> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Set Up a BeamMP Server (Getting Started) > How to set up a BeamMP server on FREAKHOSTING: get a Keymaster auth key, fill in Startup, pick a map, start the server and join with Direct Connect. To set up a BeamMP server on FREAKHOSTING, get an auth key from the [BeamMP Keymaster](https://keymaster.beammp.com), open **Startup** in the Game Panel, paste it into **Authentication Key**, set **Server Name**, **Map** and **Max Cars**, then start the server. Players find it in the BeamMP server list or join with **Direct Connect** using the IP and port shown in the panel. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING BeamMP server | **Startup**, **Console**, **Files** | ## Before you start * Log in to the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md). * Have a Discord account for the BeamMP Keymaster. * Players need BeamNG.drive and the BeamMP launcher from [beammp.com](https://beammp.com). ## How to set up your BeamMP server **1. Get an auth key** Create a key in the [Keymaster](https://keymaster.beammp.com). Without it the server runs but is never listed. See [get an auth key](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/setting-server-name-and-auth-key.md). **2. Open Startup** Open your server in the Game Panel and click **Startup**. BeamMP has no separate game settings page: everything you need is here. **3. Fill in the variables** Set the variables in the table below. **4. Start the server** [Start the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). BeamMP starts in about a second. **5. Check the console** In the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md), look for `[INFO] Vehicle data network online on port …` and `[INFO] Server up-to-date!`. If you see `Backend REFUSED the auth key`, the key is wrong; see [fix the key error](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-backend-refused-the-auth-key.md). ## Which Startup variables should I set? | Variable | Default | What it does | | - | - | - | | **Server Name** | – | Name in the server list (up to 128 characters) | | **Server Description** | Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM | Text under the name (up to 128 characters) | | **Authentication Key** | `changemeplease` | Your Keymaster key; must be replaced | | **Max Players** | Your plan's slots | Players at once; more slots need a [ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) | | **Private** | Off | On hides the server from the list | | **Max Cars** | 1 | Cars each player can spawn (up to 10) | | **Map** | `/levels/gridmap_v2/info.json` | The map; see [change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-beammp-server.md) | | **Chat logging** | On | Writes chat to the log | | **BeamMP Server Version** | latest | Server version; invalid values fall back to latest | ![BeamMP Startup variables including Authentication Key, Max Players, Private, Max Cars and Map](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI/images/games/beammp/beammp-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4aP1F1KWZ9A3tmJI\&q=85\&s=5f072c6a2abc7ea2e7f7ae20b71cd62d) BeamMP Startup page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel The panel writes these values into `ServerConfig.toml` every time the server starts, so change them on **Startup**, not in the file. Settings such as `Tags` and `AllowGuests` are kept from the file; see [ServerConfig.toml explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-serverconfig-toml-explained.md). ## How players join Players open the BeamMP launcher, start BeamNG.drive and either search the server list for your **Server Name** or use **Direct Connect** with your IP and port, for example `203.0.113.10:10999`. Any mods in `Resources/Client` download automatically when they join. See [join a BeamMP server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/how-to-join-a-beammp-server.md). ## Make your first backup Once the server is set up, make a [panel backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) before you add mods or plugins. ## Frequently asked questions ### What port does my BeamMP server use? The port shown in the panel's address. BeamMP uses it for both TCP and UDP. Don't change `Port` in `ServerConfig.toml`. ### Why does Stop take a long time? If the server logs `Shutdown.` but the panel still says it is stopping after a minute, click **Kill**. ### Where is the server log? `Server.log` in the main folder of **Files**. You can also use [server logs](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-read-server-logs.md). ### How do I add mods or a custom map? Upload `.zip` files to `Resources/Client`. See [install mods](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-how-to-install-mods-on-beammp-server.md) and [custom maps](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/installing-custom-maps.md). ## Related guides > [card] [BeamMP server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every BeamMP page in one place. > [card] [Auth key and name](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/setting-server-name-and-auth-key.md) > > Get a key from the Keymaster. > [card] [Join a BeamMP server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/how-to-join-a-beammp-server.md) > > Server list and Direct Connect. > [card] [Change the map](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/how-to-change-the-map-on-your-beammp-server.md) > > Stock maps and how to switch. > [card] [Console commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-console-commands.md) > > Kick, say, list and more. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (BeamMP Server v3.9.3). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.