You might encounter a bug in Palworld that displays the error message, “The match you are trying to join is running an incompatible version of the game.” If you experience this issue, the solution is to update Palworld on Xbox, PC, or Steam.
How to fix “the match you are trying to join is running an incompatible version of the game” error in Palworld
The only way to fix the “running an incompatible version” error in Palworld is to ensure you and the person you want to play with are using the same version. To achieve this, both you and your play partner should install the latest version of Palworld.
Related: How to change Single Player server to Multiplayer in Palworld
However, Palworld updates are initially released on Steam and take a few days to be available on Xbox. Due to this, the crossplay error may not be immediately resolved. You will need to wait until Palworld has the same version rolled out across all platforms.
How to manually update Palworld on Xbox
To address the “running an incompatible version” error in Palworld, it is crucial to ensure that you are using the most up-to-date version of the game. You can check for updates by locating Palworld in your library, navigating to Manage, and checking for available Updates.
If there’s no available Palworld update, access Palworld’s settings and choose Manage Game. Then, scroll down to Updates to make sure there are no pending updates.
How to manually update Palworld on PC Microsoft Store
If you’re playing Palworld on PC using the Xbox App, you can try to fix the “the match you are trying to join is running an incompatible version of the game” error by updating the game.
To do this, go to the Palworld page, click the More Actions for Palworld button (three dots), select Manage, and then click Files and choose Check for Updates. This will manually update Palworld on Xbox to the latest version of the game.
While you’re there, I also recommend going to the General tab and ensuring that the Game Download/Upload Priority dropdown is set to As Soon As Possible. This way, you won’t have to worry about Palworld not updating immediately if an update is available.
Related: Best Pals for mounted combat in Palworld
How to manually update Palworld on PC Steam
If you own Palworld on Steam, it’s important to make sure that you are using the most up-to-date version of the game to avoid errors and bugs. You can do this by locating Palworld in your library, right-clicking the game, selecting Properties, going to updates, and choosing the Always Keep this Game Updated option in the Automatic Updates dropdown.
Wait for Pocket Pair to fix Palworld crossplay error
The issue with Palworld at present is that different versions are available on Steam and Xbox. As long as this disparity exists, crossplay between the two platforms is not possible, even if both users are on PC.
Eventually, Pocket Pair will release the latest patch on Xbox, the same patch that is already available on Steam, but in several instances, this process takes a few days to complete. During this time, Steam and Xbox players will not be able to play together. You will simply have to wait for the update and explore how to increase your Stamina and Health in Palworld in the meantime.