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Most Saints Row (2022) co-op failures are caused by a game-state or account mismatch, not by a bad router. Have the host finish Making Rent, leave any active mission, confirm both installations show the same version, and then use the join method for your platform pair. A PS5 joining a PS4 host must send a request to join; a Steam player joining an Epic player must use Saints Row’s in-game Epic crossplay sign-in. If Waiting for Host remains on screen, restart the application before changing network settings. The sequence below separates those documented requirements from general PlayStation connectivity checks and explains when to contact PLAION support.
Which Saints Row and platforms does this guide cover?
These instructions apply to the 2022 game Saints Row, not Saints Row IV or Saints Row: The Third. Start by recording each player’s platform and storefront: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, or Epic Games Store. PLAION specifically documents Steam–Epic PC crossplay and a PS4-host/PS5-guest joining exception. Its published guidance does not establish a complete PC-to-console or PlayStation-to-Xbox compatibility table, so do not infer universal crossplay from the presence of a crossplay menu.
Write down the exact message—such as “Waiting for Host,” “Host is currently busy,” or “Incompatible game version”—before changing settings. The wording determines which branch to follow. Also note which player is hosting, whether the host is on PS4 or PS5, and whether the PC players use Steam or Epic. A correct diagnosis depends on the pairing, not just on the fact that both people own Saints Row.
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Clear the game’s own co-op gates first. Network changes cannot make a player join while the host is still in the tutorial, an active mission, or a different game build.
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- Confirm the title. Both players should be running the 2022 Saints Row.
- Finish Making Rent on the host’s save. PLAION lists this progression point as a prerequisite for co-op. If the host has several saves, check the save actually being used to launch the session.
- Leave every active mission. The tutorial through Making Rent counts as an active mission. Both players should be in free roam or another state in which the co-op menu permits joining. A cutscene, mission transition, or matchmaking transition can also leave the host temporarily unavailable, so wait until the host is visibly idle.
- Match the installed versions. PLAION’s co-op guide states: “Both players need to be on the same game version.” Update each copy through its console or PC storefront, then relaunch the game so the update is applied.
- Retry the invitation only after those checks. Keep the same host while diagnosing so a change in symptoms is meaningful. If you switch hosts and platforms at the same time, you cannot tell which change mattered.
If the game still reports an incompatible version after both stores say they are current, fully close and reopen the game on each device. A suspended console application can continue running an older build until it is restarted. On PC, allow any queued download or file update to finish before launching; do not compare one player’s newly updated copy with another player’s copy that was already running.
How do I join between PS4 and PS5?
A PS5 player joining a PS4 host uses a specific request-to-join flow rather than relying on a normal invitation alone.
- Have the PS4 player host the session after completing Making Rent and leaving any mission.
- On PS5, open the Saints Row co-op menu and choose Request to Join.
- Have the PS4 host accept the incoming request in-game.
- Wait for the session to load before starting a mission. If the request does not appear, close and relaunch Saints Row on both consoles, then repeat the same sequence.
Keep the PS4 player as host while testing this route. If the PS5 player hosts instead, the documented exception no longer describes that situation, so treat it as a different branch rather than assuming the same button sequence applies. Confirm the host is not inside a mission when the request is sent or accepted.
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This procedure is the documented PS4-host/PS5-guest exception. It should not be treated as proof that every PlayStation and Xbox or PC combination is supported; PLAION’s public guide leaves those pairings unspecified. If your pair is not one of the explicitly described combinations, report the exact platforms to PLAION rather than relying on an assumed compatibility chart.
How do Steam and Epic players use crossplay?
Steam and Epic players do not connect through the two storefront applications’ ordinary friend-invite systems. The Steam player must enable the game’s Epic Online Services crossplay path, then invite or join from Saints Row’s in-game friends list.
Steam player joining an Epic player
- Launch Saints Row on Steam.
- Open Co-op Campaign, select Crossplay, and choose Log in to Epic Games.
- Complete the Epic sign-in and account connection prompts. Use the Epic account that should be associated with this Steam copy.
- Return to the in-game friends list. The Epic player should appear there when online and eligible to join.
- Send or accept the invitation from Saints Row, not from Steam’s or Epic’s separate application overlay.
If the Epic friend is missing, first confirm that the Steam player completed the in-game sign-in and is looking at Saints Row’s friends list, not the Steam friends panel. Then check that the Epic player is online and that both copies passed the progression and version checks. A missing friend entry and a failed loading screen are different symptoms and should be reported separately.
Epic Games Store player
PLAION says the Epic version has no equivalent Crossplay button. The Steam player’s crossplay setup is what allows the Epic friend to appear in the game’s list. Do not search the Epic launcher for a matching toggle or repeatedly reinstall the launcher when the required control is inside the Steam version of Saints Row.
