How to create a Satisfactory server: dedicated server on Windows and Linux

With your own Satisfactory server, you and your friends can keep building the same factory any time. The server runs independently of a player's PC and can stay reachable around the clock. Especially for long saves, large factories or a fixed group, a dedicated server is far more convenient than a normally hosted multiplayer session.

In this guide you'll learn how to create a Satisfactory dedicated server on Windows or Linux, which ports you need to open and how to claim the server in-game afterwards. We also show you how to upload existing saves, create backups, install mods and fix common connection problems.

Creating a Satisfactory server: the essentials

To run your own Satisfactory server you need a Windows or Linux machine with enough RAM, SteamCMD and a reachable IP address. You download the server files with App ID 1690800. Then you start the server, open ports 7777 and 8888, and add it in Satisfactory's Server Manager.

The basic setup isn't done through a classic config file but directly in-game. There you claim the server, set an admin password and either create a new world or upload an existing save.

A Satisfactory server in 8 steps

1. Provide a suitable Windows or Linux server.
2. Download and install SteamCMD.
3. Install the dedicated server with App ID 1690800.
4. Start FactoryServer.exe or FactoryServer.sh.
5. Open 7777/TCP, 7777/UDP and 8888/TCP.
6. Add the server in the Satisfactory Server Manager.
7. Claim the server and set an admin password.
8. Create a new world or upload an existing savegame.

Contents

• What is a Satisfactory dedicated server?
• Requirements and hardware
• Key server data and ports
• Create a Satisfactory server on Windows
• Create a Satisfactory server on Linux
• Run the Linux server as a systemd service
• Set up firewall and port forwarding
• Claim the server in the Server Manager
• Create a new world or upload a savegame
• Connecting to the Satisfactory server
• Change server settings
• Update the Satisfactory server
• Creating backups
• Install mods on the Satisfactory server
• Check logs and server status
• Troubleshooting
• FAQ

What is a Satisfactory dedicated server?

A dedicated server is a standalone server application that runs without a game client. Unlike a normal multiplayer session, the original host doesn't have to be in-game. The world can therefore stay available permanently.

Your own server is especially useful when:

• several players want to build independently of each other,
• the factory should be reachable even without the original host,
• a larger or long-term save is used,
• you want regular backups and controlled server operation,
• the server should run on a VPS, root server or separate machine.

Requirements and hardware

Actual load depends heavily on factory size, player count and how far the save has progressed. Large production facilities, many conveyor belts, vehicles and far-flung outposts mainly increase CPU and RAM usage.

Recommended specs

Also pay attention to:

• a CPU with good single-core performance,
• an SSD or NVMe instead of a slow HDD,
• a 64-bit operating system,
• a stable internet connection,
• a public IPv4 address or working IPv6,
• access to firewall and router.

The server itself doesn't need a powerful graphics card.

Home server, VPS or game server?

A home server can be enough for a small group. However, it must run permanently and be reachable from outside. With an internet connection using DS-Lite or CGNAT, a classic IPv4 port forward is often impossible.

A VPS or root server offers a public IP address and runs around the clock. You have to manage the operating system, updates, firewall and backups yourself. A ready-made game server takes most of these technical tasks off your hands.

Key server data and ports

For SteamCMD, always use App ID 1690800. App ID 526870 is the actual game client and does not install the dedicated server.

Create a Satisfactory server on Windows

1. Create folders

First create two directories:

C:\steamcmd
C:\satisfactory-server

The first folder holds SteamCMD, the second the actual server files.

2. Download SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from Valve's official website and extract the ZIP to:

C:\steamcmd

Then run steamcmd.exe once. On first start SteamCMD downloads further required files.

3. Install the Satisfactory dedicated server

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\satisfactory-server +login anonymous +app_update 1690800 validate +quit

After a successful install, SteamCMD reports something like:

Success! App '1690800' fully installed.

4. Start the server

Change into the install folder:

cd C:\satisfactory-server

Then start the server with:

.\FactoryServer.exe -log -unattended

The first start can take a few minutes while all folders are created and the services fully start. Don't close the window while the server should keep running.

Optional: create a Windows launch file

Create a file named start-server.bat in the server folder:

@echo off
cd /d C:\satisfactory-server
FactoryServer.exe -log -unattended
pause

You can then start the Satisfactory server via this file.

Create a Satisfactory server on Linux

The following steps suit Debian and Ubuntu. The install runs under a dedicated user so the game server doesn't run with root privileges.

