Payday 3 Matchmaking Not Working? Is Payday 3 Matchmaking down? Here’s How to Fix It
Introduction
Payday 3 is the latest installment in the popular Payday franchise of cooperative first-person shooter games. The game allows players to team up for heists and robberies in an open world environment. One of the most anticipated features of Payday 3 is the online multiplayer matchmaking, which allows players to join up with others to take on missions and earn in-game rewards.
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However, some players have been reporting issues with Payday 3’s matchmaking system not working properly since the game’s launch. When matchmaking is down, players can get stuck searching for a match indefinitely without ever connecting to other players. This can be incredibly frustrating if you were hoping to team up with friends or random players online.
In this guide, we’ll cover the common Payday 3 matchmaking errors, why you may be getting them, and most importantly, how to fix matchmaking so you can get back to pulling off epic heists.
Common Payday 3 Matchmaking Errors
Here are some of the most common matchmaking errors that players encounter in Payday 3:
- Matchmaking Failed – This generic error means the game was unable to find a match for you. It could be due to a lack of available games or some other connectivity issue.
- Lost Connection to Host – This error indicates your connection to the matchmaking server or another player’s game session was interrupted.
- Failed to Connect to Server – Payday 3 is unable to reach the matchmaking servers for some reason when this error appears. It’s usually a network related issue.
- Couldn’t Join Session – Although the game found a match, you failed to connect and join the session when trying to load in.
- Timed Out Waiting for Players – You joined a matchmaking lobby but not enough players joined in time before the timer expired.
These errors typically point to some kind of disruption in communication between your game and Payday 3’s matchmaking servers. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot and get matchmaking functioning again.
Why Payday 3 Matchmaking Isn’t Working
If you’re encountering the matchmaking failed errors above, here are some potential reasons why:
- Server Outages – The most straightforward cause is that Payday 3’s servers are down or overloaded. When lots of players try to access matchmaking at once, it can cause intermittent connectivity issues.
- Connection Problems – An unstable internet connection on your end will interrupt the constant communication Payday 3 needs to find and maintain matches. This could be due to weak Wi-Fi, ISP outages, or using a VPN.
- Firewall or Antivirus Blocking – Overzealous security software can sometimes interpret Payday 3’s server connections as dangerous and block them. You may need to customize your firewall or antivirus to allow Payday 3 through.
- Outdated Game Version – Make sure you’ve installed all of the latest Payday 3 patches. Being on an old version can prevent connecting to matches properly.
- Buggy Matchmaking – Like any new, complex software system, Payday 3’s matchmaking can have bugs that prevent it from working right. The developers are working to squash these!
Knowing what might be preventing successful connections will help you troubleshoot your matchmaking problems.
How to Fix Payday 3 Matchmaking
Here are the steps to try if you can’t get Payday 3 matchmaking working:
1. Check Server Status
First, check the official Payday 3 server status page or the developers’ Twitter account. This can confirm whether known outages or maintenance could be affecting matchmaking globally. If the servers are up, the problem is likely on your end.
2. Update Your Game
Make sure Payday 3 is fully updated with the latest patches on your platform. Outdated game versions commonly lead to matchmaking issues. Regularly check for and install updates in your:
- Steam client on PC
- Epic Games Store on PC
- PS Store on PlayStation
- Microsoft Store on Xbox
Updates should download and install automatically, but you can manually check as well. This ensures you’re on the latest release with all matchmaking fixes.
3. Restart Your Game, Console, or PC
A simple restart will clear any cached data or connections. Follow these steps:
- Fully close the Payday 3 app/game if it’s running.
- On consoles, restart your PlayStation or Xbox.
- On PC, reboot your computer.
- Relaunch Payday 3 and try matchmaking again.
Restarting gives the game and your system a fresh start, often resolving temporary glitches.
4. Test Your Internet Connection
Check that your console, PC, or router can access the internet without any issues.
On consoles, visit the network settings to run a connection test. PC users can visit a website like Google to confirm web access works fine.
If connecting to the internet is slow or produces errors, this points to a general connectivity problem. Matchmaking requires stable online access. Contact your ISP if you suspect a widespread outage in your area.
5. Switch to a Wired Connection
For the most reliable connections, use an Ethernet cable to connect your PC or console to your router, rather than using Wi-Fi. This avoids any interference or signal drops that disrupt matchmaking.
Simply plug one end of the Ethernet cable into your computer or console’s network port, and connect the other end to a free LAN port on your router. The wired connection should provide lower latency and ping as well.