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Check the linked Steam identity only when needed
PLAION describes PC crossplay as optional and says it requires Epic Online Services. In the Epic account website, open Apps and Accounts and connect Steam, taking care to select the correct Steam account. An accidental connection to a different Steam identity can make the expected friend or game entitlement appear to be missing. Verify the account before unlinking or relinking anything.
Do not link accounts simply because two players use the same storefront; same-store players should first use the ordinary in-game co-op flow. Account linking is a crossplay step, not a general performance fix, and it cannot bypass a mission gate or a version mismatch.
What does “Waiting for Host” mean, and how do I clear it?
For a persistent Waiting for Host screen, PLAION’s documented remedy is to restart the application. Close Saints Row completely on the affected side, launch it again, and retry after rechecking the mission and version gates. If the state remains, have both players relaunch so neither device is holding a stale session. Reopen the same save and use the same host for the next attempt.
Do not spend time changing DNS, buying networking software, or forwarding ports while the application is still holding this state. Those actions address different layers and cannot replace the restart that PLAION specifies. If the message disappears after relaunch but returns only when a particular host starts, record that pattern for support.
A restart is a remedy for this symptom, not evidence of a universal server outage. PLAION’s historical notes record changes intended to reduce host-busy windows, co-op desynchronization, and connection loss, but those notes do not identify one present-day cause for every report.
What should I do when the game says “Host is currently busy”?
That message usually calls for a game-state check before a network check. Ask the host to exit any mission, cutscene, tutorial activity, or matchmaking transition and return to a joinable free-roam state. The guest should also leave an active mission; a guest’s mission state can prevent a clean join even when the host appears idle.
- Verify that the host completed Making Rent.
- Have the guest leave their own active mission as well.
- Confirm both copies have the same version, then restart Saints Row.
- Send a fresh in-game invitation after the host is visibly idle.
- If the host just completed an objective, wait for the mission result and free-roam state to finish loading before accepting a request.
If the message appears immediately after a restart despite those conditions, record the platform pair and exact sequence for PLAION support rather than repeatedly changing unrelated router settings. Include whether the error occurs with one friend only or with every attempted guest; that distinction helps separate a session-specific failure from a broader platform problem.
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How do I fix “Incompatible game version”?
The two installations must be on the same game version; this is a hard co-op prerequisite. On each platform, check for an update, allow it to finish, and relaunch the game.
- Exit Saints Row instead of leaving it suspended.
- Open the console update screen or the PC storefront’s library and check for an available Saints Row update.
- Install the update on both devices. If one download is queued, wait until it is complete.
- Launch the game again and compare the displayed build information or the error result.
- If one platform still reports a mismatch, capture the version shown on each device and include it in a support ticket.
Do not assume that owning the same edition, buying from the same store, or having the same downloadable content automatically means the builds match. The requirement concerns the installed game version. Avoid launching from a suspended state after an update, because the running process may not have loaded the new build.
What does the symptom tell me to try next?
Use this decision table after the basic progression and version checks.
| Symptom | First documented branch | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for Host | Application/session state | Fully restart Saints Row; if needed, relaunch on both sides. |
| Host is currently busy | Mission or tutorial state | Both players leave active missions; host must have completed Making Rent. |
| Incompatible game version | Installed build mismatch | Update both copies, close suspended apps, and relaunch. |
| PS5 cannot join PS4 host | Wrong invitation route | PS5 selects Request to Join; PS4 host accepts in-game. |
| Steam cannot see Epic friend | Crossplay/account flow | On Steam use Co-op Campaign → Crossplay → Log in to Epic Games; use the in-game friends list. |
| All online features fail on PlayStation | General platform connectivity | Check PlayStation service status and run Sony’s network steps after game-state checks. |
Run one branch at a time. For example, do not test a PS5 request-to-join while also changing the router and relinking an Epic account. Make the documented game-state correction first, retry, and note whether the exact message changes. A changed message is useful evidence, even if it does not complete the join.
When should I check PlayStation network connectivity?
Only move to general network troubleshooting after the Saints Row prerequisites and platform-specific join flow are correct. A wired connection, router restart, or NAT change cannot bypass an unfinished tutorial or mismatched game versions.
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Check PlayStation’s current service-status page, then restart the console and home router if other online games or account services also fail. These checks diagnose broader connectivity; they do not prove a Saints Row matchmaking outage. If other online services work and only Saints Row fails, return to the game-state, account, and version branches instead of assuming the router is responsible.
Try a wired connection
If you have an Ethernet cable, connect the console directly to the router and retry. Sony documents these paths in its connectivity guide: on PS5, open Settings → Network → Settings → Set Up Internet Connection → Set Up Wired LAN → Connect. On PS4, open Settings → Network → Set Up Internet Connection → Use a LAN Cable → Easy. A cable is optional; it is a diagnostic alternative for a wireless connection, not a Saints Row requirement. If you already own a suitable cable, there is no need to buy anything; if you do not, an Ethernet LAN cable for a gaming console is the only conditional accessory relevant to this test. See Sony’s PlayStation internet-connection instructions.
