Can't connect to session - PS3 Version

[syberspunk]

I tried searching the forums and checking the FAQ before posting this... I don't know if this is a simple problem, but a friend and I were trying to do multiplay for the first time today. He attempted to send me an invitation, which I tried to accept. Once I tried to join, I got a message on the screen:

Can't connect to session.


I attempted several times, to no avail. We tried it the other way, and I sent him an invitation, but he is getting the same problems. He can't connect to me either.

Anybody have any idea what the problem might be? Could it possibly be firewall related? Is it something totally simple that we aren't setting it up or choosing the correct options properly? We are totally confused. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.


Ste

[syberspunk]

Ok, I just tried going online and searching for other players. So far, when I try to search for other players while having the drums selected, it just seems to sit there. However, I was able to connect to a session as a guitar player. So, is it just something specifically wrong with my drums? It seems to work ok offline, when I play locally... :(


Ste

[hypothetical]

Yeah, it looks like we are having the same problem. We can't connect to each other, but we can both play random people online ONLY IF we are playing the guitar. When I try to search for people while having the drums or the mic selected, it just searches and searches and never connects with anyone.

I tried switching from wireless to wired (internet connection) with no change. My PS3 is in DMZ at NAT 2 and I don't have any problems online with any other games. :confused:

P.S. one more thing we tried was connecting to each other while both having the guitar selected and that didn't work either. Boo-hiss.

[MinionInNC]

Have the same problem here.

[gauge]

I'm having the exact problem. My friend and I are both Wireless and have DMZ enabled and are both NAT 2. I can search for players and connect to them and play that way but whenever I do a friend invite and he tries to join me he gets a can't connect to session window. Same thing happens when he tries to host a game. I don't know the problem, it seems stupid I can connect to random people in the world but not a friend of mine.

[webduelist]

Nats sometimes become really strict make sure they are open.

[gauge]

We are both using DMZ, which means that the playstation is open to everything in the world. The only way to get it to NAT 1 is to hook it up wired. It can't be something with the NAT type.

[IAOA001]

I'm wondering where exactly along the line the games connect, as this seems eerily familiar to the problem plaguing multiplayer connections on Guitar Hero III. For both games, it seems the problem is largely with Playstation 3 users specifically, rather than across all consoles. With both games, it doesn't seem likely that routers or firewalls are causing the problem, as messing with both yield little to no results. So, I have to wonder, if the consoles connect directly and try to sync with each other, maybe this can be fixed in a future System Update. Or, if there's a central server sitting around someplace acting as a hub for everyone else to connect to, it could be a problem there. In any case, this is all just speculation, but I still have to believe the problem, whatever it is, lies with EA/Harmonix's hardware, rather than whatever setup we're using at home.

[gauge]

So has anyone figured out a way to fix this yet or am I stuck with a game that doesn't work right?

[hypothetical]

I'm still having problems, too. I wonder if there's someone we could call about this. It's really frustrating as I bought this game mainly for online play. Grr.

[smokinjoe]

I am using PS3 and I selected multiplayer, then band quickplay. It seems I have to be the owner then it searches for other people and it has found random people for me to play with. I can't figure out how to do this so it will just search for me to join. Or when I am on join (Not to be the leader) it just sits there forever. Only help I can give you there. Also I am on Nat 2 no dmz.

[gauge]

Well, since noone has updated this I suppose I thought I should. I have contacted EA a few times now and after them getting past the fact that I'm not stupid and know what I am doing they realize it is on their end. They had me do a tracert and poll it and it was what I suspected, the problem is on their end. Anyways, I submitted the info to them and they said they would be looking into it. Hopefully it won't take too long.

[syberspunk]

Thanks gauge for looking into this! I really appreciate the feedback. It would be nice to like actually get an official word from... well, the official people (i.e. the developers/publishers). :(

And it really sucks that the PS3 version also gets the shaft when it comes to compatibility with the Guitar Hero III controller. :mad: That was one of the key incentives for getting GHIII. I mean, I love the GH series, and GHIII is still pretty rockin', but I was hoping that I wouldn't have to buy yet another guitar controller. I have my old PS2 wired guitar controller, and that won't even work well with GHIII. :rolleyes: I also have a wireless controller... which I suppose I could try... but that one worked for Guitar Hero I & II for the PS2, so I imagine it would have the same problem as Rock Band... I just hope that this is fixable by patch.


Ste

[KanedaGS]

Add me to the list of people not being able to invite friends to play but play strangers from around the globe. This is strike number 2 for the PS3 version. The first strike was the non-compatiblity between the GHIII PS3 guitar and RB. I'm starting to regret my purchase the more this goes on. Hope they fix this quick!

[gauge]

Threads get buried kind of quick on the forums so I was wondering if anyone has heard anything. I showed EA it was something on their end, but no word on if they are even working on fixing the problem. Another thing that upsets me about Rock Band...the 360 version has 1080p support and the PS3 version only has 720p....how hard is it to incorporate 1080p for the ps3 when it has a superior graphics engine...seriously.

