# How to Use Admin Commands in 7 Days to Die
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/admin-commands-for-7-days-to-die

Learn how to use admin commands in 7 Days to Die, including the debug menu, creative mode, teleportation, and player management on your server.

## Managing Your 7D2D Server

Administering a 7 Days to Die (7D2D) server gives you complete control over the world, player permissions, and game mechanics. This guide explains how to use the essential tools at your disposal to manage your community effectively.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Granting Admin Status

Before you can use commands in-game, you must grant yourself the appropriate permission level. Permissions are primarily managed via the server's console (Telnet or the Game Panel Console).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Console">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and select your 7D2D server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Admin Command">
    In the console, type the following command and press Enter:

    ```bash theme={null}
    admin add <SteamID64> 0
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Permission Levels">
    The number at the end represents the permission level:

    * **0:** Owner (Full Access)
    * **50:** Moderator (Partial Access)
    * **1000:** Guest (No Access)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  ### Advanced Permissions

  Specific command permissions for each level can be further customized in the `serveradmin.xml` file located in the server's root directory.
</Note>

***

## Essential In-Game Commands

Once you have granted yourself admin rights, press **F1** while in-game to open the console. Use the following commands to manage your server:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Debug & Creative">
    Access powerful developer tools to build or test your server.

    * **Debug Menu (`dm`):** Toggles the Debug Menu. After enabling, press **Esc** to access God Mode, Fly Mode, and time sliders.
    * **Creative Menu (`cm`):** Toggles the Creative Menu. Press **U** to open an inventory containing every item in the game.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Player Management">
    Maintain order on your server with these essential commands.

    * **Teleport:** `teleport <player> <target>` - Move players or yourself instantly.
    * **Kick:** `kick <player> "reason"` - Remove a player from the current session.
    * **Ban:** `ban <player> <duration> <unit> "reason"` - Prevent a player from joining (e.g., `ban SteamID 2 day "Griefing"`).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Check>
  ### Command Success

  If the command is accepted, the console will display a confirmation message. If you receive a "Permission Denied" error, double-check your admin level in `serveradmin.xml`.
</Check>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **7 Days to Die:** Server Management Simplified.
</div>


# How to Configure serverconfig.xml for 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/configuring-serverconfigxml-for-7d2d

Master your 7 Days to Die server settings by editing the core configuration file. Customize difficulty, world generation, and performance.

## Understanding the Server Core

The `serverconfig.xml` file is the central nervous system of your 7 Days to Die (7D2D) server. It dictates everything from the world seed and difficulty levels to network security and land claim dimensions. Properly adjusting these settings is important for maintaining a stable and customized gameplay environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Configuration

Modifying your server settings is straightforward through the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Files">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), select your server, and open the **Files** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate serverconfig.xml">
    Find the `serverconfig.xml` file situated in the root directory of your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit and Save">
    Click on the file to open the interactive editor. Make your adjustments and click **Save Content**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Return to the **Console** and click **Restart** to apply the updated configuration to your live environment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Settings Overview

Here are the most common parameters you may wish to customize.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="World & Saves">
    Control your map type and save directories.

    * **GameWorld:** Select `Navezgane` (the default map), `RWG` (Random World Generation), or a pre-generated map like `Pregen6k`.
    * **GameName:** This name defines your specific save folder.

    <Warning>
      Modifying the `GameName` value will trigger the creation of a **NEW SAVE FOLDER**. Only change this if you intend to start a completely new world.
    </Warning>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Gameplay Rules">
    Fine-tune the challenge and zombie behavior.

    * **GameDifficulty:** Ranges from `0` (Scavenger) to `5` (Insane).
    * **ZombiesRun:** Ranges from `0` (Walk) to `4` (Nightmare), determining zombie movement speed.
    * **BloodMoonFrequency:** Sets how often the horde night occurs (default is every `7` days).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Multiplayer & Security">
    Optimize the server for your community.

    * **ServerMaxPlayerCount:** We recommend setting this between **8-12 players** for standard plans to maintain optimal performance.
    * **TelnetEnabled:** Set this to `true` to enable connections from external administrative tools.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Advanced Mechanics

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Land Claim Protection">
    Protecting player structures is important for long-term survival servers.

    * **LandClaimSize:** The radius protected by a claim block (default is `41` blocks).
    * **LandClaimOfflineDurabilityModifier:** Increases the durability of blocks while the owner is offline (Default `4` provides 4x protection).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Performance Optimization">
    For larger servers, consider reducing the **MaxSpawnedZombies** and **MaxSpawnedAnimals** values to lower CPU usage during peak hours.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  ### Maintain Backups

  Major game updates can occasionally reset or overwrite your `serverconfig.xml`. It is best practice to download a local backup of your configuration before performing significant edits.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **7D2D:** Survival is only the beginning.
</div>


# How to Set Up Solar and Battery Banks in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/electricity-101-solar-and-battery-banks

Master the basics of electricity in 7 Days to Die. Learn how to power your base with solar energy, generators, and battery banks for ultimate survival.

## Powering Your Defenses

Survival during the Blood Moon in 7 Days to Die (7D2D) requires more than just high walls. Active defenses such as Blade Traps, Electric Fences, and Auto Turrets are essential. To keep these systems operational, you must establish a consistent and reliable electrical grid within your base.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Power Sources

Selecting the appropriate power source depends on your available resources and whether you want to maintain a low profile.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Generator Bank">
    * **Fuel:** Converts **Gasoline** into electrical power.
    * **Pros:** Highly reliable and accessible early in the game.
    * **Cons:** Generates significant noise and heat, which can attract Screamer zombies to your location.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Battery Bank">
    * **Fuel:** Operates using lead-acid batteries.
    * **Pros:** Completely silent, making it ideal for stealthy base defense.
    * **Cons:** Batteries will eventually drain and must be recharged using a Generator or Solar Bank.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Solar Bank">
    * **Fuel:** Harnesses **Solar Cells** to generate power from sunlight.
    * **Pros:** Silent and provides infinite power during daylight hours.
    * **Cons:** Non-craftable; must be purchased from Traders or discovered as rare high-tier loot.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Wiring Your Base

To build your electrical grid, you will need to use the **Wire Tool**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Equip the Wire Tool">
    Place the Wire Tool in your active hotbar and select it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect Source to Device">
    Right-click your power source (e.g., Solar Bank), then right-click a switch or relay, and finally right-click the specific device you wish to power.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manage Wire Length">
    Electrical wires have a maximum length of **15 meters**. If your base design requires longer connections, use **Electric Relays** to bridge the distance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  ### Monitor Your Load

  Each power source has a maximum wattage output. For instance, a Solar Bank equipped with six high-tier cells provides 180W. If your total power draw exceeds this capacity, the entire grid will fail.
</Check>

***

## Advanced Power Strategies

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Hybrid Charging Systems">
    A highly effective strategy is to connect a **Solar Bank** to a **Battery Bank**, then connect the Battery Bank to your traps. This allows the sun to charge your batteries throughout the day, ensuring you have silent power available all night long.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sensor Integration">
    Save power by using **Motion Sensors** or **Pressure Plates**. By only activating your traps when zombies are nearby, you can significantly extend the life of your battery banks and reduce fuel consumption in generators.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  ### Component Quality

  The quality of your Solar Cells and Batteries directly affects the efficiency of your grid. Higher-tier components provide more wattage and higher storage capacity, respectively.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Electricity:** Keeping the lights on in the apocalypse.
</div>


# How to Enable Telnet for Remote Admin in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/enabling-telnet-for-remote-admin

Securely enable and configure Telnet to manage your 7 Days to Die server using external tools like CSMM, RAT, or Alloc's Server Fixes.

## Remote Console Access via Telnet

Telnet is a important communication protocol that enables you to send commands to your server's console from outside the game environment. This functionality is essential for server owners who wish to use advanced management platforms such as CSMM (7D2D Web Dashboard), RAT (Remote Admin Tool), or Alloc's Server Fixes.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Steps

Telnet parameters are managed exclusively within the `serverconfig.xml` file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open serverconfig.xml">
    In your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `serverconfig.xml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable the Service">
    Locate the line for `TelnetEnabled` and change its value to `true`.

    ```xml theme={null}
    <property name="TelnetEnabled" value="true"/>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Port and Password">
    Specify the `TelnetPort` (the default is typically your game port plus one) and create a strong `TelnetPassword`.

    ```xml theme={null}
    <property name="TelnetPort" value="8081"/>
    <property name="TelnetPassword" value="your_secure_password"/>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Save your changes and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to initialize the Telnet service.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Critical Security Notice

  **Never leave the Telnet password blank.** An empty password allows anyone to scan your server's IP and gain full administrative control over your environment. Always use a complex, unique password to safeguard your server.
</Warning>

***

## Connection Methods

Once Telnet is active, you can interact with your console using several different tools.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Management Tools">
    Most administrators prefer specialized software designed for 7D2D:

    * **CSMM:** A complete web manager offering automation, teleports, and an extensive player database.
    * **RAT:** A strong desktop application providing granular control over every aspect of the server.
    * **Alloc's Fixes:** Often uses Telnet to relay real-time data for its popular web map.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Standard Clients">
    For basic console access, you can use general-purpose clients:

    * **PuTTY:** Select "Telnet" as the connection type, enter your IP and Telnet port, then click Open.
    * **Windows Telnet:** Enable the "Telnet Client" via Windows Features, then execute `telnet [IP] [PORT]` in the command prompt.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  ### Troubleshooting Connection Issues

  If you cannot connect, ensure that the Telnet port (e.g., 8081) is open on your firewall and that your IP address is not being blocked by any security software.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Protecting your administrative keys.
</div>


# How to Enable Twitch Integration on Your 7D2D Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/enabling-twitch-integration-on-server

Enable Twitch Integration on your 7D2D server so viewers can vote on events, spawn supplies, or summon zombie hordes during interactive streams.

## Interactive Streaming with 7D2D

7 Days to Die offers an immersive Twitch Integration that allows your audience to influence your survival journey in real-time. Viewers can vote on environmental events, spawn helpful supplies, or coordinate massive zombie hordes to challenge your skill, making every stream a unique community experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server-Side Configuration

To enable Twitch Integration on your server, you must first verify that the appropriate permissions are set within your `serverconfig.xml`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access serverconfig.xml">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab, and open the `serverconfig.xml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Twitch Permissions">
    Locate the `TwitchServerPermission` property.

    * Set the value to `1000` to allow all players to use the integration.
    * Use a lower value (e.g., `90` or `0`) to restrict the integration to specific administrative levels.

    ```xml theme={null}
    <property name="TwitchServerPermission" value="1000"/>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Save your modifications and **Restart** your server via the console to apply the new permission settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Connecting Your Stream

With the server correctly configured, you can now activate the integration directly from the in-game interface.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Twitch Tab">
    While connected to your server, press **Esc** to open the main menu and click on the **Twitch** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Your Account">
    Click the login button and follow the secure browser prompts to authorize the 7 Days to Die application with your Twitch account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fine-Tune Your Settings">
    Review your integration options to establish cooldown periods, point costs for actions, and restricted events to suit your streaming style.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch Integration">
    Click **Start Integration** to begin the live interaction session with your viewers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Performance & Stability

  High-intensity viewer interactions can place significant strain on server resources. To maintain optimal performance, we strongly recommend establishing **Cooldowns** and **Entity Limits** within your integration settings to prevent overwhelming the server with simultaneous spawns.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Interaction:** Engaging your community.
</div>


# How to Use Farming 2.0 Seed Mechanics in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/farming-2-0-seed-mechanics

Master the updated farming mechanics in 7 Days to Die. Learn how to maintain a sustainable food source and understand seed retention rates.

## Master of the Harvest

In the current versions of 7 Days to Die (7D2D), farming has evolved into a more complex and strategic system. Harvesting a mature plant now carries the risk of total crop loss, making calculated perk investments and proper infrastructure essential for establishing long-term food sustainability for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding the New Mechanics

The "Farming 2.0" system fundamentally changed the lifecycle of crops.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Destruction & RNG">
    * **Physical Destruction:** Unlike previous versions, harvesting a mature plant now removes it from the world. It no longer automatically resets to a seedling state.
    * **Seed Return:** By default, you have only a **50% probability** of recovering a seed upon harvest.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Sustainability">
    * **The Risk:** Without specific skill investments, your seed stock will gradually dwindle, eventually leading to the collapse of your food production.
    * **The Solution:** True sustainability is achieved by maximizing your harvest yield and increasing seed retention through the player skill tree.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Essential Perks: Living off the Land

To ensure your farming operations are profitable and self-sustaining, you must invest points into the **Living off the Land** perk, located under the **Fortitude** attribute.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Rank 1: Basic Farming">
    Harvest two items from wild or planted crops. This is the baseline required to begin your agricultural journey.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rank 2: Improved Yield">
    Harvest three items per plant and benefit from reduced seed crafting costs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rank 3: True Sustainability">
    Harvest three items and gain a significantly improved chance of seed retention. At this rank, your farm becomes nearly self-sustaining through natural seed recovery.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  ### Infrastructure: Farm Plots

  To grow crops, you must use **Farm Plots**. These specialized blocks provide the necessary nutrients and can be crafted using rotting flesh, nitrate powder, dirt fragments, and stones.
</Info>

***

## Advanced Farming Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Optimizing Harvest with Fertilizer">
    While no longer a craftable item in recent versions, using established Farm Plots is the only way to ensure your plants reach maturity. Ensure your plots are placed in areas with clear access to sunlight.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Crop Prioritization">
    Prioritize growing **Corn**, **Potatoes**, and **Blueberries** first, as these are core ingredients for high-stat meals like Meat Stew and Blueberry Pie.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Survival:** Eat well, live long.
</div>


# How to Manage Gyrocopter & Vehicle Limits in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/gyrocopter-spawning-and-vehicle-limits

Master vehicle management on your 7 Days to Die server. Learn how to spawn vehicles, set server limits, and resolve common vehicle synchronization issues.

## Mastering 7D2D Transport

Advanced vehicles like the Gyrocopter are indispensable for rapid exploration and the transportation of high-value loot across the wasteland. However, because vehicles are complex entities that interact dynamically with world physics, they require precise management to maintain server stability and prevent data synchronization errors.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server Vehicle Limits

To maintain optimal performance and prevent potential crashes caused by excessive active entities, you should define a global vehicle limit in your `serverconfig.xml`.

* **MaxSpawnedVehicles:** This parameter determines the total number of placed vehicles that can exist in the world simultaneously.
* **Optimization Strategy:** If this limit is reached, players will be unable to deploy new vehicles from their inventory. We recommend a limit based on your active player count (typically 2-3 vehicles per player).

***

## Administrative Spawning

If you are a server administrator and need to provide a Gyrocopter or any other vehicle to a player or for testing purposes, follow these steps:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Console">
    Press **F1** to open the in-game console and verify that you have the appropriate admin permissions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Developer Menus">
    Type `cm` (Creative Menu) and `dm` (Debug Menu) into the console and press Enter to toggle these features on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Spawn the Vehicle">
    * **Using the Creative Menu:** Press **U** to open the menu and search for "Gyro". Drag it into your hotbar.
    * **Using the Console Command:** Execute the command `giveself vehicleGyrocopter` to place the item directly into your inventory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Resolving the "Missing Vehicle" Issue

Occasionally, vehicles may disappear or fall through the map geometry due to chunk loading delays or physics glitches.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Locating Displaced Vehicles">
    Execute the console command `le` (List Entities) to view a complete list of all active vehicles, their unique entity IDs, and their exact world coordinates. This is the fastest way to find a "lost" motorcycle or gyrocopter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Administrative Cleanup">
    If a vehicle becomes stuck in an inaccessible area or at the `0,0,0` coordinate, you can remove it to reclaim a vehicle slot using the command `kill [ID]`, substituting `[ID]` with the specific number identified via the `le` command.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Best Practice: Picking Up Vehicles

  To prevent data corruption during server restarts or chunk unloads, encourage players to "pick up" their vehicles (hold **E** and select the "Take" icon) before logging out. This stores the vehicle safely as an item in the player inventory.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mobility:** Traverse the wasteland with speed.
</div>


# How to Install Mods on 7 Days to Die
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/how-to-install-mods-on-7-days-to-die

Enhance your 7D2D experience by learning how to install server-side XML mods and full overhaul mods like Darkness Falls on your server.

## Modding Your 7D2D Server

Modding 7 Days to Die (7D2D) provides a powerful way to customize gameplay, introduce new items, or completely revolutionize the game's progression system. Whether you are looking for simple quality-of-life adjustments or a total overhaul, understanding the installation process is your first step toward a unique survival experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Mod Categories

Before beginning the installation, it is important to identify the type of mod you are using, as this determines whether your players need to download additional files.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server-Side Mods (XML)">
    * **Description:** These mods primarily modify the server core XML data.
    * **Requirement:** Only the server requires these files.
    * **Player Experience:** Players can join smoothly without any local downloads (e.g., increased stack sizes, customized UI, or loot table tweaks).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Overhaul Mods (Assets)">
    * **Description:** These mods incorporate custom models, textures, or scripts.
    * **Requirement:** Both the server **and** the client must have identical files installed.
    * **Player Experience:** Players must manually install the mod on their own computers before they can connect (e.g., Darkness Falls or Undead Legacy).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Installation Steps

Follow these instructions to upload and activate mods on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), select your server, and open the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Mods Directory">
    Ensure there is a folder named `Mods` (exactly as written, capital 'M') in your server's root directory. If it is missing, create it now.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Mod Folders">
    Upload your individual mod folders directly into the `/Mods/` directory. Each mod must reside in its own specific subfolder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Installation">
    Check that the `ModInfo.xml` file is located directly within your mod's subfolder (e.g., `/Mods/MyModName/ModInfo.xml`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### EAC Configuration

  For overhaul mods or any mod containing custom `.dll` files, you **must** disable Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) to prevent connection errors.

  1. Open `serverconfig.xml` in the File Manager.
  2. Locate the line: `<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>`.
  3. Change the value to `false`.
  4. Save the file and restart your server.
</Warning>

***

## Optimization & Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Common Issues: Mods Not Loading">
    * **Nested Directories:** Ensure you did not create a redundant folder layer during upload (e.g., `/Mods/ModName/ModName/ModInfo.xml`).
    * **Case Sensitivity:** The folder name must be precisely `Mods`.
    * **Version Compatibility:** Always verify that the mod version matches the version of 7D2D running on your server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Performance Management">
    Excessive mods can significantly increase RAM and CPU consumption. If you experience server lag or frequent crashes, try disabling mods one at a time to isolate the resource-intensive culprit.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Modding:** Your world, your rules.
</div>


# How to Install Alloc's Server Fixes for 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/installing-allocs-server-fixes

Enhance your 7D2D server features with Alloc's Fixes. Add live web maps, advanced admin commands, and inventory tracking to your hosting.

## Advanced Server Management

**Alloc's Fixes** is a highly regarded extension for 7 Days to Die (7D2D) dedicated servers. It provides a suite of essential tools that extend far beyond the base game's capabilities, including a real-time web map interface, enhanced ban management systems, and the ability for administrators to track and manage player inventories.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation Guide

Follow these steps to correctly install Alloc's Fixes on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the Component">
    Obtain the latest version of Alloc's Server Fixes from the official repository. Ensure you select the version compatible with your server's operating system (our hosting typically uses Linux).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to Root Directory">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client, upload the extracted files directly into your server's root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Installation Path">
    Alloc's Fixes will populate the `Mods` folder in your root directory. Confirm that the files are correctly situated within `/Mods/Allocs_ServerFixes/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and Validate">
    Restart your server. Monitor the **Console** tab for a confirmation message stating that "Allocs Server Fixes loaded" successfully.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Live Web Map Integration

Once installation is complete, the live web map enables you to monitor your world directly through any modern web browser.

<Info>
  ### Accessing Your Map

  * **URL Format:** `http://[YOUR_SERVER_IP]:8082`
  * **Port Configuration:** The default web map port is generally your **Game Port + 2**.
</Info>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Real-Time Monitoring">
    Track player movements, view newly discovered regions, and oversee server activity as it happens in real-time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Administrative Tools">
    Identify active land claim blocks and locate specific player bases or potential griefing zones without requiring an in-game presence.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Advanced Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Administrative Command Expansion">
    Alloc's Fixes introduces a variety of new console commands for granular control. These include tools for tracking inventory history, managing complex ban lists, and automating recurring server maintenance tasks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Database Management">
    The extension allows for more strong handling of player data, making it easier to migrate between servers or troubleshoot corruption issues within the player database.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Monitoring:** Keep an eye on your community.
</div>


# How to Configure Land Claim Block Keystone Hardening in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/land-claim-block-keystone-hardening

Protect your base and prevent griefing on your 7 Days to Die server. Learn how to configure Land Claim Block sizes, durability, and expiry settings.

## Securing Your Survival Sanctuary

The Land Claim Block (LCB), commonly known as the Keystone, serves as your primary technological defense against unwanted intrusion and griefing in 7 Days to Die (7D2D). It establishes a designated protection zone where natural zombie spawning is suppressed and the ability of other players to damage your structures is significantly diminished or entirely neutralized.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Core Configuration Parameters

You can precisely customize the behavior of Land Claim Blocks by adjusting the specific values within your `serverconfig.xml` file.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Protection Radius">
    * **LandClaimSize:** This parameter defines the radius (in blocks) of the protected zone. The default value is **41 blocks**.
    * **Pro Tip:** Increasing this size provides broader protection but may prevent players from building in close proximity to one another.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Ownership & Expiry">
    * **LandClaimCount:** Controls the maximum number of active Land Claim Blocks a single player can maintain in the world simultaneously.
    * **LandClaimExpiryTime:** Defines the number of real-world days a player can remain offline before their claim expires and becomes inactive. The default is **7 days**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Keystone Hardening (PVP vs. PVE)

Hardening refers to the durability multiplier applied to blocks within a claimed zone. This is a critical balancing tool for both competitive PVP and cooperative PVE environments.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Offline Durability Modifier">
    **LandClaimOfflineDurabilityModifier:** Multiplies the health of blocks when the owner is not connected to the server.

    * **Value `0`:** Makes the entire base completely indestructible.
    * **Value `4`:** Blocks possess four times their standard health.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Online Durability Modifier">
    **LandClaimOnlineDurabilityModifier:** Multiplies the health of blocks when the owner is currently online. This is typically set lower than the offline modifier to encourage active base defense and engagement.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  ### Recommended Server Profiles

  * **PVE Servers:** Set the offline modifier to `0` to eliminate griefing potential entirely.
  * **PVP Servers:** A value between `32` and `64` is common, making raids resource-intensive and challenging but still mechanically possible.
</Check>

***

<Note>
  ### Land Claim Decay

  Remember that once the `LandClaimExpiryTime` is reached, the protection multiplier drops to 1x (normal health), allowing any player or zombie to easily destroy your walls and gain access to your stored loot.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Protection:** Your hard work, secured.
</div>


# How to Configure Trader Protection & Opening Hours in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/trader-protection-and-opening-hours

Understand Trader mechanics in 7 Days to Die. Learn about operating schedules, safe zone protection, and how to manage merchant availability on your server.

## Navigating the Wasteland Economy

Traders such as Jen, Joel, Bob, Hugh, and Rekt are indispensable allies in 7 Days to Die (7D2D). These merchants provide critical survival supplies, offer unique rewards through specialized quests, and serve as temporary safe havens from the undead. Mastering their operational schedules and understanding their protection zones is important for efficient time management and resource acquisition.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Operating Schedules

In the standard game environment, all traders adhere to a rigorous daily schedule based on in-game time.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Opening Procedures">
    Traders unlock their gates and begin operations at **06:05**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Closing Procedures">
    Business hours conclude promptly at **21:50**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="The Eviction Policy">
    Upon closing, the trader will broadcast an audible warning. Any player remaining within the compound boundaries will be immediately and forcibly teleported outside the perimeter walls to face the nighttime dangers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Safe Zone Area Protection

The structural integrity of a trader outpost is controlled by the `TraderAreaProtection` parameter within your `serverconfig.xml`.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Enabled (Recommended)">
    * **Invulnerability:** The entire outpost is immune to damage from both players and zombie entities.
    * **Service Continuity:** This setting guarantees that the merchant and their facilities remain accessible throughout the duration of your world.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Disabled">
    * **Vulnerability:** The outpost structures can be damaged or permanently destroyed.
    * **Risk Factor:** This is generally discouraged for public servers, as the destruction of a trader can lead to the permanent loss of essential services for all players.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Advanced Trader Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Enabling 24/7 Trader Access">
    The vanilla game does not currently offer a native configuration to keep traders open throughout the night. To bypass the closing schedule, you must install a dedicated server-side mod, such as **Always Open Traders**, which removes the teleportation trigger and locking mechanic.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Trader Quest Reset">
    Administrators can manually reset a trader's available quest list by using the `trader reset` command in the console (F1) while standing within the trader's protection zone.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Nighttime Safety

  Even with protection enabled, zombies can cluster around the exterior of a trader's walls. Always ensure you have a clear exit path or a vehicle ready when the merchant's gates open at dawn.
</Warning>

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Commerce:** Trade for your life.
</div>


# How to Tune Horde Night Difficulty in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/tuning-horde-night-difficulty

Customize Blood Moon horde night settings in 7 Days to Die by adjusting frequency, zombie counts, and random ranges to balance challenge and server performance.

## Facing the Blood Moon

The "Horde Night" (Blood Moon) is the signature challenge of 7 Days to Die (7D2D). On scheduled intervals, the sky transforms into a menacing red, and relentless waves of zombies aggressively hunt down every survivor in the world. As a server administrator, you have the power to fine-tune this encounter to align with the skill level of your community and the performance capabilities of your hardware.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Horde Configuration Parameters

These essential settings are managed within the `serverconfig.xml` file.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Timing & Predictability">
    * **BloodMoonFrequency:** Specifies the exact number of days between each horde event. The default value is **7 days**.
    * **BloodMoonRange:** Introduces a random variable to the schedule. For instance, a frequency of `7` with a range of `2` means the horde could strike unpredictably between Day 5 and Day 9.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Intensity & Scale">
    * **BloodMoonWarning:** Sets the time when the day counter begins flashing red as an alert (The default is **08:00 AM** on the day of the horde).
    * **BloodMoonEnemyCount:** Determines the maximum number of zombies that can be active **per player** simultaneously during the event.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Balancing Performance and Challenge

Optimizing your horde settings is a delicate balance between providing a visceral challenge and maintaining server stability.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Optimizing Zombie Counts">
    The default `BloodMoonEnemyCount` is **8 zombies per player**. While increasing this value to 32 or 64 creates a significantly more intense experience, it can also lead to severe server lag. The CPU must calculate complex pathfinding for every active zombie in real-time. If you experience "Z-Warping" or frame drops during the Blood Moon, reducing this count is the most effective solution.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Administrative Testing Commands">
    You can manually trigger a Blood Moon or skip ahead in time using the console (**F1**) to verify your configurations:

    * `settime <day> <hour> <minute>` - For example, `settime 6 21 00` allows you to test the transition into a Day 7 horde event.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Pro Tip: Dynamic Difficulty

  If your server features a mix of veteran and new players, consider using the **BloodMoonRange** setting. This unpredictability prevents players from over-preparing for a specific night, keeping the survival element fresh and engaging.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Combat:** Face the undead challenge.
</div>


# How to Use Custom Maps with Teragon & KingGen in 7D2D
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/7-days-to-die/using-custom-maps-kinggen

Upload and configure pre-generated custom maps on your 7D2D server using tools like Teragon and KingGen for better world design and faster server loading times.

## Beyond Standard World Generation

While the built-in Random World Generation (RWG) in 7 Days to Die (7D2D) has improved significantly, generating large maps directly on a server can be time-consuming and sometimes results in unpredictable layouts. Advanced third-party tools such as **Teragon** or **KingGen** allow you to architect complex, high-quality worlds on your local PC and then upload them to your FREAKHOSTING server for an instantaneous deployment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation Guide

Follow these steps to migrate your custom-generated world from your local computer to your dedicated server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate Your Map Locally">
    Use Teragon or KingGen on your PC to create a world folder. Before exporting, verify that the city density, road networks, and biome distribution meet your requirements.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Required Files">
    Locate the generated folder (e.g., `CustomWorld8k`). It must contain essential files such as `map_info.xml`, `splat3.png`, `dtm.png`, and the `prefabs.xml` list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to the Worlds Directory">
    Use the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client to upload your entire world folder into the `/Data/Worlds/` directory on the server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure serverconfig.xml">
    Open your `serverconfig.xml` and update the following properties to match your new world:

    * **GameWorld:** Set this to the **exact** name of your uploaded folder (e.g., `CustomWorld8k`).
    * **WorldGenSize:** Set this to match the dimensions of your map (e.g., `8192` for an 8k map).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Important: Case Sensitivity

  Our servers operate within a Linux environment, which is strictly case-sensitive. If your folder is named `MyWorld` but you define it as `myworld` in the configuration file, the server will fail to locate the assets and will not initialize correctly.
</Warning>

***

## Finalizing the Deployment

After saving your configuration and restarting the server, monitor the **Console** tab. You should see log entries indicating that the server is successfully loading the world data from the `/Data/Worlds` directory.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Benefits of Pre-Generated Maps">
    By using pre-generated maps, you eliminate the CPU-intensive generation process that occurs during the first boot of a new world. This results in significantly faster server startup times and ensures a more consistent experience for your players upon their first login.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Troubleshooting: Server Generating New World">
    If the server begins a new random generation process instead of loading your map, verify that the folder name in `/Data/Worlds/` is identical to the `GameWorld` value in your `serverconfig.xml`. Also, ensure all necessary PNG and XML files were successfully uploaded.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Exploration:** Discover new custom horizons.
</div>


# How to Configure Admin Permissions in Alt:V
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/admin-permissions

Master administrative control on your Alt:V server. Learn how to implement management systems and configure player permissions using ID-based logic.

## Managing Your Alt:V Environment

Alt:V is a high-performance, developer-centric platform for Grand Theft Auto V. Unlike traditional multiplayer modifications, the Alt:V core does not include a proprietary administrative command system by default. To manage your community effectively, you must implement a dedicated administrative resource or custom scripting logic tailored to your specific needs.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Implementing Administrative Controls

Because Alt:V provides the engine rather than the gameplay logic, permissions are almost exclusively managed through external resources or integrated database systems.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select an Admin Framework">
    Acquire a community-vetted administrative menu or management system from the [alt:V Hub](https://hub.altv.mp/) or official GitHub repositories (e.g., `altv-admin-menu`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy the Resource">
    Upload the resource folder into your server's `/resources/` directory using the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the Script">
    Ensure the resource is active by adding its exact name to the `resources` array within your `server.toml` (or `server.cfg`) configuration file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Administrative Rights">
    Navigate to the configuration file inside your selected admin resource (typically a `.json`, `.toml`, or `.yaml` file) and input your **Social Club ID** or **Steam ID** into the authorized administrators list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Identifying Unique Identifiers

Most Alt:V management scripts identify players based on their unique Social Club (Rockstar) ID or Discord ID.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Social Club ID">
    This ID is the primary identifier in the Alt:V environment. You can identify your own ID by checking the server console logs immediately upon connection or by using a developer resource that prints your ID in-game.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Database Integration">
    For larger servers, permissions are often stored in a MySQL or MongoDB database. In these cases, you will need to manually edit your user entry in the database to elevate your permission level (e.g., setting `rank` to `admin` or `99`).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Security Precaution

  Never share your administrative credentials or unique IDs publicly. also, ensure that any management resource you install is from a trusted source, as scripts with administrative access have full control over your server environment and data.
</Warning>

***

## Technical Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Scripted Permissions vs. ACE">
    While FiveM uses an ACE system, Alt:V relies entirely on the logic defined within your active resources. If a command like `/kick` isn't working, the issue resides within the resource's permission check logic, not the server's core configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Developer Mode">
    For local development and testing, you can often bypass permission checks by setting your server to "Debug Mode" in the configuration, though this should **never** be enabled on a live production server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Alt:V:** High performance, developer freedom.
</div>


# How to Get Started with Alt:V Server Setup
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/altv-getting-started-with-altv-server-setup

A complete beginner's guide to setting up your first Alt:V server on FREAKHOSTING. Learn how to manage configuration, modules, and resources.

## Launching Your Alt:V Multiplayer Server

Alt:V is a high-performance alternative multiplayer client for Grand Theft Auto V, highly favored by developers for its inherent stability and advanced scripting capabilities. This guide will walk you through the fundamental steps required to initialize your server on the FREAKHOSTING platform, from basic identity settings to resource deployment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="15 Minutes">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Core Configuration

Your `server.cfg` (or `server.toml` for modern versions) is the primary configuration file that defines your server's identity, network settings, and operational behavior.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), select your Alt:V server, and navigate to the **Files** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Configuration">
    Locate and open the `server.cfg` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Server Identity">
    Update the `name` parameter to determine how your server appears on the public masterlist.

