If you’ve ever hopped on Enshrouded ready to dig, build, and fight the Shroud with friends, only to find their private server is nowhere to be found in the browser, you know how frustrating that can be. I ran into this exact issue last month when my group planned a 4-hour co-op session, and the server list refused to load any private lobbies for 20 minutes straight. Once we figured out how to join Enshrouded server by IP, we got connected in 30 seconds flat, and we haven’t relied on the built-in browser since. This method works for both private friend servers and hidden public servers, and it cuts out all the clutter of scrolling through hundreds of unrelated lobbies to find the one you want.
What You Need Before You Join Enshrouded Server by IP
You don’t need any special tools to connect via IP, but there are a few key details you have to get right to avoid errors. First, make sure you have a matching game build to the server you’re joining. If you have automatic updates turned off, or the server host hasn’t updated their install to the latest patch, you won’t be able to connect no matter what method you use.
Second, you need the full IP address with port number for the server. Most Enshrouded servers use the default port 15636, but many private hosts change this to avoid conflicts with other games or services, so always confirm the full address with the host. If you’re joining a server on the same local network as you (like a friend hosting from their PC at your house), you’ll need their local IPv4 address instead of their public IP to connect.
Last, double check that your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking Enshrouded’s access to the internet. I’ve had Windows Defender block the game’s connection twice after small patches, so it’s always worth adding Enshrouded to your allowed apps list if you run into repeated connection issues.
Step-by-Step Process to Connect to an Enshrouded Server Using IP
If you’ve never used the direct connect feature before, the process to join Enshrouded server by IP is far simpler than you might expect. First, launch Enshrouded and wait for the main menu to load fully. Don’t try to connect while the game is still syncing cloud saves, as that can cause random connection drops mid-process.
Next, navigate to the multiplayer tab from the main menu. You’ll see three options: Browse Servers, Host Game, and Direct Connect. Click Direct Connect to pull up the IP entry field. Some older game versions label this option “Join by IP” instead, so look for either phrasing if you’re running a slightly older build.
Enter the full IP and port in the designated field, making sure you don’t add any extra spaces or punctuation. For example, if the server address is 192.168.1.10:15636, enter that exactly as it’s written, no extra spaces before or after. If the server is password protected, you’ll see a second field to enter the password after you click connect. Enter the password exactly as shared with you, paying attention to capitalization and special characters.
Click join, and you’ll load directly into the server within 30 seconds if all details are correct. This method works even if the server is set to hidden in the public browser, which is why it’s perfect for private friend groups that don’t want random players joining their lobby.
Common Issues When Joining Enshrouded Servers via IP (And Fixes)
Even if you follow all the steps correctly, you might run into a few common errors when connecting. I’ve dealt with every single one of these at least once with my group, so these fixes are all tested and work for 90% of cases:
- Connection timed out error: First confirm the server is running and the host hasn’t changed the IP or port. If it’s a public server, check its status page to rule out outages. Add the host's IP to your firewall's allowed list if you're on a private network, and restart your router if you’re still having issues.
- Version mismatch error: This happens when your game build is older or newer than the server's. Auto-update Enshrouded through your game launcher, or ask the host to update their server to the latest public build to match. If the server is running a modded build, you’ll need to install the exact same mods as the server to connect.
- Invalid IP address error: Double check you didn't add extra spaces or mix up numbers when pasting. If you're joining a local network server, use the host's local IP instead of their public IP for faster, more stable connection. If you’re using a shared IP from a hosting service, confirm they haven’t moved the server to a new address.
- Password rejected error: Make sure caps lock is off, and ask the host to re-share the password if you're copying it from a message, as some chat apps add hidden formatting characters to text that can cause the password to fail even if it looks correct.
If none of these fixes work, try connecting to a different public server via IP first to rule out issues with your own game install. If you can connect to other servers, the problem is almost certainly with the host’s server setup, not your device.
Tips to Keep Your IP-Based Enshrouded Server Connection Stable
Once you get the hang of connecting via IP, there are a few small changes you can make to ensure your sessions stay smooth and you don’t have to re-do the connection process every time you play. First, if you’re playing with the same group regularly, ask the host to set a static IP address for their host machine or use a dynamic DNS service. Most residential ISPs change public IPs every few days, so a static address means you won’t have to get a new IP from the host every week.
Use a wired Ethernet connection instead of WiFi whenever possible. I cut my ping in half and stopped getting random mid-session drops when I switched from WiFi to Ethernet, even when I was only 10 feet away from my router. WiFi interference from other devices in your house can cause random connection drops that look like server issues, so a wired connection eliminates that variable entirely.
Avoid running large downloads, 4K streams, or video calls in the background while you’re playing. These activities eat up bandwidth that Enshrouded needs to maintain a stable connection to the server, especially if you’re playing with 8+ people on the same lobby. If you share your internet with other people in your house, let them know you’re playing a co-op game so they don’t start a large download mid-session.
Finally, save the server IP and port in a notes app on your desktop so you don’t have to ask the host for it every time you want to play. I have a small note with all my group’s regular server addresses, so I can copy and paste it directly into the direct connect field in 2 seconds flat.
At the end of the day, the built-in server browser for Enshrouded is convenient when it works, but it’s prone to outages and glitches, especially right after new patches drop. Knowing how to join Enshrouded server by IP means you never have to cancel a planned co-op session because the browser won’t load, and you can join private hidden servers that don’t show up in public listings at all. My group uses this method exclusively now, and we’ve cut down our time spent trying to connect from 15 minutes per session to less than a minute total.