Sometimes, you're ready to team up with other players in Clash of Clans, but for some reason, you just can't join a clan. It can be super frustrating when you're hyped to join a war or get some donated troops, only to hit a wall. Don't worry, there are usually simple reasons for this.

If you can't join a clan in Clash of Clans, it's often because your Clan Castle isn't repaired, the clan is full, its settings require an invite or specific player levels, or you don't meet its minimum trophy or Town Hall requirements. Sometimes, age restrictions or a recent kick from another clan can also prevent you from joining.

Why You Might Be Stuck Outside a Clan

Let's break down the common reasons you might be having trouble joining a clan:

1. Your Clan Castle Isn't Ready

First things first, you need to repair your Clan Castle. This building is in the southwest part of your village. If it's still broken, you can't join or create a clan. It costs 10,000 Elixir to fix, which you can usually get pretty quickly by playing through the game's missions.

2. The Clan is Full

Clash of Clans clans can only have up to 50 members. If you try to join a clan that already has 50 players, you won't be able to get in. You'll have to wait until someone leaves or is removed by the clan leaders.

3. Clan Type Settings

Clans have different settings for who can join:

• Closed: These clans don't allow anyone to send a request to join. The only way to get in is if an Elder, Co-leader, or Leader sends you a direct invite.
• Invite Only: For these clans, you can send a request to join, but a clan Elder, Co-leader, or Leader needs to accept it.
• Anyone Can Join: These are the easiest to get into, as long as you meet any other requirements they might have.

4. You Don't Meet the Requirements

Many clans set rules for who can join to make sure new members fit in with their play style. These requirements can include:

• Minimum Trophies: Clans can require a certain number of trophies from your Home Village or Builder Base. If your trophy count is too low, you can't join or even send a request.
• Minimum Town Hall Level: Just like trophies, clans can also set a minimum Town Hall level. Your Town Hall needs to be at or above this level to join.
• Required League: Some clans might also have a minimum League requirement.

I remember when I first started playing, I was so excited to join my friend's clan. I searched for it, found it, but then it said I didn't have enough trophies! I was a bit bummed, but it actually pushed me to play more and upgrade my village. It taught me that sometimes you have to work a little harder to reach your goals in the game.

5. Recent Kick or Ban

If you were recently kicked from another clan, Clash of Clans puts a short cooldown on you. During this time (usually 24 hours), you can't join any new clans. This is to prevent players from jumping between clans too quickly or causing trouble.

6. Family Friendly Settings and Account Age

This is a common one that confuses a lot of players. Clash of Clans has "Family Friendly" clans with stricter chat filters to protect younger players. If your Supercell ID or Game Center account indicates you are under 16 years old, you will only be able to join clans that are marked as "Family Friendly." If a clan is not "Family Friendly," you'll see a message like "This clan is restricted to certain account types."

I actually ran into this with my younger cousin's account. He kept trying to join my clan, which wasn't Family Friendly, and it just wouldn't let him. We spent ages trying to figure out why, until we realized his account age was the problem. We ended up creating a new Family Friendly clan together so he could join.

7. The Clan No Longer Exists

While not very common, it's possible the clan you're trying to join has been deleted by its leader. In this case, it simply won't show up or you'll get an error if you try to join.

What to Do If You Can't Join a Clan

Here's a quick checklist to help you out:

• Check your Clan Castle: Make sure it's repaired. If not, save up that 10,000 Elixir!
• Look at Clan Status: When you find a clan, check if it says "Anyone Can Join," "Invite Only," or "Closed." If it's "Invite Only," send a request. If it's "Closed," you'll need a direct invite.
• Review Requirements: Does the clan have minimum trophy or Town Hall levels? Make sure you meet them. If you're a newer player, you might want to look for clans with lower requirements, or focus on upgrading your village first. If you're wondering what to prioritize, check out our guide on What to Upgrade First in Clash of Clans?
• Wait it Out: If you recently left or were kicked from a clan, you might have a 24-hour cooldown. Just be patient!
• Check Account Age: If you're getting messages about "account types," remember that players under 16 can only join "Family Friendly" clans.
• Search for Others: There are tons of clans out there! If one isn't working, try searching for another that fits your profile. You can use filters to find clans based on things like war frequency, number of members, and minimum level.

Joining a clan is a big part of the Clash of Clans experience, offering a chance to make friends, get troop donations, and participate in Clan Wars. By understanding these common roadblocks, you'll be clashing with your new teammates in no time!

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