> ## 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 Risk of Rain 2 Dedicated Server (Getting Started) > How to set up a Risk of Rain 2 dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING: set the name and password on Startup, start it, copy the address from Network and join. To set up a Risk of Rain 2 dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), 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. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 to 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Risk of Rain 2 server | **Startup** | ## 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). * 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`. ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/setting-a-password-on-your-risk-of-rain-2-server.md). **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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md) and watch the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). 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](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/reOdq9aafWTKHOtF/images/games/risk-of-rain-2/ror2-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=reOdq9aafWTKHOtF\&q=85\&s=f76398626db7af08ba75b9bcb4432c33) Startup page for a Risk of Rain 2 server in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel ## What the other Startup fields mean | Field | What it does | Can you change it? | | - | - | - | | **Query Port** | The port Steam uses to read your server's details | No, read only | | **Max Players** | The player slots included in your plan | No, read only. [Open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) to change it | 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/risk-of-rain-2-server-cfg-explained.md). ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/how-to-join-a-risk-of-rain-2-dedicated-server.md). ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) once your settings are done. ## Frequently asked questions ### 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. ### Why doesn't my new server name show? Startup changes apply when the server starts. Restart the server after changing **Server Hostname**. ### Can I change game settings like Eclipse or tags? Yes, in `server.cfg`. See [Eclipse mode](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/playing-eclipse-mode-on-dedicated-server.md) and [server browser tags](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/configuring-server-browser-tags.md). ### 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. ## Related guides > [card] [Risk of Rain 2 server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/risk-of-rain-2-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Risk of Rain 2 page in one place. > [card] [Join your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/how-to-join-a-risk-of-rain-2-dedicated-server.md) > > Server list and console connect. > [card] [Set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/setting-a-password-on-your-risk-of-rain-2-server.md) > > Keep your server private. > [card] [server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/risk-of-rain-2-server-cfg-explained.md) > > All config keys. > [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/risk-of-rain-2-server-not-showing-in-list.md) > > Find your server. *** > [!NOTE] > > **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](https://riskofrain2.wiki.gg/wiki/Developer_Console). 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.