How to Fix Granblue Fantasy Relink Network Error Searching for Session

If you’ve spent any serious time in Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you probably know how addictive its co-op system can be. Chasing rare materials, helping random players clear difficult quests, or simply grinding endgame bosses with friends is where the game really shines. That’s why few things are more frustrating than clicking ‘Search for Session’ only to be greeted by an endless loading screen or the dreaded Network Error message.

I’ve run into this problem myself more than once, and judging by the countless discussions across gaming forums, I’m definitely not alone. The error affects both PC and PlayStation 5 players, sometimes appearing randomly even after dozens of successful multiplayer sessions. The good news is that it usually isn’t caused by broken game files, and in many cases you can fix it within a few minutes.

Here’s everything I’ve learned from personal experience, community discoveries, and countless hours troubleshooting multiplayer games.

Granblue Fantasy Relink FPS Unlocker Guide: How to Go Beyond 120 FPS

Why Does Granblue Fantasy: Relink Show a Network Error?

Unlike many online RPGs that host every activity on dedicated servers, Granblue Fantasy: Relink relies heavily on a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection once matchmaking finds a group. That means the matchmaking servers only help players locate each other, while the actual quest depends on your game establishing a direct connection with another player’s system. If anything interrupts that handshake, matchmaking simply fails.

Several factors can trigger the problem, including temporary server congestion, poor routing between regions, strict NAT settings, firewall restrictions, DNS routing issues, or even Steam region limitations on PC. The frustrating part is that two players with excellent internet connections can still fail to connect because of how their networks communicate with one another.

Fix 1: Change Your Steam Download Region

This is probably the most surprising solution, but it’s also one of the most successful for PC players. Steam uses your Download Region for more than just game downloads, and many players have discovered that it can also influence the matchmaking pool available in Granblue Fantasy: Relink.

If your local region has relatively few active players or your network is routed inefficiently, the game may repeatedly fail while searching for available sessions. Switching to another busy region often provides a much healthier pool of active lobbies.

How to Change Your Steam Download Region

1. Exit Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
2. Launch Steam.
3. Open Settings.
4. Select the Downloads section.
5. Locate the Download Region option.
6. Choose another highly populated region.
7. Restart Steam and launch the game again.

Recommended Regions

I honestly didn’t expect this workaround to make much difference the first time I tried it, but it noticeably improved my matchmaking success rate. It won’t solve every connection issue, but it’s easily one of the quickest fixes worth trying.

Fix 2: Create Your Own Lobby Before Searching

This method sounds almost too simple, yet it keeps appearing in community recommendations because it genuinely works for many players. Instead of immediately selecting Quick Match, create your own public session before searching for a quest.

Steps to Try

• Visit the Quest Counter.
• Select Create Session.
• Set the lobby to Public.
• Enter your own lobby.
• Search for your desired quest afterward.

For reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the game often establishes a more stable online connection once your client is already hosting a session. After that initial connection is made, joining quests tends to work much more reliably. I’ve personally seen repeated matchmaking failures disappear simply by changing the order in which I entered multiplayer.

Fix 3: Check Your NAT Type

This is especially important for PlayStation 5 users, although PC players can benefit from checking their router configuration as well. Your NAT (Network Address Translation) determines how easily your device communicates with other players over peer-to-peer connections.

If your console reports NAT Type 3, peer-to-peer games frequently struggle to establish incoming connections. Enabling UPnP on your router or configuring Port Forwarding often improves compatibility. After making any changes, restart both your router and your console before testing matchmaking again.

Fix 4: Switch to Public DNS Servers

Most players never think about DNS because everything usually works automatically. However, some internet providers use routing paths that are less efficient when communicating with international matchmaking services.

Switching to a public DNS server is quick, free, and occasionally solves stubborn connection issues by improving routing between your device and the matchmaking infrastructure.

I’ve personally used Cloudflare DNS for years across multiple online games because it’s simple to configure and consistently reliable. It may not solve every issue, but it’s another worthwhile troubleshooting step that only takes a few minutes.

Fix 5: Refresh Your Network Connection on Windows

Sometimes the issue isn’t your internet connection itself but Windows holding onto outdated networking information. Instead of restarting your entire computer, you can refresh your network configuration through Command Prompt.

Commands to Run

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

These commands temporarily release your IP address, request a fresh network connection, and clear your DNS cache. After completing the process, restart Granblue Fantasy: Relink and try logging back into multiplayer.

Check Your Firewall and Antivirus

Security software can occasionally interfere with peer-to-peer traffic. If the game suddenly begins producing matchmaking errors after a Windows update or antivirus upgrade, verify that Granblue Fantasy: Relink still has permission to communicate through your firewall.

• Windows Defender Firewall
• Third-party antivirus software
• VPN applications
• Gaming security utilities

If you’re using a VPN, temporarily disconnecting from it is also worth testing. Additional routing delays introduced by VPN servers can sometimes prevent successful matchmaking.

Sometimes the Problem Isn’t on Your End

As frustrating as it is, there are moments when no amount of troubleshooting will fix the issue because the servers themselves are under heavy load. Major updates, seasonal events, or weekend traffic can overwhelm matchmaking services, leading to failed connection attempts and endless searching screens.

Whenever I notice widespread reports from other players experiencing the exact same error, I stop tweaking my router and simply wait. More often than not, server stability improves after the initial rush settles down, and matchmaking returns to normal without any changes on my side.

Recommended Troubleshooting Order

1. Restart Granblue Fantasy: Relink.
2. Change your Steam Download Region if you’re on PC.
3. Create your own public session before searching.
4. Restart your router.
5. Switch to a public DNS server.
6. Check your NAT Type.
7. Refresh your Windows network configuration.
8. Look for temporary server issues or maintenance.

Following this order allows you to eliminate the simplest causes first before spending time adjusting more advanced network settings.

Final Thoughts

As someone who spends a lot of time playing cooperative action games, I know how irritating connection problems can be. Granblue Fantasy: Relink delivers some of the most enjoyable boss fights and multiplayer encounters I’ve experienced in recent years, which makes these network issues feel even more disappointing.

Fortunately, the matchmaking error usually isn’t permanent. In my experience, changing the Steam download region and creating a public lobby before searching solved the issue more often than any other fix. If those don’t help, checking your NAT settings and switching to a public DNS server are the next steps I’d recommend.

While occasional server outages are impossible to avoid, keeping your network properly configured gives you the best chance of jumping straight into co-op instead of staring at another endless ‘Searching for Session’ screen.