Install Enshrouded Dedicated Server from Steam’s Library Tools, run its executable once to create enshrouded_server.json, configure the world and network settings, then start the server and have friends find it through Enshrouded’s Join browser. This keeps the world available when the usual host is offline. Keen Games’ documented setup is for Windows; Linux support was described as planned, so verify the current Knowledge Base before attempting a Linux deployment.
This guide covers self-hosting on a Windows machine, from first installation through firewall rules, backups, updates and troubleshooting. Renting from a provider is another route when you do not want to maintain a computer or home network.
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What a dedicated Enshrouded server changes
Normal Enshrouded co-op is tied to the player who hosts the session. When that player exits, friends cannot continue in the same world. A dedicated server runs the world separately, so any invited player can connect while the server machine is running, even if the server owner is not playing.
In practical terms, the server is the always-available meeting place for your group. It does not make a powered-off computer reachable, however: the host process, Windows machine and network connection must remain online. You can run it without launching the normal game client, and friends can join at different times rather than waiting for one person to start a peer-to-peer session.
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There are two separate kinds of progress. Your character progression is stored on each player’s client. World progression—buildings, terrain changes and the shared world state—is stored in the dedicated server’s save files. Back up those server saves before changing configuration, replacing files or applying a major update.
What you need before installing
- A Windows PC or server that can remain powered on whenever friends need access. Keen Games’ installation article documents Windows; do not assume official Linux support without checking the current documentation.
- Enshrouded purchased and unlocked on the Steam account. Keen Games says unlocking the game makes the dedicated-server tool available in Steam’s Tools section.
- Permission to install software and create firewall or router rules on the host network.
- Enough memory and disk space for the server and your world. Keen Games’ February 21, 2025 FAQ reports approximately 4.4 GB of physical RAM while idle, plus up to 100 MB per player, and recommends 30 GB of free disk space. Those are dated support figures, not a guaranteed hardware requirement for every current build or large world.
- A backup location outside the server’s installation directory. Keeping a second copy protects the world if an update, configuration edit or disk failure damages the live files.
The published memory figures are useful for planning, not a promise that every world will perform identically. Large bases, background programs, storage speed, CPU load and the number of simultaneous players all affect the experience. Leave headroom instead of sizing a machine exactly to the idle number. If friends play at widely different times, a small home server can be sufficient; a group that expects continuous uptime may prefer a rented instance.
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The dedicated-server program holds the shared world and answers connection queries. Each player still runs Enshrouded locally, so clients need compatible game versions and a normal Steam connection. The host machine does not need a monitor or a running game window after the server process starts; it can operate headless in a console window.
Self-hosting gives you direct access to the JSON configuration, logs and save directory. It also makes you responsible for electricity, Windows updates, security, port forwarding, backups and recovery. A rental provider handles the physical machine and usually supplies a control panel, but the exact file access, backup tools, location, support and uptime depend on the provider and plan.
Install the official dedicated-server tool
- Show Steam’s Tools section. Open Steam Library and enable the Tools filter or section. If the tool is missing, confirm that the Steam account owns and has unlocked Enshrouded.
- Install Enshrouded Dedicated Server. Select the tool in the Tools list and let Steam download it. The server files are separate from the playable game installation.
- Open the installed-files folder. In Steam, open the dedicated server’s Properties, then use the installed-files option to open its location in Windows Explorer.
- Run the executable from that folder. Keen Games recommends launching the dedicated-server executable directly from its installed folder rather than relying on Steam’s green Launch button. The first run creates
enshrouded_server.jsonbeside the server files. - Stop the process before editing. Close the server window cleanly before changing JSON or save files. Editing while the process is writing can leave an incomplete configuration or save.
The generated JSON file is the control center for the server. Use a text editor that preserves plain JSON formatting, and make a backup copy before each substantial change. Do not paste comments into the file unless the current configuration documentation explicitly supports them; standard JSON does not allow comments.
