Enshrouded is a survival action RPG with some of the best building mechanics in recent memory. The voxel-based terrain combined with fluid combat and a persistent co-op world make it a great game to host on a dedicated server. Here is how to do it properly in 2026.
Why Use a Dedicated Server for Enshrouded?
By default, Enshrouded uses a peer-to-peer model where one player hosts the session. This means:
- The game only runs when that player is online
- Other players experience latency relative to the host's connection
- The host's PC handles both their game and serving everyone else
A dedicated server fixes all of these. The world runs 24/7, everyone connects to a neutral server, and performance is consistent regardless of who is online or offline.
Enshrouded Server Hardware Requirements
Keen Games publishes its own numbers, so start there. Its dedicated server FAQ says the server process uses about 4.4 GB of RAM when idle, each player adds up to 100 MB, and the process should not use more than 6 GB in total. The uncompressed server files take about 13 GB, and Keen recommends 30 GB of free disk space.
For the whole machine, Keen's recommended server specifications are:
| Players | CPU | RAM |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 | Intel Core i7 at 3.2 GHz or AMD equivalent, 6 cores (12 threads) | 16 GB |
| Up to 16 | Intel Core i7 at 3.7 GHz or AMD equivalent, 8 cores (16 threads) | 16 GB |
Those 16 GB are for a complete Windows machine, not for the server process alone. Keen also recommends about 2 Mbit/s of upload per player. A server holds at most 16 players; the slot count in the config accepts 1 to 16.
Installing Enshrouded Dedicated Server
The Enshrouded dedicated server is available via SteamCMD:
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /opt/enshrouded_server +app_update 2278520 validate +quit
Running the server:
/opt/enshrouded_server/enshrouded_server.exe
On Linux, use Proton or Wine, or wait for the native Linux server build if the developers release one.
Server Configuration
The server creates enshrouded_server.json on first launch:
{
"name": "My Enshrouded Server",
"saveDirectory": "./savegame",
"logDirectory": "./logs",
"ip": "0.0.0.0",
"queryPort": 15637,
"slotCount": 16,
"gameSettingsPreset": "Default",
"gameSettings": { },
"userGroups": [ ]
}
The real file is longer: gameSettings holds every difficulty value and userGroups holds four groups (Admin, Friend, Guest and Visitor) with randomised passwords. Keen's docs list queryPort 15637 as the port to open. Change slotCount to limit the player count.
There is no single server password anymore. Since Update 2, each user group has its own password, and the password a player types decides which permissions they get. A top-level "password" line from an older config is no longer used as the server password; if the server finds one, it turns it into a user group called "default" with Friend-level permissions. Our Enshrouded server settings guide covers the groups and every gameplay setting.
Save Files and Backups
Enshrouded world saves are stored in the save directory. Back these up regularly, because the world is the result of many hours of building and exploration. Set up a cron job to copy the save folder daily:
0 4 * * * cp -r /opt/enshrouded_server/savegame /backups/enshrouded_$(date +%Y%m%d)
World Progression and Flame Altar
In Enshrouded, world progression is tied to Flame Altars. Each player can have their own upgrades, but the world-level progression (unlocking new regions of the shroud) is shared. Make sure all players understand this: upgrading the Flame Altar affects everyone's experience.
Hosting Enshrouded at Space-Node
Keen's figures put the server process at about 4.4 GB idle and under 6 GB in total. Our Linux nodes run the Windows server through Proton, which needs some memory of its own, so Flame (8 GB) is the smallest plan above Keen's 6 GB figure. You can pick from nine regions: the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Canada, USA (California), USA (Virginia), Singapore, India and Australia.
Ready to host your Enshrouded world? View Enshrouded Server Plans at Space-Node
A dedicated server that keeps running when you log off, with NVMe storage for your world.