1. Create a server user and dependencies

sudo useradd --create-home --system --shell /bin/bash satisfactory
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y curl tar lib32gcc-s1

2. Install SteamCMD as the server user

Switch to the satisfactory user:

sudo -iu satisfactory

Create the required folders:

mkdir -p /home/satisfactory/steamcmd
mkdir -p /home/satisfactory/server
cd /home/satisfactory/steamcmd

Download and extract SteamCMD:

curl -fsSL https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz | tar -xz

3. Download the Satisfactory dedicated server

/home/satisfactory/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /home/satisfactory/server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 1690800 validate \
  +quit

4. Start the server manually

cd /home/satisfactory/server
./FactoryServer.sh -log -unattended

The first start creates the server directories and settings files. Stop the server for further setup with Ctrl + C.

Run the Linux server as a systemd service

With a systemd service the Satisfactory server starts automatically after a reboot and restarts after a crash.

Create the file:

/etc/systemd/system/satisfactory.service

Content:

[Unit]
Description=Satisfactory Dedicated Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=satisfactory
Group=satisfactory
WorkingDirectory=/home/satisfactory/server
ExecStart=/home/satisfactory/server/FactoryServer.sh -log -unattended
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=120
LimitNOFILE=100000

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Reload the configuration and enable the service:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now satisfactory

Show status:

sudo systemctl status satisfactory

Show live logs:

sudo journalctl -u satisfactory -f

Restart the server:

sudo systemctl restart satisfactory

Stop the server:

sudo systemctl stop satisfactory

Set up firewall and port forwarding

Since the networking model changed, a Satisfactory dedicated server needs three inbound allowances by default.

Windows firewall

Open PowerShell as administrator:

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Satisfactory 7777 UDP" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 7777 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Satisfactory 7777 TCP" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 7777 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Satisfactory 8888 TCP" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 8888 -Action Allow

UFW on Linux

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7777/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8888/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Check status:

sudo ufw status

Port forwarding in the router

If the server runs on your home network, you also need to forward the same ports in the router to the server PC's local IP address:

7777 UDP -> local server IP
7777 TCP -> local server IP
8888 TCP -> local server IP

Give the server PC a fixed local IP address or a DHCP reservation if possible. Otherwise the internal address can change and the port forward points to the wrong device.

Multiple Satisfactory servers on one IP

For multiple instances you need separate ports per server. You can set the ports at start:

./FactoryServer.sh -Port=7777 -ReliablePort=8888 -log -unattended

A second instance could use, for example:

./FactoryServer.sh -Port=7778 -ReliablePort=8889 -log -unattended

The chosen TCP and UDP ports must also be opened in the firewall and router.

Claim the server in the Server Manager

After the first start the server isn't set up yet. The basic setup happens directly in-game.

1. Start Satisfactory on your PC.
2. Open the Server Manager from the main menu.
3. Choose Add server.
4. Enter the public IP address, or the local IP on a home network.
5. Use 7777 as the default port.
6. Wait until the server status has loaded.
7. Choose Claim server.
8. Set a server name and a secure admin password.

The admin password is needed to manage the server. Don't use the same password as for other services.

Create a new world or upload a savegame

After claiming, you can either create a new session or take over an existing world.

Create a new world

Open the server in the Server Manager and choose the option to create a new game. There you can set the starting area, session name and advanced game settings, among other things.

Upload an existing savegame

1. Open the Server Manager.
2. Sign in with the admin password.
3. Open the savegame management.
4. Choose the function to upload a savegame.
5. Select the desired .sav file.
6. Load the save and start the session.

You'll usually find local Satisfactory saves on Windows here:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames

The folder may contain further subfolders with number or account IDs. Choose the desired .sav file from there.

Storage location on the dedicated server

Linux:

/home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server

Windows when started as a normal user:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\server

If the Windows server runs as a service under a system account, the location may differ from this path.

Connecting to the Satisfactory server

Once a world is loaded, you can click the server in the Server Manager and join the game. Other players add the same server via IP address and port.

On a home network you normally use the local address, for example:

192.168.178.50:7777

Players outside your network use the public IP address:

203.0.113.10:7777

Replace the example addresses with the server's actual IP.

Steam and Epic Games together

PC players on the Steam and Epic Games versions can use the same dedicated server. However, all players must have a compatible game version.

No connection from PlayStation or Xbox

Console players currently can't join a Satisfactory dedicated server. That also applies when the server runs on a public game server or root server.

Change server settings

You manage the most important settings in the Server Manager. Depending on the current game version, these include:

• server name,
• admin password,
• join password,
• automatic pause when the server is empty,
• automatic saving,
• session and game settings,
• loading and downloading savegames.

