How to Host a Space Engineers Server (2026 Guide)

To host a Space Engineers server, install the Space Engineers Dedicated Server (SteamCMD app 298740) on a Windows machine, run SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe to create or load a world, and forward UDP port 27016. World rules live in SpaceEngineers-Dedicated.cfg and the world's Sandbox_config.sbc. Set TotalPCU and BlockLimitsEnabled early so one giant ship cannot drag the whole server down, and add Workshop mods by ID.

This guide is for the original Space Engineers. Space Engineers 2 is in early access and does not have dedicated servers yet; Keen has said they come after its first co-op multiplayer update.

What do you need to host a Space Engineers server?

Space Engineers is one of the more demanding servers to run, because every block on every grid is physics simulated. Keen's own minimum for the dedicated server is a 3.2 GHz CPU with 3 logical cores and 6 GB of RAM, and the Space Engineers wiki setup page notes that falling below it forces Experimental Mode on.

• OS: Windows. The dedicated server is a Windows program (no graphics card needed). Linux hosts run it under Wine, which works but is unsupported.
• CPU: fast single thread performance matters most. Physics and grid updates are what make a server lag.
• RAM: around 8 GB for a small survival group, 12 GB for busier or modded servers, 16 GB for large modded worlds.
• Disk: an SSD. Big worlds save often and saves get large.

How do I install the dedicated server?

1. Install SteamCMD and download the server:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\SEServer +login anonymous +app_update 298740 validate +quit

You can also install Space Engineers Dedicated Server from the Tools section of your Steam Library.

2. Run DedicatedServer64\SpaceEngineersDedicated.exe. A configurator window opens and asks how to run it: Local / Console runs it in the foreground, or you can create a named Windows service that runs in the background and survives logouts.
3. On the world tab, create a new world from a scenario (Star System is the usual survival start) or load an existing save.
4. Set the server name, max players and game mode, then click Save config and Start.

Configs and saves live under %AppData%\SpaceEngineersDedicated\ for a Steam install. With SteamCMD and some service setups, the data folder can sit inside the install folder instead, so check the configurator's paths if you cannot find your files.

Which config files matter?

The trap people hit: once a world exists, its own Sandbox_config.sbc is what the game reads for world rules. Changing session settings in the server cfg after the world is made may not apply. Stop the server, edit the world's file (or use the configurator, which writes both), and start it again.

What ports does a Space Engineers server use?

Forward 27016 UDP to the server and allow it through Windows Firewall. Players join through Join Game, either from the server list or with Direct Connect and your IP and port. Our port forwarding guide covers the router side.

How do PCU and block limits work?

PCU (Performance Cost Units) is Keen's way of putting a number on how expensive each block is to simulate. A light armor block costs 1 PCU, while functional blocks like refineries, thrusters and programmable blocks cost much more. Capping PCU is the single best way to keep a long running server playable.

In the world's Sandbox_config.sbc (or the server cfg before world creation):

<BlockLimitsEnabled>PER_PLAYER</BlockLimitsEnabled>
<TotalPCU>200000</TotalPCU>
<PiratePCU>25000</PiratePCU>
<MaxBlocksPerPlayer>0</MaxBlocksPerPlayer>
<MaxGridSize>0</MaxGridSize>

Example: 10 max players, TotalPCU 500000 and PER_PLAYER gives each engineer 50,000 PCU. That is plenty for a solid base and a couple of ships. NONE means no limits at all, which is fine for a group of three friends and a bad idea for a public server.

Other world settings worth a look: EnableIngameScripts for programmable blocks, EnableSpiders and EnableWolfs for planet hostiles, CargoShipsEnabled and EnableEncounters for NPC traffic, and TrashRemovalEnabled with its thresholds, which cleans up abandoned grids and debris automatically.

How do I add Workshop mods?

The easiest way is the configurator's Mods tab: search or paste the Workshop IDs, add them to Active Mods, save and start. Under the hood that writes entries like this into the world's Sandbox_config.sbc:

<Mods>
  <ModItem FriendlyName="Example Mod">
    <Name>1234567890.sbm</Name>
    <PublishedFileId>1234567890</PublishedFileId>
  </ModItem>
</Mods>

The server downloads the mods on start, and players get them automatically when they join. Since update 1.206 many mods load without Experimental Mode, but in-game scripts and a lot of popular mods still need it, so most modded servers turn it on (<ExperimentalMode>true</ExperimentalMode>). Our guide to adding mods to a Space Engineers server covers load order and common load errors.

How do I make myself admin and keep the server healthy?

Add your 64 bit SteamID on the configurator's Users tab (or in the Administrators list of the cfg). In game, admins open the admin menu with Alt+F10 for tools like entity cleanup, spectator and grid ownership.

To keep a server fast over months:

• Turn on trash removal so abandoned grids and floating debris are deleted.
• Set block and PCU limits before players start building, not after.
• Watch for one player's mega ship. The admin menu's entity list shows grids by PCU.
• Restart on a schedule. A daily restart clears memory creep.

Many communities also run Torch, a community wrapper around the dedicated server that adds plugins such as Essentials for cleanup commands and timed restarts. Torch can lag a day or two behind game updates.

The easy option: host it with GamezServers

If you do not have a spare Windows machine with a fast CPU, our Space Engineers server hosting handles the server side. The panel covers game mode, max players, server name, auto save interval, in-game scripts, Experimental Mode and the Remote API, and you can switch the server type to Torch for plugins. World files and configs are all reachable through the file manager and SFTP, and you can upload your single player world.

New customers get 50% off the first month on monthly plans, a faction can split the bill so each player pays their own share, and you can upgrade when the world outgrows its plan. If you are weighing other titles too, see our list of the best space games with dedicated servers.

FAQ

Can a Space Engineers dedicated server run on Linux?

Not natively. The dedicated server is a Windows program, and Linux hosts run it under Wine, which works for many people but is not supported by Keen.

What port does a Space Engineers server use?

UDP 27016 by default. The optional Remote API uses TCP 8080.

What is a good PCU limit for a Space Engineers server?

For a small group, PER_PLAYER with a total that gives each player around 50,000 PCU is a comfortable start. Public servers often go lower to protect performance.

Do Space Engineers mods need Experimental Mode?

Not always since update 1.206, but in-game scripts and many popular mods do. Most modded servers enable it.

Does Space Engineers 2 have dedicated servers?

Not yet. Keen plans dedicated servers for Space Engineers 2 after its first co-op multiplayer update, so groups who want a persistent server still use the original game.