Most problems with an Enshrouded server come down to a few causes. Start with the one that matches what you see.
The server does not show up in the in-game server list
Why: The server browser hides dedicated servers unless the filter for them is on.
Fix: In the Join screen, turn on Show dedicated server in the Server Filter. If it still does not appear, add the server's IP and Query Port as a favorite in Steam under View, then Game Servers, then the Favorites tab.
The server name, player limit or ports I typed into the config file keep changing back
Why: The panel writes Server Name, Server Password, Max Players and the ports into the config file on every start.
Fix: Change those values in the panel and restart. Use the config file only for settings the panel does not show, such as the difficulty preset and roles.
The server will not start after I edited the gameplay settings
Why: The server refuses to boot if a setting contains invalid text, and it names the bad value in the console. Numbers outside the allowed range are not an error, they are simply clamped to the minimum or maximum.
Fix: Read the panel Console for the incorrect value, fix it in enshrouded_server.json in Files and start again. Note that the difficulty details only apply when the preset is set to Custom.
The config file looks wrong or settings are missing after a game update
Why: Keen Games notes that an older config file can sometimes be updated incorrectly by a new version.
Fix: Stop the server and download a copy of enshrouded_server.json. Then delete it in Files so a fresh one is created on the next start. Deleting it loses your roles, role passwords and gameplay settings until you redo them from the copy; the world is not affected.
The server seems stuck right after starting and nobody can join yet
Why: The first start downloads the game (about 13 GB of files) and loading the world takes a while.
Fix: Wait until the console stops loading and reports the server as online, then join.
Players can join but cannot open chests or build
Why: What a player may do is decided by the role whose password they entered; Guest and Visitor roles cannot use chests or change bases.
Fix: Have the player rejoin with the Friend or Admin password, or edit the permissions of the role in the userGroups section of enshrouded_server.json (in Files) while the server is stopped.
Friends cannot join because the server shows as full
Why: A role can have reserved slots that keep the lobby marked full for players of other roles.
Fix: Lower or remove reservedSlots for the roles in enshrouded_server.json (in Files) while the server is stopped, or ask players of the reserved role to join first.
Server files look corrupted or the server crashes straight after an update
Why: A download may have been interrupted or damaged.
Fix: Switch on Validate in the panel and restart; the next start checks every file against Steam and is slower.
Still stuck?
Open a ticket in the category that fits and include the last 50 to 100 lines of the console. See How to open a support ticket and How to fix a server that will not start.
