How To Fix Stardew Valley Not Connecting to Online Services

Stardew Valley, the beloved open-world pixelated farming and life simulator game released by Concerned Ape in 2016, continues to captivate players with its engaging gameplay. Supporting up to 8 players, it offers a competitive price tag and ongoing developer support through consistent patch updates. However, some players encounter the frustrating issue of Stardew Valley not connecting to online services. If you’re facing this problem, fret not!

Overall, online multiplayer gaming has been quite stable, with the number of active players steadily increasing since its launch. The best part is that developers are still pushing patch updates, such as Stardew Valley 1.6, which also addressed multiplayer connectivity issues. While it’s usually easy to join a multiplayer game using the invitation code shared by the host player, there have been reports on the Steam community of multiplayer not working issues, even when the internet connection is active.

1. Check Your Internet Connection

• Firstly, ensure that your internet connection is stable and strong, as poor or unstable networks can cause connectivity problems with Stardew Valley’s online services.
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting your internet to troubleshoot any potential issues.
• Consider switching between a wired (ethernet) or Wi-Fi connection to see if that resolves the problem.
• If connectivity problems persist, try using a different network or contact your internet service provider (ISP) for assistance

2. Disable the Antivirus Programs or Add Exceptions for the Game

• Antivirus programs may interfere with Stardew Valley multiplayer connections, causing connection failures.
• If you have third-party antivirus software installed, try temporarily uninstalling it to see if it resolves the issue.
• Temporarily disabling the Windows Defender firewall may also help fix the problem.
• To add Stardew Valley to the exceptions list of Windows Defender:
  • Step 1: Type “firewall” in the search box and select Windows Defender Firewall.
  • Step 2: Click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” from the left pane.
  • Step 3: Check the box for the executable file of Stardew Valley and click OK to save the changes.
• After making these adjustments, relaunch the game to see if the connection issue persists.

3. Disable the VPN Connection

• Some users have reported encountering the Stardew Valley LAN connection failed issue when using a VPN connection.
• To resolve this, try disabling your VPN connection. Here’s how:
  • Step 1: Exit the game and Steam client, then end all related processes in Task Manager.
  • Step 2: Double-click the Internet icon in the notification menu, select the VPN network, and click on Disconnect.
• Once disconnected from the VPN, try entering the multiplayer game again to see if the issue persists.
• Alternatively, consider using a wired internet connection for more stable gameplay.

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4. Play Stardew Valley via the Steam Client

• Stardew Valley has a known bug where users can’t join the game through its in-game interface, potentially causing multiplayer connection issues.
• To troubleshoot this problem, try joining the game through the Steam client instead. Here’s how:
  • Step 1: Exit the game, then launch the Steam client and go to your friends’ list.
  • Step 2: Click on the friend who is hosting the Stardew Valley game.
  • Step 3: Select the game and click on “Join Game” from the context menu. You should then be able to join the game successfully.

5. Use the Wired Internet

To address the Stardew Valley connection failed issue caused by internet connection problems, switching to a stable wired connection via Ethernet cable is recommended. Here’s how to do it:

1. Exit the game and Steam client, ensuring all related processes are ended in Task Manager.
2. Disconnect your computer from the Wi-Fi network.
3. Connect your computer to the wired network using an Ethernet cable.
4. Launch the Steam client and check if the Stardew Valley connection issue persists.

This method can often resolve connectivity issues and provide a more stable gaming experience.

6. Update Stardew Valley

If you’re experiencing connectivity issues in Stardew Valley, it’s possible that you’re using an outdated game patch. Developers frequently release updates to improve stability. Follow these steps to check for updates:

For Steam:

1. Open your Steam client.
2. Navigate to the Library section.
3. Right-click on Stardew Valley in your game library.
4. Select Properties.
5. Go to the Updates tab.
6. Enable the automatic updates option.
7. If a new update is available, Steam will install it automatically.

For GOG Galaxy:

1. Launch GOG GALAXY on your PC.
2. Log in with your GOG account credentials.
3. Go to your Library and click on the Stardew Valley game.
4. Click on the Customize button next to the Play button.
5. Select Check for updates from the menu.
6. If a new update is available, proceed with the installation.

After updating the game, reboot your PC to apply the changes. This should help resolve any connectivity issues you’re experiencing.

7. Use the Co-op Mode in Multiplayer

When hosting a multiplayer game in Stardew Valley, ensure you start the game using the Co-op mode on the game screen or from the in-game Options menu under the ‘Multiplayer’ section.

If you don’t see the Multiplayer section, it means the game isn’t in multiplayer mode. To rectify this:

1. Quit the game to the main menu.
2. Click on the ‘Co-op’ button.
3. Navigate to the ‘Host’ tab.
4. Load the save file.

Make sure the ‘Server Mode’ is set to ‘Online’ to allow other players to connect to your multiplayer hosting. This ensures smooth connectivity for everyone involved.

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8. Ensure the Steam or GOG Galaxy Client is Running

To ensure seamless connectivity in Stardew Valley, it’s essential to keep the Steam or GOG Galaxy client running in the background, regardless of which launcher you’re using to run the game. Reports suggest that closing these clients may lead to connection issues with the game’s online services. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep the game launcher running while playing Stardew Valley to avoid any potential connectivity issues.

9. Update the Network Driver

To resolve potential networking conflicts and ensure stable connectivity in Stardew Valley, consider updating your network adapter driver on your PC. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Win+X keys to open the Quick Link Menu.
2. Click on Device Manager from the list.
3. Double-click on Network Adapters.
4. Right-click on the specific network device that you’re using.
5. Select Update driver.
6. Choose the option to Search automatically for drivers.
7. If a newer version is available, it will be automatically downloaded and installed.
8. Once the update is complete, reboot your system to apply the changes.

This process should help resolve any temporary networking glitches and ensure smoother gameplay in Stardew Valley.

10. Reinstall Stardew Valley

If you’ve exhausted other troubleshooting methods, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Stardew Valley on your PC as a final workaround. Although this may seem daunting due to concerns about losing progress, some players have found it effective. Here’s how to do it:

For Steam:

1. Launch the Steam client on your computer.
2. Navigate to your Library and right-click on Stardew Valley.
3. Choose Manage and then select Uninstall.
4. If prompted, confirm the uninstallation process.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
6. Once done, restart your PC to apply the changes.
7. Finally, relaunch Steam and reinstall Stardew Valley, choosing a different drive if desired.

For GOG Galaxy:

1. Open the GOG Galaxy client.
2. Select Stardew Valley from the Installed list.
3. Click on the Customization button next to the Play option.
4. Choose Manage Installation and then click on Uninstall.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
6. After uninstallation, reboot your PC.
7. To reinstall the game, open the GOG Galaxy client and navigate to the Games list.
8. Click on Stardew Valley and then on the Install button.
9. Choose a different drive for installation, if desired.
10. Click Continue and wait for the installation process to complete.

Reinstalling the game may help resolve any issues related to the game installation directory. Make sure to back up your save files if possible before uninstalling to avoid losing progress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you’re encountering connectivity issues in Stardew Valley, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve them. Start by checking your internet connection and ensuring it’s stable. Additionally, consider updating your network adapter driver and keeping the game launcher running in the background. If the problem persists, try joining multiplayer games through alternative methods, such as using the Steam or GOG Galaxy client. If all else fails, uninstalling and reinstalling the game may provide a solution, though be sure to back up your save files beforehand. By following these steps, you can hopefully enjoy uninterrupted gameplay in Stardew Valley.