> ## 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 Change MTA Server Settings (mtaserver.conf) in the Panel > Change MTA server settings without editing mtaserver.conf by hand: open Game settings, edit a field or pick a preset, review the exact change, save and restart. To change your MTA:SA server settings on FREAKHOSTING, open **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS** in the Game Panel, edit a field or apply a preset, then click **Review and save** and **Save changes**. The panel only changes the lines you edited in `mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf` and keeps the old file as `mtaserver.conf.bak`. Restart the server to apply the changes. | Fact | Value | | - | - | | Panel page | **Game settings** (under **GAME SETTINGS**) | | File it edits | `mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf` | | Sections | 7, with 16 advanced settings hidden by default | | Presets | **Save bandwidth**, **Competitive** | | Backup of the old file | `mtaserver.conf.bak` | | Applies | After a restart | ## What is on the Game settings page? The page shows a **MULTI THEFT AUTO** badge, the server state (**RUNNING** or **STOPPED**) and the note "Restart the server to apply them." ![MTA Game settings page with Checks, Search settings, Presets and the Server section](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 with Checks, the toolbar and the Server section | Part | What it does | | - | - | | **Checks** | Lists things to look at, such as "No owner e-mail". **Go to the setting** jumps to the field. | | **Search settings** | Finds a setting by name. | | **All** / **Changed** | Shows every setting, or only the ones you changed. | | **Presets** | Fills in several settings at once. | | **Show advanced settings (16)** | Shows the 16 advanced settings, mostly sync and download limits. | | **mtaserver.conf: open the raw file** | Opens the file in the file editor. | ## Which sections are there? | Section | Examples | | - | - | | **Server** | **Server name**, **Player slots**, **Server password**, **Owner e-mail**, **Show in the server list**, **Client frame rate limit** | | **Network and downloads** | **External download address**, **Downloads per player**, **Bandwidth saving** | | **Sync and bandwidth** | **Player sync**, **Bullet sync**, **Vehicle extrapolation**, **Latency reduction** | | **Voice chat** | **Voice chat** | | **Security and anti-cheat** | **Anti-cheats to turn off**, **Oldest allowed client**, **ACL groups protected by serial** | | **Backups and maintenance** | **Backup every**, **Backups to keep**, **Script debug log level** | Every setting, with its key in the file, is listed in [mtaserver.conf explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mtaserver-conf-explained.md). ## How to change a setting **1. Open Game settings** Open your MTA server in the [Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md) and click **Game settings**. **2. Edit the field** Change the value. The field gets a **CHANGED** tag and the section header shows how many unsaved changes it has. The bar at the bottom shows "1 unsaved change". **3. Review the change** Click **Review and save**. The **Review your changes** dialog shows exactly which lines of `mtaserver.conf` change. Passwords are hidden in this view. **4. Save** Click **Save changes**. You see "Saved 1 change." and the bar returns to "No unsaved changes". **5. Restart** [Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) so MTA reads the new file. ![MTA Review your changes dialog with the mtaserver.conf diff and Save changes button](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ/images/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-review-changes.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=DHEkFogaRHlgkEmZ\&q=85\&s=415a8172247c70381676d1840a1e347b) Review your changes shows the exact lines before anything is saved To undo everything you haven't saved yet, click **Discard**. It resets all unsaved changes at once, without asking. ## How to use a preset Click **Presets**. A preset fills in several settings at once; nothing is saved until you review and save. | Preset | What it does | | - | - | | **Save bandwidth** | Maximum bandwidth saving, slower distant syncs. | | **Competitive** | Frequent sync, no bandwidth saving, keeps the client version up to date. | After choosing a preset, check the **Changed** filter to see what it set, then **Review and save**. ## Settings you should leave alone * **External download address** is set up by us so players download resources from our download address. Don't change or empty it. See [resources not downloading](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-resources-not-downloading.md). * **Player slots** matches your plan. If you need more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). * The game, HTTP and ASE ports are set by us. See [ports](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mta-server-ports-explained.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I still edit mtaserver.conf by hand? Yes. Use the **mtaserver.conf: open the raw file** link, or open `mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf` in the [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md). Stop the server first and restart it afterwards. ### Do settings apply straight away? No. MTA reads `mtaserver.conf` when it starts, so restart the server after saving. ### How do I go back to the old file? The previous version is kept as `mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf.bak`. Stop the server, copy its content into `mtaserver.conf` and start the server. For larger mistakes, restore a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md). ### Where do I add resources that start with the server? In `mtaserver.conf` as `` lines, edited in the raw file. See [installing resources](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/multi-theft-auto-installing-resources-on-mtasa.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] [mtaserver.conf explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/mtaserver-conf-explained.md) > > Every setting and its key. > [card] [FPS limit](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/configuring-fps-limit.md) > > Change Client frame rate limit. > [card] [Server password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/setting-a-server-password.md) > > Make the server private. > [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) > > Edit files by hand. *** > [!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.