[hypothetical]

Well, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm assuming This Post (http://community.rockband.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=11916) kind of "addresses" the issue. I'm going to try some troubleshooting in the next few days and post my findings in that thread with a link to this one. I haven't even been able to play this week because of work and school.

[gauge]

The only thing that says is to open up ports on your router. I have DMZ enabled so that doesn't matter at all. I am about to take this thing back, I'm sick of dealing with it. I have had a troubleshooting ticket in with EA for almost a week with multiple responses regarding my PS3 version of rockband. Here is a tad bit of info that they have sent me back:

Response (EA Tech Marco A.) 11/29/2007 03:33 PM
Hello Kyle,

I apologize that you are still having issues trying to play the game online with your friend.
The cause of the problem appears to be the NAT'ing on routers. Go to the System blade and do a network test. The last setting `NAT` is the one you should be concerned with. For flawless xbox live play this needs a result of OPEN. anything else ( Strict or moderate) will cause you problems connecting to other people/hearing them etc.
.......and it goes on...but wait, he is talking about an Xbox360!!! The troublecall is for a PS3! Not to mention the 3 other techs who have responded all talked about my PS3 and the DMZ was already mentioned. But wait, he responded to me again a little while ago after I asked wtf he was doing talking about an xbox360 (didn't actually say wtf).

Response (EA Tech Marco A.) 11/29/2007 07:09 PM
Hello Kyle,

I do apologize for the previous responses, and gave you a wrong response about the issue. I did a check as well with the trace route that you have provided us and base on hop one you are not able to send any information to the servers. This may also be one of the causes that can prevent you from going online with other players as you have stated.

Host Name IP Address Hop Ping Time Ping Avg % Loss Pkts r/s Ping best/worst
* Unknown Host * 192.168.254.254 1 0ms 0ms 0% 101 / 101 0ms / 0ms
* Unknown Host * 74.40.8.58 2 20ms 19ms 0% 101 / 101 17ms / 83ms

Amazing! Not only does he not know how to read what system I have but he has no idea how networking works! Of course I'm going to get 0ms on the first hop...it's my freaking router! He just keeps babbling about something he knows nothing about! I work for a university troubleshooting networking problems all day. And apparently it worked because all 101 packets were sent! The idiots that work for EA...sheesh.

[Amputator]

Ok this is what's happening with mines.
I've connected with my neighbor which is a street away from me, and that worked fine.
But when I try to connect with anyone else it gives me that message both ways. I really don't see what's the problem.

[hypothetical]

The only thing that says is to open up ports on your router. I have DMZ enabled so that doesn't matter at all. <snip>

Yeah, that's why I put "addresses" in quotes. :) Doesn't really help if you already have your ports open, but it's the only post by them I've seen regarding connection problems.

Anyway, I feel like a bit of a tool now. I finally had some time to fool around with the game again last night and do some troubleshooting and, while doing so, realized that my PS3 was in fact no longer in DMZ, nor had it been since I got the game. I recently moved all my A/V equipment, and when I reconnected the PS3, I recalibrated the internet connection and must have been in a rush and hit automatic on everything. :o

After "DMZ-ing" my system again, I was able to connect with the mic and the drums online and play, so it looks like that was a port issue, after all. However, I have not been able to test it again with syberspunk (my friend I couldn't connect to before). So, I'm not absolutely sure my probs have been fixed yet. Hopefully we can test it out tonight.

Also, sorry to hear about you tech support misadventures. I have gone through similar exchanges with other tech support (dealing with another game), and I know how frustrating it is when you know a lot more than the tech who is supposed to be helping you.

[gauge]

EA is trying to expand to quickly. They end up acquiring all of these companies and are spread too thin and then there customer support sucks. I purchased another EA game (Hellgate London) a month ago and had a problem. The digital downloader was broken and I couldn't install the game. Took them a week of fixing and working things out before they admitted it to them having the problem and they didn't know how to fix it at the time so I had to get somewhat angry with them before they would give me a refund. The games they are releasing are great, but the quality of service they offer is dismal at best.

[EAxViolet]

I do apologize if you have already tried this, but I need to verify that your connections are setup properly for the PS3 before we can investigate this further. Please check out the link below and setup your connection according to the information provided.

Connection Troubleshooting for Playstation 3:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=18474

If you are still having the issue please reply back so that I can have this looked into.

~Violet

[gauge]

Well I can't connect directly unless you want to send me a 60 foot ethernet cable. I do have DMZ enabled though which means I don't have to worry about any port problems.

[JediCruz]

Again, these messages get buried quickly. Has there been a solution to this or this EA again saying "Oh, PS3 gamers having these issues? Who cares about the PS3." I say that since some big shot from EA stated the they hate the PS3. Anyway, that aside. These should have been resolved already! Already opened the ports & blah, blah, blah. Still nogo. Anyone have any luck with resolving this issue?