Satisfactory officially supports multiplayer sessions of up to four players on PC. Higher player counts are possible but need more performance and aren't officially supported in every configuration.

Update the Satisfactory server

Game client and server must run the same version. After a game update a message about incompatible or different versions may otherwise appear.

Update on Windows

Stop the running server first. Then run:

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\satisfactory-server +login anonymous +app_update 1690800 validate +quit

Then start FactoryServer.exe again.

Update on Linux

Stop the service:

sudo systemctl stop satisfactory

Update the files as the server user:

sudo -iu satisfactory /home/satisfactory/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /home/satisfactory/server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 1690800 validate \
  +quit

Start the server again:

sudo systemctl start satisfactory

Then check the logs:

sudo journalctl -u satisfactory -n 100 --no-pager

Install the experimental version

If you deliberately want the experimental version, add to the SteamCMD command:

-beta experimental

Example:

/home/satisfactory/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /home/satisfactory/server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 1690800 -beta experimental validate \
  +quit

Server and all players must use the same branch. For a permanently used server the stable version is usually the better choice.

Creating backups

Back up at least the SaveGames folder. A backup of the server settings is also recommended.

Manual backup on Linux

Stop the server:

sudo systemctl stop satisfactory

Create a backup folder:

sudo mkdir -p /home/satisfactory/backups
sudo chown satisfactory:satisfactory /home/satisfactory/backups

Create an archive:

sudo -iu satisfactory tar -czf \
  /home/satisfactory/backups/satisfactory-$(date +%F-%H%M).tar.gz \
  -C /home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved \
  SaveGames

Start the server again:

sudo systemctl start satisfactory

Backup on Windows

Stop the server and copy this folder to another location:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\server

Alternatively you can download saves through the Server Manager.

A good backup strategy

• a backup before every update,
• a daily automatic backup while the server is active,
• keep several older versions,
• don't store backups only on the same SSD,
• occasionally test whether a backup loads again.

A backup on the same drive doesn't protect against a drive failure.

Install mods on the Satisfactory server

Satisfactory mods are usually managed through the Satisfactory Mod Manager or ficsit-cli. First set up a working vanilla server and test the connection without mods.

Recommended process

1. Install the Satisfactory Mod Manager.
2. Add the dedicated server under Manage Servers.
3. For a remote server, set up SFTP or another supported file access.
4. Only select mods that support dedicated servers.
5. Let mod dependencies install automatically.
6. Bring server and required clients to compatible mod versions.
7. Create a backup before the first modded start.
8. Restart the server and check the logs.

Not every mod supports Windows and Linux dedicated servers. So check on the mod's page whether the target server platform is supported.

After a Satisfactory update

After a larger game update, mods can be temporarily incompatible. If you run into problems, proceed in this order:

1. Update the vanilla server files.
2. Update the Satisfactory Mod Loader.
3. Check all mods for compatibility.
4. Disable mods that haven't been updated.
5. Test the server with a backup copy.

Check logs and server status

Check the Linux service

sudo systemctl status satisfactory

Live output:

sudo journalctl -u satisfactory -f

Last 200 lines:

sudo journalctl -u satisfactory -n 200 --no-pager

Game log on Linux

The detailed Satisfactory log is normally located here:

/home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/Logs/FactoryGame.log

Show it:

tail -f /home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/Logs/FactoryGame.log

Game log on Windows

%LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\Logs\FactoryGame.log

Check whether the ports are in use

On Linux:

sudo ss -lntup | grep -E '7777|8888'

On Windows PowerShell:

Get-NetTCPConnection -State Listen | Where-Object LocalPort -In 7777,8888
Get-NetUDPEndpoint | Where-Object LocalPort -EQ 7777

Troubleshooting

Server doesn't appear in the Server Manager

Check first:

• Is FactoryServer.exe or the systemd service running?
• Is 7777/UDP open?
• Is 7777/TCP open?
• Is 8888/TCP open?
• Did the router forward to the correct local IP?
• Are you using the right public or local IP address?
• Has startup fully completed?

On Linux these help:

sudo systemctl status satisfactory
sudo journalctl -u satisfactory -n 100 --no-pager
sudo ss -lntup | grep -E '7777|8888'

Server can't be claimed

If the server is visible but claiming fails, 8888/TCP is often blocked. Check the firewall, router and, if applicable, your hosting provider's firewall.

