Enshrouded Dedicated Server Hosting Guide: Setup, Requirements, and Best Practices for 2025

Enshrouded, the immersive multiplayer survival RPG, captivates players with its vast open world, intricate base-building mechanics, and cooperative exploration challenges. For seamless multiplayer sessions with friends or communities, establishing a dedicated server ensures consistent performance, customizable settings, and reliable access. This comprehensive guide details the process of Enshrouded dedicated server hosting, including step-by-step setup instructions, hardware specifications, and optimization strategies. Whether self-hosting on local hardware or opting for cloud-based solutions like a Hong Kong VPS, these insights will empower IT professionals and gamers to deploy a robust server environment.

Why Choose Dedicated Server Hosting for Enshrouded?

Dedicated servers provide superior control compared to peer-to-peer connections, minimizing lag, enabling mod integration, and supporting persistent worlds even when the host is offline. This setup is ideal for groups exceeding four players, allowing administrators to manage permissions, enforce rules, and scale resources dynamically. In 2025, with Enshrouded’s ongoing updates enhancing multiplayer features, a dedicated server becomes essential for communities seeking uninterrupted gameplay and data integrity.

Key advantages include:

• Customizable Configurations: Tailor difficulty levels, player slots, and world generation to match your group’s preferences.
• Enhanced Stability: Dedicated resources prevent performance dips during peak activity, such as large-scale builds or battles.
• Mod Support: Easily integrate community mods for extended content, improving replayability.

For global teams or Asia-Pacific players, hosting on a Hong Kong VPS delivers low-latency connectivity, reducing ping times and ensuring smooth synchronization across regions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up an Enshrouded Dedicated Server

Deploying an Enshrouded dedicated server involves downloading tools, configuring parameters, and securing network access. Follow these structured steps to launch your server efficiently.

1. Acquire and Install Server Files

Begin by obtaining the official Enshrouded Dedicated Server application via Steam. This tool is available in the Steam Library under the “Tools” section for owners of the base game.

• Launch Steam and navigate to your Library.
• Filter by “Tools” and locate “Enshrouded Dedicated Server.”
• Install the application to a dedicated directory, ensuring at least 30 GB of free SSD space for initial files and world data.

This process automates core dependencies, streamlining setup for technical users.

2. Configure Server Parameters

Customization occurs through the enshrouded_server.json file, generated on first launch. Edit this file using a text editor to define server behavior.

Essential configurations include:

• Server Name and Password: Set a unique identifier and optional access code for security.
• Player Limits: Adjust from 4-16 slots based on hardware; higher counts demand more resources.
• World Settings: Specify seed values for reproducible worlds, difficulty modes, and PvE/PvP rules.
• Ports: Default to game port 15636 (TCP/UDP) and query port 15637 (UDP) for connectivity.

Save changes and validate JSON syntax to avoid startup errors. For advanced users, script automated config backups to prevent data loss.

3. Implement Port Forwarding and Firewall Rules

Network configuration is critical for external access. Forward ports on your router and allow traffic through firewalls to enable remote connections.

Recommended ports:

• Game Port: 15636 (TCP/UDP) – Handles primary gameplay data.
• Query Port: 15637 (UDP) – Supports server discovery and listings.

Steps for setup:

1. Access your router’s admin interface (typically via 192.168.1.1).
2. Navigate to the Port Forwarding section and create rules for the specified ports, directing to your server’s local IP.
3. In Windows Firewall, add inbound rules for the ports; use netsh advfirewall firewall add rule for command-line automation.
4. Test connectivity using tools like telnet or online port scanners.

Failure to configure these can result in connection timeouts; always cross-reference with your network hardware documentation.

4. Launch and Monitor the Server

Initiate the server executable (enshrouded_server.exe) as an administrator to generate the initial world and bind to configured ports.

• Monitor console output for errors, such as resource shortages or port conflicts.
• Use Steam’s server browser to add your instance: Enter IP:query_port (e.g., your_public_IP:15637) under Favorites.
• Implement logging for diagnostics, rotating files to manage storage.

For persistent operation, configure as a Windows service or use Linux systemd with Wine for cross-platform deployment.

5. Integrate Mods and Backups

Post-launch, enhance functionality with mods via the server’s mod directory. Ensure compatibility with the latest Enshrouded version to prevent crashes.

Backup strategies:

• Automate daily snapshots of world files using scripts (e.g., PowerShell or cron jobs).
• Store offsite copies to mitigate hardware failures.
• Test restores periodically to verify integrity.

6. Opt for Managed Hosting Solutions

Self-hosting demands constant oversight; for hands-off management, select a provider specializing in game servers. These platforms handle updates, DDoS mitigation, and scaling, often with one-click Enshrouded installs.

A Hong Kong VPS excels for Asia-focused servers, offering high-speed NVMe storage and 99.99% uptime SLAs tailored to regional traffic patterns.

Enshrouded Dedicated Server Hardware Requirements

Accurate resource allocation prevents bottlenecks in Enshrouded’s resource-intensive environments. Updated for 2025 patches, these specifications scale with player count and world complexity.

These benchmarks ensure 60+ FPS equivalents in multiplayer, with headroom for future expansions. Overprovision by 20% for stability.

Optimizing Performance and Security

Beyond basics, fine-tune your server for peak efficiency:

• Caching and Load Balancing: Use external tools like Redis for session persistence in high-traffic scenarios.
• Security Measures: Enforce admin roles via JSON, integrate fail2ban for brute-force protection, and enable SSL for query traffic.
• Monitoring Tools: Deploy Prometheus or server dashboards to track CPU/RAM usage, alerting on thresholds.

Regularly update the server binary through SteamCMD to patch vulnerabilities and performance issues.

Conclusion: Launch Your Enshrouded Adventure with Confidence

Mastering Enshrouded dedicated server hosting unlocks the game’s full potential, fostering collaborative survival in a richly detailed world. By following this guide—from precise setup to scaled requirements—you can create a resilient, engaging environment tailored to your community. For international accessibility and minimal latency, a Hong Kong VPS stands out as a versatile choice, blending cost-effectiveness with enterprise-grade reliability. Deploy today and elevate your Enshrouded experience to new heights. Share your setup tips or challenges in the comments below.