The best games to play with the family

Picture this: the living room is buzzing with excitement. Kids, parents, maybe even grandparents are gathered around various devices, phones and tablets in hand. You've decided on Among Us, the wildly popular game of social deduction and sneaky impostors, as tonight's family game. It's free, easy to learn on mobile (iOS/Android), PC (via Steam or Itch.io), and even Nintendo Switch, making it the perfect cross-platform contender. You create a private lobby, share the code, and... nothing. Someone can't join. The game lags uncontrollably. The dreaded "Disconnected" message appears, fracturing your crewmates and leaving a trail of frustration. Why does this happen, especially during what should be a fun, bonding experience?The problem often stems from Among Us' peer-to-peer (P2P) networking architecture. Unlike games that use central, powerful servers, Among Us sessions are typically hosted on one player's device (the room creator). This device acts as a mini-server, managing all the game logic and communication. If the host's internet is weak, their device is old, or there are network conflicts, the entire game suffers. For families, this is compounded by multiple devices competing for the same home Wi-Fi bandwidth. Understanding this is the first step to a smooth, backstabbing-good time.Causes of the Problem

Weak Host Connection: The most common culprit. The host player's upload speed is critical, as their device sends data to 3-9 other players. A poor upload speed (<5 Mbps) causes lag for everyone.

Wi-Fi Interference & Congestion: In a family home, multiple devices (phones, tablets, smart TVs, laptops) are all on the network. This congestion, especially on the crowded 2.4 GHz band, leads to packet loss and disconnections.

Strict NAT Type: Network Address Translation (NAT) is how your router manages traffic. A "Strict" or "Moderate" NAT can block the direct device-to-device connections Among Us needs, preventing players from joining.

Outdated Game Version: If one player hasn't updated the game, version mismatch errors will block them from joining lobbies.

Firewall or Antivirus Blocking: Security software on PC (and sometimes on routers) can mistakenly identify Among Us's connection attempts as a threat and block them.

Device Performance Issues: An older phone or PC hosting the game might struggle to run the game and act as the server, leading to crashes.

Quick Fix (For Impatient Users)

Switch the Host: Have the player with the best, wired internet connection (if possible) create the lobby.

Restart Everything: Close the Among Us app completely on all devices. Restart your router. Reopen the game and try again.

Verify the Code: Ensure everyone is entering the correct, case-sensitive lobby code. Codes expire after some time, so re-create if needed.

Update the Game: Check your device's app store (Google Play, App Store, Steam) for any pending updates for Among Us.

Detailed Step-by-Step SolutionsFor All Platforms (Mobile, PC, Switch):

Power Cycle Your Network: Unplug your router and modem from power for 60 seconds. Plug the modem back in, wait for it to fully boot, then plug the router in. This clears the network cache and can resolve IP conflicts.

Choose the Optimal Host: Designate the host as the person physically closest to the router, or better yet, who can connect their device via an Ethernet cable (for PC).

1. Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi Band: If your router supports it, connect the host device and as many players as possible to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network. It's less crowded and fasterthan 2.4 GHz, though it has shorter range.
2. Limit Bandwidth Competition: Before starting, ask family members to pause large downloads, video streaming on other devices, and cloud backups.
3. Check for Region Mismatch: In the Among Us main menu, ensure all players have the same server region selected (e.g., North America, Europe). This is in the bottom-right corner.

For PC (Steam) Specifics:

1. Verify Game Files (Steam): Right-click Among Us in your Steam Library > Properties > Installed Files > "Verify integrity of game files." This fixes corrupted data.
2. Allow Through Firewall:
   • Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
   • Click "Allow an app through firewall."
   • Find "Among Us" in the list. If it's not there, click "Allow another app" and browse to its installation folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Among Us). Ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked.
3. Forward Ports (Advanced - For Persistent Host): On your router's admin page, set up port forwarding for the host device's local IP address. Forward TCP/UDP port 22023. (Search "[Your Router Model] port forwarding" for exact steps).

For Mobile (iOS/Android) Specifics:

1. Clear App Cache (Android): Go to Settings > Apps > Among Us > Storage > "Clear Cache." This does not delete your progress.
2. Reinstall the App: As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall Among Us. This ensures a clean, updated installation.

Alternative Solutions if Problems Persist

• Try a Different Game Mode: If the private lobbies are unstable, try playing in public matchestogether. While less private, they are hosted on more stable, dedicatedservers.
• Use a Mobile Hotspot: If one player consistently can't join, have them try switching to acellular data hotspot (mind your data limits). This sometimes bypasseshome network issues.
• Consider a Family-Friendly Dedicated Server Game: If network issues are chronic, it might be time for a game with robust dedicated servers. Titles like Fall Guys (free, on multiple platforms) or Minecraft (Realms subscription) offer more stable connections for large family groups.

How to Prevent It From Happening Again

1. Establish a "Game Night" Router Priority: Some modern routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings. You can prioritize gaming traffic or the host device's IP address.
2. Invest in a Mesh Wi-Fi System: For large homes with dead zones, a mesh system (like Google Nest Wifior Eero) can provide strong, consistent coverage in every room.
3. Go Wired for the Host: Use an Ethernet-to-USB adapter for a mobile device or a direct cablefor a PC/laptop host. A wired connection is always the most stable.
4. Keep Everything Updated: Regularly update your game, device operating systems, and your router's firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do I need an account to play Among Us with my family?
A: No, accounts are not required for basic play. However, creating a freeaccount lets you customize your name and color permanently.

Q: Can we use voice chat within the game?
A:Among Us has a built-in text chat. For family play, it's much more fun and seamless to use an external voice app like Discord on a separate device (like a phone) or simply talk in the same room!

Q: Why does the game keep kicking us out to the main menu?
A: This is usually a host connectivity issue or a version mismatch. Ensure the host has a stable connection and that all players have updated thegame.

Q: Is Among Us appropriate for young children?
A: The cartoony violence is mild (aliens getting zapped), but the socialdeception can be tricky for some. Use the "Censor Chat" feature andconsider playing with only trusted family members in private lobbies.

Conclusion

Technical glitches shouldn't sabotage the laughter, teamwork, and playfulaccusations that make family game night special. While Among Us can be finicky, a bit of preparation—choosing the right host, managingyour home network, and following these troubleshooting steps—will ensure your crew is hunting impostors, not connectivity ghosts.

Don't let a few disconnections end the fun. Gather your crew, apply these fixes, and launch your next family meeting. The Skeld awaits your investigation! And if you're looking for more seamless options, explore our curated list of The Best Games to Play with the Family for other fantastic, connection-friendly choices.

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