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To set up a Sons of the Forest dedicated server on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the Game Panel, click Startup, set a Password (new servers have none), a Server Name and a Gamemode, then start the server. In the game, open Multiplayer > Join, set the source to Dedicated, find your server name and enter the password.

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Before you start

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Step 1: Set a join password

New servers start without a join password: Password on Startup shows none, which means no password. Your server can show in the public server list, so if you don’t want strangers joining, set a password before you invite players.
1

Open Startup

Open your server and click Startup.
2

Set a new Password

Replace none in Password with your own password (up to 40 characters) and click outside the field. It saves automatically and applies at the next start. To remove a password later, clear the field or type none, then restart.
3

Name your server

Type a name in Server Name. This is the name players search for in the server list.
Sons of the Forest Startup page in the Game Panel with the Server Name, Password, Gamemode and Save Slot variables

The Sons of the Forest variables on the Startup page

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Step 2: Choose a game mode

Pick Gamemode before the first start, because the server only uses it when it creates a world:

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Step 3: Start the server

Click Start. On the first start the server creates serverconfig/dedicatedserver.cfg and a new world in save slot 0000000001. Watch the Console until the start-up messages stop. See how to use the server console.

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Step 4: Join your server

1

Open the server list

Start Sons of the Forest and click Multiplayer, then Join.
2

Show dedicated servers

Set the source to Dedicated. Your server isn’t in the P2P list.
3

Find your server

Use the filter to search for your Server Name, then join and type your password.
You can also add the server in Steam: View > Game Servers > Favorites, click the button to add a server and type your server’s IP address followed by : and the QueryPort shown on Startup.

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Step 5: Make yourself the owner

Add your SteamID64 to serverconfig/ownerswhitelist.txt in Files and restart. Owners can kick, ban and promote players from the Players menu in game. See set up admins.

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Step 6: Make your first backup

Open Backups and click Create backup, so you can undo a mistake later. See how to set up automatic backups.

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Frequently asked questions

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How many players can join?

The Max Players value on Startup is read-only and comes with your plan. Sons of the Forest supports up to 8 players.

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Can I play without a password?

Yes. New servers have no password (Password shows none). Anyone who finds your server can then join, so we recommend a password you share only with your friends.

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Can I bring my own world?

Yes. Upload your save and pick its slot. See save slots.

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My server doesn’t show in the list. What now?

Check the source is set to Dedicated and see server not showing.

Sons of the Forest server guide

Every Sons of the Forest page in one place.

Server not showing

Fix a server that doesn’t appear.

Set up admins

ownerswhitelist.txt and the Players menu.

Change difficulty

Game modes and custom settings.

Startup variables

How the Startup page works.
Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team on our Game Panel on 30 October 2026 (Sons of the Forest dedicated server on our Game Panel). 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: October 2026