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To set up a Euro Truck Simulator 2 dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the Game Panel, click Startup and enter a Lobby name. Add a password in server_config.sii if you want one, then start the server. When the console shows [MP] Session running., players find the session in the game’s Convoy session browser by its name.

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Before you start

  • Log in to the Game Panel.
  • Have Euro Truck Simulator 2 on Steam, up to date. Convoy is built into the game.
  • Your server starts with the base Europe map, no DLC and no mods. To add DLC or mods later, see export server packages.

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How to set up your ETS2 server

1

Open Startup

Open your server and click Startup. Under Variables you see Auto update, Query port, Steam Auth token, Lobby name and Max Players.
2

Name your session

Enter a Lobby name of up to 63 characters (the game’s limit). This is the name players search for in the Convoy session browser. Each field saves when you click out of it; there is no Save button.
3

Leave Max Players at 8 or lower

SCS limits a dedicated server to 8 players. A higher number is accepted by the field but the game keeps 8. See max players.
4

Optional: add a Steam logon token

Without a token the server logs on anonymously and gets a new search ID each start. A token keeps it the same. See Steam logon token.
5

Optional: set a password

Open Files, go to .local > share > Euro Truck Simulator 2, open server_config.sii and set password: "yourpassword". See set a password.
6

Start the server

Start the server and open the console. The first start downloads the server through SteamCMD, so it takes longer.
ETS2 Startup page with Auto update, Query port, Steam Auth token, Lobby name and Max Players variables

Startup variables for a Euro Truck Simulator 2 server

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How to tell the server is ready

The server is ready when the console shows these lines:
Above them the server prints a summary you can check, for example:
ETS2 server console showing the [MP] Session running and State: running lines

Console of a running ETS2 dedicated server

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How to join your ETS2 server

1

Open Convoy

Start Euro Truck Simulator 2, load your profile and open Convoy from the main menu.
2

Find the session

In the session browser, search for your exact Lobby name, or for the search ID the server shows at start. SCS’s browser only lists sessions in your own region unless you search by exact name.
3

Join

Select the session, enter the password if you set one, and confirm. If the browser shows missing DLC or mods, see DLC on the server.

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Make your first backup

Once the lobby name, password and packages are how you want them, make a panel backup. It keeps server_config.sii and your server_packages files safe.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why can’t my friends find my ETS2 server?

Search the exact Lobby name in the Convoy browser, because the list is limited to your region. See not showing in the Convoy list.

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When do Startup changes apply?

On the next start. The panel writes Lobby name, Max Players and Steam Auth token into server_config.sii each time the server starts, so restart after a change.

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Do I need Auto update on?

Leave Auto update on (the default). It updates the server through SteamCMD at each start, so it stays on the same version as players’ games.

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Where is the ETS2 server config file?

In Files at .local/share/Euro Truck Simulator 2/server_config.sii. See server_config.sii explained.

ETS2 server guide

Every ETS2 page in one place.

server_config.sii explained

Every setting and default.

Set a password

Make the session private.

Export server packages

Add DLC and mods.

Startup variables

How Startup works.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Euro Truck Simulator 2 dedicated server 1.61s). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026