Can't join local dedicated server unless I start the game first

[Meo]

hey, @NoobishPro. First, looks like @Ignasi C&P same link to both suggested threads.

I believe the second should be:
Conan Exiles Dedicated Server Launcher (Official Version: 1.7.2 / Beta: ----)

Also, in here is probably the solution to your problem: Both steam and default server setting would use querry port 27015 and port 7777. You need to change ports on your server and problem should be solved.

@Jens_Erik

If you want to run multiple servers on the same machine, each of them need to be in a separate folder, use a different set of ports, and have the router/modem correctly route the external port to the correct local port on the computer running the servers.

(Similarly, if you want to run a game server and a game client on the same machine, they should be using different ports, if you keep the default ports 7777 and 2715 the first launched executable will lock the ports, and the other will not be able to access them).

Also @Ignasi, there is a small typo in that quote (2715 should be 27015 I guess)

Please report back if that helps.