Configure the server in enshrouded_server.json
Change only the values you need. Keep the JSON syntax intact: property names and text values use double quotation marks, commas separate entries, and the final entry in an object has no trailing comma.
| Setting | Documented default or range | What it controls |
|---|---|---|
name |
Choose your own name | The label shown in the server browser. Use a recognizable, non-offensive name that friends can identify. |
saveDirectory |
"./savegame" |
Where the world save is stored relative to the server files. |
logDirectory |
"./logs" |
Where server logs are written. Older logs are archived below ./logs/backup. |
ip |
"0.0.0.0" |
The listening address. Leave the default unless your internal network design requires a specific address. |
queryPort |
15637 |
The server-query/network port used for discovery. If you change it, match the firewall and router rules. |
slotCount |
Integer from 1 to 16 | The maximum simultaneous players. Each additional slot increases performance impact, so use a lower limit if CPU or RAM is constrained. |
| Chat settings | Voice and text chat disabled by default | Voice chat can be enabled in Proximity or Global mode. Text chat is a separate option. |
gameSettingsPreset |
Default, Relaxed, Hard, Survival or Custom | Chooses the world rules. Default is the documented recommendation for first-time players; Relaxed reduces enemies and increases resources and loot; Hard raises enemy numbers and aggression; Survival adds survival mechanics with more aggressive enemies; Custom exposes individual settings. |
Start with a small slotCount and the Default preset. You can raise the player limit or tune individual Custom settings later, but changing world rules is best done after everyone understands how the change affects the shared world. The supported limit is 1–16 players; adding unused slots still increases the possible performance load, so do not set the maximum simply because it is available.
Keep save and log directories on a volume with adequate free space. The FAQ reports approximately 13 GB of uncompressed server files at the time of its February 2025 publication and recommends 30 GB free, leaving room for updates, logs and saves. A world save can be roughly 1 MB to 100 MB, with large bases tending toward the high end.
Open the network path safely
The server uses IPv4. Keen Games’ FAQ identifies 15637 as the default query port and notes that Steam’s required ports also apply. Allow the configured port through the Windows firewall and, when friends are connecting from outside your home, through the router’s port-forwarding rule to the host PC’s internal IPv4 address.
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- Reserve or note the host computer’s internal IPv4 address so the router rule does not point to a different device after a reboot.
- Create a firewall rule for the port selected in
queryPort. Select the protocol and additional Steam ports according to Steam’s current required-port documentation; the Enshrouded FAQ does not reproduce a complete port matrix. - If the host is behind a router, forward the same port to the server PC. Do not expose unrelated services, and remove temporary test rules that are no longer needed.
- Restart the server after changing the port, then test from a friend’s external connection rather than relying only on a local connection.
If your network uses carrier-grade NAT, a second router or a managed firewall, ordinary port forwarding may not be possible. In that case, ask the network administrator for an inbound rule or consider a hosted server instead of publishing the machine directly. Never guess at a complete list of ports from a forum post; check Steam’s current required-port page and the current Enshrouded documentation.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesOnly expose the service you need. Keep Windows patched, use a separate account or restricted permissions where practical, and avoid sharing the host’s public address beyond the people who need to connect. A firewall exception for the specific server program is preferable to disabling the firewall globally.
Start the server and confirm it is ready
Run the dedicated-server executable from its installed folder. It can run headless: the process stays in a DOS/console window without opening the game client. Leave that process running for the world to remain available. If you close the console, shut down Windows or put the machine to sleep, players will lose access.
Watch the startup output. Keen Games’ FAQ describes HostOnline (up)! and the transition to Host_Online as indicators that the host is online. If the window closes immediately, start it from the folder so you can read the error, then check the JSON syntax, file permissions and port conflicts before trying again.
You can create a shortcut or scheduled task after the first successful run, but test manual startup first. Automatic restart tools can hide a repeated configuration error and may cause several processes to compete for the same port.
How friends join the dedicated server
- Launch Enshrouded and choose Join.
- Enable the Show dedicated server filter in the server browser.
- Search for the configured server name. Use the star icon to favorite it so it is easier to find later.
- Connect only after the server console shows its online status. The first discovery can take longer than a later connection while the browser refreshes.
If the server does not appear, use Steam’s View > Game Servers interface as a fallback and add the server by IP. Confirm that the IP points to the correct public address, the configured query port is forwarded, and the Windows firewall allows the process. A local player seeing the server does not prove that an internet connection can reach it.
