How to Make a Sons of the Forest Server
A complete walkthrough for running your own Sons of the Forest dedicated server — install it with SteamCMD, edit dedicatedserver.cfg for name, difficulty and player count, open the ports, and go live 24/7. Plus the one-click hosted route if you'd rather skip the setup.
Sons of the Forest ships a free dedicated server tool (a separate download from the game). You can self-host it on a spare PC, or use a managed host for a 24/7 world with a panel and DDoS protection. A dedicated server keeps your co-op world persistent so friends can play even when you're offline.
This guide covers the self-hosted SteamCMD route step by step. If your server won't appear afterwards, see our fix for Sons of the Forest server not showing.
What you'll need
A quick checklist before you begin — have these ready and the rest is easy.
- A machine to run the server — a spare PC, or a host for 24/7 uptime.
- SteamCMD, to download the free dedicated server (app 2465200).
- Open ports: UDP 8766 (game), UDP 27016 (query), UDP 9700 (blob sync).
- dedicatedserver.cfg configured (name, players, difficulty).
- On Linux, Proton/Wine to run the Windows server binary.
Set up a Sons of the Forest dedicated server, step by step
Choose self-host or a managed host
The dedicated server is free, but self-hosting needs a PC on 24/7 and port-forwarding. A managed host gives you an always-online, persistent world and a panel in minutes. Want zero hassle? Pick a host and skip to step 4.
Install the server with SteamCMD
The Sons of the Forest dedicated server is Steam app 2465200 — a free, anonymous download; you don't need to own the game on the server machine.
steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./sotfserver +app_update 2465200 validate +quit
Edit dedicatedserver.cfg
The whole server is configured in dedicatedserver.cfg — set ServerName, MaxPlayers, Password, difficulty and the network ports. Keep the default ports unless you know you need to change them.
{
"ServerName": "My ESAGAMES SOTF Server",
"MaxPlayers": 8,
"GamePort": 8766,
"QueryPort": 27016,
"BlobSyncPort": 9700
}Launch the server
Start it with StartSOTFDedicated.bat on Windows (or the binary under Proton/Wine on Linux). The first boot generates the save and world files, so give it a minute.
StartSOTFDedicated.bat
Open the ports
Forward UDP 8766 (game), UDP 27016 (query — lists it for players) and UDP 9700 (blob sync). Miss the query port and friends can't find the server. On a managed host these are opened for you.
8766/udp game (default) 27016/udp query (lists the server) 9700/udp blob sync (world data)
Invite friends & keep it persistent
A dedicated server keeps the world saved and online even when you log off. Share the IP (or password), and your co-op progress carries between sessions. Back up the save folder regularly.
Run a stable SOTF server
Open all three ports
8766, 27016 and 9700 all matter — the blob-sync port (9700) carries world data. If it's closed, players can hit odd sync issues even after connecting.
Back up the save folder
Your world lives in the save directory. Back it up before updates or config changes so a bad edit never costs you the world.
A modern core keeps it smooth
SOTF isn't huge, but a modern high-clock CPU and a few GB of RAM keep an 8-player world crisp, especially in busy base areas.
Protect the IP
A public server is a DDoS target. Self-hosting exposes your home IP; a managed host puts a clean, filtered IP in front.
Common problems & fixes
Hit a snag? These are the issues people run into most — and how to solve them.
Friends can't find the server
Open UDP 27016 (query) and 9700 (blob sync), not just 8766. See our fix for Sons of the Forest not showing for the full checklist.
The server won't start
Re-validate the install with SteamCMD, and on Linux confirm Proton/Wine is set up. Read the console output for the exact error.
The world resets or won't load
A corrupted or moved save. Restore from a backup of the save folder and don't edit configs while the server is running.
Players lag in bases
Busy base areas are CPU-heavy. Give the server a stronger high-clock CPU, or cap MaxPlayers a little lower.
Skip the setup — host it with ESAGAMES
Want your Sons of the Forest world online 24/7 without port-forwarding? Our SOTF hosting runs high-clock CPUs on NVMe behind a multi-Tbps Frankfurt network — protected and instant.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to own Sons of the Forest to host a server?
No. The dedicated server (Steam app 2465200) is a free, anonymous download, separate from the game. You only need the game on the machines that play.
What ports does a Sons of the Forest server use?
UDP 8766 for the game, UDP 27016 for the query that lists it, and UDP 9700 for blob (world data) sync. Forward all three, or let a host handle it.
Where do I configure the server?
Everything is in dedicatedserver.cfg — server name, max players, password, difficulty and the ports. Edit it, then launch with StartSOTFDedicated.bat.
Why can't my friends find the server?
Usually the query port (27016) isn't open, or the blob-sync port (9700) is closed. Forward all three ports — see our fix for Sons of the Forest not showing.
How much hardware does it need?
Modest — a modern high-clock CPU and a few GB of RAM comfortably run an 8-player world. It's far lighter than large-scale games like ARK or Squad.
Does a dedicated server keep my world when I log off?
Yes — that's the point. The world stays saved and online 24/7 so friends can keep playing, and your progress carries between sessions.
Keep reading
Sons of the Forest is a trademark of Endnight Games. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Endnight Games. You must own a legitimate copy of the game to play.
