dedicated server failed to start

[aart]

ye, you probably already know this, please help

[itan]

no

[aart]

Originally posted by itan:

no

yes

[drinkmetogrow]

The only way to know what's causing the issue, is to look at the crash log.

You'll find the log here:

"client_log.txt" from Documents\Klei\DoNotStarveTogether"

------------------------------------------------

If you aren't sure how to read it, or what to look for, simply copy/paste the log here; and we'll be able to find out what's causing the issue.


If it's rather lengthy, break it up into multiple posts.

[aart]

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

The only way to know what's causing the issue, is to look at the crash log.

You'll find the log here:

"client_log.txt" from Documents\Klei\DoNotStarveTogether"

------------------------------------------------

If you aren't sure how to read it, or what to look for, simply copy/paste the log here; and we'll be able to find out what's causing the issue.


If it's rather lengthy, break it up into multiple posts.

here's part of it, i think it'll be enough
[00:08:23]: ModWorkshop::CancelDownloads clearing all unfinished downloads
[00:10:30]: Frontend-Unloading mod 'all'.
[00:10:32]: Getting top mod details...
[00:10:32]: Frontend-Unloading mod 'all'.
[00:10:33]: Could not load texture ../mods/workshop-1827093647/pvp_icon.tex
[00:10:34]: GOT top mod details...50
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1844938741/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2709407987/modicon.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-655236052/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-622471256/modicon.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1583765151/images/modicon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2420839895/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2334209327/ModiconHOF.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2528541304/ModiconNET.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-668356705/Coordinate.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2376883615/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1847959350/modicon.tex is 884x1092 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1924707395/hamleticon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2428854303/ModiconTAP.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1852559465/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-756229217/modicon.tex is 560x560 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2357210371/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000F84...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000F84
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000F84 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000F68...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000F68
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000F68 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FA0...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FA0
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FA0 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000F94...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000F94
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000F94 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000F98...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000F98
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000F98 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FB0...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000F1C...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FCC...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FCC
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FCC added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FC8...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FC8
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FC8 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FD8...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FD8
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FD8 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FDC...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FDC
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FDC added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FE0...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Registering handler for signal #00000FE0
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Handle #00000FE0 added to the Eventhandles
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FE4...
[00:10:52]: [IPC] Clearing pending signals #00000FE8...
[00:11:05]: [IPC] Received DST_Secondary Starting signal !
[00:11:06]: [IPC] Received DST_Master Starting signal !
[00:11:09]: [IPC] Received DST_Secondary WorldGen signal !
[00:11:09]: [Error] Dedicated server process terminated prematurely.
[00:11:10]: [IPC] Sending signal... #00000FB0
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000F84
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000F68
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FA0
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000F94
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000F98
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FCC
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FC8
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FD8
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FDC
[00:11:21]: [IPC] Unregistering handler for signal #00000FE0
[00:11:24]: ModWorkshop::CancelDownloads clearing all unfinished downloads
[00:12:55]: Frontend-Unloading mod 'all'.
[00:15:42]: ModWorkshop::CancelDownloads clearing all unfinished downloads
[00:15:42]: Collecting garbage...
[00:15:42]: lua_gc took 0.15 seconds
[00:15:42]: ~ShardLuaProxy()
[00:15:42]: ~cEventLeaderboardProxy()
[00:15:42]: ~ItemServerLuaProxy()
[00:15:42]: ~InventoryLuaProxy()
[00:15:42]: ~NetworkLuaProxy()
[00:15:42]: ~SimLuaProxy()
[00:15:42]: ModWorkshop::CancelDownloads clearing all unfinished downloads
[00:15:42]: lua_close took 0.13 seconds
[00:15:43]: ModWorkshop::CancelDownloads clearing all unfinished downloads
[00:15:43]: saved ping_cache
[00:15:43]: [Steam] Auth ticket cancelled
[00:15:43]: CurlRequestManager::ClientThread::Main() complete
[00:15:43]: HttpClient2 discarded 0 callbacks.
[00:15:44]: Shutting down

[drinkmetogrow]

[00:10:33]: Could not load texture ../mods/workshop-1827093647/pvp_icon.tex
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1844938741/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2709407987/modicon.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-655236052/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-622471256/modicon.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1583765151/images/modicon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2420839895/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2334209327/ModiconHOF.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2528541304/ModiconNET.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-668356705/Coordinate.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2376883615/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1847959350/modicon.tex is 884x1092 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1924707395/hamleticon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2428854303/ModiconTAP.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1852559465/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-756229217/modicon.tex is 560x560 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2357210371/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.

