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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo host an Enshrouded dedicated server in 2026, install Enshrouded Dedicated Server from Steam’s Tools library on Windows, run its executable once to generate enshrouded_server.json, edit the configuration, forward the query port and Steam’s required ports, then join through the game’s dedicated-server browser. For four to six active players, plan on a six-core/12-thread CPU, 16 GB of RAM, an SSD with at least 30 GB free, and about 2 Mbit/s of upload capacity per player. Secure the server with role passwords and maintain dated backups of the world files.
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What you need before installing
A dedicated server is a separate process that keeps the world running independently of any player’s game client. Characters retain their progression on their own computers, while world construction, discovered areas and other shared progression remain on the server.
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The Tool Desk
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Keen Games’ guidance for four to six players calls for an Intel Core i7-class processor running at about 3.2 GHz, or an equivalent AMD chip, with six cores and 12 threads. Allocate 16 GB of system memory and an SSD with at least 30 GB of free space. Upload capacity should be approximately 2 Mbit/s for every active player, with download capacity roughly matching upload. These are recommendations, not a guaranteed performance benchmark; background workloads, simulation activity and connection quality can change the result.
Hardware for the 16-player limit
The server configuration allows one to 16 slots. For a full 16-player server, Keen Games recommends a stronger 3.7 GHz-class processor with eight cores and 16 threads while retaining 16 GB of RAM, 30 GB of free SSD space and 2 Mbit/s of upload per player. At that upper limit, the per-player guideline implies about 32 Mbit/s of upload capacity.
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Memory and storage headroom
The current FAQ guidance puts the server process at roughly 4.4 GB of RAM when idle and says it should not exceed about 6 GB in normal operation. The remaining memory must accommodate Windows, Steam, monitoring tools and any other services on the machine, which is why 16 GB is the practical baseline. World files can grow from about 1 MB to 100 MB depending on the world, so 30 GB of free SSD space leaves room for the installation, logs, updates and several backups.
Install the official dedicated-server tool
- Open Steam and go to your Library.
- Turn on the Tools filter. The tool is listed separately from the playable game.
- Download Enshrouded Dedicated Server.
- Right-click the tool, choose Properties, open Installed Files, and select Browse.
- In the folder that opens, run the dedicated-server executable directly. Do not rely on Steam’s normal Launch button for the first start.
- Allow the process to run until it has created
enshrouded_server.json, then stop it cleanly. - Make a copy of the newly created JSON file before changing anything.
- Edit the JSON, save it as valid JSON, and start the executable again.
Keen Games describes the game as including a dedicated-server executable. The published installation guidance supports Windows; Linux support was described as planned at that time rather than as a permanent promise. Recheck the current platform notes after major game updates before attempting a Linux deployment.
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Configure the server JSON
The first launch creates the configuration file in the server directory. A typical starting configuration looks like this:
{
"name": "Enshrouded Server",
"saveDirectory": "./savegame",
"logDirectory": "./logs",
"ip": "0.0.0.0",
"queryPort": 15637,
"slotCount": 8,
"voiceChatMode": "Proximity",
"enableVoiceChat": false,
"enableTextChat": false,
"gameSettingsPreset": "Default"
}Settings that matter most
namecontrols the listing name players see.saveDirectoryidentifies the folder containing world saves. Keep it on the SSD and include it in every backup.logDirectorystores current and archived logs used for diagnosis.ipset to0.0.0.0listens on the machine’s available interfaces. Binding to a specific address can be useful on a multi-homed host, but it must be an address assigned to that machine.queryPortdefaults to15637. The firewall and router must use the same port.slotCountaccepts values from 1 through 16. Set it to the number of players you can actually support instead of automatically choosing 16.voiceChatMode,enableVoiceChatandenableTextChatcontrol communication features.gameSettingsPresetselects the overall ruleset.
JSON is unforgiving: a missing comma, an extra comma or a misspelled property can prevent startup. Stop the process before editing, preserve the original file, and change one group of settings at a time. Before an update, copy both the JSON and the entire save directory.
Choose a gameplay preset
Default
Default keeps the standard rules and is the least surprising option for a first server.
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Relaxed
Relaxed reduces enemy pressure and increases resources and loot, making it suitable for a cooperative building-focused group.
Hard
Hard increases enemy pressure and is intended for groups that want more demanding combat.