[j7wb07]

Similar problem here too! I cannot even connect to the leader boards, as no names/scored even show up. The system just keeps saying "Connecting to Rock Central." Then it tells me I have been disconnected. If I do try to play online, I can find random people to play with, but the second my "part" starts on the song, I get disconnected. I find that I get disconnected randomly from the PS3 network while playing RB locally also (the message in the upper right hand corner tells me I was disconnected.) When I play locally, my scores are only occasionally sent to Rock Central...or at least the "Save" dialogue says that the game is connecting. It happens very infrequently though.

By the way, I too am trying to play wirelessly (router is 250ft away,) I get a constant 75-80% signal from the router though. I tested Motorstorm on online play, and it worked flawlessly, so I do not think it has to do with signal strength.

I have tried opening the neccessary ports, AND putting the PS3 in the DMZ. No luck.

C'mon HMX. Let's get a patch for this already! :mad:

[lennynchristine5]

I too have this problem. All I do is either unplug my router and it fixes itself or just keep playing and it eventually fixes itself.

[N8MAN1068]

There are a ton of these threads. It'd be nice to have 1 main official thread that was moderated. List all troubleshooting steps, and only respond to appropriate questions in the thread....all other questions should be deleted.

On my PS3 (Would also be nice to have support sub forums to differentiate between consoles), I am on Nat-2, and am on the DMZ. Router is a Linksys WRT-54G with hyper-wrt firmware, with the PS3 getting 100% signal strength.

Sometimes I can connect, sometimes not. The past 2 times I could connect, it seems that if I use the regular ps3 controller, it will not connect. If I play a single song in quickplay or so, and then go back to try to connect, it works.

This could just be me and how I see it, and not factual at all.

I think long term use of the PS3 in a DMZ is a security hazard and ultimately not a viable solution. My own system is in the dmz, as ports 80+443 are needed by a server in my network.

My guess is these issues are related to time outs on the EA side. Other games I can play online with no issue (Resistance, MotorStorm)

[txg8r]

Hi all,
I also had not seen any problems playing any other games online with the PS3 (TW08, NCAA08, Motorstorm) and my friends and I had previously had this issue (could invite each other, but not connect). One difference from some other folks is that I could see the leaderboards.

We enabled the DMZ for our PS3 and had no problems - we were so happy it worked, we didnt go back and disable DMZ to confirm the problem returned. So, I cant say for sure it was enabling the DMZ, or if there was some server issue that got resolved. Next time we are on - we'll try disabling DMZ to see if invites fail again, and if that is the case, I may try enabling only the specific ports that EAViolet mentions above.

[bmj14772]

Just got broadband... Trying to hook up the multiplayer for Rock Band!

Specifications:
PS3 60GB
DSL 1.5Mbps Down / 384 Kbps Up
Wireless Connection throug D-Link Router DI-524
No Firewall for testing (All ports listed below have been opened on modem and router)
NAT Type 2 (result from network test on PS3)
32ms Ping (ping result for friend that I am trying to connect to)


Exact Same problem!! I am able to connect to random people on Band Quickplay, Tug of War and Score Duel. However, when I send an invitation to friends they always get the 'Can't connect to session' window. We have also tried the invitation the other way around and I get the 'Can't connect to session' window. :mad:

We have even tried running through the Search at the same time with no luck. We haven't even seen the same people pass through. Several hours now of talking on the phone and monitoring the search results for multiplayer. Of course, after a certain amount of time the search gives up (without an error or status message) so we have to restart the search.

Anyone have an idea on what we are all missing?

Has anyone been successful in getting an invitation to work?

OK... I have put several more hours of testing / configuring into this. As per several references to the Port #'s that I found, I added the appropriate Ports as follows (I have a D-Link DI-524 & Speedstream 4200 DSL Modem) Added the following entries to both:
Enabled
Name: PS3-1
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 80
Public Port: 80
Schedule: Always

Enabled
Name: PS3-2
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 443
Public Port: 443
Schedule: Always

Enabled
Name: PS3-3
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 5223
Public Port: 5223
Schedule: Always

Enabled
Name: PS3-4
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 3478
Public Port: 3478
Schedule: Always

Enabled
Name: PS3-5
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 3479
Public Port: 3479
Schedule: Always

Enabled
Name: PS3-6
Private IP: The IP of my PS3
Protocol Type: Both (TCP & UDP)
Private Port: 3658
Public Port: 3658
Schedule: Always

If you need assistance with your router click here (http://www.portforward.com/routers.htm).

I am able to download game content, chat, view the leaderboards, etc... We spent several hours on the phone and PS3 last night trying the above configurations on both ends. I even tried the DMZ option for my PS3 with no luck.