    * *Example:* `name: 'FREAKHOSTING Official Roleplay | High Performance'`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Diagnostic Logging">
    During the initial setup phase, set `debug: true`. This allows you to view granular error logs in the console, which is important for troubleshooting resource initialization failures.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Language Module Activation

Alt:V uses specialized modules to interpret and execute various programming languages. You must activate the specific modules corresponding to the scripts you intend to deploy.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JavaScript / TypeScript">
    If your resources use JS or TypeScript, ensure the `js-module` is registered.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    modules: [
      'js-module'
    ]
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="C# (.NET)">
    For resources compiled in C#, you must enable the `csharp-module`.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    modules: [
      'csharp-module'
    ]
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  ### Resource Efficiency

  To maintain optimal server performance and minimize startup times, only enable the modules required by your active resource list.
</Info>

***

## Step 3: Resource Deployment

Resources are the collection of scripts and assets that define your server's gameplay experience, such as chat interfaces, roleplay frameworks, or vehicle spawners.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Content">
    Upload your individual resource folders (e.g., `chat`, `base-gamemode`) into the `/resources` directory using the File Manager or an SFTP client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Resources">
    In your `server.cfg`, add the exact name of each folder to the `resources` array:

    ```yaml theme={null}
    resources: [
      'chat',
      'base-gamemode'
    ]
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize and Verify">
    Navigate to the **Console** tab and **Restart** your server. Upon a successful launch, the console will display `Started resource: [name]` for every registered item.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Resolving Startup Failures

  If your server fails to initialize, examine the console for syntax errors within your configuration file. In TOML and CFG formats, indentation and bracket placement must be perfectly precise. Additionally, verify that all necessary runtime dependencies, such as `node.dll` or `libnode.so`, are present in the server's root directory.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Alt:V:** GTA V Multiplayer Reimagined.
</div>


# How to Configure Voice Chat in Alt:V
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/configuring-voice-chat

Master the integrated 3D spatial voice chat system in Alt:V. Learn how to configure quality settings and optimize audio performance for your server.

## Immersive Spatial Audio in Alt:V

Alt:V features a sophisticated, built-in 3D spatial voice system that provides high-fidelity audio directly within the engine. This native integration eliminates the need for external plugins like TeamSpeak or Mumble, offering a smooth and deeply immersive communication experience for roleplay and tactical coordination alike.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server-Side Configuration

Fine-tuning the voice system is handled within the `voice` object of your `server.cfg` (or `server.toml`) file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Configuration">
    In your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `server.cfg` file for editing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Voice Property">
    Locate or create the `voice` property block.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    voice: {
      bitrate: 64000
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Optimize Audio Quality">
    Adjust the `bitrate` value to balance audio fidelity and network performance:

    * **64000 (Recommended):** Provides crystal-clear audio suitable for immersive roleplay.
    * **32000:** A more efficient setting for high-population servers to conserve bandwidth while maintaining intelligible communication.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Scaling Your Voice Infrastructure

As your community grows, you may need to consider more advanced hosting configurations for your audio traffic.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Integrated Voice">
    By default, Alt:V processes voice traffic directly through the main game server. This is the optimal configuration for small to medium-sized communities, providing a simple, all-in-one setup.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="External Voice Servers">
    For massive roleplay environments, you can offload voice processing to a separate instance by defining an `externalAddress` and `externalSecret`. This ensures that heavy communication loads do not interfere with the performance of your main game logic.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Network & Firewall Configuration

  The Alt:V voice system uses UDP traffic for low-latency transmission. If you are implementing a custom firewall strategy, ensure that the appropriate ports are open. FREAKHOSTING's specialized DDoS protection is already pre-configured to prioritize and protect Alt:V voice traffic.
</Warning>

***

## Technical Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="3D Spatialization Logic">
    The engine automatically calculates volume and panning based on the 3D distance between player entities. This allows players to perceive the direction and distance of a speaker, significantly enhancing the sense of presence in the game world.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Noise Suppression">
    Alt:V's voice engine includes integrated noise suppression to help filter out background static and peripheral sounds, ensuring that communication remains clear even in busy environments.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Audio:** Enhancing immersion through sound.
</div>


# How to Get Your Server on the Alt:V Masterlist
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/getting-your-server-on-the-masterlist

Promote your Alt:V server to the public masterlist. Learn how to configure announcement settings and tags to attract new players and grow your community.

## Increasing Your Server Visibility

Broadcasting your server to the public Alt:V masterlist is a fundamental step for community growth. By appearing in the in-game browser, you enable potential players to discover your world, view your real-time player count, and join your environment with minimal friction.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Requirements

To successfully list your server, you must modify the announcement parameters within your `server.cfg` (or `server.toml`) file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Configuration">
    In your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `server.cfg` file for editing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Public Announcement">
    Locate the `announce` property and set its value to `true`. This instructs the server to send its heartbeat to the Alt:V masterlist servers.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    announce: true
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Search Tags">
    Use the `tags` array to specify keywords that players can use to filter and find your server in the browser.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    tags: ['Roleplay', 'English', 'Economy', 'Racing']
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the Server">
    Save your modifications and **Restart** the server. Note that it may take several minutes for your server to propagate and appear in the public browser list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Optimizing Your Public Listing

A descriptive and professional listing is key to attracting a dedicated player base.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Strategic Tagging">
    Select tags that accurately represent your core gameplay loop. Including your primary language (e.g., "English", "Spanish") and your gamemode (e.g., "Roleplay", "Freeroam") are the most effective ways to help players filter their search results.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Naming Conventions">
    Your server name should be concise yet informative, incorporating your community brand.

    * **Effective:** `[EN] FREAKHOSTING Roleplay | Custom Assets | Active Support`
    * **Ineffective:** `New Alt:V Server 1`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  ### Identity Tokens

  To maintain a consistent identity and protect your server's reputation on the masterlist, we recommend generating an **Identity Token** from the [alt:V Hub](https://hub.altv.mp/) and adding it to your configuration. This ensures your server retains its unique ID even if its IP address changes.
</Info>

***

## Troubleshooting Visibility Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Server Not Appearing">
    If your server is not visible after 10 minutes, verify that your server's query port (default is usually your game port) is accessible and that you have no syntax errors in your configuration file.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tag Limits">
    Alt:V generally limits the number of visible tags in the browser. Prioritize your most important keywords at the beginning of the `tags` array to ensure they are seen by players.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Visibility:** Grow your community today.
</div>


# How to Install C# and JS Modules in Alt:V
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/installing-csharp-and-js-modules

Enable advanced scripting support on your Alt:V server by installing and configuring the C# and JavaScript engine modules for custom game logic.

## Empowering Your Server Logic

The core Alt:V server environment is a high-performance, lightweight engine. To implement custom game mechanics, economy systems, or interactive UI elements, you must install specific "Modules" that provide the execution environment for programming languages like JavaScript, TypeScript, or C#.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Configuration

Follow these steps to enable the necessary scripting modules on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Module Binaries">
    Place the appropriate module files into the `/modules/` directory of your server.

    * **Linux Environments (Recommended):** Use shared object files (e.g., `libjs-module.so`).
    * **Windows Environments:** Use dynamic-link library files (e.g., `csharp-module.dll`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update server.cfg">
    Open your `server.cfg` (or `server.toml`) and register the modules within the `modules` array.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    modules: [
      'csharp-module',
      'js-module'
    ]
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Environment">
    Restart your server and monitor the **Console** tab. You should observe log entries confirming that the selected modules have been successfully initialized and are ready for script execution.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Selecting Your Development Path

Alt:V supports multiple languages to accommodate different development workflows.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="JavaScript / TypeScript">
    This is the most popular choice for the Alt:V community. It uses the `js-module` and provides access to the vast NPM ecosystem, making it ideal for rapid prototyping and large-scale web-integrated systems.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="C# (.NET Core)">
    Perfect for developers with a background in Microsoft's .NET ecosystem. The `csharp-module` offers strong typing, excellent performance for heavy mathematical calculations, and a familiar environment for enterprise-level logic.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### File Permission Requirements

  When managing a Linux-based environment, ensure your module files have the appropriate execution permissions (typically `chmod 755`). If you are using our Game Panel, these permissions are automatically managed during the upload process.
</Warning>

***

## Advanced Module Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Version Synchronization">
    It is important that your module versions exactly match your server binary version. A mismatch can lead to silent crashes or unexpected behavior during script execution.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="External Module Support">
    Alt:V also supports third-party modules for languages like Python or Rust. While these follow a similar installation pattern, always consult the specific module's documentation for unique dependency requirements.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Logic:** Powering your gamemode.
</div>


# How to Install Resources in Alt:V
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/altv/installing-resources

Master the resource management system in Alt:V. Learn how to upload and configure scripts, maps, and vehicle streams on your GTA V server.

## Managing Alt:V Resources

Resources are the fundamental building blocks of an Alt:V server. They contain the logic, assets, and streams (like custom maps or vehicles) that define the gameplay experience. Managing these correctly is essential for a stable and feature-rich server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation Workflow

Adding new features to your server follows a specific process to ensure everything loads correctly.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Resource Folders">
    Place your resource folders (e.g., `chat`, `base-map`) into the `/resources/` directory of your server via the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register in Configuration">
    You must manually list every resource in your `server.cfg` (or `server.toml`) file.

    ```yaml theme={null}
    resources: [
      'chat',
      'base-map',
      'player-hud'
    ]
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Determine Loading Order">
    Alt:V loads resources in the order they are listed. If `Resource B` requires `Resource A` to function, `Resource A` **must** be listed first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Server">
    Restart your server via the **Console** to apply the changes and initialize the new resources.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Organizing Your Resources

As your server grows, keeping your `/resources/` folder organized is important for maintainability.

<Info>
  ### Categorization Tip

  You can use sub-folders to categorize your scripts (e.g., `/resources/[system]/`, `/resources/[maps]/`).

  * **Note:** In Alt:V, if you use bracketed folders like `[system]`, you don't need to include the bracket name in the `server.cfg` resource list if the resource inside is correctly pointed to.
</Info>

<Important>
  ### Resource Manifests

  Every resource must contain a `resource.toml` (or `resource.cfg`) file. Without this manifest, the Alt:V engine will not recognize the folder as a valid resource and will fail to load it.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Assets:** Building your virtual world.
</div>


# How to Use Admin Commands in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/admin-commands-for-ats

Manage your American Truck Simulator convoy server with admin commands for moderating players, kicking disruptive drivers, and enforcing rules.

## Managing Your Convoy Environment

Maintaining a professional and enjoyable environment on your American Truck Simulator (ATS) server is important for a high-quality convoy experience. As a server administrator, you are equipped with several tools to handle disruptive behavior and ensure that the rules of your community are respected by all drivers.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Executive Chat Commands

To moderate a player during a live session, you must first identify their unique **Session ID**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify the Target Player">
    Open the in-game chat interface by pressing **Y**. Locate the numerical ID displayed in brackets next to a player's name (e.g., `[4] TruckerJoe`). This number is their active **Session ID**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Administrative Actions">
    Type the following commands directly into the chat box and press Enter:

    * **Kick:** `/kick <session_id>` - Instantly disconnects the player from the current convoy session.
    * **Ban:** `/ban <session_id>` - Permanently restricts the player from reconnecting to your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Establishing Permanent Administrators

To grant yourself or trusted staff members permanent administrative rights that persist across server restarts, you must modify the server's internal configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate server_config.sii">
    Navigate to the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), open the **Files** tab, and locate the `server_config.sii` file within your server's home directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Moderator List">
    Open the file and find the `moderator_list` array. Add the **SteamID64** of the intended administrator as a new entry.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to initialize the updated administrative list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  ### Identifying SteamID64

  You can retrieve any player's SteamID64 by inputting their Steam profile URL into tools such as [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
</Info>

***

## Administration Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Handling Griefers">
    When dealing with "rammers" or disruptive drivers, it is often best to issue a warning via chat before proceeding with a kick or ban. This helps maintain a positive community reputation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Session Integrity">
    Always ensure that your moderators are aware of the server's specific rules (e.g., speed limits or lane discipline) to ensure consistent enforcement across all convoy sessions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ATS:** Drive safely, manage better.
</div>


# How to Set Up an ATS Convoy Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/american-truck-simulator-setting-up-an-ats-convoy-server

Learn how to correctly configure and optimize a dedicated American Truck Simulator (ATS) Convoy server on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

## Dedicated ATS Convoy Hosting

American Truck Simulator (ATS) provides an expansive multiplayer experience through its integrated Convoy mode. While the underlying technology is shared with Euro Truck Simulator 2, the specific App IDs and configuration file paths are unique to the American truck engine. This guide ensures your server is correctly initialized for a smooth journey across the United States.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Specifications

Before beginning the installation, ensure you have these critical details at hand:

* **Steam App ID:** `270880` (Required for generating your [GSLT Token](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers)).
* **System Directory:** `/.local/share/American Truck Simulator/` (Specific to Linux-based environments).
* **Primary Configuration:** `server_config.sii`.

***

## Optimizing Session Performance

Properly managing your server's capacity and traffic settings is essential for maintaining synchronization among all convoy participants.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Player Capacity">
    While Convoy mode is natively optimized for 8 players, you can extend this limit up to 64 or 128 within the `server_config.sii`. Be aware that high player counts place increased demand on the host's bandwidth and the individual connections of every driver.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Traffic Density">
    AI traffic can significantly impact CPU performance on larger servers. For convoys exceeding 16 players, we recommend executing `g_traffic 0` in the server console to disable AI vehicles, which drastically reduces latency and desynchronization.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Setup Workflow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate a GSLT Token">
    Access the [Steam Game Server Account Manager](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers) and use App ID `270880` to generate your unique server token.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Game Panel">
    Within the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Startup** tab and input your newly generated GSLT token into the designated field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Server Identity">
    Open the `server_config.sii` file in the File Manager to define your server's name, public description, and optional access password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy and Connect">
    Launch the server via the Console and search for your defined server name within the ATS in-game Convoy browser.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Version & Content Synchronization

  To avoid connection rejection, all players must be running the exact same version of ATS. also, ensure that any required DLCs or map expansions are consistently owned or disabled across the entire convoy group.
</Warning>

***

## Advanced Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Server Not Visible on Masterlist">
    Ensure your GSLT token is valid and that the `server_config.sii` has `lobby_visible` set to `true`. Also, verify that no conflicting mods are preventing the server from registering with Steam.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Desync Issues">
    If trucks appear to jump or teleport, check the server's CPU usage. Reducing the `max_players` count or disabling high-resolution mods can often stabilize the simulation for everyone.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ATS:** The open road is yours.
</div>


# How to Configure Speed Limiters & Police in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/configuring-speed-limiters-and-police

Customize police fines and truck speed limiters on your ATS server to create either a realistic highway simulation or a fast-paced arcade racing environment.

## Establishing the Rules of the Road

Whether your goal is a hyper-realistic simulation with strict law enforcement or a high-speed racing environment across the American highways, customizing these core mechanics is essential. American Truck Simulator (ATS) allows for granular control over police activity and vehicle performance through its server configuration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Modifying Global Server Rules

The primary behavioral constraints for your server are defined within the `server_config.sii` file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), select your ATS server, and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Configuration File">
    Find and open the `server_config.sii` file located within your server's configuration directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Control Traffic Offences">
    Locate the `traffic_offence` parameter to manage police interactions:

    * **`true`:** Players receive monetary fines for speeding, red-light violations, and collisions (Sim-Ready).
    * **`false`:** Law enforcement actions are disabled, and no fines are issued (Arcade-Ready).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Speed Constraints">
    Find the `truck_speed_limit` line to establish vehicle caps:

    * **`0`:** Disables the internal speed limiter entirely.
    * **`65.0`:** Implements a hard cap at 65 MPH (or your preferred numerical value).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Defining Your Community Tone

The combination of these settings directly influences the type of drivers your server will attract.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Professional Realism">
    For a serious trucking experience, we recommend enabling `traffic_offence` and setting a realistic `truck_speed_limit` (typically 65.0 or 75.0 MPH). This configuration rewards disciplined driving and promotes synchronized convoy maneuvers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Casual Arcade & Racing">
    If you are hosting a high-stakes truck race or a casual social event, set the speed limiter to `0` and disable traffic offences. This allows drivers to push their customized rigs to their maximum mechanical limits without penalty.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Server Initialization

  Updates to these variables are not dynamic and require a full server restart to take effect. Always verify these settings before publicizing a scheduled event to ensure a consistent experience for all participants.
</Warning>

***

## Technical Details

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Unit of Measurement">
    In the `server_config.sii` file, speed is generally calculated in kilometers per hour internally, even if your in-game dashboard displays MPH. Ensure you verify the in-game behavior after setting a custom limit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Client-Side Overrides">
    Note that the server-side speed limiter acts as a hard cap. If a player has their own local limiter enabled at a lower speed, they will still be restricted by their client settings.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ATS:** Your server, your rules.
</div>


# How to Configure Force Feedback Settings for ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/force-feedback-settings-on-server

Understand Force Feedback mechanics in American Truck Simulator. Learn why FFB settings are managed locally on each player's steering wheel, not on the server.

## Mastering Steering & Force Feedback

Force Feedback (FFB) is the cornerstone of an immersive American Truck Simulator (ATS) experience, providing drivers with a tangible sense of their truck's weight, the nuances of the road surface, and the resistance of the steering rack. A common point of confusion for server owners is whether these physical sensations are controlled by the server or the player's local hardware.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Defining Server and Client Responsibilities

In a networked multiplayer environment, game logic is strategically divided between the central server and each individual player's client.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Server's Role">
    The server functions as the central coordinator. It manages synchronized data streams such as truck positions, trailer connectivity states, traffic signal patterns, and the global world clock. It does **not** process or transmit physical force signals to a driver's steering wheel or peripherals.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Client's Role">
    The client (your local installation of ATS) is responsible for all peripheral input and output. All aspects of Force Feedback intensity, steering sensitivity curves, and button assignments are managed locally within your game options.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Optimizing the Driving Experience

Although the server cannot directly influence hardware feedback, we recommend these baseline settings for your community to ensure a consistent and realistic experience.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Peripheral Options">
    Navigate to the ATS main menu or pause the game, then select **Options** -> **Controls**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Overall Gain">
    Locate the **Force Feedback** section. We suggest a baseline of **50% overall gain**. From this starting point, increase or decrease the intensity based on your steering wheel's motor strength.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manage Secondary Vibrations">
    Reduce **Engine Resonance** to **5% or lower**. High resonance settings can lead to excessive mechanical noise and wear on gear-driven wheels without providing meaningful tactical feedback.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Protecting High-End Hardware

  If you operate a Direct Drive (DD) wheel, be particularly mindful of "Bumps" and "Collisions" settings. High-torque motors can produce violent, sudden movements that may be jarring. Maintaining moderate levels ensures a realistic simulation while protecting your hardware's internal components from unnecessary mechanical stress.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting Peripheral Synchronization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Wheel Not Detected">
    Ensure your steering wheel's drivers and firmware are up to date. Always connect your wheel before launching the ATS client to ensure the engine initializes the HID (Human Interface Device) correctly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Inconsistent FFB during Convoys">
    If Force Feedback feels inconsistent while in a convoy, it is likely due to local frame rate drops or USB bandwidth issues rather than server latency. Try disabling unnecessary background applications to free up local CPU resources.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Peripherals:** Master your hardware.
</div>


# How to Install the Coast to Coast (C2C) Map in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/installing-coast-to-coast-map

Expand your ATS world to encompass the entire USA. Learn how to correctly install and configure the Coast to Coast map mod on your FREAKHOSTING server.

## Expanding the Map: Coast to Coast

The Coast to Coast (C2C) mod is one of the most ambitious community projects for American Truck Simulator (ATS), adding thousands of miles of meticulously detailed roads and expanding the playable area to cover the entire United States. Deploying this on a server enables your community to embark on truly epic cross-country hauls, spanning from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

Before initializing the installation, confirm that your server environment and all participating drivers meet these specific requirements.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="DLC Requirements">
    Most iterations of the Coast to Coast mod require **all official SCS map DLCs** to be active. If any driver is missing a required expansion, the server will reject their connection attempt.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Version Alignment">
    You must use the specific `.scs` mod files that correspond to your server's current game version (e.g., ATS v1.51). Attempting to load an outdated or incompatible mod version will lead to immediate server instability or crashes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these precise steps to enable the Coast to Coast expansion on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Asset Files">
    Upload the C2C `.scs` files into the `/mod/` directory of your server using the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate Mod Manifest">
    For Convoy mode, you must register the mod within the `server_packages.sii` file to ensure the server correctly broadcasts the required assets to joining players.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Load Priority">
    In your configuration, ensure the Coast to Coast mod is loaded **after** the base game assets but **before** any localized map expansions or state-specific cosmetic mods to prevent geometry conflicts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize and Validate">
    Restart your server via the console. Monitor the initialization logs to ensure the map sectors are loaded into memory successfully.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Managing Game Updates

  Map mods are exceptionally sensitive to official game engine updates. Whenever ATS receives a major patch, the Coast to Coast mod will likely require an update from its developers. We strongly recommend creating a backup of your world save before applying any updates to prevent data loss.
</Warning>

***

## Advanced Map Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving State-Border Invisible Walls">
    If players encounter invisible walls at state lines, it usually indicates a load order conflict. Verify that no other map mods are overriding the C2C sector data in your `server_packages.sii`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimizing Large Map Performance">
    Running a map of this scale increases the server's memory footprint. If you experience performance dips, consider reducing the max AI traffic count or limiting the number of simultaneous active mods.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Maps:** The frontier awaits.
</div>


# How to Install Truck Mods in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/installing-truck-mods

Learn how to correctly install and synchronize custom truck mods for your ATS Convoy server to ensure all drivers can experience high-quality vehicle variety.

## Customizing Your Fleet

Integrating custom trucks, such as the Peterbilt 389 Glider or specialized heavy-duty haulers, significantly enhances the visual variety and roleplay depth of your American Truck Simulator (ATS) server. Unlike platforms with automated asset streaming, ATS Convoy servers require precise manual synchronization of mod files between the server and all participating drivers.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Synchronization Lifecycle

ATS Convoy servers do not automatically push mod assets to joining clients. To ensure that everyone can see and interact with custom trucks without errors, you must follow this lifecycle:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy to Server">
    Upload your chosen truck `.scs` files into the `/mod/` directory of your server via the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Client-Side Alignment">
    Every driver intending to join the server **must** possess the identical version of these `.scs` files within their local `Documents/American Truck Simulator/mod/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Mod Manifest">
    use the in-game "Export Server Packages" tool within ATS to generate a fresh `server_packages.sii` file. Upload this file to your server to define which mods are mandatory for entry.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Community Synchronization

Maintaining consistency across a large group of players is the most challenging aspect of modding. We recommend these proven methods for a smooth experience:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Workshop Collections">
    The most efficient method is creating a **Steam Workshop Collection**. Instruct all community members to subscribe to the collection. You can then download these specific files to your PC and upload them to the server's `/mod/` folder.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Centralized Repositories">
    If using mods from external sources, provide a single, centralized download link (such as Google Drive or a private Discord channel) to your community. This ensures that every player is using the exact same file hash.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Resolving Mod Mismatch Errors

  Even a minor version difference (e.g., v1.1 vs v1.1.1) will trigger a "Mod Mismatch" error, and the server will reject the connection. Always coordinate community-wide updates to ensure all files are updated simultaneously across all participants.
</Warning>

***

## Troubleshooting & Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Trucks Appearing as 'Ghost' Models">
    If a driver can join but cannot see another player's custom truck (seeing a default placeholder instead), it indicates that the driver has the mod active but the versions are not perfectly matched, or the mod is missing a required cabin accessory DLC.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimizing Large Fleet Performance">
    High-fidelity truck mods often have very large texture files. To prevent server-wide FPS drops during convoys, encourage players to use mods that are optimized for multiplayer performance.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Fleet:** Drive with style.
</div>


# How to Install Winter Mods (Frosty) in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/installing-winter-mods-frosty

Install the Frosty Winter mod on your ATS server to add realistic snow physics, icy road handling, and stunning winter visuals for your convoy.

## Winter in the Wasteland

The Frosty Winter mod, developed by Grimes, dramatically transforms the landscape of American Truck Simulator (ATS) into a freezing winter environment. More than just a visual overhaul, it introduces sophisticated snow physics that fundamentally alter vehicle handling, providing a unique challenge for even the most experienced drivers.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Deployment

Because the Frosty Winter mod is distributed as an external asset rather than through the Steam Workshop, it requires a manual installation process for both the server and every participating driver.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Mod Files">
    Download the latest `.scs` files from the official [Grimes Mods](https://grimesmods.com/) website. Ensure you select the version that corresponds precisely with your active ATS version.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to Server Directory">
    using the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client, upload the `.scs` assets into the `/mod/` directory on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Server Manifest">
    Register the mod filenames within your server's package manifest (typically `server_packages.sii`) to ensure the server recognizes and enforces the mod requirement.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize with Drivers">
    Distribute the download links to all members of your convoy. Every player must have the identical file version in their local `mod` folder to prevent connection rejection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Impact on Driving Mechanics

The Frosty Winter mod is a gameplay-altering modification that requires a change in driving strategy.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Friction & Braking">
    Road surfaces lose significant traction. You will notice significantly extended braking distances and a high probability of jackknifing or sliding off the road when attempting high-speed maneuvers or sharp cornering.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Traction Challenges">
    Steep gradients become formidable obstacles. We recommend avoiding "Heavy Cargo" or "Special Transport" deliveries while this mod is active, as the lack of traction can render specific mountainous routes virtually impassable for heavily laden trucks.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Critical Synchronization

  If a driver attempts to join without the mod active while the server has it enabled, they will experience severe physics "desync." Their truck will operate with standard road friction while others are sliding, leading to visual errors and collisions. Always ensure the entire convoy is using the exact same Frosty Winter files.
</Warning>

***

## Technical Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Visual Performance">
    Winter mods introduce high-resolution snow textures and particles. If your drivers report FPS drops, encourage them to disable the "High Quality Snow" optional addon if they are using one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Conflict Resolution">
    Ensure that no other weather or lighting mods are active simultaneously, as these frequently conflict with the specialized shaders used by the Frosty Winter mod.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Climate:** Embrace the cold.
</div>


# How to Configure Rapid Time Cycle (Day/Night) in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/rapid-time-cycle-day-night

Master time manipulation in American Truck Simulator. Learn how to use console commands to speed up time or change the time of day on your ATS server.

## Governing Time in ATS

Whether you want to skip a long, dark night or speed up the simulation for a community event, mastering the time commands is essential for any American Truck Simulator (ATS) administrator. These commands allow you to control the flow of time and the specific hour of the day across your entire server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Essential Time Commands

These commands are executed directly through the in-game developer console.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Changing Simulation Speed">
    The `warp` command adjusts the overall speed of the simulation, affecting everything from clock movement to physics.

    * **Standard Speed:** `warp 0.8` (default).
    * **Slow Motion:** `warp 0.1` (useful for cinematic shots).
    * **Fast Forward:** `warp 5.0` or higher (useful for testing day/night transitions).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Setting a Specific Hour">
    The `g_set_time` command instantly jumps the clock to a specific hour using a 24-hour format.

    * **Noon:** `g_set_time 12`.
    * **Midnight:** `g_set_time 0`.
    * **Sunrise:** `g_set_time 6`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## How to Enable the Console

If you have not enabled the developer console yet, follow these quick steps:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate config.cfg">
    On your local PC, navigate to `Documents/American Truck Simulator/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Variables">
    Open `config.cfg` with a text editor and find these two lines:

    * Change `uset g_developer "0"` to `uset g_developer "1"`.
    * Change `uset g_console "0"` to `uset g_console "1"`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open In-Game">
    While in the game, press the tilde key (**\~**) to open the console and type your commands.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Physics & Simulation Warning

  Using high `warp` speeds significantly affects truck physics and AI behavior. If you increase the warp speed while players are driving, trucks may become uncontrollable, and AI vehicles may collide frequently. Always use `warp` sparingly on a live server with multiple drivers.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Control:** Master the clock.
</div>


# How to Reset Economy & Jobs in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/resetting-economy-and-jobs

Resolve the 'no jobs found' bug in American Truck Simulator. Learn how to manually force an economy reset through the console to refresh your job listings.

## Fixing Stagnant Economies

It is a common occurrence for players in American Truck Simulator (ATS) to encounter a frustrating bug where no jobs appear at depots or in the freight market. This typically results from a synchronization error with the game internal economy clock. Fortunately, you can resolve this quickly using several effective methods.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Console Reset Method

Using the developer console is the most reliable way to jumpstart your job list and refresh the freight market.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable the Reset Command">
    Open your in-game console by pressing the tilde key (**\~**) and execute:

    ```bash theme={null}
    g_force_economy_reset 1
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reload Your Save">
    Exit to the profile selection screen and load your save again. The game will notify you that a "game change" was detected, and you will be returned to your primary garage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Job Availability">
    Open the Freight Market or Quick Jobs menu. You should now see a diverse list of new hauling opportunities.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Revert the Setting">
    **Critical:** Open the console once more and type:

    ```bash theme={null}
    g_force_economy_reset 0
    ```

    If you neglect this step, your economy will reset every time you launch the game, disrupting your progress.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Alternative Refresh Strategies

If you prefer to stay within the simulation without using commands, try these actions to advance the world clock.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Resting & Sleeping">
    Navigate your truck to a hotel, rest stop, or service station marked with a sleep icon. Taking a full rest cycle often forces the game to recalculate the timeline and populate new jobs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Garage Fast Travel">
    using the "Fast Travel" feature to jump between your owned garages triggers a time skip, which is usually enough to refresh the global job pool.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Server Restart">
    If you are playing on a dedicated FREAKHOSTING server, performing a **Restart** from the Game Panel synchronizes the world clock for all connected drivers, which often fixes economy issues for everyone at once.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Economy:** Back to business.
</div>


# How to Set Up Optional Mods in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/setting-up-optional-mods

Configure certain mods as optional for your American Truck Simulator Convoy server to increase accessibility and reduce entry barriers for your community.

## Flexible Mod Management

In American Truck Simulator (ATS), standard mods typically require perfect synchronization between the server and every client. However, you can configure your server to allow certain modifications to be "Optional." This flexibility enables players who do not have specific cosmetic or utility mods to still join and enjoy the convoy without receiving a version mismatch error.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Settings

To enable optional mod support, you must modify your server primary configuration file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit server_config.sii">
    Locate the `server_config.sii` file in your configuration directory and open it with the integrated editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Optional Client Mods">
    Find the property `mods_optional_for_client` and change its value to `true`.

    ```sii theme={null}
    mods_optional_for_client: true
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Commit your changes and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to apply the updated rules.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Trade-offs & Limitations

While optional mods significantly increase accessibility, they introduce technical trade-offs that administrators should manage carefully.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Visual Integrity">
    If a client joins without a specific vehicle mod that the server is using, that truck may appear as a generic red "ERROR" placeholder or be entirely invisible to them. This can impact the immersion of roleplay-heavy communities.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Stability Hazards">
    **Important:** You must never categorize physics-altering mods or map geometry expansions as optional. If a client attempts to navigate terrain that their local game engine does not recognize, it will lead to an immediate client crash.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  ### Which Mods Should Be Optional?

  We recommend only setting **sound mods**, **UI enhancements**, or **interior accessories** as optional. These are primarily client-side assets and rarely interfere with the synchronized positions or safety of other drivers in the convoy.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mods:** Freedom and stability.
</div>


# How to Configure Triple Monitors in ATS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/american-truck-simulator/triple-monitor-configuration

Maximize your American Truck Simulator immersion by enabling triple monitor support. Learn how to adjust your configuration files for a realistic field of view.

