For the second day in a row, Elden Ring Nightreign has disabled multiplayer passwords, leaving many players frustrated and wondering why this restriction was put in place. The decision, which appears to be temporary, is expected to be lifted on February 16. However, the move has sparked speculation that it may be related to ongoing network test issues.

Multiplayer Password matchmaking will remain unavailable for this upcoming Test Session. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and support.

— ELDEN RING (@ELDENRING) February 15, 2025

The Bumpy Start to Elden Ring Nightreign’s Network Test

Elden Ring Nightreign’s first network test launched on February 14 at 6 AM ET / 12 PM CET, but things didn’t exactly go smoothly. While the session was scheduled to last three hours, many players found themselves unable to connect after just 20 minutes. Connection errors left them locked out for the remainder of the session, making it an incredibly frustrating experience for those eager to get their first taste of the game.

Fortunately, later testing sessions over the following 48 hours saw improved stability. However, there was a catch—FromSoftware implemented additional restrictions, including the removal of multiplayer passwords. This change was first observed in the second February 14 session and remained in effect throughout the February 15 tests as well.

A day later, FromSoftware doubled down on the restriction, keeping multiplayer passwords disabled during the second network test on February 15. This session took place at 12:10 PM CET for European and Asian players and at 6 AM ET on February 16 for North American players. Ahead of the test, the developers acknowledged the restriction and apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused. However, they didn’t provide any concrete reasoning for the decision.

Why Did FromSoftware Disable Multiplayer Passwords?

While FromSoftware hasn’t given an official explanation, there are a few theories floating around. One of the most likely reasons is that the network test was struggling to handle password-based matchmaking properly.

Early reports from players suggested that multiplayer passwords were contributing to connectivity issues, making the game even harder to access. Game Rant’s own testing during the first February 14 session aligns with these claims—password-based matchmaking seemed completely unresponsive at times, leading to the assumption that it may have been interfering with the servers.

Another plausible explanation is that FromSoftware wanted to test how the servers performed without the added layer of password-based matchmaking. Since network tests are meant to identify and resolve technical issues ahead of the full launch, disabling passwords may have been a way to gather data on server performance under different conditions.

Multiplayer Passwords Expected to Return on February 16

Looking ahead, it seems like the restriction on multiplayer passwords may finally be lifted. The next Elden Ring Nightreign network test is scheduled for February 16, running from 12 PM to 3 PM CET in Europe and Asia. FromSoftware hasn’t mentioned any plans to keep passwords disabled during this session, which suggests they might finally be returning.

That said, it’s still unclear whether the restriction will be lifted for the final test, which is set to take place at 4 AM CET on February 17. Players eager to team up with their friends will need to wait for further confirmation from the developers.

Elden Ring Nightreign’s Full Release and Future Plans

Elden Ring Nightreign is set to launch on May 30, and the ongoing network test has so far been limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players. However, when the full game releases, it will also be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, ensuring a wider audience can experience FromSoftware’s latest adventure.

One of the most interesting takeaways from the network test so far is that FromSoftware is considering rebalancing the game to accommodate two-player parties. This idea has been floated in response to early feedback, as players have been expressing interest in a more structured cooperative experience.

For now, though, fans will have to wait and see how the remaining network tests unfold. If multiplayer passwords do make their return on February 16, it will be interesting to see whether connection issues persist or if the temporary removal helped FromSoftware smooth things out. Either way, with the game’s full release just a few months away, every bit of data gathered from these tests will help ensure a more polished experience at launch.