V Rising: Can't connect to server — every fix
Fix a V Rising dedicated-server connection in the right order. Match the game version, wait for the castle world to load, use Direct Connect, open the game and query UDP ports, then share or clear the password.
If V Rising cannot connect, work through these checks in order. Do not delete the castle save first. After a patch, the usual cause is a client that updated before the dedicated server.
Stop as soon as one fix works. If you are helping somebody else, test with one player before asking the whole group to retry.
1. Match the client and server versions
The client and dedicated server must run the same V Rising build.
Update the player's game
Close V Rising, let Steam finish the update, and stay off a beta branch the server is not on.
Update the dedicated server
Stop the server. On berrybyte, Auto Update pulls the current dedicated build on the next start. Restart once after the patch is live.
Compare versions in the log
The version printed at startup must match the player's main menu.
If you do not want to babysit Stunlock patches, rent a V Rising server that updates on start.
2. Wait until the world is ready
The dedicated process can show as running while it is still loading the save.
Confirm Overview shows running
On berrybyte the process must be running, not still installing.
Read Console
Wait until the log finishes loading the world. A first boot can take several minutes.
Retry one client
Test with one player before inviting the clan.
3. Use Direct Connect
The public list is optional. The reliable test is Direct Connect.
Copy Server address
On berrybyte, copy Server address from Overview.
Paste it in Online Play
Launch V Rising, choose Play → Online Play → Show All Servers, then Direct Connect, and paste the address.
Enter the password if prompted
A wrong password looks like a failed join.
4. Open the game and query UDP ports
ServerHostSettings.json defines Port and QueryPort.
Official examples use UDP 27015 and 27016. Older guides
still quote 9876 and 9877. Use the pair the process
actually bound.
Use the ports the server bound
On berrybyte, Overview is the game address. The query port is opened for you. On a self-hosted box, read the JSON while the server is stopped.
Forward both UDP ports (self-host)
Direct Connect needs the game port. The public list needs the query port. TCP-only forwards are not enough.
berrybyte opens the allocated pair for you. Self-hosters who are fighting NAT can rent a V Rising server that already has those ports reachable.
5. Share or clear the password
The Password field in ServerHostSettings.json makes the server
private.
Read the configured password
On berrybyte, open Settings → Game Settings.
Send the exact string, or clear it
Check capitalisation and characters that chat apps rewrite. Clear it for a public test, then restart.
6. Confirm ListOnSteam is not the only test
A server with ListOnSteam or ListOnEOS set to false is still
joinable by Direct Connect. An empty browser is not proof the
world is down.
Join by address first
If Direct Connect works, the listing flags are a discovery problem, not a connection problem.
Turn listing on only if you want a public server
Edit ServerHostSettings.json while the server is stopped,
then restart.
See Change V Rising difficulty once you can join.
If none of the six fixes worked
Confirm Console finished loading the save. Then check the leftover causes:
- A full
MaxConnectedUserscap. - An admin-only connect window.
- Check steamstat.us.
- Check berrybytestatus.com.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I connect to a V Rising server?
Match the game version first. After a Stunlock patch the client updates before the dedicated server. If the versions match, wait until the world has loaded, join from Play → Online Play → Direct Connect, open the game and query UDP ports, and share or clear the password.
How do I join a V Rising server by IP?
Launch V Rising, choose Play → Online Play → Show All Servers, then Direct Connect. Paste the host:port from Overview. Searching the public list is optional.
What ports does a V Rising dedicated server use?
ServerHostSettings.json defines Port and QueryPort. Official examples use UDP 27015 and 27016. Some older hosts still show 9876 and 9877. Use the pair the process actually bound. berrybyte opens that pair.
Why is my V Rising server missing from the browser?
ListOnSteam and ListOnEOS must be true for a public listing, and the query port must be reachable. Direct Connect still works when the list is empty. A passworded server may also be filtered out of casual searches.
Why does V Rising say the server is running a different version?
The client and dedicated server are on different patches. Update the game, then restart the server so Auto Update pulls the matching dedicated build.