What the collision problem is
In co-op, characters physically block one another in the kitchen. On March 1, 2025, a player on the Steam forum reported being pushed into a kitchen corner by another player and getting stuck there. Being trapped mid-shift means you cannot reach stations, take orders or help your team. In a busy restaurant, even a short delay can cause orders to pile up.
ArtDock replied to the report on March 8, 2025, acknowledging the problem. That developer response is the primary evidence that this was a real bug rather than one player's bad luck. It also explains why the issue still appears in searches today. Players who hit the same problem later often find this thread first.
The developer's workaround
The developer suggested two temporary workarounds for a trapped player. The first was resetting the level, and the second was restarting the game. Both get the character out of the corner, but neither is a permanent fix. They are simply the quickest ways to get back to playing.
If you need to restart, save first where the game allows it. That protects your progress before you close the session. Avoid unexplained destructive reset steps from unofficial sources, since they could cost more than the bug itself.
Is there a setting to turn collision off?
No verified option to disable player collision was found in the sources checked on October 25, 2026. There is also no confirmed console command, noclip mode or dedicated unstuck key. Be cautious of any guide that promises one without showing where it appears in the game.
If such an option is added in a future update, it would appear in the official patch notes. The official PAO PAO news feed on Steam is the place to check. Until then, prevention and the developer workaround are the realistic options. Neither requires any risky changes to your game files.
What later patches changed
The September 18, 2026 demo patch lists fixes to world colliders and multiplayer sessions. Those changes may improve how characters move around the world. However, the notes do not explicitly state that player-on-player collision in the kitchen is fixed.
That distinction matters before telling someone the bug is gone. A collider fix could address walls and objects without changing how two players block each other. Treat the 2025 problem as possibly reduced, not officially resolved. If you still hit it, your report helps confirm whether more work is needed.
Collision versus blocked furniture
Not every "stuck" moment is player collision. In a September 27, 2026 session, at about 32:20, NAC Games discusses equipment that is hard to reach. That is a layout obstruction, caused by furniture placement rather than another character.
The fix for each is different. Furniture obstruction is solved by rearranging the kitchen after service, while player collision involves other characters. Identify which one you are dealing with before trying a fix. If moving a crate frees you, it was furniture rather than another character.
Prevent trouble with clear aisles
Keeping walkways open reduces the chance of getting boxed in. In an October 22, 2026 session, at about 35:23 to 36:06, Becktoriiia moves ingredient boxes and a bin that were in the way. Her goal was easier access, but the same habit also leaves more room for players to pass.
This is a preventive layout recommendation, not an officially tested repair for collision. Leave space around stations and avoid narrow dead-end corners in the kitchen. The restaurant layout guide offers a starter workflow with a separate cleaning route.
Plan roles to reduce crowding
Fewer players in the same spot means fewer collisions. PAO PAO supports online co-op for up to four players, so a full kitchen can get crowded quickly. Assigning roles such as cook, server, cleaner and gatherer spreads people out.
When one player is outside fishing or farming, the kitchen has more room for everyone else. Agree on roles before opening so nobody wanders into a busy station. The co-op guide has more on sharing restaurant work.
A separate issue: layout resets
Another historical bug is sometimes confused with collision. In June 2026, players reported that kitchen appliances reset after a restaurant expansion. That is a different problem from characters trapping each other.
Rearranging furniture is not evidence of a collision fix, and a layout reset is not caused by collision. The October 1, 2026 patch fixed an editing-related item-loss issue, which is separate again. Keep these problems apart when searching for help or reporting a bug. Mixing them up makes it harder for the developer to find the cause.
How to report a collision bug
Clear bug reports help the developer fix problems faster. Post on the official Steam community or the ArtDock Discord with as much detail as you can. A few specific facts are far more useful than a general complaint.
- Build version. Note whether you were playing the demo or the Early Access release.
- Host or guest. Say which player got stuck and who was hosting.
- Location. Describe where in the kitchen it happened.
- What you tried. Mention whether resetting or restarting worked.
If you can, include a screenshot or short clip. That lets the team see the problem without reproducing your whole session. Clips are especially helpful for movement bugs that are hard to describe in words.
Multiplayer fixes worth knowing
Collision is not the only co-op issue that has been worked on. The October 1, 2026 patch fixed private-lobby joining, network synchronization and money synchronization. The September 18 patch also fixed entering lobby codes with the Steam keyboard.
Those fixes are documented improvements rather than a promise that every problem is gone. If you had connection trouble in an older build, try again on the current version. Our codes guide explains how lobby codes differ from reward codes.
What is not confirmed
Several things players hope for are not verified. There is no confirmed collision toggle, noclip command or guaranteed unstuck key. Whether the 2025 corner problem still happens in the current build has not been tested here.
This page will be updated if official notes address player collision directly. Until then, keep aisles clear, plan roles and use the developer's restart workaround if needed. Report any new cases with the details listed above.
Sources and further reading
- Player collision / stuck in a kitchen corner — Steam discussion
- PAO PAO DEMO Patchnote
- Just a Cozy Lil Guy Running a Chaotic Restaurant! — NAC Games
- This Cosy Restaurant Game Is ADORABLE!! — Becktoriiia
- Pao Pao free demo is now available to play! — Dreland
- Kitchen Appliances Layout Reset — Steam discussion
- Pao Pao Second Patch is Live!
- PAO PAO — Steam store