What to know

  • Custom Search allows queueing for specific maps and modes but often defaults to others if no match is found quickly.
  • After the first successful search, subsequent custom search attempts may not work without restarting the game.
  • The system prioritizes faster matchmaking over exact match preferences, causing mismatches.
  • Developers are considering adding a toggle to wait longer for exact match preferences and aim to improve custom search persistence.

Battlefield 6 introduced the Custom Search feature as a shortcut for players to select specific maps and modes for matchmaking without using a full server browser. However, many players report issues where the search doesn't honor their chosen preferences, resulting in long wait times or being placed in different maps and modes than selected.

How Battlefield 6 custom search works and common problems

Custom Search is designed to let you pick preferred maps and game modes, but due to matchmaking constraints, if no match with those exact preferences is found quickly, the game expands the search to other maps and modes for faster matchmaking. This behavior is intentional to reduce wait times, but it frustrates players wanting precise control over their matches.

A typical problem players face is that after closing and reopening the game, their first custom search will work correctly, but subsequent searches in the same session often revert to default matchmaking settings automatically. Also, once a match ends, the following matchmaking searches might switch to maps or modes the player did not select.

Why does custom search often put you in the wrong match?

The matchmaking expands beyond your original selection if no immediate matches exist to avoid excessive waits. Players have reported frustration with being placed repeatedly on specific maps they wish to avoid. The game attempts to fill matches to near capacity before creating new ones, and this can lead to waits of 4-5 minutes when the selected map or mode is rare in the queue.

Ongoing issues and developer considerations

Developers at Battlefield Studios are aware of the slow queue times and searching issues. They have reduced some wait times from five minutes down to as low as 40 seconds to two minutes in some cases. Additionally, the team is considering adding a "happy to wait to get what I want" toggle to give players the choice of waiting longer for the exact map and mode versus quicker matchmaking with close alternatives. There are also plans to allow custom search preferences to persist between sessions.

Alternatives and workarounds

A true server browser that allows fully manual server selection is planned but currently not fully integrated with quick-play matchmaking. Meanwhile, players can try restarting the game to reset the custom search function. Using the Portal mode to manually join or create experiences is another option, but it does not integrate with custom matchmaking queues.

While Battlefield 6's Custom Search feature offers a way to select maps and modes, its current implementation prioritizes faster match times over exact preferences. This results in mismatches and sometimes long queue times. Developers are actively working on improvements, including reducing wait times, persisting search settings, and potentially adding an option to wait longer for exact matches. For now, users experiencing issues may find restarting the game temporarily helps and can use Portal mode for more direct control over custom games. Understanding these limitations can help manage expectations while waiting for further updates and fixes.