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To set up a Risk of Rain 2 dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the Game Panel, click Startup, enter a Server Hostname (no double quotes) and, if you want one, a Server Password, then start the server. Copy your address from the Network page. Players join from Steam’s server list or with the connect command in the game console.

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Before you start

  • Log in to the Game Panel.
  • Have Risk of Rain 2 on Steam on your PC.
  • Your server has no Risk of Rain 2 settings page or mod installer in the panel. You set the basics on Startup; other settings go in server.cfg.

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How to set up your Risk of Rain 2 server

1

Open Startup

Open your server and click Startup under ESSENTIALS. The Variables card holds every setting you can change. Fields save when you click out of them; there is no Save button.
2

Name your server

Enter a Server Hostname, up to 40 characters. This is the name shown in the server browser. The default is FREAKHOSTING Risk of Rain 2 Server. Don’t use double quotes ("); the field doesn’t allow them.
3

Set a password (optional)

Enter a Server Password, up to 40 characters. Leave it empty for a server anyone can join. See set a password.
4

Choose visibility

Leave Advertise Server on to show the server in the public server browser. Turn it off if players should only join with your address.
5

Leave Auto Update on

Auto Update is on by default. The server checks Steam for a game update each time it starts, so it stays on the same version as your players.
6

Start the server

Start the server and watch the console. The first start takes longer because extra components install. The console may print First launch will throw some errors. Ignore them, which is normal.
Risk of Rain 2 Startup page with Server Password, Server Hostname, Advertise Server switch, read-only Query Port, Auto Update switch and read-only Max Players

Startup page for a Risk of Rain 2 server in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel

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What the other Startup fields mean

The panel writes your Startup values into Risk of Rain 2_Data/Config/server.cfg every time the server starts. Change them on Startup, not in the file. See server.cfg explained.

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How to join your server

  1. On the Network page, click Copy next to the PRIMARY address, for example 203.0.113.10:27015.
  2. In Steam, open View > Game Servers, set the game filter to Risk of Rain 2, find your server on the Internet tab (needs Advertise Server on) and double-click it.
  3. Or, in Risk of Rain 2, open the console with Ctrl + Alt + ~ and type connect "203.0.113.10:27015".
More detail, including passwords: join your server.

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Make your first backup

A Risk of Rain 2 run doesn’t save a world on the server, but your server.cfg and any mods do. Make a panel backup once your settings are done.

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Frequently asked questions

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How many players can play on a Risk of Rain 2 server?

The game is made for you and up to three friends, and sv_maxplayers defaults to 4. Max Players on Startup shows your plan’s slots.

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Why doesn’t my new server name show?

Startup changes apply when the server starts. Restart the server after changing Server Hostname.

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Can I change game settings like Eclipse or tags?

Yes, in server.cfg. See Eclipse mode and server browser tags.

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Do my friends need the same game version?

Yes. Everyone needs the current version of Risk of Rain 2. Keep Auto Update on so the server updates when it starts.

Risk of Rain 2 server guide

Every Risk of Rain 2 page in one place.

Join your server

Server list and console connect.

Set a password

Keep your server private.

server.cfg explained

All config keys.

Not showing in the list

Find your server.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Risk of Rain 2 dedicated server, Startup and Network pages). In-game steps follow the official Risk of Rain 2 Wiki. 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: November 2026