# How to Connect to Your Space Engineers Server (/docs/space-engineers/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 Space Engineers server.
  </Step>

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

    Click **Network** in the sidebar. Your game address uses port **27016** (UDP) by default.

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

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

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

        From the main menu, click **Join Game**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Search for your server [#search-for-your-server]

        Use the search bar to find your server by name. Make sure the filter is set to show online servers.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Join [#join]

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

    > Your server must have `OnlineMode` set to `PUBLIC` to appear in the browser. If set to `PRIVATE` or `FRIENDS`, use Direct Connect instead.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Direct Connect">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Direct Connect [#open-direct-connect]

        From the main menu, click **Join Game**, then **Direct Connect**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Enter your server address [#enter-your-server-address]

        Type:

        ```
        123.45.67.89:27016
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Connect [#connect]

        Click **Join**. Enter the password if the server requires one.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Steam Group Access [#steam-group-access]

If `GroupID` is set in the server config, only members of that Steam group can see and join the server. The group ID is the numeric ID from the Steam group page URL.

Required Ports [#required-ports]

| Port      | Protocol | Purpose             |
| --------- | -------- | ------------------- |
| **27016** | UDP      | Game traffic        |
| **8766**  | UDP      | Steam communication |

Both ports must be accessible for connections to work.

Can't Connect? [#cant-connect]

| Problem                      | Fix                                                                                   |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Server not in browser        | Check `OnlineMode` is `PUBLIC`. Wait 2–3 min after startup for the server to register |
| "Version mismatch"           | Update the server — see [Wipe & Reinstall](/docs/space-engineers/wipe-reinstall)      |
| "Mods not matching"          | The server has mods the client doesn't. Subscribe to the required Workshop mods       |
| Password prompt              | The server has a password set. Ask the admin                                          |
| Stuck on loading             | Large worlds with many grids take time to sync. Wait 1–3 minutes                      |
| "Experimental mode required" | Enable Experimental Mode in your game settings if the server uses mods                |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/space-engineers/server-config)