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Payday 3 is a co-op first-person shooter game that lets you team up with up to three other players to pull off daring heists across New York City. The game is developed by Starbreeze Studios and published by Deep Silver, and it was released on September 21, 2023 for GeForce Now, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S.
However, as with any online game, Payday 3 is not without its flaws. Many players have reported experiencing various matchmaking issues and errors that prevent them from joining or creating online lobbies, playing with friends, or completing missions. These issues can be frustrating and ruin the fun of the game.
In this article, we will show you some possible methods to fix the Payday 3 Matchmaking Issues. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the game. Hopefully, by following these methods, you will be able to enjoy Payday 3 without any problems.
What is Payday 3?

Payday 3 is a co-op shooter game where you and your friends play as the Payday Gang, a group of masked heisters who rob various places in New York City. You can choose your own missions, challenges, rewards, and risks. You can also customize your character, weapons, skills, and more. You can play online with up to four players, solo with AI teammates, or offline with no teammates.
What are the Common Payday 3 Matchmaking Issues?

Since Payday 3 is an online game, it requires a stable internet connection and access to the game’s servers to function properly. However, sometimes these servers can be overloaded, unstable, or down for maintenance. This can cause various Payday 3 Matchmaking Issues that prevent players from playing online.
Some of the common matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 are:
- Matchmaking error: This error occurs when the game fails to find or create an online lobby for the player. It can be caused by server issues, network issues, or platform issues.
- Nebula login error: This error occurs when the player fails to log in to their Starbreeze Studios Nebula account, which is required to play online. It can be caused by server issues, network issues, or account issues.
- No network connection error: This error occurs when the player loses their internet connection, or their connection is too weak or unstable. It can be caused by router issues, modem issues, ISP issues, or platform issues.
- Disconnection error: This error occurs when the player gets disconnected from an online lobby or mission due to server issues, network issues, or platform issues.
- Lag or latency issue: This issue occurs when the player experiences delays or interruptions in their online gameplay due to server issues, network issues, or platform issues.
These issues and errors can be annoying and frustrating, especially when they happen in the middle of a mission or when the player is trying to play with their friends.
How to Fix Payday 3 Matchmaking Issues and Errors
There is no definitive solution to fix the Payday 3 Matchmaking Issues and errors in Payday 3, as they can be caused by various factors that are beyond the player’s control. If you are interested in more details about the matchmaking error, then read, Payday 3 Matchmaking Not Working. However, there are some general methods that can help improve the player’s chances of playing online without any problems. Here are some of them:
Method 1: Restart the Game and Your Platform
One of the simplest and most effective methods to fix the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 is to restart the game and your platform. This can help clear any temporary glitches, cache, or memory issues that may interfere with the game’s performance or connection.
To restart the game, simply exit out of it and launch it again. To restart your platform, follow these steps:
- For PC: Click on the Start menu and select Restart. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Restart.
- For PlayStation 5: Press and hold the power button on the console until it beeps twice. Alternatively, press and hold the PS button on the controller and select Power > Restart PS5.
- For Xbox Series X/S: Press and hold the power button on the console for 10 seconds. Alternatively, press and hold the Xbox button on the controller and select Profile & system > Settings > General > Power mode & startup > Restart now.
After restarting your platform, launch Payday 3 again and see if the matchmaking issues and errors are fixed.
Method 2: Check your Internet Connection and Firewall Settings
Another common cause of the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 is a poor or unstable internet connection. This can affect your ability to connect to the game’s servers or other players online. To check your internet connection, follow these steps:
- For PC: Click on the network icon on the taskbar and select Network & Internet settings. Alternatively, press Windows+I and select Network & Internet. Here, you can see your connection status, speed, and type. You can also run a network troubleshooter by clicking on Troubleshoot.
- For PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > Network > Connection Status. Here, you can see your connection status, speed, and type. You can also test your internet connection by selecting Test Internet Connection.
- For Xbox Series X/S: Go to Settings > General > Network settings. Here, you can see your connection status, speed, and type. You can also test your network connection by selecting Test network connection.
