Quick Answer: Summary of Steps
- Check the system requirements. Keen's network troubleshooting starts here.
- Show dedicated servers in the filter. Turn on "Show dedicated server" in the Join screen's Server Filter.
- Open the right ports. The default query port is 15637; the game port is one below it (15636). Steam's own ports are also needed.
- Match versions and favourite the server by IP. Update client and server, and add the server in Steam's Game Servers list.
- Flush DNS, try Google DNS, use a cable. Keen's fixes for drops and an empty server list.
- Report the bug with logs. Send enshrouded.log, DxDiag and saves through the in-game menu or Keen's form.
Prerequisites & Materials Needed
Required tools & items
- Steam — Enshrouded's PC version and its server browser run through Steam.
- Router admin access — to forward ports 15636 and 15637 if you host.
- A Windows administrator account — for the DNS commands.
- Access to your server files — if you run a dedicated server or rent one (for example from GPortal).
- Estimated time — Preparation: about 5 minutes; Execution: 5 minutes for filter and DNS fixes; 20–30 minutes for port forwarding
Estimated time
- Preparation: PT5M
- Execution: PT30M
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Step 1: Confirm your PC meets the requirements
Keen's network troubleshooting article starts with this, because underpowered hosts cause drops for everyone.
- Compare your PC with the System Requirements article in Keen's knowledge base (enshrouded.zendesk.com). If you host for friends, check the Recommended Server Specifications article too.
How you know it worked: Your CPU, GPU and RAM meet at least the minimum.
Step 2: Step 2: Turn on dedicated servers in the server browser
Dedicated servers are hidden until you enable them.
- Main menu → Join → in the Server Filter widget on the right, enable Show dedicated server. Wait 1–2 minutes for the list to finish loading before searching, as Keen advises.
- Pro Tip: Click the star icon to favourite a server; favourites sort to the top.
How you know it worked: Your server shows in the list.
Step 3: Step 3: Make sure the server is running and on the same version
A server that hasn't fully started, or runs an older build, won't appear.
- Update both the game and the server. In the server's console window or log, look for lines like [Session] 'HostOnline' (up)! and finished transition from 'Lobby' to 'Host_Online', which Keen gives as the sign it's fully started.
- Pro Tip: Logs are in ./logs and saves in ./savegame by default; the config file and crash dumps sit next to the server executable. Saves are written every 5 minutes.
How you know it worked: The log shows Host_Online.
Step 4: Step 4: Open ports 15636 and 15637
Keen's default query port is 15637, and its Known Issues post says the query port must be the game port + 1.
- On the server's router and firewall, forward 15636 and 15637 for TCP and UDP to the hosting PC. Also allow the ports listed in Valve's "Required Ports for Steam" article.
- Pro Tip: Keen says the server uses IPv4; IPv6-only setups won't work for multiplayer.
How you know it worked: Friends outside your network can see and join the server.
Step 5: Step 5: Add the server as a Steam favourite by IP
Keen's documented fallback when a server won't show in the in-game list.
- In Steam, go to View → Game Servers → Favourites, click +, and enter the server's IP and query port. Then launch Enshrouded and look for it at the top of the list.
How you know it worked: The server appears among your favourites in-game.
Step 6: Step 6: Fix drops and an empty list (DNS, cache, cable)
Keen's network troubleshooting lists these for random drops and an unpopulated server list.
- Clear the Steam download cache: Steam → Settings → Downloads → Clear Download Cache.
- Flush DNS: Win + R → cmd → ipconfig /flushdns.
- Try Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) in your network adapter settings.
- Use a cable instead of Wi-Fi if you see packet loss.
How you know it worked: Sessions stay connected and the list fills.
Step 7: Step 7: Make your peer-to-peer session visible
- Steam → Settings → Account → Privacy Settings → set your profile to Public. Or right-click friends in your Steam friends list and choose Invite to game.
- Pro Tip: Press Esc in-game to see the host-load dot and your latency. Keen says a yellow or red host dot means it's better to host on another machine or play with fewer people.
How you know it worked: Friends can see and join your game.
Step 8: Step 8: If the game won't launch, close GPU Tweak III
- If pressing Play does nothing, quit ASUS GPU Tweak III completely and try again. Keen's Known Issues post reported this conflict.
How you know it worked: The game opens.
How this guide was made: researched and drafted with AI assistance from the official support pages and references listed in the sources, and published under Tulasiram Pemmadi's byline. We have not tested these fixes on our own hardware.
