How to Find and Join on Your Sandbox Server
Learn how to find, join and broadcast your S&box server: use the in-game server browser, toggle Show Empty, and add a Steam Token.
Ready to dive into the boundless creativity of S&box? Getting your friends connected to your new sandbox is a seamless experience. While your server will run out-of-the-box, we highly recommend taking a quick moment to link a Steam Token to get the most out of your community.
This guide will walk you through setting up that token and how players can easily find your world in the in-game browser.
Connecting to the Server
Once your server is running, players can join directly through the game's built-in server browser.
Launch S&box on your PC.
From the top menu, click on Servers to open the server browser.
Crucial Step: Look under the Search bar for the FILTERS section. You must click the Show Empty button (it will highlight in blue). If your server has no players currently online and this filter is toggled off, your server will be completely hidden from the results.
Type your specific server name into the Search bar.
Once your server appears in the list on the right, click the small Play icon button (the square with a play triangle) located at the far right of the server row next to the player count.
The game will automatically download any custom assets, maps, or game modes required to play before dropping you into the action.
Optional but Recommended: Adding Your Steam Token ID
Because your server is hosted on our premium network, it will boot up and run just fine on its own. However, generating and applying your own Steam Server Token is highly recommended. It ensures your server ranks properly on the public browser, keeps your players' favorites list intact if your IP ever changes, and guarantees smooth downloads for custom game modes and maps.
Go to the official Steam Game Server Account Management site or click on this link.
Log in with your Steam account and create a new token using App ID 590830 (the dedicated ID for S&box).
Copy the newly generated login token.
Log in to your server panel and navigate to Basic Settings.
Paste the token into the Steam Token ID field.
Restart your server by going to Actions > Restart to apply the changes and broadcast your server to the master list.
Troubleshooting & Tips
If your crew is having trouble loading into the game, run through these quick checks:
Server is completely hidden: Remind your players to click the Show Empty filter in the server browser.
Game modes or maps are crashing: If custom assets aren't loading, S&box might be struggling to pull data from the Workshop. Ensure you have added a valid Steam Token, as the game relies on this authentication to download large custom game modes.
Conclusion
Your world is now ready for players to start creating, experimenting, and breaking physics! Jumping into the server is as simple as toggling that empty filter, clicking the play button, and letting the game handle the rest.
If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to contact our support team for assistance!