## Professional Sim-Rig Setup

For the ultimate trucking experience, many drivers transition from a single screen to a triple monitor setup. This expansion provides a massive field of view (FOV), allowing you to use your side mirrors and monitor intersections naturally without manually rotating the camera. Although this is a local client configuration, understanding the correct setup is important for a smooth and synchronized multiplayer experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Local Client Configuration

Triple monitor support is currently handled outside the standard in-game options menu and requires manual edits to your local configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate config.cfg">
    On your PC, navigate to the directory `Documents/American Truck Simulator/` and open the `config.cfg` file with a text editor like Notepad or VS Code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Multimon Mode">
    Find the line `uset r_multimon_mode "0"` and update the value to suit your setup:

    * **`2`**: Standard three-screen configuration (horizontally stretched across all displays).
    * **`4`**: Advanced multi-view (enables bezel correction and precise monitor angling).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calculate Accurate FOV">
    We recommend using an **ATS FOV Calculator** to determine the mathematically perfect field of view based on your monitor dimensions and the physical distance between your eyes and the screens.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Multiplayer Considerations

While multiple monitors primarily provide a visual enhancement, they interact with networked servers in specific ways that you should keep in mind.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server Performance">
    A triple monitor configuration has **zero impact** on server resources. The server only tracks your truck coordinates and trailer state; the resolution and number of screens used to render the game are handled entirely by your local GPU.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Spatial Perception">
    Because a wider FOV can alter your perception of depth and width, always remember that the server calculates collisions based on fixed truck hitboxes. Your visual setup does not change your truck's physical presence in the world.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  ### Precise Bezel Correction

  If you use `r_multimon_mode 4`, you can further calibrate your view by modifying the `multimon_config.sii` file in your profile folder. This allows you to compensate for the physical thickness of your monitor frames, ensuring the horizon appears continuous across all three screens.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Hardware:** Maximum immersion.
</div>


# How to Prepare for Ark 2 Server Hosting
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-2/ark-2-preparing-for-ark-2-server-hosting

Stay ahead of the curve with our professional guide to Ark 2 server hosting. Learn about Unreal Engine 5 requirements and cross-platform modding expectations.

## The Next Generation of Survival

Ark 2 represents the highly anticipated evolution of the survival phenomenon, promising a massive leap in visual fidelity and mechanical depth. While the official launch date approaches, the FREAKHOSTING infrastructure is already architected to support this next-generation dinosaur simulation from the moment of release. This guide outlines the technical expectations and provides a strategic plan for community owners to prepare for their dedicated Ark 2 instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Expectations

Based on preliminary developer insights and modern industry benchmarks for survival titles, we anticipate several critical technical requirements for stable hosting.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Engine Architecture">
    Ark 2 is architected upon **Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)**. To maintain a fluid simulation, servers will require significant RAM and high single-core CPU frequency, likely exceeding the demands of *Ark: Survival Ascended*. High-frequency processors are essential for handling the complex physics and AI pathfinding inherent in UE5.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Modding Ecosystem">
    **Cross-platform modding via CurseForge** is a confirmed pillar of the Ark 2 experience. This landmark technical integration ensures that console participants (Xbox/PlayStation) can smoothly join and enjoy modded environments that were historically restricted to the PC community.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Hardware Preparation

To ensure your community enjoys a professional, low-latency experience upon launch, consider the following deployment strategy.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Determine Community Scale">
    Analyze your expected player density. UE5 world instances scale aggressively with the volume of active dinosaurs and participant structures.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select an Optimized Hosting Tier">
    We recommend our **Extreme VPS** or **Dedicated Infrastructure** lines. These plans are engineered with high-clock-speed CPUs and substantial memory buffers, providing the necessary overhead for demanding UE5 workloads.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automated Deployment">
    The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel will manifest a "One-Click Install" template as soon as the dedicated server binaries are programmatically available via SteamCMD.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Technical Support Commitment

  We are committed to providing the most up-to-date technical information. We will synchronize this knowledgebase with specific configuration paths, `Game.ini` schema details, and performance optimization protocols as soon as the official Ark 2 developer kit becomes accessible.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Ark 2:** Survival Redefined.
</div>


# How to Use Admin Commands in Ark: Survival Evolved
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/admin-commands-guide-for-ark

Master server administration in Ark: Survival Evolved. Learn how to authenticate as an admin, use essential commands, and spawn items with the GFI system.

## Mastering Ark Administration

Administrative commands in Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) are essential for managing your community, troubleshooting world issues, and personalizing the gameplay experience. By using the in-game console, you gain full control over the mechanics and inhabitants of your server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Admin Status

Before you can execute most commands, you must authenticate yourself as a server administrator.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set Your Password">
    Ensure an admin password is defined in your `GameUserSettings.ini` file under the `[ServerSettings]` section:

    ```ini theme={null}
    ServerAdminPassword=YourSecretPassword
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Console">
    Join your server and press the **TAB** key to open the console command line.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate">
    Type the following command and press Enter:

    ```bash theme={null}
    enablecheats YourSecretPassword
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Status">
    Test your permissions by typing `cheat fly`. If you begin floating, your admin status is active. Use `cheat walk` to land.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Administrator Commands

Once authenticated, use these commands to manage the world and your character.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Utility">
    * **Fly:** `cheat fly` - Allows you to fly through the air.
    * **Walk:** `cheat walk` - Disables flying and returns you to the ground.
    * **Ghost:** `cheat ghost` - Walk through walls and terrain (noclip).
    * **Creative Mode:** `cheat gcm` - Grants infinite weight, unlocks all engrams, and enables rapid crafting.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="World Management">
    * **Save World:** `cheat saveworld` - Forces an immediate save of the current world state.
    * **Refresh Dinos:** `cheat destroywilddinos` - Instantly removes all wild dinosaurs. This is useful for refreshing spawns after changing server rates.
    * **Set Time:** `cheat settimeofday <HH:MM>` - Changes the in-game clock (e.g., `cheat settimeofday 09:00`).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Spawning Items (The GFI System)

The GFI (Give Fantasy Item) system is the most efficient way to spawn specific items without needing long numerical IDs.

* **Syntax:** `cheat GFI <Partial_Name> <Quantity> <Quality> <Is_Blueprint>`
* **Example:** `cheat GFI TekRifle 1 100 0`
  * This spawns one high-quality (100) Tek Rifle as a finished item (0). Setting the last number to `1` would give you a blueprint instead.

<Important>
  ### Data Integrity

  Always execute `cheat saveworld` before performing a manual server restart or update. This ensures that the most recent player progress and base builds are safely committed to the disk, preventing rollbacks.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Ark:** Survival of the fittest.
</div>


# How to Change Ark Server Multipliers & Rates
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/changing-ark-server-settings-multipliers-rates

Customize your Ark: Survival Evolved experience. Learn how to adjust taming speeds, harvest rates, and experience multipliers in your configuration files.

## Tuning Your Ark Experience

Configuration in Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) is split between two primary files. Mastering these settings allows you to create a unique balance between challenge and progression, whether you want a hardcore survival experience or a fast-paced "instatame" environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Configuration Files

To customize your server, you need to understand where specific settings are stored.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="GameUserSettings.ini (GUS)">
    This file handles the high-level environmental rules and most common multipliers.

    * **Header:** Most settings go under `[ServerSettings]`.
    * **Usage:** Taming, Harvesting, XP, and basic Breeding rates.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Game.ini">
    This file manages advanced game logic and granular overrides.

    * **Header:** Most settings go under `[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]`.
    * **Usage:** Stat gains per level, engram overrides, and supply drop customizations.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Essential Multipliers (GUS.ini)

Modify these values in your `GameUserSettings.ini` under the `[ServerSettings]` header to change the pace of gameplay.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Progression Rates">
    * **TamingSpeedMultiplier=5.0:** Makes dinosaurs tame 5x faster.
    * **HarvestAmountMultiplier=3.0:** Players gather 3x more resources from every node.
    * **XPMultiplier=2.0:** All experience gains are doubled.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Breeding Rates">
    *Note: Some values use inverse logic.*

    * **MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.1:** Lower numbers are faster. This reduces the cooldown between mating sessions.
    * **EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=10.0:** Higher numbers are faster.
    * **BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=10.0:** Higher numbers are faster.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Balancing Imprinting

When you increase the maturation speed of your dinosaurs, you must also adjust the imprinting frequency. If a baby grows up too fast, it will reach adulthood before you can cuddle or feed it, resulting in a 0% imprint bonus.

<Info>
  **The Golden Rule:** If you set your `BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier` to **10.0**, you should set your `BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier` to **0.1**. This ensures the imprinting timer remains synchronized with the growth speed.
</Info>

***

<Important>
  ### Advanced Stat Gains

  To change how much a stat increases per level (e.g., granting more Weight per point), you must use `Game.ini`.

  * **Example:** `PerLevelStatsMultiplier_Player[7]=50.0` increases player Weight gain by 50x per point spent.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Ark:** Your world, your rules.
</div>


# How to Configure Custom Drops with Beacon App
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/configuring-custom-drops-with-beacon-app

Learn how to use the Beacon app to customize supply drop loot tables on your Ark: Survival Evolved server without manual coding errors.

## Customizing Loot Tables

In Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE), editing supply crate configurations manually is notoriously difficult. The complex syntax, featuring multiple layers of nested parentheses and specific class names, makes manual coding prone to errors. To ensure your loot tables work perfectly, we strongly recommend using **Beacon Omni**, the industry-standard tool for Ark server configuration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Workflow with Beacon

Using Beacon simplifies the process of creating balanced and rewarding loot drops for your community.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Project Setup">
    Download and install [Beacon Omni](https://usebeacon.app/) for Windows. Launch the application and create a **New Project**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Crate Types">
    Navigate to the **Loot Drops** section and choose the specific crates you wish to override (e.g., Red Air Drops, Deep Sea Crates, or Cave Loot).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize the Loot">
    Add your desired items to each crate. You can set the quantity, item quality range (Primitive to Ascendant), and the exact probability of each item appearing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Configuration">
    Once satisfied, click the **Export** button and select the **Game.ini** format. Copy the generated code block.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Applying the Configuration

Follow these steps to safely add your custom loot code to your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop the Server">
    Before editing system files, navigate to your **Console** and click **Stop**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Game.ini">
    Go to the **Files** tab and open `Game.ini`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste and Save">
    Paste the generated `ConfigOverrideSupplyCrateItems` block at the very bottom of the file and click **Save Content**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Start your server. The new loot tables will apply to the next round of drops that spawn in the world.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### Syntax Validation

  Ark's configuration parser is extremely strict. A single missing comma or bracket will cause the game to ignore the entire section, reverting your server to default "vanilla" loot. Beacon automatically validates your syntax to prevent these issues.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Loot:** High stakes, better rewards.
</div>


# How to Configure Custom Level Ramps in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/configuring-custom-level-ramp

Exceed the vanilla level limits in Ark: Survival Evolved. Learn how to implement custom experience ramps for players and dinosaurs.

## Beyond the Level Cap

By default, Ark survivors are capped at Level 105 (excluding Ascension bonuses). For community servers that want longer progression, you can increase this limit to 300 or higher. This is achieved by implementing a `LevelExperienceRampOverrides` configuration, which defines exactly how much experience is required for every single level.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Implementing the Override

Because you must define the experience required for **every level** from 1 to your new cap, the resulting code block can be extremely long. You should never attempt to write this manually.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate the Code">
    Use an online **Ark Level Ramp Generator**. Input your desired max level and the desired "feel" of the XP curve (e.g., linear or exponential).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Game.ini">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), go to the **Files** tab, and open `Game.ini`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste the Configuration">
    Find the `[/Script/ShooterGame.ShooterGameMode]` header. Paste your generated `LevelExperienceRampOverrides` block directly beneath it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Max XP">
    For the new ramp to function, you must also define the absolute maximum experience permitted for a player. Add this line:

    ```ini theme={null}
    OverrideMaxExperiencePointsPlayer=5000000
    ```

    *Note: Ensure this number is higher than the total XP required for your final level.*
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Dinosaur Level Overrides

You can apply this same logic to your tamed creatures to allow them to gain more levels after being tamed.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dino XP Ramp">
    You must generate a second override specifically for dinosaurs. In your `Game.ini`, this will look similar to the player override but uses the `OverrideMaxExperiencePointsDino` variable.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Post-Tame Levels">
    By default, dinos can gain 88 levels after taming. A custom ramp can increase this to 200 or more, allowing for truly specialized powerful mounts.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### File Size Warning

  Adding a custom level ramp for 500+ levels can make your `Game.ini` file very large. The FREAKHOSTING web editor can handle this, but for extremely large files, we recommend using [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) to upload the modified file.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Progression:** Unlimited potential.
</div>


# How to Configure the Genesis Hex Shop in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/configuring-genesis-hex-shop

Master the HLNA Hexagon Store on Genesis maps. Learn how to adjust reward rates and the best methods for customizing the in-game economy.

## Managing the HLNA Economy

The HLNA Hexagon Store is a central feature of the Genesis Part 1 and Part 2 maps, allowing players to exchange mission points (Hexagons) for high-tier resources and equipment. While powerful, the shop is notoriously difficult to customize through standard configuration files. This guide explains your options for managing and balancing the Hexagon economy.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Limitations of Native Configs

Unlike taming or harvesting, Ark's native engine does not provide a straightforward `PriceMultiplier` for the Hexagon Shop. Customizing the items themselves requires overriding deep crate definitions in the `Game.ini`, a process that is highly unstable and often breaks during official game updates.

***

## Recommended Solution: Server Plugins

For precise control over prices and item availability, we strongly recommend using external management plugins rather than fighting the built-in INI system.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Ark Server API">
    Use the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to install the **Ark Server API** (C++ Loader). This provides the framework needed for advanced plugins.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add ArkShop Plugin">
    Install a plugin like **ArkShop**. This allows you to create a custom, cross-map currency system and shop UI.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Prices">
    Define your items and prices in a simple `config.json` file. This method is far more stable and user-friendly than raw INI edits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The INI Alternative: Adjusting Earnings

If you prefer to stay "vanilla" and avoid plugins, the most effective way to balance the shop is by adjusting the rate at which players earn Hexagons. This simulates price changes by making the currency more or less abundant.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Double Rewards">
    To effectively make items half-price, you can double the rewards from all missions. Add this to your `GameUserSettings.ini` under `[ServerSettings]`:

    ```ini theme={null}
    HexagonRewardMultiplier=2.0
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Hardcore Economy">
    For a more challenging experience where resources must be gathered manually, you can reduce mission rewards:

    ```ini theme={null}
    HexagonRewardMultiplier=0.5
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Economy:** Trading in the simulation.
</div>


# How to Configure Breeding & Mutation Settings in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/detailed-breeding-and-mutation-settings

Fine-tune breeding speeds, maturation timers, and cuddle intervals on your Ark server to balance mutations and imprinting for your community.

## Master of the Gene Pool

Breeding and mutating creatures is the definitive endgame of Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE). To create a satisfying environment for your players, you must balance the maturity speed with the imprinting window. This guide explains how to fine-tune your server to allow for rapid, high-quality breeding without making imprinting impossible.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Core Breeding Multipliers

All primary breeding settings are located in your `GameUserSettings.ini` under the `[ServerSettings]` header.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Mating Intervals">
    `MatingIntervalMultiplier=0.05` (**Lower is faster**). This reduces the cooldown time required for female creatures to be ready to mate again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Incubation & Gestation">
    `EggHatchSpeedMultiplier=20.0` (Higher is faster). This affects both the time it takes for eggs to hatch and the duration of mammalian pregnancies.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Maturation Speed">
    `BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier=20.0` (Higher is faster). This controls how quickly a baby grows into a full adult.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Balancing the Imprinting Window

A common mistake on boosted servers is setting maturity speed too high without adjusting the imprinting timer. If a creature grows up too fast, it will become an adult before it ever asks for a cuddle, food, or a walk, leaving it with a 0% imprint bonus.

<Important>
  ### The Imprint Formula

  To ensure your players can always reach 100% imprinting, your cuddle interval must be the inverse of your maturation speed.

  * **Rule:** If your `BabyMatureSpeedMultiplier` is **20.0**, you should set your `BabyCuddleIntervalMultiplier` to **0.05** (`1 / 20`).
</Important>

***

## Accelerating Mutations

While Ark does not have a single "Mutation Chance" multiplier in the vanilla configuration, you can still speed up the process through clever balancing.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Volume Breeding">
    By increasing the `MatingIntervalMultiplier` (making it lower), players can perform hundreds of breeding cycles per day. This naturally increases the frequency of mutations appearing in the population.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Configuration">
    Ensure that `AllowAnyoneBabyImprintCuddle=true` is enabled in your `GameUserSettings.ini` if you want a more casual server where tribe members can help each other imprint.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Genetics:** Built for perfection.
</div>


# How to Enable Epic Games Crossplay in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/enabling-epic-games-crossplay

Learn how to allow Epic Games Store and Steam players to play together on your Ark server. Understand the limitations of cross-platform modding.

## Community Cross-Play Support

Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) supports cross-play between the Steam and Epic Games Store versions of the game. Enabling this feature allows you to unite your community across different PC platforms. However, before activating cross-play, it is important to understand the significant restrictions it introduces regarding server modifications and accessibility.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Modding Limitation

The primary challenge with cross-platform play in Ark is how each store handles game modifications.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Steam Workshop">
    Steam users benefit from the integrated Steam Workshop, which automatically downloads and updates mod files when joining a server.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Epic Games Store">
    The Epic Games version of Ark does **not** have a native mod downloader or support for the Steam Workshop.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  **The Conflict:** Because Epic players cannot download mods, **cross-play only functions on Vanilla servers**. To allow Epic Games players to join, you must remove all mods from your server configuration.
</Important>

***

## Implementation Steps

Follow these steps to activate cross-play on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Launch Argument">
    Locate the **Additional Arguments** field and add the `-crossplay` flag.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable Mods">
    Ensure the `ActiveMods` field is completely empty. If there are any mod IDs listed, Epic players will be unable to connect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Navigate to the **Console** and restart your server to apply the changes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting: The Epic Password Bug

The Epic Games client has a known technical issue where the password entry prompt often fails to appear when joining a server.

<Check>
  ### Manual Connection Fix

  If your players encounter this bug, they can bypass the UI by using the console:

  1. Press **TAB** to open the in-game console.
  2. Type: `open [Server_IP]:[Port]?password=YourPassword`
  3. Press Enter to join directly.
</Check>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Crossplay:** Connecting communities.
</div>


# How to Enable In-Game Event Colors in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/enabling-event-colors

Enable seasonal events and force colored dinosaur spawns on your Ark: Survival Evolved server. Learn how to refresh world spawns for new event palettes.

## Seasonal Colors & Events

Seasonal events in Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE), such as *Winter Wonderland*, *Fear Evolved*, and *Easter Egg-Cellent*, bring more than just new mechanics and items. They introduce rare and vibrant color palettes to the dinosaur population, making exploration and taming even more rewarding. This guide explains how to activate these events on your server at any time of the year.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How to Toggle Events

You can enable an event by using the specialized input field in your server's startup configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), select your Ark server, and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Event Name">
    Locate the **Active Event** field and enter one of the following exact event names:

    * `WinterWonderland` (Winter/Christmas)
    * `Easter` (Easter Egg-Cellent)
    * `FearEvolved` (Halloween)
    * `Summer` (Summer Bash)
    * `TurkeyTrial` (Thanksgiving)
    * `LoveEvolved` (Valentine's Day)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Click outside the field to ensure the setting is saved, then **Restart** your server via the Console.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Applying Colors to the World

Simply enabling an event will not change the colors of dinosaurs already standing in the world. To see the new event colors, you must refresh the wild creature population.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in as Admin">
    Join your server and authenticate as an administrator using `enablecheats YourPassword`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Wipe Command">
    Open the console (**TAB**) and type the following command:

    ```bash theme={null}
    cheat destroywilddinos
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Respawn">
    Existing wild dinosaurs will be removed instantly. Over the next few minutes, new dinosaurs will spawn, and a percentage of them will feature the rare event color palette.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Tip>
  ### Year-Round Colors

  If you want to maintain event colors permanently without the extra overhead of event items or mechanics, you can install the **Eventmap** mod or use a colorizer plugin via the Ark Server API to force specific palettes globally.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Vibrancy:** Bringing life to the ARK.
</div>


# How to Install Ark Mods
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/how-to-install-mods-on-ark-survival-evolved

Learn how to install and manage Steam Workshop mods on your Ark: Survival Evolved server. Automated download and update guide for a customized experience.

## Enhancing Your Ark with Mods

Game modifications are a cornerstone of the Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) community. Whether you want to add quality-of-life improvements like *Structures Plus (S+)* or completely overhaul the game with *Primal Fear*, our game panel is designed to automate the download and update process for you. This guide will walk you through the correct way to register and initialize mods on your server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation Guide

Follow these steps to connect your server to the Steam Workshop and begin downloading mods.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Retrieve Mod IDs">
    Visit the [Steam Workshop for Ark](https://steamcommunity.com/app/346110/workshop/). Click on your desired mod and look at the URL. Copy the numeric ID at the end (e.g., `?id=731604991`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register in Startup Tab">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab. Find the **Active Mods** field and enter your IDs separated by commas.

    * *Example:* `731604991,1404697612,1609112585`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Download">
    Navigate back to the **Console** and click **Start**. The server will communicate with Steam and begin downloading the files into the `/ShooterGame/Content/Mods/` directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### The "Hidden" Progress

  Ark does not display a visual progress bar in the server console for mod downloads. During the first boot with a large mod list, the server may appear "frozen" or unresponsive for up to 10-15 minutes as it processes gigabytes of data. **Do not interrupt or restart the server during this phase.**
</Important>

***

## Resolving Mod Version Mismatch

One of the most common issues in Ark is the "Mod Version Mismatch" error. This happens when the developer of a mod releases an update, and your personal computer has downloaded it, but the server is still running the older version.

<Check>
  ### Synchronization Fix

  To resolve this, simply **Restart** your FREAKHOSTING server. On every boot, the server checks the Steam Workshop for updates to your registered Mod IDs. If an update is detected, it will automatically download the newest version before allowing players to join.
</Check>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Modding:** Personalized survival.
</div>


# How to Install Ark Server API & Plugins
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/installing-ark-server-api-and-plugins

Learn how to install the C++ Ark Server API to run powerful server-side plugins like ArkShop and CrossChat without requiring player downloads.

## Advanced Server Extensions

The **Ark Server API** is a high-performance C++ framework that allows server owners to execute complex logic through specialized plugins. Unlike standard Workshop mods, API plugins run entirely on the server side. This means you can implement features like in-game shops, global chat bridges, and advanced permission systems without requiring your players to download any additional files.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## API Installation Guide

Follow these steps to set up the foundation for your plugins.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the API">
    Obtain the latest Ark Server API binaries from the official GitHub repository or community hub.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Binary Folder">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or via SFTP, navigate to the following directory:
    `/ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Files">
    Upload the `version.dll` file and the entire `ArkApi` folder directly into the `Win64` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Initialization">
    Start your server. If installed correctly, a new log file will be generated within the `ArkApi` folder, confirming that the framework is active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Adding and Configuring Plugins

Once the API is active, you can begin adding individual plugins to expand your server's functionality.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Plugins">
    Place your extracted plugin folders (e.g., `ArkShop`, `CrossChat`) into the following sub-directory:
    `/ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64/ArkApi/Plugins/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit JSON Configs">
    Most plugins use a `config.json` file for settings. Open these files in the Game Panel editor to customize prices, commands, and permissions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### JSON Formatting

  The API is very sensitive to syntax errors. A single missing comma or bracket in a `config.json` file can cause the plugin to fail to load or, in some cases, cause the entire server to crash on boot. Always validate your JSON code before saving.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Extensions:** Powering your ecosystem.
</div>


# How to Manually Summon Bosses & Ascension in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/manually-summoning-bosses

Use admin commands to summon boss fights and unlock Ascension tiers in Ark: Survival Evolved. Manage your server endgame without farming tributes.

## Controlling the ARK Endgame

Whether for testing, community events, or troubleshooting mission glitches, administrators have the power to summon bosses directly into the world or unlock the game's final progression tiers through console commands. This guide provides the exact strings required to manage the Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) endgame experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Direct Boss Summons

You can spawn bosses anywhere in the world. However, use caution: bosses possess massive health pools and can destroy player-built structures instantly.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Broodmother Lysrix">
    `cheat summon SpiderL_Character_BP_Easy_C`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Megapithecus">
    `cheat summon Gorilla_Character_BP_Easy_C`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Dragon">
    `cheat summon Dragon_Character_BP_Boss_Easy_C`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Danger Zone

  Summoning a boss directly into a player's base will result in total destruction. Always perform test summons in an empty biome or a dedicated arena.
</Warning>

***

## Unlocking Ascension Tiers

Ascension is the process of beating the game's final challenges, which grants survivors additional maximum levels and holographic trophy icons. You can skip the grind and grant these rewards instantly using the following commands.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Gamma Ascension">
    `cheat playercommand Ascend1` - Unlocks **+5** Max Levels.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Beta Ascension">
    `cheat playercommand Ascend2` - Unlocks **+10** Max Levels.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Alpha Ascension">
    `cheat playercommand Ascend3` - Unlocks **+15** Max Levels.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Running an Ascension command will instantly trigger the game's end-credits sequence and return you to the main menu. This is standard behavior as the game considers your character "ascended" from the current ARK.
</Note>

***

<Tip>
  ### Bypass the Tribute Grind

  If you want your players to fight the boss legitimately but skip the tedious gathering of artifacts and predator drops, you can use GFI commands to spawn the required tributes:

  * *Example:* `cheat GFI ApexDrop_AlphaRex 1 0 0` (Spawns 1 Alpha Rex Tooth).
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Endgame:** Absolute administration.
</div>


# How to Restore a Corrupt World Save in Ark
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/restoring-a-corrupt-world-save

Learn how to use Ark's automatic backup system to recover from server crashes and 'LowLevelFatalError' issues. Restore your world data safely.

## Disaster Recovery for Your ARK

If your Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) server crashes on startup with a `LowLevelFatalError` or a `Serialization Error`, it is a strong indication that your primary world save file has become corrupted. This often happens during unexpected server power losses or if the disk fills up. Fortunately, Ark is designed with an automatic backup system that keeps several snapshots of your world state.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding the Save Directory

All critical world data is stored within the `/ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/` folder. Understanding the different file types is essential for a successful restoration.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Active Save">
    `TheIsland.ark` - This is the live save file that the server attempts to load on boot. If this file is corrupt, the server will crash.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Timestamped Backups">
    `TheIsland_23.01.2026_14.00.00.ark` - These are automatic snapshots created by the server every few hours. They represent your world at a specific point in time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Anti-Corruption Files">
    `TheIsland_AntiCorruptionBackup.bak` - A redundant backup created by the game engine as a safety net.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Restoration Workflow

Follow these steps precisely to roll back your server to a functional state.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop the Server">
    Navigate to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) Console and **Stop** the server. Never attempt to modify save files while the server is active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Archive the Corrupt Save">
    In the File Manager, rename `TheIsland.ark` to `TheIsland_CORRUPT.ark`. This removes it from the loading sequence but keeps it as a reference.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a Backup">
    Identify the most recent timestamped backup.

    <Warning>
      Always check the **file size**. If a backup file is 0KB or significantly smaller than your usual save size, it is incomplete and should not be used.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate the Backup">
    Rename your chosen backup file (e.g., `TheIsland_timestamp.ark`) to exactly `TheIsland.ark`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the Server">
    Return to the Console and click **Start**. Monitor the logs to ensure the world loads successfully without errors.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Player & Tribe Synchronization

  While the `.ark` file stores the physical world (buildings and dinosaurs), player inventories and tribe ownership are stored in `.arkprofile` and `.arktribe` files. These files are typically **not** rolled back during this process. This means players may keep items they gathered *after* the backup point, potentially resulting in minor synchronization issues.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Data:** Protecting your legacy.
</div>


# How to Set Up an Ark Cluster
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/ark-survival-evolved/setting-up-an-ark-cluster

Connect multiple Ark: Survival Evolved servers into a cluster. Learn how to allow players to transfer characters, dinos, and items between maps smoothly.

## Connecting the Multiverse

Clustering is a powerful feature in Ark: Survival Evolved (ASE) that links multiple servers together, creating a unified network of worlds. This allows your players to move their survivors, tamed creatures, and items between different maps (e.g., from The Island to Scorched Earth) using Obelisks, Supply Drops, or Tek Transmitters.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

Before you can link your servers, ensure you meet these fundamental requirements.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Node Placement">
    For clustering to function correctly, all involved servers **must** be hosted on the same physical backend node. This allows the servers to share the underlying cluster directory. Please contact FREAKHOSTING support to verify or move your servers to the same node.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Cluster ID">
    The Cluster ID is a shared secret key. Only servers with the exact same ID will recognize each other and appear in the cross-map travel list.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Configuration Steps

Perform these steps on **every server** that you want to include in your cluster.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab for your first server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Your Cluster ID">
    Locate the **Cluster ID** field. Enter a unique and complex string.

    * *Example:* `Freak_Secret_Cluster_772`

    <Warning>
      Never use simple IDs like `Cluster1` or `MyArk`. Since clustering works via the node's shared directory, another user on the same node with the same ID could potentially link their server to yours and steal your players' items.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Repeat for Other Servers">
    Go to your other Ark servers and enter the **identical** string into their Cluster ID fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart All Servers">
    Restart every server in the cluster to initialize the connection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verifying and Testing

Once the servers are online, you should verify that the connection is active.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Travel to an Obelisk">
    Join one of your maps and move to a large Obelisk or wait for a Supply Drop.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Terminal">
    Interact with the terminal and click the **Travel to Another Server** button in the top right corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Visibility">
    Your other clustered maps should now appear in the list. Select one and click **Join** to begin the transfer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Transfer Security

  To prevent players from bringing "God-tier" items from their Singleplayer saves or external servers, ensure that `-NoTransferFromFiltering` is added to your startup arguments and that `PreventUploadSurvivors=False` is set in your `GameUserSettings.ini`.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Network:** Spanning the worlds.
</div>


# How to Configure Custom Difficulty & AI Skill in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/configuring-custom-difficulty-and-ai-skill

Configure custom difficulty presets, AI precision, and HUD elements on your Arma 3 server to balance tactical challenge with fair gameplay.

## Simulation Balance: Difficulty & AI

Arma 3 offers one of the most granular difficulty systems in the military simulation genre. Instead of a simple "Easy" or "Hard" toggle, server administrators must configure a specific profile file to dictate every aspect of the environment - from third-person camera restrictions to the exact spotting distance and accuracy of enemy AI units.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Locating the Arma3Profile

Difficulty settings are **not** stored in your primary `server.cfg`. Instead, they are found in your server's "User Profile" file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Config Path">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to:
    `/files/config/Users/Server/Server.Arma3Profile`
    *(Note: The exact path may vary depending on your specific server template).*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Editor">
    Click on the `.Arma3Profile` file to open the built-in text editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement the Custom Class">
    Scroll until you find the `class DifficultyPresets` section.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The Custom Difficulty Block

We strongly recommend using the `Custom` difficulty class. This gives you absolute control over HUD elements and realism settings.

```cpp theme={null}
class DifficultyPresets
{
    class CustomDifficulty
    {
        class Options
        {
            reducedDamage = 0;    // 0 = Realistic Damage. 1 = Reduced.
            groupIndicators = 0;  // 0 = No floating hexes over squadmates.
            friendlyTags = 0;     // 0 = No names over friendly units.
            enemyTags = 0;        // 0 = No names over enemies.
            detectedMines = 0;    // 0 = Mines remain hidden on HUD.
            commands = 0;         // 0 = Hides command waypoints.
            waypoints = 1;        // 1 = Shows simple waypoints.
            weaponInfo = 1;       // 1 = Shows ammo count and fire mode.
            stanceIndicator = 1;  // 1 = Shows stance (Crouch/Prone) HUD.
            staminaBar = 1;       // 1 = Shows stamina bar.
            weaponCrosshair = 0;  // 0 = No artificial crosshair.
            visionAid = 0;        // 0 = Disables "Enemy spotting" assistance.
            thirdPersonView = 1;  // 1 = Allows Third Person (TPS).
            mapContent = 1;       // 1 = Shows friendly units on the map.
        };
        aiLevelPreset = 1;        // 1 = Use Custom AI skills defined below.
    };
};
```

***

## Taming the AI: Skill vs. Precision

Arma 3 AI units are notorious for performing "instant headshots" from extreme distances. To prevent frustration, you must tune them to be "Tactical but Inaccurate."

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="skillAI (Tactics)">
    **Recommended: 0.85**
    A high value ensures the AI performs advanced maneuvers like flanking, using smoke grenades for concealment, and suppressing your position intelligently.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="precisionAI (Accuracy)">
    **Recommended: 0.35**
    A lower value makes their aim shaky, effectively simulating human stress and weapon sway under fire.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### The Golden Rule

  Always keep **Skill High** and **Precision Low**. This combination creates engaging, prolonged firefights where the enemy forces you to move and communicate without instantly killing your squad upon first contact.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Combat loop optimized.
</div>


# How to Configure server.cfg for Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/configuring-servercfg-for-arma-3

Edit the server.cfg master control file in Arma 3 to set hostnames, admin passwords, mission rotation, and security settings for a stable MilSim server.

