Session Search Error
Pocketpair Palworld
Severity: ModerateWhat it means
Session Search Error in Palworld means the game could not find or connect to the multiplayer session you are trying to join.
This is usually a server browser issue, a network problem, or the session no longer exists.
Refreshing the server list or restarting the game usually fixes it.
Affected Models
- PC (Steam)
- PC (Xbox Game Pass)
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
Common Causes
- Server session expired or host disconnected
- Server browser not refreshed — outdated session list
- Your NAT type is strict, blocking peer discovery
- Palworld servers temporarily overloaded (common during peak hours)
- Game version mismatch between you and the server
- Firewall blocking Palworld network traffic
How to Fix It
-
Refresh the server list.
Close the server browser screen and reopen it.
Do not join immediately — wait for the list to fully load and then select your server. -
Restart Palworld completely.
Close the game entirely and relaunch it.
This clears the session cache and gets a fresh server list. -
Check your game version.
Steam: right-click Palworld > Properties > check the installed version.
You must be on the same version as the server.
Enable automatic updates to stay current. -
Check your firewall settings.
Windows Firewall or your router firewall may be blocking Palworld.
Allow Palworld through Windows Defender Firewall in Control Panel > System and Security. -
Try connecting via direct IP.
If joining a specific server, use the Join by IP option instead of the server browser.
Get the server IP from the host or server listing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palworld support crossplay?
Palworld supports crossplay between Xbox and PC (Microsoft Store / Game Pass version).
The Steam version does not support crossplay with Xbox.
Why does Session Search Error happen more at night?
Peak hours mean servers are fuller and the matchmaking infrastructure is under more load.
Try connecting during off-peak hours or use a direct IP connection to your preferred server.