Survival
Survival adds tougher survival mechanics on top of the normal challenge.
Custom
Custom exposes individual factors including health, mana, stamina, durability, hunger, weather, resources, production and progression. Use it when the group wants a specific balance rather than a packaged preset. After Update 2 or later, an old settings file may be rejected or converted incorrectly; regenerate the JSON from a fresh tool launch if the schema no longer matches the current version.
Give the server a reliable network address
Reserve a local IPv4 address
In the router’s DHCP or LAN settings, reserve an address for the computer running the server. A reservation prevents the machine’s private address from changing and invalidating forwarding rules. Record the reserved address and the server computer’s network adapter so you do not accidentally forward to another device.
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Open the query port and Steam traffic
Allow UDP traffic for the configured query port, normally 15637, in Windows Firewall and forward that port from the router to the reserved local IPv4 address. Steam’s own required ports also need to be permitted according to Steam’s current networking documentation. Apply the same protocol and port choices on the router and host firewall; opening only one side will not make the server reachable.
Check for carrier-grade NAT
Compare the router’s internet-facing address with the public address shown by an independent connection. If the router receives a private or shared carrier-grade NAT address, ordinary port forwarding cannot expose the server to the internet. You then need a public IPv4 address from the ISP, a managed host, or another networking arrangement that provides inbound reachability.
Test from outside your home network
Do not test only from the same LAN. Have a player use a different internet connection, such as a mobile hotspot, while the server is running. This confirms that the public address, forwarding rule, firewall rule and query port work together.
Start the server and let players join
- Launch the dedicated-server executable from its installation folder.
- Watch the console or log until the process reports
HostOnline. If it exits before that message, stop and correct the configuration before troubleshooting the router. - In the game, open the Join browser and enable the dedicated-server filter.
- Search for the configured server name. A password-protected listing may still be visible, but joining requires the appropriate password.
- If the listing does not appear, open Steam’s View menu, choose Game Servers, add the server’s public IP and query port, and favorite it.
Players should use the public address from outside the host’s network. The private LAN address is appropriate only for clients on the same local network, and some routers do not support reliable hairpin connections for local clients using the public address.
Set passwords, roles and reserved slots
Update 2 introduced user groups with separate passwords and permissions. Configure the least privilege that fits the group:
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| Role | Access described by Keen Games | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | Can edit bases and kick or ban players. | Trusted operator or co-owner. |
| Friend | Can edit bases and access inventories. | Regular members of the private group. |
| Guest | Reduced base and inventory permissions. | Occasional players who need limited access. |
| Visitor | Most restricted access. | New or untrusted players. |
Set a password even if the server is intended for friends. An unprotected server can be entered by anyone who can see it. Use a different password for each role, share administrator credentials privately, and remove access when someone no longer needs it. Reserved slots can protect places for administrators or friends when the server reaches its slot limit.
Understand saves and make recoverable backups
World progression is stored on the server; character progression is stored on each player’s client. A save is generated about every five minutes, and there is one save file per world. Because a recent save can still be corrupted by a crash or a bad configuration change, scheduled copying is safer than relying on the automatic cadence alone.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Stop the server cleanly before copying files.
- Copy the complete
saveDirectory, not just the newest-looking file. - Add the JSON configuration and any notes about the server version to the backup folder.
- Name the backup with the date and time, then copy at least one dated version to a different physical machine or storage service.
- After an update, start the server with the backup available and verify that the world loads before deleting older versions.
