5 Ways to Fix the Borderlands 4 Incompatible Version Error on Windows PCs

Many players have reported that they can’t join Borderlands 4 co-op sessions because of an incompatible version error. A B4 player described that error as follows: “I can play [Borderlands 4] by myself, but anytime I try to join another friend, I get the error below. Here is the full error: ‘Error – The session you are trying to join is running an incompatible version of the game. Please try upgrading your game version.‘” This is how you can fix the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error on Windows PCs.

Change Time Settings

Players have confirmed they’ve fixed the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error by setting the date and time to match the most recent B4 update. Note that this troubleshooting method involves setting an inaccurate time and date on your PC. Try changing the time settings on your PC as follows:

1. Open Settings to select Time & Language > Date & time.
2. Turn off the Set time automatically option.
   
   

   The Set time automatically option

3. Click the Change button.
4. Then, select the date for the latest Borderlands 4 patch update.
5. Select exactly 12 PM for the time.

Note that players who’ve applied this potential fix did so by changing the date to September 25, 2025. However, that’s not the latest patch anymore. December 18 is currently the latest patch update for Borderlands 4 to select for applying this potential fix. This Borderlands 4 page provides details about the latest patches for the game.

Verify Game Files for Borderlands 4

Corrupted files are a possible cause for update validation and synchronization issues. So, try verifying game files to fix the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error. These Epic Games and Steam help pages provide instructions for verifying game files.

The Verify integrity of game files option

Delete the PersistentDownloadDir

A widely confirmed way to fix the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error is to delete the PersistentDownloadDir folder. The PersistentDownloadDir includes temporary patch data for Borderlands 4. This is how you can delete and replace the PersistentDownloadDir folder:

1. Go to this C:\Users\[your user name]\Documents\My Games\Borderlands 4\Saved folder in File Explorer.
2. Then, right-click the PersistentDownloadDir folder and select Delete.
3. Open this shared Google Drive page.
4. Click the menu button for PersistentDownloadDir and select Download.
5. Then, extract the downloaded ZIP archive for the downloaded PersistentDownloadDir by right-clicking it and selecting Extract All. Select the Show extracted files and Extract option.
   
   

   The Download option

6. Move the extracted PersistentDownloadDir folder into the C:\Users\[your user name]\Documents\My Games\Borderlands 4\Saved folder. To do so, right-click the PersistentDownloadDir folder to select Copy, and paste it into that folder by pressing Ctrl + V.

Disable OneDrive Documents Backup

OneDrive interference can also cause the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error to arise. If you utilize OneDrive, try turning off its document backup feature. You can disable the OneDrive documents backup feature like this:

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.
2. Click on the Settings button in OneDrive.
   
   

   The Settings button

3. Next, select the Sync and Backup tab and click the Manage backup option.
4. Turn off the Documents toggle switch.
   
   

   The Documents option

5. Click on Save changes.

Reinstall Borderlands 4

If none of the potential fixes above work for you, try reinstalling Borderlands 4. Reinstalling might repair game files and will certainly update Borderlands 4. This is how you can reinstall the Borderlands 4 game:

Steam

1. Go into Steam and select Library.
2. Right-click the Borderlands 4 game in the sidebar to select Manage and Uninstall.
   
   

   The Uninstall option in Steam

3. Click Uninstall again to remove the game.
4. Select the uninstalled Borderlands 4 in Steam and click Install.

Epic Games

1. Run the Epic Games software and select Library.
2. Click the three-dot menu for Borderlands 4 and select Uninstall.
   
   

   The Uninstall option in Epic Games

3. Then, click the uninstalled Borderlands 4 game and select Install.

The potential resolutions covered here are the most widely confirmed ways to fix the Borderlands 4 incompatible version error. You can also ask the Borderlands 4 help service for more potential fixes. To do so, select Borderlands 4 from this help page and fill out the contact form from there.

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