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The quickest way to join a friend’s Starbound game is through Steam: open your friends list, right-click the friend who is playing, and choose Join Game. For a server you manage yourself, open Multiplayer, choose Join Server, enter the host’s reachable IP address, and use port 21025 unless the host changed it. A dedicated server process can run independently of the game client for persistent play.
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Choose the connection method that matches your situation
Starbound supports three practical ways to play with other people. Steam joining is best for a quick session with a friend. Direct IP joining gives the host more control and works with a separately launched server process. Dedicated hosting is designed for a world that should remain available when the usual host is not actively playing.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Join Game or Invite | Lowest | Usually yes for a friend-hosted session | Usually minimal | Session-based | Starting a game with friends quickly |
| Self-hosted direct IP | Moderate | No, if the dedicated server process remains running | May require IP discovery and port forwarding | Available while the server process runs | Local ownership and control |
| Rented dedicated server | Moderate to high initially | No | Provider-specific | Persistent according to the hosting plan | An always-on private or public group server |
What you need before connecting
- Both players should have Starbound available through Steam when using Steam’s friend-list connection.
- For a direct connection, the host must provide the address that is reachable from the joining player’s network location.
- The host must start the relevant server or game session before anyone can join.
- Everyone should use compatible game builds and mods. A universal, current compatibility matrix does not cover every possible mod combination, so mismatches can still prevent a connection.
- For internet play from a home network, the host may need to configure the router so the server port can be reached from outside that network.
Join through Steam’s friends list
Steam is the simplest route when the person you want to play with is already hosting. The multiplayer documentation describes both joining a friend’s active game and inviting someone after a character session has loaded.
Join a friend who is already playing
- Start Steam and make sure your friend is signed in and visibly playing Starbound.
- Open the Steam friends list.
- Right-click the friend who is playing Starbound.
- Select Join Game.
- When Starbound prompts you to choose a character, select the character you want to use.
This path does not require you to type an IP address or port. It is normally the best first attempt for a private session between Steam friends.
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Have the host send an invitation
If the host already has a character loaded, the host can use Invite to game. Accept the invitation through Steam, then select a character when Starbound asks which one should enter the session.
When Steam joining does not appear to work
- Confirm that both people are signed in to Steam and that the host is actually in a playable character session or has the intended server running.
- Ask the host to send a fresh invitation after loading the character session.
- Check that both players are launching the same game build and that their enabled mods are compatible.
- If Steam cannot establish the session, switch to the direct-IP method if the host can run a dedicated server and provide a reachable address.
Join a self-hosted server by IP address
A direct connection uses the in-game multiplayer menu. The host launches the dedicated server process, and the joining player enters the host’s address and port. The commonly documented default port is 21025; use another port only when the host has changed the server configuration.
Host: start the server process
- Install Starbound through Steam, or use the existing game installation that contains the server executable.
- Launch the dedicated server process from Steam or run the server executable in the Starbound installation.
- Leave that process running for as long as you want the world to accept connections.
- Tell the joining player the address to use and the configured port. If no port was changed, provide port 21025.
The dedicated server is separate from the ordinary game client. Once it is running, the host does not have to keep a playable character session open for another player to connect through that server process.
Player: use the Multiplayer menu
- Launch Starbound.
- Open Multiplayer from the main menu.
- Choose Join Server.
- Enter the host’s reachable IP address.
- Enter port 21025 unless the host gave you a different configured port.
- Submit the connection and select a character if the game prompts you.
Use the address that matches the network path
The host can have several addresses, and they are not interchangeable in every situation:
- LAN address: Use the host machine’s local network address when both players are on the same home or office network.
- Virtual-network address: If both players are connected through a virtual networking system, use the address assigned on that shared virtual network.
- Public internet address: Use the host network’s externally reachable address when the players are in different locations.
The joining player should not enter their own address. The required address belongs to the machine or network hosting the server, and it must be reachable from the player’s current network.
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When internet players cannot reach a home-hosted server
A server that works on the host’s LAN may still be invisible from the public internet. In that case, the host may need to configure the router to forward the server’s configured port to the computer running the dedicated server. Forward the port the server is actually using; that is normally 21025 unless the configuration was changed. The host also needs to give the remote player the externally reachable address rather than the computer’s private LAN address.
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Confirm the host configuration before troubleshooting
- Verify that the dedicated server window or process is still running.
- Confirm the exact port configured by the host instead of assuming it is still 21025.
- Make sure the joining player received the host’s address, not a local address that only works inside the host’s network.
- Have both players check their enabled mods and game builds before changing network settings.
