Unable to Join Sessions in Packaged Game (Works in Editor) with Steam Advanced Sessions Online Subsystem

[Hafeelahmed]

Hello everyone,

I’m new to Unreal Engine and multiplayer development, and I need some help troubleshooting an issue I’m facing in my project. I’m using the Steam Advanced Sessions Online Subsystem for multiplayer functionality, and while everything works perfectly in the editor, I am running into problems once I package the game.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening:

Problem Overview:

• In Editor: Everything functions normally—sessions can be created, the server browser displays correctly, and I can join servers without issues.
• In Packaged Game: The session creation works fine, but the server browser shows the session information (server name, max players, current players, etc.) correctly. However, the ping shows as 9999, and when I try to join a server, it fails. The failure is detected, and I get a print string indicating a failure to join, even though the session is listed correctly in the browser.

###Images:
I’ve uploaded the screenshots in the link below.
Screenshots

the below image is from packaged game

Steps I’ve Taken:

• I’m using AppID 480 (free) for Steam integration.
• In the Server Browser Menu, I can see the session details (server name, max players, ping, etc.). The only issue is that the ping is incorrect (9999), and joining the server results in a failure.
• The game works fine in the editor, both in terms of server creation and joining.

What I’ve Tried:

• Checking the Steam configuration and making sure the session creation and joining logic is correct.
• Verified the server session settings in both the blueprint and Steam API.
• Ensured that my packaged game is configured with the correct Steam Online Subsystem settings.

Questions:

1. Why does the ping show as 9999 in the packaged game but works fine in the editor (with ping values like 31 or 42)?
2. What could cause the failure to join the session in the packaged version of the game when everything works fine in the editor?
3. Is there a specific setting or issue I might be overlooking that could affect session joining in a packaged game but not in the editor?

Any help, guidance, or troubleshooting tips would be greatly appreciated! I’ve attached images of my blueprint setup and the results of the session creation and browsing, in case they help with diagnosing the issue.

Thank you in advance for your time and assistance!

[NotAllama]

Did you ever find a solution to this?

[Lazaerus]

I’m surprised you could even get the server to get listed in a packaged game. I’m hoping this gets some attention soon, the only way I can test with friends or myself (using sandboxie approach) on a packaged game is through invites only.

[b1gdaddybear]

Can you confirm that you created the steam_appid.txt file in: 'game packaged root\Binaries\Win64'?

[L.F.A]

Is that supposed to work with appid = 480?
My project has that folder as SteamADSPacked\Windows\Engine\Binaries. I placed the steam_appid.txt there. Is that correct?

I am using Adv Sessions and Adv Steam sessions with UE5.5.
Steam overlay works in editor but not in shipping packaged.

[b1gdaddybear]

I believe it goes into the same directory as your game executable (once you’ve packaged the game).

Also, There is an issue with the 5.5.4 version of Advanced Sessions for listen servers not being able to be found or connected to. It’s something in the code that the devs are working to fix.

[b1gdaddybear]

Also - I forgot to mention - you can only use the 480 app id in the UE Editor mode to test. If you want to package and test, you have to use your appid from Steamworks.

Do you have a steamworks account? Do you have a free appid available or do you need to purchase one from steamworks?

[L.F.A]

Thanks for the clarification.
Unfortunately, another issue when creating a c++ project. It seems something has changed on Epic’s end:

Plugin ‘OnlineSubsystemSteam’ (referenced via default plugins → AdvancedSteamSessions.uplugin) does not contain the ‘OnlineSubsystemSteam’ module, but lists it in ‘E:\Epic Games\UE_5.5\Engine\Plugins\Online\OnlineSubsystemSteam\OnlineSubsystemSteam.uplugin’.