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Fix Unturned Server Not Showing in the List

server not showingonly LANcan't find server
7 min read Updated 12 June 2026 ESAGAMES Team

An Unturned server that won't list is almost always ports or being set to LAN instead of Internet. Here's the quick fix, the less common causes, and how to keep it listing reliably.

Open the ports

Unturned uses a small UDP range starting at the configured port (default 27015). Open the game port and the two above it, on the host firewall and forwarded if you're behind a router:

PortProtocolPurpose
27015UDPMain game port (the value in Port)
27016UDPSteam query — how it appears in the list
27017UDPUsed internally by the server
Miss 27016 and it won't list

The query port (game port + 1) is what the master server uses to see your server. Forward only 27015 and players can connect by direct IP, but the server never appears in the browser — a very common mistake.

Set it to Internet, not LAN

In your server's Commands.dat, the visibility must be Internet for it to list publicly. Check for the right mode and a server name:

# Commands.dat
Name My Unturned Server
Internet
MaxPlayers 24
Port 27015

Connect directly

In Unturned → Play → Connect, enter server-ip and port 27015. Direct connect bypasses the browser.

Open 27015–27017/udp, set "Internet" in Commands.dat, and use Connect with your IP if the browser is slow.

Quick diagnostic order

  1. Does direct Connect by IP work? If yes, the server is fine and only the listing is broken — jump to the query port (27016).
  2. Confirm the full UDP range 27015–27017 is open on the host firewall, not only forwarded on the router.
  3. Check Commands.dat says Internet, not LAN, and has a Name set.
  4. Give the server a minute — the master list can take a short while to pick up a freshly started server.

Other reasons it stays hidden

  • Workshop mod IDs configured in Commands.dat that no longer exist (removed/unlisted items) can stop the server finishing its boot, so it never registers.
  • The host's OS firewall blocks the query port even though the router allows it — check both layers.
  • Steam's server list cache is briefly stale after a restart; a manual browser refresh usually clears it.

How to prevent it

  • Keep a backup of a known-good Commands.dat before editing it, so you can revert a bad change quickly.
  • Check Workshop mod IDs still resolve after any Steam Workshop item gets removed or updated.
  • Verify listing with our server status checker after any config or firewall change.

Related errors

For general port-forwarding steps, see how to port forward a game server. If players see the server but can't join, see fixing "connection timed out" on game servers.

Unturned hosting, ports done

Our Unturned hosting opens the ports and supports Workshop mods on a protected Frankfurt network.

Unturned hosting
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What ports does an Unturned server use?

UDP starting at the configured port (27015 by default) plus the two above it (27016 query, 27017). They must be open and forwarded.

Why is my Unturned server only showing on LAN?

The server is set to LAN mode. Add the "Internet" command to Commands.dat so it lists on the public/internet server list.

How do I join an Unturned server by IP?

On the Play menu choose Connect and enter the server IP and port (27015). This avoids the in-game server browser.

Can a broken Workshop mod stop my Unturned server from listing?

Yes — if a mod ID in Commands.dat no longer exists or fails to download, the server can hang during boot and never finish registering. Check the console log for download errors.

Why does my server disappear right after a restart?

Steam's server list cache can be briefly stale. Give it a few minutes and manually refresh the browser before assuming something is actually broken.

Do I need to open ports again if I move the server to a new host?

Yes — ports are tied to the machine's firewall and router, so any new host or IP needs the same 27015-27017/udp range opened and forwarded again.

Further reading

Go deeper on this

Guides and explainers that pair with this fix — from our guides and blog.

Knowledge base

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