How to Find the IP Address of a Game Server?

With online gaming, a player connects to a server located somewhere in the cloud and then sends and receives data through the Internet. This process is how game servers store players' data and update it so that every other player can see what is happening on the server in real time.

For any online play to work, the player's machine must connect to the game server. Because of this direct connection, it’s often possible for players to identify the server’s IP address. In the sections below, we’ll explore how this connection works and how a player can locate the exact IP address of a game server.

How to Find the IP Address of a Game Server

Whether you’re troubleshooting network lag, diagnosing connection issues, or simply curious about where your game traffic is going, finding the IP address of a game server can be surprisingly useful. In many online games, your device must communicate directly with the server hosting your match. As a result, it’s often possible to discover the server’s IP address using built-in network tools, third-party utilities, or system-level monitoring tools.

There are a few tools you can use to get the IP Address of a game server within the commercial market. Alongside those, however, there is a simple DOS command one can use to find the IP address of the game server.

1. Command-line Tools

Windows built-in command line (cmd) offers a tool called netstat which can accomplish exactly that. Similarly, macOS and Linux offer the lsof command. The easiest way to accomplish this is to close all programs that use your network (e.g., Teams, Outlook, YouTube), then run "netstat -n" at the DOS command line. You don't necessarily need to close all applications, but it will be easier for unfamiliar users of the tool to find the game server's IP address. This will then present you with a list of all remote access services you are connected to, along with their IP Addresses, allowing you to identify the game server.

C:\>netstat -h

Displays protocol statistics and current TCP/IP network connections.

NETSTAT [-a] [-b] [-e] [-f] [-n] [-o] [-p proto] [-r] [-s] [-x] [-t] [interval]

  -a            Displays all connections and listening ports.
  -n            Displays addresses and port numbers in numerical form.


C:\>netstat -n

Active Connections

  Proto  Local Address          Foreign Address        State
  TCP    10.0.10.3:3389         27.254.108.33:56142    CLOSE_WAIT
  TCP    10.0.10.3:3389         27.254.108.33:56143    CLOSE_WAIT
  TCP    10.0.10.3:3389         27.254.108.33:56144    CLOSE_WAIT
  TCP    10.0.10.3:3389         27.254.108.33:56145    CLOSE_WAIT

Similarly, command-line tools such as ping, tracert (Windows), and traceroute (macOS/Linux) can achieve the same thing.

2. Using Packet Sniffers (e.g., Wireshark)

You can find the IP address of a game server using a packet sniffer like Wireshark by capturing and analyzing your network traffic while the game is running. After starting a capture on your active network interface, launch the game and join an online match. Wireshark will display all incoming and outgoing packets on your network. By filtering for common protocols (such as UDP or TCP) or the game’s known ports, you can identify which IP address your computer is consistently communicating with. The server IP is typically the one that sends and receives the largest volume of packets during gameplay.

3. Checking In-Game Settings or Server Browsers

Many games that use dedicated or community-hosted servers make the server’s IP address visible directly inside the game. You can usually find it in the server browser, match details, or server info screen, where the game lists each server’s name, region, ping, and IP address. Some titles also provide console commands that display the exact server IP you’re currently connected to. This method is the simplest because the game itself openly provides the information without needing any external tools.