Connecting to a co-op session in Voidtrain fails when network security blocks the connection, the host’s session settings remain closed, or an Epic Games account synchronization error freezes the multiplayer menu. Because Voidtrain uses direct peer-to-peer (P2P) networking through Steam and Epic services rather than dedicated game servers, connection attempts will drop if either player has network conflicts, desynchronized system clocks, or broken account bindings.
How to Set Up Hosting and Join Sessions Correctly
Many connection failures occur simply because the host has not opened their world to other players or because the built-in server browser failed to populate. You can host or join via two primary methods:
Hosting via the In-Game Session Menu
- The host loads into an existing save or starts a new game.
- Open the Pause Menu and select the Session tab.
- Locate the setting Is it an open server?
- Switch the toggle from No to either Only for friends (visible only to your Steam contacts) or Yes (visible to all players browsing servers).
- The joining player goes to the main menu, selects Find Game, locates the host's lobby, and connects.
Joining via Direct Steam Invites (Fallback)
When lobbies do not appear in the in-game browser, direct invites bypass the search list entirely:
- The host keeps their game running with session visibility set to Only for friends or Yes.
- The host presses
Shift + Tabto open the Steam overlay. - Right-click the friend’s name in the Steam friends list and click Invite to Game.
- The joining friend accepts the invite directly from the Steam chat or overlay.
Troubleshooting Voidtrain Multiplayer Issues
| Symptom / Cause | Primary Fix | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| "Is it an open server?" toggle stuck on "No" | Unlink and relink Epic Games account in settings | Previous Steam-Epic linking desync blocks the UI toggle from registering. |
| Friend accepts invite but returns to main menu | Send direct Steam invite via overlay or restart Steam | In-game browser handshakes can fail; direct Steam invites bypass lobby queries. |
| Steam status shows invisible / offline | Switch Steam status to Online | Setting your profile to Invisible prevents the game from delivering session invites. |
| Session connection drops after 20 seconds | Disable VPNs, Hamachi, and secondary virtual network adapters | Voidtrain uses direct P2P connections; virtual adapters intercept routing. |
| Cannot host or connect on Steam Deck | Switch to automatic time sync and check local network security | Developers confirmed P2P is not blocked on Steam Deck, but manual clock settings break handshake tokens. |
| Platform cross-play not showing friends | Verify identical build versions on both platforms | Cross-play requires exact build parity across PC (Steam, Epic) and Xbox ecosystems. |
Relink Your Steam and Epic Games Accounts
If the session setting button makes an audible click but refuses to move off No, your linked account state is desynchronized. Official developer guidance confirms this is an online system bug:
- Open Voidtrain's in-game settings.
- Go to the account linking section.
- Unlink your Steam and Epic Games accounts, then close the settings screen.
- Reopen settings and link the accounts again.
- Fully restart the game client.
Clear Network and Software Conflicts
Because the game does not rely on dedicated multiplayer servers, third-party software that alters network routing can terminate the connection immediately:
- Virtual Network Adapters: Fully close or uninstall virtual LAN software such as Hamachi, or virtual machine network adapters (e.g., VMware, VirtualBox).
- Firewall and Antivirus: Add
Voidtrain.exe, Steam, and your steamapps directory to firewall and antivirus exclusion lists. If drops persist, test using default Windows Defender rules. - System Clock Synchronization: Ensure the operating system date and time are set to update automatically on both the host's and client's devices. Manual clock offsets cause authentication failures.
Steam Status and Client Restarts
If you appear offline or keep your profile set to "Invisible" in Steam, multiplayer invites may fail to deliver or will immediately disconnect upon acceptance. Switch your Steam status to "Online." If lobbies still fail to appear, both players should exit the game, restart their Steam clients, and verify the integrity of the game files through the Steam library properties menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Voidtrain have dedicated multiplayer servers?
No. Voidtrain relies entirely on direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connections between players, using Epic Games and Steam backend services to establish the handshake. If Epic Games or Steam experience outages, multiplayer lobbies and invites become temporarily unavailable.
Do I need an Epic Games account to play multiplayer on Steam?
You can play co-op on Steam without an Epic account. However, developer notes indicate that if your Steam account was ever linked to the Epic Games Store previously, the system may require a clean relink in the in-game settings before the multiplayer toggle functions properly.
How many players can join a Voidtrain co-op session?
Voidtrain supports up to 4 players in online cooperative play. Local split-screen is not supported.
Did the bug that wipes client inventories on leaving get fixed?
Yes. An early launch issue where non-host players lost their inventory items when exiting a co-op session was resolved by the development team in Hotfix #1 (version 11665).
Can Xbox and PC players play together?
Voidtrain version 1.0 supports cross-play between PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) and Xbox Series X|S. All players must ensure they are updated to the exact same version build, as platform store updates can deploy at slightly different times.