6. Port Forward Your Router
You may need to open certain ports on your router’s firewall to allow Payday 3 traffic:
- TCP Ports: 80, 443, 3478, 3479, 3480, 8766, 8767, 8768, 10070, 10071, 10072
- UDP Ports: 3074, 3478, 3479, 3658, 3960
Log into your router’s configuration page, go to port forwarding settings, and input Payday 3’s ports above. This whitelists the game’s connections. Instructions vary by router model – check your router’s manual for exact steps.
7. Add Payday 3 Exceptions to Your Firewall
If using antivirus or firewall software, add rules to allow Payday 3 unfettered access to your internet connection and its ports. Refer to your security software’s documentation for precise instructions.
8. Disable VPNs and Proxies
Any VPN or proxy software can introduce latency that interferes with smooth matchmaking. Temporarily disabling them is worth testing. Also ensure Payday 3 can bypass these programs if you need them enabled.
9. Clear Your MAC Address
On consoles, this flushes your network settings and can resolve connectivity glitches.
On PlayStation:
- Go to Settings > Network > Setup Network Connection.
- Select your connection. Choose Custom then Manual Setup.
- Select Automatic for IP Address Settings and Do Not Use for DHCP Host Name.
- Go to Advanced Settings > MAC Address > Clear.
Payday 3 On Xbox:
- From the dashboard, go to Settings > General > Network Settings.
- Select Advanced Settings > Alternate MAC Address > Clear.
10. Contact Payday 3 Support
If you still can’t get Payday 3 matchmaking working after trying these steps, reach out to the game’s official support channels:
- Submit a ticket on the Payday 3 support site
- Post on the Steam discussions
- Tweet @PaydayGame
Provide details on the matchmaking issue and what troubleshooting you’ve tried. The developers may be able to provide specialized assistance or determine if it’s a bug.
Payday 3 server status twitter
Heisters, we’re currently experiencing slow matchmaking. We’re investigating and working on a solution.
— PAYDAY 3 (@PAYDAYGame) September 21, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about resolving Payday 3 matchmaking problems:
Q1: Are the Payday 3 servers down?
A: Check the server status page for any known outages. Matchmaking uses Payday 3’s servers.
Q2: Why does Payday 3 matchmaking fail instantly?
A: Failing to find a match right away usually means there are no open lobbies available. Try again in a few minutes or check your network connection.
Q3: I get stuck in the Payday 3 matchmaking lobby forever – how do I fix it?
A: Getting stuck in the lobby endlessly points to connectivity issues on your end. Restarting the game, your network, and port forwarding may help.
Q4: Does Payday 3 have crossplay between PC and consoles?
A: Yes, Payday 3 supports crossplay multiplayer between PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Make sure crossplay is enabled in your platform’s settings.
Q5: How long does Payday 3 matchmaking take to find a game?
A: With healthy player populations, matchmaking should successfully find a game within 1-2 minutes. Longer than 3-5 minutes likely indicates an issue.
Q6: I was in a Payday 3 match but got disconnected – what happened?
A: Getting disconnected from an active match is usually caused by your internet cutting out briefly. Try a wired connection for more stability.
Q7: Can I play Payday 3 multiplayer with friends if matchmaking is down?
A: You can still create private invite-only games and play with friends. This bypasses matchmaking servers.
In Conclusion
With Payday 3 being an always-online co-op experience, having functioning matchmaking is crucial. If you encounter errors that prevent finding matches, don’t panic. In most cases, the fixes are straightforward: keep your game updated, ensure no disruptions to your internet signal, and possibly contact support if issues persist. Patience and regularly restarting your game can also help connect during busy times.
When matchmaking works smoothly, teaming up with random players or friends for lucrative heists is a total blast. Pulling off synchronized stealth runs or going in guns blazing is extremely satisfying. Soon enough, with the right troubleshooting, you’ll be back to stealing loot and leaving your calling card in Payday 3!
Summary
- Payday 3’s matchmaking system lets you team up online, but can sometimes break and fail to find matches.
- Common error messages point to server outages or connection problems on the player’s end.
- Updating the game, restarting your system, and checking your network connectivity can quickly fix many issues.
- Port forwarding, wired connections, and contacting support may be needed for stubborn matchmaking problems.
- With the proper troubleshooting, you’ll be back to cooperating with friends or randoms during Payday 3’s heart-pounding heists.
Table: Payday 3 Matchmaking Troubleshooting
| Issue | Potential Cause | Fixes |
| Matchmaking fails instantly | No open lobbies | Retry matchmaking in a few minutes |
| Gets stuck searching | Connection problem | Restart game, restart network |
| Disconnected from match | Brief internet outage | Use a wired internet connection |
| Can’t find matches | Firewall blocking | Add exceptions for Payday 3 |
| Long matchmaking times | Low player population | Try during peak hours, enable crossplay |
| Errors about server connection | Servers down | Check @PaydayGame on Twitter |