## The Nervous System: server.cfg

The `server.cfg` file is the primary configuration entry point for any Arma 3 Dedicated Server. It defines your server's public identity, administrative security, networking protocols, and the mission rotation cycle. Because the Arma 3 engine is highly sensitive to syntax, a single missing semicolon or bracket here can prevent the server from booting.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Essential Identity Parameters

These parameters define how your server appears in the browser and how you control it remotely.

```cpp theme={null}
// Identity
hostname = "FREAKHOSTING | My Milsim Unit";
password = "";              // Leave empty for Public, fill for Private.
passwordAdmin = "SecretPW"; // Login via chat command: #login SecretPW

// Security & Networking
maxPlayers = 64;
persistent = 1;             // 1 = The mission continues running when the server is empty.
BattlEye = 1;               // 1 = Enable Anti-Cheat (Required for public listing).
verifySignatures = 2;       // 2 = V2 Mod Verification (Strictly enforce mod lists).

// Voice (VON)
disableVoN = 0;             // 0 = Built-in Voice Chat Enabled.
vonCodecQuality = 20;       // Range 1-20. 20 is max audio quality.
```

***

## Configuring Mission Rotation

The `class Missions` section tells the server which `.pbo` file to load from your `/mpmissions/` directory.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Your Mission File">
    Ensure your mission file (e.g., `Antistasi.Altis.pbo`) is uploaded to the `/mpmissions/` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Template">
    In `server.cfg`, use the filename without the `.pbo` extension.

    ```cpp theme={null}
    class Missions
    {
        class Operation_One
        {
            template = "Antistasi.Altis"; 
            difficulty = "Custom"; // Must match a class in your .Arma3Profile
        };
    };
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Multiple Missions (Optional)">
    You can list multiple missions. The server will cycle to the next one in the list whenever a mission ends or the server is manually forced to cycle.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Editing Protocol

  **Never edit `server.cfg` while the server is running.** The Arma 3 engine periodically saves its internal state to the configuration files. If you save manual edits while the process is active, the engine will likely overwrite them with its cached data instantly. Always click **Stop** in the Game Panel before editing.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Config syntax verified.
</div>


# How to Enforce V2 Signatures in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/enforcing-v2-signatures

Protect your Arma 3 server from cheaters. Learn how to enforce file integrity using V2 signature verification and manage public bikey files.

## Integrity Check: VerifySignatures

By default, the Arma 3 engine is highly trusting of connected clients. To prevent malicious actors from joining your server with modified `.pbo` files (such as "One Hit Kill" weapon modifications or "Transparent Walls" foliage mods), you must enforce strict signature verification. This system ensures that every file on the player's computer is a bit-for-bit match with the official files signed by the mod developers.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Enabling Enforcement

To activate signature checking, you must modify your `server.cfg` file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open server.cfg">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, locate and open your `server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Verification Level">
    Find the `verifySignatures` property and set its value to `2`.

    ```cpp theme={null}
    verifySignatures = 2;
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Level 0 (Disabled)">
    Verification is off. Anyone can join with any modified files. This is a severe security risk for public servers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Level 2 (Strict)">
    The industry standard for MilSim servers. Every mod file must be signed and the server must possess the corresponding public key.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## The Key System: Managing .bikey Files

For a mod to pass the V2 check, your server must possess its **Public Key** (`.bikey`).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the Mod Key">
    Open the mod folder on your local PC (e.g., `@ACE3`). Look for a sub-folder named `keys` or `serverkeys`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Extract the .bikey">
    Find the public key file inside (e.g., `ace3.bikey`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to Server">
    Use the File Manager or SFTP to upload this file to the root `/keys/` directory on your FREAKHOSTING game server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Result:** Your server now "Trusts" any `.pbo` file that has been signed by the owner of that specific key.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Troubleshooting: Signature Mismatch Errors">
    If players are kicked immediately upon joining with a "Signature Mismatch" or "File not signed by a key accepted by this server" error, check the following:

    * **Missing Key:** You likely forgot to upload the `.bikey` file for one of the mods running on your server.
    * **Outdated Mod:** The player's local mod files may be outdated or corrupt. Instruct them to use the **"Repair Mod"** or **"Verify Integrity"** feature in the Arma 3 Launcher.
    * **Server Version:** Ensure the server's mod files are up to date via the Game Panel's Steam Workshop manager.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Perimeter secured.
</div>


# How to Install Creator DLCs in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/how-to-install-creator-dlcs

Deploy official expansions like S.O.G. Prairie Fire and Western Sahara on your Arma 3 dedicated server. Learn about startup parameters and client requirements.

## Expansion Content: Creator DLCs

Creator DLCs (CDLC) are massive, high-quality content packs for Arma 3 developed by third-party studios and officially sanctioned by Bohemia Interactive. Whether you want to fight in the jungles of Vietnam (*S.O.G. Prairie Fire*) or engage in Cold War combat in Germany (*Global Mobilization*), these expansions require specific configuration steps to function on a dedicated server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## DLC Startup Parameters

Unlike standard Steam Workshop mods that use `@` prefixes, Creator DLCs use specific internal codenames in the server startup string.

| DLC Name                | Startup Parameter |
| :---------------------- | :---------------- |
| **S.O.G. Prairie Fire** | `vn`              |
| **Global Mobilization** | `gm`              |
| **Western Sahara**      | `ws`              |
| **CSLA Iron Curtain**   | `csla`            |
| **Spearhead 1944**      | `spe`             |

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Tab">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Startup** tab for your Arma 3 server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Mod String">
    Include the DLC code in your mod parameter list.

    * *Example:* `-mod=vn;@CBA_A3;@ACE3` (Enables S.O.G. Prairie Fire along with your mods).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Restart the server to initialize the CDLC content.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Security & Signature Keys

Just like standard mods, Creator DLCs use the Arma 3 signature system.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the Key">
    On your local PC, navigate to the DLC installation folder (e.g., `SteamApps/common/Arma 3/vn`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload .bikey">
    Open the `keys` folder inside and upload the `.bikey` file to your server's root `/keys/` directory via the File Manager.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Client Ownership Requirement

  Unlike custom missions, Creator DLC assets **cannot** be downloaded from the server by joining players. Every player must own a valid license for the specific DLC on Steam and have it installed locally. If a player attempts to join without the DLC, they will be kicked immediately by the Arma 3 engine.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Theaters of war valid.
</div>


# How to Install Mods and Mission Files in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/installing-mods-and-mission-files-in-arma-3

Master the deployment of community content on your Arma 3 server. Learn how to upload mods, register mission files, and manage Linux case sensitivity.

## Content Injection: Mods & Scenarios

The lifeblood of the Arma 3 ecosystem is its creative community. Whether you are building a casual "King of the Hill" environment or managing a hardcore "MilSim" unit, you will need to master the installation of custom modifications (`@Mods`) and scenario mission files (`.pbo`). This guide explains the correct workflow for deploying these assets to your FREAKHOSTING server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installing Mods (`@ModName`)

Mods are typically downloaded via the Steam Workshop and must be manually synchronized with your server to ensure performance and security.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Mod Folders">
    Subscribe to your desired mods on the Steam Workshop. On your local PC, navigate to the Arma 3 directory (usually `!Workshop` is a hidden folder) and find the folders prefixed with `@`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to Server Root">
    Using [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) or the File Manager, upload the **entire mod folder** (e.g., `@ACE3`) to the root directory of your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manage Security Keys">
    Open the mod's internal `keys` folder. Upload the `.bikey` file inside to the server's root `/keys/` directory. This allows players to pass the [Signature Verification](/games/arma-3/enforcing-v2-signatures).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate via Startup">
    In the **Startup** tab of your Game Panel, add the folder name to the `Mods` field.

    * *Example:* `-mod=@CBA_A3;@ACE3;@RHSUSAF`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Installing Missions (`Mission.Map.pbo`)

A mission file is a single package containing all the scripts, unit placements, and objectives for a specific scenario.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the PBO">
    Ensure your mission file follows the standard naming convention: `MissionName.MapName.pbo` (e.g., `Antistasi.Altis.pbo`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to mpmissions">
    Place the `.pbo` file directly into the `/mpmissions/` directory on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automate Loading (Optional)">
    To make this mission load automatically on boot, update the `class Missions` block in your [server.cfg](/games/arma-3/configuring-servercfg-for-arma-3).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Linux Case Sensitivity

  FREAKHOSTING servers use high-performance Linux kernels. Unlike Windows, Linux is **strictly case-sensitive**.

  * Folder `@ACE3` is **not** the same as `@ace3`.
  * Your folder name in the file system must match your startup parameter **exactly**.
  * **Pro Tip:** We recommend renaming all mod folders to lowercase (e.g., `@ace3`) to prevent configuration errors.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Deployment complete.
</div>


# How to Install and Configure TFAR in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/installing-task-force-radio-tfar

Master the setup of Task Force Arrowhead Radio (TFAR) for Arma 3. Learn how to enable realistic 3D voice chat and radio simulation via TeamSpeak 3 integration.

## Advanced Communication: TFAR Setup

Task Force Arrowhead Radio (TFAR) is the global standard for immersive MilSim communication in Arma 3. By bridging the game with a specialized TeamSpeak 3 plugin, TFAR forces player voice chat to respect physical distance, terrain occlusion, and radio frequency channels. This guide will walk you through the server-side and client-side requirements for a successful deployment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Requirements

TFAR is a complex system that requires three synchronized components to function.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server-Side Mod">
    You must load the `@task_force_radio` mod (Beta version 1.0+ recommended) in your [server startup parameters](/games/arma-3/installing-mods-and-mission-files-in-arma-3).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client-Side Plugin">
    Every player must install the TFAR plugin into their local TeamSpeak 3 directory. This plugin translates game data into 3D audio signals.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="TeamSpeak Server">
    A hosted TeamSpeak 3 server is required to handle the audio traffic. Standard Discord or in-game VON is not compatible with TFAR simulation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Server Configuration (CBA Settings)

Modern versions of TFAR use the **CBA (Community Base Addons) Settings** framework. You should avoid editing configuration files manually.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure Locally">
    Launch Arma 3 on your personal PC with TFAR and CBA active. Navigate to **Options** -> **Addon Options**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fine-Tune the Simulation">
    Select **TFAR - Global** from the dropdown menu. Here you can adjust radio ranges, terrain interference coefficients, and default frequencies.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export the Code">
    Click the **Export** button at the bottom of the menu. This copies the configuration string to your clipboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply to Server">
    In the Game Panel File Manager, open `/userconfig/cba_settings.sqf`. Paste your exported code here. This ensures every connected client is forced to use your specific server settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## TeamSpeak Integration

To automate player movement between channels, your TeamSpeak server must be prepared.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Channel">
    Create a new channel on your TeamSpeak server named exactly: `TaskForceRadio`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Password">
    Ensure the channel password matches the one defined in your addon settings (the default is usually empty or `123`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Join and Sync">
    When players join your Arma 3 server, the TFAR plugin will automatically move them from the "Lobby" to the `TaskForceRadio` channel to begin the 3D audio simulation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### Version Sync

  Ensure that the version of TFAR on the server matches the version installed on the players' TeamSpeak clients. A mismatch will result in players being unable to hear each other or being "kicked" back to the TeamSpeak lobby.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Signal strength 5/5.
</div>


# How to Manage BattlEye Filters in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/managing-battleye-filters-script-restrictions

Analyze BattlEye script logs on your Arma 3 server and configure filter exceptions to prevent legitimate mission scripts from causing player kicks and bans.

## Managing Security: Script Restrictions

BattlEye is an aggressive anti-cheat solution designed to protect Arma 3 servers from unauthorized code execution. However, by default, it blocks many strong scripts used in popular community missions like *Antistasi*, *Exile*, or *Hearts and Minds*. "Script Restriction #0" kicks occur when a legitimate mission script triggers a generic security filter. This guide explains how to identify and resolve these conflicts safely.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Analyzing the Kick

When a player is removed from the server for a "Script Restriction," BattlEye generates a detailed log entry that tells you exactly which piece of code was blocked.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the Log File">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to the `/battleye/` directory and open `scripts.log`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Interpret the Entry">
    Look for the most recent line in the file.

    * *Example:* `23.01.2026 14:00:00: PlayerName (IP:Port) GUID - #0 "player setVelocity [0,0,10];"`
    * **#0:** This is the filter index (referencing a line in your filter file).
    * **"player setVelocity...":** This is the exact code that caused the kick.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Adding Filter Exceptions

To allow a specific script to run without compromising your server's overall security, you must add an exception to your BattlEye configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Filter File">
    Open `/battleye/scripts.txt` in the File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Relevant Filter">
    Locate the line number corresponding to the kick (e.g., if the log said `#0`, find the first active line in the text file).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Append the Exception">
    Add `!=` followed by the exact code snippet found in the log at the end of that line.

    * **Original Line:** `7 setVelocity`
    * **Modified Line:** `7 setVelocity !=player setVelocity [0,0,10]`
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Filter Level 7">
    This is the "Kick" mode. It is the most secure but requires the most maintenance to ensure legitimate scripts aren't blocked.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Filter Level 1">
    This is "Log Only" mode. Use this temporarily during server development to see what scripts are running without kicking players.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Security Best Practice

  **Never delete a filter line.** Removing a filter like `setVelocity` entirely would allow malicious players to use speed-hacks or teleportation cheats. Always use the `!=` (Not Equal) operator to whitelist specific, known safe strings while keeping the general protection active.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Filters refined.
</div>


# How to Monitor Server FPS in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/monitoring-server-fps

Track simulation FPS on your Arma 3 server to identify bottlenecks, diagnose AI desync, and use diagnostic commands for performance tuning.

## Performance Metrics: Server FPS

In Arma 3, "Server FPS" is not a measure of graphical smoothness, but rather a metric of **simulation cycles** per second. It dictates how frequently the server calculates AI pathfinding, projectile trajectories, and network synchronization. A low Server FPS results in "desync," causing vehicles to teleport, bullets to fail to register, and AI units to become unresponsive.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Diagnostic Commands

You can monitor the health of your FREAKHOSTING server directly from within the game client.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authenticate as Admin">
    Open the in-game chat and type:

    ```bash theme={null}
    #login YourAdminPassword
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Monitor">
    Type the following command to begin tracking performance at a set interval:

    ```bash theme={null}
    #monitor 10
    ```

    *(The number represents the update interval in seconds).*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Analyze the Output">
    The server will print a status line to your chat console:
    `FPS: 48   Mem: 2048   Player: 15`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interpreting Server Health

Use the table below to determine if your mission is running optimally or if the server is overloaded.

| FPS Value     | Status         | Experience                                                                |
| :------------ | :------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **50 FPS**    | **Perfect**    | The engine is running at its hard-coded cap. Minimal network lag.         |
| **30-45 FPS** | **Standard**   | Typical performance for a server with 40+ players and moderate AI counts. |
| **15-20 FPS** | **Struggling** | AI units will become slow to react. Driving may feel jerky or "laggy."    |
| **\< 10 FPS** | **Critical**   | The simulation is failing. Expect mass "desync" and disconnects.          |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Identifying Common Bottlenecks">
    * **Excessive AI Counts:** Having 500+ AI units active simultaneously will overwhelm even the fastest CPUs.
    * **Script Loops:** Check your server `.RPT` logs for recurring error messages. Infinite loops or heavy scripts running `onEachFrame` are common culprits.
    * **Garbage Collection:** Ensure your mission has a cleanup script to delete dead bodies, dropped weapons, and wrecked vehicles.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Simulation stable.
</div>


# How to Set Up Headless Clients in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/setting-up-a-headless-client

Drastically improve Arma 3 server performance by offloading AI calculations to separate processes. Learn how to configure and enable Headless Clients (HC).

## Parallel Processing: Headless Clients

Arma 3 is heavily bound by single-core CPU performance. A **Headless Client (HC)** is essentially a transparent player process that connects to the server and takes ownership of AI units. By moving the heavy calculations of AI pathfinding and behavior to a separate CPU core, you free up the main server thread for critical tasks like networking and physics, resulting in a much smoother experience for your players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration & Authorization

You must first authorize the server to accept connections from local Headless Clients.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open server.cfg">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, locate and open your `server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add IP Whitelist">
    Add the following lines to allow the HC process (running locally) to connect:

    ```cpp theme={null}
    headlessClients[]={"127.0.0.1"};
    localClient[]={"127.0.0.1"};
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Panel Activation">
    Navigate to the **Headless Client** tab in your Game Panel and click **Enable Headless Client**. The panel will now automatically spawn a secondary process whenever you start your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Mission Support Requirements

Simply enabling a Headless Client does not automatically move AI units to it. Your mission file must be specifically designed or modified to offload units.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Built-in Support">
    Popular scenarios like **Antistasi**, **Liberation**, and **KP Liberation** have built-in HC auto-detection. They will automatically transfer AI ownership as soon as they detect an active HC.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Custom Missions">
    For your own scenarios, you must use a script like **Werthles Headless Kit** or place the **Headless Client module** within the Eden Editor to manually transfer unit ownership from the server to the HC.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### HC Connection Delay

  A Headless Client typically connects 30-60 seconds after the main server process has initialized. If your mission initializes its AI immediately upon boot, they may stay on the server until the HC is fully synchronized and takes ownership.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Load balanced.
</div>


# How to Set Up Altis Life in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/setting-up-an-altis-life-server

Master the deployment of the Altis Life RPG framework on your Arma 3 server. Learn how to configure MySQL databases, extDB3 bridges, and server-side logic.

## Roleplay Framework: Altis Life

Altis Life is the definitive roleplay framework for Arma 3, transforming the military simulator into a persistent civilian life simulator featuring police forces, medical responders, and complex illegal economies. Unlike standard missions, Altis Life requires a specialized backend infrastructure including a MySQL database and server-side extensions to handle player persistence.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    20 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Phase 1: Database Infrastructure

Persistence in Altis Life is handled via MySQL. You must set up the database before the server can store player positions, bank balances, or vehicle ownership.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Database">
    Navigate to the **Databases** tab in your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and create a new MySQL instance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Import the Schema">
    Open **phpMyAdmin** via the panel link. Select your new database and use the **Import** tab to upload the `altis_life.sql` file provided with your mission framework.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Bridge">
    Open `@extDB3/extdb3-conf.ini` in the File Manager. Locate the `[AltisLife]` block and enter your database credentials (IP, Username, Password).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Phase 2: Server-Side Logic

Altis Life divides its execution between the client-side mission and the server-side backend.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Mission (Client)">
    Upload your `Altis_Life.Altis.pbo` file to the `/mpmissions/` directory. This contains the UI, map markers, and player-facing scripts.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Backend (Server)">
    Upload the `@life_server` folder to your server's root directory. This folder contains the sensitive logic for database communication and administrative functions.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Phase 3: Secure Startup

To ensure your server runs correctly and securely, you must use the correct startup parameters.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Define Server Mods">
    In the **Startup** tab, add `@life_server` and `@extDB3` to the **Server Mods** field.

    * *Example:* `-servermod=@life_server;@extDB3`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Client Mods">
    Ensure that these backend folders are **NOT** in the standard `-mod=` line.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and Log">
    Restart the server and check the `extDB3` logs to confirm a successful database handshake.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### Security Protocol

  **Never** list `@life_server` or `@extDB3` in the client-facing `-mod=` parameter. These directories contain your private database credentials and proprietary server logic. If listed there, any player joining the server could potentially download your secure configuration files.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Citizen accepted.
</div>


# How to Set Up extDB3 Database in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/setting-up-extdb3-database

Configure the essential database bridge for persistent Arma 3 game modes. Learn how to connect your server to MySQL using the extDB3 extension.

## Database Bridge: extDB3

The Arma 3 engine does not possess native SQL capabilities. To run persistent gamemodes such as *Altis Life*, *Exile*, or *King of the Hill*, you must use the **extDB3** extension. This tool acts as a translator, allowing the game engine to read and write player stats, bank balances, and vehicle locations to a remote or local MySQL database.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to establish a secure handshake between your Arma 3 server and your MySQL database.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the Extension">
    Upload the `@extDB3` folder to your server's root directory via the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Credentials">
    Go to the **Databases** tab in your panel. Note down your **IP**, **Port**, **Username**, and **Database Name**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Config">
    Open `@extDB3/extdb3-conf.ini` and locate the `[Database]` (or gamemode-specific) block.

    ```ini theme={null}
    [AltisLife]
    IP = 127.0.0.1
    Port = 3306
    Username = your_db_user
    Password = your_secure_password
    Database = your_db_name
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate via Startup">
    Ensure `@extDB3` is added to your **Server Mods** parameter in the Startup tab.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting Common Connectivity Issues

If your server fails to communicate with the database, check for these common error codes in your logs.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Extension Failed to Load">
    This error typically indicates that the host system is missing required dependencies. Specifically, the **Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (x86)** packages must be installed. If you are on a VPS, ensure these are updated; on our managed Game Panel, please contact support if this persists.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error 9 (SQL Version Mismatch)">
    Error 9 occurs when the SQL syntax within your mission scripts does not match the SQL protocol of the server. This often happens when trying to run legacy MySQL 5.5 missions on a modern MariaDB 10.x backend.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Connection established.
</div>


# How to Configure Startup Parameters in Arma 3
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/arma-3/understanding-startup-parameters

Optimize Arma 3 server performance with command-line flags. Learn about memory allocators, CPU management, and instant mission initialization.

## Engine Tuning: Startup Parameters

Arma 3 is built on a legacy engine that does not always use modern hardware efficiently by default. By applying specific startup parameters (flags) to your server's launch command, you can force the application to allocate memory more intelligently, optimize CPU thread awareness, and bypass redundant initialization checks. Mastering these flags is the first step toward a high-performance MilSim environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Essential Performance Flags

Apply these parameters within the **Startup** tab of your FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to refine the engine's behavior.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Workflow">
    * **`-autoinit`**: Forces the mission to load and the simulation to start immediately upon boot. Without this, the server waits for the first player to join the lobby, which can break persistent scripts.
    * **`-loadMissionToMemory`**: Caches the mission `.pbo` in RAM instead of reading it from the disk during map changes. This drastically reduces load times for returning players.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Hardware">
    * **`-enableHT`**: Enables Hyper-Threading awareness, allowing the engine to better distribute background tasks across virtual cores.
    * **`-hugepages`**: Allows the memory allocator to use large pages (2MB instead of 4KB), reducing TLB misses and improving stability during long sessions with heavy mod packs.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Choosing a Memory Allocator (`-malloc`)

The memory allocator determines how Arma 3 requests RAM from the operating system. Using an optimized allocator can prevent "stuttering" and memory-related crashes.

* **`tbb4malloc_bi`**: The Intel Threading Building Blocks allocator. This is officially optimized for the Arma 3 engine and is recommended for **99% of servers**.
* **`system`**: Uses the native Windows allocator. This should only be used as a troubleshooting step if the server experiences frequent crashes with TBB.

***

<Important>
  ### Avoiding Legacy Traps

  Do **NOT** use `-cpuCount` or `-exThreads` unless you are troubleshooting a specific hardware conflict. The modern 64-bit Arma 3 executable is highly efficient at detecting CPU topology automatically. Manually restricting these values often results in **lower** performance and increased desync.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Arma 3:** Turbocharged.
</div>


# How to Configure Dynamic Track Grip in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/configuring-dynamic-track-rubbering-in

Learn how to configure dynamic track rubbering to simulate realistic grip evolution during a race session. Balance initial traction and lap-by-lap progression.

## Evolution of the Track Surface

One of the most immersive features in Assetto Corsa is dynamic track grip. As vehicles complete laps, rubber is laid down on the tarmac, increasing the available traction for all drivers. This evolution requires drivers to adapt their braking points and cornering speeds as the session progresses, just like in a professional motorsport event.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Settings

You can fine-tune the grip evolution within your `server_cfg.ini` file under the `[DYNAMIC_TRACK]` header.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Config File">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com), go to the **Files** tab, and open `server_cfg.ini`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Initial Grip">
    **SESSION\_START:** Defines the percentage of traction available at the start of the session.

    * *Example:* `89` results in a "Green" track with low initial grip.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Grip Carryover">
    **SESSION\_TRANSFER:** The percentage of rubber remaining on the track when transitioning between sessions (e.g., from Qualifying to Race).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Progression Speed">
    **LAP\_GAIN:** The amount of percentage grip added per car completion of a lap.

    * *Example:* `1` means the track gains 1% grip every time a car finishes a lap.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Impact on Race Strategy

The way you configure these settings defines the tactical landscape of your server.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Green Track (Low Grip)">
    Setting a low `SESSION_START` (e.g., 85-90%) creates a "Green" track. The surface will be at its grippiest in the final minutes of the session, forcing drivers to time their fastest qualifying laps perfectly.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Fast Track (High Grip)">
    Setting `SESSION_START` to 98% or higher provides a "fast" track immediately. This is ideal for casual drift sessions or short sprint races where you want drivers to push from the first corner.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  ### Pro Tip: Randomness

  You can also use the `RANDOMNESS` parameter to simulate unpredictable weather conditions or track cleaning, which adds a layer of uncertainty to the available grip.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Physics:** Mastery of the surface.
</div>


# How to Configure Race Sessions in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/configuring-practice-qualifying-and-race-sessions

Master the flow of your Assetto Corsa server. Learn how to configure Practice, Qualifying, and Race sessions for track days or competitive leagues.

## Managing Session Flow

The structure of an Assetto Corsa server is defined by its active sessions. Whether you are building an infinite "Track Day" for casual cruising or a strictly regulated competitive league format, everything is managed through specific headers in your server configuration. Mastering these sessions allows you to control the pace and style of your community's racing.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuring Session Blocks

In your `server_cfg.ini`, you define each stage of the event using dedicated block headers.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Practice (Free Training)">
    Most casual servers use a long practice session to allow for "Join in Progress" flexibility.

    ```ini theme={null}
    [PRACTICE]
    NAME=Free Practice
    TIME=120  ; Duration in minutes
    IS_OPEN=1 ; Allows players to join at any time
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Qualifying & Racing">
    For organized competitive events, implement these consecutive blocks:

    * **\[QUALIFY]:** Set the `TIME` limit for players to set their fastest lap times to determine starting grid positions.
    * **\[RACE]:** Define the final event using `LAPS=10` for distance-based racing or `TIME=20` for timed events.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Joining Methods: Pickup vs. Booking

How players join your server is determined by your server's registration mode.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Evaluate Pickup Mode">
    Set `PICKUP_MODE_ENABLED=1`. This is the recommended setting for 99% of servers. It allows players to choose any available car from your `entry_list.ini` and join the session instantly without pre-registration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Understand Booking Mode">
    Booking is a legacy system that requires players to pre-register before the session timer starts. We recommend keeping this disabled (`0`) as it is highly restrictive and often results in empty public servers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Tip>
  ### Creating Persistent Lobbies

  If you are hosting a dedicated drift, cruise, or track-day community, set your `[PRACTICE]` time to a maximum value (e.g., `9999`) and remove the `[QUALIFY]` and `[RACE]` blocks entirely. This creates a persistent environment that remains online indefinitely without resetting.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Assetto Corsa:** Race your own way.
</div>


# How to Enable CSP Server Features in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/enabling-content-manager-features-csp

Take advantage of rain FX, night lighting, and advanced physics. Learn how to enable Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) features on your Assetto Corsa server.

## Beyond the Vanilla Engine

The Custom Shaders Patch (CSP) has transformed Assetto Corsa into a modern, industry-leading simulation platform. It adds support for dynamic rain FX, localized night lighting, and optimized networked physics that are not present in the base game. To use these features in a multiplayer environment, your server must be correctly configured to broadcast this specialized data to connected clients.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server-Side Activation

If you are using the Content Manager server wrapper (highly recommended for modern servers), you can enable and customize CSP features within the `extra_cfg.yml` file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate extra_cfg.yml">
    In your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to your server's configuration directory and open `extra_cfg.yml`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Rain FX">
    Find the `RAIN_FX` property and set it to `1`. This allows the server to synchronize weather states and rainfall intensity across all drivers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Admin GUI">
    Set `ALLOW_GUI_CONSOLE` to `1`. This provides an in-game administrative overlay for authenticated admins, allowing for real-time session management.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Requirements for Drivers

While the server can "broadcast" CSP features, the final visual output is rendered locally on each player's computer.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Driver Requirements">
    Every player **must** have the Custom Shaders Patch (and preferably Sol or Pure) installed locally via Content Manager.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Incompatibility Issues">
    Players attempting to drive in rainy or night-time conditions without CSP will experience severe visual glitches, such as solid black skies or missing textures, and their game may crash during session transitions.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### Realism vs. Performance

  Enabling high-fidelity CSP features like `Physics Tweaks` or `Extended Physics` can increase the server's CPU load. We recommend testing these features with a small group of drivers before hosting a full 32-player grid.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Visuals:** Pushing the limits of realism.
</div>


# How to Install Content Manager & CSP for Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/how-to-install-content-manager-csp-for-assetto-corsa

Install Content Manager and the Custom Shaders Patch for Assetto Corsa. Add weather engines like Sol and Pure to enhance visual fidelity on your racing server.

## Modernizing Assetto Corsa

Although originally released in 2014, Assetto Corsa remains a top-tier racing simulator thanks to two revolutionary community projects: **Content Manager** and the **Custom Shaders Patch (CSP)**. These tools are no longer considered "optional" mods; they are mandatory requirements for joining most modern servers and enjoying high-fidelity visuals.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Content Manager (The Launcher)

Content Manager replaces the slow vanilla launcher with a high-performance, feature-rich interface that allows for rapid server searching and mod management.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the Application">
    Download the latest version of **Content Manager** from the official site at [acstuff.ru](https://acstuff.ru/app/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Setup">
    Extract the `.exe` to your Desktop and run it. The application will ask you to locate your Steam root folder (where `AssettoCorsa.exe` is stored).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set as Primary">
    From this point forward, you should **only** launch the game via Content Manager to ensure all your mods and plugins load correctly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Custom Shaders Patch (CSP)

CSP adds modern engine features like dynamic night lighting, particle effects, and optimized multiplayer physics.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    In Content Manager, click on **Settings** in the top right corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install CSP">
    Navigate to the **Custom Shaders Patch** tab and click the **Install** button. We recommend choosing the latest "Recommended" version for the best stability.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  For advanced features like **Rain FX**, you must support the creator (x4fab) on Patreon to receive the "Preview" builds, which include the rain rendering engine.
</Note>

***

## Step 3: Weather Engines (Sol & Pure)

To see dynamic weather transitions when driving on a FREAKHOSTING server, you need a compatible weather script.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Installation">
    Download **Sol** or **Pure**. Drag the downloaded `.zip` or `.7z` file directly into the main Content Manager window. Use the installation prompt in the top right corner to extract the files.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Activation">
    Navigate to **Settings** -> **Video**. Under the "Weather" section, select your installed script (e.g., `Sol 2.5` or `Pure`).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mods:** Essential simulation tools.
</div>


# How to Install Server Plugins in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/installing-server-plugins

Add Stracker and KissMyRank to your Assetto Corsa server. Configure UDP communication for automated lap-time tracking and safety ratings.

## Expanding Server Capability

Assetto Corsa supports a strong ecosystem of server-side plugins designed to automate management and enhance the racing experience. Whether you want to track professional-grade lap times for a competitive league or implement an automated safety rating system to keep your public lobby clean, plugins are the essential tool for any serious server host.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Communication via UDP

Unlike visual mods, Assetto Corsa plugins often operate as external applications that "listen" to the game server's data stream. This communication happens via a local UDP port.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure server_cfg.ini">
    Locate the `[UDP_PLUGIN]` section in your configuration file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Port Handshake">
    Ensure that the `UDP_PLUGIN_LOCAL_PORT` (on the server) matches the receiving port defined in your plugin's configuration file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Address">
    For plugins running on the same host, the `UDP_PLUGIN_ADDRESS` is typically set to `127.0.0.1`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Community Plugins

We recommend the following plugins for maintaining a professional racing environment.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Stracker">
    The gold standard for statistics. Stracker documents every lap time, fuel consumption metric, and race result into a local database, allowing you to host a public "Leaderboard" website for your server.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="KissMyRank">
    A sophisticated safety and ranking system. It can automatically issue warnings or kick players who exceed a specific "collision threshold," ensuring your server remains a place for respectful racing.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Content Manager Server Wrapper

  If you are using the **Content Manager Server Wrapper** on your FREAKHOSTING server, many of these plugins can be enabled and configured directly through the integrated web interface, removing the need for manual file editing.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Plugins:** Professional server management.
</div>


# How to Install Sol & Pure Weather System in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/installing-sol-pure-weather

Bring 24-hour cycles and dynamic weather to your Assetto Corsa server. Learn how to synchronize lighting, time, and cloud patterns for all connected drivers.

