MTA Server Not Showing in the Server Browser? How to Fix It

An MTA:SA server appears in the in game server browser only when <ase>1</ase> is set in mtaserver.conf and its ASE port, which is always the game port plus 123 (UDP 22126 by default), is reachable from the internet. Run openports in the server console to see which ports the outside world can reach. Also fill in owner_email_address and leave auth_serial_groups on, since MTA's own config warns both affect visibility in the master list. Meanwhile players can always join with Quick Connect.

How an MTA server gets listed

MTA's browser shows servers from a master list. Your server reports itself to that list, and the list checks it by querying the server's ASE port, a separate UDP port reserved for server information (name, players, game mode, map). Three ports are in play:

A server can be fully playable through Quick Connect, with only 22003 and 22005 open, and still never appear in the browser because 22126 is closed.

Step 1: check what the outside world sees

In the server console, type:

openports

MTA tests the server's ports from outside and prints the result for each one. Anything reported as closed is your problem, and usually it is the ASE port. If all are open and the server is still missing, skip to step 4.

Step 2: turn on ASE

Stop the server and open mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf. Check:

<ase>1</ase>

The base config ships with 1, but some older or copied configs have 0, and the setting's own documentation says it defaults to 0 when missing. Save and start the server.

Step 3: open the ASE port

If you changed serverport, recalculate. Game port 22010 means ASE port 22133. Then:

1. Forward UDP for the ASE port on your router to the server's local IP, next to the game and HTTP ports. See how to port forward a game server.
2. Allow it in the firewall. On Windows:

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="MTA ASE" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=22126

On Linux with ufw:

sudo ufw allow 22003/udp
sudo ufw allow 22005/tcp
sudo ufw allow 22126/udp

3. Restart the server and run openports again.

If your router's WAN address differs from your public IP, or starts with 100.64 to 100.127, your provider uses CGNAT and no forward will work at home. See how to host a game server without port forwarding.

Step 4: the settings MTA warns about

The comments in the stock mtaserver.conf name settings that can affect whether the master list shows a server:

<owner_email_address>you@example.com</owner_email_address>
<auth_serial_groups>Admin</auth_serial_groups>
<auth_serial_http>1</auth_serial_http>

• owner_email_address: MTA staff use it to contact server owners, and it is never shown publicly. The config says a missing or incorrect address can affect visibility.
• auth_serial_groups and auth_serial_http: the serial protection for admin accounts. Emptying them to make admin logins easier is a common shortcut, and the config warns it can affect visibility too. Use authserial instead, as covered in how to make yourself admin on an MTA server.

Leave serverip set to auto unless the machine has several public addresses. A wrong fixed IP makes the server announce an address nobody can reach.

Step 5: give it a few minutes and refresh

The browser list is not instant. After a restart, give the server a few minutes, then refresh the Browse servers list in MTA. Search by part of your servername rather than scrolling, since the list holds thousands of servers. Check the filters at the top too: a password protected server is hidden when "locked" servers are filtered out, and an empty one when empty servers are hidden.

It is listed, but players cannot join

Quick Connect always works

The browser is only a list. Players can join any reachable MTA server directly:

1. Open MTA and click Quick Connect.
2. Enter the server address and game port (22003 by default), and the password if there is one.
3. Connect, then add the server to Favourites so it is one click next time.

For a private roleplay group or a race league with a Discord, this is how most people join anyway.

On a GamezServers server

A GamezServers Multi Theft Auto server runs with the game and HTTP ports set from the panel, so players connect with Quick Connect and resources download without router work. mtaserver.conf and the live console with openports are in the panel. If openports shows the ASE port closed and you want the server in the public browser, email support@gamezservers.com with the server name and we will look at it with you. Friend groups and Discord communities usually just share the address from the panel.

FAQ

What is the ASE port in MTA?

A UDP port used to answer server list queries. It is always the game port plus 123, so 22126 with the default port 22003.

How long does an MTA server take to show in the browser?

Usually a few minutes after it starts with ASE on and the ASE port reachable. Refresh the list and search by name.

Can people join an MTA server that is not in the browser?

Yes. Quick Connect with the address and port works for any reachable server, listed or not.

Does the server password hide it from the browser?

No, but players who filter out locked servers will not see it. It shows with a lock icon to everyone else.