This guide helps you get Enshrouded working again when servers don't appear, multiplayer sessions drop, or the game won't launch or keeps crashing on PC. Every fix comes from Keen Games' official Enshrouded support knowledge base or the developer's pinned Steam "Known Issues" post.
Game page: Enshrouded on NextPlayIntel · Playing on PS5? See how to play Enshrouded on PS5 · New player? Enshrouded game guide
The Problem
Common Enshrouded problems documented by Keen Games are: a dedicated server that never appears in the server browser, random connection drops or a server list that won't populate, a peer-to-peer session that friends can't see, lag or rubber-banding in larger groups, and the game doing nothing when you press Play.
Likely Causes
All from Keen Games' support articles and its pinned Steam Known Issues post:
The dedicated-server filter is off. Dedicated servers only list when "Show dedicated server" is enabled.
Client and server versions don't match after an update.
Blocked ports. The query port must be the game port + 1, open for TCP and UDP.
The browser hasn't finished loading. Keen says to give it 1–2 minutes before searching.
A private Steam profile can hide your peer-to-peer session.
Wi-Fi packet loss or DNS problems can drop connections.
An overloaded host. Stability depends on player count, host hardware and the host's connection.
ASUS GPU Tweak III. Keen's Known Issues post says users reported it could stop the game launching at all.
Reference: Enshrouded network ports and file locations
These defaults come from Keen Games' Dedicated Server FAQ, Reporting Bugs article and Known Issues post.
Item | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Game port | 15636 | Query port must be game port + 1 (Keen's Known Issues post) |
Query port | 15637 | Open for TCP and UDP |
Internet protocol | IPv4 only | Enshrouded does not use IPv6 for multiplayer |
Server save folder | ./savegame | Saves are written every 5 minutes |
Server log folder | ./logs (older logs in ./logs/backup) | Config file and crash dumps sit beside the server .exe |
Client log | enshrouded.log plus a backup folder | Steam → Manage → Browse local files |
Client cloud saves (local copy) | Steam\userdata\<your Steam ID>\…\remote | Path varies per user, as Keen notes |
Started-server sign | [Session] 'HostOnline' (up)! | Appears in the server window and log |
If you rent a server from a host such as GPortal, Keen says these files are at the top level of the provider's file manager.
Error codes for this game
Launcher error codes from Steam, Epic, the EA app, Battle.net and the Rockstar Games Launcher, such as Epic's LS-0013, are in the PC launcher list. Console codes are in the error-code directory.
When to contact official support
Report the bug from the in-game Esc → Report a Bug menu, or Keen's web form if the game won't start. Attach a DxDiag report (Win + R → dxdiag → Save All Information), a zip of enshrouded.log and the backup log folder (Steam → Manage → Browse local files), your cloud saves from before and after the problem, and the server's logs and saves if you host.
How we checked this guide
Checked 31 October 2026 (IST). All from Keen Games / the official Enshrouded support site unless noted.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Searching before the list finishes loading Keen says wait 1–2 minutes.
- Forwarding only one port Both the game port and query port (game port + 1) are needed, for TCP and UDP.
- Updating the client but not the server Mismatched versions hide the server.
- Leaving your Steam profile private when hosting Your session may not appear to friends.
- Sending a bug report without logs Keen asks for logs, DxDiag and saves to investigate.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I see my Enshrouded dedicated server?
Usually the "Show dedicated server" filter is off, versions don't match, or the query port is blocked. Enable the filter, update both sides and open ports 15636–15637.
What ports does Enshrouded use?
Keen's default query port is 15637, and the game port is one lower (15636). Steam's own required ports also apply.
Does Enshrouded support IPv6?
No. Keen says Enshrouded currently uses only IPv4 for multiplayer.
Where is the Enshrouded log file?
On PC, right-click Enshrouded in Steam → Manage → Browse local files; you'll find enshrouded.log and a backup folder of older logs.
Why does Enshrouded multiplayer lag?
Keen says stability depends on player count, the host's hardware and the host's connection. Press Esc to check the host-load dot and your latency.
Does this guide cover the PS5 version?
Keen's knowledge base is focused on PC and servers. For PS5 setup, see our Enshrouded PS5 how-to and contact PlayStation or Keen support for console errors.
Sources & verification
Sources last verified on . This article covers published information, not hands-on testing.
Editorial & update notes
New troubleshooting guide, 31 Oct 2026.
