WikiWalls

Risk of rain 2 multiplayer not working

·

⚡ TLDR

If Risk of Rain 2 multiplayer keeps failing, crashing, or saying the host disconnected, start with the simple stuff first. In most cases, the fix is either corrupted Steam files, firewall blocking the connection, or a mod mismatch. I’d verify game files, disable mods, allow the game through Windows Firewall, and only touch port forwarding if you’re the host and nothing else worked.

Last time I dealt with this, it was late, the internet was acting moody, and a friend kept getting kicked the second the lobby loaded. We blamed Steam, then the router, then each other. Turned out the actual problem was way less dramatic. Risk of Rain 2 multiplayer usually breaks because of file issues, firewall rules, mods, or a host-side network problem. So let’s go through the fixes that actually matter.

Five methods to fix Risk of Rain 2 multiplayer feature not working

Before you do anything heavy, check two obvious things: make sure both players are on the same game version, and disable any mods if you use r2modman or BepInEx. Honestly, mod mismatch is one of the most common reasons multiplayer refuses to behave.

Fix 1: Check the integrity of the Risk of Rain 2 file

This is where I’d start. If Risk of Rain 2 crashes during lobby join, kicks you back to menu, or fails to load multiplayer properly, corrupted game files are a very normal cause. Steam’s file verification tool is quick and usually fixes missing or damaged files without making you reinstall the whole game.

Do this:

  • Close Steam fully. If it’s stuck, open Task Manager and end it.
  • Restart your PC.
  • Open Steam again.
  • Go to your Library and find Risk of Rain 2.
  • Right-click the game and choose Properties.
  • Open the Installed Files tab.
  • Click Verify integrity of game files.

Wait for Steam to finish. If it finds broken files, it will redownload them automatically. Then launch the game and test multiplayer again.

Fix 2: Reinstall Risk of Rain 2

If verifying files didn’t help, a clean reinstall is the next move. I used to leave this for last. I don’t anymore. If your install is messy, especially after mods, old save tweaks, or interrupted updates, reinstalling can save a lot of pointless guessing.

To uninstall through Steam:

  • Open the Steam client.
  • Find Risk of Rain 2 in your library.
  • Right-click it, select Manage, then click Uninstall.

If you installed it another way, remove it from Windows like this:

  • Open the Start menu and search for Control Panel.
  • Click Uninstall a program.
  • Find the game, right-click it, and choose Uninstall.

After that, install the game again, launch it clean, and test multiplayer before adding any mods back. That part matters.

Fix 3: Allow Risk of Rain 2 through Windows Firewall

If the game launches fine but fails when connecting to a host or joining a friend, Windows Firewall might be blocking it. This happens more often after a game update, a Windows update, or if you clicked the wrong thing on one of those permission pop-ups and forgot about it.

  • Open Control Panel.
  • Go to System and Security.
  • Click Windows Defender Firewall.
  • Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
  • Click Change settings.
  • Find Risk of Rain 2 and make sure both Private and Public are checked.
  • Click OK.

If the game isn’t listed, add it manually from its install folder. And if you use third-party antivirus software, check that too. Some of them block game traffic quietly and then act innocent.

Fix 4: Forward ports

This is the annoying fix, so don’t start here unless you’re hosting and everything else failed. Port forwarding can help if the host keeps dropping, friends can’t join your lobby, or the connection is unstable even though both sides have decent internet.

First, get your network details:

  • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  • Type ipconfig /all and press Enter.
  • Write down your Default Gateway.
  • Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, then press Enter.
  • Right-click your active internet connection and choose Properties.
  • Open Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
  • If needed, set DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

Then log in to your router and create the forwarding rules:

  • Type your Default Gateway IP into a browser.
  • Sign in to the router admin page.
  • Assign a static local IP to your PC if your router supports it.
  • Find the Port Forwarding section.
  • Open these Steam ports:

TCP: 27015-27030, 27036-27037

UDP: 4380, 27000-27031, 27036

  • Save the changes and restart your router if needed.

One important thing. If your ISP uses CGNAT, port forwarding may not work at all. In that case, you’ll need to ask for a public IP or use another host. A lot of people waste hours here for no reason.

Fix 5: Run Risk of Rain 2 as administrator

This one sounds basic, but it can help if the game has permission issues with saves, anti-cheat components, or network access on some Windows setups. I wouldn’t call it the first fix to try, but it’s quick.

  • Open Steam and go to your Library.
  • Right-click Risk of Rain 2 and choose Properties.
  • Click Browse Local Files.
  • Right-click Risk of Rain 2.exe and select Properties.
  • Open the Compatibility tab.
  • Check Run this program as an administrator.
  • Click OK.

Launch the game again and test quickplay or a private lobby with a friend.

Conclusion

If it was my PC, I’d do this in order: disable mods, verify game files, check firewall, then reinstall. Only after that would I bother with port forwarding. For most players, the problem is local and fixable in ten minutes. If you’re the host and everybody keeps disconnecting, then yeah, the router may be the real villain.

Try the simple fixes first. Save yourself the headache.