Do this first
Fast checklist
- 01
Open the game's Settings screen.
- 02
Find the multiplayer lobby search range option.
- 03
Choose Wide and save the change.
- 04
Leave the current search, then start a fresh one.
Why your setting may still be narrow
This was not a forced setting change for every account. If you played before 1.0.9 and did not fully reset settings, the previous range can remain in place. That makes Wide a useful first check before you spend time troubleshooting anything more complicated.
A wider search is not a magic fix
Wide broadens discovery. It does not guarantee a match, and it does not replace compatible game versions or a multiplayer-supported activity. Queue timing and the number of active players still matter.
What to do after you change it
Exit the old search and create a new one. If your group is waiting in a party, keep the leader active: the later 1.0.10 patch notes say an unresponsive leader can trigger a multiplayer party disband.
Proof, not vibes
Sources
LevelLime is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with Hound13 Inc., Valve, or Steam. Community posts can inspire questions, but the factual claims above are checked against the linked official sources.