# How To Connect to Your SCP: Secret Laboratory Server (/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/connect-to-your-server)



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

You can connect to your SCP: Secret Laboratory server through the in-game server list or by using a direct connection.

Connect via Server List [#connect-via-server-list]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Find Your Server IP and Port [#1-find-your-server-ip-and-port]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com). Your server IP and port are displayed on the **Dashboard** page.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Launch SCP: Secret Laboratory [#2-launch-scp-secret-laboratory]

    Open SCP: Secret Laboratory through Steam (it is free to play).
  </div>

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

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

  <div className="fd-step">
    Find Your Server [#4-find-your-server]

    Search for your server by name using the search bar, or scroll through the list. You can filter by region, player count, and other criteria.
  </div>

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

    Click on your server and then click **Connect**. If the server has a [password](/docs/scp-secret-laboratory/set-a-password), enter it when prompted.
  </div>
</div>

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

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Find Your Server IP and Port [#1-find-your-server-ip-and-port-1]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and note your server IP and port from the **Dashboard**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Open Direct Connect [#2-open-direct-connect]

    In the server browser, click the **Direct Connect** button.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Enter Your Server Address [#3-enter-your-server-address]

    Enter your server IP and port in the format `IP:Port` and click **Connect**.

    > 📝 **Note:** Your server must be fully started before you can connect. Check the **Console** in the panel to verify the server is online.

    > 💡 **Tip:** If your server does not appear in the public server list, it may need to be verified by Northwood Studios. Unverified servers can still be joined via direct connect. If you have connection issues, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com) for help.
  </div>
</div>