# How to Connect to Your Sons of the Forest Server (/docs/sons-of-the-forest/join-server)



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

Find Your Server Address [#find-your-server-address]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the panel [#open-the-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Sons of the Forest server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Copy the IP and port [#copy-the-ip-and-port]

    Click **Network** in the sidebar. Your game address uses port **8766** (UDP) by default.

    {/* Screenshot needed: Network page showing IP and ports */}
  </Step>
</Steps>

Connect to Your Server [#connect-to-your-server]

<Tabs items={['Server Browser', 'Direct Connect']}>
  <Tab value="Server Browser">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open multiplayer [#open-multiplayer]

        Launch Sons of the Forest and click **Multiplayer** > **Join**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Switch to Dedicated servers [#switch-to-dedicated-servers]

        Change the **Source** dropdown to **Dedicated** (not "Friends" or "LAN").
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Find your server [#find-your-server]

        Use the filter/search to find your server by name. The name is set via `ServerName` in `dedicatedserver.cfg`.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Join [#join]

        Select your server and click **Join**. Enter the password if prompted.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > The server browser can take a few minutes to populate after startup. If your server doesn't appear, wait 2–3 minutes and refresh.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Direct Connect">
    If available in your game version, use the direct connect option:

    Enter your server IP and game port:

    ```
    123.45.67.89:8766
    ```

    > Direct connect support has been inconsistent across game versions. If it doesn't work, use the Server Browser method.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Required Ports [#required-ports]

All three ports must be accessible:

| Port      | Protocol | Purpose                               |
| --------- | -------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **8766**  | UDP      | Game traffic                          |
| **27016** | UDP      | Steam query (server browser)          |
| **9700**  | UDP      | BlobSync (game state sync on connect) |

Can't Connect? [#cant-connect]

| Problem                    | Fix                                                                                      |
| -------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Server not in browser      | Wait 2–3 minutes after startup. Check that `LanOnly` is `false` in config                |
| "Version mismatch"         | Update the server — see [Update Guide](/docs/sons-of-the-forest/update-guide)            |
| Password prompt            | The server has `Password` set in `dedicatedserver.cfg`. Ask the owner or check **Files** |
| Stuck on loading / timeout | Server may still be starting. SotF servers can take 1–2 minutes to fully boot            |
| "Server full"              | The hard cap is 8 players. Wait for a slot to open                                       |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/sons-of-the-forest/server-config)
* [Set a Password](/docs/sons-of-the-forest/server-password)