mtaserver.conf Explained: Every MTA Server Setting

mtaserver.conf is the main configuration file of an MTA:SA server. On FREAKHOSTING it is at mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf, and Game settings in the Game Panel edits it for you, field by field. Each setting is an XML tag, such as <fpslimit>60</fpslimit>. The server reads the file at start, so restart after any change. The tables below list every setting with its panel field.

Fact	Value
File	`mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf`
Edit in the panel	Game settings
Edit by hand	mtaserver.conf: open the raw file link, or Files
Previous version	`mtaserver.conf.bak` (after a panel save)
Applies	After a restart

Server

Panel field	Key	Fresh value	What it does
Server name	`servername`	Default MTA Server	Name in the in-game server browser.
Player slots	`maxplayers`	Your plan’s slots	How many players can be online at once.
Server password	`password`	Empty	Players need it to join. Empty = open server.
Owner e-mail	`owner_email_address`	Empty	Address the MTA team can reach you on (not public). Missing or wrong can hide the server from the list.
Show in the server list	`ase`	On (`1`)	Reports the server to the MTA master list.
Client frame rate limit	`fpslimit`	36	FPS limit for players, 25 to 100 in the panel. See FPS limit.

Network and downloads

Panel field	Key	Fresh value	What it does
External download address	`httpdownloadurl`	Set by us	Where players download resources. Don’t change it.
Downloads per player	`httpmaxconnectionsperclient`	5	Download connections per player, 1 to 8.
Download flood limit (advanced)	`httpdosthreshold`	20	New connections one address may start in a short time, 1 to 100.
Bandwidth saving	`bandwidth_reduction`	Medium	`none`, `medium` or `maximum`.
Do not announce on the LAN (advanced)	`donotbroadcastlan`	Off	Turns off LAN discovery.

Sync and bandwidth

Panel field	Key	Fresh value
Player sync	`player_sync_interval`	100 ms
Distant player sync	`lightweight_sync_interval`	1500 ms
Camera sync	`camera_sync_interval`	500 ms
Ped sync	`ped_sync_interval`	400 ms
Empty vehicle sync	`unoccupied_vehicle_sync_interval`	400 ms
Bullet sync	`bullet_sync`	On
Vehicle extrapolation	`vehext_percent`	0 %
Vehicle extrapolation limit	`vehext_ping_limit`	150 ms
Latency reduction	`latency_reduction`	Off

What each one does: lag and sync settings.

Voice chat

Panel field	Key	Fresh value	What it does
Voice chat	`voice`	Off (`0`)	Turns player voice chat on.

Security and anti-cheat

Panel field	Key	Fresh value	What it does
Anti-cheats to turn off	`disableac`	Empty	Anti-cheat numbers to disable. Empty keeps all on.
Special detections to turn on	`enablesd`	Empty	Extra detections to enable.
Allow custom skins	`allow_gta3_img_mods`	No (`none`)	`none` or `peds` (modified player skins).
Oldest allowed client	`minclientversion`	Kept up to date by the server	Older clients can’t join.
Update the oldest allowed client	`minclientversion_auto_update`	On, after a few days (`1`)	`0` off, `1` after a few days, `2` at once.
ACL groups protected by serial	`auth_serial_groups`	Admin	Groups that may only log in from approved serials.
Protect the web interface the same way	`auth_serial_http`	On	Applies the serial check to web logins.
Protect database credentials	`database_credentials_protection`	On	Extra protection for MySQL connections.

Details: anti-cheat settings and client versions.

Backups and maintenance

Panel field	Key	Fresh value	What it does
Backup every	`backup_interval`	3 days	Days between basic backups of some server files, 0 to 30. Made at server start.
Backups to keep	`backup_copies`	5	Copies kept, 0 to 100.
Tidy the databases	`compact_internal_databases`	At start, after a backup (`1`)	When the internal SQLite databases are compacted.
Send crash dumps to MTA	`crash_dump_upload`	On	Uploads crash reports to the MTA team.
Script debug log level	`scriptdebugloglevel`	0	How much script debug goes to the log, 0 to 3.
Web debug level	`htmldebuglevel`	0	Script debug in the web interface, 0 to 3.
Skip repeated log lines	`filter_duplicate_log_lines`	On	Identical lines in a row are logged once.

These MTA backups are small and only cover some server files. For a full copy, use panel backups.

Settings that are not in Game settings

Key	Notes
`serverport`, `httpport`	Set by us: 22003 and 22005 on a default server. See ports.
`serverip`	`auto`. Leave it.
`<resource src="..." startup="1" protected="0"/>`	Resources that start with the server. See installing resources.
`<module src="..."/>`	Server modules. See MySQL and modules.
`recommendedclientversion`	Offers older clients an update when they connect.

Edit these in the raw file with the server stopped.

Frequently asked questions

Where is mtaserver.conf on my server?

At mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf. Open it from the link at the bottom of Game settings or in the File Manager.

Can a broken mtaserver.conf stop my server from starting?

Yes. MTA needs valid XML. Restore mtaserver.conf.bak or a backup, or use Game settings, which only writes valid values.

Why can’t I change the port in mtaserver.conf?

Ports are assigned by us for your server. If you need a different port, open a ticket.

MTA server guide

Every MTA page in one place.

Change server settings

Use Game settings.

Lag and sync settings

Sync and bandwidth.

Anti-cheat settings

disableac and enablesd.

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. Keys checked against the official Multi Theft Auto wiki.

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
Discord: Join our Community
Email: support@freakhosting.com

Save on Your Hosting

Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code KB20 at checkout for 20% off your first order!

Last Updated: November 2026

Getting Started

Popular Games

Survival Games

GTA & RDR Multiplayer

Racing & Simulation

Shooters

Sandbox & Building

Other Games

mtaserver.conf Explained: Every MTA Server Setting

Server

Network and downloads

Sync and bandwidth

Voice chat

Security and anti-cheat

Backups and maintenance

Settings that are not in Game settings

Frequently asked questions

Where is mtaserver.conf on my server?

Can a broken mtaserver.conf stop my server from starting?

Why can’t I change the port in mtaserver.conf?

MTA server guide

Change server settings

Lag and sync settings

Anti-cheat settings

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting

​Server

​Network and downloads

​Sync and bandwidth

​Voice chat

​Security and anti-cheat

​Backups and maintenance

​Settings that are not in Game settings

​Frequently asked questions

​Where is mtaserver.conf on my server?

​Can a broken mtaserver.conf stop my server from starting?

​Why can’t I change the port in mtaserver.conf?

​Related guides

MTA server guide

Change server settings

Lag and sync settings

Anti-cheat settings

​Need Extra Help?

​Save on Your Hosting

Server

Network and downloads

Sync and bandwidth

Voice chat

Security and anti-cheat

Backups and maintenance

Settings that are not in Game settings

Frequently asked questions

Where is mtaserver.conf on my server?

Can a broken mtaserver.conf stop my server from starting?

Why can’t I change the port in mtaserver.conf?

Related guides

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting