You load up Escape from Tarkov, ready for a raid in PvE mode. Everything seems fine until a pop-up appears: “An error occurred during matching.” You press retry, but nothing changes. Whether you’re using mods like SPT-AKI or just trying the base game’s offline mode, this guide will help you fix the problem.
This issue blocks players from entering raids and is especially common in PvE or co-op setups. It happens for different reasons, and fixing it depends on your setup.
What Does “An Error Occurred During Matching” Mean in Tarkov?
This message means the game could not connect you to a raid server or start an instance. In PvE, especially when using modded setups like SPT-AKI, the game runs its own local server to simulate a raid. If any part of the system fails—like loading your character, reading the map files, or starting the AI—the matching process breaks.
Sometimes it’s a bad mod. Sometimes it’s an outdated config file. In some cases, your player profile is corrupted. The error stops raid launch completely and can occur in both modded and official versions.
Common Reasons Why You See the Matching Error
This error does not happen randomly. Here are common reasons why your matching fails in Tarkov PvE:
- Mismatched versions: If your game version and your PvE server (like SPT-AKI) don’t match, matching fails.
- Unsupported mode in current patch: Not all Escape from Tarkov patches support co-op or PvE. Some mods lag behind updates.
- Corrupted config files: Bad edits or missing values in files like config.json stop the server from launching raids.
- Broken or outdated mods: Mods like CoopExtracts or Lua plugins may stop the raid from initializing.
- Corrupted profile data: If your Tarkov profile has broken inventory or skill data, the game won’t load the session.
- Server backend fails to initialize: In PvE setups, a local server must load maps and AI. If it fails, matching stops.
- Bad offline parameters: Starting a raid with wrong or missing offline settings can trigger this error.
How to Fix the Matching Error in Escape from Tarkov PvE?
This problem can be fixed with a few system checks, resets, and basic file replacements. Let’s start with the official game (Live PvE) and then move to modded setups like SPT-AKI.
1. Fixing the Matching Error in Live Tarkov PvE
To fix the matching error in Live Tarkov PvE follow these steps:
- Restart Tarkov and BSG Launcher: Fully close both the game and the Battlestate Games launcher. Reopen and log in again. This refreshes session data and memory cache.
- Verify game files via launcher: Open the BSG Launcher. Click on “Integrity Check.” This scans and repairs damaged or missing game files.
- Clear temp files and logs: Go to your EFT installation folder. Delete the folders named Temp, Cache, and Logs. Don’t delete the User or Game folders.
2. Fixing the Error in Modded PvE (SPT-AKI / Coop Mode)
If you use SPT-AKI, mods, or a local co-op server, the steps below will help:
- Match the mod version with your Tarkov version: Always download the correct SPT-AKI build that supports your current game patch. Mismatched versions will break matching.
- Reinstall or update broken mods: Mods like CoopExtracts, Lua Plugin Loader, or profile expanders can block raids if outdated. Replace with the latest versions.
- Reset or replace user profile: Backup your existing profile, then delete or reset it. Corrupt data like duplicated items or empty quest rewards can block raid creation.
- Edit and fix config.json: Make sure your server config points to the right port and has no syntax errors. Incorrect formatting stops the local backend from loading.
- Read server logs: Open the server log file (/user/logs/) and check for errors like “RaidInstance error” or “MapLoad failed.” This shows what went wrong.
3. Browser-Based Fixes If Using Web Tools for PvE Launch
Some mod setups use browser tools to manage raids. If you’re using a launcher UI through your browser (e.g., localhost or custom panels), try clearing browser cache, using the right port (usually http://127.0.0.1:6969), and restarting the PvE server.
Wrong URLs, blocked scripts, or stale sessions can all cause the error. Always make sure no other app is using the same port.
How to Avoid PvE Matching Errors in the Future?
Most errors come from mismatched files, broken mods, or incorrect setup. These tips help prevent future issues:
- Keep your mod version and game version the same.
- Never edit JSON config files without backups.
- Restart the PvE server every time you relaunch the game.
- Don’t use unstable or old mods from outdated forks.
- Check the mod developer’s GitHub before updating.
- Avoid running raid setups while antivirus software scans your system.
- Use only one local server instance at a time.
- Back up your user profile regularly, especially before adding new mods.
Conclusion
The “an error occurred during matching” message in Escape from Tarkov PvE can be frustrating, but it’s usually caused by something simple—like a broken mod, outdated file, or wrong setting. Whether you’re using SPT-AKI or just trying co-op raids, following the steps in this guide can help you get back into the game quickly.
Always keep your files clean, mods updated, and backups ready. A small issue in your setup can stop raids from launching. If you’ve found other fixes that work, or still face the problem, leave a comment. Sharing your experience can help others fix it too.