Connection hangs on the loading screen

Possible causes:

• 8888/TCP is missing,
• client and server use different versions,
• a mod is incompatible,
• the server files are damaged,
• the savegame needs more RAM than available,
• the connection is interrupted by a firewall or security software.

First test without mods, then run a file check with validate.

Players get a version error

Update the dedicated server via SteamCMD. Also check whether server and players both use the stable or both the experimental version.

SteamCMD reports error 0x606

This error often occurs when server files are still in use. Fully stop the Satisfactory server and start the update again. Also check that +force_install_dir points to the correct install folder.

Server won't start after an update

Run the install again with validate:

/home/satisfactory/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /home/satisfactory/server \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 1690800 validate \
  +quit

Then check FactoryGame.log. On a modded server you should also temporarily disable all mods.

Public IP doesn't work on your own home network

Some routers don't support NAT loopback. On your home network, connect to the server's local IP address. External players still use the public IP address.

Server unreachable despite port forwarding

Possible causes:

• DS-Lite or CGNAT,
• the provider blocks inbound connections,
• the port forward points to an old local IP,
• an additional firewall at the VPS provider,
• a double router or NAT setup,
• a Windows network profile or security software blocks the process.

Compare the WAN IP shown in the router with your publicly visible IP address. If they don't match, CGNAT or DS-Lite may be present.

Savegame isn't shown

Check:

• the .sav file extension,
• the correct savegame folder,
• sufficient file permissions on Linux,
• a complete upload,
• a compatible game version,
• the server was restarted after copying.

Fix file permissions on Linux:

sudo chown -R satisfactory:satisfactory \
  /home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame

Server crashes with mods

First disable all mods and start the server as vanilla. If it works afterwards, enable the mods one by one or in small groups. For each mod, check:

• support for the current Satisfactory version,
• support for dedicated servers,
• support for Windows or Linux servers,
• required dependencies,
• an identical version on all necessary clients.

Frequently asked questions about the Satisfactory server

How much RAM does a Satisfactory server need? 8 GB of RAM is a sensible starting point for a small new world. For larger saves, extensive factories or more than four players, 16 GB or more is recommended.

Which ports does a Satisfactory dedicated server need? By default you need 7777/UDP, 7777/TCP and 8888/TCP. The ports must be opened both in the server firewall and, for a home server, in the router.

Which Steam App ID does the Satisfactory server have? The dedicated server App ID is 1690800. App ID 526870 belongs to the game client.

Is the Satisfactory dedicated server free? The server application can be downloaded anonymously via SteamCMD. However, each player needs their own valid copy of Satisfactory.

Can I upload an existing save? Yes. In the Server Manager you can upload an existing .sav file and then load it on the dedicated server.

Can Steam and Epic players play together? Yes. Steam and Epic PC players can use the same Satisfactory dedicated server, as long as the game and server versions match.

Can Xbox or PlayStation players join? No. Consoles currently can't use Satisfactory dedicated servers and can't play together with PC players on a dedicated server.

How many players does a Satisfactory server support? Four players are officially supported on PC. Higher counts are possible but increase hardware requirements and aren't officially supported in every configuration.

Does the factory keep running when nobody is online? That depends on the server setting for pausing when the server is empty. Disable automatic pause if production and game time should continue without logged-in players.

Does the server owner need to be online? No. Once the dedicated server is running and a world is loaded, authorised players can join regardless of the original owner.

How do I update the Satisfactory server? Stop the server and run the SteamCMD command with +app_update 1690800 validate again. Then start the server and check the logs.

Where are the savegames on Linux? With the installation used in this guide: /home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server.

Where are the savegames on Windows? With a normally started server: %LOCALAPPDATA%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\server.

Do mods work on a dedicated server? Many mods work, but not every mod supports dedicated servers or both server operating systems. Check compatibility in the Satisfactory Mod Manager or on the mod's page.

Related guides

• How to create a Palworld server
• How to create a Valheim server
• How to create a Rust server
• How to create a Project Zomboid server
• How to create an ARK: Survival Ascended server

Summary

Creating your own Satisfactory server is possible with SteamCMD on Windows and Linux. The key points are the correct App ID 1690800, enough RAM and opening 7777/TCP, 7777/UDP and 8888/TCP.

After the first start you add the server in the Satisfactory Server Manager, claim it with an admin password and create a new world or upload an existing savegame. For reliable long-term operation you should set up automatic starts, regular updates, external backups and log monitoring.

If you'd rather not administer the server yourself, you can instead rent a ready-made Satisfactory server at DeinServerHost.