Payday 3 has brought back the high-octane action of cooperative heist gameplay, but some players have been encountering issues with the game’s matchmaking system. One of the most common complaints is the matchmaking error, which prevents players from joining or creating lobbies, making it difficult to enjoy the game’s core multiplayer experience. Fortunately, there are several solutions you can try to resolve this issue and get back to your heisting adventures. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll explore various fixes to help you solve the Payday 3 matchmaking error.
1. Check Payday 3 Server Status
Before diving into potential fixes on your end, the first step is to check if the issue is related to Payday 3’s servers. Sometimes, server maintenance or unexpected outages can cause matchmaking errors, which means the problem is beyond your control.
– Steps to check server status:
1. Visit the official Payday 3 Twitter account or the game’s Discord server, where developers usually post updates regarding server maintenance or downtimes.
2. Alternatively, you can check third-party websites like Downdetector, which show real-time reports of server issues and outages for online games.
If there’s an ongoing server issue, you’ll need to wait until the servers are back online. However, if the servers are up and running but you’re still encountering matchmaking errors, proceed with the following steps.
2. Restart Payday 3 and Your PC
A simple restart of the game and your system can fix many temporary issues that might be causing matchmaking errors. This can clear out any background processes or memory issues that may be interfering with the game’s performance.
– Steps:
1. Close Payday 3 and completely exit any related processes via the Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Restart your PC to refresh the system.
3. Relaunch Payday 3 and attempt to join or create a lobby again.
If the matchmaking error persists after restarting, move on to the next solution.
3. Check Your Internet Connection
Matchmaking in Payday 3 requires a stable and strong internet connection. A weak or intermittent connection can cause communication problems between your game client and the server, resulting in matchmaking errors.
– Steps:
1. Run a speed test using websites like Speedtest.net to check your internet connection’s stability and speed.
2. Ensure your connection meets the recommended bandwidth for online gaming.
3. If using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection to improve stability.
4. Restart your router and modem to refresh your network.
Once your connection is stable, try accessing Payday 3 again to see if the matchmaking issue is resolved.
4. Adjust Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Your firewall or antivirus software could be blocking the connection between Payday 3 and its servers, preventing matchmaking from working properly. Adjusting the settings can allow the game to communicate with its servers more freely.
– Steps to adjust firewall settings:
1. Open Windows Security by typing it into the Windows search bar.
2. Navigate to Firewall & Network Protection.
3. Click Allow an app through firewall, then find Payday 3 in the list or add it manually by clicking Add another app.
4. Ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are selected next to Payday 3.
– Steps to adjust antivirus settings:
1. Open your antivirus software (e.g., Windows Defender, McAfee, Norton, etc.).
2. Navigate to the Exclusions or Exceptions section.
3. Add Payday 3 as an exclusion to prevent your antivirus from interfering with the game.
After making these changes, restart the game and see if the matchmaking error persists.
5. Update Payday 3 and Your Drivers
Outdated game files or system drivers can cause compatibility issues, resulting in errors like the matchmaking failure. Ensuring that both Payday 3 and your drivers are up-to-date can help fix the problem.
– Steps to update Payday 3:
1. Launch Steam (or your respective game platform).
2. Go to your Library and check for updates for Payday 3.
3. If an update is available, install it, then relaunch the game.
– Steps to update drivers:
1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the Display adapters section.
3. Right-click on your GPU and select Update Driver.
4. Follow the prompts to update your drivers to the latest version.
Once everything is updated, try matchmaking in the game again.
6. Verify Game Files
If a specific file in Payday 3 has become corrupted or is missing, the game may not function properly, leading to errors. Verifying the integrity of game files can identify and replace any problematic files.
– Steps:
1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click on Payday 3 and select Properties.
3. In the Installed Files tab, click Verify Integrity of Game Files.
4. Steam will scan your game files and automatically repair any issues.
7. Reinstall Payday 3
If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling Payday 3 can help resolve any deeper issues that might be causing the matchmaking error. This will give you a fresh installation of the game with no corrupted files.
– Steps:
1. Open Steam and navigate to your Library.
2. Right-click on Payday 3 and select Uninstall.
3. Once uninstalled, reinstall the game and try accessing matchmaking again.
Matchmaking errors in Payday 3 can be frustrating, but by following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and get back to your heists. From checking the server status to verifying game files, these solutions address the most common causes of matchmaking problems. If all else fails, reaching out to Payday 3 support may be the best option.
