How to Make a Satisfactory Dedicated Server

In regular multiplayer, the factory only exists while the host is online. A dedicated server fixes that: everyone plays when they want, and the factory keeps producing between sessions. Here's how to set it up, on your own machine or on a hosted server.

⚙️ Requirements

• 8 GB RAM minimum, 12 to 16 GB for a late-game factory. The load comes from the factory, which is simulated continuously, not from the player count.
• A recent, fast CPU: a late-game factory saturates a slow core.
• Windows or Linux, the server runs on both.
• The server software is free: you don't need to own the game to download it.
• At least 15 GB of free disk space.

⚙️ Step 1: Install the Server

In Steam: Library, Tools, Satisfactory Dedicated Server. Or with SteamCMD:

force_install_dir C:\satisfactoryserver
login anonymous
app_update 1690800 validate
quit

For the experimental branch, add -beta experimental to the app_update command. Server and players must be on the same branch.

⚙️ Step 2: Start the Server

Windows:

FactoryServer.exe -log -unattended

Linux:

./FactoryServer.sh

The first launch creates the FactoryGame/Saved/ tree with the configuration files and the save folder.

⚙️ Step 3: Open the Ports

Forward them to the machine hosting the server and allow them in the firewall. On a hosted server, it's done for you.

⚙️ Step 4: Claim the Server

1. Launch Satisfactory, Server Manager, Add Server.
2. Enter the IP address (and the port if it's not 7777).
3. The server shows as unclaimed: give it a name and an admin password.
4. Optionally set a player password so only your friends can join.

Keep the admin password safe: it gives full control of the server.

On a Satisfactory server hosted by LordHosting, the first three steps are already done: you grab the address and port from the panel and start straight at the claiming step.

⚙️ Step 5: Create a Game or Upload a Save

In the Server Manager:

• Create game: pick a starting location, just like single player.
• Upload: in save management, upload your .sav file and load it. See where your saves are.

⚙️ Step 6: Settings That Matter

In the server settings (Server Manager):

• Auto-pause when nobody is connected.
• Autosave on disconnect of a player.
• Autosave interval.

To allow more than 4 players, edit Game.ini in the server config folder (FactoryGame/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ or LinuxServer/):

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=8

⚙️ Common Problems

• Server not found: check ports 7777 (UDP and TCP) and 8888 (TCP), and make sure the server is running (the console shows the listening port).
• "Version mismatch": update the server (app_update 1690800 validate) and the game, on the same branch.
• Late-game lag: not enough RAM or CPU. Move to a plan with more memory.
• Save no longer loads after adding mods: see the Satisfactory mods guide and load the previous save.

⚙️ Ready-to-paste configuration

A Windows launch script that restarts the server if it stops, and the Game.ini block for 8 players. Replace the install folder at the top.

@echo off
:: Replace with your server install folder
cd /d C:\satisfactoryserver
:start
FactoryServer.exe -log -unattended
timeout 10
goto start

FactoryGame\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Game.ini (create the file if it doesn't exist):

[/Script/Engine.GameSession]
MaxPlayers=8

On Linux, the same idea in a start.sh script:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# Replace with your server install folder
cd /home/steam/satisfactoryserver || exit 1
while true; do
  ./FactoryServer.sh
  sleep 10
done

✅ Conclusion

Install, launch, open two ports, claim: a Satisfactory dedicated server is up in half an hour. Everything else is handled from the in-game Server Manager, without touching files. To go further, our two other guides cover mods with Satisfactory Mod Manager and save files, their location and how to move them.

Don't want a PC running day and night? Get a Satisfactory server: it's installed, up to date, ports are open, and you upload your factory in minutes.

FAQ

All the answers to frequently asked questions about making a Satisfactory dedicated server are in the FAQ box below. If a question is missing, contact LordHosting support via Discord or by ticket.