Stonewards Matchmaking Not Working? Version Fix
Cannot join friends in Stonewards? The most common cause is a game version mismatch. Follow these steps to check versions and fix matchmaking.
Last verified: September 24, 2026 — Game version: Stonewards Early Access 0.2.2 hotfix on top of 0.2.0 “Later Summer” (current). Facts come from official Steam sources and verified player reports.
The most common reason you cannot join a friend in Stonewards is a game version mismatch. Banana Tiger Studio has stated in multiple patch notes that all players must be on the exact same version to play together. This guide walks through the error, the fix, and a few related matchmaking limits.
Why Matchmaking Fails
When Stonewards updates, Steam downloads the patch automatically for most players. If one player has not updated, their game version differs from the host. The session then rejects the join attempt because the clients and host are not in sync. The official patch notes call this out as an important version note.
How to Check Your Version
| Platform | How to check |
|---|---|
| Steam library | Right-click Stonewards → Properties → Updates tab, or check the build ID |
| In-game | Look for the version number on the main menu or settings screen |
| Friend check | Ask your host to read their version number and compare it to yours |
Steps to Fix Version Mismatch
- Close Stonewards completely.
- Open Steam and let it finish any pending update for the game.
- Restart Stonewards and verify the version number matches your friends.
- If Steam did not auto-update, right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- Try joining through the Steam friends list invite.
Joining a Session That Already Started
This changed in 0.2.0. You can now join sessions that are already in progress, and new joiners start at Level 1. The Lobby Browser in the Hub lists active sessions along with their current location and Wave, and you can reconnect to a run you dropped out of with your inventory, Health and run upgrades restored. The version rule still applies to everyone joining.
Is There Public Matchmaking?
There is no random matchmaking queue listed on the Steam store page, but 0.2.0 added public lobby discovery: sessions can be found worldwide through the in-game Lobby Browser, which shows each session’s location and Wave. Steam friend invites still work, and the Steam Community Hub, Discord or Reddit remain the fallback for finding a group.
Still Stuck?
If all players are on the same version and invites still fail:
- Restart Steam and the game.
- Check that no one is using a beta branch.
- Temporarily disable VPNs or proxy software that may route Steam traffic oddly.
- Make sure your firewall is not blocking the game.
For general co-op mechanics, read our multiplayer and co-op guide.
From Community Gameplay
Live co-op sessions confirm a few practical matchmaking details:
- Lobbies are created per run. After finishing one round and unlocking characters, a player says they would “host another lobby” for the next run, which suggests sessions are short-lived and re-created each time (community gameplay, 43:37).
- Co-op is private/invite-based. A later session started with “We’re now playing co-op with Alichan,” showing players join a host’s private session rather than a public queue (community gameplay, 25:55).
- Player count is 1–4. One early demo review notes “It’s got four-player multiplayer,” matching the official store listing (The Boys are Dwarves, 01:23).
Sources
- The Boys are Dwarves (community gameplay): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-XuIMMYeW8
- Official Steam store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4502710/
- Official Steam announcements hub: https://steamcommunity.com/games/4502710/announcements/
- Steam Community discussions: https://steamcommunity.com/app/4502710/discussions/
Fan-made guide. This site is not affiliated with Banana Tiger Studio, Steam, or Valve; all game content and media belong to their respective owners.