How to Host a Satisfactory Server in 2026
Satisfactory's dedicated server is straightforward to set up but easy to size wrong. This guide covers the full install from SteamCMD to mods — and the RAM mistake that kills most self-hosted servers by phase 3.
RAM requirements — plan ahead for factory growth
Satisfactory's server RAM usage scales with factory complexity, not player count. 8 GB is fine for phase 1–2. You will need 12–16 GB by phase 3 when trains and large conveyor networks are running. Allocate 32 GB for a mega-factory late-game world. Sizing too small means OOM crashes mid-session — size up before you need it.
Install the dedicated server via SteamCMD
Satisfactory's dedicated server is Steam app ID 1690800. Install SteamCMD, then run: `+force_install_dir /opt/satisfactory +login anonymous +app_update 1690800 validate +quit`. The initial download is around 35 GB. On Linux the binary is `FactoryServer.sh` in the install directory. Run it once to generate the default config and player files.
Open the required ports
Satisfactory uses three ports: UDP 7777 (game traffic), UDP 15777 (query port for server browser) and TCP 7777 (HTTPS management API). All three need to be open in your firewall. Without UDP 7777 players cannot connect. Without UDP 15777 the server won't appear in the server browser. The management API on TCP 7777 is how the in-game admin panel communicates with the server.
Set an admin password
The first time you connect to a fresh server you will be prompted to claim it as admin and set a password. This can also be set via the `-ServerSettings.AdminPassword=YourPassword` launch argument. The admin password lets you change session settings, kick players, save the game and shut down the server from inside the game client.
Configure session settings
Key settings accessible from the in-game server manager: session name (appears in the server browser), session password (optional, limits who can join), max players (official cap: 4), autopause (pauses simulation when empty — saves RAM and CPU during off-hours). These are stored in `ServerSettings.ini` and can also be set via the management API.
Set up automatic backups
Satisfactory autosaves to the `saved/` directory every 5 minutes by default. A factory OOM crash or a bad update can corrupt the latest autosave. Set up a cron job to copy the saves directory to a backup location hourly. If you are on a managed host like CoalHost, automated backups with one-click restore are included.
Install mods from ficsit.app
The official Satisfactory mod repository is ficsit.app (Satisfactory Mod Repository, SMR). Use the Satisfactory Mod Manager (SMM) to export a server-side mod profile from your client and upload it to the server. Drop `.zip` or `.smm` files into the mods directory and restart. All players connecting must have the same mods installed on their client.
FAQ
What ports does a Satisfactory server use?+
What is the Satisfactory server Steam app ID?+
How do I give myself admin on my server?+
Does Satisfactory have server-side mods?+
How do I update the Satisfactory server?+
Why does my Satisfactory server crash with no error?+
Skip the setup — host from €22/month
CoalHost handles the SteamCMD install, port config and backups for you. Session settings from the panel, AMD EPYC hardware, Helsinki EU datacenter.
View Satisfactory Hosting →