How to Set Up an Enshrouded Dedicated Server (2026)

Do you need a dedicated server for Enshrouded?

Enshrouded supports co-op in two ways. You can open your single-player world to friends directly, but that world only exists while you — the host — are online, and everyone else is kicked the moment you leave. A dedicated server runs independently of any player: the world stays live around the clock, friends can jump in whenever they want, and progress is never tied to one person's PC being switched on.

If you only play occasionally with one or two friends who are always online at the same time, peer-to-peer co-op is fine. If you want a persistent Embervale that a group of up to 16 can build in on their own schedule, a dedicated server is the right choice. The rest of this guide shows you how to set one up.

Enshrouded dedicated server requirements

Before installing anything, make sure your machine (or the plan you rent) meets the requirements. The Enshrouded dedicated server is Windows-native and runs on Linux through Proton/Wine, which is exactly how managed hosts run it.

The server process uses about 4.4 GB of RAM before anyone joins and up to 100 MB more per player, and Keen Games says it should not go above 6 GB. The CPU is what a bigger group needs: Keen recommends 6 cores for 4 to 6 players and 8 cores for a full 16. See our full breakdown on the Enshrouded server requirements page.

Option A — Self-host the Enshrouded server with SteamCMD

SteamCMD is the command-line Steam client used to download dedicated server files. This is the free route if you already have a spare PC or VPS that can stay on 24/7. Expect to manage updates, backups, firewall rules, and uptime yourself.

1. Install SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from Valve and extract it to a dedicated folder such as C:\enshrouded-server (Windows) or ~/enshrouded-server (Linux). On Linux you also need the 32-bit libraries (lib32gcc-s1) that SteamCMD depends on.

2. Download the Enshrouded dedicated server files

Run SteamCMD and install app ID 2278520, the Enshrouded Dedicated Server. Use an anonymous login — no game licence is needed for the server binaries. The command is: login anonymous, then app_update 2278520 validate, then quit.

3. Configure enshrouded_server.json

The first launch generates enshrouded_server.json. Open it and set your server name, the player group passwords, the query port (queryPort, 15637 by default) and the slot count (up to 16). This file is also where you tune difficulty and game rules — covered in detail in our best Enshrouded server settings guide.

4. Open and forward the port

Enshrouded uses one UDP port, the query port, which is 15637 by default. Content Update #2 removed the separate game port, so guides that still list 15636 are out of date. Forward the query port on your router to the server machine and allow it through the OS firewall. If it is not reachable from the internet, your server will not appear for friends, and that is the single most common reason an Enshrouded server does not show up.

5. Launch and keep it running

Start enshrouded_server.exe. On a headless Linux box, run it under Proton/Wine inside a systemd service or a screen/tmux session so it survives disconnects. To keep it patched you must re-run the SteamCMD app_update after every Enshrouded update, then restart the process.

Option B — Deploy a managed Enshrouded server on Flux (30 seconds)

A managed host removes every step above except choosing your settings. On the Flux decentralized cloud your Enshrouded server is provisioned automatically, kept updated, protected from DDoS attacks, and reachable on a clean domain — no router config, no SteamCMD, no systemd.

1. Create a free account with Google, email, or a Flux (ZelCore / SSP) wallet.
2. Pick a plan for 4, 8, or 16 players — from $7.49/month, first week free.
3. Choose a server region close to your group from 50+ global locations.
4. Click Deploy. Your dedicated Enshrouded server is live in about 30 seconds.

Because Flux runs on thousands of independent nodes rather than one datacentre, there is no single point of failure, and ports, updates and DDoS protection are handled for you. You still get full control: a web file browser, a live terminal, backups, and one-click restarts from the dashboard.

After setup: invite friends and tune your world

Once the server is online, share the address and password so friends can add it to their Steam favourites, where Enshrouded lists it at the top of the server list. From there you can adjust difficulty, resource rates, and stamina/health multipliers to fit your group. Our guides on joining a friend's server and the best server settings walk through both in detail.