Still Not able to connect to a friend in any online multiplayer portion of the game!! :mad:

[1natjdt2]

I am also having this issue and have spoken with EA who seem to be unaware of the friend invitation feature altogether. Sony requested I forward all the necessary ports, the person whom I am trying to invite also has the same setup. I would just like to know whose end is the problem so I can call the right support people and not waste anymore time. I don't pretend to know how any of this works, but I can play in the random online area and not the invite. Aren't the necessary connections between users similar? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[stefilini]

I, too, cannot connect to my friend's invitation and vice versa. I have already set my router up to forward the specific Sony ports and have a NAT 2 connection. I have played many games online with no problem, including warhawk, call of duty 4, motorstorm, resistance. Therefore, I am sure it is not a problem with my connection. I've searched but I don't see a solution for this. Is EA going to give us an update to fix this?

[bunyen]

Also having the same problem...even opened all ports and enabled DMZ and still nothing. Like others have had no other problems with other games!!!:mad:

[Thebardicone]

My friend and I cannot accept each others invites now either. Thing is... we were able to do it just fine before the end of December. With no changes on our sides of the network now we cannot accept invites. Can still access leaderboards and can still join random pick-up bands though.

And... I know how to handle ports on a router. Unless they somehow set it to use more ports than they are telling us they are functioning correctly.

[Zotmaster]

Enabling DMZ did not work. I have the same problem most other people do and it applies to roughly 75% of the people on my Friends list: either they can't join my games, or I can't join theirs, or just a moment, both.

[iBallz]

Add my name to the list of people that can't connect on an invite. I have a very similar situation as all of these people. Maybe if enough people post here some higher ups will finally notice and give an official response.

[funkho]

I am also having this issue. In addition, I have two friends who I am trying to connect to and they are getting the error.

I can connect randomly to people with no issues.

What is the deal with this problem? How come I can go play the Burnout Paradise DEMO with the same people without any issues. Yet playing the game that I paid for gives me (and others) this error??

uPnP is available to the PS3. As I said, other games are working just fine. I'd like to know if there's an update to these issues.

[Bozack]

Having exactly the same problem. I had a RB party a couple weeks ago, and since then 4 friends have also gone out and shelled out 600 bucks for a PS3 and RB, and ALL of us are having the same issue--none of us can connect to each other, at all.

Fix your ****. At the very least, reply to this thread with something other than a "lolz forward ur portz noobz" response.

[midgetspy]

I have the same problem, since it's obviously a problem with the game not our networks.

Everybody please go to http://www.support.ea.com and create a ticket about this - they can (and do) just ignore the forums but they have to at least acknowledge that the tickets exist. Especially if there are hundreds... so do it! Mention that you will be telling your friends not to buy the game because you can't play online with them.

[BigZ7337]

I'm having the same problem on my xbox 360. Mine is wierder though in that i can connect with most people through game invites except for 5 or so people (I have close to 100 friends). When I accept the invite nothing happens, doesn't even give me an error code. So I assume something is screwey with the EA servers, by the way I've already tried a bunch of things to fix it, and my internet is fine.

[funkho]

Still no resolution here.

Just bumping this thread, hoping for a response...

What's going on?

[STLnCHI]

ive had this problem before when tryin to do a GB battle...after we both reset our routers it eventually worked...dont know exactly what fixed it but it def took a little time and couple resets of the routers.

[StarShaped]

A friend of mine and I also get the Cannot Connect to Session message. We can do everything else online (joining other parties, etc.) but cannot join via a Friend Request.

This is pathetic, EA, and is nothing to do with port settings on my router as everything else works OK so please look into this and sort it out ASAP.

[KEFIOX]

I've been having the same problem for quite some time now and was wondering if anybody has found a perma-fix. Whenever I try to play with friends/family it tells me I can't connect (both me sending/recieving the invite) but when I play with complete strangers it works. Hmmmm....interesting.

[burble07]

I tried playing online for the first time last night with a friend. We were getting the same problem: When we used an invite, we both got "Can't Connect to Session" Finding Random players worked fine.

[megamanx117]

ok so i have a couple things to post in response to this issue and the actions being taken and such...

1. these forums are stupid cause no issues are being solved at all, and same with emailing them they just give me another email to contact and ect...

2. the problem isnt with just inviting friends, its inviting certain friends. i can invite my one friend no problem and play online with me all we want and vis versa. it seems like the problem is a connection between me and my other friend were the network seems to repel each other.



lets see if i can draw a clear picture of the problem...
i can connect with friend "A" but not friend "B"
friend "A" can connect with friend "B" but cannot connect with me when friend "B" is in the game with him.
friend "B" can connect with friend "A" but still not me
i can search and join peoples games and even friend "A" game but anywhere friend "B" is i wont connect...



these issues have nothing to do with network set up or anything on our end. its an issue with the game server and stuff. they just keep giving the same response about how it has to do with our network. that would make no sense cause then one of the three of me and my friends wouldnt be able to connect to anyones games in that case...

