How to Host an Avorion Server (Dedicated Server Guide 2026)

To host an Avorion server, install the free dedicated server with SteamCMD (app 565060) and start AvorionServer with --galaxy-name, --admin <your SteamID64>, --server-name and --max-players. The galaxy folder it creates holds server.ini for deeper rules and modconfig.lua for Workshop mods. Open TCP and UDP 27000 plus UDP 27003, 27020 and 27021. Settings passed on the start line win over the same values in server.ini, so change them where they are actually set.

What do you need to run an Avorion server?

Every active sector, with its ships, stations and wreckage, is simulated on the server, so load grows as players explore and build. The server is a free download; every player needs Avorion on Steam.

A quad core CPU helps once the galaxy is busy, because Avorion can spread sector updates over several worker threads.

How do I install the Avorion dedicated server?

1. Install SteamCMD.
2. Download the server:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\avorion-server +login anonymous +app_update 565060 validate +quit

3. Start it once with your basics (on Windows, edit the included server.bat; on Linux run bin/AvorionServer):

AvorionServer --galaxy-name Frontier --server-name "Frontier Alliance" --admin 76561198000000000 --max-players 10 --difficulty 0 --same-start-sector true

4. The server creates the galaxy and its server.ini. Stop it with /stop in the console so it saves, then fine tune.

Galaxies are saved in %APPDATA%\Avorion\galaxies\<name> on Windows and ~/.avorion/galaxies/<name> on Linux, unless you pass --datapath to put them elsewhere.

Which launch options matter?

What goes in server.ini?

server.ini sits in the galaxy folder and is grouped into sections. Stop the server before editing. Some useful keys:

[Game]
Difficulty=0
CollisionDamage=1
PlayerToPlayerDamage=false
LogoutInvincibility=true
MaximumPlayerShips=-1
MaximumBlocksPerCraft=-1
sameStartSector=true
motd=Welcome to Frontier, alliance chat is /a

[System]
saveInterval=600
workerThreads=2
aliveSectorsPerPlayer=5
backups=true

[Administration]
maxPlayers=10
name=Frontier Alliance
password=
accessListMode=Blacklist

The gotcha: the start line beats server.ini

Several settings exist in two places: as a launch option and as a key in server.ini (difficulty, collision damage, max players, save interval, same start sector, listing). When both are set, the launch option takes precedence. The classic result: you raise maxPlayers in server.ini, restart, and the server still caps at 10, because --max-players 10 is on the start line.

The rule is simple: if a value is on the start line, change it there. Only edit server.ini for keys the start line does not set, like PlayerToPlayerDamage, motd or ship limits. Hosted panels usually build the start line for you, which is exactly when this catches people.

How do I add Workshop mods?

Create or edit modconfig.lua in the galaxy folder:

modLocation = ""
forceEnabling = false

mods =
{
    {workshopid = "1691591293"},
    {workshopid = "1691539727"},
}

allowed =
{
    {id = "1722652757"},
}

• mods lists server mods by Workshop ID. The server downloads them on start and sends them to players when they connect.
• allowed lists client side mods (like UI mods) players may use on your server.
• Leave forceEnabling = false. The developers advise against forcing it, as it can cause problems up to broken saves.

After the mod list changes, players have to restart Avorion before joining, or they are disconnected with a mod mismatch.

What ports does an Avorion server use?

The two Steam ports are fixed in the server and cannot be changed. Our port forwarding guide covers the router.

How do players join an Avorion server?

1. In Avorion choose Multiplayer.
2. Find the server under Browse Servers, or use Join via IP with the address and port, for example 203.0.113.10:27000.
3. Enter the password if one is set.

Admins use chat commands such as /help, /kick, /ban and /save.

Moving an existing galaxy onto it

A galaxy is one folder. Stop the game or old server, copy the galaxy's folder from %APPDATA%\Avorion\galaxies\ (or ~/.avorion/galaxies/) into the server's galaxy location, start the server with --galaxy-name set to the folder's exact name, and keep the same mods in modconfig.lua. Step by step: how to move an Avorion galaxy to a dedicated server.

Common problems

• A server.ini change does nothing: the same value is set on the start line. Change it there.
• Players disconnected with a mod mismatch: they need to restart Avorion after the mod list changed.
• Server not in the browser: UDP 27003, 27020 or 27021 is closed, or --listed is false.
• Brand new galaxy instead of yours: --galaxy-name does not match the folder name.
• No admin commands: your SteamID64 is not in --admin.

FAQ

How many players can an Avorion server hold?

Set it with --max-players; 10 is a common start and the server handles more if it has the memory for the extra active sectors.

How do I add mods to an Avorion server?

List Workshop IDs in modconfig.lua in the galaxy folder and restart. The server downloads them and sends them to players.

Where are Avorion galaxies saved?

In %APPDATA%\Avorion\galaxies on Windows and ~/.avorion/galaxies on Linux, one folder per galaxy.

How do I make myself admin on Avorion?

Start the server with --admin and your 17 digit SteamID64, then use chat commands like /kick and /ban.

The easy option: host it with us

Avorion hosting on GamezServers starts at 9.99 USD a month for 4 GB, with 8 GB and 12 GB plans and 50% off the first month for new customers. Our panel builds the start line from its settings (galaxy name, your Steam ID, max players, difficulty, collision damage, same start sector, save interval, threads and public listing), so change those in the panel, and use the file manager for server.ini and modconfig.lua. Galaxies go up over SFTP and there is a one click Backup before big mod changes.