Run a persistent dedicated server
A dedicated server is useful when the world should remain available without the host playing from the normal game client. The server process runs separately, and players connect to it through Multiplayer and Join Server.
Run the server yourself
Self-hosting keeps the files and configuration on a machine you control. Start the dedicated server executable from the Starbound installation, keep the process running, and give players the appropriate LAN, virtual-network, or public address plus the configured port. The world remains available while that process and its host machine remain online.
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Renting a Starbound dedicated server is an optional service route, not a requirement for multiplayer. A provider runs the server separately from your personal game client, while you use the provider’s connection details and management interface. Before paying, verify the provider’s current Starbound availability, supported game version, mod policy, server geography, uptime terms, pricing, and cancellation conditions. These details vary by provider and can change over time.
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When dedicated hosting is worth the extra setup
- You want friends to connect while you are not in the game.
- The group needs a world that persists beyond one person’s play session.
- You want server files and configuration separate from a player’s desktop session.
- You are comfortable managing the server process yourself or paying a provider to operate it.
Diagnose the most common connection failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| The Steam Join Game option is missing or fails immediately. | The host is not in the expected session, Steam networking is unavailable, or the players’ builds or mods differ. | Confirm both players are signed in, ask the host to load the character session and send Invite to game, then compare builds and enabled mods. |
| The direct connection times out. | The server process is stopped, the address is wrong, the port is wrong, or the server is not reachable from that network. | Confirm the process is running, recheck the host’s address and configured port, and determine whether the players are on the same LAN or connecting over the internet. |
| A LAN player can connect, but an internet player cannot. | The host supplied a private LAN address or the router is not forwarding the server port. | Use the host network’s externally reachable address for the remote player and configure forwarding for the server’s configured port when the network permits it. |
| The player connects to the wrong machine or receives no response. | The joining player entered their own address or an address belonging to a different network interface. | Use the address assigned to the machine or network running the server, chosen for the actual network path. |
| The server is visible, but joining fails after loading. | A mod or game-build mismatch is preventing a compatible session. | Temporarily align the enabled mod set and game build on every participating installation. There is no single compatibility table that covers every mod combination. |
| A previously working world is unavailable. | The dedicated server process has stopped or the host machine is offline. | Restart the server process and verify that the host computer remains powered and connected for the period in which players need access. |
Understand ports and addresses without guessing
What port does Starbound use?
The commonly documented default server port is 21025. It is a default, not a guarantee: the host may change it in the server configuration. Always use the port supplied by the host when it differs from 21025.
Why an IP address is required for direct play
Direct-IP play tells the game where the dedicated server is located. The address identifies the host machine or host network; the port identifies the server service on that destination. Both values must match the server that is currently running.
Why one address can work for one player but not another
Address reachability depends on where the player is connecting from. A private LAN address is intended for devices on the same local network, while a public address is intended for traffic coming from outside that network. A virtual-network address works only for participants connected to that same virtual network. Selecting the wrong address can look like a server failure even when the server itself is healthy.
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Mods, builds, and character selection
Connection success is not determined by networking alone. Different game builds or enabled mods can cause problems after the network connection is established. Align the participating installations before treating a failed join as a router issue. Because mod combinations vary and no current authoritative matrix covers every combination, test with matching versions and a matching enabled-mod list when troubleshooting.
When a join succeeds, Starbound may ask which character should enter the session. Select the intended character rather than assuming the game will automatically use the last one played.
Quick Recap
A practical decision checklist
- Playing casually with a Steam friend: Have the friend start Starbound, then use Steam’s Join Game option or accept the host’s Invite to game.
- Playing on the same network: Run the dedicated server, choose Multiplayer > Join Server, and use the host’s LAN address with the configured port.
- Playing from different homes: Run the dedicated server, use the host’s externally reachable address, and arrange router forwarding for the configured port if necessary.
- Keeping a world available while the host is offline: Run a dedicated server on an always-on machine or use rented dedicated hosting.
- Seeing a failure after changing servers: Check the server process, address, port, network path, game build, and enabled mods in that order.
Quick connection recipes
Steam recipe
- Friend starts Starbound and loads a character.
- You open the Steam friends list.
- Right-click the playing friend and select Join Game, or accept an Invite to game.
- Choose your character.
Direct-IP recipe
- Host starts the dedicated server process.
- Host provides the reachable IP address and configured port.
- You open Multiplayer > Join Server.
- Enter the host’s address and port, using 21025 when it remains the default.
- Choose your character after the connection is accepted.
Persistent-server recipe
- Start a dedicated server on an always-on machine or activate a rented server.
- Confirm the server’s version, mods, address, and port.
- Give those connection details to each player.
- Players connect through Multiplayer > Join Server whenever the server is online.
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