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How to Host an Enshrouded Dedicated Server

Enshrouded supports up to 16 players on a single dedicated server. While the game offers peer-to-peer co-op, a dedicated server keeps the world online even when the host is not playing. This guide covers everything you need to know about hosting one, whether you self-host or use a managed provider.

Why Run a Dedicated Server?​

In peer-to-peer mode the host must be online and actively playing for anyone else to connect. A dedicated server removes that limitation. Your world stays accessible around the clock, which is especially valuable if your group plays across different time zones or if you want a community server with more than a handful of players.

Dedicated servers also give you full control over gameplay settings, difficulty configuration, and administrative tools like the ban system introduced in the Wake of the Water update.

Hardware Requirements​

Keen Games publishes official server specifications that scale with player count.

Small groups (1-6 players)​

  • CPU: 6 cores / 12 threads at 3.2 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 16 GB (the server process idles at roughly 4-5 GB and climbs as players explore and build)
  • Storage: SSD with at least 30 GB free
  • Bandwidth: 2 Mbit/s upload per connected player

Large servers (up to 16 players)​

  • CPU: 8 cores / 16 threads at 3.7 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 16 GB minimum, though 12-16 GB of usable memory is recommended for developed worlds with many structures
  • Storage: SSD with at least 30 GB free
  • Bandwidth: 2 Mbit/s upload per connected player

Single-thread performance matters more than core count for Enshrouded. A CPU with high clock speeds (4.0 GHz and above) will outperform a chip with many slower cores.

Self-Hosting: Setup Steps​

If you want to run the server on your own hardware or a VPS, follow these steps.

1. Install SteamCMD​

Download and install SteamCMD from the official Valve documentation. This is the command-line tool used to download dedicated server files from Steam.

2. Download the Enshrouded server​

Run SteamCMD and install the Enshrouded Dedicated Server app (App ID 2278520):

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2278520 validate +quit

3. Configure the server​

All configuration lives in a single file called enshrouded_server.json in the server's root directory. Key settings include:

  • name -- the server name shown in the browser
  • password -- leave empty for a public server or set a password for private access
  • slotCount -- maximum number of players (up to 16)
  • gamePort -- default 15636
  • queryPort -- default 15637
  • ip -- bind to your machine's local IP or 0.0.0.0

4. Open firewall ports​

Allow inbound traffic on the following ports:

PortProtocolPurpose
15636UDPGame traffic
15637UDPSteam query

If you are behind a home router, you will also need to set up port forwarding for both ports.

5. Start the server​

Run enshrouded_server.exe (Windows) or launch through SteamCMD on Linux. The server will generate the world on first boot, which can take a few minutes depending on hardware.

Key Server Settings​

The enshrouded_server.json file contains gameplay settings that were expanded significantly in 2025. Notable options include:

  • Difficulty preset -- choose from predefined difficulty levels or configure custom values
  • Enemy difficulty and health scaling -- control how tough enemies are
  • Resource yield multipliers -- adjust how many resources players gather per action
  • Day/night cycle length -- speed up or slow down the passage of time
  • Shroud timer -- how long players can survive inside the Shroud before taking fatal damage
  • Base raid settings -- enable or disable base raids and configure frequency

The Wake of the Water update also added a Visitor role that prevents guests from terraforming outside base areas, which is useful for public or community servers.

Keeping the Server Updated​

When Keen Games releases a patch, players on the new version cannot connect to a server running the old version. Run the SteamCMD update command after each patch:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2278520 validate +quit

Schedule this as an automated task or cron job if you want to stay current without manual intervention.

Backups​

World data is stored in the server's save directory. Back up the entire save folder regularly. If something goes wrong -- a corrupted world file, an unwanted griefing incident, or a bad configuration change -- you can restore from the most recent backup.

Whether you self-host or go managed, the important thing is that your group has a persistent world to return to. Pick the option that fits your comfort level and start exploring Embervale together.