How to fix friend request not working in Helldivers 2

Get back with your Helldivers 2 friends as soon as possible.

General salute in Super Destroyer in Helldivers 2
Screenshot by Dot Esports

Some players have been having problems with friend requests not working in Helldivers 2. There’s no doubt Helldivers 2 is better when you play with friends, so you’ll likely want to find a fix for this bug to join their squads.

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If you’re having trouble sending or accepting friend requests in Helldivers 2 and are unsure of the solution, keep reading. We’ll explore a few fixes you can try to solve the friend request error in this article.

How can you fix the friend request not working problem in Helldivers 2?

Devastator with shooting arm removed in Helldivers 2
Without friends, it just isn’t the same. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The quickest fix for the friend requests not working problem in Helldivers 2 requires you to change your Steam name. This only works if you’re playing on PC. This method was suggested on the Helldivers 2 Reddit, where players reported problems adding friends.

To use this fix, make sure your name is between three and 16 characters and only has normal characters; special characters like * or # aren’t allowed. Once you’ve changed your name, return to your ship and try sending the request again, or get your friend to send one to you. You should now be able to accept it. 

Other solutions to fixing friend request issues in Helldivers 2

Helldiver fighting multiple Bile Spewers at once in Helldivers 2
Have you tried turning it on and off again? Screenshot by Dot Esports

Alternatively, you can try warping to the same sector with your friends to fix the friend request problems in Helldivers 2. Prioritize warping into less populated sectors to increase the odds of running into each other.

While changing your Steam name may work for PC players, console players might need alternative methods to fix the friend request error. Here are some additional solutions you can try:

  • Create an open lobby: Have your friend create an open lobby on a specific planet, preferably on a less populated difficulty setting like “trivial.” Then, search for their game and join it. The host can kick other players to make room if necessary.
  • Refresh crossplay settings: Try turning crossplay off and on again in the options menu. Make sure to apply the changes each time before joining the lobby.
  • Use a middleman: If you have a mutual friend who can see both of you, have them create a lobby and invite both of you. Once you’re all in the game, the mutual friend can leave, making one of you the host, or stick around to play as a party of three.
  • Try restarting if you can’t see the lobby after two to three minutes: When no one queues up for your lobby, try restarting the game and opening a new lobby until you see players joining.

If you’ve exhausted all these options and are still having no luck, your last option is to contact the support team at Arrowhead Game Studios. You can submit a request on their website.

What is the friend requests not working error in Helldivers 2?

The friend requests not working error in Helldivers 2 prevents players from different platforms from adding each other as friends. For example, when a PS5 player tries to add a PC player to their friends list, nothing happens. As a result, this also causes the crossplay to break since even the Friends List can stop working.

Author
Image of Antonia Haynes
Antonia Haynes
Antonia Haynes is a freelance general gaming writer for Dot Esports who resides in a small seaside town in England where she has lived her whole life. Beginning her video game writing career back in 2014, and having an avid love of gaming since childhood, she became a staff writer in 2018 before becoming freelance in 2023 with her role at Dot Esports. Her ideal day would consist of junk food, fluffy pyjamas and video games because quite frankly going outside is overrated.
Author
Image of Gökhan Çakır
Gökhan Çakır
Gökhan is a Staff Writer and Fortnite Lead at Dot Esports. Gökhan graduated as an industrial engineer in 2020 and has since been with Dot Esports. As a natural-born gamer, he honed his skills to a professional level in Dota 2. Upon giving up on the Aegis of Champions in 2019, Gökhan started his writing career, covering all things gaming, while his heart remains a lifetime defender of the Ancients.