A 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.
Quick answer
A Sons of the Forest server that does not show usually has a closed port. Open the game port (8766 UDP), the query port (27016 UDP) and the blob sync port (9700 UDP). Without the query port the server can be joined by IP but never appears in the browser. Also check the server and players are on the same game branch.
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
Setting one up from scratch? See how to make a Sons of the Forest server. 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.
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