Guides
How to Set Up an Enshrouded Dedicated Server
Setting up your own Enshrouded dedicated server is a great way to play with friends or start a public community. You will have full control over the gameplay, world parameters, data, and more. However, the process to do that and maintain a running server on your own computer can be complicated. Due to this, we created this Nitrado guide to show you how to create an Enshrouded dedicated server and get everything set up for friends to join!
Our expert went through the process of self-hosting a server and had this to say:
“The process to actually get the server running was pretty straightforward, as all it took was clicking a few buttons. The headache came from port forwarding, as it’s required for my friends to connect. I had to open up some ports, configure my firewall, and test out connections to confirm everything worked. If I had no previous experience or knowledge, it would take me twice as long to do it.
Once the hard part was finished, my whole friend group joined on my own Enshrouded server. After some time, we decided to customize the gameplay, which was easy since I had the configuration file already open. When a few hours passed, I needed to leave and closed down my computer. My friends didn’t want to stop playing, but they were kicked from the server since my PC was shutting down.
Having to always keep my computer running puts stress on my hardware and takes up unnecessary power when I’m away. That’s why hosting with Nitrado is far superior to self-hosting, as the server is online 24/7 and everything in the backend is already taken care of! It can take all the headaches away in a breeze.” – Nathan, Enshrouded Server Expert.
Rent Your Enshrouded Server Hosting
When you’re ready, start following these sections to begin hosting your own server!
Getting Started
In order for you to host, install the Enshrouded Dedicated Server tool from your Steam Library. Afterwards, you will launch it once to generate its configuration files and start editing its startup parameters to adjust various settings.
- Open Steam and search for “Enshrouded Dedicated Server” in your library.
- Begin downloading the tool on your computer.
- Right-click Enshrouded Dedicated Server, select
Manage, thenBrowse Local Files.
- Run
enshrouded_server.exeonce to generate configuration files, then close it. - Locate
enshrouded_server.jsonand edit it with a text editor. - Edit these specific fields in
enshrouded_server.json:name: Change “Your Enshrouded Server Name” to your server name.slotCount: Change 16 to your desired maximum player count.userGroups: Change “YourAdminPassword” and “YourFriendPassword” to secure passwords.gameSettingsPreset: Set to “Default”, “Relaxed”, “Hard”, “Survival”, or “Custom”.
You may also adjust other settings too. - Save and close the
enshrouded_server.jsonfile. - Launch Enshrouded Dedicated Server from Steam.
- Wait for it to load and ensure you see “Host_Online” somewhere in the console.
- If you see that, then the dedicated server is running normally.
Connection Testing
When testing the connection, you must use the QueryPort with your LocalHost Address.
- Launch Enshrouded and click the
Playbutton at the top. - Select
Joinon the right, then clickSearch by IPv4/Domainat the bottom. - Enter
127.0.0.1:15637and confirm by selecting theSearchbutton. - If successful, you should see and be able to connect.
When you port forward, other players can join by searching for your Server Name normally. Alternatively, they can use your PublicIP:15637 in the Steam Game Servers Favorites list. Click here to learn more about this process.
Port Forwarding
Follow these steps to port forward your dedicated Enshrouded server:
- Open Command Prompt on your computer, type
ipconfig, and copy your IPv4 Address and Default Gateway IP Address. - Open a web browser, enter your Default Gateway IP Address into the search bar, and log into your router.
- Locate the
Port ForwardingorNAT Rulessection in your router’s admin panel. - Create a rule pointing ports
15636to15637(UDP) directly to your IPv4 Address. - Open your Windows Firewall settings and create an Inbound Rule allowing traffic on ports
15636to15637(UDP). - Search “what is my IP” in a web browser to locate your Public IP address.
- Follow these instructions depending on your setup:
- How You Join: Connect using
127.0.0.1:15637in Search by IPv4/Domain. - Other Players: Connect using
Public IP:15637or search the Server Name in the server list.
- How You Join: Connect using
Server Files / Settings
For those wanting to adjust game presets or back up server world data, you need to locate the server files. Follow these instructions to find them:
- Right-click Enshrouded Dedicated Server from your Steam Library.
- Hover over
Manage, then selectBrowse Local Files. - Navigate to the directory of your choice:
- Server Config:
...\Enshrouded Dedicated Server\enshrouded_server.json - Save Files & World Data:
...\Enshrouded Dedicated Server\savegame - Server Logs:
...\Enshrouded Dedicated Server\logs
- Server Config:
Modifying the enshrouded_server.json file is where you edit primary server settings. Always shut down the server console before editing this file, as active server software will overwrite configuration changes upon closing.
Nitrado Enshrouded Server Hosting
One major issue when self-hosting your own Enshrouded Dedicated Server is that your computer must always be running with the software launched. If you turn off your computer at any point, the server will shut down. Compare that with Nitrado, it remains online 24/7 without interruption plus there are more benefits when hosting with us:
| Feature | Nitrado Dedicated Server | Self-Hosting on Your PC |
|---|---|---|
| Server Availability | 24/7 Uptime: Runs continuously so friends can play anytime without you. | Requires PC Running: Your computer and server software must stay online for players to join. |
| PC Performance | Zero PC Strain: Uses no RAM or CPU on your machine, keeping your gaming smooth. | Heavy FPS Drops: Eats up RAM and heavy CPU power on your own rig. |
| Setup & Control | One-Click Panel: Easy Web Interface for toggling difficulty presets, changing settings, and managing slots. | Complex Setup: Requires router port forwarding, JSON file edits, and firewall configuration. |
| Network Security | DDoS Protection: Keeps your home IP address hidden and secure. | Exposes Home Network: Forces you to share your private home IP address with external players. |
| Save Protection | Automatic Backups: Instant one-click restoration if save data corrupts. | Corruption Risk: PC crashes or power loss can permanently wipe your world save file unless backed up manually. |
| Connection Quality | Enterprise Speeds: Fast hardware ensures low ping and lag-free play for everyone. | Home Network Limits: Restricted by home internet upload speeds, causing lag spikes for friends. |
| Power & Hardware Wear | Fixed Low Cost: Zero impact on home electricity bills or component lifespans. | Higher Electric Bills: Running a PC 24/7 spikes power bills and wears down hardware. |
While self-hosting is free to set up, there are many downsides to it – including maintaining open router ports, keeping your computer always online, hardware limitations, networking issues, and more can all become inconvenient. Hosting with us removes all the bottlenecks and potential headaches, making it easy for you to set up, configure, manage, and start playing with friends in Enshrouded.
Easier setup, faster customization, increased performance, better security, available today!