[Purist]

Megaman, you've described my problem. I can connect to player B on my Friends list, but not to player C. If B hosts a game, and C joins, and I try to also join, then I get the same "Can't Connect" problem. Angers me to no end.

[midgetspy]

I created a ticket about this but EA just kept feeding me "it's a problem with your internet connection" bull****. At this point, all I want is for HMX to admit it's a problem. I'm not holding my breath, though... especially since it doesn't seem to affect 360 players.

[megamanx117]

I created a ticket about this but EA just kept feeding me "it's a problem with your internet connection" bull****. At this point, all I want is for HMX to admit it's a problem. I'm not holding my breath, though... especially since it doesn't seem to affect 360 players.

i messaged them with the exact same thing i wrote and they wont even reply to it, ive been emailing them and stuff for a week now and no response about it, they probably realized that i have a point and they just cant be lazy about it this time...

[Griminal]

So people have been dealing with this since November and the only reply is check your router settings. I'm having the same issue here. Just like every other post, I can play online just fine, but as soon as I try to make a game with my friend who literally lives about 10 minutes from me I get the "cannot connect" message.


I just want to know what the problem is. I've searched all over the net, and found countless topics just like this, with no solution or even much of a suggestion for a solution.

[joshtheking20]

All i can say is i have the same problem ... Go to search for players and it just says SEARCHING...Constantly - had it sitting there for 20 mins and all i got was SEARCHING...jesus i wish they would sort this out - _ -

[MSG__]

same problem as all of you.

[Wormwood]

Sigh. Same problem. Can't play with friends.:mad:

[DollaBill40]

Same problem.

[Griminal]

gotta love this superb customer service and tech support help.

[midgetspy]

If they don't admit there's a problem they don't have to fix it... brilliant strategy.

[terrorvision]

Someone posted that forwarding port 9103 worked for him. I tried it and it worked for me too. Don't say "mine is on DMZ". My PS3 was also on DMZ and I couldn't connect until I forwarded port 9103.

[biznart]

Not sure if I also forwarded 9103, but I did forward a number of ports in an attempt to get NAT 2. When that didn't work, I left all those settings in place and added my PS3 to the DMZ. That got me NAT 2, and I haven't received the "cannot connect" error since adjusting those settings.

My PS3 connects wirelessly to a Linksys WRT54G with the latest firmware (upgraded 2-3 weeks ago), and there's probably 40-50 feet and a few walls between the devices.

[midgetspy]

Someone posted that forwarding port 9103 worked for him. I tried it and it worked for me too. Don't say "mine is on DMZ". My PS3 was also on DMZ and I couldn't connect until I forwarded port 9103.

I think it's 99&#37; likely that your problem isn't actually fixed, it just happened to work the time you tried it after forwarding 9103. DMZ means that every single port (incl 9103) is forwarded to your PS3, so there is literally no difference between DMZ and DMZ + forwarding 9103. If it did indeed fix it then that means there's something wrong with how your router does its DMZ, heh.

That said I'll try it anyway, I have nothing to lose...

[Mr_eX]

Same problem on the Xbox 360. Very frustrating.

An EA game showing its quality...

[elfreako]

Alright I had the issue too, and I beleive it's fixed now. Here's everything I did, though I'm not sure which one pinpoints to the trouble.

Original setup:

Apple wireless access point --- Juniper NS-5GT firewall --- ADSL modem --- Internet

I tried mapping all the mentioned ports on the 5GT, which is also the PPPoE client. That did not work. So I went to more drastic measures.

Current setup:

Apple access point (private) --- Juniper NS-5GT --- ISP Access point (dmz) --- Internet

I now connect to a different SSID with my PS3, in front of my firewall. I've set the IP addresses to static. I put the PS3 in DMZ mode on the ISP router AND I forwarded all the required TCP-UDP ports (see thread). I've enabled UPnP (terrible protocol) on the ISP router. At that point I was still getting NAT 3 so I didn't test if I could connect with Rock Band. What I had to change to get NAT 2 is setting up the DNS on the PS3 to my ISP's DNS servers, and not the router's internal IP as anyone with any common sense would do.

So far it seems to have fixed the trouble. Which step did it, I don't know. At some point I'll remove the mapping for port 80 since I need to host web servers, hopefully it will still work. I'll post again if the error ever reoccurs. Now I killed media sharing in the process. If anyone has the exact requirements of MediaLink (including multicast) and what I might have missed in my firewall config, I'd love to hear it.

[alpha_ex]

I paid $400 for this game because EA seem to hate Europe and forgot to release it here. Finally find people to play with online but I can only connect to a few of my friends, the rest it just shows the very unhelpful message,

Can't connect to the session.

Developers, it's not hard to output an error code so we know what the problem might be.

This is so frustrating, thanks EA.