Give friends the exact browser name and, if necessary, the public IP and configured port for the Steam server-list fallback. Do not confuse the host’s private address, such as a 192.168.x.x address, with the public address an outside player needs.
Save files, backups and recovery
Keen Games’ February 21, 2025 FAQ says a world save is created every five minutes. Reported save sizes range from about 1 MB to 100 MB depending on the world, with worlds containing large bases tending toward the high end. These figures describe the support article’s timeframe and can change with future builds or world complexity.
- Stop the server cleanly before copying the
saveDirectorycontents. - Keep dated backup copies on another drive or machine, especially before editing JSON, changing game presets or updating the server.
- Record which backup matches which server version so you can roll back deliberately.
- If a new configuration prevents startup, restore the last known-good JSON while leaving the backed-up world untouched.
- If a world appears to have rolled back, stop making further changes, preserve the current files, and restore the most recent valid save rather than repeatedly launching the server.
Because character progression is client-side, replacing a world save does not recreate every player’s character state. It does, however, replace the shared world state held by the server, so coordinate restores with everyone who plays there. A five-minute save interval is not a substitute for a separate backup: it only determines how often the live world is written.
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Keep the server compatible after updates
Dedicated servers and game clients may need matching versions. Keen Games patch notes have required server updates for some releases, while an individual later hotfix explicitly stated that no server update was needed. Treat each patch separately: read the current patch notes, update the dedicated-server tool when they require it, and have players update their clients before testing the world.
- Announce a maintenance window and stop the server normally.
- Back up the world directory and configuration.
- Update the dedicated-server tool through Steam if the patch notes call for it.
- Start the executable and wait for the online status before allowing players back in.
- If the client cannot connect after the update, compare the client and server versions before changing network rules or deleting saves.
Do not assume that every client hotfix changes the dedicated server, or that a server update is unnecessary because the game launched normally. The version-specific note is the authority for that release. Keep the old backup until the updated world has been tested by at least one player.
Self-hosting versus renting
Keen Games says GPortal offers Enshrouded servers that can be rented from the game and that other providers may also be used. The official material establishes rental as an option, but it does not establish a current price, region, support level or partner availability. Verify those details directly before paying.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted Windows server | Rented server |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Runs only while your machine and network are online. | Designed for provider-managed uptime, subject to the provider’s maintenance and outages. |
| Setup work | You install the tool, edit JSON, configure firewall/router access and maintain updates. | The provider supplies a control panel or managed setup; exact tools vary. |
| Control | Direct access to configuration, logs, saves and backups. | Control depends on the provider’s file access, panel and backup features. |
| Cost | Uses existing hardware and internet service, with your own electricity and maintenance costs. | Recurring charges; current price and included resources must be checked for your region and plan. |
| Best fit | Someone comfortable maintaining a Windows host and network rules. | A group that wants uptime without administering a machine or router. |
When comparing plans, check the advertised player slots, memory allocation, server location, backup and restore controls, file access, update timing, cancellation terms and support hours. A low monthly price is not useful if the provider has no suitable region or cannot restore your world. Export a copy of the world before moving between hosts so you retain control of the shared progress.
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The tool is not in Steam’s Tools list
Confirm that Enshrouded is purchased and unlocked on the same Steam account, then refresh the Library’s Tools filter. If it still does not appear, sign out and back in to Steam before escalating to support.
No enshrouded_server.json was created
Launch the executable directly from the installed-files folder, not only through Steam’s Launch button. Check that Windows allows the process to write in that directory and that the program is not being terminated immediately by security software.
The console never reaches an online state
Close the process and inspect the JSON for a missing quotation mark, comma or brace. Restore the backup configuration if necessary, then check whether another service already uses the selected query port.
Friends cannot see the server
Verify the server name, enable Show dedicated server, and confirm the server console is online. Check the Windows firewall, router forwarding and the current Steam port requirements. Use Steam’s View > Game Servers list to add the public IP when browser discovery fails.
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Players connect but are disconnected after a patch
Compare the game and dedicated-server versions and read the specific patch notes. Do not assume that every hotfix requires a server update or that none of them do.
