[2020] Having issues with appearing on friends online lists HELP PLEASE

So I played 76 since launch and at the end of 2019 decided to take a break for about 5 months. (Till wastelanders released that is.) I came back and I dont appear on any of my friends lists as a friend. The only work around at the moment is that I appear in their "recents." Playing on their private worlds is impossible because seconds later after joining im booted out because I'm not friends with the worlds owner?? Vice versa as well, if they join my private world they are instantly booted. We have tried all of the work arounds like changing the worlds settings to friends only and team only. The only way I'm able to play with friends at the moment is inviting them to a public game. We have tried unfriending each other and sending friend requests back. The oddest thing is that this isn't just one friend its all of my friends on PSN.

ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.