Running into problems with your Windrose server? You are not alone. Since the Early Access launch, a handful of issues keep coming up. The good news is that most of them are simple to fix once you know where to look.
If your server is not working as expected, start with the sections below. In most cases, you will find the solution quickly.
The Tutorial Requirement (Most Common Issue)
This is by far the most frequent cause of connection problems.
Windrose requires every player to complete the singleplayer tutorial before joining multiplayer. If they skip it, the game does not show a clear error. Instead, it may fail to connect or send them back to the menu.
To resolve this, have the player:
- Launch Windrose in singleplayer
- Complete the full tutorial (about 15 to 20 minutes)
- Exit and reconnect to your server
Once completed, this fixes the issue in most cases.
Connection Issues
If the tutorial is not the problem, check the following:
Server Still Starting
Your server must fully boot before players can join. After starting or restarting, give it a minute to finish loading.
You can monitor progress in the ChicagoServers Control Panel using the Web Console or Log Viewer. Once the world has loaded, players should be able to connect.
If your invite code shows as unavailable, the server likely has not completed its first startup.
Invite Code Problems
Windrose uses invite codes instead of IP addresses.
Players must:
- Go to Play → Connect to Server
- Enter the invite code exactly
Common mistakes include:
- Codes are case-sensitive
- Confusing characters like O and 0 or l and 1
It is best to copy and paste the code directly from the control panel.
Version Mismatch
The server and all players must be running the same version.
If they are not, connections will fail without much explanation.
To fix this:
- Stop the server in the control panel
- Run Steam Update to validate server files
- Have players update their game through Steam
- Restart the server
Network or DNS Issues
If a player can connect on one network but not another, DNS or routing may be the issue.
Try the following:
- Switch to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
- Disable VPNs or proxies temporarily
- Make sure the Windows firewall allows Windrose
Configuration File Issues
Windrose uses two main configuration files:
- ServerDescription.json
- WorldDescription.json
Both can be accessed through your ChicagoServers control panel.
Editing While the Server Is Running
This is a common mistake.
Windrose rewrites configuration files on shutdown. If you edit them while the server is running, your changes will be lost.
Always follow this order:
- Stop the server
- Make your changes
- Save the files
- Start the server again
Preset Switching to Custom
If you manually change world settings, the preset will automatically switch to Custom, also known as Captain’s Choice.
This is intended behavior. If you want to keep a preset, avoid editing individual settings.
WorldIslandId Mismatch
The WorldIslandId in ServerDescription.json must match the IslandId in WorldDescription.json.
If they do not match, the world will not load.
To fix this:
- Check both files carefully
- Restore from a backup if needed
Performance Notes
Windrose is still in Early Access, so performance can vary, especially with larger groups.
- Around four players tends to be the most stable
- Larger groups may experience lag or slowdowns
- ChicagoServers plans include sufficient RAM, so performance issues are usually related to the game itself
Keeping group sizes smaller is the best option until further optimization is released.
Save and World Loading Problems
If your server starts but the world does not load, check the Log Viewer for errors.
Common causes include:
- WorldIslandId mismatch
- Corrupted save data after a crash
- Invalid JSON formatting in configuration files
For JSON issues, use an online validator to find missing commas or brackets.
No Console Commands (Yet)
Windrose does not currently support admin console commands in Early Access. Server management is handled through:
- Configuration files
- The ChicagoServers control panel
More advanced tools are expected in future updates.
General Troubleshooting Checklist
If you are not sure what is wrong, try the following:
- Check the Log Viewer for errors
- Run Steam Update to verify files
- Restart the server
- Confirm client and server versions match
- Review resource usage in the control panel
Most Windrose server issues fall into one of these categories. The tutorial requirement alone accounts for many connection problems. Once that is completed, everything else tends to fall into place.
