connection
  2. 2. Do other online games work on it?

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Reconnect the device to the internet.
  2. 2. Reopen the game.
  3. 3. Try hosting or joining again.

If that doesn't work: If every session fails this way, the problem is the device or the service, not one friend’s session.

Clock and service checks

Check the network connection

Confirmed

Official message

“Please check your network connection.”

What it means

The game is asking for a working connection from this device.

Check first

  1. 1. Device internet connection
  2. 2. Whether the host is also online
  3. 3. A restart since the last attempt

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Reconnect, restart the game, then try the running session again.

If that doesn't work: This message does not identify a NAT type or a port-forwarding problem.

Run the connection checks

Could not reach the game servers

Confirmed

Official message

“Your system is online but could not reach the game servers.”

What it means

The device is online, but it could not reach the online service Big Walk uses.

Check first

  1. 1. Connection from this device
  2. 2. Whether anyone in the group can host or join
  3. 3. Whether a restart already happened

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. Restart the game on a working connection and try again.

If that doesn't work: This is a reachability message. It does not mean a dedicated Big Walk server is full or down.

Why the service is unreachable

You need to be online

Confirmed

Official message

“You need to be online to play this game.”

What it means

Hosting and joining both need a connection.

Check first

  1. 1. A working connection on this device
  2. 2. Platform online status

What to do

  1. 1. Connect to the internet, restart the game, then host or join again.

If that doesn't work: Nothing replaces a session: co-op needs the connection.

Why online is required
Host and player lifecycle

The session finished, or one player was removed from it.

Host ended the session

Confirmed

Official message

“The host ended the session.”

What it means

The host stopped the session, so everyone else was disconnected with them.

Check first

  1. 1. Did the host leave, close the game or end the session?
  2. 2. Do you want to continue the same journey?

What to do

  1. 1. The original host starts the saved session again.
  2. 2. Everyone else rejoins that new session.

If that doesn't work: Another player hosting opens a different save, so the original progress stays behind.

Who can continue this save?

Kicked from the session

Confirmed

Official message

“You have been kicked from the session by the host.”

What it means

The host removed this player from the running session.

Check first

  1. 1. Ask the host whether the kick was meant.
  2. 2. Ask for the current code if they want you back in.

What to do

  1. 1. Only the host can let you back in. Rejoin once they reopen the slot.

If that doesn't work: A kick ends the connection to that session. It does not hand the save over.

Who owns the session?

Lost connection to the host

Confirmed

Official message

“You lost connection to the host unexpectedly.”

What it means

The link to the host dropped without the host stopping the session.

Check first

  1. 1. Is the host still playing?
  2. 2. Did the host end the session instead?
  3. 3. Can you rejoin with the current code?

What to do · Try this

  1. 1. If the host is still in the world, rejoin.
  2. 2. If the host is gone, they start the saved session again.

If that doesn't work: Items that were held or worn come back through Lost & Found at the start of the next session.

Lost & Found
Save

The save could not be opened on this device.

Failed to initialize save

Confirmed

Official message

“Failed to initialize save. Please free up space.”

What it means

The game could not open the save used for hosting, and the message points at storage space.

Check first

  1. 1. Free storage on the device
  2. 2. A restart of the game
  3. 3. Try the same save again

What to do

  1. 1. Free up storage space.
  2. 2. Restart, then load the same save.
  3. 3. If it still fails, check current official support.

If that doesn't work: Do not delete the save to clear this message. No official recovery step starts with deleting the host save.

Official FAQ

Can't see a friend's session?

An open host game normally shows in the friends list on the same platform. Anything else needs the code.

  1. 1. On the same platform, look for the host under active friend games.
  2. 2. On another platform, or when a friends list is unavailable, use the current Join Code instead.
  3. 3. Still nothing? Confirm the host has loaded into the world, then compare versions and crossplay preferences.

Is this still the current Join Code?

A session answers to the code it is running now, so a code from earlier in the day will not find the host.

  • In a running session: the host reads the code from Session Details.
  • Code from a chat message: ask the host for the one on screen now.
Full Join Code guide →

Two different disconnects

Being dropped is not the same as the host stopping the session. Only one of them is normal.

The host ended the session

This is the normal end of a hosted session: the host stopped or closed the game, and the group went with them.

Who can continue this save?

Connection to the host dropped

Nobody stopped anything. If the host is still in the world, rejoin with the current code. If the host has gone, the host starts the saved session again.

Where carried items go

Connected, but voice chat does not work?

Voice is a separate problem from joining a session. The official FAQ covers microphones, quiet voices, Bluetooth headsets and platform microphone settings.

Official microphone help →

Still no message on screen?

The questions that come up when the game gives no message to paste.

Why can't I join my friend in Big Walk?
Confirm the host is inside the world with their character loaded, then use the code the host is showing now with the current password. If the join still fails, check that the first two version numbers match and that both crossplay preferences allow the session.
Why can't I host or join any Big Walk game?
Start with the device clock. If the date and time are correct and nothing online works anywhere, the device may not be reaching Epic Online Services.
Why does Big Walk say my system time is wrong?
A clock that is clearly out of date blocks both hosting and joining. Turn on automatic date and time, check the time zone, restart the game and try again.
Why can't Big Walk find my friend's session?
The usual reason is that the host is still on the main menu. Once the host is in the world, use the current Join Code if the friends list does not list the session.
Do Big Walk versions need to be exactly the same?
No. A difference in the third number is fine for a join; only the first two numbers have to be the same on both devices.
Why did everyone disconnect at once?
The host ended the session. Hosting is a live session owned by one player, so when that player stops, everyone else is disconnected with them.