So you just downloaded ARC Raiders. You’re hyped. You text your friends. You boot up the game. And then… you can’t invite anyone. No invite button. Failed invites. Friend list not showing. Frustrating, right?
TLDR: If you can’t invite friends in ARC Raiders, it’s usually caused by crossplay settings, platform restrictions, privacy settings, server bugs, or outdated game files. First, restart the game and check for updates. Then confirm crossplay and party privacy settings are enabled. If that doesn’t work, verify files, relink accounts, or wait for server fixes.
Let’s break this down in a simple and fun way. No tech wizardry needed.
Why Can’t You Invite Friends in ARC Raiders?
There isn’t just one reason. Multiplayer systems are picky. They need everything aligned.
Here are the most common causes:
- Crossplay is turned off
- Game needs an update
- Servers are having issues
- Privacy settings blocking invites
- Friends list not syncing
- Platform account not linked properly
Now let’s fix them one by one.
1. Restart the Game (Yes, Really)
I know. It sounds basic. But multiplayer hiccups are often temporary.
Fully close the game. Not just minimize it. Quit it completely.
Then reopen.
This refreshes:
- Server connection
- Friends list sync
- Background systems
If that doesn’t work, restart your PC or console as well. A clean boot clears hidden background bugs.
2. Check Server Status
Sometimes the problem is not you. It’s the game servers.
If servers are down or unstable, invites may fail or not appear at all.
Look for:
- Error messages
- “Failed to join” notifications
- Empty friends list
- Invite button not responding
Visit official social media pages or community forums to check if others report issues.
If it’s a server issue, the only fix is patience. Grab a snack. Touch grass. Or tweak your loadout.
3. Enable Crossplay
This one trips up a lot of players.
If you’re on PC and your friend is on console, crossplay must be enabled.
To check:
- Go to Settings
- Open the Gameplay or Online tab
- Look for Crossplay
- Turn it ON
Make sure your friend also has crossplay enabled.
If even one of you has it off, invites won’t work.
Simple. Sneaky. Annoying.
4. Check Party Privacy Settings
Your party might be set to private.
That means no one can join. Even with invites.
Here’s what to check:
- Open your party menu
- Look for Privacy
- Set it to Friends or Public
If your account is locked down with strict privacy settings, invites may fail silently.
Also check your platform privacy settings:
- Xbox privacy controls
- PlayStation communication settings
- Steam friend permissions
If communication is restricted, the system blocks invites automatically.
5. Make Sure Everyone Updated the Game
This one is huge.
If your friend has version 1.02 and you have 1.03, you may not connect.
Check for updates manually:
- PC: Verify updates in Steam or launcher
- Xbox: Manage game → Updates
- PlayStation: Check for update
Even small patches matter.
Outdated versions = broken invites.
6. Verify Game Files (PC Players)
If you’re on PC and things still feel broken, verify your game files.
This checks for corrupted or missing data.
On Steam:
- Right-click the game
- Select Properties
- Go to Installed Files
- Click Verify integrity
Let it run. It can take a few minutes.
Corrupted files can mess with menus, including party systems.
7. Relink Your Account
ARC Raiders may use linked accounts depending on platform.
If your account isn’t synced properly, friend lists may not load.
Try this:
- Log out of the game
- Log out of your platform account
- Restart the system
- Log back in
If the game uses an external account system, try relinking it through the official website.
Image not found in postmetaAfter relinking, restart again for good measure.
8. NAT Type Issues
This one sounds scary. It’s not.
NAT type affects how your network connects with others.
If your NAT type is Strict, invites may fail.
What you want is:
- Open (best)
- Moderate (usually fine)
You can check NAT type in your console network settings.
If it’s strict:
- Restart router
- Enable UPnP in router settings
- Move closer to wired connection
Using Ethernet instead of WiFi can also improve multiplayer stability.
9. Try Inviting Through Platform Instead
Sometimes the in-game invite button fails.
Work around it.
Use your platform friend system.
Examples:
- Invite via Steam friends list
- Use Xbox “Invite to Game” option
- Use PlayStation party invite
This bypasses the game’s party UI entirely.
It works more often than you would think.
10. Disable VPN or Firewall Blocks
If you’re using a VPN, try disabling it.
VPNs sometimes interfere with matchmaking services.
Also check:
- Firewall settings
- Antivirus restrictions
- Router security filters
You don’t need to turn everything off permanently. Just test it.
If invites suddenly work, you found your culprit.
11. Reinstall the Game (Last Resort)
This is your “nuclear option.”
Only do this if nothing else works.
Uninstall. Restart device. Reinstall clean.
Yes. It takes time.
But if files are deeply corrupted, this fixes it.
Image not found in postmetaCommon Error Messages Explained
“Failed to join party.”
Usually server mismatch or version issue.
“Invite sent but not received.”
Friends list sync problem or privacy restriction.
“Unable to connect.”
Network or NAT problem.
Most errors look scary. Most are simple underneath.
Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
Before you panic, run through this fast list:
- Restart game
- Restart system
- Enable crossplay
- Set party to Friends or Public
- Check for updates
- Confirm server status
- Verify files (PC)
- Try platform invite
If you go through all of these, you solve 90% of invite issues.
Is It Just Early Game Bugs?
Yes. Sometimes.
Online games often launch with party issues.
It’s common because:
- Servers get overloaded
- Crossplay is complex
- Account systems get stressed
Developers usually patch these fast.
So if everything looks correct on your end, don’t assume you broke something.
When to Contact Support
If:
- You get constant invite failures
- Your friend list never loads
- You tested multiple networks
Then it’s time to contact support.
Provide:
- Your platform
- Error message
- Game version
- What you’ve already tried
The more detail you give, the faster they help.
Final Thoughts
Not being able to invite friends in ARC Raiders is annoying.
This game is built for squad play. Running solo when you planned a group session hurts.
But here’s the good news.
Most invite problems are simple. Small toggle. Small update. Small restart.
Work through the checklist calmly. Don’t mash buttons randomly. Don’t instantly uninstall.
Fix it step by step.
And once you’re finally grouped up?
Squad in. Drop in. Survive together.
Because ARC Raiders is way more fun with friends.
