> ## 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.

# SA-MP server.cfg Explained: Every Setting and Default

> SA-MP server.cfg explained: what every line on your FREAKHOSTING server does, its default value, which lines the panel sets, and the extra settings you can add.

`server.cfg` is the SA-MP server's configuration file. Each line is a setting name, a space and a value, for example `hostname My Server`. On a FREAKHOSTING SA-MP server it is in the main folder: edit it in **Files**, save and restart. The panel sets `port`, `maxplayers` and `rcon_password` at every start; you change all other lines yourself.

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| File | `server.cfg` in the main folder |
| Format | `setting value`, one per line |
| Applies | After a restart |
| Set by the panel | `port`, `maxplayers` (from **Max Players**), `rcon_password` (from **Rcon password**) |

![SA-MP server.cfg in the Game Panel editor with the default settings of a new server](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/samp/samp-server-cfg.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=c506b6137624fd3f4f05d554d4f3db1a)

server.cfg of a new SA-MP server in the file editor

## What is in server.cfg on a new server?

| Line on a new server | What it does |
| - | - |
| `echo Executing Server Config...` | Text printed in the console when the file is read. |
| `lanmode 0` | No longer used; it has no effect. |
| `maxplayers 50` | Player slots. Set by the panel from **Max Players** (your plan). Maximum 1000. |
| `port 7777` | The server's port. Set by the panel to your server's address. |
| `hostname SA-MP 0.3 Server` | The server name in the server list and when players connect. |
| `gamemode0 grandlarc 1` | The gamemode to run: file name without `.amx`, then how many times it plays before the next one. |
| `filterscripts base gl_actions gl_property gl_realtime` | Filterscripts to load, separated by spaces, without `.amx`. |
| `announce 0` | `1` announces the server to the server list, `0` doesn't. |
| `query 1` | `1` lets server browsers show the name, players and rules. Players can still join with `0`. |
| `weburl www.sa-mp.com` | The website shown to players. |
| `maxnpc 0` | How many of the player slots NPCs (bots) may use. |
| `onfoot_rate 40` | How often, in milliseconds, a client sends data while on foot. |
| `incar_rate 40` | The same, in a vehicle. |
| `weapon_rate 40` | The same, while firing. |
| `stream_distance 300.0` | How far, in game units, players load server objects. From 50.0 to 400.0. |
| `stream_rate 1000` | How often, in milliseconds, streaming is rechecked. From 500 to 5000. |
| `rcon_password` | The admin password. Set by the panel from **Rcon password** on **Startup**. |

Lower `onfoot_rate`, `incar_rate` and `weapon_rate` values improve sync but use more bandwidth.

## Which settings can I add?

| Setting | Example | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| `password` | `password mysecret` | Players need this password to join. See [set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-samp-server.md). |
| `plugins` | `plugins streamer.so sscanf.so` | Linux plugins to load, with `.so`. See [plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-install-samp-plugins-and-filterscripts.md). |
| `language` | `language English` | Language shown in the server browser. |
| `mapname` | `mapname Los Santos` | Map name shown in the server browser. |
| `gamemodetext` | `gamemodetext Roleplay` | Mode shown in the server browser. A script's `SetGameModeText` overrides it. |
| `rcon` | `rcon 0` | `0` turns RCON off, `1` (default) turns it on. |
| `chatlogging` | `chatlogging 0` | `0` stops player chat appearing in the log. |
| `timestamp` | `timestamp 1` | Adds a time to each log line (default `1`). |
| `logtimeformat` | `logtimeformat [%d/%m/%Y %H:%M:%S]` | Format of that time. |
| `output` | `output 1` | Also shows script `print` output in the console (Linux). |
| `lagcompmode` | `lagcompmode 1` | Lag compensation: `0` off, `1` on (default), `2` position only. |
| `playertimeout` | `playertimeout 10000` | Milliseconds before a silent player times out. |
| `messageslimit` | `messageslimit 500` | Maximum messages a player can send per second. |

> [!WARNING]
>
> Don't add `weather` or `gravity` to `server.cfg`. The official documentation warns that both crash the server on startup. Set them in your script (`SetWeather`, `SetGravity`) or with RCON.

## How to edit server.cfg

**1. Open the file**

In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), open your server, click **Files** and open `server.cfg`.

**2. Change or add lines**

Edit a value or add a new line. Keep one setting per line and one line per setting.

**3. Save and restart**

Save the file and [restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). If something breaks, use the editor's **History** button to go back to an earlier version.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I change my SA-MP server name?

Change the `hostname` line, save and restart. As an RCON admin you can also use `/rcon hostname <name>`; that lasts until the next restart.

### Why does my maxplayers value change back?

The panel writes **Max Players** from **Startup** into `maxplayers` at every start. Your slots are set by your plan; for more, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

### Why does my rcon\_password change back?

The panel writes the **Rcon password** from **Startup** at every start. Change it there instead.

### Can I change settings without a restart?

Many settings can be changed for the running server with RCON, for example `/rcon hostname` or `/rcon password`. These changes are lost at the next restart. See [RCON commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-rcon-commands.md).

## Related guides

> [card] [SA-MP server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-server-hosting-guide.md)
>
> Every SA-MP page in one place.

> [card] [RCON commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-rcon-commands.md)
>
> Change settings while the server runs.

> [card] [Install a gamemode](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/how-to-install-a-samp-gamemode.md)
>
> The gamemode0 line.

> [card] [Not showing in the list](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/samp/samp-server-not-showing-in-list.md)
>
> announce and query.

> [card] [File Manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md)
>
> Edit files and file history.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (SA-MP 0.3.7-R2 Linux server). Settings **checked against the official [open.mp server.cfg documentation](https://open.mp/docs/server/server.cfg)** on 3 November 2026.

> [!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.