If you’re tired of laggy peer-to-peer connections dropping mid-base building or boss fights, you’re not alone. Thousands of Enshrouded players turn to dedicated servers for stable, long-term co-op sessions that stay online even when the host logs off. We’ve spent dozens of hours testing public and private dedicated servers for the game, and this guide breaks down exactly how to join dedicated server Enshrouded setups without the frustrating connection headaches most new players run into.
How to Join Dedicated Server Enshrouded: Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Before you even open the game, make sure you’ve installed the latest patch, because mismatched game versions are the number one reason players can’t connect to dedicated servers. Always verify your game files first if you haven’t played in a week, especially if you run a modded version of the game. Mods can break compatibility with unmodded servers, so you’ll want to disable any custom mods if you’re joining a vanilla server that doesn’t support them. Once you’re ready to join, follow these simple steps:
- Launch Enshrouded from your Steam, Epic Games Store, or console dashboard, and select “Multiplayer” from the main menu
- Choose the “Dedicated Servers” tab from the top of the multiplayer menu, not the “Host Game” or “Join Game” peer-to-peer options
- Use the filter tools to narrow down servers by region, ping, player count, password protection, or mod support
- Click the server you want to join, enter the password if required, and wait 10 to 30 seconds for the game to load you into the world
That might sound simple, but a lot of players skip the filter step and end up trying to join servers on the other side of the world with 300+ ping, which leads to constant rubberbanding or being kicked automatically. If you’re joining a private server a friend set up, you can also use the direct IP search bar at the top of the dedicated server menu to input their server’s public IP directly, no searching required. This is much faster than scrolling through hundreds of public servers to find the one your group is using.
Fixing Common Connection Errors When Joining Enshrouded Dedicated Servers
Even if you follow all the steps above, you might still run into errors that stop you from getting in. We’ve tested over 20 different server connections while compiling this guide, so we’ve got easy fixes for the most frequent issues players face.
“Server Version Mismatch” Error: This pops up when your game is on an older patch than the server, or vice versa. On PC, right click Enshrouded in your library, select “Properties”, go to “Updates” and make sure auto-updates are enabled. If the server is modded, you’ll need to install the exact same mod list as the server admin to get in. Even one missing mod will trigger this error, so double check your mod folder if you’re joining a custom server.
“Connection Timed Out” Error: This usually means either your internet is unstable, the server is full, or the server host has port forwarding set up incorrectly. If you’re trying to join a friend’s private server, ask them to confirm they’ve opened port 15636 (the default Enshrouded dedicated server port) on their router, and that their firewall isn’t blocking incoming connections. You can also try restarting your router or resetting your internet connection if the issue is on your end.
“Password Rejected” Error: Double check that you’re typing the password exactly as shared, including capitalization and special characters. Many server admins use case-sensitive passwords, so even one wrong capital letter will lock you out. If it still doesn’t work, reach out to the admin to confirm they haven’t changed the password recently, or that you have space at the start or end of the password by accident.
One thing a lot of console players don’t realize: you can only join dedicated servers that are marked as console-compatible. Most public servers are PC-only right now, so make sure you check the server details to confirm it supports your platform before you try to join. The server list has a filter for console compatibility, so you can toggle that on to hide PC-only servers entirely.
Tips for Finding the Best Dedicated Servers for Your Playstyle
Not all dedicated servers are created equal. Some are built for casual players who want to build huge bases without PvP, others are focused on fast progression, PvP, or modded play with extra content not in the base game. Picking the right server for how you play will make your experience way better.
Prioritize servers with ping under 80ms if you’re planning to do fast-paced combat or build complex builds. Anything over 100ms will lead to noticeable input lag, especially when you’re in shrouded areas where split-second reactions matter. The filter tool lets you set a maximum ping threshold, so you don’t waste time looking at servers that are too far away. For console players, you’ll want to aim for ping under 60ms for the smoothest experience.
If you want to play with a consistent group of friends, look for private servers with small player caps between 4 to 8 slots. That way, you don’t have random players joining and destroying your builds or stealing your resources. Most small servers also tend to have less lag because fewer people are using the server resources at once. You can even split up roles in your group to cover building, combat, and resource gathering much easier on smaller servers too.
For players who love modded play, check the server description to see what mods they’re running. Some servers run quality of life mods like extra building pieces, increased stack sizes, faster travel, or custom boss fights. Make sure you read the server rules before you join, too—many servers ban griefing, unapproved mods, or building in certain high-traffic areas, and you can get banned permanently if you break them. Most servers list their rules in the description, so take 30 seconds to read them before you join.
What to Do After Joining an Enshrouded Dedicated Server
Once you’re in the server, there are a few quick steps you should take first to make sure you don’t lose progress or run into issues later on. We learned this the hard way after losing 10 hours of progress on a random public server when we didn’t read the rules first, and someone destroyed our unclaimed base while we were offline.
First, claim a small plot of land as soon as you can, especially on public servers. Use your flame altar to mark your base, so other players can’t modify or destroy your builds. Most servers have protection enabled for claimed land, but double check the server settings to confirm how far your altar’s protection covers. Don’t build on someone else’s claimed land, that’s the fastest way to get banned from most servers. If you’re not sure if land is claimed, try placing a small block first to test it.
Next, introduce yourself in the in-game chat if it’s a public server with active players. A lot of servers have friendly communities that will share resources, help you beat tough bosses, or show you hidden loot locations if you’re friendly. If you’re joining a friend’s server, ask the admin to give you build permissions if you want to help build group bases or access shared storage chests. Some servers default to new players, so you won’t be able to build anything until the admin gives you access.
If you plan to play on the same server long-term, add it to your favorites list so you can find it quickly next time you log in. You won’t have to search through the server browser every time you want to play. If the server goes offline temporarily, your favorites list will show you when it’s back up again. You can also turn on notifications for favorite servers, so you get an alert when your friends log on to play.
Dedicated servers make Enshrouded’s co-op experience way better than peer-to-peer play, no more dropped connections when the host has to log off in the middle of a boss fight, and more stable performance even with 8+ players playing at once. Now that you know how to join dedicated server Enshrouded setups without running into common errors, you can jump right into co-op play with your friends or a new community of players right away. Don’t forget to double check server rules before you join, and have fun exploring the shrouded lands with your group.