# How to Connect to Your Ground Branch Server (/docs/ground-branch/connect-to-your-server)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Here's how to find your server's IP address and connect to your Ground Branch server. You can join through the in-game server browser or by using direct connect with your IP and port.

Finding Your Server IP [#finding-your-server-ip]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the XGamingServer panel [#1-open-the-xgamingserver-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Ground Branch server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Locate your IP address [#2-locate-your-ip-address]

    Your server IP address is displayed in the sidebar (e.g., `198.137.23.46:7777`). The number before the colon is the IP address, and `7777` is the default game port.

    > 💡 **Tip:** Click the IP address to copy it to your clipboard. You'll need both the IP and the port to direct connect.
  </div>
</div>

Using the Server Browser [#using-the-server-browser]

The server browser is the easiest way to find and join your server:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Ground Branch [#1-open-ground-branch]

    Launch Ground Branch from Steam.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Go to Multiplayer [#2-go-to-multiplayer]

    From the main menu, select **Multiplayer**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the server browser [#3-open-the-server-browser]

    Click **Server Browser**. Wait a few moments for the list to populate.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Search for your server [#4-search-for-your-server]

    Use the search bar or scroll through the list to find your server by [name](/docs/ground-branch/change-server-name).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Join the server [#5-join-the-server]

    Select your server and click **Join**. If the server has a [password](/docs/ground-branch/set-a-password), you'll be prompted to enter it.

    The server browser displays useful information:

    * **Player count** — How many players are currently on the server
    * **Map** — Which [map](/docs/ground-branch/change-map) is currently loaded
    * **Game mode** — The active game mode (Intel Retrieval, Terrorist Hunt, etc.)
    * **Ping** — Your latency to the server (lower is better)
    * **Lock icon** — Indicates the server requires a [password](/docs/ground-branch/set-a-password)
  </div>
</div>

Direct Connect [#direct-connect]

If you can't find your server in the browser, or you want to connect quickly:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the console [#1-open-the-console]

    In Ground Branch, press the **tilde key** (`~`) to open the console.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Enter the connect command [#2-enter-the-connect-command]

    Type the following command with your server's IP and port:

    ```
    open 198.137.23.46:7777
    ```

    Replace `198.137.23.46:7777` with your actual server IP and port from the XGamingServer panel.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect [#3-connect]

    Press **Enter**. The game will connect directly to your server.

    > 📝 **Note:** If the server has a password set, you'll need to append it to the connect command: `open 198.137.23.46:7777?password=YourPassword`
  </div>
</div>

Adding Your Server to Favorites [#adding-your-server-to-favorites]

After finding your server in the browser, you can favorite it for quick access:

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Find your server [#1-find-your-server]

    Locate your server in the server browser.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Favorite the server [#2-favorite-the-server]

    Right-click on the server and select **Add to Favorites**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Access from Favorites [#3-access-from-favorites]

    Your server now appears under the **Favorites** tab, making it easy to join without searching every time.
  </div>
</div>

Troubleshooting Connection Issues [#troubleshooting-connection-issues]

If you can't connect to your server:

* **Server not showing in browser** — Make sure the server has fully started. Check `Console` on the XGamingServer panel for startup progress. The query port (`27015`) must be accessible for the browser to list the server.
* **"Connection failed"** — Verify the IP address and port are correct. Try restarting the server from the XGamingServer panel.
* **Timeout when connecting** — The server may still be loading a map. Large maps take longer to initialize — wait 30–60 seconds after starting the server and try again.
* **Version mismatch** — Both your game client and the server need to be on the same version. Update your game through Steam and restart the server to pull the latest version.
* **Password prompt** — The server has a [password](/docs/ground-branch/set-a-password) set. Ask the server owner for the password.

If you get stuck at any time, you can join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).