> ## 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 Change Squad Server Settings in the Game Panel > Change Squad server settings on FREAKHOSTING: set Server Name, Advertise Server, team change rules, Reserved Slots and Record Demos on Startup, then restart. To change Squad server settings on FREAKHOSTING, open your server in the Game Panel and click **Startup**. Edit **Server Name**, **Advertise Server**, **Allow Team Change**, **Prevent Team Change If Unbalanced**, **Reserved Slots** or **Record Demos**, then restart the server. The panel writes your Startup values into `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg` at every start, so change them on **Startup**, not in the file. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Squad 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). * Read [how Startup variables work](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) if you haven't used them before. ## Which Squad settings can I change on Startup? | Variable | Default | What it does (panel description) | | - | - | - | | **Server Name** | `Hosted by FREAKHOSTING.COM` | The name for the server in the server list (up to 80 characters) | | **Advertise Server** | `true` | Has the server report to the public server list | | **Allow Team Change** | `true` | Allows players to change teams | | **Prevent Team Change If Unbalanced** | `true` | Prevents players from changing teams if they're already unbalanced | | **Reserved Slots** | `0` | The number of reserved slots for admins and moderators | | **Record Demos** | `true` | Records demos of the players | **Query Port** and **Beacon Port** are read-only. They are set for your server and you don't need to change them. ![Squad Startup page showing Server Name, Advertise Server, Reserved Slots and the true/false text fields](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/squad/squad-startup.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=fc6ce24f18026876f9ecd8d4f49bddaa) Squad Startup variables in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel ## How to change a Squad server setting **1. Open Startup** Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Startup**. **2. Edit the variable** Click into the field and type the new value. The true/false settings are text fields: type `true` or `false` exactly, in lower case. The panel saves when you click out of the field. **3. Restart the server** [Restart the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). The panel rewrites `Server.cfg` with your values when the server starts. **4. Check the result** Open `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg` in **Files** to see the new value, for example `ServerName="My Squad Server"` or `NumReservedSlots=2`. ## What about player slots? Your player slots come from your plan. You don't need to set them yourself. If you need more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ## Where are the other settings? Settings without a Startup variable are in the config files in `SquadGame/ServerConfig/`. Edit them in [Files](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) while the server is stopped, then start it again. | Setting | File | Guide | | - | - | - | | Queue, map rotation mode, team-kill rules, timers | `Server.cfg` | [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md) | | Admins and their permissions | `Admins.cfg` | [Add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md) | | Remote console | `Rcon.cfg` | [Set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-squad-server.md) | | Layers in rotation | `LayerRotation.cfg` | [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md) | | Welcome and rotating messages | `MOTD.cfg`, `ServerMessages.cfg` | [MOTD and messages](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-squad-server-motd-and-server-messages.md) | ## Frequently asked questions ### Why did my change to ServerName in Server.cfg disappear? The panel rewrites `Server.cfg` from your Startup variables each time the server starts. Change **Server Name** on **Startup** instead, then restart. ### Can I use special characters in my Squad server name? The **Server Name** field accepts up to 80 characters. Check how the name looks in the server browser after a restart, and simplify it if characters don't show correctly. ### What happens if I type True or yes instead of true? Squad expects `true` or `false`. Use exactly these lower-case words so the setting works as you expect. ### How do I hide my server from the public list? Set **Advertise Server** to `false` and restart. To keep strangers out of a listed server, see [set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-squad-server.md). ## Related guides > [card] [Squad server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Squad page in one place. > [card] [Server.cfg explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-cfg-explained.md) > > Every key and default. > [card] [Getting started](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/getting-started-with-your-squad-server.md) > > First setup and joining. > [card] [Startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md) > > How Startup works in the panel. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Squad dedicated server v10.6.3). 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.