> ## 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 FiveM Server (Step by Step)

> How to set up a FiveM server on FREAKHOSTING: add your Cfx.re licence key, start the server, finish txAdmin with the PIN, add a framework and database, connect.

To set up a FiveM server on FREAKHOSTING, paste your free Cfx.re licence key into **Startup**, start the server, click **Open txAdmin** and enter the PIN from the console. Then pick a deployment type in txAdmin (for example a QBCore or ESX recipe), create a database if your framework needs one, and connect from FiveM with your server address.

| Difficulty | Time | Panel pages used |
| - | - | - |
| Beginner | About 15 minutes | Startup, Console, Databases, Server config |

## Before you start

* A Cfx.re account. Create one for free at [portal.cfx.re](https://portal.cfx.re).
* Your Game Panel login. See [how to sign in to the Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md).

## How to set up a FiveM server

**1. Get a licence key**

Sign in at [portal.cfx.re](https://portal.cfx.re), register a server and copy its key. See [how to get a FiveM licence key](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/setting-up-a-fivem-license-key.md) for each click.

**2. Paste the key in Startup**

Open your server in the Game Panel and click **Startup** in the sidebar. Replace `changemeplease` in **FxServer License Key** with your key, then click outside the field. It saves on its own.

![FiveM Startup page with the FxServer License Key, Max Players, Steam Web Api Key, Enable / Disable TxAdmin, txAdmin Port, Auto Update, txAdmin Profile and Server Hostname variables](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/fivem/fivem-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=0c24e7965d9bbb0c7b4d12e82f39c503)

The Startup page of a FiveM server

**3. Start the server**

Click **Console**, then **Start** at the top of the page. On the first start, txAdmin prints a 4-digit PIN in the console.

**4. Open txAdmin and enter the PIN**

Click **Open txAdmin** next to your server's IP. It opens txAdmin on port `40120` in a new tab. Enter the PIN, click **Link account**, sign in with your Cfx.re account and set a backup password. See [how to set up txAdmin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-txadmin-on-fivem.md).

**5. Pick a deployment type**

Choose **Popular Recipes** to install a framework such as QBCore, Qbox or ESX, or **Existing Server Data** to keep the files already in your server's main folder. Paste the same licence key when txAdmin asks for it.

**6. Save and run**

Check the `server.cfg` txAdmin shows you, then click **Save & Run Server**.

> [!WARNING]
>
> The panel's **Server config** and **Resources** pages edit the `server.cfg` and `resources` folder in your server's main folder. If txAdmin runs a recipe in another folder, **Server config** shows the check **txAdmin runs this server**, and changes on those pages are not used. Edit that server's files in txAdmin instead.

## Which deployment type should I choose?

| Option | Choose it when |
| - | - |
| **Popular Recipes** | You want a ready-made roleplay server. See [how to install QBCore or ESX](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-qbcore-or-esx-on-fivem.md). |
| **Existing Server Data** | You want to keep using the panel's **Server config** and **Resources** pages. Point txAdmin at your server's main folder. |
| **Remote URL Template** / **Custom Template** | You have your own recipe file. For advanced users. |

## Do I need a database?

Only if you use a framework such as QBCore, Qbox or ESX, or scripts that save data. Plain servers and vMenu don't need one. Click **Databases**, then **Create database**, and copy the ready-made line under **FORMAT** > **FiveM (oxmysql)**. See [how to set up a FiveM database](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-setup-your-database-on-your-fivem-server.md).

## How do players connect to my FiveM server?

Your address is shown at the top of every server page and on the **Copy address** card in the console, for example `203.0.113.10:30120`.

* **Direct connect:** open FiveM, press **F8** to open the console and type the address after `connect`:

  ```text theme={null}
  connect 203.0.113.10:30120
  ```

* **Server list:** search for your server name in FiveM. A new server can take a few minutes to appear. See [server not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/fivem-server-not-showing-in-server-list.md).

![FiveM server console with the Open txAdmin button next to the IP, quick buttons Announce, Refresh resources and Ensure resource, and the Copy address card](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/fivem/fivem-console.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=329da74011fa67e4a3cce2b8af0d1beb)

The FiveM console with the Open txAdmin button and Copy address card

## What to do next

* Set the server name, OneSync and server list details on [Server config](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/configuring-servercfg-for-fivem.md).
* Add scripts, cars and maps on [Resources](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-mods-on-your-fivem-server.md).
* [Make a backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) once everything works.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why doesn't my FiveM server start?

The most common reason is a missing or wrong licence key. Check **FxServer License Key** in **Startup** and see [how to change your licence key](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-change-server-license-key-on-your-fivem-server.md).

### Where do I find the txAdmin PIN?

In the **Console**, the first time the server starts after a fresh install. Start the server and watch the console output.

### Can I turn txAdmin off?

No. The **Enable / Disable TxAdmin** variable in **Startup** is read-only, so txAdmin always starts and runs your server.

### How long does a new server take to show in the FiveM server list?

Usually a few minutes after it starts. If it never appears, see [FiveM server not showing in the server list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/fivem-server-not-showing-in-server-list.md).

## Related guides

> **[FiveM server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/fivem-server-hosting-guide.md)**
>
> Every FiveM guide in one place.

> **[Get a licence key](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/setting-up-a-fivem-license-key.md)**
>
> Create your free key on the Cfx.re Portal.

> **[Set up txAdmin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-txadmin-on-fivem.md)**
>
> PIN, master account and deployment types.

> **[Install QBCore or ESX](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-qbcore-or-esx-on-fivem.md)**
>
> Use a txAdmin recipe for a roleplay server.

> **[Failed to connect](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/fivem-failed-to-connect-to-server.md)**
>
> Fix connection problems.

> **[Start, stop and restart](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md)**
>
> Control your server's power.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 29 October 2026 (FXServer build 35245 (Recommended) with txAdmin). Steps may differ slightly if FiveM or txAdmin change.

***

> [!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:** October 2026


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.