---------------------------------------

^Each of the above lines is a different mod related error.

17 mods in all.

You can try just unsubscribing to those mods.. but if that doesn't correct the issue then it means there are corrupted files in your mod folder that are going to have to be manually removed(this happens quite often.. especially after an update).

------------------------------

If just unsubscribing to the above mods doesn't fix it; follow the steps below:

-Turn off auto-subscribe, if you have it on (in-game settings).

With the game not running:

-Unsubscribe from ALL mods on the Steam Workshop page.

-Go into your "Don't Starve Together" file/folder and manually delete ALL mods.

To do so; manually delete ALL:

workshop-<number> directories from your
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Don't Starve Together\mods directory.

-Save/Apply changes.

[drinkmetogrow]

If doing all of the above doesn't fix the issue, then copy/paste the NEW crash log here.. then we can see if there's anything else going on.

[aart]

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

[00:10:33]: Could not load texture ../mods/workshop-1827093647/pvp_icon.tex
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1844938741/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2709407987/modicon.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-655236052/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-622471256/modicon.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1583765151/images/modicon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2420839895/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2334209327/ModiconHOF.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2528541304/ModiconNET.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-668356705/Coordinate.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2376883615/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1847959350/modicon.tex is 884x1092 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1924707395/hamleticon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2428854303/ModiconTAP.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1852559465/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-756229217/modicon.tex is 560x560 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2357210371/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.

---------------------------------------

^Each of the above lines is a different mod related error.

17 mods in all.

You can try just unsubscribing to those mods.. but if that doesn't correct the issue then it means there are corrupted files in your mod folder that are going to have to be manually removed(this happens quite often.. especially after an update).

------------------------------

If just unsubscribing to the above mods doesn't fix it; follow the steps below:

-Turn off auto-subscribe, if you have it on (in-game settings).

With the game not running:

-Unsubscribe from ALL mods on the Steam Workshop page.

-Go into your "Don't Starve Together" file/folder and manually delete ALL mods.

To do so; manually delete ALL:

workshop-<number> directories from your
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Don't Starve Together\mods directory.

-Save/Apply changes.

unsubbing to those mods didnt work, i unsubbed from all mods, still not working, and i dont want to DELETE FILES TOO, listen you're probably doing a little bit of trolling and i somehow beilived you because HOW COULD SOME BROKEN MOD ICONS MAKE MY DEDICATED SERVER NOT WORK

[Axsdenied]

Originally posted by aart:

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

[00:10:33]: Could not load texture ../mods/workshop-1827093647/pvp_icon.tex
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1844938741/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2709407987/modicon.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-655236052/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-622471256/modicon.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1583765151/images/modicon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2420839895/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2334209327/ModiconHOF.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2528541304/ModiconNET.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-668356705/Coordinate.tex is 120x104 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2376883615/images/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1847959350/modicon.tex is 884x1092 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1924707395/hamleticon.tex is 200x200 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2428854303/ModiconTAP.tex is 500x500 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-1852559465/modicon.tex is 400x400 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-756229217/modicon.tex is 560x560 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.
[00:10:34]: ../mods/workshop-2357210371/modicon.tex is 120x120 but compressed textures must have power of 2 dimensions.

---------------------------------------

^Each of the above lines is a different mod related error.

17 mods in all.

You can try just unsubscribing to those mods.. but if that doesn't correct the issue then it means there are corrupted files in your mod folder that are going to have to be manually removed(this happens quite often.. especially after an update).

