Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) offers an immersive multiplayer experience, but like any online game, it’s not without its hiccups. One common issue players encounter is being unable to “ready up” in multiplayer lobbies, leaving the game stuck before it even starts. If you’re facing this frustrating problem, don’t worry—here’s a comprehensive guide to help you identify and fix the issue.
Common Causes for BG3 Multiplayer Not Starting
Before jumping into solutions, it’s essential to understand why this issue occurs. Here are some common reasons players can’t ready up in BG3 multiplayer:
- Network Issues: Poor or unstable internet connections can cause synchronization problems, preventing players from readying up.
- Cross-Platform Play Bugs: BG3 supports cross-platform multiplayer, but compatibility issues between platforms (e.g., Steam and GOG) can cause errors.
- Outdated Game Versions: If players in the same lobby are running different versions of the game, it can result in multiplayer bugs.
- Mods or Third-Party Tools: Mods are popular in BG3, but they can interfere with the multiplayer system, especially if not all players have the same mods installed.
- Lobby Glitches: Occasionally, the multiplayer lobby itself encounters bugs, leading to issues with the ready-up feature.
How to Fix Ready-Up Issues in BG3 Multiplayer
If your game won’t start because you can’t ready up, try these fixes:
1. Check Your Network Connection
A stable internet connection is essential for a smooth multiplayer experience in BG3. Many ready-up issues are caused by poor connectivity or intermittent network problems.
Start by running an internet speed test to ensure your connection meets the minimum requirements for multiplayer. If your connection is slow or unstable, consider switching to a wired Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi. Restarting your router can also help resolve temporary network glitches that might be interfering with the game.
If multiple players in the lobby are experiencing network issues, coordinating a connection reset among everyone can prevent desync problems that block the ready-up process.
2. Verify Game Version Compatibility
Multiplayer lobbies in BG3 require all players to be running the same version of the game. If one player’s game is outdated, it can lead to errors like the ready-up button not functioning.
Make sure every player checks for updates on their respective platforms, whether it’s Steam, GOG, or another launcher. If Larian Studios recently released a patch, confirm that all players have downloaded it. Additionally, if your group is using different regional versions, verify that they are compatible for multiplayer.
3. Disable Mods
Mods are a fantastic way to enhance your BG3 experience, but they can also cause significant issues in multiplayer. If players in the same lobby have different mods installed—or incompatible versions of the same mod—it can disrupt the ready-up process.
To troubleshoot:
- Disable all mods by using a mod manager or manually removing mod files from the game directory.
- Ask other players in the lobby to do the same.
- Restart the game and try again without mods enabled.
If disabling mods resolves the issue, you may need to coordinate with your group to ensure everyone is using the same mods in the future.
4. Restart the Lobby
Sometimes, the issue lies with the multiplayer lobby itself. A glitch in the lobby system can prevent players from readying up, even if everything else seems fine.
Exit the current lobby entirely and have the host recreate it. Before starting the game, ensure all players:
- Select their characters again.
- Confirm their roles (e.g., main player or companions).
- Check that the ready-up button is functional before proceeding.
This quick reset can resolve temporary bugs affecting the lobby.
5. Switch the Host
If restarting the lobby doesn’t work, the issue might be related to the current host. Hosting duties in BG3 multiplayer are crucial, as the host’s connection and system stability affect the entire group.
Ask another player to take over as the host. To do this:
- Have the current host save the session and exit the game.
- A different player should load the save file and create a new multiplayer lobby.
- Reinvite all players to the new lobby and check if the ready-up issue persists.
Switching hosts often resolves problems caused by connection disparities or hardware limitations on the original host’s end.
6. Clear Cache and Temporary Files
Game cache and temporary files can accumulate over time, potentially causing performance issues or bugs like the ready-up problem in multiplayer. Clearing these files ensures a fresh start for the game’s configuration.
- For Steam users: Navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache to reset temporary files.
- Manually delete BG3’s temporary files located in the AppData folder. Be cautious not to delete save files during this process.
- Restart the game after clearing the cache and try joining a multiplayer session again.
This step is particularly useful if you’ve recently encountered other performance issues alongside the ready-up problem.
Troubleshooting BG3 Multiplayer Bugs
Baldur’s Gate 3 is regularly updated by Larian Studios, but bugs can still appear. Known issues affecting multiplayer include:
- Desync Problems: Players not syncing properly with the host, causing ready-up failures.
- Platform-Specific Bugs: Certain issues might only affect specific platforms, such as Steam or GOG.
- Save Game Conflicts: Using old or corrupted saves in multiplayer can lead to lobby glitches.
If none of the above fixes work, check for patch notes or announcements from Larian Studios. They often release hotfixes to address multiplayer problems.
Preventing Future Ready-Up Issues
To minimize the risk of encountering this problem again, follow these tips:
- Keep Your Game Updated: Regularly check for patches and updates on your platform.
- Use Consistent Mods: If you enjoy using mods, ensure all players in your group have the same mods and versions installed.
- Choose a Wired Connection: Wired internet connections are more reliable for online gaming.
- Clear Temporary Files: Occasionally clear your cache or reinstall the game if issues persist.
Conclusion
Being unable to ready up in Baldur’s Gate 3 multiplayer can be frustrating, but it’s a fixable issue. By addressing network stability, ensuring game version compatibility, disabling mods, and restarting the lobby, most players can resolve the problem quickly. If the issue persists, keep an eye on updates and bug fixes from Larian Studios.
Have you encountered this issue? Share your experience and solutions in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this guide with friends who might need help troubleshooting their BG3 multiplayer!
