Enshrouded Server Not Showing or Not Connecting: Fixes
An Enshrouded dedicated server that is missing from the browser should first be checked for startup completion, the dedicated-server filter, its public IP and query port, and matching client/server versions.
Why an Enshrouded server is not showing in the server list
An Enshrouded dedicated server may be running normally but missing from the in-game browser because the dedicated-server filter is disabled, the Steam query endpoint is unreachable, or the server has not finished startup. Those are different problems, and each needs a different check.
Begin with the game’s Join menu and enable the option to show dedicated servers. Next, check the host’s console. Keen Games documents a successful startup state in which the server transitions to Host_Online. If the process is still loading or repeatedly crashing, the browser is not the first thing to fix.
Check the Enshrouded server startup log
A healthy Enshrouded dedicated-server process should reach its online state and load a world. Open the provider’s live console or look in the directory specified by logDirectory to confirm that startup finishes.
Keen Games gives the following kind of successful startup indicator:
[Session] 'HostOnline' (up)!
[Session] finished transition from 'Lobby' to 'Host_Online'
If the process exits before reaching that point, check server updates, available disk space, configuration syntax and crash logs. If you have recently changed server roles or gameplay settings, test the last known-good configuration rather than repeatedly restarting a malformed file.
Use the dedicated-server filter and Steam favourites
Enshrouded’s in-game server browser can hide dedicated servers depending on its filters. In the Join menu, enable Show dedicated servers and remove filters that hide empty or password-protected sessions.
If the server still does not appear, Keen Games documents an alternative route through Steam favourites:
- Copy the server’s public IP and query port from the host dashboard.
- In Steam, open View → Game Servers and choose Favourites.
- Add a server using the
IP:queryPortformat. - Return to Enshrouded and check the server list again. Steam-favourited dedicated servers are prioritised in the game browser.
Example only:
203.0.113.10:15637
The address above is a reserved documentation example, not a real Enshrouded server. Replace it with the public address and assigned query port from your host.
Which port does Enshrouded use?
Enshrouded uses a configurable queryPort value in enshrouded_server.json; the official default is 15637. Keen Games also refers administrators to Steam’s required service ports.
{
"name": "Friends Enshrouded Server",
"ip": "0.0.0.0",
"queryPort": 15637,
"slotCount": 8
}
The snippet highlights relevant fields, not a complete replacement configuration file. Keep the other keys and user groups from your existing valid JSON. Managed providers may assign a nondefault port, so their dashboard is the authoritative address for joining.
For a self-hosted installation, allow the necessary UDP query traffic in Windows Firewall and the router, following the guidance for your network. Do not simply disable the firewall, and do not assume the host’s public port is the one in every older tutorial.
A wrong or outdated server address
An Enshrouded server can become unreachable after a host migration, an IP reassignment or an incorrect entry in Steam favourites. Confirm both the public address and query port before investigating unusual client-side fixes.
If the server can be seen but not joined, check its player capacity (slotCount, maximum 16), password permissions and current game build. Server-side and client-side versions need to be compatible after an update, particularly following the 1.0 release.
Passwords and user-group access
Enshrouded’s current server access rules use the userGroups structure in enshrouded_server.json rather than relying on the old single top-level password field. A group may grant limited permissions or reserve slots, so the access password used for joining matters.
If only some players cannot join, review group passwords and reserved slots without posting credentials. Our server settings and roles guide explains how roles and access restrictions work.
Connection drops, lag and performance problems
Frequent disconnections after joining can be caused by client network issues, an overloaded server or an unstable host route. Separately, performance drops in crowded builds are not proof that the browser or query port is broken.
Check logs for crashes or repeated restarts, review concurrent players, and compare the host’s CPU and memory allocation with Keen Games’ documented recommendations. The older official observations of approximately 4.4 GB idle process RAM are not a measured 1.0 benchmark. Our Enshrouded server requirements guide explains the difference between whole-machine specifications and managed-hosting allocations.
When the server’s connection works but the world rolls back after a crash, investigate its backup and restore behaviour instead.
Fixes for Steam client connectivity
If Steam’s server browser fails to populate or multiplayer connectivity is unstable, Keen Games recommends checking the required Steam ports, clearing Steam’s download cache and, for DNS-related issues, refreshing the local DNS cache.
On Windows you can flush DNS from Command Prompt:
ipconfig /flushdns
This will not fix a dedicated server that has crashed or a port blocked by the hosting firewall. Use it only after confirming the server’s own state and address.
Troubleshooting table
This table maps common dedicated-server symptoms to the first diagnostic check and the safest next step, so you can isolate the fault before changing a working configuration.
| Symptom | Most useful first check | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Server not visible anywhere | Startup log | Confirm Host_Online state |
| In-game list is empty | Browser filters | Enable dedicated-server listing |
| Can’t find specific server | IP/query port | Add to Steam favourites |
| Steam favourites fail | Firewall, current public address | Verify query endpoint |
| Friends denied on join | Password, roles, slots | Check userGroups and capacity |
| Breakage after update | Server/client versions | Update and restart safely |
| Long loading or lag | CPU, RAM, disk and world complexity | Check server health and logs |
When to move to managed hosting
Managed Enshrouded hosting can eliminate the need to maintain a home PC, public router rules and manual update scheduling, although server configuration and player access still require attention. Look for a provider with accessible logs, backup restore, server-region choice and straightforward update controls.
Our best Enshrouded server hosting comparison covers available plans and resources. The installation guide covers first-time deployment, while the world transfer guide explains how to move an existing save without starting over.
Sources
The technical settings and procedures in this guide are based on the game developer documentation and named community tooling linked below.
