multiplayer issue, cannot invite me, can't invite them, and game will not load

[RinSlayer]

So, the title basically says everything. Here is the long version:
- my boyfriend tried to invite me into the multiplayer world that he made the night beforehand so we can play again. Our friend was able to join him but when he tried to invite me, the option to invite me doesn't show. The only option that was listed was 'report, remove friend, and block player', the invite button did not show. He has his multiplayer game on friends only when he made it.
- So then I tried to make a multiplayer game, friends only. Our friend was able to join and there was an option to invite him but it kept kicking him out.
- Then our friend tried to make a multiplayer game, friends only. She sent both of us invites but the game went into time out and my boyfriend said that the game kicked him out of it when it loaded for him.

Is there any fix to this problem since we have been enjoying the game and want to keep playing together. I would appreciate any help.

[Bryan]

you seem to be unaware that if you all own the game on Steam you don't need the ingame friendlist at all, just open the Server, go into the Steam Hub or alt tab, right click and invite.

[Gibbon Jockey]

Originally posted by Bryan:

you seem to be unaware that if you all own the game on Steam you don't need the ingame friendlist at all, just open the Server, go into the Steam Hub or alt tab, right click and invite.

This is not helpful!

[ЯavenStrykeR]

I have been running into a similar issue, where unless the game is set to public, people can invite me to their multiplayer session, I receive the invite, but when I press Y to bring it up, there is nothing in the notification area? (this screenshot is what it looks like) It happens in private and friends only lobbies (and I'm friends with the person), but if it is public it is fine. If it is set to fiends, I can join through the steam hub but it sits there stating "Waiting for connection info" (and it does that with some other friends too). Public lobbies are never an issue though.