Big Walk Connection Error Fix: Join Friends Again

Start with the host: wait until the world loads, compare the first two version numbers, then restart the guest. If that device cannot host or join anything, synchronize its clock. Use the friend-session guide for one failed host or the host/join guide for device-wide failures. These checks follow the official FAQ. Last checked: August 31, 2026.

What version 1.5.1 changes

Version 1.5.1 makes warnings distinguish a slow connection from an unstable connection. Copy the exact message, and re-enter the password after a failed attempt because the field now clears automatically.

What version 1.4.10 changes

The official Version History says 1.4.10 improves network connection and stability, fixes a case where a server could stop responding after a player disconnected, adds more specific network error messages, and adds host/join menu warnings when it detects an issue that could prevent a connection.

What version 1.4.9 changed

The official Version History says 1.4.9 fixes a case where the game could stop working if a player disconnected while being carried. It also adds better protection against potential save-data loss and fixes a reload issue that could make a completed challenge require completion a second time.

Those fixes are reasons to install the current update, but they do not replace the host, version, restart, system-clock, and network checks below. The same release also requires a session password when starting a game, so a joining player now needs both the current Join Code and the password shared by the host.

Quick Big Walk connection checklist

Start with the shortest official checks before changing anything on the computer or console. The host should open the intended saved world and wait until it has finished loading, because other players cannot enter before the host is inside. The joining player should then try the normal platform friend list or the host’s current Join Code.

Compare the version text shown at the bottom of each player’s main menu. The official FAQ says the first two version numbers must match, so an incomplete update can prevent a group from connecting even when everyone appears online. If those numbers differ, update the game and restart it before testing again.

If the versions match, fully close and reopen Big Walk on the joining device. A return to the title screen may not be the same as a complete client restart, so close the game through the platform interface and launch it again. If that does not work, ask the host to close and reopen the game, reload the world, and send a fresh invitation or Join Code.

If the same device cannot host or join any session, open its date-and-time settings and synchronize the system clock. The official FAQ says a clock that differs significantly from the correct online time can block both actions. The dedicated can't host or join guide gives the platform steps.

Make sure the host is already in the world

Big Walk uses a host-owned session. The host keeps the saved progress and must start that world before friends can join, which makes the host’s state more important than it is in a public matchmaking game. Trying to connect while the host is still loading can create a failure that looks like a general server error.

Ask the host to confirm that they can move normally inside the world before sending another invitation. The official FAQ also tells players to check whether the host sees a connection warning, because a host-side problem can affect every person attempting to enter. If several friends fail in the same way, test the host first instead of asking every guest to change unrelated settings.

Check that the game versions match

Version compatibility is one of the clearest official checks. Each player can read the version at the bottom of the main menu, and the first two numbers should be the same. A small hotfix reaching one platform or device before another can therefore explain why a previously working group cannot reconnect.

Do not rely only on a store page saying that the game is installed. Open the platform’s update screen, finish any pending download, and restart the client so the current build is actually running. When crossplay is involved, compare the displayed in-game version rather than assuming that different platform store labels mean the builds are compatible.

If the first two version numbers still do not match after checking for updates, the current guidance does not provide a safe local workaround. Wait for the remaining platform update or an official compatibility notice, and avoid downloading unofficial files. Mark the issue as version-related in any support report so the developer can distinguish it from a normal join failure.

Sync the system clock when every session fails

Use this check when a player cannot create a usable host session and also cannot join anyone else. Enable automatic date and time, confirm the correct time zone, use the system's sync control, and then fully restart Big Walk. On Windows, this is under Settings > Time & language > Date & time.

Do not use clock synchronization as an explanation for every failed invitation. If other sessions work, continue with the host, version, Join Code, and restart checks. The clock is the official priority when both hosting and joining fail on the same device.

Restart the guest, then restart the host

The official order starts with a full restart of the player who cannot connect. This clears the current game session without disrupting everyone else’s progress, making it the least costly next test. Try one fresh join after the restart instead of repeatedly clicking the same expired invitation.

If the guest still cannot enter, the host should restart Big Walk and reload the saved world. Everyone should wait until the host is fully inside before using the new invitation or Join Code. A new host session is important because the old code or invitation may refer to a session that is no longer active.

Check the internet connection without confusing lag and FPS

Both the host and the joining player need a working internet connection. The official FAQ recommends reducing other network-heavy activity, moving closer to the router, or using wired Ethernet for connection instability and jitter. These steps are most relevant when the game connects but movement or communication is unstable, yet they are also reasonable basic checks before another join attempt.

Frame-rate problems are different from network problems. If the picture is choppy even while playing alone in menus or a stable session, use the official Render Scale and Quality guidance on the Low FPS page. If the game is smooth but a session will not open or other players jump around, continue with the connection checks here.

Use the friend list or a current Join Code

Big Walk allows friends to join through their platform friend list or with a Join Code from the host. If the friend is missing from the list, verify that the accounts are actually friends on that platform, then use the code as the official alternative. The Mac App Store build does not provide a Game Center friend list, so the Join Code route is particularly important there.

Ask the host to read the current code from the active session details and share it privately. Enter the code only after the host has loaded into the world, and request a new one after the host restarts. The separate Join Code guide explains the current joining sequence and version checks.

What not to change first

Avoid jumping straight to port forwarding, firewall deletion, DNS changes, VPN services, or reinstalling the game. None of those actions appears in the current official Big Walk connection checklist, and some can introduce a new security or networking problem. A marketing page calling a method “proven” is not the same as confirmation from House House, Panic, or repeatable testing.

Do not delete the host’s saved data in an attempt to repair a connection. The host owns the group’s world progress, so save changes carry a much larger cost than restarting a session. Back up platform data before any future official support step that affects saves, and never follow an unverified instruction to remove a folder.

If the official checks fail across multiple friends and networks, record the platform, displayed version, time, exact error text, and whether the host shows a warning. Those details are more useful in an official report than a vague “it does not work.” They also distinguish a host-specific failure from a broader connection issue. Check the official FAQ and Steam news again, because launch-week service guidance can change quickly.

Big Walk connection error FAQ

Why can’t I join before my friend starts playing?

The host owns the saved world and must start the session first. Wait until the host is fully loaded inside the world, then use the friend list or current Join Code. This behavior is described in the official FAQ.

Do all players need the same Big Walk version?

The first two version numbers shown at the bottom of the main menu must match. If they do not, finish any available update and restart the game. There is no verified method for forcing incompatible builds to connect.

Does Big Walk crossplay cause connection errors?

Big Walk officially supports cross-platform play, so crossplay itself is not an error. Platform updates may arrive at different times, however, which makes the displayed version check especially important. Use the same host and restart checklist for a cross-platform group.

Is there random matchmaking if my friend’s session fails?

No. The official FAQ says Big Walk has no online random matchmaking. Players join people they know through platform friend lists or a Join Code.

Why can I neither host nor join a Big Walk game?

Synchronize the device's system clock and confirm the correct time zone, then fully restart Big Walk. The official FAQ says a significant clock difference can prevent both hosting and joining.

Sources

• Official Big Walk FAQ
• Official Big Walk Version History
• Official Big Walk 1.5.1 patch notes
• Official Big Walk 1.4.10 patch notes
• Official Big Walk Steam page
• Reddit player report: connection issues
• Steam community report: host timeout

Big Walk Help is an unofficial fan help site and is not affiliated with House House or Panic.