Joining
- Own Terraria on Steam, and install tModLoader (free, on Steam).
- Start tModLoader, then Multiplayer, Join via IP.
- Type the server's address, then its port. The dashboard shows both.
- tModLoader compares its mods with the server's, downloads the ones it lacks, reloads, and joins.
- Type the password if the server has one.
Tip:Terraria on its own cannot join a modded server, and a tModLoader server is not in Terraria's server list: players join by address.
When it does not work
- Wrong version: players need the same tModLoader release as the server (stable, or preview if the server runs preview). Steam keeps tModLoader current; the server follows new releases by itself.
- Mods failing to download: let the download finish; the first join to a big modpack downloads hundreds of MB.
- Wrong password, or a ban: the server says so. A ban is lifted in the Server Settings tab.
- The server still starting: a first start downloads tModLoader and every mod, then generates the world.
Frequently asked questions
Do players need to install the server's mods?
No. tModLoader downloads a server's mods on join, matching the server's versions exactly.
Can vanilla Terraria join a tModLoader server?
No. Players need tModLoader, which is free on Steam for anyone who owns Terraria. For a vanilla server, see our Terraria hosting.