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The server becomes unstable as more friends join
Lower slotCount, close unrelated workloads and watch the host’s RAM and CPU usage. Keen Games reports up to 100 MB of additional RAM per player in its February 2025 FAQ, but actual performance also depends on the world and current build.
The server works locally but not for outside friends
This usually points to the router, public address, carrier-grade NAT or firewall path rather than the game save. Recheck the host’s current private IPv4 address, the forwarding destination, the selected port and Steam’s required ports. Test from a genuinely external connection.
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Operational checklist
- Server tool installed from Steam Library Tools.
- Executable run from its installed folder at least once.
- Recognizable
nameand a valid JSON configuration. - Backups of the world directory and configuration stored elsewhere.
- Firewall and router rules aligned with the configured query port and current Steam requirements.
- Console reaches
HostOnline (up)!orHost_Online. - Friends use Join > Show dedicated server, with Steam’s Game Servers list available as a fallback.
- Client and server versions checked after every game update.
Frequently asked questions
How do I host an Enshrouded server for friends?
Install Enshrouded Dedicated Server from Steam’s Library Tools, run the executable once, edit the generated enshrouded_server.json, allow the configured query port and start the executable. Friends choose Join, enable Show dedicated server and select your server name.
Can the server be run headless?
Yes. The dedicated server runs in a DOS or console window without opening the playable game. Keep the process and Windows machine running while friends need access.
Which network port does Enshrouded use?
The documented default queryPort is 15637. Steam’s other required ports also apply, so consult Steam’s current port documentation rather than relying on that single number as a complete firewall list.
How many players can join?
slotCount accepts an integer from 1 through 16. Each extra slot increases the possible performance impact, so set a limit that matches the host’s resources and your group size.
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Unless changed, world data is in ./savegame beside the server files. Logs are in ./logs, with older logs archived in ./logs/backup.
Will a dedicated server preserve each player’s character?
Character progression is stored on the players’ clients, while the shared world progression is stored on the server. Backing up the world protects buildings and world state, not a complete copy of every player’s local character data.
Do friends need the same server version as the game?
Some updates require a matching dedicated-server update, while at least one later hotfix stated that no server update was needed. Check the patch notes for each release and update clients and server as directed.
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Is renting better than self-hosting?
Renting can provide managed uptime without configuring a home router or maintaining a Windows machine. Self-hosting gives direct control over files, configuration and backups. Compare current price, region, resources, support and restore tools before choosing.
Can I safely change the game preset later?
Back up the world and configuration first. Default is the documented recommendation for first-time players; Relaxed, Hard, Survival and Custom change the rules of the shared world, so discuss the choice with everyone before applying it.
Bottom line
The reliable path is straightforward: install the official Steam Tools package, run its executable directly to generate the JSON file, configure a name, slot limit and preset, open the documented network path, and wait for the online status before joining. Protect the world with clean shutdowns and dated backups, and check each patch’s version guidance. Self-hosting is best when someone can maintain a Windows machine and router; renting is the simpler alternative when continuous availability matters more than direct administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I host an Enshrouded server for friends?
Install Enshrouded Dedicated Server from Steam Library Tools, run it once, edit ens hrouded_server.json, configure networking, then start the executable and have friends use Join with Show dedicated server enabled.
Can the dedicated server run headless?
Yes. It runs in a console window without the game client. The Windows machine and server process must stay running.
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The documented default queryPort is 15637. Steam’s additional required ports also apply; verify the current Steam port list before configuring a firewall.
How many players can the server support?
The slotCount setting accepts 1 to 16 players. More slots can increase CPU and RAM impact.
Where should I back up the world?
Copy the saveDirectory contents, normally ./savegame, to another drive or machine after stopping the server. Keep dated copies before updates and configuration changes.
Should I rent or self-host?
Self-hosting offers control but requires Windows, networking and maintenance. Renting offers managed uptime, with current price, region, support and backup features varying by provider.
The Bottom Line
Install the Steam dedicated-server tool, generate and edit enshrouded_server.json, configure the network, and keep the executable running. Back up ./savegame, verify version requirements after updates, and choose renting if maintaining a Windows host is not practical.
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