## Day/Night Cycles & Weather

By default, the vanilla Assetto Corsa engine is limited to static skyboxes and fixed lighting states. Installing the **Sol** or **Pure** weather systems on your server unlocks a full 24-hour time progression, realistic star maps, and localized weather states. These systems ensure that every driver on your server sees the exact same lighting and weather conditions, which is important for competitive immersion.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server-Side Configuration

While the high-fidelity visual effects are rendered locally on each player's PC, the server acts as the primary orchestrator for time and weather synchronization.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Weather Assets">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP, upload your weather script folders (e.g., `sol` or `pure`) into the `/content/weather/` directory on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Time of Day">
    In your `server_cfg.ini`, define the starting conditions:

    * **TIME\_OF\_DAY:** Set the initial hour (e.g., `1400` for 2:00 PM).
    * **SUN\_ANGLE:** Adjust the position of the sun relative to the horizon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Script">
    Set the `WEATHER` variable in your configuration to point to the exact folder name you uploaded in Step 1.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Pure & CSP Integration

If you are transitioning to the modern **Pure** system (the successor to Sol), you must ensure your server is prepared for advanced cloud synchronization.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cloud Sync">
    Open your `extra_cfg.yml` (available when using the Content Manager server wrapper). Ensure that CSP features are allowed so the server can broadcast high-resolution cloud data to connected clients.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Time Multiplier">
    You can speed up the passage of time by adjusting the `TIME_MULTIPLIER` in your config. This allows you to experience a full 24-hour cycle during a 1-hour race session.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### Networked Consistency

  If the weather script on the server does not match the script active on the player's client, they may experience "flickering" lighting or mismatched shadow directions. Always communicate the required weather engine to your community members.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Climate:** Dynamic lighting and effects.
</div>


# How to Manage the Server Blacklist in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/managing-server-blacklist

Maintain a clean racing environment. Learn how to manage permanent bans, identify SteamID64s, and update the server blacklist in Assetto Corsa.

## Server Access Control

Maintaining a respectful and safe racing environment is important for any community. If a player is disruptive, intentionally causes collisions, or violates your server's rules, you can permanently restrict their access by adding them to the server's blacklist. This ensures that only fair drivers populate your grid.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Blacklist File

Unlike modern titles that use usernames for bans, Assetto Corsa identifies players strictly by their unique SteamID64. This ensures that a player cannot bypass a ban simply by changing their display name.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the File">
    In the [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) File Manager, find the `blacklist.txt` file in your server's root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Player ID">
    Open the file and add one **SteamID64** per line.

    * *Example:* `76561198000000000`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Changes">
    Click **Save Content** to update the list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Reinstating Access (Unbanning)

To allow a previously banned player to return to your server, follow these simple steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Modify blacklist.txt">
    Open the file and delete the specific line containing the player's SteamID64.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refresh Server Memory">
    **Important:** The server loads the blacklist into RAM at startup. You must **Restart** the server from the Console tab for the removal to take effect.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Real-Time Moderation

  If you are currently in the server and authenticated as an administrator, you can execute the `/ban <player_name>` or `/kick <player_name>` commands directly via the in-game chat console. Commands executed in-game will automatically update the `blacklist.txt` file for you.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Moderation:** Safe and fair racing.
</div>


# How to Use Server Admin Commands in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/server-admin-commands

Authenticate as admin and use console commands to manage players and race stages on your Assetto Corsa server for real-time session control during events.

## Managing Your Racing Lobby

Administrative commands are essential for maintaining order and managing the flow of events on your Assetto Corsa server. From skipping practice sessions to permanently removing disruptive players, these tools provide you with the total control necessary to host professional-grade racing events.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Administrative Authentication

Before you can execute any commands, you must authenticate yourself as an authorized administrator within the in-game chat console.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set Your Password">
    Ensure that the `ADMIN_PASSWORD` variable is defined in your `server_cfg.ini` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Join and Login">
    Join your server and open the in-game chat by pressing **Y**. Type the following command:

    ```bash theme={null}
    /admin YourSecretPassword
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Status">
    If successful, the system will broadcast a private message to you: "You are now administrator."
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Core Command Reference

The table below lists the most important commands for active race management.

| Command            | Action                                                                            |
| :----------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `/kick [Name]`     | Instantly disconnects a player from the current session.                          |
| `/ban [Name]`      | Permanently blacklists a player and adds their SteamID64 to `blacklist.txt`.      |
| `/next_session`    | Immediately advances the server to the next stage (e.g., Practice to Qualifying). |
| `/restart_session` | Restarts the current active session (e.g., resets the Race timer).                |

***

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Automation

  If you are a league coordinator who frequently manages sessions while driving, we recommend binding these common chat commands to a keyboard or wheel macro (using software like Razer Synapse or SimHub). This allows for instant race control without needing to take your hands off the wheel.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Administration:** Professional race control.
</div>


# How to Install Custom Tracks in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/setting-up-a-custom-track-in-assetto-corsa

Expand your Assetto Corsa server with custom track mods like Akina, Shutoko, or LA Canyons. Learn how to upload files and configure layouts for your community.

## Racing on New Frontiers

Adding custom tracks such as the *Shutoko Revival Project*, *Akina*, or *LA Canyons* significantly increases the longevity and variety of your Assetto Corsa server. Because track files are often quite large and feature complex sub-configurations, they require precise file management and manual synchronization between the server and the client to ensure all drivers can connect successfully.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Uploading Track Data

Assetto Corsa track folders frequently exceed 500MB. For the best stability and speed, we recommend using an SFTP client rather than the web-based File Manager.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect via SFTP">
    Establish a connection to your server using [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Directory">
    Navigate to the `/content/tracks/` directory on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transfer the Files">
    Upload the entire track folder from your local PC.

    <Check>
      **Verification:** Ensure that the uploaded folder contains at least one `.kn5` file and a `data` or `models` subdirectory.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Server Activation

Once the files are uploaded, you must tell the game engine which track and layout to load.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Startup Tab">
    In your FREAKHOSTING Game Panel, go to the **Startup** tab. Update the **Track** variable with the **exact** folder name you uploaded (e.g., `akina_2017`).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Layout Selection">
    If the track supports multiple configurations (e.g., "Downhill" vs. "Uphill"), you must define the layout in your `server_cfg.ini`:

    ```ini theme={null}
    TRACK=akina_2017
    CONFIG_TRACK=downhill
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Step 3: Capacity Adjustments

Every track has a fixed number of physical "Pit Boxes." If your track only supports 24 cars but your `entry_list.ini` defines 32, the server will error out.

* **Check Pit Boxes:** Refer to the track's documentation or its `ui` folder to find the maximum car limit.
* **Sync Entry List:** Open `entry_list.ini` and ensure the number of `[CAR_X]` blocks does not exceed the track's physical capacity.

<Important>
  ### Integrity Warning

  Always test a custom track in Singleplayer mode on your local computer before uploading it to the server. If the track files are corrupt or missing critical textures, the server process will crash immediately upon initialization.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Maps:** Discover a new path.
</div>


# How to Set Up AI Traffic in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/setting-up-ai-traffic

Master the configuration of AI traffic for your Assetto Corsa server. Learn how to use the CSP Server Wrapper to create immersive highway and city environments.

## Populating the World

Driving on expansive city or highway maps, such as the *Shutoko Revival Project (SRP)* or *LA Canyons*, can feel isolated without a consistent flow of traffic. However, the native Assetto Corsa dedicated server does not include a synchronized AI traffic system for multiplayer environments. To achieve a realistic and immersive "life on the road" experience, you must use specialized server wrappers and logic files that coordinate AI entities across all connected clients.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Requirements

Before attempting to initialize traffic logic, verify that your server environment meets these critical prerequisites.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="AI Splines & Paths">
    Every track utilized for traffic must contain a valid `fast_lane.ai` file within its data directory. This file serves as the mathematical path that the AI entities will follow throughout the map sectors.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Custom Shaders Patch (CSP)">
    Synchronized traffic requires the **CSP Server Wrapper**. This extension enhances the base game engine, allowing it to broadcast AI positions and states to all participating drivers with high precision.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Implementation Procedure

Follow these steps to deploy and calibrate your traffic system.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure the Entry List">
    Open your `entry_list.ini` file and populate it with specialized "Traffic Car" models. These are typically low-poly versions of standard vehicles designed to minimize the performance impact on both the server CPU and your players' frame rates.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Traffic Logic">
    Access your `extra_cfg.yml` file (part of the CSP configuration) and navigate to the traffic section. Here, you can define parameters such as density, minimum/maximum speeds, and lane-changing behavior.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize & Verify">
    **Restart** your server via the console. Upon joining, verify that the AI entities are spawning correctly at the designated points and adhering to the defined speed limits without causing desynchronization.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Traffic Planner Integration">
    For the most sophisticated setups, we recommend using a JSON-based **Traffic Planner** script. This allows for dynamic spawning based on player proximity, significantly reducing the server's resource footprint while maintaining the illusion of a densely populated world.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Performance Tuning">
    If your server experiences FPS drops or "Checksum Mismatch" errors, reduce the number of active traffic slots in your entry list. Each AI car requires a dedicated network slot and contributes to the overall CPU load of the host node.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Collision Synchronization

  Ensure that all players joining your traffic server are using a compatible version of the **Custom Shaders Patch** on their local machines. If a player has a different version, they may see AI cars in different positions, leading to unavoidable and frustrating collisions.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Traffic:** Immersive highway simulation.
</div>


# How to Tune Physics & Tyre Wear in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/tweaking-physics-and-tyre-wear

Adjust tire wear, fuel consumption, and damage multipliers on your Assetto Corsa server to customize simulation rules for your racing league.

## Customizing the Simulation Environment

The mechanical behavior of vehicles on your Assetto Corsa server is governed by a set of physics multipliers. Whether you are hosting a hyper-realistic endurance league that requires strategic pit stops or a casual drifting session with infinite tires and fuel, understanding how to manipulate these variables is essential. These settings are defined within your core configuration files and apply globally to every driver on the circuit.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Core Physics Parameters

To adjust the simulation intensity, you must modify the following variables located within your `server_cfg.ini` file.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Tire Degradation">
    **TYRE\_WEAR\_RATE:** Controls the speed at which rubber is consumed during driving.

    * **`100`:** Standard realistic wear.
    * **`0`:** Disables wear entirely, providing infinite tire life (ideal for practice or drift sessions).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Fuel Consumption">
    **FUEL\_RATE:** Determines the rate of fuel depletion during a session.

    * **`100`:** Standard consumption based on vehicle engine maps.
    * **`0`:** Disables fuel usage, allowing for uninterrupted long-distance driving.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mechanical Damage">
    **DAMAGE\_MULTIPLIER:** Scales the impact of collisions on vehicle performance.

    * **`100`:** Full realism; significant collisions will result in permanent suspension or engine failure.
    * **`0`:** Disables damage, making all vehicles indestructible.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Community Profile Recommendations

Depending on your server's theme, we recommend the following baseline configurations.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Professional League Racing">
    Maintain all values at **100**. This ensures a level playing field where tactical decisions regarding tire management and fuel maps are a core part of the competition.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Casual Drift & Freeroam">
    Set **Wear** and **Fuel** to **0**. We suggest a **Damage** value of **10-20**. This setup allows for continuous uptime without requiring pit stops, while still providing a minor penalty for major accidents to encourage safe driving.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Applying Changes

  Physics multipliers are read by the server engine during the initialization phase. You must **Restart** your server via the Game Panel for any modifications to the `server_cfg.ini` file to take effect.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Simulation:** Tuning for every scenario.
</div>


# How to Configure entry_list.ini in Assetto Corsa
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/understanding-entrylistini

Master the vehicle assignment and VIP reservation system in Assetto Corsa. Learn how to manage car models, skins, and specific driver GUIDs.

## Organizing Your Racing Grid

The `entry_list.ini` file is the fundamental configuration block that determines which vehicles are available on your Assetto Corsa server and who is authorized to drive them. By effectively managing this file, you can assign specific car models to professional racing teams, reserve slots for VIP members using their unique Steam identifiers, and enforce the use of custom liveries for official league events.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Anatomy of an Entry Block

Every individual car slot on your server is defined by a specific block, starting with a numerical identifier (e.g., `[CAR_0]`).

```ini theme={null}
[CAR_0]
MODEL=ferrari_458_gt3
SKIN=livery_1
DRIVERNAME=TheStig
GUID=76561198000000001 ; SteamID64
```

### Essential Parameters

| Variable       | Description                                                                         |
| :------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **MODEL**      | The technical name of the car folder (e.g., `ks_mazda_mx5_cup`).                    |
| **SKIN**       | The specific livery folder name located within the car's content directory.         |
| **DRIVERNAME** | The display name for the slot (overridden by the player's Steam name upon joining). |
| **GUID**       | The unique SteamID64 of the driver authorized to use this specific slot.            |

***

## Implementing Private Reservations

Using the `GUID` field allows you to create a "VIP" system where only authorized community members can join your server or occupy premium vehicle slots.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Public Slots (Blank GUID)">
    If you leave the `GUID` field empty, the slot remains public. Any player who connects to the server can select and drive that vehicle. This is ideal for open track-day servers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Private Reservations">
    Inputting a valid **SteamID64** locks the slot to that specific player. If another user attempts to select the car, the server will reject the request. This is mandatory for professional leagues where drivers are assigned to specific teams and vehicle classes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Retrieving SteamID64">
    To lock a slot, you must obtain the player's 17-digit Steam identifier. You can retrieve this by inputting their Steam profile URL into tools like [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Large Entry Lists">
    For servers with 30 or more slots, ensure that your `MODEL` names are precisely accurate. A single typo in the car name will cause the server initialization to fail or prevent the specific car from appearing in the lobby.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Livery Consistency

  When hosting league events, ensure that every driver has the custom skin files installed locally. While the server assigns the skin via `entry_list.ini`, the physical assets must be present on the player's computer for them to be visible in the simulation.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Assignments:** Organize your grid with precision.
</div>


# How to Use Content Manager as a Server Wrapper
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/assetto-corsa/using-ac-server-wrapper-content-manager

Streamline your Assetto Corsa server management. Learn how to use the Content Manager GUI to configure, pack, and deploy server data to your hosting.

## Visual Server Management

Manually editing numerous `.ini` files can be a time-consuming and error-prone process for server administrators. The **Content Manager (CM)** desktop application provides a sophisticated graphical user interface (GUI) that simplifies this task. By using the "Server" module within CM, you can visually configure every aspect of your racing environment - from car grids and track variations to complex weather patterns - and then export a perfectly formatted data package for deployment on your FREAKHOSTING dedicated server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The "Pack Data" Workflow

The most efficient method for managing your server is to treat your local Content Manager as the "Master" configuration and push updates to your hosted node.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Server Tab">
    Launch Content Manager on your local PC and navigate to the **Server** tab located in the top navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Session">
    use the visual menus to select your track, populate your car list, and define the session rules (e.g., qualifying length, race laps, and physics).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the Data Bundle">
    Once your configuration is complete, locate and click the **Pack** button in the bottom utility bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Hosting">
    Content Manager will generate a compressed `.zip` file containing all necessary `.ini` and JSON files. Upload this archive to your server's root directory via the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and extract it to apply all settings instantly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Advantages

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Eliminating Asset Discrepancies">
    Packing data directly from your local installation ensures that your `entry_list.ini` and `server_cfg.ini` are perfectly synchronized with the car and track folders on your machine. This effectively eliminates common "Checksum" or "Car Missing" errors that occur during manual configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Advanced Feature Integration">
    Content Manager allows you to easily enable CSP features, such as "Extended Physics" or "Weather FX," without needing to memorize the specific technical syntax required in the configuration files.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Updating Your Server

  Whenever you wish to change the car rotation or track, simply update the settings in Content Manager, re-pack the data, and overwrite the existing files on your server. This "GUI-first" approach is the fastest way to maintain a dynamic racing community.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GUI:** Simplify your hosting with Content Manager.
</div>


# How to Add Chat Commands in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/adding-chat-commands

Professionalize your community interaction. Learn how to implement automated chat commands for rules, Discord links, and server information on BeamMP.

## Technical Community Interaction

Implementing automated chat commands within your BeamMP server is an essential strategy for maintaining a professional environment and reducing administrative overhead. By using a command framework, you enable players to retrieve critical information - such as community rules, Discord invitation links, or donation information - instantly without requiring an active staff presence. This guide walk you through the technical implementation of the **ChatCommands** logic on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Implementation Workflow

The most efficient method for managing server-side responses is deploying a specialized administrative plugin.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Plugin Repository">
    Download a reputable Chat Management plugin (e.g., **ChatCommands**) from the official BeamMP community forums or GitHub.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Resources">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab. Upload the plugin folder into the following directory:
    `/Resources/Server/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Registry">
    Open the plugin's configuration file (typically `config.json` or `settings.lua`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Command Logic">
    Register your custom triggers and their corresponding automated responses.

    * *Example Syntax:* `"!rules": "Strictly no ramming at spawn points! Violators will be tactically removed."`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Communication Tips

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Promoting Social Integration">
    use a `!discord` command to ensure every participant can easily join your external community hub. This is the most effective way to announce scheduled events and manage ban appeals.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enforcing Behavioral Standards">
    A dedicated `!help` or `!staff` command can provide players with instructions on how to report griefers, ensuring your server remains a safe and enjoyable environment for legitimate drivers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Dynamic Reloading

  Most modern BeamMP chat plugins support hot-reloading. After modifying your configuration file, you can often apply the changes instantly by executing a `/reload` command in the console without needing a full server reboot.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **BeamMP:** Smarter communication.
</div>


# How to Configure Anti-Grief & SafeZones in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/anti-grief-protection-no-collision

Set up No-Collision zones and SafeZones on your BeamMP server using CobaltEssentials to protect players from rammers and griefers in a professional environment.

## Managing Behavioral Standards: SafeZones

Public BeamMP environments are frequently targeted by "rammers" - malicious players who intentionally use high-velocity collisions to disrupt the community experience. Implementing **SafeZones** or disabling physical collisions at designated spawn points is the most effective technical strategy for protecting your legitimate participants. This guide walk you through the implementation of these defensive layers using the **CobaltEssentials** framework on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Implementation Workflow

We recommend using the **CobaltEssentials** plugin suite, as it provides the most granular control over player physics and geographic boundaries.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Framework">
    Ensure CobaltEssentials is correctly installed within your `/Resources/Server/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Geographic Boundary">
    use the in-game command system to architect a 3D area around your server's primary spawn or social hub.

    * *Command Example:* `/zone add SpawnPoint 50` (Creates a 50-meter radius protection zone).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Physics Flags">
    Access the zone's metadata and disable physical interaction between vehicle entities.

    * *Configuration Setting:* `EnableCollision = false`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Performance Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Resource Impact of Soft-Body Physics">
    BeamNG's proprietary soft-body physics engine requires intense CPU calculations for every collision event. On high-population servers, multi-vehicle pileups at spawn can trigger significant server-side "Hitching" and network lag. By disabling collisions in these areas, you reclaim important CPU cycles, ensuring a smoother simulation for all active drivers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Griefer Detection">
    Beyond SafeZones, CobaltEssentials can be configured to automatically flag and kick players who maintain excessive velocities within restricted zones, providing a proactive defense against sophisticated griefing attempts.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Moderation:** Protecting your drivers.
</div>


# How to Install Mods on a BeamMP Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/beammp-how-to-install-mods-on-beammp-server

Enhance your BeamMP server with custom vehicles, parts, and assets. Learn how to use the automated resource distribution system for smooth modding.

## Customizing Your Server Resources

BeamMP (BeamNG.drive Multiplayer) features a highly efficient, automated resource synchronization system. Unlike many other simulation platforms, once modifications are correctly situated on the server node, they are programmatically served to every joining client during the initial handshake. This ensures that every participant possesses the identical vehicle models and physics assets required for synchronized collisions and driving maneuvers. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides a high-speed backbone to facilitate these asset transfers with minimal latency.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Installation Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy new modifications to your community.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Asset Packages">
    Download your desired modifications in **`.zip`** format from the official [BeamNG.drive Repository](https://www.beamng.com/resources/) or trusted community marketplaces. Do not extract the ZIP files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Client Directory">
    Navigate to the following directory: `/Resources/Client/`. Upload your compressed mod files directly into this folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Synchronization">
    **Restart** your server. BeamMP will programmatically hash the new assets and begin advertising them to connecting players.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Considerations: Bandwidth & Bloat

While modding is essential for community identity, administrators must manage their "Mod Budget" carefully to maintain accessibility.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Sync Barrier">
    Every byte of modded content added to the `/Resources/Client/` directory must be successfully downloaded by every player before they can join. If your modpack exceeds several gigabytes, new players may encounter "Syncing Resources" timeouts or simply lose interest during the prolonged download phase.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Strategic Optimization">
    We recommend maintaining a total modpack size below **1GB**. Prioritize high-utility vehicle packs and optimized parts over redundant high-resolution assets to ensure your server remains accessible to players with varied internet speeds.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Deploying Modded Maps

  To initialize a custom level rather than a vanilla environment:

  1. Upload the map's `.zip` file into the `/Resources/Client/` directory.
  2. Open your `ServerConfig.toml` and locate the `Map =` variable.
  3. Update the path to the internal map manifest.

  * *Example:* `Map = "/levels/motorsports_playground/info.json"`
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **BeamMP:** Personalized crashes.
</div>


# How to Change Maximum Player Capacity in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/changing-max-players

Master the relationship between community scale and soft-body physics performance. Learn how to calibrate the MaxPlayers limit for your BeamMP server.

## Scaling Your Community Convoy

BeamMP (BeamNG.drive Multiplayer) is uniquely demanding due to the engine's proprietary soft-body physics system. Unlike traditional racing simulations, the server node must programmatically synchronize every physical deformation, component failure, and collision state for every vehicle in real-time. Because of this architectural complexity, each additional player introduces a significant increase in CPU overhead. Balancing your player limit is the most critical technical decision for ensuring a smooth, low-jitter experience for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

The player capacity is governed exclusively by your core server configuration registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server to prevent configuration overwrites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Registry">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `ServerConfig.toml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust the Slot Limit">
    Locate the `MaxPlayers` parameter. Change the numeric value to your desired capacity (e.g., `MaxPlayers = 12`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Start** your server. The new capacity will be broadcast to the global masterlist instantly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Infrastructure Performance Tiers

To maintain absolute simulation integrity, we recommend the following capacity thresholds based on your FREAKHOSTING infrastructure.

| Participant Count  | Technical Profile                                                        | Recommended Hosting            |
| :----------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------- |
| **1 - 8 Players**  | **Optimized:** Negligible impact on world physics.                       | Standard VPS / Game Plan.      |
| **8 - 16 Players** | **Demanding:** Requires high-frequency single-core throughput.           | **FREAKHOSTING Extreme.**      |
| **20+ Players**    | **Experimental:** High probability of network jitter and physics desync. | Dedicated Node Infrastructure. |

<Warning>
  ### Physics Desynchronization

  Regardless of hardware power, BeamMP's networking stack has logical limits. Once you exceed 20 simultaneous players, you will likely observe "Rubber-banding" and delayed crash results. This occurs because the engine must broadcast thousands of vertex updates per second, which can saturate the participants' downstream bandwidth.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Physics:** High stakes, high load.
</div>


# How to Create Server Events (Lua) in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/creating-server-events-lua

Master server-side scripting. Learn how to use the BeamMP Lua API to create custom events, automated timers, and specialized gameplay rules.

## Scripting Your Virtual Environment

BeamMP (BeamNG.drive Multiplayer) provides a strong server-side logic framework using the **Lua** programming language. This extensibility allows administrators and developers to architect complex community experiences - ranging from simple automated welcome messages and chat moderation to sophisticated race timing systems and dynamic event management. By mastering the native technical hooks, you can transform a standard driving lobby into a unique and highly interactive gaming ecosystem.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure: The Server Registry

All server-side logic resources are situated within a centralized repository on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

* **Primary Directory:** `/Resources/Server/`

### Architecting Your First Resource

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Container">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, create a new folder within the Server directory (e.g., `freak_event_manager`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish the Entry Point">
    Inside your new folder, create a file named precisely **`main.lua`**. This is the authoritative file the engine searches for during initialization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement Event Hooks">
    use the native BeamMP event library to trigger your logic.

    ```lua theme={null}
    function onPlayerJoin(playerID)
        Chat.send("Welcome to the FREAKHOSTING Rally Event!", playerID)
    end
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Functional Capabilities

The BeamMP API allows for complex interaction between the server node and individual player clients.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Global Broadcasting">
    use `Chat.send` to communicate with the entire server or target specific participants using their `playerID`. This is essential for notifying the community of upcoming restarts or event rules.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client Synchronization">
    Advanced developers can use `MP.TriggerClientEvent` to transmit technical data to every player. This enables the synchronization of custom UI elements (e.g., a countdown HUD for a drag race) or forcing vehicle resets across the entire grid.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Security & Resource Performance">
    Every Lua script executed on the server consumes CPU cycles on the primary game thread. To ensure your server maintains its physical simulation integrity, avoid using tight `while true do` loops without appropriate `Wait` intervals. Unoptimized scripts are the primary cause of "Server Hitching" in the BeamMP environment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Accessing Technical Documentation">
    For a complete registry of all available functions and variables (e.g., `onVehicleSpawn`, `onChatMessage`), we recommend consulting the [official BeamMP Developer Wiki](https://docs.beammp.com).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Scripting:** Unleash your creativity.
</div>


# How to Install Custom Maps in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/installing-custom-maps

Expand your world beyond vanilla environments. Learn how to upload, identify path strings, and configure custom modded maps for your BeamMP dedicated server.

## Exploring New Horizons: Custom Maps

Launching specialized community events - such as high-stakes demolition derbies, long-distance highway cruises, or technical rock crawling - requires the perfect environmental foundation. Deploying a custom map on your BeamMP (BeamNG.drive Multiplayer) server involves a two-part technical process: authorizing the asset synchronization through the client repository and then defining the authoritative map path within your server configuration. This guide walk you through the professional deployment of custom world assets on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize a new world on your dedicated instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Map Assets">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab. Upload your map **`.zip`** archive into the following directory:
    `/Resources/Client/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Path String">
    Open the `ServerConfig.toml` file situated in your server's root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Engine">
    Locate the `Map` variable and update its value to point to the map's internal manifest.

    * *Example Syntax:* `Map = "/levels/derby_arena_v2/info.json"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    **Restart** your server via the console. The engine will now hash the map data and begin serving the level to every joining player.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Reference: Determining Path Strings

If you are unsure of the precise technical identifier required for your configuration, you can verify it by inspecting the modification's internal structure.

1. **Locate the Levels Folder:** Open the map's `.zip` file on your local workstation and navigate into the `levels/` directory.
2. **Retrieve the Identifier:** The name of the folder residing immediately within `levels/` is the technical identifier used by the BeamNG engine.
3. **Construct the URI:** The required format is always: **`/levels/[IDENTIFIER]/info.json`**.

***

<Note>
  ### Troubleshooting: The "Void" Glitch

  If participants join the server and find themselves suspended within a black or empty void, it is a definitive indicator that the `Map` path defined in your `ServerConfig.toml` contains a typo or does not match the modification's internal folder structure. Re-verify the capitalization and spelling within your configuration to resolve this immediately.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Maps:** Boundless exploration.
</div>


# How to Configure Lag Compensation & SendRates in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/lag-compensation-settings

Optimize your server's technical synchronization. Learn how to adjust SendRate variables to reduce car jittering and improve collision accuracy in BeamMP.

## Addressing Network Jitter & Synchronization

Synchronizing high-velocity soft-body collisions across a global network is an immense technical challenge. If your community participants report that opposing vehicles are "jittering," "teleporting," or "stuttering" during synchronized driving, you likely need to recalibrate your server's simulation broadcast frequency. By optimizing the `SendRate`, you can balance the visual fluidity of the simulation against the bandwidth constraints of your players' network connections.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Technical SendRate Variable

The `SendRate` parameter, situated within your core `ServerConfig.toml` registry, dictates the frequency (in Hz) at which the server node transmits physical state updates to each individual client.

| Value               |            Technical Profile           | Strategic Use Case                                                                      |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`30` (Standard)** |   **Balanced:** The vanilla default.   | Ideal for standard free-roam and social servers with 10+ players.                       |
| **`60` (High-Fi)**  |   **Fluid:** Maximum visual clarity.   | Recommended for competitive racing if all players possess high-speed fiber connections. |
| **`15` (Low-BW)**   | **Efficient:** Minimum bandwidth load. | Necessary for high-population experimental servers or players with unstable routing.    |

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to apply a new synchronization profile to your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Config">
    Locate and open the `ServerConfig.toml` file with the integrated text editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update SendRate">
    Find the `SendRate` entry and modify the numeric value based on the performance tiers identified above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Sync">
    **Restart** your server. The engine will now use the updated broadcast frequency for all new connection sessions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### The Logical Reality of Physics Sync

  It is essential to understand that because BeamNG.drive uses millisecond-precise vertex calculations, no software configuration can completely neutralize "Rubber-banding" during 200KM/H high-impact collisions. These technical adjustments aim to minimize the visual artifacts of latency, but physical perfection remains constrained by the speed of light and global network routing.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Networking:** Smooth and stable.
</div>


# How to Optimize Bandwidth in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/optimizing-bandwidth-for-beammp

Ensure peak network performance for your community. Learn how to manage synchronization queues and bandwidth consumption on your BeamMP server.

## Managing Global Network Traffic

Hosting multiple survivors, each using high-fidelity vehicle models and specialized modded assets, can rapidly saturate a server node's available network capacity. In the BeamMP environment, every physical deformation must be transmitted across the network to maintain world consistency. Improper configuration leads to "Packet Burst" errors, desynchronized collisions, and severe latency for participants. This guide walk you through the technical optimization of your bandwidth using the FREAKHOSTING management suite.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Optimization Variables

The primary network management parameters are situated within your core `ServerConfig.toml` registry.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="UseSendQueue">
    * **Technical Value:** `true` (Recommended).
    * **Strategic Purpose:** This instructs the server to implement an intelligent data buffer. Instead of attempting to broadcast every vertex update simultaneously, the server prioritizes critical physics data first. This effectively prevents the "packet burst" crashes frequently encountered on high-population servers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SendRate Calibration">
    * **Optimizing for Latency:** If your console regularly broadcasts **"High Packet Loss"** alerts, consider reducing your `SendRate` to **`20`**.
    * **Technical Result:** This decreases the total volume of data transmitted per second, allowing players with less stable routing to maintain synchronization with the world state.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Maintenance Workflow

Follow these steps to apply your network optimizations.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Registry">
    Open `ServerConfig.toml` and ensure `UseSendQueue = true` is defined.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply and Initialize">
    Save your changes and **Restart** the server. Note that network optimizations are only applied to new connection handshakes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The CPU-Bandwidth Interdependency">
    It is a common technical misconception that all lag is network-based. In BeamMP, if your server's **CPU Usage** reaches **100%**, the engine will be unable to calculate physics fast enough to generate network updates. This results in "Ghosting" or "Teleporting" vehicles even if your bandwidth remains uncongested.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitoring Real-Time Throughput">
    use the **Analytics** tab in your dashboard to observe your server's outbound traffic trend. A stable server should show a consistent, non-spiky data stream even during synchronized high-speed collisions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Performance:** Peak efficiency.
</div>


# How to Restrict Vehicles & Props in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/restricting-vehicles-allowlist

Sustain server stability and physics integrity. Learn how to blacklist resource-intensive vehicles like the T-Series and Cannon prop on your BeamMP server.

## Maintaining Performance Standards

In the high-fidelity environment of BeamNG.drive, not all vehicles are architected with multiplayer synchronization in mind. Certain entities - specifically the heavy T-Series semi-trucks, high-vertex specialized trailers, and complex physics props like the Cannon or Flail - can trigger significant server-side "Hitching" and localized client-side crashes. These assets use a massive number of physical vertices (JBeams), placing an immense load on the server's CPU during every frame calculation. Implementing a strategic restriction policy is essential for maintaining community performance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Implementation Workflow

Because the vanilla BeamMP server binaries do not include a native blacklisting utility, administrators must use a specialized server-side plugin to enforce vehicle restrictions.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Plugin Infrastructure">
    Download a reputable Vehicle Management plugin (e.g., **VehicleRestriction**) and deploy the folder into your `/Resources/Server/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Registry">
    Open the plugin's `config.json` file situated within the newly created directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Blacklist Identifiers">
    Input the technical internal names of the vehicles or props you wish to restrict within the blacklist array.

