Permafrost Wiki

Permafrost: Can't Join Friends? Every Known Fix

Updated:

Quick answer: most join problems come from three things: the guest is not at the main menu when accepting a Steam invite, Steam is in offline mode, or the server browser needs a manual refresh. The October 11 patch ("Quest Fixes & Steam Invites") fixed many invite issues — update first.

Applies to: Permafrost Early Access, post-October 11 patch.

Checklist, fastest first

  1. Both players: update the game. The Oct 10 and Oct 11 patches specifically targeted co-op and invites.
  2. Guest sits at the main menu when accepting a Steam invite — accepting from in-game can fail.
  3. Steam must be online. Offline mode greys out multiplayer or throws "missing auth token". Also disable VPNs and "game accelerator" proxies.
  4. Server browser: type the exact world name, then click the filter toggle and reload — new worlds can take a few minutes to appear.
  5. Host progression gate: guests can only join after the host has reached the cabin in the opening sequence.

If the world still does not appear

  • The host should double-check the world is set to public (or share the password for private), and that the slot count is not full — 4 total, including the host.
  • Restart both Steam clients; invites occasionally wedge until both sides restart.
  • Region filters in the browser can hide distant hosts — clear them.

Known Early Access co-op quirks

  • Occasional kicks, rubber-banding and desync are on the developers' known-issues list.
  • Some loot and world-found recipes go only to the player who picked them up — share deliberately.
  • Merchants serve one player at a time.
  • Guests may see the host's dog as a floating harness only — cosmetic, no gameplay impact.

For how hosting, saves and player limits work, read the co-op guide. For crashes when launching, see GPU crash fixes.

Related: Co-op guide · GPU crash fixes · Updates

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