> ## 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.

# Squad Server.cfg Explained: Every Setting and Default

> Squad Server.cfg explained: what each key does, the defaults on a FREAKHOSTING server, which keys come from Startup and what the other config files do.

`Server.cfg` is the main Squad dedicated server config file. On FREAKHOSTING it is at `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg` in **Files**. It sets the server name, reserved slots, public queue, map rotation mode, team change rules, team-kill bans and match timers, one `Key=Value` per line. Keys that have a Startup variable, such as `ServerName`, are rewritten from **Startup** each time the server starts.

| Fact | Value |
| - | - |
| File | `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg` |
| Format | One `Key=Value` per line |
| Set on **Startup** | Server name, listing, team change, reserved slots, demo recording |
| Apply changes | Stop, edit, save, start |

## Which Server.cfg keys come from Startup?

Change these on **Startup**, not in the file. The panel writes them into `Server.cfg` at each start, so edits in the file are replaced. See [server settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-squad-server-settings-in-the-game-panel.md).

| Startup variable | Server.cfg key |
| - | - |
| **Server Name** | `ServerName` |
| **Reserved Slots** | `NumReservedSlots` |

**Advertise Server**, **Allow Team Change**, **Prevent Team Change If Unbalanced** and **Record Demos** also live on **Startup**; set them there. Player slots come from your plan, so leave `MaxPlayers` alone. For more slots, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

## Squad Server.cfg settings and defaults

| Key | Default on your server | What it does |
| - | - | - |
| `ServerName` | from **Server Name** | Name in the server browser |
| `ShouldAdvertise` | `true` | Visibility in the server browser |
| `IsLANMatch` | `false` | LAN mode. Keep it `false`. |
| `NumReservedSlots` | from **Reserved Slots** | Slots kept for players with the `reserve` access level |
| `PublicQueueLimit` | `25` | Size of the queue for public players. `0` means no queue, `-1` means unlimited. |
| `Tags` | empty | Space-separated tags for the server browser |
| `Rules` | empty | Space-separated rules for the server browser |
| `MapRotationMode` | `LayerList_Vote` | How the next map is chosen. See [map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md). |
| `RandomizeAtStart` | `true` | Start on a random layer |
| `AllowTeamChanges` | `true` | Allow or disallow team changes for all players. Admins with `balance` can bypass it. |
| `PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced` | `true` | When `false`, players can change teams regardless of balance |
| `NumPlayersDiffForTeamChanges` | `3` | Maximum allowed difference in player count between teams |
| `RecordDemos` | `true` | Server demo recording |
| `AllowPublicClientsToRecord` | `false` | Whether players without admin rights can record demos |
| `ServerMessageInterval` | `300` | Seconds between rotating messages. See [MOTD and messages](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-squad-server-motd-and-server-messages.md). |
| `AutoTKBanNumberTKs` | `7` | Team kills before an automatic ban |
| `AutoTKBanTime` | `300` | Length of that ban in seconds |
| `TimeBetweenMatches` | `60` | Seconds before the next match when voting is off |

Edit other keys only if you know what they do, and make a [backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md) first.

## How to edit Server.cfg

**1. Stop the server**

[Stop the server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md).

**2. Open the file**

Click **Files**, go to `SquadGame/ServerConfig/` and open `Server.cfg`.

**3. Change the value**

Change only the part after `=`, for example `PublicQueueLimit=10`. Keep `true` and `false` in lower case and keep the quotes around text values such as `ServerName`.

**4. Save and start**

Save the file and start the server. Check the [console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md) for errors.

## What are the other files in ServerConfig?

![Squad SquadGame/ServerConfig file list with Server.cfg, Admins.cfg, Rcon.cfg, LayerRotation.cfg and MOTD.cfg](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_/images/games/squad/squad-serverconfig-files.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=m3ZOEtGPuZd9DW2_\&q=85\&s=1f018962108108c4e571d90ba84671db)

Squad ServerConfig folder in the File Manager

| File | Purpose |
| - | - |
| `Admins.cfg` | Admin groups and admins. See [add admins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-add-admins-to-your-squad-server.md). |
| `Bans.cfg` | Banned players, one per line. See [admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-admin-commands-list.md). |
| `Rcon.cfg` | Remote console. See [set up RCON](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-up-rcon-on-your-squad-server.md). |
| `LayerRotation.cfg`, `LevelRotation.cfg` | Map rotation lists |
| `LayerVoting.cfg`, `LayerVotingLowPlayers.cfg`, `VoteConfig.cfg` | Layer voting |
| `ExcludedLayers.cfg`, `ExcludedLevels.cfg`, `ExcludedFactions.cfg` | Layers, levels and factions the server never uses |
| `MOTD.cfg`, `ServerMessages.cfg` | Welcome and rotating messages |
| `CustomOptions.cfg` | Custom options for mods, sent to clients |
| `RemoteAdminListHosts.cfg`, `RemoteBanListHosts.cfg` | URLs of admin and ban lists, one per line |

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I set a password in Server.cfg?

There is no password key in your `Server.cfg`. See [set a password](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-set-a-password-on-your-squad-server.md).

### What does licensed server mean in Server.cfg?

Some settings are required for servers in Offworld Industries' server licensing programme. Your server isn't licensed by default, so you can change them.

### Why did my change in Server.cfg not apply?

The server reads the file when it starts, so restart after saving. If you changed a key that has a Startup variable, change it on **Startup** instead.

## 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 settings](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-squad-server-settings-in-the-game-panel.md)
>
> Startup variables.

> [card] [Map rotation](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/how-to-change-the-map-rotation-on-your-squad-server.md)
>
> Rotation modes and layers.

> [card] [Server not starting](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/squad/squad-server-not-starting.md)
>
> Fix a bad config edit.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Squad dedicated server v10.6.3). Key descriptions checked against the [official Squad Wiki](https://squad.fandom.com/wiki/Server_Configuration). 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.