    * *Example Syntax:* `["tseries", "cannon", "flail", "ball", "box"]`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Enforcement">
    **Restart** your server. The plugin will now programmatically intercept spawn requests; if a player attempts to spawn a restricted entity, the request is silently discarded.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Resource Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Optimizing for High Player Counts">
    For servers targeting **12 to 20+ players**, we highly recommend restricting all heavy machinery and multi-part trailers. Forcing participants to use optimized civilian cars or race vehicles ensures that the physical simulation remains fluid for everyone, even during large-scale collisions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Identifying Internal Names">
    To find the technical name of a modded vehicle for your blacklist, open the modification's `.zip` file and navigate to the `vehicles/` folder. The name of the subdirectory within is the identifier required by your configuration.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Proactive Limitation

  Beyond blacklisting specific vehicles, consider implementing a **Global Vehicle Limit** (e.g., 1 per player) within your `ServerConfig.toml` to prevent individual users from saturating the server thread by spawning multiple complex cars simultaneously.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Stability:** Better performance for all.
</div>


# How to Configure Private Access Control in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/setting-a-private-server-password

Secure your driving environment. Learn how to manage server visibility and implement private access control for leagues and closed-group BeamMP sessions.

## Securing Your Digital Driving Sanctuary

Establishing a private environment is essential for hosting organized league races, dedicated technical testing, or exclusive social cruises with a specific group of friends. By correctly configuring your server visibility and implementing access control, you ensure that your session remains protected from uninvited intruders and randomized griefers. The BeamMP (BeamNG.drive Multiplayer) engine provides several technical methods for managing accessibility, ranging from masterlist exclusion to specialized ID-based whitelisting.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Visibility Calibration

The primary method for restricting access is governing how the server communicates with the global BeamMP masterlist.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Configuration">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `ServerConfig.toml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Visibility Policy">
    Locate the `Private` parameter. Set this value to **`true`**.

    * **Technical Result:** Your server will no longer appear in the public in-game browser. It will not broadcast its existence to the global masterlist.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply and Restart">
    Save the file and **Start** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Access Methodology

When a server is configured as `Private`, participants must use the **Direct Connect** protocol to establish a connection.

* **Onboarding Workflow:** Instruct your community members to open the BeamMP launcher and navigate to the **Direct Connect** tab.
* **Identification:** They must manually input your numerical FREAKHOSTING IP address and specific Port (e.g., `191.96.94.100:30005`).

***

## Advanced Security: ID-Based Whitelisting

Because vanilla BeamMP lacks a native password field in many build versions, administrators requiring high security should implement a specialized **Lua Whitelist Resource**.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Implementing a Whitelist Script">
    Deploy a reputable whitelisting resource into your `/Resources/Server/` directory. These scripts programmatically intercept the `onPlayerJoin` event and verify the participant's **BeamMP User ID** against your authorized registry. If the identifier is missing, the script forcefully disconnects the client before they can spawn a vehicle.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Strategic Advantages">
    Whitelisting is technically superior to a shared password, as it allows you to grant access to individual users without the risk of a single password string being leaked or shared publicly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Total access control.
</div>


# How to Configure Server Identity & Auth Keys in BeamMP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/beammp/setting-server-name-and-auth-key

Professionalize your project identity. Learn how to generate an official Auth Key and customize your server name for the BeamMP public masterlist.

## Establishing Your Community Identity

Your server's public identity is the primary factor in attracting new drivers and building a recognizable community brand. To appear on the official BeamMP masterlist - enabling participants from around the world to discover and join your session - you must authenticate your server node using a unique **Auth Key**. Without this cryptographic token, your server remains restricted to a localized "LAN" state, effectively hidden from the public internet. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides a streamlined pathway for authorizing your identity and managing your branding.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Retrieving Your Authentication Key

Follow these steps to generate your unique server token from the official BeamMP collective.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Keymaster">
    Navigate to the official [BeamMP Keymaster Portal](https://beammp.com/keymaster).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register an Account">
    Sign in using your official BeamMP credentials or create a new profile if required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the Token">
    Click on **Create Key**. Provide a descriptive memo for your own records (e.g., `FREAKHOSTING_DERBY_01`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve and Secure">
    Copy the generated alphanumeric string to your clipboard. **Warning:** Treat this key as a password; anyone possessing it can assume your server's identity on the masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Strategic Identity Calibration

Once you have your key, you must apply it to your server's core configuration registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Configuration">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, open the `ServerConfig.toml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply AuthKey">
    Locate the `AuthKey` parameter and paste your token within the double quotes.

    * *Example:* `AuthKey = "cfx_your_secret_key_string"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Server Branding">
    Locate the `Name` parameter and enter your community's title.

    * *Strategic Tip:* Use prefixes like **\[EU]** or **\[US]** and game mode identifiers like **\[Drift]** or **\[Racing]** to help players find your server more effectively.
    * *Example:* `Name = "[EN] FREAKHOSTING High-Performance | Custom Drift Hub"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Public Visibility">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; you should observe a confirmation message indicating a successful heartbeat handshake with the masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Managing Technical Heartbeats

  Following a restart, it may take between **60 to 180 seconds** for your server to propagate through the global masterlist and appear in the in-game browser. If your server is not visible after 5 minutes, re-verify your AuthKey for accuracy and ensure the `Private` toggle is set to `false`.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Publicity:** Grow your community.
</div>


# How to Configure 1000 FPS Rates in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/configuring-servercfg-rates-1000-fps

Master the performance of your Counter-Strike 1.6 server. Learn how to optimize sys_ticrate and bandwidth variables to achieve a stable 1000 FPS environment.

## The Gold Standard of Legacy Performance

A "1000 FPS Server" represents the definitive technical benchmark for competitive Counter-Strike 1.6. By maximizing the internal simulation frequency, you ensure the highest possible degree of hit registration accuracy and physics synchronization for your community. Maintaining a consistent 1000 FPS environment is essential for professional league play and high-skill public servers. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides the high-frequency CPU cycles required to sustain these demanding ticrates with absolute stability.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Configuration

To achieve a true 1000 FPS state, you must precisely calibrate the engine's internal cycle and network throughput parameters within your `server.cfg`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit server.cfg">
    Locate and open the `/cstrike/server.cfg` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Performance Variables">
    Update the following variables to authorize high-performance execution:

    * **`sys_ticrate 1000`**: Dictates the internal simulation frequency.
    * **`sv_maxrate 100000`**: Authorizes high-speed data transmission between the server and clients.
    * **`sv_maxupdaterate 101`**: Ensures the smoothest visual experience on the players' local machines.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Latency Optimization: Ping Boosting

Beyond internal ticrates, you can further reduce network socket latency by using specialized startup flags.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Pingboost Logic">
    Adding the **`-pingboost`** flag to your server's startup parameters forces the Linux kernel to poll the server's network sockets more aggressively.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Recommended Values">
    * **`-pingboost 2`**: A balanced middle ground providing significant latency reduction with moderate CPU impact.
    * **`-pingboost 3`**: The most aggressive setting, using specialized system calls to minimize packet delay.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Hardware Performance Thresholds

  Sustaining a stable 1000 FPS during a full 32-player match requires immense single-threaded CPU throughput. FREAKHOSTING's **Extreme High-Frequency** nodes are specifically engineered for this requirement. If you observe your server's FPS fluctuating significantly during high-intensity firefights, consider capping **`sys_ticrate`** at **`500`** to maintain a more consistent and predictable gameplay feel.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS 1.6:** Peak performance for the classics.
</div>


# How to Install AMX Mod X & Metamod in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/cs-16-installing-amx-mod-x-on-cs-16

Master the fundamental modding framework for Counter-Strike 1.6. Learn how to install and configure Metamod and AMX Mod X to enable custom plugins.

## The Foundation of Legacy Modding

**AMX Mod X (AMXX)** is the definitive technical framework for administering and modifying Counter-Strike 1.6 servers. It functions as a high-performance Metamod plugin that enables the execution of specialized scripts, allowing server owners to implement everything from simple administrative menus and rank systems to complex total-conversion game modes (e.g., Zombie Plague or Jailbreak). Establishing a stable AMXX foundation is the first step toward building a unique and engaging community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Components

The modding stack for CS 1.6 uses a two-layered architecture.

1. **Metamod:** Functions as the primary technical bridge between the GoldSource game engine and all third-party modifications.
2. **AMX Mod X:** The high-level management and scripting interface that resides on top of Metamod.

***

## Step 1: Metamod Installation

Follow these steps to initialize the technical bridge.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Directory">
    Navigate to your server's `/cstrike/addons/` directory and create a new subfolder named **`metamod`**. Within that, create a **`dlls`** folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Binary Assets">
    Upload the `metamod_i386.so` (Linux) or `metamod.dll` (Windows) file into the newly created `dlls` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Engine Hook">
    Open the `/cstrike/liblist.gam` file. Locate the `gamedll` variable and update the path to point to your new Metamod binary.

    * *Linux Example:* `gamedll_linux "addons/metamod/dlls/metamod_i386.so"`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: AMX Mod X Deployment

Once the bridge is active, you can deploy the management framework.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Asset Packages">
    Download the **AMX Mod X Base** and the **Cstrike Addon** distributions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Addons">
    Extract and upload both packages directly into your `/cstrike/` directory. Ensure the internal folders merge correctly with your existing structure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Administrative Ranks">
    Open `/cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/users.ini`. Add your SteamID or IP following the formatted examples provided in the file to gain in-game management powers.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Modding:** Customizing the classic experience.
</div>


# How to Manage Map Rotations in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-change-your-cs-16-server-map

Switch maps mid-game, configure default start maps, and install custom scenarios on your Counter-Strike 1.6 server using admin commands and configs.

## Commanding the Battlefield: Map Management

Maintaining a dynamic and diverse map rotation is essential for sustaining player engagement on a legacy Counter-Strike 1.6 server. Whether you are hosting a competitive 5v5 environment or a specialized game mode, knowing how to efficiently switch levels and deploy custom community scenarios is a core administrative skill. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides multiple interfaces for managing your world state, ranging from automated startup parameters to real-time administrative commands.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Default Map Configuration

To ensure your server initializes on a specific level (e.g., `de_dust2`) following a crash or a scheduled restart, you must define the default map within your startup parameters.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Parameters">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Default Map">
    Locate the **Map** (or `MAP`) field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Enter the precise technical name of the level (e.g., `de_inferno`) and restart your server to apply the change.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Administrative Map Controls

You can trigger an instantaneous level change using several different administrative interfaces.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Native Server Console">
    Type the following command directly into the Game Panel terminal:
    `map [mapname]`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AMX Mod X (In-Game)">
    If you are authenticated as an administrator, you can execute a change without leaving the server:
    `amx_map [mapname]`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Deployment of Custom Map Assets

Follow these steps to expand your server's topography with community-created scenarios.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload Physical Assets">
    use an SFTP client to transfer the **`.bsp`** map file into the `/cstrike/maps/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize Resources">
    **Important:** If the map uses custom `.mdl` (models), `.wav` (sounds), or `.wad` (textures), you **must** upload these into their corresponding subdirectories within the `/cstrike/` folder to prevent client-side crashes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Rotation Registry">
    Open your **`mapcycle.txt`** file located in the root `/cstrike/` directory and add the new map name on a new line to include it in the automated cycle.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Implementing Map Voting

  To empower your community to decide their own gameplay experience, we highly recommend enabling the **`mapchooser.amxx`** plugin. This provides an automated voting menu at the conclusion of every match, allowing players to select the next destination from a predefined list.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Maps:** Strategic diversity.
</div>


# How to Install Metamod in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/how-to-install-metamod

Establish the foundation for server modding. Learn how to install Metamod to enable custom plugins and administrative frameworks on your CS 1.6 server.

## The Core Modding Bridge: Metamod

**Metamod** is the indispensable technical foundation for any modded Counter-Strike 1.6 server. It functions as a specialized "DLL Manager" that intercepts communication between the GoldSource game engine and the game logic. By positioning itself as the primary engine hook, Metamod enables the execution of multiple third-party plugins (such as **AMX Mod X** or **Reunion**) simultaneously without requiring independent modifications to the server's core binaries.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Installation Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize the modding bridge on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Directory Structure">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **File Manager**. Navigate to the `/cstrike/addons/` directory and create a new folder named **`metamod`**. Within that folder, create another subfolder named **`dlls`**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Binary Assets">
    Upload the appropriate Metamod binary into the `/metamod/dlls/` directory:

    * **Linux (Recommended):** `metamod_i386.so`
    * **Windows:** `metamod.dll`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Engine Hook">
    Open the file `/cstrike/liblist.gam` in your root directory. Locate the `gamedll` lines and update them to point to your new Metamod binary.

    * *Example (Linux):* `gamedll_linux "addons/metamod/dlls/metamod_i386.so"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    **Restart** your server. Navigate to the **Console** tab and execute the command **`meta version`**. If correctly initialized, the terminal will return the active Metamod version and build date.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Management Registry

The behavior of Metamod is governed by the `plugins.ini` file, which serves as the index for all secondary modifications.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Configuring plugins.ini">
    Navigate to `/cstrike/addons/metamod/` and create a new file named **`plugins.ini`**. This is where you will register additional frameworks such as AMX Mod X by adding their specific directory paths.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Recommendation: Metamod-P">
    For high-performance servers, we recommend using **Metamod-P** (Portable). This community-maintained version is highly optimized for modern processors and 1000 FPS server environments, providing superior stability under high player loads.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS 1.6:** Metamod bridge active.
</div>


# How to Install Reunion & ReHLDS in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/installing-reunion-and-rehlds

Modernize your Counter-Strike 1.6 server infrastructure. Learn how to deploy ReHLDS for improved performance and Reunion for cross-client compatibility.

## Modernizing the Legacy Engine

While the original Valve GoldSource binaries remain the official standard, many professional community servers transition to **ReHLDS** (Reverse-engineered Half-Life Dedicated Server) and **Reunion** to achieve superior stability and security. ReHLDS serves as a high-performance replacement for the stock engine core, fixing decades of unpatched vulnerabilities and optimizing CPU utilization. Reunion (the successor to the legacy Dproto) enables cross-client compatibility, allowing your server to accommodate a wider variety of participants. This guide walk you through the technical modernization of your classic CS 1.6 instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Advantages of ReHLDS

Replacing your stock engine core with ReHLDS provides several critical infrastructure benefits.

* **Security Hardening:** Natively patches multiple "Exploit" packets and buffer overflow vulnerabilities that can be utilized to crash standard Valve servers.
* **Performance Optimization:** Implements more efficient mathematical logic for entity movement and networking, leading to a more consistent 1000 FPS experience.
* **Enhanced Logging:** Provides more granular diagnostic data within the console, facilitating easier technical troubleshooting.

***

## Technical Implementation Workflow

Reunion operates as a high-priority Metamod plugin and must be initialized early in the boot sequence.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Binary Assets">
    Upload the Reunion modification folder into your `/cstrike/addons/reunion/` directory via the File Manager or SFTP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the Plugin">
    Open your Metamod configuration file situated at `/cstrike/addons/metamod/plugins.ini`. Add the following line at the **top** of the list:

    * *Linux:* `linux addons/reunion/reunion_mm_i386.so`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Identity Logic">
    Open the `reunion.cfg` file located in your root directory. This file dictates how the engine assigns SteamIDs to different client types. We recommend using the "Unique ID" logic to ensure persistent ranking and ban records.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Official Support Disclaimer

  While FREAKHOSTING high-performance nodes are fully capable of executing these community engine modifications, we officially provide technical support for the legitimate Steam distributions of Counter-Strike 1.6. The implementation of Reunion to facilitate unauthorized clients is performed at the sole discretion and technical risk of the server owner.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Engine:** Performance and stability.
</div>


# How to Configure FastDL (HTTP Download) in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/setting-up-fast-download-http

Eliminate slow asset synchronization. Learn how to configure FastDL using an external HTTP server to accelerate the download of custom maps, sounds, and models.

## Technical Content Delivery: FastDL

In the legacy GoldSource engine, the default method for transmitting custom assets (maps, sounds, models) occurs via the game's binary port. This "SlowDL" method is severely limited by the engine's bandwidth caps, often resulting in agonizingly slow download speeds for your community. **FastDL** bypasses these limitations by redirecting the client to an external web server using the high-speed HTTP protocol. This ensures that even massive custom maps are synchronized in seconds, significantly reducing the "Wait time" for new players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Implementation Workflow

Setting up FastDL involves a coordinated synchronization between your server binaries and an external web host.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stage Web Assets">
    Upload your `/maps/`, `/models/`, and `/sound/` directories to your external web server or the specialized FREAKHOSTING FastDL storage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Directory Parity">
    **important:** The directory structure on the web server must exactly mirror your server's `/cstrike/` folder. If a map is located at `cstrike/maps/de_dust2.bsp`, it must be reachable on the web at `http://yourdomain.com/cstrike/maps/de_dust2.bsp`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Engine">
    Open your `/cstrike/server.cfg` and define the authoritative download URL.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_downloadurl "http://fastdl.freakhosting.com/YOUR_ID/"
    sv_allowdownload 1
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the configuration and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="using .bz2 Compression">
    To further accelerate downloads, you can compress your assets using **bzip2**. When a client requests an asset, the engine will prioritize the smaller `.bz2` file (e.g., `de_dust2.bsp.bz2`) if it exists on the web server, automatically decompressing it locally.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Case-Sensitivity on Linux">
    Our high-performance clusters use Linux, which is strictly case-sensitive. If your `.cfg` defines a download for `de_dust2.bsp` but the physical file on the web server is named `DE_DUST2.BSP`, the request will return a 404 error, and the client will fall back to SlowDL.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS 1.6:** Content delivery optimized.
</div>


# How to Manage AMX Mod X Plugins in CS 1.6
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-16/using-amx-mod-x-plugins

Customize your gameplay experience. Learn how to correctly install, activate, and troubleshoot AMX Mod X plugins on your Counter-Strike 1.6 server.

## Enhancing the Core Gameplay Loop

**AMX Mod X (AMXX)** represents the primary technical vehicle for community innovation within Counter-Strike 1.6. By using its strong plugin architecture, you can transform a standard tactical environment into specialized high-engagement game modes such as *GunGame*, *Zombie Plague*, or *Deathmatch*. also, plugins enable essential administrative utilities, including automated rank systems, advanced map voting, and sophisticated anti-cheat heuristics. This guide walk you through the professional technical workflow for managing your server's plugin software stack.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize and initialize a new modification on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Compiled Assets">
    Obtain the **`.amxx`** (Compiled) version of your desired plugin. If you only possess the **`.sma`** source code, you must first use an [AMXX Web Compiler](https://www.amxmodx.org/compiler.php) to generate the binary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugin Repository">
    Upload the `.amxx` file into the following directory:
    `/cstrike/addons/amxmodx/plugins/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the Modification">
    Open the file situated at `/cstrike/addons/amxmodx/configs/plugins.ini`. Append the precise technical filename of your plugin on a new line.

    * *Example Entry:* `gungame.amxx`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    **Restart** your server via the console to initialize the new logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Debugging & Diagnostic Analysis

If a modification fails to manifest in-game or triggers a server crash, you must perform a technical audit of your error logs.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Analyzing Error Metadata">
    Navigate to the `/cstrike/addons/amxmodx/logs/` directory. Open the most recent log file. Look for specific technical exceptions such as **"Native not found"** (indicating a missing dependency) or **"Invalid Module"** (indicating a version mismatch between the plugin and the AMXX core).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verifying Active Registry">
    Execute the command **`amxx list`** within the server console. This returns a real-time list of every registered plugin and its current status (Running, Debug, or Error). This is the fastest method for identifying logic failures without disconnecting from the server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Managing Large Plugin Lists

  To maintain high server performance and minimize world-loading times, we recommend auditing your `plugins.ini` periodically and disabling any obsolete or redundant modifications. Comment out a line by prefixing it with a semicolon (`;`) to disable a plugin without deleting the physical file.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Modding:** Your community, your rules.
</div>


# How to Add Custom Round End Sounds in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/adding-custom-sounds-round-end

Implement high-quality MVP anthems and round-end audio. Learn how to configure sound plugins and FastDL for your Counter-Strike 2 server.

## Enhancing the Atmosphere

Implementing "MVP Anthems" or "Round End Sounds" in Counter-Strike 2 (Source 2) requires a modernized technical approach compared to legacy versions. While the engine natively prioritizes compiled `.vsnd` files, modern server frameworks allow for the real-time decoding of standard `.mp3` and `.wav` assets. This ensures that every match victory or clutch play is accompanied by a stylized audio cue, significantly increasing the immersion and community identity of your server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

Before initializing the installation, ensure you have the following components prepared:

* **Audio Assets:** Your files must be encoded in `.mp3` or `.wav` format. For the best performance, use a constant bitrate (CBR) of 128kbps or 192kbps.
* **FastDL Infrastructure:** You **must** use a FastDL (Web Server) endpoint. Unlike some game engines, CS2 clients will not download custom audio assets directly from the game server's binary port.

***

## Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to integrate custom audio into your gameplay logic.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Frameworks">
    Ensure your server is running the latest versions of [Metamod:Source](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-metamod-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) and [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a Sound Plugin">
    Acquire a compatible CSS sound plugin, such as **Resound** or **MultiAddonManager**, and deploy it to your server's `plugins` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Server-Side Assets">
    In the Game Panel, navigate to `/game/csgo/sound/myserver/` and upload your audio files. This allows the server logic to identify the existence of the files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize FastDL">
    Mirror the exact directory structure on your external web server. Upload the same audio assets to the `sound/myserver/` folder on your FastDL endpoint.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Configuration

Locate your plugin's configuration file (e.g., `sounds.json`) and define the triggers for your audio events.

```json theme={null}
{
  "ct_win": "myserver/ct_win.mp3",
  "t_win": "myserver/t_win.mp3",
  "mvp_anthem": "myserver/mvp_track.mp3"
}
```

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving 'Silence' Issues">
    If players report hearing no audio at the match conclusion, it almost always indicates a download failure. Verify that your `sv_downloadurl` variable in `server.cfg` exactly matches your FastDL address and that the file permissions on the web server are set to public (Readable).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Volume & Balancing">
    Most sound plugins allow you to set an internal volume multiplier (e.g., `0.5` for 50% volume). We recommend normalizing your audio files locally before uploading to prevent jarring volume spikes for your players.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Audio system initialized.
</div>


# How to Configure Workshop Collections in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/configuring-workshop-collections

Automate map downloads and rotations on your CS2 server. Learn how to link Steam Workshop Collections for smooth integration of custom game modes.

## Automating Content Management

using Steam Workshop Collections is the most efficient strategy for hosting custom game modes such as Surf, Bhop, or specialized Aim training maps on your Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server. By linking your server directly to a collection, you eliminate the need for manual file uploads and ensure that your server automatically synchronizes and updates assets directly from Valve's official repositories whenever a map author releases a patch.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

To authorize your server's communication with the Steam Workshop, you must provide a valid authentication token.

* **Web API Key:** Generate your unique key at [steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey). Ensure you associate it with your primary domain or use `localhost` for internal management.

***

## Setting Up Your Collection

Follow these steps to architect your custom content list on the Steam platform.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Collection">
    Within the Steam Client or a web browser, create a new **Workshop Collection** specifically for Counter-Strike 2.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Populate Content">
    Search for your desired community maps and click the **Add to Collection** button for each entry.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Publish & Authorize">
    **important:** You must click the **Publish** button and ensure the visibility is set to **Public**. If the collection is private, your server will fail to retrieve the metadata.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Collection ID">
    Copy the numerical **Collection ID** situated at the conclusion of the URL (e.g., `?id=123456789`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Server Deployment

Apply your collection details to your FREAKHOSTING instance via the Startup parameters.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Command Line">
    Update the following fields with your specific data:

    * **Workshop Collection ID:** Enter your copied numerical ID.
    * **Workshop Start Map:** Enter the unique ID of the map you wish to load upon server initialization.
    * **Steam Web API Key:** Paste your private API key string.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Sync">
    Restart your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; you will observe the engine downloading and verifying each map within the collection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Startup Map Logic

  When using Workshop Collections, the engine ignores the traditional `+map` command. You **must** use the `+workshop_start_map` parameter to ensure the workshop engine initializes correctly during the boot sequence.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Workshop integration complete.
</div>


# How to Manage In-Game Advertisements in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/displaying-advertisements-chat-center

Promote your community resources and server rules with automated announcements. Learn how to configure chat and center-screen advertisements on your CS2 server.

## Connecting with Your Community

Automated in-game advertisements are indispensable tools for expanding your community and communicating essential information to your player base. Whether you are promoting a Discord invitation, advertising VIP membership packages, or notifying players of scheduled maintenance, consistent and well-formatted messages ensure your announcements reach every active participant. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel allows you to easily manage these automated scripts to maintain a professional and informative environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure

In the Counter-Strike 2 environment, automated broadcasting is managed through the **CounterStrikeSharp** framework.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Prerequisites">
    Ensure that both [Metamod:Source](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-metamod-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) and [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) are correctly initialized on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Advertisement Plugin">
    Acquire a compatible CSS "Advertisements" plugin from a reputable repository and upload it to your server's `plugins` directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuration Logic

The behavior of your announcements is governed by a JSON-based registry, typically located at `/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/Advertisements/advertisements.json`.

