R.E.P.O. Multiplayer Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

The six-player co-op horror adventure R.E.P.O. has quickly become one of Steam’s biggest surprises this year. With over 270,000 concurrent players during its early access launch, the game’s eerie atmosphere and teamwork-driven missions have earned it “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews.

Yet, many players have hit a wall — being unable to connect with friends, failing to join lobbies, or getting constant Disconnected and Connection lost errors.

If you’re struggling to start a co-op session, here’s what causes R.E.P.O.’s multiplayer issues and how to fix them step by step:

Check for Mod Conflicts and Patch Mismatches

If you’re using mods, especially multiplayer or quality-of-life ones, they can directly cause connection failures. Many players have reported being unable to create or join rooms due to incompatible or outdated mods. Similarly, version mismatches caused by unsynced patches between players may lead to failed lobbies.

Fixes:

• Delete or disable multiplayer-related mods such as Lobby Manager, Join Mid-Game, or Co-op Enhancer.
• Restart Steam and verify game integrity after removing them.
• Ensure all players are on the same game version by restarting Steam and verifying files.
• Avoid switching between beta branches or using custom patch clients.

Server Congestion During Peak Hours

Another major cause of connection issues is server overload. During weekend peaks, the game’s matchmaking servers can experience timeouts, failing to create or sync lobbies. Common symptoms include:

• Lobby closed
• Failed to connect to host
• Disconnected from session

Fixes:

• Try hosting again after 1–2 minutes
• Restart your router and game client

If the issue persists, it may indicate server anomalies. You can check R.E.P.O.'s server status via forums or social media.

NAT Type and Firewall Restrictions

R.E.P.O. uses peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. If your network has a strict NAT type, it may block proper communication between players.

Basic Fixes:

• Restart router and enable UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)
• Add R.E.P.O. to Windows Firewall exceptions
• Avoid public Wi-Fi; use a private or wired connection
• Disable antivirus web shields when hosting/joining

Advanced Fix:

To minimize this problem, many players have found success using GearUP, which optimizes the connection path between your PC and R.E.P.O. servers. GearUP bypasses congestion, shortens routing paths, helps avoid disconnection loops and reduce lag.

Step 1: Click this button to download GearUP Booster.

Step 2: Search for R.E.P.O.

Step 3: Select a server. You can connect to and switch between global R.E.P.O. server regions.

Step 4: Confirm the boost effect. You can view the ping, packet loss rate, and real-time network status. Then, you’re ready to launch R.E.P.O.!

System Performance: Memory and CPU Compatibility

If you can join a lobby but experience black screens, frame drops, or random disconnects, it may not be your internet — it could be your PC.

• PCs with less than 16GB RAM may stutter or freeze during sync
• Intel 13th and 14th Gen CPUs have been linked to crash or hang errors

Fixes:

• Close unnecessary background applications
• Increase your virtual memory (pagefile) in Windows
• Update BIOS and Intel chipset drivers if applicable
• Monitor RAM usage during gameplay

Disable Overlays and Background Apps

Background overlays or screen capture tools can interfere with R.E.P.O.’s networking and performance.

Fixes:

• Disable Steam, Discord, or NVIDIA overlays
• Close apps like GeForce Experience or OBS
• Use Task Manager > Startup to disable auto-start services
• Reboot your system before relaunching the game

FAQ: R.E.P.O. Multiplayer Connection Fixes

Q1: Do I need to connect to the same server as my friend?

Yes. When optimizing multiplayer gameplay with GearUP, we recommend that you and your friend select the same server to avoid high latency between different servers.

Q2: Will cross-region co-op increase latency?

Yes. Physical distance is one of the key factors that can raise latency and may even cause your co-op session to fail. GearUP can help minimize latency caused by non-physical factors as much as possible.

Q3: Do I need to port forward or change NAT?

In most cases, no. But enabling UPnP and avoiding restrictive networks can improve results.

Q4: Does GearUP change my IP or cause bans?

No. GearUP only accelerates game traffic without altering your IP or interfering with anti-cheat systems.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why R.E.P.O. multiplayer may not work, but network issues are the most common culprit—so that should be your first focus. With GearUP's one-click network optimization, you can enhance connectivity without any manual configuration, making it both safer and more efficient. If you're a fan of R.E.P.O.'s co-op gameplay, it's worth giving it a try.