> ## 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 Your MTA:SA Server (First Steps) > Set up your MTA:SA server on FREAKHOSTING: start it, set a name and owner e-mail in Game settings, restart, join with Quick Connect and make yourself admin. To set up an MTA:SA server on FREAKHOSTING, start it once in the Game Panel and wait for `Server started and is ready to accept connections!`. Then open **Game settings**, set **Server name** and **Owner e-mail** (and a **Server password** if you want a private server), click **Review and save** and restart. Players join with your address, such as `203.0.113.10:22003`, through **Quick Connect**. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING MTA:SA server | **Console**, **Game settings**, **Backups** | ## 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) at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open your MTA server. * Players need GTA: San Andreas and the MTA:SA client from [multitheftauto.com](https://multitheftauto.com). ## How to set up your MTA server **1. Start the server once** Click **Start**. The first start takes a few seconds. It loads 205 default resources and starts the `play` freeroam gamemode. The server is ready when the console shows `Server started and is ready to accept connections!`. **2. Look at Checks** Click **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. **Checks** shows "Note: No owner e-mail" on a new server. Click **Go to the setting**. **3. Set the owner e-mail and name** Enter your e-mail in **Owner e-mail** (not public; a missing address can hide the server from the list). Change **Server name** from "Default MTA Server" to your own name. **4. Set a password (optional)** For a private server, click **Set** next to **Server password**, enter it and click **Done**. Leave it empty for a public server. **5. Review, save and restart** Click **Review and save**, check the changes, click **Save changes** and [restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). ![MTA Game settings with Checks, Server name, Player slots and Owner e-mail fields](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ/images/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ\&q=85\&s=c709086f8ecd0c92670ae5dc1417f911) Game settings on a new MTA server, with the owner e-mail check ## How players join your MTA server Copy your address from the **Copy address** card on the **Console** page, for example `203.0.113.10:22003`. | Way | How | | - | - | | **Quick Connect** | In the MTA main menu, choose **Quick Connect** and enter the address and port. | | Console | Press F8 and type `connect 203.0.113.10 22003`. Add a nickname and password if needed: `connect 203.0.113.10 22003 PlayerName MyPassword`. | | Server browser | Search your **Server name** once the server is listed. | Not in the list? See [server not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-server-not-showing-in-server-list.md). ## Make yourself admin Type `addaccount ` in the console, stop the server, add `` to the `Admin` group in `mods/deathmatch/acl.xml`, start the server and type `/login ` in game. The full steps, including serial approval with `authserial`, are in [make yourself admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/how-to-make-yourself-admin-on-mta-server.md). ## Make your first backup Open [Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) and create one. A backup lets you undo a mistake or a crash. Then set up [automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md). ## What next? * Raise the [FPS limit](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/configuring-fps-limit.md) from 36 to 60. * Pick a [gamemode](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/setting-the-default-gamemode.md), such as `race`. * [Install resources](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/multi-theft-auto-installing-resources-on-mtasa.md) from the community. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many players can join? Up to your **Player slots**. If you need more, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ### Are the warnings in the console a problem? On a new server, warnings about the owner e-mail, `ip2c` and ACL requests are normal. See [console warnings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/common-mta-server-console-warnings.md). ### Do settings apply without a restart? No. MTA reads `mtaserver.conf` when it starts, so restart after saving. ### Which ports does my server use? The game port (default 22003), the HTTP port (game port + 2) and the ASE port (game port + 123). See [server ports](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-server-ports-explained.md). ## Related guides > [card] [MTA server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/multi-theft-auto-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every MTA page in one place. > [card] [Change server settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/how-to-change-mta-server-settings.md) > > How Game settings works. > [card] [Make yourself admin](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/how-to-make-yourself-admin-on-mta-server.md) > > addaccount, acl.xml and login. > [card] [Server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/setting-a-server-password.md) > > Make the server private. > [card] [FPS limit](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/configuring-fps-limit.md) > > Client frame rate limit. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 2 November 2026 (MTA:SA server 1.6, 64-bit). 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.