Elden Ring Nightreign PS5 “Failed to Join Team”? Fix the 3-Player Problem

Trying to play Elden Ring Nightreign with two friends on PS5, but one player keeps getting “Failed to Join Team”?

If two players can connect but the third player cannot, don't immediately assume the third player's internet is broken.

Nightreign is built around three-player cooperative expeditions, and Bandai Namco's own troubleshooting guidance specifically addresses password matchmaking, matchmaking settings, game versions, out-of-region matchmaking and platform-specific party features.

This guide focuses on the frustrating situation where two friends can get together but the third player repeatedly fails to join.

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The Fastest Fixes to Try First

Before changing router settings, run these tests in this order:

1. Fully restart Nightreign on all three PS5s

2. Make sure everyone has the same App and Regulation versions

3. Recreate the multiplayer password

4. Confirm everyone selected Multiplayer Mode

5. Make sure everyone selected the same boss/expedition

6. Test with Out-of-region matchmaking ON

7. Have a different player create the lobby

8. Try joining through the PlayStation friend/party system

9. Test the affected PS5 on another connection

10. Only then investigate NAT/router problems

These steps matter because Nightreign's official troubleshooting specifically tells players to check versions, passwords, multiplayer settings and the game's Out-of-region matchmaking setting before escalating the problem.

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Why Can 2 Players Join but the Third Can't?

This is the key part of the problem.

If:

- Player A joins Player B

- Player C gets “Failed to Join Team”

- A and B can continue normally

- C can play other online games

- C can connect to PSN normally

then the evidence does not automatically point to a broken PS5 or bad internet connection.

There are several possible layers involved:

- Nightreign matchmaking

- Multiplayer password configuration

- Host/session creation

- Out-of-region matchmaking

- Game/regulation versions

- PSN party/invite handling

- NAT or router behavior

- ISP routing

The goal is to identify which layer is failing instead of changing everything at once.

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1. Fully Close Nightreign on All Three PS5s

Don't simply return to the Roundtable Hold.

Have all three players completely close the game.

Then:

1. Press the PS button.

2. Highlight Nightreign.

3. Press Options.

4. Select Close Game.

5. Wait a few seconds.

6. Start Nightreign again.

7. Recreate the multiplayer session.

This is especially worthwhile if the group has repeatedly joined and left different teams.

Bandai Namco previously fixed a Nightreign bug where matchmaking could continually fail after two players joined and left a team at the same time.

That doesn't mean today's “Failed to Join Team” error is necessarily the same bug, but it shows that team/session state can matter.

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2. Check the App and Regulation Versions

This is one of the first things Nightreign's official troubleshooting tells players to check.

On the title screen, look at the version information in the lower-right corner.

All three players should have the latest:

- App Ver.

- Regulation Ver.

If one player is behind:

1. Connect that PS5 to the internet.

2. Log into the game server.

3. Allow the regulation update to download.

4. Restart Nightreign.

5. Try matchmaking again.

Bandai Namco specifically states that all members should be updated to the latest App and Regulation versions when password matchmaking isn't working.

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3. Recreate the Multiplayer Password

If you're using a password, don't assume the existing lobby is still behaving correctly.

Create a completely new password.

Then make sure all three players enter exactly the same password.

Remember:

Nightreign passwords are case-sensitive.

Bandai Namco specifically instructs players to verify that the password is identical for every player.

For testing, use something simple.

For example:

"Night123"

Don't use complicated symbols while diagnosing the problem.

Once the connection works, you can change it again.

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4. Make Sure Everyone Is Actually Using Multiplayer Mode

This sounds obvious, but it is an easy setting to overlook.

From the Roundtable Hold:

1. Open the Expedition menu.

2. Go to the matchmaking settings.

3. Confirm that the expedition is set to Multiplayer Mode.

4. Make sure everyone is selecting the same target/boss.

Bandai Namco specifically lists Multiplayer Mode vs Single Player Mode and selecting the same boss among its password-matchmaking troubleshooting steps.

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5. Turn On Out-of-Region Matchmaking

This is one of the most important settings to test.

Go to:

Main Menu → System → Network Settings → Out-of-region Matchmaking

Nightreign's official troubleshooting specifically tells players with password matchmaking problems to check that everyone is using the same matchmaking setting.

Test A

Everyone uses:

Out-of-region matchmaking: OFF

Try the lobby.