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "Message": "{Green}[FREAKHOSTING] {White}Join our Discord at discord.gg/freakhosting",
    "Type": "Chat",
    "Interval": 180
  },
  {
    "Message": "Interested in VIP? Type !vip in chat!",
    "Type": "Center",
    "Interval": 600
  }
]
```

### Strategic Placement & Timing

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Standard Chat">
    The `Chat` type displays messages in the standard text box. This is ideal for sharing long-form information like rule lists or community links that players can reference during their session.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Center-Screen">
    The `Center` type broadcasts bold text in the middle of the player's HUD. This is a high-visibility option best utilized for urgent notifications or critical server rules that require immediate attention.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Optimizing Intervals">
    The `Interval` parameter defines the delay in seconds between repetitions. We recommend a duration of **180 to 300 seconds** for chat messages to maintain a balance between visibility and avoiding "spam" that could annoy your community.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Stylized Formatting (Colors)

  CS2 supports advanced color tags within chat messages. using tags such as `{Red}`, `{Blue}`, `{Gold}`, `{Green}`, and `{Default}` allows you to highlight your brand name or critical keywords, making your announcements significantly easier to read and more engaging for new players.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Communication active.
</div>


# How to Switch Between Practice and Live Modes in CS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/executing-custom-configs-practice-live

Execute custom configs on your CS2 server to swap between practice and competitive rulesets instantly. Streamline server reconfiguration for matches.

## Dynamic Server Control

High-performance gaming communities frequently require the ability to modify their server's fundamental ruleset instantaneously. Transitioning from a "Practice" environment featuring infinite utility and training aids to a standardized "Live" competitive match can be achieved smoothly using Remote Console (RCON) execution commands. This guide ensures your server is prepared for both high-intensity training and professional-grade competition.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Establishing Your Tactical Rulebooks

All configuration files must be situated within the `/game/csgo/cfg/` directory to be recognized by the game engine's execution logic.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="practice.cfg (Training)">
    This configuration enables developer cheats and training aids for grenade mastery and tactical dry-runs.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_cheats 1
    sv_infinite_ammo 1
    sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview 1
    mp_roundtime_defuse 60
    mp_buy_anywhere 1
    mp_restartgame 1
    say "--- Practice Mode: Active ---"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="live.cfg (Competitive)">
    This configuration reverts the environment to standard competitive integrity for official matches or scrims.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_cheats 0
    sv_infinite_ammo 0
    mp_roundtime_defuse 1.92
    mp_restartgame 1
    say "--- THE MATCH IS NOW LIVE ---"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Execution Workflow

Once your files are correctly positioned, you can trigger the transition directly from the in-game interface as an authorized administrator.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Interface">
    While connected to the server, press the tilde (**\~**) key to reveal the developer console.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Administrative Rights">
    If using vanilla RCON, authenticate first: `rcon_password YourSecretPass`. If using a plugin like CounterStrikeSharp, ensure you have the appropriate admin flags.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trigger Reconfiguration">
    Execute the desired mode by typing:

    * **For Training:** `rcon exec practice`
    * **For Competition:** `rcon exec live`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Automation

  If you are using [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server), you can integrate these execution commands into custom chat menus or discord bot integrations, allowing your staff to swap modes with a single click or command without needing to memorize the RCON syntax.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Tactical logic ready.
</div>


# How to Fix SV_Pure Errors in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/fixing-svpure-errors-on-modded-servers

Resolve 'Pure server: file does not match' errors when using custom assets. Learn how to configure sv_pure for modded CS2 servers.

## Understanding Pure Servers

The error message **"Disconnected: Pure server: file \[path] does not match server's file"** is a common obstacle when hosting modded content in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2). This issue occurs when a player's local game files differ from the authoritative assets residing on the server. By default, the Source 2 engine enforces strict file matching to prevent client-side exploits, such as transparent textures or modified player models, ensuring a fair environment for competitive play.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Identifying the Cause

If you have implemented custom player skins, weapon models, or unique map textures on your server, the client's engine will detect a discrepancy between their local files and the official Valve signatures. Under the default **`sv_pure 1`** configuration, this mismatch triggers an immediate disconnection to maintain match integrity.

***

## Configuring sv\_pure for Custom Content

To allow players with modded assets to connect to your community server, you must adjust the engine's verification strictness.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Game Panel">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your CS2 server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Startup Settings">
    Navigate to the **Configuration** menu and select the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify Environment Variables">
    Locate the field for **Additional Arguments** or the specific `sv_pure` variable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Override">
    Set the value to `0` or add `+sv_pure 0` to your startup flags.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Return to the **Console** and click **Restart**. The server will now allow custom file signatures.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Security & Balance Considerations

<Warning>
  ### Competitive Integrity Risks

  Disabling strict file checking (`sv_pure 0`) removes the primary barrier against client-side texture exploits.

  * **Casual & Skill Modes (Surf/Bhop):** This is the standard and necessary setting for hosting community-driven content and custom models.
  * **Competitive Leagues:** This is generally considered a security risk, as malicious players could use "transparent" textures to gain an unfair tactical advantage through walls and obstacles.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Integrity settings updated.
</div>


# How to Set a Server Password in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-add-a-password-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Secure your CS2 server by implementing a private join password. Learn how to restrict access for private matches, team practices, and community events.

## Securing Your Tactical Session

Establishing a server password is the most effective strategy for managing private competitive matches, dedicated team practices, or exclusive community-only events. By implementing a join-password, you ensure that only authorized participants can access your environment, maintaining the integrity and privacy of your gaming session. This guide walk you through the implementation of a secure access key via your Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) configuration files.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to define a private access key for your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your CS2 server. Navigate to the **File Manager** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Config Directory">
    Browse to the following path: `/game/csgo/cfg/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify server.cfg">
    Find the `server.cfg` file. If it is missing, create a new file with this exact name. Open it and add or modify the following line:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_password "Your_Secure_Password"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Security">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to apply the password protection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Joining a Protected Environment

When a password is active, players must provide the correct key to establish a connection. While the in-game UI typically prompts for this, using the console is often more reliable.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Console Connection">
    Open your developer console (**\~**) and use the following syntax:

    ```bash theme={null}
    connect IP:PORT; password Your_Secure_Password
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In-Game Browser">
    When selecting the server in the community browser, a dialog box will appear requesting the password. Input your key and click **Join**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Technical Best Practices

  To ensure maximum compatibility with the engine's parsing logic, avoid using special characters such as `"` or `#` within your password string. We recommend using a mix of alphanumeric characters for a high-security yet reliable access key.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Security active.
</div>


# How to Add Server Administrators in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-add-admins-in-cs2

Grant administrative privileges on your CS2 server. Learn how to use SteamID authentication with CounterStrikeSharp for granular permission control.

## Administrative Authority

Modern Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) servers use **SteamID64** authentication to provide a secure and non-transferable method for identifying administrators. While the legacy RCON system is still available for basic commands, we highly recommend implementing a plugin-based framework. This allows you to grant granular permissions (flags) to different staff members - such as allowing a moderator to kick players while restricting their ability to change server settings.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: CounterStrikeSharp (Recommended)

This professional method requires the [CounterStrikeSharp Framework](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) to be active. It uses a JSON-based registry to manage your staff list.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Configuration">
    In your Game Panel File Manager, navigate to the following directory:
    `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Admin Registry">
    Open the `admins.json` file. If the file is empty, use the following structure to define your first root administrator:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "Admins": [
        {
          "Identity": "76561198000000000",
          "Flags": [ "@css/root" ],
          "Groups": [ "admin" ]
        }
      ]
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Your SteamID">
    Replace `76561198000000000` with your personal 17-digit **SteamID64**. You can retrieve your ID by pasting your profile link into [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Permissions">
    Save the file. Either restart your server or execute the console command `css_reload_admins` to activate the new privileges immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: RCON Authentication (Legacy)

If you are maintaining a vanilla server without external plugins, you must use the Remote Console (RCON) password system.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server Setup">
    Open your `server.cfg` file and establish a secure password:

    ```bash theme={null}
    rcon_password "Your_Secure_Password"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client Authorization">
    Once connected to the server, open your in-game console (**\~**) and authenticate:

    ```bash theme={null}
    rcon_password Your_Secure_Password
    ```

    You can now execute administrative commands by prefixing them with `rcon` (e.g., `rcon changelevel de_dust2`).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Security Precaution

  RCON passwords are transmitted in clear text across the network. We strongly advise using the **CounterStrikeSharp** method for production servers, as it allows you to delegate management tasks without ever exposing your server's master RCON credentials.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Administrative access established.
</div>


# How to Configure Server Tags in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-change-server-tags-in-your-counter-strike-2-server

Optimize your server's visibility in the CS2 community browser. Learn how to define custom search tags to attract players to your specific game mode.

## Browser Optimization & Visibility

Server tags are essential metadata keywords that categorize your lobby within the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) community browser. By implementing relevant and descriptive tags - such as "Surf", "Retakes", or "1v1" - you enable potential players to easily discover your server using built-in search filters. Correct tagging is one of the most effective ways to organically grow your player base and establish a consistent community presence.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Setting Up Your Metadata

Follow these steps to define your server's searchable keywords within your configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Config Directory">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **File Manager**, and open the `/game/csgo/cfg/` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit server.cfg">
    Locate and open the `server.cfg` file. If it does not exist, create it to house your custom variables.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define sv_tags">
    Add or modify the `sv_tags` command. Tags must be encapsulated in quotes and separated by commas **without spaces** between entries.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_tags "freakhosting,surf,timer,ranks,fastdl"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to initialize the new browser metadata.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verifying Public Visibility

Once your server has successfully initialized, you can verify that your tags are being broadcast correctly.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Console Verification">
    While connected to your server, open the developer console (**\~**) and type `sv_tags`. The engine will return the currently active string being broadcast to the Steam masterlist.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Browser Testing">
    Open the CS2 Community Browser and use the filter bar to search for one of your unique tags. Your server should appear in the results list within several minutes of starting.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Technical Character Limits

  Valve enforces a strict character limit for the server tags field. We recommend keeping your list concise and prioritizing the tags that most accurately describe your primary game mode or geographical region. Avoid using redundant or deceptive tags, as this can negatively impact your server's reputation.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Visibility optimized.
</div>


# How to Change Game Modes and Types in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-change-the-gamemodegametype-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Master the startup parameters of CS2 to switch between Competitive, Wingman, Deathmatch, and more. Learn the correct game_type and game_mode pairings.

## Defining the Gameplay Core

The rulebook of your Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server is governed by two distinct technical variables: **Game Type** and **Game Mode**. Correctly pairing these numerical values is essential, as they instruct the engine to load the appropriate user interface, economy settings, round timers, and victory conditions for your desired experience. Attempting to use mismatched values can lead to UI errors or inconsistent gameplay mechanics.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Gamemode Pairings

use the following table to identify the correct values for your intended server experience.

| Desired Mode    | Game Type (`+game_type`) | Game Mode (`+game_mode`) |
| :-------------- | :----------------------: | :----------------------: |
| **Competitive** |            `0`           |            `1`           |
| **Casual**      |            `0`           |            `0`           |
| **Wingman**     |            `0`           |            `2`           |
| **Deathmatch**  |            `1`           |            `2`           |
| **Arms Race**   |            `1`           |            `0`           |

***

## Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to apply your chosen ruleset via the FREAKHOSTING management interface.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Game Panel">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your active CS2 instance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Startup Parameters">
    In the sidebar menu, click on the **Configuration** tab and select **Startup**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Numeric Variables">
    Locate the fields for **Game Type** and **Game Mode**. Input the corresponding values from the technical table above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Rulebook">
    Navigate back to the **Console** and click **Restart**. The engine will now initialize with the new game logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Tactical Map Dependencies

  Certain game modes require specific environmental features to function correctly. For instance, **Wingman** requires maps (prefixed with `de_` or `cs_`) that contain dedicated small-scale spawn points and restricted bombsite boundaries. If a mode fails to initialize, verify that your active map supports the selected game type within the Source 2 engine.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Ruleset updated.
</div>


# How to Change Server Maps in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-change-the-map-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Master the administrative command for switching levels in CS2. Learn how to manually change maps via the Game Panel or in-game RCON console.

## Managing the Battlefield

Switching maps is a fundamental administrative procedure for any Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) host. Whether you are transitioning to a standard competitive map for a scrim or moving to a custom community creation, understanding the technical application of the `changelevel` command is essential for maintaining a smooth lobby experience. This guide ensures you can navigate the map pool with precision and efficiency.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Asset Preparation

Before executing a level change, you must verify that the target assets reside within your server's persistent storage.

* **Storage Path:** Map files are located within the `/game/csgo/maps/` directory.
* **Workshop Assets:** If you are using community-made maps, ensure the server has fully synchronized and downloaded the corresponding Workshop ID before attempting to load the level.

***

## Administrative Map Controls

You can initialize a map change through two primary interfaces depending on your current environment.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Game Panel Interface">
    using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) allows you to manage the server without being connected to the client.

    1. Navigate to the **Console** tab.
    2. Input the command: `changelevel de_mirage`.
    3. The engine will instantly terminate the current session and reload the specified map.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="In-Game RCON">
    If you are actively participating in a session, you can trigger a change via the developer console (**\~**).

    1. Open the console and verify your [RCON Permissions](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-add-admins-in-cs2).
    2. Input the command: `rcon changelevel de_inferno`.
    3. All active players will be transitioned to the new environment once the loading sequence concludes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Identifying Technical Map Names

  Always use the precise technical filename of the map (e.g., `de_dust2` rather than "Dust 2"). If the map is part of a Workshop collection, you may need to use the full path provided by the workshop engine, such as `workshop/123456789/map_name`.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Level management active.
</div>


# How to Change Your Server Hostname in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-change-your-server-name-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Establish your community brand in the CS2 browser. Learn how to customize your server name using the hostname variable within your configuration files.

## Defining Your Community Identity

Your server's hostname serves as the primary visual identifier for players navigating the Steam Server Browser and the integrated CS2 Community List. Establishing a clear, professional, and branding-focused name is a critical component of building a consistent player base and distinguishing your server from the competition. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel allows you to easily modify this value to reflect your community's unique identity.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to update your server's public title.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Config Directory">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **File Manager**, and open the `/game/csgo/cfg/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit server.cfg">
    Locate the `server.cfg` file. If this file is not present, create a new one to house your server variables.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Hostname">
    Input the `hostname` command followed by your desired title encapsulated in double quotes.

    ```bash theme={null}
    hostname "FREAKHOSTING | Competitive 5v5 | 128 Tick | Seattle"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to broadcast the new identity to the Steam masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verifying the Update

Once your server has returned to an `Online` status, you can verify the change through the engine itself.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Console Status">
    While connected to the server, open your developer console (**\~**) and type `status`. The first line of the diagnostic output will display the currently active hostname.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Browser Refresh">
    Open the CS2 Community Browser and search for your server. Note that it may take several minutes for the global Steam cache to update your server's metadata in the public listing.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Tip>
  ### Strategic Branding

  Avoid using generic titles such as "My CS2 Server". Instead, prioritize your community's name and include technical details that players frequently search for, such as "128 Tick", "No Lag", or specific game modes like "Retakes" or "Surf". This helps you target the specific audience looking for your environment.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Identity defined.
</div>


# How to Connect to Your Counter-Strike 2 Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-connect-to-a-counter-strike-2-server

Master the various methods of joining your CS2 community server. Learn how to connect via the developer console, Steam favorites, and the in-game browser.

## Joining the Action

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) provides several efficient methods for connecting to community-hosted environments. Whether you prefer the precision of the developer console or the convenience of the Steam favorites list, FREAKHOSTING ensures a low-latency pathway to your tactical gaming session.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: The Developer Console (Fastest)

This is the most efficient method for administrators and power users, as it allows for an instantaneous handshake with the server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable the Console">
    Launch CS2, navigate to **Settings** -> **Game**, and set **Enable Developer Console (\~)** to **Yes**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Interface">
    Press the tilde (**\~**) key on your keyboard to reveal the command-line overlay.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Connection">
    Input the following command and press Enter:

    ```bash theme={null}
    connect 123.456.78.9:27015
    ```

    *Note: If your server is password protected, use the syntax:* `connect IP:PORT; password "your_password"`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: Steam Favorites Management

Adding your server to the global Steam favorites list ensures you can join with a single click in the future.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Steam Servers">
    In your Steam client, navigate to the **View** menu and select **Game Servers**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add to Favorites">
    Click the **Favorites** tab, then click the **(+)** icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Your Server">
    Paste your server's numerical IP address and port into the field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Join">
    Click **OK**. You can now double-click your server in this list to launch CS2 and connect automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Connection Readiness

  If you have recently initialized or restarted your server, please wait approximately **60 seconds** for the game engine to fully load its assets before attempting to connect. You can monitor the real-time status via the **Console** tab in your Game Panel.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Deployment complete.
</div>


# How to Disable In-Game Bots in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-disable-bots-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Remove automated AI players from your server for a pure human-vs-human experience. Learn how to configure bot quotas and use kick commands in CS2.

## Managing AI Players

By default, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) servers are often configured to fill vacant slots with AI-controlled bots to ensure teams remain balanced. While useful for casual environments, many community owners prefer a pure human-vs-human experience to maintain competitive integrity and reduce unnecessary server CPU load. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides the tools to either restrict bot behavior or remove them entirely from your world.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Global Bot Restriction

To permanently prevent bots from spawning on your server, you must modify the engine's quota variable within your configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **File Manager** in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Configuration">
    Browse to the following path: `/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Bot Quota">
    Find the line for `bot_quota`. If it is missing, add it to the file. Set the value to `0` to disable automated spawning entirely.

    ```bash theme={null}
    bot_quota 0
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Restart">
    Commit your changes and **Restart** the server via the **Console** tab to apply the new policy.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Real-Time Administrative Actions

If bots are currently occupying slots in your active session and you wish to remove them without initializing a full server reboot, use the following console commands.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mass Removal">
    Execute `bot_kick` in your console to immediately disconnect every AI entity from the server.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual Spawning">
    Even with a quota of `0`, you can manually spawn a single bot for testing or target practice by using the `bot_add` command. This is particularly useful in [Practice Environments](/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-a-cs2-practice-server-grenade-cams-infinite-ammo).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Technical Performance Note

  Bots use significant CPU resources for pathfinding and decision-making logic. Disabling them on high-tickrate servers (such as 128-tick) can lead to improved overall performance and more consistent frame times for your human players.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Human-only experience active.
</div>


# How to Enable All-Talk Voice Chat in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-enable-enemy-voice-chat-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Enable cross-team communication on your server. Learn how to configure sv_alltalk and granular voice variables for a social CS2 experience.

## Breaking the Team Communication Barrier

In the standard competitive framework of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), voice and text communication are strictly restricted to teammates to preserve tactical secrecy. However, for casual environments, Surf/Bhop servers, or community social hubs, enabling "All-Talk" is essential for fostering a vibrant and interactive gaming culture. By removing these logical barriers, you allow players on opposing teams - and those who have already been eliminated - to engage in global conversation.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Global Communication Configuration

To unlock cross-team interaction, you must apply specific variables to your server's primary configuration file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **File Manager**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate server.cfg">
    Browse to the directory path: `/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement All-Talk Variables">
    Append the following commands to your file to enable full transparency:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_alltalk 1        // Enables basic cross-team communication
    sv_full_alltalk 1   // Overrides all engine-level team restrictions
    sv_deadtalk 1       // Allows eliminated players to speak with living players
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the **Console** tab to apply the new communication rules.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Granular Voice Control

If you wish to maintain some competitive structure while allowing social interaction, consider using these more specific variables instead of a global override.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Living Opponents">
    **sv\_talk\_enemy\_living 1:** This allows active players on opposing teams to hear one another. This is popular in 1v1 Arena or small-scale casual servers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Eliminated Opponents">
    **sv\_talk\_enemy\_dead 1:** This enables players who have been eliminated to communicate with their opponents who are still in the round.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Community Moderation

  Enabling All-Talk significantly increases the potential for cross-team toxicity and disruptive behavior. We strongly recommend having active community moderators or using an automated toxicity-filtering plugin via [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) if you choose to enable global voice communication on a public server.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Communication unlocked.
</div>


# How to Enable SV_Cheats in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-enable-svcheats-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Unlock advanced developer commands and practice tools on your CS2 server. Learn how to securely enable sv_cheats for training and cinematics.

## Unlocking Server Potential

Enabling the `sv_cheats` variable is a fundamental requirement for unlocking the full diagnostic and training potential of the Source 2 engine. By activating this mode, you gain access to a wide array of restricted developer commands, such as `noclip`, item spawning, and real-time trajectory visualization. This is essential for community owners performing [Tactical Practice](/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-a-cs2-practice-server-grenade-cams-infinite-ammo), technical troubleshooting, or capturing cinematic footage for server promotions.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Deployment Options

Depending on your specific needs, you can enable cheats permanently or for a limited duration.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Permanent Activation (Config)">
    Use this method if your server is exclusively used for training or development.

    1. Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **File Manager**.
    2. Open the file located at `/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg`.
    3. Input the following command: `sv_cheats 1`.
    4. Save the file and **Restart** your server to apply the changes.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Session-Based (Console)">
    Ideal for performing a quick technical check without modifying your base configuration.

    1. While connected to your server, open the developer console (**\~**).
    2. Authorize yourself via RCON and execute: `rcon sv_cheats 1`.
    3. The change takes effect immediately without requiring a map reload.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Command Access

Once `sv_cheats` is active, you can use these powerful administrative tools:

* **Movement:** `noclip` - Allows you to fly through geometry and obstacles.
* **Weaponry:** `give weapon_ak47` - Instantly spawns specific items into your inventory.
* **Visualization:** `sv_showimpacts 1` - Renders colored boxes at the exact point of bullet impact.
* **Time Control:** `host_timescale 0.5` - Slows down the global simulation for detailed analysis.

***

<Warning>
  ### Match Integrity & Progress

  Activating `sv_cheats 1` on a public server will automatically disable official Stat tracking and Steam Achievement progression for all players in the session. also, it allows any player with access to the console to use localized cheat commands. Always ensure `sv_cheats` is reverted to `0` before initializing any serious competitive match or public event.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Development mode active.
</div>


# How to Install CounterStrikeSharp in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Enable high-performance C# based plugins and advanced server management. Learn how to install and configure the CounterStrikeSharp framework on your CS2 server.

## Modern Plugin Architecture

**CounterStrikeSharp (CSS)** is the premier server-side framework for Counter-Strike 2, enabling developers to create and execute sophisticated logic using the C# programming language. It has rapidly become the industry standard for community server administration, custom game modes, and technical utilities within the Source 2 engine. By implementing CSS, you unlock a vast ecosystem of community-developed features that extend far beyond the capabilities of the vanilla engine.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

Before initializing the installation, ensure your server environment meets the following requirements:

* **Metamod:Source:** This serves as the underlying hook for the engine and must be [Installed First](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-metamod-on-a-counter-strike-2-server).
* **Architecture:** A FREAKHOSTING CS2 server running on our high-performance Linux clusters.

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy the CSS framework to your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Framework">
    Navigate to the [official CounterStrikeSharp repository](https://github.com/roflmuffin/CounterStrikeSharp/releases). Download the specific bundle labeled `counterstrikesharp-with-runtime-build-xxx-linux`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Navigate to the **File Manager** and enter the `/game/csgo/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload and Merge Assets">
    Upload the contents of the downloaded ZIP archive. Ensure the `addons` folder from the ZIP merges directly with your server's existing `addons` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Initialization">
    **Start** your server. Open the **Console** tab and execute the command `css`. If successful, the engine will return the current version information and a registry of available commands.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing Your Plugin Ecosystem

Once the framework is active, you can begin customizing your server's functionality.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Adding New Plugins">
    To install a feature, place the compiled `.dll` files and their dependencies into the `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/` directory. Each individual plugin should reside within its own unique subfolder to prevent file conflicts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automatic Plugin Reloading">
    CounterStrikeSharp supports dynamic reloading. Most plugins will automatically initialize as soon as they are uploaded to the server, allowing you to update features without requiring a full server restart.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Developer Resources

  Are you interested in creating your own custom logic? We recommend reviewing the [CounterStrikeSharp Wiki](https://docs.cssharp.dev/) for detailed API documentation and C# coding standards specifically for the Source 2 environment.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Framework initialized and ready.
</div>


# How to Install CS2-SimpleAdmin in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-cs2-simpleadmin-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Implement a strong administrative system on your CS2 server. Learn how to install SimpleAdmin and configure MySQL integration for persistent bans and logs.

## Simplified Server Control

**CS2-SimpleAdmin** is a high-performance, lightweight management plugin developed for the CounterStrikeSharp framework. It provides server administrators with an essential toolkit for player moderation - including kicking, banning, and muting - while maintaining an immutable and persistent database of all staff actions. By integrating SimpleAdmin with a MySQL backend, you ensure that your ban records remain intact across server reboots and reinstalls, providing long-term stability for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

SimpleAdmin operates as a module for the CounterStrikeSharp framework. Ensure your base infrastructure is active before beginning.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Framework Status">
    Confirm that [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) is correctly installed and functional on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Acquire Plugin Assets">
    Download the most recent `CS2-SimpleAdmin.zip` from the [official GitHub repository](https://github.com/daffyyyy/CS2-SimpleAdmin/releases).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugin Directory">
    use the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager to upload and extract the `CS2-SimpleAdmin` folder into:
    `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Configuration">
    Restart your server once. This action allows the plugin to generate its initial `.json` configuration and directory structure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Database Integration

To enable persistent data storage, you must link the plugin to a MySQL database provided by FREAKHOSTING.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a Database">
    Navigate to the **Databases** tab in your Game Panel and click **New Database**. Copy the provided credentials (Host, Name, User, and Password).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify Plugin Config">
    Open the following file in the editor:
    `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/plugins/CS2-SimpleAdmin/CS2-SimpleAdmin.json`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Credentials">
    Update the database object with your specific parameters:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "DatabaseHost": "127.0.0.1",
      "DatabasePort": 3306,
      "DatabaseUser": "freak_admin_username",
      "DatabasePassword": "Your_Secure_Password",
      "DatabaseName": "freak_admin_dbname"
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verification & Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Audit Plugin Status">
    Navigate to the **Console** tab and execute: `css_plugins list`. If the installation is successful, **CS2-SimpleAdmin** will appear in the registry with a green status indicator.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Assigning Administrative Flags">
    SimpleAdmin uses the permissions defined in your [admins.json](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-add-admins-in-cs2). Ensure your SteamID64 is associated with the `@css/root` or `@css/admin` flags to unlock the full command suite.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Real-Time Commands

  Once authorized, you can manage your server directly from the in-game chat using prefixes. For example, typing `!ban [player] [duration] [reason]` will instantly restrict a malicious user and log the action to your MySQL database.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Administrative access active.
</div>


# How to Install Metamod:Source in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-metamod-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Install and verify Metamod:Source on your Counter-Strike 2 server to establish the foundation for community plugins, admin tools, and custom game modifications.

## The Foundation of Modding

**Metamod:Source** is the essential technical hook for the Source 2 engine. It functions as the primary "bridge" that enables advanced frameworks, such as CounterStrikeSharp or specialized C++ extensions, to interface directly with the game logic and modify server behavior. Without Metamod, your server is limited to vanilla configurations and basic console variables.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation Walkthrough

Follow these steps to correctly initialize the modding environment on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance Mode">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. This ensures that the engine is not actively locking the directories we need to modify.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Visit the [Metamod:Source Snapshot](https://www.sourcemm.net/downloads.php?branch=master) repository. Always download the **Linux** build, as it is the native architecture for our high-performance game nodes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Core Files">
    Open the **File Manager** or connect via [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp). Navigate to the `/game/csgo/` directory. Upload the `addons` folder from the Metamod archive directly into this location.

    * **Target Path:** `/game/csgo/addons/metamod/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    **Start** your server. Navigate to the **Console** tab and execute the command: `meta version`. If correctly installed, the console will return specific version and build metadata.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Maintenance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Source 2 Compatibility">
    Counter-Strike 2 requires the modern **master** (v2.x) branch of Metamod:Source. Legacy v1.x builds designed for CS:GO will not function and may prevent your server process from initializing correctly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Troubleshooting: Unknown Command">
    If the `meta version` command returns an error, verify your directory structure. The `metamod.vdf` file must be located exactly within `/game/csgo/addons/` for the engine to recognize the hook during the boot sequence.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Updating Metamod

  When Valve releases a major engine update for CS2, Metamod may require a snapshot update to maintain compatibility. We recommend checking the Sourcemm repository following significant game patches if your plugins cease to function.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Infrastructure secured.
</div>


# How to Install the Swiftly Framework in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-swiftly-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Install the Swiftly framework on your CS2 server as a lightweight alternative for managing plugins, admin tools, and custom server-side modifications.

## High-Performance Modding

**Swiftly** is a state-of-the-art management and development framework engineered specifically for the Source 2 engine. It distinguishes itself by prioritizing execution speed, minimal memory overhead, and a highly streamlined API for plugin developers. For community owners who want to maximize their server's technical efficiency while implementing custom logic, Swiftly serves as a powerful, high-performance alternative to traditional frameworks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to correctly integrate the Swiftly framework into your server's technical stack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Navigate to the [official Swiftly repository](https://github.com/swiftly-solution/swiftly/releases) and download the distribution package labeled `Swiftly.Plugin.Linux`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Navigate to the **File Manager** and enter the `/game/csgo/addons/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Framework Files">
    Upload the contents of the Swiftly archive. Ensure the extraction creates a directory named `swiftly` directly within your `addons` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Initialization">
    **Start** your server. Open the **Console** tab and execute the command `sw credits`. If the installation is successful, the engine will return the current framework version and development team metadata.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Management Features

Swiftly provides several advanced tools designed to improve the development and management lifecycle.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Instant Reloading">
    Unlike legacy frameworks, Swiftly enables real-time plugin updates. use the command `sw reload <plugin_name>` to apply logic changes or updated configurations instantly without requiring a full server reboot or disconnecting your players.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Resource Efficiency">
    The Swiftly core is designed to operate with negligible impact on server tickrate and frame times, making it the ideal choice for high-population servers running at 128-tick or 64-subtick intervals.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Developer Ecosystem

  Swiftly features a growing library of community plugins and a dedicated development portal. If you are interested in creating your own high-performance modules, we recommend consulting the official Swiftly documentation for API specifications and best practices.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Swiftly deployed and ready.
</div>


# How to Record CSTV Demos Automatically in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-record-gotv-demos-automatically

Preserve every match for review or highlights. Learn how to configure automated CSTV demo recording on your Counter-Strike 2 server.

## Capturing Every Moment

**CSTV** (the technological successor to GOTV) is the primary engine for recording full-server match replays in Counter-Strike 2. Establishing an automated recording workflow is essential for community servers that require immutable evidence for administrative actions, as well as for competitive teams performing deep tactical analysis. By automating this process, you ensure that every highlight and controversial play is preserved without requiring manual intervention from your staff.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration

To activate the automated CSTV recording engine, you must apply the following variables to your `server.cfg` file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Configuration">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **File Manager** and open the `/game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Engine Parameters">
    Append the following configuration block to the end of your file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    tv_enable 1       // Enables the CSTV engine
    tv_autorecord 1   // Automatically initializes recording at match start
    tv_maxclients 0   // Disables live spectators to prioritize CPU performance
    tv_delay 120      // Implements a 2-minute delay to prevent ghosting
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to initialize the CSTV service.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Retrieving Your Match Replays

Recorded demos are stored locally on your server and can be accessed via standard management protocols.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Storage Logic">
    * **Directory:** All `.dem` files are saved directly within the `/game/csgo/` root directory.
    * **Naming Convention:** Files use a standardized timestamp format: `auto-YYYYMMDD-hhmm-map.dem`.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Access Methods">
    You can retrieve your replays using the **File Manager** in our panel for quick downloads, or use an [SFTP Client like FileZilla](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) for batch transfers of multiple matches.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Strategic Storage Management

  Counter-Strike 2 demos are significantly more detailed and larger than those from previous engine generations, often exceeding **100MB per individual match**. We strongly recommend regularly auditing your `/game/csgo/` directory and deleting aging `.dem` files. Allowing your storage to reach 100% capacity will cause the server to crash or fail to initialize subsequent matches.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Match recording active.
</div>


# How to Configure GSLT Steam Tokens in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-set-the-gslt-steam-token-on-a-counter-strike-2-server

Authorize your CS2 server for public visibility by linking it to your Steam account. Learn how to generate and apply a Game Server Login Token (GSLT).

## Establishing Server Identity

Every public Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server must be authenticated with a **Game Server Login Token (GSLT)**. This unique identifier links the server to your Steam account, allowing Valve to verify its legitimacy and authorize it to appear within the global community server browser. Without a valid token, your server will be restricted to "LAN Only" mode, and players will be unable to join over the public internet.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Token Generation Workflow

Follow these steps to retrieve your unique server key from Steam.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Steam Management">
    Navigate to the [Steam Game Server Account Manager](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers) and log in with your primary Steam account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input App Parameters">
    * **App ID:** Enter `730` (This is the specific identifier for the Counter-Strike ecosystem).
    * **Memo:** Provide a descriptive name (e.g., `FREAKHOSTING_CS2_01`) to help you identify the token in the future.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Token">
    Click **Create**. A long string of alphanumeric characters will be generated. Copy this string precisely to your clipboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Activation Procedure

Once you have your token, you must register it with your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Game Panel">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your CS2 server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Startup">
    In the sidebar menu, click on **Configuration** and select the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the GSLT Hash">
    Locate the field labeled **Game Server Login Token (GSLT)**. Paste your token into this field, ensuring there are no leading or trailing spaces.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Authentication">
    Return to the **Console** tab and **Restart** your server. Monitor the logs for a confirmation message: `Logging into Steam gameserver account`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Identity Errors (Not Logged In)">
    If your console displays "Unable to determine local identity," it typically indicates that the GSLT hash is incorrect or has been revoked by Valve. Double-check your character string and ensure you haven't exceeded the maximum number of active tokens allowed on your Steam account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Steam Account Restrictions">
    Valve requires that the account generating the token is **not a Limited Account**. Your account must have spent at least \$5.00 USD on the Steam store and must have a valid phone number linked to be eligible for public server hosting.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Security Best Practice

  **Treat your GSLT token as a password.** Sharing your token with third parties can allow them to impersonate your server identity. If you suspect your token has been compromised, revoke it immediately within the Steam Account Manager and generate a new one.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Identity established.
</div>


# How to Install Metamod & CounterStrikeSharp in CS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/installing-metamod-and-counterstrikesharp-on-cs2

A complete walkthrough for deploying the modern modding stack for Counter-Strike 2. Learn how to install Metamod:Source and CSS on your Linux server.

## The Modern CS2 Plugin Stack

Legacy administrative tools such as SourceMod are no longer compatible with the advanced architecture of Counter-Strike 2 (Source 2). The new industry standard for community server management involves a coordinated combination of **Metamod:Source v2.0** and the **CounterStrikeSharp (CSS)** framework. This complete guide walk you through the complete installation of both components to prepare your FREAKHOSTING server for advanced plugins and custom game logic.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Phase 1: Metamod:Source Deployment

Metamod serves as the primary technical hook that allows the engine to recognize third-party addons.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Visit the [Metamod:Source Dev Repository](https://www.sourcemm.net/downloads.php?branch=dev) and download the distribution package for **Linux v2.x**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Core Files">
    Open the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager and navigate to the `/game/csgo/` directory. Upload and extract the `addons` folder from the archive.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Engine Hook">
    Open the `/game/csgo/gameinfo.gi` file. Locate the `SearchPaths` section and add the following entry on a new line inside the brackets:
    `Game csgo/addons/metamod`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Phase 2: CounterStrikeSharp Framework

CSS provides the high-level execution environment for C#-based community plugins.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the Runtime">
    Obtain the latest distribution labeled `with-runtime` for Linux from the [official CSS GitHub](https://github.com/roflmuffin/CounterStrikeSharp/releases).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize Assets">
    Upload the CSS assets into your `/game/csgo/` directory. Ensure the framework's `addons` folder merges perfectly with the directory created in Phase 1.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Phase 3: Technical Verification

Follow these steps to confirm that your modding stack is active and responsive.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initial Reboot">
    Navigate to the **Console** tab and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate the Hook">
    Execute the command `meta list` in the console.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Registry">
    A successful installation will display **CounterStrikeSharp** as a loaded and active plugin within the Metamod registry.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Engine Update Sensitivity

  Counter-Strike 2 receives frequent updates that may overwrite your `gameinfo.gi` file or disrupt the Metamod bridge. If your plugins fail to load following an official Valve patch, verify that your custom `SearchPath` is still present and that you are using the latest development snapshots of both frameworks.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Modding stack online and verified.
</div>


# How to Manage Map Rotations in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/managing-map-rotations-in-cs2

Keep your gameplay fresh by automating the map cycle. Learn how to configure mapcycle.txt and manage automatic transitions on your CS2 server.

## Automating the Combat Cycle

Maintaining a dynamic and diverse map rotation is essential for keeping your player base engaged and preventing gameplay stagnation. By establishing a predefined map cycle, you allow your Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server to automatically transition to new environments once a match concludes, ensuring a continuous experience without the need for manual administrative intervention.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Establishing the Cycle List

The foundation of your rotation is the `mapcycle.txt` file, which serves as the index for the game engine.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Configuration">
    In your Game Panel File Manager, navigate to the `/game/csgo/` directory. Create a new file named `mapcycle.txt`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Populate Map Names">
    Enter the technical names of the maps you wish to include, with one entry per line.

    * *Example:*

    ```text theme={null}
    de_dust2
    de_mirage
    de_nuke
    de_ancient
    de_inferno
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuring Engine Behavior

To ensure the engine respects your cycle and transitions correctly after the final round, you must apply specific console variables to your `server.cfg`.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Required Commands">
    * `mp_match_end_changelevel 1`: Instructs the engine to trigger a level change once the match conclusion sequence finishes.
    * `mp_match_end_restart 0`: Ensures the current map does not simply reload itself, allowing the next entry in the cycle to take precedence.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Workshop Integration">
    If your server uses `+host_workshop_collection`, the engine typically prioritizes the maps within that collection. If the rotation becomes non-responsive, we recommend implementing a **Map Cycle plugin** via CounterStrikeSharp to enforce external logic.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Rotation initialized.
</div>


# How to Set Up a CS2 Practice Environment
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-a-cs2-practice-server-grenade-cams-infinite-ammo

Master your utility and movement with a dedicated CS2 training setup. Learn how to configure grenade cameras, infinite ammo, and practice-specific variables.

## Mastering Your Utility

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) introduces sophisticated native training tools that significantly outperform previous engine generations. By establishing a dedicated practice environment, you can use built-in "Picture-in-Picture" (PIP) cameras to observe exactly where your grenades will land in real-time, alongside infinite utility and immediate round resets for efficient lineup mastery.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Establishing the Practice Rulebook

The most efficient way to initialize training is through a specialized configuration file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Configuration">
    In your Game Panel File Manager, navigate to the `/game/csgo/cfg/` directory and create a new file named `practice.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Training Variables">
    Copy and paste the following parameters into your new file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_cheats 1
    sv_infinite_ammo 1
    ammo_grenade_limit_total 5
    mp_warmup_end
    mp_freezetime 0
    mp_roundtime 60
    sv_showimpacts 1
    sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview 1  // Native CS2 Grenade Camera
    mp_buy_anywhere 1
    mp_restartgame 1
    say "--- Practice Mode Initialized ---"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize In-Game">
    While connected to your server, open your console (**\~**) and execute: `exec practice`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Feature: The PIP Camera

The command `sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview 1` is the cornerstone of modern CS2 training. It provides high-fidelity visual feedback that allows you to refine your mechanics without leaving your position.

* **Real-Time Visualization:** While holding a grenade pin (Left or Right Click), a small preview window appears showing the exact landing spot and trajectory.
* **Lineup Refinement:** Use this to fine-tune your crosshair placement for "pixel-perfect" smokes or flashes without needing to throw, fly to the spot, and return for every attempt.

***

## Movement & Navigation

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Noclip Mastery">
    To navigate the map effortlessly, we recommend binding the noclip command to a convenient key on your local client: `bind n noclip`. This allows you to fly through geometry to retrieve dropped utility or clear tactical angles instantly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bot Management">
    Use commands like `bot_add` or `bot_place` to position AI targets within sites. This is important for testing the effectiveness of your flashes or verifying that a smoke correctly obscures a defender's vision.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Automation

  If your server is using [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server), you can install dedicated practice plugins that allow you to save and reload specific grenade positions using chat commands like `.save` and `.load`.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Training ready.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Retakes Server in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-a-cs2-retakes-server

Architect a high-intensity training environment for post-plant scenarios. Learn how to install and configure the CS2 Retakes game mode on your server.

## Non-Stop Tactical Action

**Retakes** is a specialized, high-intensity game mode that bypasses the traditional round structure to focus exclusively on the most critical phase of a match. Every round initializes with a specific number of Terrorists defending an active bombsite while Counter-Terrorists attempt a coordinated defusal. This mode is the premier training standard for competitive players seeking to master utility usage and cross-site execution in post-plant scenarios.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Requirements

To facilitate a Retakes environment, your server must use the modern Source 2 modding stack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Foundations">
    Ensure your server has [Metamod:Source](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-metamod-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) and [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) correctly installed and verified.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Acquire Retakes Logic">
    Download a vetted Retakes plugin from a reputable community repository (e.g., the specialized CS2 Retakes builds on GitHub).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Assets">
    Upload the plugin files into the following directory:
    `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/[PluginName]/`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuration Essentials

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Spawns & Map Support">
    Unlike standard competitive matches, Retakes uses randomized, situational spawn points. Most professional plugins include pre-packaged configuration files for official Valve maps like `de_mirage`, `de_inferno`, and `de_dust2`. If you are using custom workshop maps, you may need to manually define spawn coordinates within the plugin's data files.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Loadout & Economy">
    To maintain realism, players are typically assigned restricted weapon sets based on common match economies. You can customize these loadouts (e.g., adjusting the ratio of M4A1-S vs. M4A4 or enabling specialized pistol rounds) within the plugin's `.json` configuration files.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Hardware Performance & CPU Load

  Retakes rounds conclude rapidly, often within **45 seconds**. This accelerated cycle frequency places a significantly higher demand on the server's CPU and networking stack compared to standard gameplay. For servers with 10 or more slots, we highly recommend using our **Extreme Performance** hosting plans to ensure zero-jitter performance during high-intensity retake scenarios.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Retakes mode ready.
</div>


# How to Set Up Competitive Matches with MatchZy
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-competitive-scrims-with-matchzy

Run professional scrims and tournament matches on your CS2 server. Learn how to install and configure the MatchZy plugin for automated match management.

## The Pro Match Standard

**MatchZy** is the definitive framework for managing competitive matches and professional scrims in Counter-Strike 2. Functioning as the spiritual successor to legacy systems like "Get5" and "PugSetup," it provides a complete suite of tools for player ready-up sequences, side selection (knife rounds), tactical timeouts, and automated demo recording. By implementing MatchZy, you transform your standard server into a tournament-ready environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Setup Workflow

MatchZy operates as a plugin for the CounterStrikeSharp framework. Ensure you have the foundation active before proceeding.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Framework Status">
    Confirm that [CounterStrikeSharp](/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-install-counterstrikesharp-on-a-counter-strike-2-server) is installed and fully updated on your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the most recent MatchZy release from the [official GitHub repository](https://github.com/shobhit-pathak/MatchZy).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Assets">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the extracted files into the following directory:
    `/game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/MatchZy/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize System">
    Restart your server. Monitor the **Console** tab to ensure the plugin initializes without errors.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Match Commands

MatchZy uses a streamlined command syntax accessible to both players and administrators via the in-game chat.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Player Commands">
    * **!ready / .ready:** Flags the player as prepared to start the match.
    * **!unready:** Reverts the ready status if a player needs more time.
    * **!pause / !unpause:** Requests or votes for a tactical timeout during the freeze time.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Admin & Logic">
    * **!knife:** Overrides the current state and forces a knife round for side selection.
    * **!prac:** Instantly switches the server to a practice environment with infinite utility and grenade cameras.
    * **!force-start:** Administrators can use this to bypass the ready-up sequence and begin the match immediately.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Advanced Automation & Integration

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Remote Match Initiation">
    For tournament organizers, MatchZy supports programmatic initiation via JSON configuration files. This allows external discord bots or websites to define the exact team names, map pool, and MatchID before the players connect to the server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Demo Management">
    MatchZy can be configured to automatically start and stop SourceTV recording at the beginning and end of each match. This ensures that every high-stakes play is preserved for future review or broadcast highlights.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Timeouts

  By default, MatchZy follows standard competitive rules for timeouts. You can customize the duration and number of allowed pauses per team by modifying the `matchzy_config.json` file located in the plugin's configuration directory.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Professional match management.
</div>


# How to Choose Between FastDL & WorkshopDL in CS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/setting-up-fastdl-vs-workshopdl

Optimize your server join times by choosing the correct content delivery method. Learn the differences between FastDL and WorkshopDL for CS2 assets.

## Strategic Content Delivery

When a player joins a community-hosted Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) server, their client must synchronize its local cache with the server's unique assets, including custom maps, player models, and audio files. Selecting the appropriate delivery protocol is the primary factor in determining your community's accessibility; the correct setup can reduce join times from several minutes to just a few seconds. This guide walk you through the technical strengths and implementation requirements of the two primary delivery methods.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Comparison

Different types of content require different delivery architectures for optimal performance.

| Method         | Ideal Use Case       | Download Speed | Setup Complexity           |
| :------------- | :------------------- | :------------: | :------------------------- |
| **WorkshopDL** | Community Maps       |      High      | Low (Single Command)       |
| **FastDL**     | Audio, Skins, Models |      High      | High (Requires Web Server) |
| **SlowDL**     | Small Config Files   |    Very Low    | Minimal (Automated)        |

***

## using WorkshopDL (Optimized for Maps)

For standard map rotations, we strongly recommend using **WorkshopDL**. This method offloads the bandwidth requirements to Valve's global content delivery network (CDN), ensuring players download compressed levels at their maximum internet speed.

* **Implementation:** Simply link your [Workshop Collection](/games/counter-strike-2/configuring-workshop-collections) using the `+host_workshop_collection` parameter in your FREAKHOSTING Startup settings. The engine handles the synchronization automatically during the connection handshake.

***

## Implementing FastDL (Optimized for Mods)

If your server features custom audio (e.g., MVP anthems) or unique administrator models, these assets must be hosted on an external web server using the HTTP protocol.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Web Storage">
    Upload your `/sound/` and `/models/` directories to your external web host or our specialized FastDL storage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Endpoint">
    Open your `server.cfg` and define the authoritative download URL. Ensure the URL concludes with a trailing slash.

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_downloadurl "http://fastdl.freakhosting.com/YOUR_SERVER_ID/"
    sv_allowdownload 1
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Synchronization">
    Restart your server. New players will now be redirected to your web server to retrieve assets before initializing the game session.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Warning>
  ### Web Server MIME Types

  If you are using a private Nginx or Apache instance for FastDL, you must ensure your server is configured to correctly serve specialized Source 2 extensions like `.vsnd_c` and `.vpk`. If the web server returns a **404 (Not Found)** or **403 (Forbidden)** error, the CS2 engine will attempt to fall back to the internal binary port (SlowDL), causing massive lobby lag and potential timeouts for all connecting players.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Content delivery optimized.
</div>


# How to Improve Stability with CS2Fixes in Counter-Strike 2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-2/using-cs2fixes-for-server-stability

Harden your CS2 server against engine-level exploits and crashes. Learn how to install and configure CS2Fixes to restore legacy logging and movement features.

## Hardening Your CS2 Server

Counter-Strike 2 is a technically sophisticated and rapidly evolving platform. Because of this, official server distributions can occasionally include bugs, unpatched exploits, or missing administrative features that were present in legacy engine generations. **CS2Fixes** is a high-performance Metamod:Source plugin specifically engineered to bridge these gaps. It provides important security patches against malicious console commands and restores essential legacy functionalities, such as detailed chat logging, which are currently absent from the base Source 2 dedicated server build.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Features

CS2Fixes implements several critical optimizations that improve the reliability of community-hosted environments.

* **Crash Mitigation:** Programmatically blocks malformed network packets and specific console command sequences that are known to trigger segmentation faults or memory overflows.
* **Legacy Console Logging:** Restores the capability to broadcast player chat and administrative actions directly to the server console, facilitating easier real-time moderation and external log parsing.
* **Movement Physics Patching:** Corrects specific collision geometry glitches - particularly those related to ladder mounting and steep surface interaction - frequently encountered on community-made Workshop maps.

***

## Installation & Integration Workflow

Follow these steps to correctly initialize CS2Fixes on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the most recent **CS2Fixes** distribution from the [official technical repository](https://github.com/pmrowla/css-fixes).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Addons">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, create and extract the assets into the following directory:
    `/game/csgo/addons/cs2fixes/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Engine Hook">
    Open your `/game/csgo/gameinfo.gi` file. Ensure that `Game csgo/addons/cs2fixes` is registered within the `SearchPaths` array to allow the engine to load the extension during the boot sequence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and Validate">
    Restart your server via the **Console** tab. Monitor the initialization logs to verify that the CS2Fixes module has successfully hooked into the engine.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Advanced Diagnostic Data

  If your server encounters a crash after implementing this plugin, navigate to your `/game/csgo/` directory to inspect any newly generated crash dumps or extended log files. CS2Fixes often provides significantly more technical context regarding the source of a failure compared to the standard engine output, allowing for faster resolution of mod-related conflicts.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CS2:** Stability enhanced.
</div>


# How to Configure the MOTD (HTML) in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/configuring-motdtxt-html

Professionalize your community onboarding. Learn how to customize your CSS 'Message of the Day' using HTML, CSS, and localized branding.

## First Impressions & Strategic Onboarding

The "Message of the Day" (MOTD) is the primary visual interface every player encounters when initializing their connection to your Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) server. using a full web-browser implementation within the Source 1 engine, the MOTD enables you to deliver rich HTML content, stylized community rules, and vibrant promotional banners directly to your participants. A professionally architected MOTD is essential for establishing community standards and promoting external resources such as your [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/freakhosting).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Registry Management

The authoritative content for your welcome screen is governed by a single text file situated within your server's primary directory.

* **Technical Path:** `/cstrike/motd.txt`

### Implementing a Stylized Interface

Open the `motd.txt` file and input your structural HTML data. We recommend using an internal CSS block to maintain a consistent visual identity.

