Enshrouded’s server does a lot of work: it runs the enemies, the water and the building physics for everyone. Enough RAM matters, but how many players you allow and how many enemies you spawn matter just as much.
How much RAM you need
RAM is the server’s memory. Keen Games measures about 4.4 GB when the server is idle, plus up to 100 MB per player.
| Group | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 to 6 players | 6 GB |
| 7 to 16 players | 8 GB |
| Up to 16 players with very large bases and lots of water | 10 GB |
Enshrouded allows 16 players at most. If Overview shows RAM close to your plan’s limit for a long time, move up a size.
What Keen Games recommends
Keen Games’ spec sheet lists 16 GB of RAM, but that is for a whole PC running Windows and the server together. The server alone uses far less, as the numbers above show.
The bigger point in Keen’s specs is the CPU. It recommends a 6-core CPU for 4 to 6 players, and a faster 8-core one for 16. More players online at once means more CPU work, so in big groups your settings matter more than your RAM.
Keen also plans for about 2 Mbit/s of upload per player. A player on weak internet or busy Wi-Fi feels lag first, even when the server is fine.
The settings that cost the most
| Setting | Why it costs | What to set |
|---|---|---|
slotCount |
Keen Games says every slot adds load | The size of your group, not more |
randomSpawnerAmount |
More enemies to run | Normal, or Automatic to match the group nearby |
aggroPoolAmount |
More enemies attacking at once | Normal |
threatBonus |
Enemies attack more often | 1 |
gameSettingsPreset |
Hard and Survival spawn more, angrier enemies |
Default if the server struggles |
These are in enshrouded_server.json, or in Settings. Custom values only count when the preset is Custom. See the config reference.
Big bases and water
Huge bases are where Enshrouded works hardest.
- Water: since water moves in Enshrouded, a base with lots of water keeps the server busy. Use the Flame Altar’s button to remove water from a flooded base.
- Lights: thousands of light sources add up, though 1.0 made them much cheaper.
- Spread out: players far apart load more of the world at the same time.
- World size: a new world’s save is tiny. A world with many big bases can reach about 100 MB, so backups and downloads take a little longer.
Keep strangers from flooding the world
Water outside bases can be moved by any group with canEditWorld. A stranger with that right can flood a valley and keep the server busy. Keen Games added the Visitor group for this reason: it can’t change the world outside bases.
If you let people you don’t know join, give them the Visitor password. See roles and permissions.
Signs the server is struggling
Enshrouded shows a warning in game when the server can’t keep up. You may also notice enemies freezing for a moment, or doors and chests reacting late.
When that happens:
- Look at Overview. Is CPU or RAM near the top?
- Lower the enemy settings above, or
slotCount. - Restart the server after a long session.
- If it happens with only a few players, check for a base with lots of water or lights.
Restarts
Enshrouded saves before every restart and every nap. A restart after a long session can clear up a sluggish server.
Enshrouded’s server can’t send messages into the game, so the panel can’t warn players before a restart. In Schedules, set restarts to run only when nobody is online, for example early in the morning.
Pick the right region
Lag also comes from distance. Pick the region closest to most of your players: EU or US East. For mixed groups, pick the side where most of your group lives.
Reading the graphs on Overview
Overview shows CPU, RAM, players and network for the last 24 hours and 7 days.
- CPU high whenever players fight: normal in big battles. Lower the enemy settings if it lags.
- CPU high with nobody online: something keeps running, like water in a base. Restart and watch.
- RAM rising day after day: restart, and move up a plan if it keeps climbing.
- Graphs calm, one player lags: likely their own connection. A wired connection helps, and Keen Games suggests it too.
For errors and crashes, see common Enshrouded server errors.
Questions
How much RAM does an Enshrouded server need?
Keen Games measures about 4.4 GB when idle, plus up to 100 MB per player. We sell Enshrouded from 6 GB, which suits a small group, and recommend 8 GB for bigger groups up to 16 players.
Why does my Enshrouded server lag with many enemies?
The server runs every enemy, so more enemies means more work. Settings like randomSpawnerAmount set to Many or Extreme, or a high aggroPoolAmount, add a lot. Set them back to Normal, or try Automatic for enemy amount.
Does lowering player slots help Enshrouded performance?
Yes. Keen Games says every player slot adds load. If the server struggles and you rarely have 16 players, lower slotCount to the size of your group.
Sources we checked
- Dedicated Server FAQKeen Games
- Recommended Server SpecificationsKeen Games
- Dedicated Server ConfigurationKeen Games
- Wake of the Water update notesKeen Games on Steam