Test B

Everyone uses:

Out-of-region matchmaking: ON

Try again.

Don't change this on only one player's PS5.

All players should use the same setting during each test.

If one configuration works and the other doesn't, you've discovered a major clue.

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6. Change the Host

This is one of the easiest diagnostic tests and costs nothing.

Suppose:

- Player A creates the lobby.

- Player B joins.

- Player C fails.

Now completely close/reopen the game and reverse it.

Test 1

A = host

Test 2

B = host

Test 3

C = host

Record the result.

If the third player can join when a different person creates the session, the problem may involve the original host's session, connection path or matchmaking relationship.

That doesn't prove the host's internet is bad.

It simply tells you that changing the session origin changes the result.

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7. Try the PlayStation Invite Instead of Only the Password

Nightreign's official troubleshooting recommends trying platform-specific party-making features when password matchmaking isn't working. For PlayStation, Bandai Namco points players toward PlayStation's own joining/invite functionality.

So test both methods.

Method A

Use the Nightreign multiplayer password.

Method B

Have the host invite the other player through PlayStation.

If one method works while the other doesn't, you've narrowed down the problem considerably.

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8. Test the Affected Player on Another Internet Connection

This is probably the best network diagnostic test.

If Player C repeatedly gets:

«Failed to Join Team»

have Player C temporarily connect the PS5 through another internet connection if possible.

For example:

- mobile hotspot

- another home connection

- another trusted network

Then repeat the exact same Nightreign test.

If it works on the alternate connection

Your home network becomes much more suspicious.

Investigate:

- NAT

- router configuration

- double NAT

- ISP routing

- connection stability

If it still fails

A basic home-router problem becomes less convincing.

The problem may instead involve:

- Nightreign matchmaking

- session compatibility

- region settings

- PSN party/session handling

- the interaction between specific players

This distinction can save hours of pointless router tweaking.

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9. Check Your NAT — But Don't Blame NAT Immediately

NAT can matter for multiplayer connectivity.

However, don't use:

«“My NAT is Type 2, so everything is fine.”»

as the entire diagnosis.

NAT Type 2 generally means the PS5 is behind a router but can communicate online.

It does not guarantee that every game's multiplayer session will work perfectly.

If other games work and Nightreign consistently fails only when one specific friend joins, investigate Nightreign's matchmaking/session behavior first.

If multiple games also have connection problems, then network troubleshooting becomes much more important.

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10. Test Wired Ethernet

If the affected PS5 is using Wi-Fi, temporarily test Ethernet if possible.

This isn't because Nightreign requires Ethernet.

It's a diagnostic test.

If the problem disappears on Ethernet, investigate:

- Wi-Fi interference

- router distance

- packet loss

- unstable wireless connection

PlayStation itself recommends a wired connection when troubleshooting PS5 network problems.

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11. Restart the Router Properly

If the problem appears to be network-related:

1. Shut down the PS5.

2. Turn off the router.

3. Wait several minutes.

4. Turn the router back on.

5. Wait until the connection is fully restored.

6. Start the PS5.

7. Launch Nightreign.

8. Rebuild the multiplayer session.

PlayStation's own troubleshooting guidance recommends restarting the router and PS5 and using a wired connection where possible for network-related errors.

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12. Check for Double NAT

If your setup looks like:

Internet → ISP router → second router → PS5

you may have two devices performing NAT.

That can create problems for some multiplayer connections.

If you have:

- ISP modem/router

- personal router

- mesh system

- another router/access point

check how they are configured.

Don't start changing advanced settings blindly.

First establish whether the problem actually disappears when the affected PS5 uses another connection.

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13. Don't Randomly Forward Ports Yet

Port forwarding gets recommended for almost every multiplayer problem online.

That's not good troubleshooting.

If:

- other games work

- PSN works

- Nightreign works with some players

- only one specific friend cannot join

then blindly forwarding ports may accomplish nothing.

Use controlled tests first.

If you establish that the affected network is genuinely causing the problem, then router/NAT investigation becomes more reasonable.

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14. Check Whether Everyone Is on the Same Platform

Nightreign's official password-matchmaking guidance says that all users should be on the same platform when using password matchmaking.

For a clean PS5 diagnostic:

Test with three PS5 players first.

This removes cross-platform variables from the equation.

Once the PS5 group works, introduce other platforms if needed.

