Fix Squad Dedicated Server Not Showing in the Browser

A Squad dedicated server that won't list is almost always ports or a missing server license token. Here's the fix, plus the reliable direct-connect, extra causes to rule out, and how to stop it happening again.

Open the right ports

Squad needs a few UDP ports plus a query port. Open/forward these to the server:

7787/udp   game
7788/udp   game (secondary)
27165/udp  query
27165/tcp  RCON (if used)

Set the server licensing token

Modern Squad dedicated servers require a free server-owner license token from the Offworld owner portal. Without it the server may run but not list publicly. Generate one and add it to your config.

Connect directly

Skip the browser: open the in-game console (~) and use the connect command with your IP and game port:

open server-ip:7787

Open 7787-7788/udp + 27165 query, set the license token, and use "open ip:port" to connect directly.

Other reasons a Squad server stays hidden

• The router forwards the ports but the host's own OS firewall (ufw/iptables) still blocks them — check both layers, not just one.
• NAT loopback isn't supported on your router, so the server looks fine from your own LAN but is unreachable from the internet — test from mobile data, not Wi-Fi.
• An EasyAntiCheat build mismatch after a Squad update; a server on the old build can reject clients even if it lists.
• A blank, duplicate, or special-character server name confuses the browser's cache — use a short, unique, plain-text name.

How to prevent it next time

• Open and forward every Squad port before the first boot, not after players complain.
• Update the server the same day as a game patch so EasyAntiCheat never rejects up-to-date clients.
• Re-check the license token if it's ever revoked or you move the server to a new host/IP.
• Use our server status checker to confirm the query port answers from outside your network before telling players to look for it.

Related errors

If players can see the server but time out while joining, see fixing "connection timed out" on game servers. For the general steps, see how to port forward a game server.

Squad is a trademark of Offworld Industries. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Offworld Industries.