# How to Connect to Your Insurgency: Sandstorm Server (/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/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 Insurgency: Sandstorm server. You can join via the in-game server browser, Steam server browser, or the console connect command.

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 Insurgency: Sandstorm server.
  </div>

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

    Your server IP address and port are displayed on the **Dashboard**. The default game port is **27102** and the default query port is **27131**.

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

Connecting via the In-Game Server Browser [#connecting-via-the-in-game-server-browser]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Launch Insurgency: Sandstorm [#1-launch-insurgency-sandstorm]

    Open Insurgency: Sandstorm from Steam.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the server browser [#2-open-the-server-browser]

    From the main menu, click **Play** and then select **Server Browser** at the bottom.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Filter for your server [#3-filter-for-your-server]

    Use the filters to find your server:

    * Set the filter to show **Community** servers (XGamingServer instances appear here, not under Official)
    * Use the search bar to search by your [server name](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/change-server-name)
    * Filter by game mode or map if needed
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Join the server [#4-join-the-server]

    Select your server from the list and click **Join**. If the server has a [password](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/set-a-password), you'll be prompted to enter it.
  </div>
</div>

Direct Connect via Console [#direct-connect-via-console]

If your server doesn't appear in the browser, you can connect using the in-game console:

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

    Make sure the developer console is enabled in your game settings under **Settings** → **Game** → **Console**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the console [#2-open-the-console]

    Press the **tilde key** (`~`) to open the console.
  </div>

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

    Type the following command:

    ```
    open 198.137.23.46:27102
    ```

    Replace the IP and port with your actual server address from the XGamingServer panel.

    If your server has a password:

    ```
    open 198.137.23.46:27102?Password=yourpassword
    ```
  </div>
</div>

Direct Connect via Steam [#direct-connect-via-steam]

You can also connect through the Steam server browser:

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

    Open the Steam client.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open the server browser [#2-open-the-server-browser-1]

    Go to **View** → **Game Servers**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Add your server [#3-add-your-server]

    Click the **Favorites** tab, then **Add a Server**. Enter your server's IP and **query port**:

    ```
    198.137.23.46:27131
    ```

    > 📝 **Note:** Use the **query port** (default 27131) when adding to Steam favorites, not the game port. The query port is what Steam uses to discover the server.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect [#4-connect]

    Select your server and click **Connect**.
  </div>
</div>

Connection Information [#connection-information]

| Port       | Default | Purpose                             |
| ---------- | ------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Game Port  | 27102   | Main game connection (UDP)          |
| Query Port | 27131   | Steam server browser queries (UDP)  |
| RCON Port  | 27015   | Remote console administration (TCP) |

These ports can be viewed and modified in the **Network** tab on the XGamingServer panel.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues [#troubleshooting-connection-issues]

If you can't find or connect to your server:

* **Server not in the browser** — The server may still be starting up. Check the **Console** in the XGamingServer panel for startup progress. Look for the message indicating the server is listening for connections.
* **"Connection timeout"** — Verify the IP address and port are correct. Try restarting the server.
* **"Version mismatch"** — Both your game client and the server must be on the same version. Restart the server to trigger an automatic update.
* **"Server is full"** — The server has reached its max player limit. Wait for a slot or ask an admin to increase it.
* **Password required** — The server has a [password](/docs/insurgency-sandstorm/set-a-password) set. Contact the server owner for the password.
* **Firewall issues** — Make sure the game and query ports are open. XGamingServer handles this automatically, but your local firewall may block outgoing connections.

> 💡 **Tip:** After connecting once, you can add the server to your favorites in the server browser for quick access next time. Click the star icon next to the server name.

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