Play Astroneer LAN Over Internet
The Problem
Astroneer's in-game "host and invite" co-op only works through your Steam, Epic, or Xbox friends list—there's no way to bring friends in by IP that way, and a VPN can't help it. To connect friends by IP, you run the Astroneer Dedicated Server.
Normally, running a dedicated server means port forwarding your router (opening port 8777 to the internet) so friends can reach it—fiddly to set up, impossible behind CGNAT or strict firewalls, and it exposes your server to the whole internet.
The Solution
MoleTun creates a virtual LAN that connects you and your friends as if you're on the same network. One player runs the Astroneer Dedicated Server on that LAN, and everyone else joins with Direct Connect using the host's MoleTun IP—no port forwarding, no router config, and nothing exposed to the public internet.
Setup Guide
Everyone Installs MoleTun
Get MoleTun for Windows. Installation takes less than a minute.
Create and Join a Room
The host clicks 'Create Room' and shares the 6-digit code with the space crew. Everyone else clicks 'Join Room' and enters the code. Now you're all on the same virtual LAN.
Install the Astroneer Dedicated Server
On the host's machine, open Steam, tick Library → the 'Tools' checkbox, then install 'ASTRONEER Dedicated Server'. It's a free download, separate from the game.
Configure and Start the Server
Run the server once to generate its config files, then edit AstroServerSettings.ini to set the server name, owner, and (optionally) a password. Restart it and wait until it reports it's ready.
Friends Connect by IP
In Astroneer, click Co-op → Dedicated Servers → Direct Connect, enter the host's MoleTun IP followed by the port (for example 10.x.x.x:8777), and connect.
Astroneer-Specific Settings
- •Default port: 8777 (UDP)
- •The dedicated server runs on Windows—on the host's gaming PC (in the background) or on a spare machine on the LAN
- •Set an
OwnerNamein the config (your platform ID) so you get admin rights - •Save files live wherever the server runs
- •All players must run the same game version
- •Steam, Microsoft Store, and Epic clients can all connect to the same dedicated server; Xbox and Switch consoles are on a separate network
Pro Tips
- •The dedicated server must stay running for others to play—but no one has to be "in game" as the host, and the world keeps running even if everyone logs off
- •Run the server in the background on any Windows PC that's on the MoleTun LAN
- •Large bases can strain the host—give the server machine enough RAM
- •Back up your saves regularly in the Astroneer server folder
Because the dedicated server is separate from the game client, the world keeps running even when the host steps away from the keyboard—as long as their machine and MoleTun stay on.
Android Gaming
Astroneer is a PC/Console game, but can run on Android using x86 emulators like Winlator. Combined with MoleTun, explore planets on the go—just Direct Connect at the host's dedicated server.
Do I really need the dedicated server?▼
Yes. Astroneer's in-game host-and-invite only works through Steam, Epic, or Xbox friends—not by IP. To connect friends by IP over a virtual LAN you need the dedicated server, a free download in Steam's Tools section.
Does crossplay work?▼
Steam, Microsoft Store, and Epic clients can all join the same dedicated server. Xbox and Switch consoles are on a separate network.
How many astroneers can explore together?▼
Free tier supports 3 players, Pro supports 8. Astroneer officially supports up to 4 players.
Can we use mods?▼
Astroneer has limited mod support. If using mods, all players and the server need identical setups.
What if friends can't connect?▼
Make sure everyone joined the MoleTun room first, the dedicated server is running, and friends use Co-op → Dedicated Servers → Direct Connect with the host's MoleTun IP and port 8777.
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