After pulling my hair out trying to host a local game for my friends without relying on Ubisoft’s sometimes-spotty servers, I finally found a stable solution. If you want to play Anno 1800 over LAN (or via Hamachi/ZeroTier) with rock-solid stability, follow this guide.
As of 2026, Anno 1800 does feature a native, "offline LAN" button in its menu. The game’s architecture relies on Ubisoft Connect servers to authenticate players and initiate multiplayer sessions, even if those players are in the same room.
Anno 1800 supports cross-platform play between Epic, Steam, and Ubisoft Connect. Crossplay is enabled by default. Anno 1800 (PC) Co-Op Information - Co-Optimus
Configure your router's port forwarding settings using the following values:
Before tweaking advanced settings, verify that every computer on the network shares an identical configuration. Tiny differences between PCs frequently cause LAN lobbies to fail. anno 1800 lan multiplayer fixed
Mastering Anno 1800 LAN Multiplayer: How to Fix Connectivity Issues permanently
Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to your user document directory: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\Anno 1800\ . Locate the folder explicitly named . Delete all files found inside this directory. 3. Bypass Steam via Ubisoft Connect Invites
If you are trying to play without a stable internet connection (but still have a LAN cable connecting your computers), or if you want to bypass regional restrictions, you can use a VPN emulator.
Click the "+" button under your name to invite your friend via Ubisoft Connect, not Steam, as Steam invites can be buggy. After pulling my hair out trying to host
Despite recent fixes, desyncs can still occur in long sessions—especially with 4+ players. Save regularly and consider establishing a rotating "host" if one player consistently experiences performance issues.
Before you and your friends sit down for a local game night, run through this checklist to minimize the chances of connection failures:
: If your PC has multiple adapters (like Hamachi or VirtualBox), the game may try to connect through the wrong one. Disable any secondary or virtual adapters to force the game onto your primary LAN connection.
The co-op mode works regardless of which DLCs are installed, but if you want to use specific expansion content, all players must own it. This applies to major DLCs like Sunken Treasures, The Passage, and Land of Lions. The game’s architecture relies on Ubisoft Connect servers
Execute the following network commands sequentially, pressing after each line:
The absolute most effective fix for local network groups is disabling IPv6. Forcing Windows to utilize IPv4 removes conflict layers during client handshakes. Press the , type ncpa.cpl , and hit Enter.
Click . Click Change settings (requires administrator privileges). Locate Anno 1800 and Ubisoft Connect in the list. Check both Private and Public boxes for both applications.
: If you hit an immediate desync when loading a save: