How to Set Up an Enshrouded Dedicated Server

Enshrouded's co-op survival is best experienced on a dedicated server where your world stays online for friends to explore, build, and fight through the Shroud together. Setup is straightforward — this guide covers everything from choosing a host to configuring world settings.

What You'll Need

• Enshrouded on Steam — Every player needs to own the game.
• A hosting plan or spare PC — Managed hosting starts at $8-10/month. Self-hosting requires 8GB+ RAM.
• Your group's time zone — Choose a server location that minimizes latency for most players.

Step 1: Choose Your Hosting Approach

Managed Hosting (Recommended)

Enshrouded is straightforward to host and managed providers offer excellent value. Hosts like Shockbyte, Sparked Host, and Apex Hosting provide:

• One-click installation — Server deployed in minutes
• Automatic updates — Enshrouded is in active development with frequent patches
• Reliable backups — Protect your world from early access bugs
• 24/7 availability — Friends play on their schedule

Self-Hosted

Install via SteamCMD (app_update 2278520). Enshrouded's dedicated server runs on Windows. You need at least 8GB RAM and ports 15636-15637 (UDP) forwarded.

Step 2: Set Up on a Managed Host

1. Purchase a plan — 4GB RAM for 1-4 players, 6-8GB for 8-16 players.
2. Select Enshrouded and choose a server location.
3. Wait for deployment — Usually under 2 minutes.
4. Access your control panel and note the server IP and port.
5. Set a server name and password in the configuration.

Step 3: Configure enshrouded_server.json

The server config file controls world and gameplay settings:

{
  "name": "My Enshrouded Server",
  "password": "optional_password",
  "saveDirectory": "./savegame",
  "logDirectory": "./logs",
  "ip": "0.0.0.0",
  "gamePort": 15636,
  "queryPort": 15637,
  "slotCount": 16,
  "gameSettings": {
    "playerHealthFactor": 1,
    "playerManaFactor": 1,
    "playerStaminaFactor": 1,
    "enableDurability": true,
    "tombstoneMode": "AddBackpackMaterials"
  }
}

Key settings:

• slotCount — Maximum players (up to 16)
• playerHealthFactor — Multiplier for player health
• tombstoneMode — What happens when you die: AddBackpackMaterials drops a tombstone with your items

Step 4: Connect to Your Server

1. Launch Enshrouded and select Play then Join.
2. Click Find by IP at the top.
3. Enter your server IP and game port.
4. Click Connect and enter the password if set.

Players can also find public servers through the in-game server browser if you haven't set a password.

Step 5: Server Administration

Enshrouded doesn't have a traditional admin command system. Server management is primarily through the config file and hosting control panel:

• Restarts — Schedule daily restarts through your host's panel for stability.
• Backups — Enable automatic backups. Restore from the host's backup manager if issues arise.
• Updates — When Enshrouded patches, update through your host's game update button. Verify all players update their clients to match.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Players cannot connect:

• Verify the server has fully started (check console logs for "ready" message).
• Confirm the IP and port are correct.
• Check that the game version matches between server and clients.

World not saving properly:

• Ensure the save directory has write permissions.
• Check disk space — Enshrouded worlds grow as players explore.
• Restart the server gracefully (don't force-kill) to trigger a final save.

Performance drops with many players:

• Increase RAM allocation if available.
• Reduce the number of simultaneous players in different areas.
• Schedule restarts every 12-24 hours.

Next Steps

• Set up a Discord for your group to coordinate play sessions and share discoveries.
• Back up your world before major Enshrouded updates, as early access patches can change world formats.
• Monitor patch notes — New content updates may add configuration options for new features.

With hosts like Shockbyte and Sparked Host offering affordable Enshrouded servers, getting your co-op world online is quick and hassle-free.