How to Host an Insurgency Sandstorm Server (2026 Guide)

To host an Insurgency Sandstorm server, download app 581330 with SteamCMD, create a Steam game server token (GSLT) for app 581320 and a Game Stats token at gamestats.sandstorm.game, then launch with a map and scenario, -Port=27102 -QueryPort=27131, -GSLTToken and -GameStats -GameStatsToken. Gameplay settings go in Game.ini, the rotation in MapCycle.txt, admins in Admins.txt and mods from mod.io in Mods.txt.

What do you need to host a Sandstorm server?

Sandstorm's server is heavier than older shooters, and co-op adds AI on top. Native Windows and Linux server builds exist. The install takes roughly 5.5 GB of disk.

You also need two tokens, both free:

• GSLT (Steam game server login token). Make one at steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers with app ID 581320. Each server needs its own.
• Game Stats token. Sign in with Steam at gamestats.sandstorm.game and create one. With it, players earn XP on your server, and the server shows up properly in the browser.

PC servers are for PC players. The console versions of Sandstorm do not share servers with PC.

How do I install and start the server?

1. Install SteamCMD and download the server:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\SandstormServer +login anonymous +app_update 581330 validate +quit

2. Start it with a map, a matching scenario and your tokens:

InsurgencyServer-Win64-Shipping.exe Canyon?Scenario=Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Insurgents?MaxPlayers=28 -Port=27102 -QueryPort=27131 -log -hostname="Our Sandstorm Server" -GSLTToken=YOUR_GSLT -GameStats -GameStatsToken=YOUR_STATS_TOKEN

On Linux the binary is Insurgency/Binaries/Linux/InsurgencyServer-Linux-Shipping with the same arguments.

3. Let it run once so it creates its config folders, then stop it and edit the files below.

The map and scenario must match. A Checkpoint scenario on a map that does not have one means the level will not load. New World Interactive's server admin guide lists every map and scenario name.

Useful extra launch options:

Keep cheats off if you want XP: a server with cheats enabled stops awarding it.

What ports does a Sandstorm server use?

Give each server on the same machine its own ports. If you host at home, see our port forwarding guide.

How do I configure Game.ini?

Game.ini lives in Insurgency/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ (or LinuxServer). For a co-op server, the bot settings are the ones that matter:

[/Script/Insurgency.INSCoopMode]
AIDifficulty=0.5
bUseVehicleInsertion=True
FriendlyBotQuota=0
MinimumEnemies=6
MaximumEnemies=12

[Rcon]
bEnabled=True
Password=change-me
ListenPort=27015
bAllowConsoleCommands=True

In Checkpoint, enemies come in waves, so these numbers are per wave, not the total per objective. Raise them slowly: AI is the most expensive part of a co-op server.

How do I set the map rotation in MapCycle.txt?

Edit Insurgency/Config/Server/MapCycle.txt and add one scenario per line. The simple form is just the scenario name:

Scenario_Crossing_Checkpoint_Security
Scenario_Farmhouse_Checkpoint_Security
Scenario_Hideout_Checkpoint_Insurgents

The longer form also sets lighting:

(Scenario="Scenario_Farmhouse_Checkpoint_Security",Lighting="Night")

Start the server with -MapCycle=MapCycle so it uses the file. You can mix co-op and versus scenarios in one cycle, but most communities keep one style per server so players know what they are joining.

How do I make myself admin?

Add your SteamID64 to Insurgency/Config/Server/Admins.txt, one per line, and restart:

76561198000000001
76561198000000002

Admins can then use admin commands from the in game console, such as kicking players or changing the map.

How do I add mods from mod.io?

Sandstorm mods (maps, weapons, game modes like ISMCmod) come from mod.io:

1. In Engine.ini, add your mod.io access token and accept the terms:

[/Script/ModKit.ModIOClient]
bHasUserAcceptedTerms=True
AccessToken=YOUR_MODIO_TOKEN

2. List the mod IDs in Insurgency/Config/Server/Mods.txt, one per line.
3. Add -Mods to the launch line. For a custom map, also add -ModDownloadTravelTo= followed by the map and scenario to load once mods download.

Players download the mods when they join. Add mods one at a time so you can tell which one breaks after a game update.

FAQ

Why do players not earn XP on my Sandstorm server?

The Game Stats token is missing, expired or the server has cheats on. Make a fresh token at gamestats.sandstorm.game, restart with -GameStats -GameStatsToken, and keep cheats off.

What is the GSLT app ID for Insurgency Sandstorm?

Use 581320, the game's app ID, when you create the token on Steam. The server download itself is app 581330.

How do I join a Sandstorm server by IP?

Open the console and type open followed by the IP and game port. For a passworded server, add ?Password= and the password to the end of the address.

How many players can a Sandstorm server hold?

You set it with MaxPlayers on the launch line. Versus servers commonly run 28, and co-op servers usually host around 8 humans with bots on the other side.

Can console players join a PC Sandstorm server?

No. The PC version and the console versions of Insurgency Sandstorm use separate servers.

The easy option: host it with us

If you would rather skip SteamCMD, launch lines and token juggling, you can rent an Insurgency Sandstorm server from us. We create the GSLT for you, and you paste your Game Stats token into the panel. The panel also holds the server name, max players, default map, scenario, query port, auto updates and Additional Switches for passwords, mutators and map cycles, while Admins.txt, MapCycle.txt and Mods.txt are in the file manager. It is ready minutes after you pay, with DDoS protection and backups before game updates. New customers get 50% off the first month, and your squad can split the bill. More options are in our list of military shooters with dedicated servers.