[TaDow]

:mad::mad:I can play online WITH STRANGERS on Call of Duty 4, Motorstorm, and Rockband. I cannot play Rockband with friends online....says "Cannot connect to Session". My friend can invite me and it says that...I can invite him and he gets the same message. How can I play online with strangers, but not with him???? Any suggestions????:confused:

[midgetspy]

There's no fix TaDow, it is a bug with RB. There are over 30 threads about this issue on the forums yet EA/HMX has yet to even acknowledge that it's a problem, so I imagine the chances of it getting fixed are pretty slim.

[AKIRA-UK]

Getting this bug too. Happens when connection to 2 people I know, yet its fine connection to one friend, and strangers. REALLY annoying

Also, nat is type 2 and DMZ set up

[midgetspy]

Bumping this because this is fricking ridiculous... the game's primarily aimed at multiplayer and the multiplayer doesn't even work.

[agrabren]

Someone needs to start a class action suit against Harmonix and EA. That'll get them to sit up and answer. They can ignore the forums, they can ignore their own support tickets. They can't ignore that, because they could stand to lose a lot of money (basically, a partial refund for every copy they sold to PS3 users). It's a feature they advertised, which is not available to people. It's false advertising.

I'm in the same boat, I'll give 'em two months (since I'm doing a lot of travel) then I might start one myself.

[midgetspy]

If that's actually feasible that would be awesome... they're very good indeed at ignoring these forums. I even PM'd the URL of this thread to a moderator, but apparently it's not important enough to warrant a response.

[Matt17000]

Same problem too... It's very very very frustrating...

Ps3 on dmz, port opened and... Can't Connect Error...

Thanks EA & HMX

[Tralcave]

Agree. Been browsing the forums lately, can't seem to find a sollution on this problem. But for my point of view EA / Harmonix guys better fix this. They can't promis a multiplayer game with friends connections that doesn't even work. That's too low.

EA do we get some answers ?

[Matt17000]

For me it's okay with the new 2.35 FW. And you ?

[jader201]

Just adding my name to the list of those that keep getting this error when responding to invites. :(

"Can't connect to the session."

[Khessed]

Sorry for the necro-bump, but since this STILL isn't adressed, i want to add my name to the list. the lastest Firmware update didn't do anything for me , like it did for Matt17000.

[Baratus]

Still broken. Fix please.

[supersickie]

An e-mail that I sent HMX. The formatting's not quite right, but it's clear what I was going for at the time:

As I'm sure you're aware, there are a great number of people with this issue. However, assuming that you know nothing of the problem at hand, I'll do my best to explain in the greatest of detail.

First, my network connection as well as my friend's is certainly established; we play Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare online as well as Rock Band on a nearly daily basis. However, we don't play Rock Band together as we "Can't Connect to Session". We receive this error after both accepting the invitation and choosing our rocker. Once we hit "Continue", a "Please Wait" box appears for roughly ten seconds and we receive the aforementioned message concerning the connection.
A slightly different scenario ends in the same result. For the purposes of clarity, let's say:

Jason (that's me) = A
Dan (the other guy) = B
Random Friend = C

So, _A_ sends invitation to _C_ and _B_. _C_ is able to connect with _A_, but _B_ is not. Then, _B_ invites both _A_ and _C_. _C_ is able to connect with _B_, but A is not. As a last resort, _C_ invites both _A_ and _B_. This last scenario lends the same result, but it's all the more interesting. Let's say that _A_ accepts the invitation and joins the group before _B_. That's fine and dandy; he's in the group with _C_. However, once _A_ has joined with _C_ then _B_ is unable to connect. However - and this is where is gets interesting - as soon as _A_ backs out of the group, _B_ is then able to join with _C_. Same invitation and everything.
And it doesn't necessarily stop there. To add insult to injury, _A_ and _B_ have been able to connect in the past. Our network connections haven't changed one iota, but our ability to play Rock Band as it was meant to be played certainly has. However - being the lifelong skeptic that I am - I made certain that both of our network settings met the EA standards and they definitely are up to snuff. I've made sure all bases are covered, but I have no answer to my problem up this point.

Now, I'm a firm believer that the answer to any and all questions can be found via a quick Google search. Sadly, even Google was unable to come through for me in concern to this issue. This problem dates back 11/23/2007... I'm certain you already know, but that's a mere three days after the initial release of Rock Band. Here's a link to one of the sites concerning the issue:

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9807

In case you didn't notice right away, that's from the Rock Band forum. My intention here is not one of malice; I have enjoyed the product of the hard working folk of Harmonix dating back to Frequency and Amplitude. However, I'm sure they all say that, huh?

Either way, I'm only writing as a concerned and loyal customer. Although it is clear that your Sony base is not as large as that of Microsoft, I feel it is unfair to let such a widespread issue across a single platform has not been addressed. After all, it wasn't too long ago that Microsoft users were treated to a patch that rid them of the dreaded "Loading Additional Content" screen at startup.

