How to Connect to a Sons Of The Forest Dedicated Server

Overview

A dedicated Sons Of The Forest server lets you share the survival horror experience with friends, provided everyone can actually find the server first. The game does not offer a simple direct-connect button from the main menu, so joining usually means searching through the multiplayer server list.

The main trick is using a clear server name. Once the name is set in the HolyHosting control panel, players can filter the in-game dedicated server list and connect from there. It is not the most elegant system ever placed in a menu, but it works once you know where to look.

Set a Server Name First

Before anyone joins, give the server a recognizable name. This is the name players will search for inside Sons Of The Forest, so avoid something too generic unless you enjoy playing hide-and-seek with menus.

1. Open your HolyHosting server panel and select Customizations near the upper-left area.

1. Find the Server Name setting, then change it to the name you want players to search for.

1. Return to the main server page and restart the server so the new name is applied.

After the restart finishes, keep the exact server name handy. Spelling matters when using the in-game filter.

Join the Sons Of The Forest Server

Once the server name is configured, join through the multiplayer menu in Sons Of The Forest. The server browser can take a moment to update, so give it a little time if the list looks empty at first.

1. Launch Sons Of The Forest through Steam.

1. From the main menu, choose Multiplayer, then select Join.

1. Set Source to Dedicated, then enter your server name in the Filter field.

1. Look for your server in the list on the right, then click Join.

1. If the connection starts correctly, the game will show a Game is Starting message.

1. Wait for the loading process to finish, then start playing on the server with your group.

If the Server Does Not Appear

If your server is missing from the browser, check the Source option first. It must be set to Dedicated before the search will show dedicated servers. After that, confirm the filter text matches the server name configured in the panel.

If the name is correct, press Refresh in the server browser. You can also restart the server from the panel and search again after it finishes starting. Servers that are still booting may not appear immediately.

If the Server Appears but You Cannot Join

A visible server can still reject a connection for a few common reasons. If there is a lock icon, the server is password protected. Enter the same password configured in the panel, including capitalization if applicable.

If no password is involved, make sure the server is fully online and not still restarting. When only one player has trouble joining while others connect successfully, the issue is likely on that player's side. Restarting Sons Of The Forest is a good first step. If that fails, verify the game files through Steam by opening the game's Properties, going to Installed Files, and using the file verification option.

About Steam Server Joining

Some players try to connect with Steam's server tools instead of the in-game list. If that method fails, use the Sons Of The Forest multiplayer browser instead. Filtering by the dedicated source, server name, and password if needed is currently the most reliable route.