Space Engineers Dedicated Server Not Showing Up: Fix

If your Space Engineers dedicated server is not showing up in the in-game server list, the usual cause is a firewall or router blocking the game’s ports, or the server failing to register with Steam’s master server. This guide walks you through the most effective fixes, from port forwarding to Steam query settings, so you can get your server visible to you and your friends.

Why Your Server Might Be Invisible

Space Engineers dedicated servers communicate with players in two ways: directly via IP/port, and through Steam’s server browser. When a server “doesn’t show up,” it usually means the Steam master server hasn’t received a valid heartbeat from your server, or your router is dropping the incoming query. Common culprits include:

• Windows Firewall or third-party antivirus blocking the game executable.
• Router NAT or UPnP not forwarding the required ports.
• The server’s SteamServerName or SteamServerDescription not set, so it appears as “Unknown” or is filtered out.
• Using the wrong network interface (e.g., the server binds to a virtual adapter).
• Steam’s server list being slow to update; sometimes it takes 5–10 minutes after startup.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Try First

1. Restart the server and wait. After starting, give it 5–10 minutes. Steam’s master server can be slow to list new servers, especially if you just changed settings.
2. Check the server console. Look for lines like “Game server started” or “Steam: server registered”. If you see “Steam: server not registered” or a port error, that points to a network issue.
3. Add firewall rules. Open Windows Defender Firewall (or your antivirus) and allow inbound TCP and UDP on the ports you use. The default game port is 27016, but the Steam query port is 27017 (or 27015–27017 depending on your config). Allow both the SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe and the game’s SpaceEngineers.exe.
4. Verify port forwarding. In your router’s admin panel, forward both TCP and UDP for the following ports to your server’s local IP: 27016 (game), 27017 (Steam query), and 8766 (Steam master server). If you changed the game port in your config, adjust accordingly.
5. Set a static IP for your server. If your server’s local IP changes, port forwarding breaks. Assign a static IP in your router’s DHCP reservation or set it manually in Windows.
6. Disable UPnP conflicts. If you have UPnP enabled on the router, it can sometimes conflict with manual port forwards. Try disabling UPnP and keeping only the manual rules.

Steam Server Registration and the “Steam” Tab

Space Engineers uses Steam’s game server system. For a server to appear in the in-game browser, it must send a heartbeat to Steam’s master server. This is done automatically by the dedicated server tool if the Steam client is running and logged in. If you run the server as a Windows service (using something like sedsvc), ensure the service runs under an account that has Steam installed and logged in. If Steam isn’t running, the server won’t register.

Also, check your SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg file. Look for these lines:

<SteamServerName>My Server</SteamServerName>
<SteamServerDescription>A cool server</SteamServerDescription>

If these are empty, some clients will still show the server, but it may appear without a name or be filtered. Set them to something unique to help identification.

Direct Connect as a Workaround

If the server still doesn’t appear in the list, you can always connect directly. In the game’s main menu, click “Join Game” and then “Connect to Server” (or press Ctrl+F). Enter the server’s IP and port, e.g., 192.168.1.50:27016. If you’re connecting from outside your network, use your public IP and ensure port forwarding is correct. Direct connection bypasses the Steam browser entirely, so it’s a good test to see if the server itself is running correctly.

Common Configuration Mistakes

• Wrong IP in the config: The <IP> field in the config should be 0.0.0.0 to listen on all interfaces. If you put a specific IP, it may not bind correctly.
• Port mismatch: The game port (<Port>) and Steam query port (<SteamPort>) must be different and not used by another application. The default is 27016 for game and 27017 for Steam.
• Server not updated: If your server version is older than the client’s, it won’t appear in the list. Update the dedicated server tool via SteamCMD or the Steam client.
• NAT type: Some routers with strict NAT (especially on ISP-provided modems) can block incoming queries. Try enabling “gaming mode” or DMZ for the server’s IP (not recommended for long-term security, but useful for testing).

Advanced: Using SteamCMD to Run the Server

If you’re running the server via SteamCMD (the command-line tool), you need to ensure you’ve installed the dedicated server app ID (298740). After installation, you run SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe from the installed folder. The same networking rules apply, but you also need to make sure SteamCMD is logged in (even anonymously) and that the server’s config file is in the right location. A common mistake is running the server from a different working directory, causing the config to be ignored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my server show up in the LAN tab but not in the internet tab?

This usually means the server is broadcasting on your local network but Steam’s master server isn’t receiving the heartbeat. Check firewall rules and ensure Steam is running on the server machine. Also, verify that the server’s SteamPort is correctly forwarded.

I forwarded ports, but it still doesn’t work. What else?

Double-check that your server’s local IP hasn’t changed. Also, some routers require you to forward both TCP and UDP for each port. Additionally, your ISP might be using carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), which prevents incoming connections. In that case, you’ll need to contact your ISP or use a VPN with port forwarding.

Can I run the server without Steam?

No, Space Engineers dedicated server requires Steam to be running (or at least the Steam client libraries) to register with the master server. You can run it as a service, but the Steam client must be installed and logged in.

How do I change the server name that appears in the list?

Edit the SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg file and set the SteamServerName property. Then restart the server. The name will update within a few minutes.

Why does my server appear but shows as “Unknown” or with a different name?

This often happens if the server hasn’t fully loaded its config or if Steam hasn’t fetched the name yet. Wait a few minutes. If it persists, check that the config file is being read (look for errors in the server log).

Is there a way to test if my ports are open?

Yes, you can use online port checking tools (like yougetsignal.com) to test if the ports are reachable from outside. Run the server, then use the tool to check if the ports are open. If they are, the server should be visible.

Related

• Convert M4A to AAC: How-To & What You Need
• Data Recovery Guarantee: What It Really Means
• Switched Power Supply: Regulation & Conversion