Friendly Steps Online Fixes & Known Issues
Quick Answer
For a Friendly Steps online fix, first confirm every player is on the same current Steam build, restart Steam, start a fresh lobby, and test whether solo or LAN play works. If the problem is not a connection failure, check whether it matches a fixed Patch 1.7.1 issue before reporting it as still live. Patch 1.7.1 is the first verified post-launch fix update: it covers the Steam failed to initialise loading error, rope problems at the underpass handrails and raft drop, foot-shadow display after falling, and a No Collision balance change.
Current Version Check
| Item | Verified status |
|---|---|
| Latest source-verified public named patch | Patch 1.7.1 |
| Patch source | Steam News, mirrored by SteamDB |
| SteamDB build for Patch 1.7.1 | 25113582 |
| Last checked | September 7, 2026 |
| Later build note | SteamDB also shows a September 4, 2026 build without public patch notes, so this page does not assign unlisted fixes to it |
Before reporting a bug, compare the symptom with the Steam Store, Steam News and SteamDB records linked below. Older demo comments, isolated community reports and normal physics failures should be treated as leads, not confirmed launch bugs, unless the same symptom repeats on the current full Steam build.
Online Fix Checklist
Use this checklist before searching through older demo reports or community guesses:
- Update Friendly Steps on Steam for the host and every joining player.
- Fully restart Steam after the update, then launch from the Steam Library.
- Create a new online lobby instead of retrying the failed lobby.
- Have every player disable VPNs temporarily and accept any firewall prompt.
- Switch host once if only one friend cannot join.
- Test solo play and LAN Co-op on the same machine to separate a game launch problem from an online session problem.
- Note whether Collision, No Collision or Hardcore was enabled if the report involves falling, rope tension or a route obstacle.
If those steps do not change the result, collect the build, host/client roles, region, network setup and a short clip before reporting the issue.
Launch Issue Status
| Player problem | Current label | Best next action |
|---|---|---|
| Steam failed to initialise after repeated clicking during loading | Fixed in Patch 1.7.1 | Update through Steam, restart Steam, then retest without spam-clicking the loading screen |
| Rope stuck in underpass handrails | Fixed in Patch 1.7.1 | Update and retest the same route before reporting it as live |
| Rope stuck when dropping onto a raft | Fixed in Patch 1.7.1 | Update and record the raft location if it still happens |
| No Collision mode fall when pulling a leg too far | Fixed/changed in Patch 1.7.1 | Use No Collision for the more casual setting; enable Collision for the harder intended challenge |
| Online co-op cannot connect, desyncs or drops a friend | Still reported / needs evidence | Confirm matching builds, Steam status, firewall prompts, VPN state, host changes and fresh lobby steps |
| Old demo loading, close, microphone and display symptoms | Needs evidence | Retest in the full Steam release before treating them as launch bugs |
Fixed In Patch 1.7.1
Patch 1.7.1 was published through Steam News and mirrored by SteamDB on September 4, 2026 UTC. The public patch text says the team made the game easier by default and fixed several launch problems.
The update specifically covers:
- Steam failed to initialise: the patch notes tie this error to repeated clicking while the game was loading.
- Rope stuck in underpass handrails: patched as a rope collision/stuck case.
- Rope stuck when dropping onto a raft: patched as a separate rope case.
- No Collision mode balance: when No Collision is enabled, pulling a leg too far should no longer make the character fall.
- Foot-shadow display after falling: patched as a visual issue.
- Minor fixes and improvements: listed without detailed public reproduction notes.
Collision, No Collision And Hardcore
Patch 1.7.1 makes No Collision the easier default-style recommendation for casual play. If you want the rougher physics challenge, the patch note points players toward the Collision option. Hardcore is described by the team as a setting for experienced players, so do not enable it while diagnosing a launch or online issue unless you are deliberately testing that mode.
When reporting a movement issue, always include which difficulty or physics options were enabled. A fall in Collision or Hardcore can be intended challenge, while a repeatable stuck state in the same route may still be a bug.
Steam Failed To Initialise
If Friendly Steps shows Steam failed to initialise, update to at least Patch 1.7.1 first. Then restart Steam, launch the game once from the Steam Library, avoid repeated clicks during the loading screen and check whether the error still appears.
If it still fails after the patch, report:
- Current build or patch version.
- Whether Steam was online and fully restarted.
- Whether the game was launched from Steam or another shortcut.
- Whether repeated clicking during loading was involved.
- Whether Steam overlay, antivirus or firewall prompts appeared.
Rope Stuck Or Raft Rope Problems
Patch 1.7.1 calls out two rope fixes: underpass handrails and dropping onto a raft. If you are searching for a Friendly Steps online fix because the rope traps your group, make sure the host and every player have updated before retesting.
A clean rope report should include the route, number of players, host player, whether Collision or No Collision was enabled, and whether the rope recovered after everyone stopped moving. Short clips are especially useful because normal rope tension can look similar to a collision bug.
Online Co-op And Multiplayer Connection
Friendly Steps supports Single-player, Online Co-op and LAN Co-op on Steam. For online co-op problems, check the platform basics before calling it a game bug:
- Confirm every player is on the same current Steam build.
- Restart Steam for host and clients.
- Start a fresh lobby instead of reusing a failed session.
- Disable VPNs temporarily and approve firewall prompts.
- Check Steam overlay and Steam networking status.
- Test whether LAN Co-op or solo play works on the same machine.
- Switch host once to see whether the failure follows one player or one lobby.
If only one friend cannot join, record who hosts, who fails, region, NAT/firewall situation and whether switching host changes the result.
Do not mix online connection problems with normal rope tension. A group can fail because one player keeps pulling the rope at a bad angle even when the lobby itself is working.
Still Needs Evidence
Historical demo/community symptoms are useful leads, but they should not be described as confirmed release bugs without a current-build reproduction. That includes old stuck-loading reports, window close problems, controller prompt quirks, microphone selection problems and display/resolution behavior.
How To Report A Clean Case
A useful launch-week report includes build version, full release or demo status, solo or online co-op, host/client role, input device, hardware specs, difficulty or collision settings, steps to reproduce, what recovered the session and whether Patch 1.7.1 changed the result.
FAQ
Did Patch 1.7.1 fix Steam failed to initialise?
Yes, the Patch 1.7.1 notes list a fix for the Steam failed to initialise error that appeared after repeated clicking while loading. Update first, then retest.
Did Patch 1.7.1 fix rope stuck bugs?
It lists fixes for rope stuck in underpass handrails and rope stuck when dropping onto a raft. Other rope reports still need route-specific evidence.
Should I use Collision or No Collision?
Use No Collision while learning or troubleshooting. Use Collision if you want the harder physics behavior, and reserve Hardcore for experienced players.
Where should I go next?
- Controls explains independent leg movement and the Collision, No Collision and Hardcore settings.
- Release Date tracks the launch date and patch timeline.
- Demo separates historical demo notes from the full release.
Sources
Last updated 2026-09-07.