It's clear that issue was widespread and Harmonix did something about it. I'm here to say that there's nothing more annoying than owning at least $50 worth of DLC and not being able to play it alongside a friend that has shelled out the same amount of hard-earned cash. We support your product; we feel it's time that you offer a little support in return. Again, this message was never intended to be snide, malicious, rude, or anything remotely resembling a negative nature; I'm just a paying customer that would like an answer to my problem. Even if the answer isn't good news, the fact that it has been addressed will still count for something.

Respectfully,
Jason Sickmeier
PSN: supersickie

[supersickie]

The response:

Hey Jason,

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you've been experiencing. My best
guess is that it's a network setup issue (although it's bizarre that you
say it worked and then later stopped working w/ users _A_ and _B_.

I would try opening the ports listed at this site:
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=184
74a

Please let me know if that works for you. If you have questions about
how to open ports properly on your router, please consult your router
(or your ISP's) manual/guidebook.

Best,
John

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond and making a genuine effort to remedy the situation, but I have - like so many others - already tried opened the ports that were specified.

[chaosinc]

/signed

Still can't connect to 50% of my friends.

[bullpoop04]

bump. still no fix? this is obnoxious.

[yoonmsu]

well i had this prob for a while and i ended up buying brand new everthing. but what i think worked was my router was about 1 year old and was made by belkin, so changed to new belkin and that was worse. so after 2 days traded the belkin for a linksys wireless n broadband modelWRT160N, and works perfect now.

[drtrogg]

I just picked up a PS3 and had this problem too. Could connect with strangers, but not friends by invite.

Tried all the port stuff, enabled uPnP, set up as a DMZ, did port forwarding, static IP, direct connection - no love.

Then - honest to god - I noticed the invites from people were an hour off, so I enabled daylight savings on my PS3 - still no love. BUT when I checked my router I noticed it was off too. So I enabled Daylight savings there and things just started working all of a sudden.

Since then I've backed off the DMZ stuff, but left forwarding and static IP setup. And it still works.

So, maybe check your time setup on your modem (and maybe PS3 ?) Seems to have fixed it for me.

For the record, I have a USR8054 modem.

[Urasawa]

My friend has just bought rock band but... "Can't connect to the session" :(

[KEFIOX]

So, maybe check your time setup on your modem (and maybe PS3 ?) Seems to have fixed it for me.

How did you change the time settings on your router? I can't find that anywhere. For the record I use a Netgear WGR614 (http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/netgear-wgr614-54-mbps/4505-3319_7-21218238.html)

[TheKrazyKatzzz]

Was there ever an answer to this problem? It's gotten really bad for me lately, maybe connected to disconnects during game sessions?

[ElPinko]

Shocking. We finally get the PS3 version in the UK and it has this problem! A year after it was first reported...

[syberspunk]

Wow. I started this thread almost a year ago. Who knew it'd get 5 stars. :D

Anyways, there's actually supposably a solution to this. Check the tech support forum here (http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22933).

In particular:



Connection Issues on PlayStation 3
The PlayStation Network requires that TCP 80, 443, 5223 and UDP 3478, and 3479 ports not be blocked. Make sure your router and ISP are both allowing use of these ports. If you are using a router, make sure it is on the list of PlayStation 3-compatible routers.

For further connection troubleshooting, please check the PlayStation Network Connection Troubleshooting answer (http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=18474) in our Support knowledge base.


Personally... I tried forwarding all those ports as suggested, and this still did not work for me completely. I still had some weird issues.

What did work for me was, putting the IP assigned to my PS3 in the DMZ. This can be done using the interface to your router. For example, I have a Linksys router, and by default, (as most routers do), I can access it from any PC in my house by going to 192.168.1.1

This will bring up the login screen for the interface to your router. If you haven't already accessed your router this way, then it probably has some default login. Check with your router's manufacturer or the manual if you have it.

You can look up the IP of your PS3 in the XMB. Once you have that IP, you can put that in your DMZ. You may have to click around the web interface to your router in order to figure out where to do this.

Once I did that, I was able to jump into matches fine, using any and all instruments. :)

It's possible that the ports they mention are not complete. Or, it's possible that the information they have now is more complete than when I first looked at. So, try the port forwarding first, and see if that helps. Otherwise, go the DMZ route. One caveat tho, is that, by putting your PS3 in the DMZ, you are possibly opening it up to hackers and viruses. But I nevar use my PS3 to browse the intarwebz anyways, and only use it for online gaming.

Oh, it would also be easier if you set your PS3 to a static ip, in case you ever turn off your PS3 and/or router. If your PS3 gets dynamically assigned an IP, and that IP changes, you would have to make sure to change the DMZ info so it matches.

Hope this helps. :)


Ste

[Linger]

My GHIII controller works with rockband! They patched it awhile ago!

