Joining a Sons of the Forest server: every method

There isn't a single door into a Sons of the Forest island, but three, depending on whether you follow a friend, type an address or aim for a permanent dedicated server. Here's how to use them, and above all how to unblock the connections that get stuck.

Following a friend from Steam

The most direct door: in the Multiplayer menu, the Steam friends tab lists the open games from your list. One click on "Join" and there you are on their island. This route only works as long as the friend is hosting it themselves from their PC: if they disconnect, the game drops.

Connecting to a dedicated server by its IP

For a permanent server, you go through the IP address and port provided by the host. In the multiplayer menu, you add the server via that address, enter the password if it's private, and go in. The decisive advantage: the server stays reachable even if its owner is asleep.

When the connection refuses: the diagnosis

• Mismatched versions: a Steam patch on one side only is enough to block it. Update client and server together.
• Full island: the cap is 8 players; you have to wait for a free spot.
• Mistyped address: one wrong digit or port, and the connection fails silently.
• Server off: on a self-hosted game, the host's PC may simply be powered down.

Most "server not found" messages come from a disconnected host, not a bug: a stable address that never switches off makes the problem disappear.

The connection that never drops

To stop depending on anyone's presence, the most reliable option remains your own dedicated Sons of the Forest server: a stable IP, an island online 24/7 and eight seats held with no host latency, from €7.99/month. Not set up yet? See How to create a Sons of the Forest server, or first check that the game does support dedicated servers before reserving your own.