Another thing to check is your firewall settings. A firewall is a software or hardware that protects your network from unauthorized access or malicious attacks. To check your firewall settings, follow these steps:
- For PC: Click on the Start menu and type Firewall. Select Windows Defender Firewall from the results. Alternatively, press Windows+I and select Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Here, you can see if your firewall is enabled or disabled. You can also allow an app through firewall by clicking on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
- For PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > System > System Software > Console Information. Here, you can see if your console is using NAT Type 1 (open), NAT Type 2 (moderate), or NAT Type 3 (strict). Ideally, you want to use NAT Type 1 or 2 for online gaming. If you are using NAT Type 3, you may need to adjust your router settings or contact your ISP for assistance.
- For Xbox Series X/S: Go to Settings > General > Network settings > NAT type. Here, you can see if your console is using Open NAT, Moderate NAT, or Strict NAT. Ideally, you want to use Open NAT for online gaming. If you are using Moderate NAT or Strict NAT, you may need to adjust your router settings or contact your ISP for assistance.
Method 3: Update the Game and your Platform
Another possible cause of the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 is an outdated game or platform version. Sometimes, the developers release updates or patches that fix bugs, improve performance, or add new features to the game. To update the game and your platform, follow these steps:
- For PC: Launch Steam and go to Library. Right-click on Payday 3 and select Properties. Go to Updates and make sure that Automatic updates is enabled. Alternatively, you can manually check for updates by clicking on Check for updates.
- For PlayStation 5: Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. Here, you can enable Automatic updates or manually check for updates by selecting Update System Software.
- For Xbox Series X/S: Go to Settings > System > Updates & downloads. Here, you can enable Keep my console up to date or manually check for updates by selecting Console update available.
Method 4: Check the Payday 3 Server Status and official Announcements
Sometimes, the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 are not caused by your end, but by the game’s servers. The servers may be undergoing maintenance, experiencing technical difficulties, or facing a high volume of traffic. This can affect the game’s online functionality and availability.
To check the Payday 3 server status and official announcements, follow these steps:
- For PC: Go to [Steam Community Hub] for Payday 3. Here, you can see the latest news, discussions, guides, and reviews about the game. You can also check the [Steam Server Status] page to see if there are any issues with Steam’s online services.
- For PlayStation 5: Go to [PlayStation Network Service Status] page to see if there are any issues with PlayStation’s online services. You can also follow the [official Twitter account] of Payday 3 for any updates or announcements about the game.
- For Xbox Series X/S: Go to [Xbox Live Service Status] page to see if there are any issues with Xbox’s online services. You can also follow the [official Twitter account] of Payday 3 for any updates or announcements about the game.
Method 5: Wait for a Patch or a Fix from the Developers
Finally, if none of the above methods work for you, you may have to wait for a patch or a fix from the developers. Sometimes, the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3 are caused by glitches, bugs, or errors that are beyond your control. The developers may be aware of these issues and working on a solution.
To find out if there is a patch or a fix coming soon, you can follow the official website, support page, forums, or Twitter account of Payday 3. You can also check the Steam Community Hub, PlayStation Blog, or Xbox Wire for any news or updates about the game.
While waiting for a patch or a fix, you can try playing offline with AI teammates or solo with no teammates at all. You can also try playing other modes or missions that do not require online connectivity.
FAQs
Can I Play Payday 3 Offline?
Yes, you can play Payday 3 offline with AI teammates or solo with no teammates at all. However, you will not be able to access some features or modes that require online connectivity, such as playing with friends, joining or creating online lobbies, or earning achievements or trophies.
How can I Join or Invite Friends to Play Payday 3 Online?
To join or invite friends to play Payday 3 online, you need to have a Starbreeze Nebula account and be logged in to it. You also need to have your friends added to your Nebula friends list. Then, you can either join your friends’ online lobbies through the Friends tab in the main menu or create your own online lobby and invite your friends through the Invite tab in the lobby menu.
How can I Change the Region or Server in Payday 3?
You cannot change the region or server in Payday 3 manually. The game automatically assigns you to the best available server based on your location and connection. However, you can join your friends’ online lobbies regardless of their region or server, as long as you have a good internet connection and a compatible game version.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you some possible methods to fix the matchmaking issues and errors in Payday 3. These methods include restarting the game and your platform, checking your internet connection and firewall settings, updating the game and your platform, checking the Payday 3 server status and official announcements, and waiting for a patch or a fix from the developers.
We hope that these methods will help you enjoy Payday 3 without any problems. If you have any questions or suggestions about this article, please let us know in the comments below.