------------------------------

If just unsubscribing to the above mods doesn't fix it; follow the steps below:

-Turn off auto-subscribe, if you have it on (in-game settings).

With the game not running:

-Unsubscribe from ALL mods on the Steam Workshop page.

-Go into your "Don't Starve Together" file/folder and manually delete ALL mods.

To do so; manually delete ALL:

workshop-<number> directories from your
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Don't Starve Together\mods directory.

-Save/Apply changes.

unsubbing to those mods didnt work, i unsubbed from all mods, still not working, and i dont want to DELETE FILES TOO, listen you're probably doing a little bit of trolling and i somehow beilived you because HOW COULD SOME BROKEN MOD ICONS MAKE MY DEDICATED SERVER NOT WORK

Nothing about what he suggested looked even remotely troll. It was genuinely trying to make sense of your error logs in an attempt to provide assistance. Since you're sure it's not mods, then it sounds like you have enough knowledge to solve it yourself. Good luck!

[drinkmetogrow]

Definitely not trolling.

Klei themselves would tell you to try the exact same thing:


"Disable Mods - It could be that one or more of the mods you have installed is causing an issue with your game. Try disabling your mods to see if that resolves your issue. Also, please check that the mod you are trying to use is compatible with your version of the game.

If you are sure that the issue is being caused by an outdated or broken mod, delete the mod files from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. Once all mod files have been deleted from your Steam folder for the game, unsubscribe all of your Don't Starve Together mods from the Steam Workshop. This will ensure that any mods that may have been causing issues are completely removed from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. "

Source:
https://support.klei.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029555352-DST-Is-Crashing-DST-Won-t-Start

^if you don't want to click on that link.. then simply go to the Official Klei website>support>"DST is crashing"

[aart]

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

Definitely not trolling.

Klei themselves would tell you to try the exact same thing:


"Disable Mods - It could be that one or more of the mods you have installed is causing an issue with your game. Try disabling your mods to see if that resolves your issue. Also, please check that the mod you are trying to use is compatible with your version of the game.

If you are sure that the issue is being caused by an outdated or broken mod, delete the mod files from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. Once all mod files have been deleted from your Steam folder for the game, unsubscribe all of your Don't Starve Together mods from the Steam Workshop. This will ensure that any mods that may have been causing issues are completely removed from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. "

Source:
https://support.klei.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029555352-DST-Is-Crashing-DST-Won-t-Start

^if you don't want to click on that link.. then simply go to the Official Klei website>support>"DST is crashing"

after i tought about it i tought u werent trolling but idk man without any mods it still breaks

[aart]

Originally posted by aart:

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

Definitely not trolling.

Klei themselves would tell you to try the exact same thing:


"Disable Mods - It could be that one or more of the mods you have installed is causing an issue with your game. Try disabling your mods to see if that resolves your issue. Also, please check that the mod you are trying to use is compatible with your version of the game.

If you are sure that the issue is being caused by an outdated or broken mod, delete the mod files from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. Once all mod files have been deleted from your Steam folder for the game, unsubscribe all of your Don't Starve Together mods from the Steam Workshop. This will ensure that any mods that may have been causing issues are completely removed from your Steam folder for Don't Starve Together. "

Source:
https://support.klei.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029555352-DST-Is-Crashing-DST-Won-t-Start

^if you don't want to click on that link.. then simply go to the Official Klei website>support>"DST is crashing"

after i tought about it i tought u werent trolling but idk man without any mods it still breaks

somehow its WORSE when i try to friggin launch it as admin cuz it just says no perm for files in config directory

[drinkmetogrow]

Copy/paste the newest crash log, here so we can see what exactly is causing it to crash now.

