> ## 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 Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server > Set up a Sons of the Forest dedicated server: set a join password, name the server, pick a game mode, start it and join it from the Dedicated list. 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. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 10 minutes | Every Sons of the Forest dedicated server on our Game Panel | **Startup**, **Console**, **Files** | ## Before you start * Sign in to the Game Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). See [how to log in](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md). * Every player needs Sons of the Forest on Steam (PC). ## 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](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no/images/games/sons-of-the-forest/sotf-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no\&q=85\&s=1e26f342d113c169023ae5854eca87a5) The Sons of the Forest variables on the Startup page ## Step 2: Choose a game mode Pick **Gamemode** before the first start, because the server only uses it when it creates a world: | Gamemode | Choose it for | | - | - | | `normal` | The standard game. | | `hard` | Enemies that hit harder. | | `hardsurvival` | The hardest survival game. | | `peaceful` | Exploring and building without cannibals and mutants on the surface. | | `custom` | Your own settings, such as season length or cheats. See [change difficulty](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/how-to-change-difficulty-and-season-length-in-sons-of-the-forest.md). | ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). ## 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**. ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/setting-up-admins-for-sons-of-the-forest.md). ## 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### 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. ### 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. ### Can I bring my own world? Yes. Upload your save and pick its slot. See [save slots](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/managing-save-slots-in-sons-of-the-forest.md). ### My server doesn't show in the list. What now? Check the source is set to **Dedicated** and see [server not showing](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/sons-of-the-forest-server-not-showing.md). ## Related guides > **[Sons of the Forest server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/sons-of-the-forest-server-hosting-guide.md)** > > Every Sons of the Forest page in one place. > **[Server not showing](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/sons-of-the-forest-server-not-showing.md)** > > Fix a server that doesn't appear. > **[Set up admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/setting-up-admins-for-sons-of-the-forest.md)** > > ownerswhitelist.txt and the Players menu. > **[Change difficulty](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/how-to-change-difficulty-and-season-length-in-sons-of-the-forest.md)** > > Game modes and custom settings. > **[Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)** > > How the Startup page works. *** > [!NOTE] > > **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. > [!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:** October 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.