Connecting to a TF2 Server by IP Address

To join a Team Fortress 2 server using its IP address, open the game, click the "Servers" button on the main menu, then click "Add Server" at the bottom of the server browser window. Paste the server's IP address and port number into the box (formatted as 123.45.67.89:27015), then click "Add This Server". The server will appear in your list, and you can double-click it to connect.

This method works when you have the server's address but it is not showing up in the public server list — either because it is a private server, a newer server not yet indexed, or one run by a friend or community group. The process takes less than a minute once you have the IP and port.

Key Takeaways

  • The IP address and port must be formatted together as address:port, with the colon between them, or the connection will fail.
  • Port 27015 is the default for TF2 servers, but some servers use different ports — ask the server owner if you are unsure.
  • Once you add a server to your list, it stays there permanently unless you remove it, so you can rejoin without re-entering the address.
  • If the server does not appear after adding it, wait a few seconds for it to refresh, or restart the server browser.

Where to Find a Server's IP Address and Port

The person or group running the server should provide the IP address and port number directly — usually in a Discord message, a forum post, or a website. If you are joining a friend's server, ask them for both numbers. The port is often left out of casual conversation, which means it defaults to 27015, but you should confirm this before trying to connect.

Some communities post server addresses on their websites or in their Discord servers. Look for a section labeled "Server Info", "Connect", or "Server Address". The format might be written as 192.168.1.1:27015 or sometimes split across two lines as "IP: 192.168.1.1" and "Port: 27015". Write down both numbers exactly as shown.

The Step-by-Step Connection Process

Launch Team Fortress 2 and wait for the main menu to load. Click the "Servers" button — it is in the top row of the main menu. The server browser window will open, showing a list of public servers sorted by player count and ping.

At the bottom left of the server browser window, you will see a button labeled "Add Server". Click it. A text box will appear asking for the server address. Type the IP address and port together with a colon between them, exactly as you received it — for example, 203.0.113.45:27015. Do not add spaces or extra characters.

Click the "Add This Server" button. The server will be added to your favorites list at the top of the browser. Wait a few seconds for it to refresh and show the server's current player count and map. Once it appears, double-click the server name to connect, or right-click it and select "Connect".

What Happens If the Connection Fails

If you see an error message or the connection times out, the most common cause is a typo in the IP address or port. Go back to the "Add Server" window, delete the entry, and re-enter the address carefully. Copy and paste it directly from a message or document if possible, rather than typing it by hand.

If the server appears in your list but shows zero players and will not let you connect, the server may be offline or restarting. Wait a minute and try again. If it stays offline, contact the server owner to confirm the address is still active.

If you see a message saying "Connection rejected" or "Server is full", the server is running but either has no open slots or has blocked your connection for another reason. Try a different server, or ask the owner if there is a queue or whitelist you need to join.

Removing Servers From Your Favorites List

If you no longer want a server in your list, right-click it in the server browser and select "Remove Server". It will disappear when ready. You can always add it back later by entering the IP address again.

Over time, your favorites list may fill with servers that are no longer active. Removing dead servers makes it easier to find the ones you actually play on. There is no limit to how many servers you can add, so you can keep as many as you want.

Understanding IP Addresses and Ports

An IP address is a unique number that identifies a computer on the internet, formatted as four groups of numbers separated by periods — like 192.0.2.100. A port is a specific channel on that computer where a particular service runs. Think of the IP address as a street address and the port as an apartment number in the building.

Team Fortress 2 servers use port 27015 by default, but server owners can choose a different port if they want to run multiple servers on the same machine or avoid conflicts with other software. This is why you always need to ask for the port number rather than assuming it — entering the right IP with the wrong port will not connect you to the server.

The colon between the IP and port is required. If you type 192.0.2.100 27015 with a space instead of a colon, or 192.0.2.100 without the port at all, the connection will fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not know the port number?

Ask the server owner or the person who gave you the IP address. If they do not respond, try connecting with port 27015 first, since that is the default. If that does not work, the server is likely using a different port.

Can I connect to a server on a different computer's IP address?

Yes, if that computer is running a TF2 server and you have its IP address. This is how private servers work — a friend or community runs the server on their machine or rents it from a hosting company, and you connect using the address they provide.

Will the server stay in my favorites list if it goes offline?

Yes. The server will show as offline in your list, but it will stay there. When the server comes back online, it will show as active again. You can remove it manually if you no longer want to see it.

What does "ping" mean in the server browser?

Ping is the time in milliseconds it takes for your computer to send a message to the server and get a response back. Lower ping means less delay between your actions and what happens in the game. Ping below 100 is generally good for TF2.

Can I add a server that is password-protected?

Yes, you can add it and connect to it the same way. When you try to join, the game will ask you for the password before letting you in. The server owner will provide the password separately.