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15. Watch for a Session That Has Become “Stuck”

If you've repeatedly:

- created a team

- invited people

- left

- recreated the team

- changed passwords

- changed hosts

stop and reset everything.

Have all three players:

1. Close Nightreign.

2. Restart the game.

3. Create a fresh multiplayer session.

4. Use a fresh password.

5. Confirm the same matchmaking settings.

6. Attempt the connection once.

This gives you a clean baseline.

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16. Don't Forget Remembrance Missions

There's another unusual Nightreign matchmaking condition that can produce confusion.

Bandai Namco says that if multiple party members are progressing through Remembrance missions, matchmaking can fail.

Only one player can progress through personal goals on Limveld at a time.

The player progressing through the Remembrance mission should start matchmaking first, and Remembrance missions can be deactivated from the Journal menu.

So if your group has been troubleshooting everything else, check this before assuming there's a network problem.

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17. When the Problem Is Probably Nightreign

The game itself becomes the stronger suspect when:

- Two players connect normally.

- The same third player repeatedly fails.

- Other online games work.

- PSN works.

- The affected player can connect using other Nightreign activities.

- Changing hosts doesn't consistently fix it.

- A different internet connection produces the same failure.

- Multiple people reproduce the same problem.

At that point, don't destroy your router configuration trying to “fix” a problem that may be happening inside the game's matchmaking/session layer.

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5-Minute “Failed to Join Team” Diagnosis

Use this exact order.

Test 1 — Fresh restart

All three players completely close Nightreign and reopen it.

Test 2 — Versions

Confirm the same App and Regulation versions.

Test 3 — Fresh password

Create a new password and verify it character-for-character.

Test 4 — Multiplayer settings

Confirm:

- Multiplayer Mode

- same boss

- same matchmaking settings

- same Out-of-region matchmaking setting

Test 5 — Change host

Try another player as host.

Test 6 — PlayStation invite

Test PSN joining instead of only the Nightreign password.

Test 7 — Alternate network

Have the affected player test another connection.

Test 8 — Network diagnosis

Only if the alternate connection changes the result, investigate NAT/router/ISP issues.

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Quick Diagnosis Table

Result| What it suggests

Nobody can join anyone| Possible service/matchmaking problem

Two players connect, third always fails| Session/player compatibility issue worth investigating

Changing host fixes it| Host/session path is a major clue

New password fixes it| Matchmaking/session state or password configuration

Out-of-region ON fixes it| Region compatibility was likely involved

PSN invite works but password doesn't| Matchmaking method/settings issue

Hotspot fixes it| Home network/ISP becomes suspicious

Hotspot changes nothing| Local router becomes less likely

Other games also fail| Broader network problem

Other games work normally| Don't automatically blame the internet

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What Not to Do First

Don't immediately:

- reinstall Nightreign

- reset your router to factory settings

- forward dozens of ports

- change every DNS setting

- change MTU randomly

- disable security features without a reason

- assume NAT Type 2 guarantees compatibility

Instead, change one variable at a time.

That's how you find the actual cause.

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FAQ

Why can two friends join but the third can't?

The failure can involve the specific matchmaking/session relationship between players rather than simply whether each player has internet access. Test the host, password, matchmaking settings and alternate connection before blaming the third player's network.

Does NAT Type 2 guarantee Nightreign will work?

No. NAT status is useful information, but it doesn't guarantee that every multiplayer session will successfully form.

Should Out-of-region matchmaking be ON or OFF?

Test both configurations, but make sure all players use the same setting during each test. Bandai Namco specifically lists this setting in its password-matchmaking troubleshooting.

Does Nightreign support three-player co-op?

Yes. Nightreign is designed around cooperative play with two other players, and PlayStation lists support for up to three online players.

Is “Failed to Join Team” always a PS5 network problem?

No. If other games work and only a specific Nightreign group/session fails, the game's matchmaking or session handling should remain on the list of possibilities.

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Bottom Line

If Elden Ring Nightreign on PS5 says “Failed to Join Team” when you're trying to get three friends together, don't start by rebuilding your entire network.

Start with the things that are specific to Nightreign:

fresh game restart → matching versions → fresh password → Multiplayer Mode → same matchmaking settings → Out-of-region test → change host → PSN invite → alternate connection.

Only after those tests should you start digging into NAT, routers and ISP problems.

The important clue is not simply “one player can't connect.”

It's:

«“Two players can connect, but the third consistently can't.”»

That pattern gives you something you can actually test.