How to Host a Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server (2026)

To host a Sons of the Forest dedicated server, install Endnight's free Sons Of The Forest Dedicated Server tool (SteamCMD app 2465200), run it once to generate dedicatedserver.cfg, set the name, password, save slot and game mode, and open UDP ports 8766 (game), 27016 (query) and 9700 (blob sync). The server holds up to 8 players, the same as co-op, and keeps the island running when the host logs off.

What do you need for a Sons of the Forest dedicated server?

• A Windows machine that can stay on. The dedicated server is a Windows tool.
• SteamCMD, or the Sons Of The Forest Dedicated Server entry in your Steam library's Tools section. The server does not need its own copy of the game; every player needs theirs.
• Enough RAM. The server tracks the whole island, every log and wall you place, and a lot of AI.
• Port forwarding on your router if you host at home.

How do I install the server with SteamCMD?

1. Download SteamCMD and extract it, for example to C:\steamcmd.
2. Install the server files:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\SotFServer +login anonymous +app_update 2465200 validate +quit

3. Run SonsOfTheForestDS.exe once. It creates its user data folder and a default config, then you can close it.
4. By default the config and saves live in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS. To keep them next to the server instead, start it with:

SonsOfTheForestDS.exe -userdatapath "C:\SotFServer\userdata"

Re-run the SteamCMD command after every game patch. Players on a newer build than the server cannot join.

How do I set up dedicatedserver.cfg?

dedicatedserver.cfg is a JSON file in the user data folder. This is the default the server writes, according to the community maintained Sons of the Forest dedicated server guide:

{
  "IpAddress": "0.0.0.0",
  "GamePort": 8766,
  "QueryPort": 27016,
  "BlobSyncPort": 9700,
  "ServerName": "Sons Of The Forest Server (dedicated)",
  "MaxPlayers": 8,
  "Password": "",
  "LanOnly": false,
  "SaveSlot": 1,
  "SaveMode": "Continue",
  "GameMode": "Normal",
  "SaveInterval": 600,
  "IdleDayCycleSpeed": 0.0,
  "IdleTargetFramerate": 5,
  "ActiveTargetFramerate": 60,
  "LogFilesEnabled": false,
  "TimestampLogFilenames": true,
  "TimestampLogEntries": true,
  "SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest": false,
  "GameSettings": {},
  "CustomGameModeSettings": {}
}

Because it is JSON, every quote and comma matters. One missing comma and the server refuses to read the file. The keys that matter most:

Our Sons of the Forest dedicated server settings explained covers every key, including the GameSettings block.

What game modes can a Sons of the Forest server use?

GameMode accepts Normal, Hard, HardSurvival, Peaceful, Creative and Custom. With Custom, the CustomGameModeSettings block sets individual rules such as enemy aggression and resource amounts.

The important catch: game mode only applies when a new save is created. Changing GameMode on an existing island does nothing. To switch difficulty, pick a new SaveSlot (or set SaveMode to New for one start, then back to Continue) and begin a fresh island.

What ports does a Sons of the Forest server need?

Forward all three to the server's local IP. On start, the server tests whether it can be reached from outside. Some routers without NAT loopback fail that check even when forwarding works. Setting SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest to true lets the server start anyway; players outside your network can still join. If port forwarding is new to you, read how to port forward a game server first.

How do I make myself admin?

Create ownerswhitelist.txt in the user data folder (next to dedicatedserver.cfg) and put one SteamID64 per line. Restart the server. Owners on that list get admin rights in game, such as kicking and banning.

How do I move my existing save to the dedicated server?

Your co-op saves are on the host's PC at:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForest\Saves\<SteamID64>\Multiplayer\<SaveID>\

The server keeps saves under Saves\DedicatedServer\Multiplayer\ in its user data folder, in a folder named after the slot with leading zeros: slot 1 is 0000000001, slot 2 is 0000000002.

1. Stop the server.
2. Copy the contents of your local save folder (files like SaveData.zip and GameStateSaveData.json) into the slot folder on the server. Back up whatever was there first.
3. Make sure SaveSlot matches that folder and SaveMode is Continue. With New, the server overwrites your upload.
4. Start the server and check the island loads.

Several hosts report that world progress and buildings carry over but personal inventories may not, so stash important gear in a storage box before the move.

How do players find and join the server?

1. Open Multiplayer, then Join.
2. Switch the Source toggle to Dedicated. The default list only shows player hosted games, which is why people think the server is missing.
3. Search the server name and enter the password.

Sons of the Forest is PC only, so there is no console crossplay to worry about.

FAQ

How many players can join a Sons of the Forest dedicated server?

Eight. MaxPlayers accepts up to 8, the same cap as regular co-op.

Why can't I see my dedicated server in the list?

The join screen shows player hosted games by default. Switch the Source toggle to Dedicated, then search the name.

Can I change difficulty on an existing save?

No. GameMode only applies when a save is created. Start a new save slot to play on a different mode.

Does the server need its own copy of Sons of the Forest?

No. The dedicated server is a free tool (SteamCMD app 2465200). Each player needs their own copy of the game.

What does SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest do?

It skips the startup check that the server is reachable from outside. Use it when the check fails on a router without NAT loopback but your ports are forwarded.

The easy option: host it with GamezServers

If you do not want a Windows PC running all day, our Sons of the Forest server hosting is ready minutes after you pay, with no port forwarding. The panel sets the server name, password, max players, game mode for new saves, save slot, auto updates and Skip Network Test, and dedicatedserver.cfg is open in the file manager. You can upload a save from your PC over SFTP and set its slot number, and Sleep when empty stops the island after 4 days with no one on.

New customers get 50% off the first month, and a group can split the cost so everyone pays their own share. Cancel anytime.