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Investigate multiple NAT routers only for the relevant error
For a PS5 error that specifically indicates multiple NAT routers, Sony advises removing the duplicate-router arrangement. This can occur when a second router is placed behind the primary router and both perform routing. Do not apply arbitrary port-forwarding, DNS, VPN, or NAT changes as a blanket Saints Row fix. Sony’s error guidance is for that network condition, not a guarantee that changing NAT will repair an in-game co-op gate; see Sony’s WS-116520-5 guidance.
What known fixes can and cannot tell me?
PLAION’s historical Bright Future Update – November announcement attributed more than 200 bug fixes to the 2022 update, with particular attention to stability and co-op. That is a dated update figure, not a current count and not proof that every present connection problem has been eliminated. PLAION’s DustFaire notes also say, “Made changes to help remove desync while playing in co-op.” The notes justify keeping both installations updated; they do not provide a single diagnosis for every matchmaking failure.
Historical patch language is useful context when deciding whether to install an available update, but it does not guarantee that a new pairing will work. Do not recycle Saints Row IV Epic Online Services changes as though they were fixes for Saints Row (2022). Use the title-specific co-op and crossplay instructions for this game.
Read the publisher’s Saints Row co-op guide, crossplay account instructions, and DustFaire patch notes when checking for newer platform or account requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do I report a persistent co-op failure?
After reproducing the failure with the correct game-state and platform flow, submit a ticket through PLAION’s Saints Row support route. Include enough detail for the support agent to reproduce the branch:
- Both platforms and, on PC, whether each player uses Steam or Epic Games Store.
- The installed game version shown on each device.
- The exact error text and when it appears.
- Whether the host completed Making Rent and whether either player was in a mission, tutorial, cutscene, or transition.
- The join method used, including PS5 request-to-join or Steam’s Epic sign-in flow where applicable.
- Whether the Epic account is linked to the intended Steam identity, if PC crossplay is involved.
- Whether restarting both applications, updating, and checking general network service status changed anything.
Keep the report limited to one reproducible pairing and symptom at a time. That makes it easier to distinguish an account-link issue from a platform or session problem. If you can reproduce the error, note which player hosts, how long the screen remains, and whether the same players can join after swapping hosts.
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How we selected these fixes
The order follows PLAION’s game-specific prerequisites first, then the documented PS4–PS5 and Steam–Epic join paths, then the publisher’s restart advice for persistent waiting states, and finally Sony’s general PlayStation connectivity guidance. Compatibility claims are limited to pairings explicitly described by the publishers; undocumented platform combinations are left open rather than guessed. This order also prevents a paid accessory or complex router change from distracting from free checks that can immediately clear a mission, account, or version block.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Saints Row co-op require both players to buy the game from the same store?
No same-store requirement is stated in the publisher guidance. Steam–Epic play is supported through the game’s Epic Online Services flow, while same-store players can begin with the normal in-game co-op route; the decisive requirement is matching installed versions and using the correct platform-specific join method.
Will changing DNS or using a VPN fix Saints Row matchmaking?
There is no publisher guidance establishing either change as a Saints Row remedy. Try them only if you are diagnosing a separate, documented network problem; they cannot clear the Making Rent, active-mission, account-flow, or version gates.
Can I play Saints Row co-op over Wi-Fi?
A wired cable is not listed as a game requirement. Sony presents wired LAN as a troubleshooting option when diagnosing PlayStation connectivity, so a stable wireless connection may still work; use Ethernet only as a comparison when broader online problems persist.
Does PLAION guarantee that a current update fixed my connection error?
No. Historical notes describe stability, desynchronization, and connection improvements, including a dated announcement of more than 200 fixes, but they do not guarantee a cure for every current pairing or error message. Report a reproducible failure with platform, version, and symptom details.
Can the PS5 host a PS4 player using the request-to-join method?
The documented exception is specifically a PS5 guest joining a PS4 host: the PS5 selects Request to Join and the PS4 host accepts. If you reverse the host and guest roles, use the ordinary in-game route where available and report the exact pairing if it fails.
Does finishing the tutorial unlock co-op immediately?
The host must complete Making Rent, and both players must leave active missions. The tutorial through Making Rent counts as an active mission, so wait until the host is in a joinable state before sending or accepting an invitation.
Why should I avoid linking Epic and Steam accounts for same-store play?
PLAION describes Epic account linking as part of optional PC crossplay. Same-store players should first use the normal in-game co-op flow; linking accounts unnecessarily adds an identity variable without clearing a mission or version prerequisite.
The Bottom Line
Finish Making Rent, leave active missions, match both game versions, and use the documented join flow for your platform pair. Restart Saints Row for a persistent “Waiting for Host” state. Only after those checks should you test PlayStation connectivity, and contact PLAION with the exact platforms, versions, error, and steps when the failure remains.
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