Problems Joining a Game
Having trouble getting into a game? Below you’ll find every error message you might encounter when joining a session, along with what it means and how to fix it.
Error Messages When Joining
| Error Message | What It Means | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| ”No session found for this PIN” | The PIN is incorrect or the session doesn’t exist | Double-check the PIN with the host. Make sure you’re entering the right numbers — PINs are 6 digits. |
| ”This session is full” | The maximum player limit has been reached | Ask the host to increase the max players setting, or wait for a spot to open up. |
| ”This session has already ended” | The game is over | Ask the host to start a new session. |
| ”This session is not active” | The session was cancelled or isn’t in the right state | Check with the host about the session status. They may need to create a new one. |
| ”You are already in this session” | You tried to join a game you’re already in | You’re already in! Check if you have another tab or browser window open with the game. |
| ”A display name is required” | You didn’t enter a nickname | Type in a display name to join. The host has enabled the nickname requirement for this session. |
| ”Too many requests. Please slow down” | You’re sending too many join attempts too quickly | Take a breath, wait a few seconds, and try again. |
[!TIP] If you see “No session found for this PIN,” the most common cause is a simple typo. Ask the host to show or read the PIN again, and enter it carefully.
Can’t Scan the QR Code?
QR codes are a quick way to join, but they don’t always work perfectly. Here’s what to try:
- Make sure your camera is focused — Hold your phone steady and give it a moment to focus on the code
- Ensure the QR code is well-lit — Glare, shadows, or dim lighting can prevent your camera from reading the code
- Get the right distance — Too close or too far away can make scanning difficult. Try holding your phone about 6-12 inches from the screen
- Enter the PIN manually instead — Go to play.trivianow.net and type in the 6-digit PIN shown on the host’s screen
[!NOTE] QR codes work best when displayed on a screen at a reasonable size. If the QR code is printed very small or displayed on a low-resolution screen, manual PIN entry is your best bet.
Other Joining Issues
The join page won’t load
- Check your internet connection
- Try going directly to play.trivianow.net
- Make sure you’re not on a restricted network that blocks certain websites (some school or corporate networks may do this)
I joined but the game hasn’t started yet
- You’re in the lobby — the host hasn’t started the game yet
- Sit tight, the game will begin when the host is ready
- You should see a waiting screen with other players who have joined
I was in the lobby but got removed
- The host may have removed you from the session
- The session may have timed out due to inactivity (lobbies time out after about 30 minutes)
- Try joining again with a new PIN from the host
[!NOTE] Still stuck? Chat with Archie, our AI assistant, on the TriviaNow website , or contact our support team directly.