If you’re diving into the engaging and ever-evolving gameplay mechanics of Chained Together, you might find yourself frustrated when sessions don’t appear as they should. Whether you’re trying to join a friend’s game, host your own, or continue where you left off, the issue of sessions not showing can throw a wrench into your gaming experience. In this article, we’ll explore common causes and detailed fixes for this issue so that you can get back to climbing—well, quite literally—without any hitches.
Understanding the Issue
Sessions not showing in Chained Together usually stems from a few technical or configuration problems. This includes issues related to network connectivity, Steam integration failure, or internal game bugs. Before diving into complex solutions, a simple understanding of how sessions are detected can go a long way.
Chained Together relies on peer-to-peer connections and Steam APIs for matchmaking. This means if there’s even a slight hiccup in your internet or if Steam is not behaving as expected, sessions might not appear correctly in the list.
Common Fixes for Sessions Not Showing
Use the checklist below to troubleshoot this problem effectively:
1. Restart the Game and Steam
- Completely exit Chained Together and shut down Steam.
- Restart Steam as an administrator. (Right-click the Steam shortcut and click “Run as administrator”.)
- Open the game and check again for available sessions.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
- Ensure your connection is stable and not running through a VPN or proxy that may interrupt P2P sessions.
- Try restarting your modem/router and running a speed test.
- If possible, use a wired Ethernet connection for better reliability.
3. Verify Game Files Through Steam
Corrupted or missing files can cause session browsing not to work properly. To verify game integrity:
- Open your Steam library.
- Right-click on Chained Together and choose Properties.
- Select the Installed Files tab and click Verify integrity of game files.
This process will re-download any missing components and can often resolve unnoticed issues.
4. Ensure Steam Friends List is Working
Chained Together uses Steam’s friend system to populate available co-op sessions. If your Steam friends aren’t showing up, or their statuses are stuck, it can block the game from displaying their sessions.
- Open your Steam friends list and restart it manually.
- Send a quick message to a friend or appear offline and then come back online to refresh.
5. Double-Check Game Version Compatibility
If you or your friends are using different versions of the game, the sessions may not be compatible. This usually happens when someone opts into a beta branch or hasn’t updated to the latest patch.
- Check the game version from the main menu and compare it with your friend’s version.
- Make sure auto-updates are enabled in Steam for Chained Together.
Advanced Troubleshooting
6. Clear Temporary Cache Files
Sometimes, cache storage gets corrupted and needs to be refreshed.
- Navigate to the AppData folder on your PC (
C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\ChainedTogether). - Delete or rename the folder temporarily (the game will regenerate it).
Note: Always back up files before deleting anything from AppData.
7. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Your Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus might block connection attempts.
- Go to Windows Firewall settings and allow Chained Together through both Private and Public networks.
- Temporarily disable antivirus software and test again—some security tools mark game traffic as unauthorized.
When All Else Fails: Reinstall the Game
If you’ve tried all of the above and still can’t see or join sessions, uninstalling and reinstalling the game could be your final fix. Make sure you also clean out any leftover files in the installation directory before reinstalling.
Conclusion
Experiencing session issues in Chained Together can be frustrating, but thankfully, most of these problems stem from manageable causes. By following these steps methodically, you can identify the root of the issue and get back to your co-op adventures. Whether it’s scaling mountains hand-in-hand or tumbling together into the abyss, having functional sessions is key to enjoying every moment.
Still stuck? Don’t hesitate to visit community forums or the game’s official Discord for further assistance. Happy climbing!