The official documentation identifies save locations and cadence but does not mandate a retention schedule. For a private world, keeping several recent daily copies plus a longer-term weekly copy is a reasonable operational policy; adjust it to the value of the world and available storage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Self-hosting versus renting a managed server
Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, settings and migration, but you supply the hardware, bandwidth, power, updates, backups and network troubleshooting. Managed hosting trades some control and a recurring fee for simpler exposure to the internet and usually persistent uptime.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted PC | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront hardware | Requires a suitable Windows computer, SSD and network connection. | No server hardware purchase; the provider supplies the machine. |
| Monthly cost | Existing hardware may avoid a new subscription, but electricity and internet costs remain. | Recurring price varies by provider and plan; no universal current price is established here. |
| Control | Full access to JSON, saves, logs and operating system. | Control depends on the host’s panel and file-access policy. |
| Networking | Requires router access, port forwarding and a reachable public IPv4 address. | Provider normally handles public addressing and firewall exposure. |
| Updates | You choose when to install Steam and game updates and must check compatibility. | Some hosts automate updates; confirm timing after Steam patches. |
| Backups | You design and test your own backup and restore process. | Look for documented backup frequency, downloadable archives and one-click restore. |
| Latency | Depends on your home upload path and players’ distance from your home. | Depends on the provider’s data-center location and network route. |
| Scaling slots | Limited by your CPU, memory and upload capacity; the schema supports 1–16 slots. | Often changed through a control panel, subject to the plan’s limits. |
| Migration | Files are already local and easy to move. | Verify that the contract and panel allow downloading saves and configuration before subscribing. |
Keen Games says it partnered with GPortal so dedicated servers can be rented from within the game and says other favorite providers may also be used. No universal monthly price or guaranteed performance figure is published; compare actual plans for CPU allocation, slot limits, data-center location, backup and restore tools, update timing, DDoS policy, cancellation terms and file-export capability.
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Choose self-hosting when
- You already own a Windows PC that meets the CPU, RAM, SSD and upload recommendations.
- You can configure the router and obtain a public IPv4 address.
- You want unrestricted access to logs, saves and custom settings.
- You are willing to keep the machine powered on and maintain updates and backups.
Choose managed hosting when
- Your ISP uses carrier-grade NAT or blocks inbound connections.
- You need continuous uptime without leaving a home PC running.
- You prefer a control panel, automated maintenance and provider-managed network protection.
- You need a data center closer to players than your home connection can provide.
Troubleshoot a server that will not appear or accept players
The process never reaches HostOnline
Stop it and validate the JSON syntax, file path and values. Restore the last known-good configuration, then reapply changes one at a time. Check the log directory for the first error rather than repeatedly restarting.
The listing is missing
Confirm the dedicated-server filter is enabled in the Join browser. Verify that the server is actually running, the query port in JSON matches both firewall and router rules, and the host has the reserved private IPv4 address. Add the public IP and query port through Steam’s View → Game Servers path as a direct test.
Players time out from outside the LAN
Test from an external connection, compare the router’s WAN address with a public address check, and rule out carrier-grade NAT. A private WAN address means forwarding cannot work without ISP assistance or a different host. Also confirm that Windows Firewall allows the executable and the configured port on the active network profile.
Steam discovery behaves inconsistently
Keen Games’ troubleshooting guidance suggests clearing Steam’s download cache and flushing DNS when Steam listings fail. These actions affect the client’s cached discovery data; they do not repair an incorrect port forward or an ISP-level NAT restriction.
An update rejects the old configuration
After Update 2 or later, regenerate enshrouded_server.json by moving the old file aside, launching the executable once, and comparing your custom values with the newly generated schema. Preserve the save directory, and restore only settings that the current file explicitly supports.
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The server is overloaded
Reduce slotCount to the number of players the machine can sustain, close unrelated services, and monitor memory and CPU while players are active. If the host is near the recommended limits, move the server to a faster CPU or a managed plan rather than compensating by exposing more slots.
A practical launch checklist
- Steam’s Tools filter is enabled and the dedicated-server tool is installed.
- The executable has been run directly once and generated a current JSON file.
- The JSON parses correctly, uses the intended name, save and log directories, and sets the desired slot count and preset.
- The host has at least 16 GB of RAM, an SSD with 30 GB free and adequate CPU headroom.
- The reserved local IPv4 address is recorded.
- The query port, normally 15637, is allowed through Windows Firewall and forwarded on the router.
- Steam’s required networking ports are permitted.
- The ISP provides a reachable public IPv4 address rather than carrier-grade NAT.
- The console reaches
HostOnline. - An external player can find or favorite the server.
- Role passwords, reserved slots and a server password are configured.
- A dated off-machine copy of the save directory exists before inviting players.
Bottom line
For most private groups, a Windows self-hosted server is straightforward when the machine meets Keen Games’ recommendations and the ISP permits inbound IPv4 traffic: install the Steam tool, generate and edit the JSON, forward the query and Steam ports, secure the roles, and test from outside the LAN. Rent a managed server when public addressing, uptime, maintenance or backup administration is more important than direct control of the files.
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