[FReyes]

Yo that i did DMZ thing and was able to play fine but when i put it in DMZ i cant browse the web on my pc

[maleficent]

It's quite amazing this thread has been going since 2007. After googling this issue with no answer besides the port issues that OBVIOUSLY does not fix the issue for pretty much anyone, it's sad this has never been addressed. Anyone out there get this working?? All my ports are fine. NAT 2, all ports open. Can connect with most but a few particular friends I cannot connect to either way. HELP.

[Doom878]

Bump. I have this issue as well. Especially with one of my friends.

[ADBjester]

Bump. I have this issue as well. Especially with one of my friends.

I was running into this last night with Jem-Hedar. I'm a Network Engineer by trade (in a former job), so I know my settings are correct. (I double-checked them anyway).

The DMZ did not work.

I'm contemplating deleting him as a friend and sending a new invite, to see if reconstructing the "friend" record at the PSN level is a fix.

Jester

[Doom878]

That's funny. I actually had played once with Jem-Hedar but then never again as it stopped working. I'm almost positive it was Jem. Let us know how it goes, Jester.

[TechHit]

Jason (that's me) = A
Dan (the other guy) = B
Random Friend = C

So, _A_ sends invitation to _C_ and _B_. _C_ is able to connect with _A_, but _B_ is not. Then, _B_ invites both _A_ and _C_. _C_ is able to connect with _B_, but A is not. As a last resort, _C_ invites both _A_ and _B_. This last scenario lends the same result, but it's all the more interesting. Let's say that _A_ accepts the invitation and joins the group before _B_. That's fine and dandy; he's in the group with _C_. However, once _A_ has joined with _C_ then _B_ is unable to connect. However - and this is where is gets interesting - as soon as _A_ backs out of the group, _B_ is then able to join with _C_. Same invitation and everything.
And it doesn't necessarily stop there. To add insult to injury, _A_ and _B_ have been able to connect in the past. Our network connections haven't changed one iota, but our ability to play Rock Band as it was meant to be played certainly has.


I'm having the exact same problem! HMX need to fix this!

[Death Goddess]

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
OMG...I'm so frustrated. I'm having the same problem!!! We have played with our friend since December with no problems ... until last week. Now we cannot connect to each other. We have not A) changed any settings, B) changed providers, C) we ARE nat type 2, and no its not our firewall. Please someone explain to me this scenario... I'm being told by Sony that the issue is on my end ... if so why can we NOT connect on Rock Band, but 2 minutes later we CAN connect on Resident Evil!?!

And don't bother calling anyone...you'll just get a run around..EA says they cannot give you Harmonix's info but to google their number ... Harmonix has a recording telling you to call EA ... Sony says its your internet provider who in turn says its the game and we begin the circle chain again.

[Doom878]

Sony tech support is dumber than dirt. They think it's against their policy to share PSN games. I have to direct them to their own web site everytime.

[TechHit]

Guys, I have found a WORKING SOLUTION to this problem. THIS IS NOT A JOKE.

http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2219008#post2219008

[Doom878]

Thanks for the info. I posted in that other section. Sadly, it will get fewer hits but it is in the right section.

[davebloke]

Yup your not the only ones having this problem me and my brother are desperate to play each other online but as with you it won't connect to session. Come on ea/harmonix please sort this problem out as i like some of the other people on here paid our 50 quid simply so we can play friends and relatives online. Again i'm feeling slightly ripped off.

[Paparozzi]

Hi All,

I can't believe that all of us have the same problem. It pisses me right off that I can't connect with my one buddy. Everyone else no prob connecting but I guess EA has figured out that my buddy and I really enjoy playing Rockband together so they won't have that. To be honest i have had several and I guess i should have said SEVERAL!!! problems connecting when EA is the server. I don't kno what there problem is but FIX IT!!!.. Another famous EA game "Army of Two" Yah would have been awesome too. My formentioned friend and I both go out rent it and are just right excited to play and what happened...F@#$ing EA thats what happened.. Hey whenever you see the good old EA logo be wiery about that online, unless its Football, hockey or golf it aint connecting to your bud. Sorry just ranting but they suck balls and I hope they fix there **** because there infecting good games

[Doom878]

Out of curiousity do you have a wireless connection? I've talked to some people online that found success switching to wired. Of course it's impossible for me.

[gta_bird]

Its getting mighty close the TB:RB release and there is still tons of people that havent gotten this resolved including me and several friends. Ironically i dont have these problems on any GH games or others.

Im hardwired directley into my dsl modem whilst i have phone cords run aross my house to do this when i have a perfectly fine $100 wifi router.

[DaemonKnight]

Hmmm. That's weird. I just followed the listed instructions to DMZ my console in my router. Now, if everyone hasn't done it, then it doesn't always work. I've found that usually the people who have the problem the most and can connect with MOST people but can't connect with this person or that person, usually they are the ones who haven't done it.

Also, there are certain routers / modems that just won't let it through. I don't remember the post, but had to do with protocols.