[aart]

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

Copy/paste the newest crash log, here so we can see what exactly is causing it to crash now.

for some reason it became way shorter, prob cuz i tried to do it less times, anyways here's the entire thing ccuz its short now
[00:00:00]:
System Memory:
Memory Load: 52%
Available Physical Memory: 7774m/16316m
Available Page File: 17802m/30140m
Available Virtual Memory: 3987m/4095m
Available Extended Virtual Memory: 0m
[00:00:00]:
Process Memory:
Peak Working Set Size: 14m
Working Set Size: 14m
Quota Peak Page Pool Usage: 191k
Quota Page Pool Usage: 188k
Quota Peak Non Paged Pool Usage:18k
Quota Non Paged Pool Usage: 18k
Page File Usage: 3m
Peak Page File Usage: 4m
[00:00:00]: PersistRootStorage is now APP:Klei//DoNotStarveTogether/
[00:00:00]: Starting Up
[00:00:00]: Version: 504332
[00:00:00]: Current time: Mon Apr 25 13:16:58 2022

[00:00:00]: Don't Starve Together: 504332 WIN32_STEAM
[00:00:00]: Build Date: 7492
[00:00:00]: Mode: 32-bit
[00:00:00]: Parsing command line
[00:00:00]: Command Line Arguments:
[00:00:00]: Initializing distribution platform
[00:00:00]: Initializing Minidump handler
[00:00:00]: ....Done
[00:00:00]: Steam doesn't seem to be running. Trying to restart the game via Steam.
[00:00:00]: Error, Steam failed to initialize, result=1...
[00:00:00]: The application will now exit
[00:00:00]: Shutting down

[drinkmetogrow]

[00:00:00]: Steam doesn't seem to be running. Trying to restart the game via Steam.
[00:00:00]: Error, Steam failed to initialize, result=1...
-----------------------------------

The (steamapi_init() failed)/Steam doesn't seem to be running) fatal error message generally stems from within the Steam client.

1) Log out of Steam > Restart your computer > once restarted, log into Steam once more and start the game.

2) Verify the integrity of Don't Starve Together's game files: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335

3) Ensure that you are running your Steam Client as well as Don't Starve Together as an administrator. Setting up administrator access for Windows:

Windows 7 – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14028/windows-7-how-log-on-as-an-administrator

Windows 10 – https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-check-if-your-windows-10-account-is-administrator/

4) Ensure that your security software, antivirus program(s), or firewall settings are NOT blocking your computer's communication with the Steam servers. Try temporarily disabling temporarily them to see if it fixes the issue.

Should the issue persist after doing the steps above, your best next step is to contact Steam Support for Steam client technical support - they will be able to assist you with this promptly.

*source: https://forums.kleientertainment.com/klei-bug-tracker/dont-starve-together/steam-must-be-running-to-play-this-game-dont-starve-together-r10849/

[aart]

Originally posted by drinkmetogrow:

[00:00:00]: Steam doesn't seem to be running. Trying to restart the game via Steam.
[00:00:00]: Error, Steam failed to initialize, result=1...
-----------------------------------

The (steamapi_init() failed)/Steam doesn't seem to be running) fatal error message generally stems from within the Steam client.

1) Log out of Steam > Restart your computer > once restarted, log into Steam once more and start the game.

2) Verify the integrity of Don't Starve Together's game files: https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335

3) Ensure that you are running your Steam Client as well as Don't Starve Together as an administrator. Setting up administrator access for Windows:

Windows 7 – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14028/windows-7-how-log-on-as-an-administrator

Windows 10 – https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-check-if-your-windows-10-account-is-administrator/

4) Ensure that your security software, antivirus program(s), or firewall settings are NOT blocking your computer's communication with the Steam servers. Try temporarily disabling temporarily them to see if it fixes the issue.

Should the issue persist after doing the steps above, your best next step is to contact Steam Support for Steam client technical support - they will be able to assist you with this promptly.

*source: https://forums.kleientertainment.com/klei-bug-tracker/dont-starve-together/steam-must-be-running-to-play-this-game-dont-starve-together-r10849/

say pal, i ain't feeling like this helps the dedicated server, or is that how im feeling? because that forum post is about not being able to play don't starve together, not hosting a world with caves.