Fix Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Not Showing
dedicated server not showingcan't connectstuckA Sons of the Forest dedicated server that won't show is usually ports or the config. Here's how to make it reachable and join, plus the branch-mismatch and save-corruption traps.
Open the ports
Sons of the Forest uses several ports across UDP and TCP. Open them on the host firewall and forward them if you're behind a router:
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8766 | UDP | Main game port |
| 27016 | UDP | Query — how it appears in the list |
| 9700 | UDP | BlobSync (world/state sync) |
| 27015 | TCP | Used by some setups |
As with most Source-style servers, the query port (27016) is what lists you in the browser. If only the game port is open, players can join by IP but the server never appears.
Set the config
In dedicatedserver.cfg, confirm the server name, player count and that it's public/visible. A blank name or wrong IP binding can stop it listing:
"ServerName": "My SOTF Server",
"MaxPlayers": 8,
"GamePort": 8766,
"QueryPort": 27016Join directly
Use Multiplayer → Dedicated Servers and add/join by IP if the list is slow to populate. Friends can also join via your session once you're in.
After first boot the server can take a few minutes to appear. If ports and config are right, wait or join by IP.
Open 8766 + 27016 query + 9700 BlobSync, set the config name/ports, and join by IP if the list lags.
Other reasons it stays hidden
- A Steam branch mismatch — the dedicated server binary and the client are on different update branches after a patch, so they can't see or join each other properly.
- A corrupted or incompatible save file stops the session from finishing load, which looks like the server just isn't there.
- The host's OS firewall blocks one of the ports even though the router forwards them all.
How to prevent it
- Update the dedicated server the same day as any Sons of the Forest patch to avoid a branch mismatch window.
- Back up save files regularly so a corrupted session doesn't take the server offline for long.
- Verify listing after any config change with our server status checker.
Related errors
For general port-forwarding steps, see how to port forward a game server. If players can see the server but time out joining, see fixing "connection timed out" on game servers.
Sons of the Forest is a trademark of Endnight Games. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Endnight Games.
SOTF hosting, ports handled
Our Sons of the Forest hosting opens the ports and runs on fast NVMe, protected in Frankfurt.
Frequently asked questions
What ports does a Sons of the Forest server use?
UDP 8766 (game), 27016 (query) and 9700 (BlobSync), with some setups also using TCP 27015. They must all be open and forwarded.
Why isn't my SOTF dedicated server showing?
Usually a blocked port (especially the query port), a blank server name, or the config not set public. Check dedicatedserver.cfg and your firewall.
How do I join a Sons of the Forest server by IP?
In Multiplayer → Dedicated Servers, add or connect by the server IP. It's the reliable option when the list is slow to refresh.
Can a Steam branch mismatch stop the server from being joinable?
Yes — if the dedicated server updates to a different branch/build than the client, joins fail even though the server looks fine. Keep both on the same current branch.
Why did my save stop loading on the dedicated server?
The save file may be corrupted or from an incompatible game version. Restore from a recent backup and confirm the server version matches the save's original version.
Do dedicated and non-dedicated (host-from-game) servers show up the same way?
No — a non-dedicated server relies on the host's Steam session and friends list, while a dedicated server needs its own ports open and registers independently, which is why the two troubleshoot differently.
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