The SOS Beacon in Helldivers 2 is a stratagem that allows sending distress signals. These are sent to other Helldivers on the same planet and alert them that you need help.
It’s extremely useful for calling backups when facing challenging objectives and enemy forces. Using it allows players to receive help from other Helldivers 2 players who are playing on the same difficulty as your mission.
But recently, some players have been complaining that the SOS Beacon isn't working for them. Continue with this post to troubleshoot the SOS Beacon in Helldivers 2.
How to use Helldivers 2 SOS Beacon
The SOS Beacon can be used regardless of level or rank as long as you don't have a full four-player squad. Using it is similar to other stratagems. Here's how:
- Open your Stratagem menu and enter the code to call SOS Beacon, i.e., Up, Down, Right and Up.
- Now throw the stratagem, and the SOS Beacon will activate. Backup is now on the way to help you.
- Make sure that your multiplayer settings are set to Invite Only. Doing so will open the game to anyone and allow Helldivers to help you.
How to fix Helldivers 2 SOS Beacon
If the SOS Beacon isn’t working, try restarting and checking the servers of Helldivers 2. If that doesn’t help, follow these suggestions:
Check Internet Connection: Start by checking your device is connected to a stable internet connection. If your connection is unstable or faulty, your location won't be visible to other Helldivers.
Turn Off Crossplay: The next step requires turning off the crossplay feature. This allows players from different platforms to play together but can make the game malfunction sometimes. Turn off crossplay then turn it back on and see if it helps. Here's how:
- Navigate to the "Options" tab in the Pause menu.
- Here, click on "Gameplay" in the left pane and turn off "Crossplay" in the right.
Disable your VPN: The SOS Beacon may not work if you’re using a VPN when playing Helldivers 2. Using a VPN changes your location by replacing your IP address with that of a VPN server. Disable your VPN, restart the game and check if the SOS Beacon starts working.
Make sure the SOS Beacon is equipped: You may not have equipped the SOS Beacon before. If that's the case, it won't work. Make sure that the beacon is equipped before starting missions. Use it wisely, as the call-in time is around two minutes.
Update Helldivers 2: Nothing is perfect, including Helldivers 2, with its fair share of bugs and errors. Arrowhead Game Studios regularly releases patch updates to fix these. Update the game to the latest version available and see if it helps.
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