```html theme={null}
<html>
<head>
    <style>
        body { background-color: #121212; color: #ffffff; font-family: sans-serif; padding: 20px; text-align: center; }
        h1 { color: #ffcc00; border-bottom: 2px solid #ffcc00; padding-bottom: 10px; }
        ul { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; }
        li { padding: 5px; font-size: 1.1em; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Welcome to FREAKHOSTING Elite</h1>
    <p>Please adhere to our community protocols:</p>
    <ul>
        <li>[1] Absolute zero tolerance for malicious exploitation.</li>
        <li>[2] Maintain professional conduct with all participants.</li>
    </ul>
    <img src="https://yourdomain.com/community-banner.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; margin-top: 20px;">
</body>
</html>
```

***

## Technical Limitations & Compatibility

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Legacy Browser Engine Logic">
    The internal MOTD browser is architected upon a legacy engine. To ensure absolute compatibility for all players, avoid implementing complex JavaScript, modern CSS Grid/Flexbox, or external video embeds. Simple, semantic HTML ensures that your rules load instantaneously regardless of the player's hardware configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Remote URL Redirection">
    If you prefer to host your MOTD on a specialized web server, you can use a single redirection line within your `motd.txt`. Simply input the full URL (e.g., `http://yourvtc.com/rules.html`) and the engine will programmatically fetch and render the remote content.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CSS:** Welcome to the team.
</div>


# How to Set Up a 5v5 Scrim Server in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/cs-source-setting-up-a-css-war-server

Engineer a professional competitive environment. Learn how to configure tournament-standard rules and execute 'War' configs for 5v5 matches on your CSS server.

## Technical Competitive Infrastructure

Establishing a dedicated "War" server is the fundamental requirement for hosting professional 5v5 scrims and organized tournament matches in Counter-Strike: Source (CSS). By using a specialized competitive configuration, you ensure that every match adheres to official league standards - encompassing specific round timers, starting economies, and strategic freeze-times. The FREAKHOSTING high-performance network provides the low-latency technical foundation required for high-stakes tactical play.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Security: RCON Authorization

To manage your matches effectively, you must establish an administrative bridge using the Remote Console (RCON) protocol.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Config Directory">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate server.cfg">
    Open the file situated at `/cstrike/cfg/server.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Security Key">
    Input a strong password using the following syntax:
    `rcon_password "YourSecretTeamKey2026"`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Architecting the Scrim Registry (war.cfg)

To automate the application of tournament rules, we recommend creating a dedicated execution script.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Registry">
    Create a new file named precisely **`war.cfg`** within your `/cstrike/cfg/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Tournament Variables">
    Copy and paste the following industry-standard parameters into the file:

    ```bash theme={null}
    mp_maxrounds 30           // Full match length (15 rounds per side)
    mp_freezetime 15          // Strategic buy and planning phase
    mp_startmoney 800         // Standard starting funds
    mp_roundtime 1.75         // Tournament standard duration
    mp_friendlyfire 1         // Enables team damage for realism
    mp_buytime 0.25           // Restricts buying to the start of the round
    mp_forcechasecam 1        // Restricts spectator view to teammates only
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Match Initialization Workflow

Once your participants have successfully connected to the lobby, use the following administrative protocol to begin the match.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Execution Protocol">
    Open your in-game developer console (**\~**) and execute the following logic:
    `rcon exec war`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Technical Result">
    The engine will programmatically reload the world state, reset all player economies, and apply the competitive variables instantly.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CSS:** Competitive logic active.
</div>


# How to Fix Missing Map Errors in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/fixing-missing-map-errors-in-css

Resolve the 'Disconnect: Missing map' error. Learn how to troubleshoot FastDL configurations and checksum mismatches to ensure smooth lobby joining in CSS.

## Overcoming Connection Hurdles: Map Synchronization

The error message **"Disconnect: Missing map maps/\[mapname].bsp"** is a primary technical blocker that prevents community members from joining your Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) server. This issue indicates a fundamental failure in the technical handshake between the player's client and your content delivery system. To ensure your participants can access your world without friction, you must maintain a strong synchronization pipeline. This guide walk you through the technical resolutions for the most common map-related disconnections.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Diagnostic Triage

Most map-related disconnections originate from one of two technical discrepancies.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="1. FastDL Path Misconfiguration">
    The engine uses the **`sv_downloadurl`** variable within your `server.cfg` to redirect clients to high-speed HTTP storage.

    * **The Failure:** If the URL is dead, incorrectly typed, or points to an incorrect directory structure (e.g., missing the trailing `/`), the client will attempt to fall back to the slow binary port and eventually time out.
    * **Strategic Fix:** Re-verify that your web server precisely mirrors your server's `/cstrike/` folder structure and that the URL is public.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="2. Checksum & Version Mismatch">
    If you modify or update a map on your server but maintain the original filename, participants with the legacy version cached in their local Steam library will encounter a conflict. The engine will detect a **CRC Checksum Mismatch** and refuse to overwrite the local file.

    * **Strategic Fix:** Append a version suffix to the map filename on the server (e.g., rename `surf_ski_2.bsp` to `surf_ski_2_v2.bsp`). This forces every client to treat the asset as a new entity, bypassing the local cache conflict.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Strategic Recommendations

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Enforcing Downloads">
    Ensure the following variables are authorized within your core configuration:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sv_allowdownload 1
    sv_allowupload 1
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client-Side Recovery">
    If an individual player continues to experience issues while others join successfully, instruct them to manually delete the specific map file from their local directory:
    `...\Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Source\cstrike\download\maps\`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Troubleshooting:** Reliable connections.
</div>


# How to Add Custom Player Skins in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/how-to-add-custom-skins

Professionalize your community presence. Learn the technical workflow for deploying custom player models and skins on your CSS server using SourceMod.

## Beyond the Standard Models: Community Identity

Implementing custom player skins - ranging from specialized tactical gear and national uniforms to iconic community characters - is a powerful technical strategy for establishing a unique community identity in Counter-Strike: Source (CSS). Deploying these assets requires a two-part coordination: ensuring the game engine correctly synchronizes the binary data with every participant via [FastDL](/games/counter-strike-16/setting-up-fast-download-http) and using a management plugin to assign the models based on team or administrative rank.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Asset Anatomy

A functional player skin consists of multiple interdependent files situated within specific subdirectories. If any single component is missing, the model will fail to render correctly.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Geometry (Models)">
    Situated in `/models/player/`:

    * **`.mdl`**: The primary 3D skeleton and mesh data.
    * **`.vtx` / `.vvd`**: Geometric vertex and data structures.
    * **`.phy`**: The physical collision data for hit detection.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Visuals (Materials)">
    Situated in `/materials/models/player/`:

    * **`.vmt`**: The material script that instructs the engine on how to render the texture.
    * **`.vtf`**: The binary texture data (The "Skin" itself).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize and display your custom community models.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Asset Positioning">
    Upload your custom files into the appropriate directory structure (e.g., `/cstrike/models/player/custom/vlad_skin/`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Synchronization">
    **Important:** You must add these exact file paths to your server's **Downloader List** (usually managed by a plugin like `downloads.smx` or `resource.AddFile`). This ensures the assets are pushed to every joining player via FastDL.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Model Logic">
    use a SourceMod plugin such as **Skins Chooser** or **Store**. In your configuration (e.g., `skins.txt`), define the absolute path to the model:
    `"models/player/custom/vlad_skin/vlad.mdl"`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The 'Checkered Box' Glitch">
    If players appear as giant purple and black checkered boxes, the engine has successfully loaded the `.mdl` geometry but has failed to locate or download the linked **materials** (`.vtf`/`.vmt`). Re-verify that your material paths are mirrored perfectly on your external FastDL web server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Inconsistent Hitboxes">
    Certain stylized "meme" skins or oversized models may use hitboxes that do not align with the 3D mesh. For competitive environments, we recommend using "Pro-Skin" models that strictly adhere to the vanilla skeleton proportions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Customization:** Stand out on the field.
</div>


# How to Install SourceMod & Metamod in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/installing-sourcemod-for-css

Install SourceMod and Metamod:Source on your CS: Source server to enable advanced admin tools, anti-cheat plugins, and custom gameplay modifications.

## Modern Server Management: The SourceMod Foundation

While legacy administrative utilities like *Mani Admin Plugin* were once prevalent, **SourceMod** has established itself as the definitive industry standard for Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) administration. It functions as a high-performance framework that enables the execution of specialized `.smx` plugins, offering unparalleled stability and a vast ecosystem of community-developed logic. By implementing SourceMod, you gain access to granular permission control, automated match management, and diverse game modes.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Components

A successful modding stack for CSS requires the coordinated deployment of two interdependent modules.

1. **Metamod:Source:** The fundamental technical bridge that hooks directly into the Source engine binaries.
2. **SourceMod:** The high-level execution environment that resides on top of Metamod.

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize the modding bridge on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Metamod">
    Download the latest stable distribution of **Metamod:Source** for Linux. Extract the `addons` folder into your server's root `/cstrike/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy SourceMod Assets">
    Download the **SourceMod** base package. Upload and merge the `addons` and `cfg` folders into your `/cstrike/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize & Verify">
    **Restart** your server. Navigate to the **Console** tab and execute the command **`meta list`**. If correctly initialized, the terminal will return "SourceMod" with a status of "RUNNING."
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Authorizing Administrative Authority

SourceMod uses a non-RCON authentication model based on unique player identifiers.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Your SteamID">
    Retrieve your legacy SteamID (e.g., `STEAM_0:1:123456`) using a tool like [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Admin Registry">
    Open the file situated at `/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Root Privileges">
    Add your ID using the following syntax to grant absolute authority:
    `"STEAM_0:1:123456" "99:z"`
    *(Note: The 'z' flag represents the Root Administrator status).*
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Plugin Integration

  Once the foundation is active, you can expand your server's functionality by deploying specialized mods such as **Deathmatch**, **GunGame**, or **SurfTimer**. Simply place the compiled `.smx` files into the `/addons/sourcemod/plugins/` directory and they will initialize automatically upon the next map change.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CSS:** Infrastructure verified.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Surf Server in CS: Source
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/counter-strike-source/setting-up-a-surf-server

Master the mechanics of high-speed movement. Learn how to optimize engine tickrates and air acceleration variables for a professional CSS surf server.

## Mastering the Ramps: High-Speed Simulation

Surfing in Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) is a specialized gameplay discipline that requires significant overrides to the engine's default physics and synchronization logic. A standard 66-tick server configuration often feels "heavy" or non-responsive, causing participants to lose momentum or slide off ramps prematurely. By precisely calibrating your tickrate and acceleration variables, you can create a professional "Skill-Surf" environment that rewards precise movement and maintain consistent world physics.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Engine Optimization: Tickrate

The **Tickrate** dictates the frequency (in Hz) at which the server calculates physical movements and collisions. For the high-velocity requirements of surfing, maximizing this value is essential.

* **Combat Surf:** 66-tick is sufficient for hybrid servers that maintain standard weaponry and tactical objectives.
* **Skill Surf:** We strongly recommend **100-tick** for the smoothest experience. This higher frequency ensures that the collision handshake between the player's boots and the ramp geometry is calculated with absolute precision.
* **Implementation:** Add the technical flag **`-tickrate 100`** to your FREAKHOSTING **Startup Parameters** dashboard.

***

## Essential Physics Parameters

You must implement these variables within your `server.cfg` to authorized the maintenance of momentum while airborne.

| Variable               | Recommended Value | Strategic Purpose                                                                                                  |
| :--------------------- | :---------------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`sv_airaccelerate`** |  `150` to `1000`  | **Mandatory:** The vanilla default (10) makes surfing physically impossible. 150 is the standard for most servers. |
| **`sv_accelerate`**    |        `10`       | Improves character responsiveness while maneuvering on steep surfaces.                                             |
| **`sv_maxvelocity`**   |       `3500`      | Prevents the engine from capping your speed on long downhill ramps.                                                |

***

## Strategic Hardware Analysis

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Monitoring Server-Side FPS">
    High-tickrate simulations place an immense load on the server's primary CPU thread. use the console command **`stats`** to audit your performance. If your FPS is not consistently maintaining a value of **500 or higher**, the 100-tick simulation may experience micro-stutters, negatively impacting ramp synchronization.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Fix: Multi-Threaded Hosting">
    If you experience persistent physics lag during high player counts, we recommend migrating to a **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** node. Our high-frequency processors are specifically selected to handle the extreme single-core requirements of 100-tick Source 1 environments.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CSS:** Smooth riding.
</div>

***

<Tip>
  ### Check Your Stats

  If your players report "Lag" while surfing, use the `stats` command in the console. If your FPS is not consistently above 500, the 100-tick simulation may be stuttering. Consider moving to a FREAKHOSTING **Extreme VPS** for optimized single-core performance.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **CSS:** Smooth riding.
</div>


# How to Access VPP Admin Tools in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/accessing-vpp-admin-tools

Master DayZ server administration with VPPAdminTools. Learn how to configure a strong GUI, manage player permissions, and use spectator modes.

## Professional Server Administration

The vanilla DayZ dedicated server package features exceptionally limited administrative capabilities, often requiring complex console variable management for basic tasks. **VPPAdminTools** has established itself as the industry-standard modification for server owners, providing a complete graphical user interface (GUI) and a highly granular permissions system. By implementing this toolset, you gain absolute control over your environment, from real-time player tracking to physics-defying building capabilities.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Initial Setup

Follow these steps to deploy and authorize the management toolkit on your FREAKHOSTING server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Modification">
    Subscribe to the `@VPPAdminTools` and `@CF` (Community Framework) mods on the Steam Workshop. Ensure both are included in your server's active mod list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Security Keys">
    Navigate to the mod's directory and copy the `.bikey` file into your server's root `/keys/` folder. This is important for allowing players to connect while the mod is active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register as SuperAdmin">
    Launch the server once to generate the directory structure. Navigate to `/profiles/VPPAdminTools/Permissions/` and open the `SuperAdmins.txt` file. Add your 17-digit **SteamID64** to the registry and save the file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Changes">
    **Restart** your server via the Game Panel to initialize the administrative permissions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Navigating the Command Interface

Once authenticated and in-game, you can access the primary management dashboard using the default keybindings.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The VPP Dashboard">
    Press the **End** key to reveal the primary dashboard. From here, you can access the real-time **Global Map**, view connected player statistics, and modify server-wide variables without disconnecting.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Player Interaction">
    use the **Player Manager** module to resolve community disputes or assist players. You can "Bring" a player instantly to your coordinates, "Goto" their location for observation, or manage their health and inventory states.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Building: Freecam Mode

  Press **H** to initialize the "Freecam" system. In this state, your perspective is detached from your character, allowing you to fly through the world. You can use the built-in object spawner to physically place buildings, assets, and environmental props directly into the world and save them permanently to the map database.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Moderation:** Total control of your world.
</div>


# How to Configure Custom Spawns & Loadouts in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/configuring-spawn-select-loadouts

Customize spawn locations and starting gear on your DayZ server using DayZ Expansion or vanilla scripting for a tailored new-player survival experience.

## Defining the Survivor's Journey

In the vanilla DayZ environment, every survivor initializes their journey at a randomized coastal coordinate with minimal supplies. To differentiate your community and provide a more structured progression path, modern server owners use **Spawn Selection** and **Custom Loadout** systems. Whether you are hosting a hardcore roleplay environment or a fast-paced PVP arena, tailoring the starting experience is essential for player retention and community identity.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## using DayZ Expansion Spawn Logic

If your server uses the **DayZ Expansion** mod suite, your spawn and gear settings are managed through standardized JSON configuration files.

* **Storage Directory:** `/profiles/ExpansionMod/SpawnSettings/`
* **Primary Configuration:** `SpawnSettings.json`

### Engineering Loadout Classes

You can architect multiple starting kits (e.g., Survivor, VIP, or specialized roles like Medic) within the `Loadouts` registry. This allows you to reward specific community members or provide varied gameplay choices.

```json theme={null}
{
    "Name": "VIP Survival Kit",
    "Items": ["M4A1", "Mag_STANAG_30Rnd", "CannedBacon", "WaterBottle"],
    "Backpack": "CoyoteBag_Green"
}
```

***

## Custom Geographic Spawns

Allowing players to select their insertion point prevents "coast-running" and enables squads to group up more efficiently.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Coordinates">
    Use an in-game admin tool or an online map (like iZurvive) to retrieve the X, Y, and Z coordinates for your desired spawn points.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Named Arrays">
    Within your `SpawnSettings.json`, populate the `SpawnPoints` array with your custom locations.

    ```json theme={null}
    "SpawnPoints": [
        {
            "Name": "Chernogorsk Airfield",
            "Positions": [[6500.0, 10.0, 2400.0]]
        }
    ]
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy & Test">
    Save the configuration and restart your server. Join as a new character to verify that the selection menu appears correctly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### The Vanilla Alternative: init.c Scripting

  If you prefer a lightweight environment without the Expansion mod, you can manually define starting equipment within your mission's `init.c` file. By modifying the `StartingEquipSetup` function, you can script specific items to spawn on every new character. Note that this method requires a basic understanding of C-style scripting and the technical classnames of game items.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Progression:** Your survival starts here.
</div>


# How to Master types.xml (Loot Economy) in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/configuring-typesxml-for-loot-spawns-in-dayz

Control every item spawn on your DayZ server. Learn how to configure the types.xml file to balance loot rarity, quantities, and persistence.

## The Heart of the Central Economy

The **Central Economy (CE)** is the sophisticated engine that dictates the distribution of resources within the DayZ world. It intelligently manages which items spawn, where they are geographically located, and how many unique instances are allowed to exist on the map simultaneously. The `types.xml` file serves as the primary configuration registry for this system. Mastering this file is the most effective way to balance your server's gameplay - whether you are building a loot-abundant PVP arena or a desolate, hardcore survival experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Architecture

Your server's economy data resides within the active mission directory. Any modifications to these files should be performed while the server is offline to prevent data corruption.

* **Primary Directory:** `/mpmissions/dayzOffline.chernarusplus/` (or your specific map name).
* **Configuration Path:** `db/types.xml`

***

## Anatomy of a Loot Registry Entry

Every item in the DayZ universe is defined by a specific XML block. Understanding these variables is critical for maintaining a stable economy.

```xml theme={null}
<type name="M4A1">
    <nominal>15</nominal>   <!-- The target quantity for the entire map -->
    <min>8</min>           <!-- The threshold that triggers new spawns -->
    <lifetime>28800</lifetime> <!-- Persistence in seconds before despawning -->
    <flags count_in_cargo="0" count_in_hoarder="0" count_in_map="1" count_in_player="0"/>
</type>
```

### Strategic Variable Breakdown

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Quantity Logic">
    * **Nominal:** The ideal number of this item the server attempts to maintain in the world.
    * **Min:** The "Panic Threshold." If the active count falls below this number, the server will prioritize spawning new instances until it returns to the `nominal` value.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Accounting Flags">
    * **count\_in\_map:** Tracks items sitting on the ground or within buildings.
    * **count\_in\_player:** If set to `1`, items stored in active player inventories count toward the global limit. **Caution:** Enabling this for rare items like the M4A1 will eventually cause them to stop spawning entirely as players stockpile them.
    * **count\_in\_hoarder:** Tracks items stored in base containers, tents, and buried stashes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### XML Syntax Integrity

  The DayZ engine is exceptionally sensitive to XML formatting errors. A single missing closing tag (e.g., forgetting `</type>`) or a misplaced bracket will cause the Central Economy to fail initialization. This results in a "Loot Drought" where zero items spawn across the entire map. Always use a technical text editor with syntax highlighting and verify your file using an online XML validator before deploying.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Loot:** Balancing the apocalypse.
</div>


# How to Configure Unlimited Stamina in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/configuring-unlimited-stamina

Disable stamina limits on your DayZ server using native configuration files or community mods so players can sprint freely with heavy gear and weapons equipped.

## Fast-Paced Survival & Combat

While the native DayZ stamina system provides an immersive and realistic survival experience, many PVP-focused or high-loot communities prefer a more dynamic movement model. By implementing unlimited stamina, you allow your players to sprint indefinitely and eliminate the movement penalties associated with heavy combat gear and weighted backpacks. This significantly shifts the gameplay toward high-speed tactical engagement.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Native Technical Method

Since the introduction of the modern engine branches, you can manipulate stamina logic directly through your mission files without requiring external modifications.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Mission Files">
    Navigate to your active mission directory (e.g., `/mpmissions/dayzOffline.chernarusplus/`) using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify Gameplay Logic">
    Open the `cfggameplay.json` file and locate the `StaminaData` object. Update the variables to eliminate decay and penalties:

    ```json theme={null}
    "StaminaData": {
        "sprintStaminaDecayErc": 0.0,
        "staminaWeightLimitThreshold": 10000.0,
        "staminaKgToStaminaPercentPenalty": 0.0
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate the Override">
    Open your `serverDZ.cfg` file and ensure the engine is instructed to use your custom gameplay file by setting:
    `enableCfgGameplayFile = 1;`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    **Restart** your server via the console tab to apply the new movement physics.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Alternative Mod-Based Solutions

If you prefer a standardized "plug-and-play" experience for your community, specialized mods are available on the Steam Workshop.

* **Implementation:** Install a reputable **Unlimited Stamina** mod. Ensure you add the `@ModName` to your server startup parameters and copy the associated `.bikey` into your root `/keys/` directory.
* **Advantage:** These mods often include additional social features, such as stylized stamina bars or integration with custom UI frameworks.

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Movement:** Run without limits.
</div>


# How to Tune Server Performance in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/dayz-server-performance-tuning

Maximize your DayZ server stability and FPS. Learn how to optimize entity lifetimes, AI density, and automated cleanup routines for high-performance hosting.

## Combatting Server Lag & Desync

DayZ is an exceptionally resource-intensive engine, responsible for simulating thousands of dynamic entities across a massive 225km² landscape. To maintain a consistent server tickrate (Server FPS) and minimize network desynchronization, administrators must implement aggressive world cleanup policies and entity limits. A well-tuned server not only provides a smoother combat experience for your players but also ensures long-term stability without frequent crashes.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic World Cleanup (`globals.xml`)

Persistent entities like discarded gear and expired characters are the primary contributors to performance degradation. You can manage these variables within your mission database.

* **Technical Path:** `/mpmissions/[Your_Mission]/db/globals.xml`

### Optimizing Dead Player Lifetimes

By default, the engine preserves dead players for one hour. During high-intensity base raids, this can lead to massive FPS drops. We recommend reducing the `CleanupLifetimeDeadPlayer` value from `3600` to **`300`** (5 minutes). This ensures that your hardware node can reclaim memory and CPU cycles quickly following an engagement.

***

## Reducing Loot Overhead (`types.xml`)

A common mistake for new server owners is allowing thousands of low-value items to persist in the world indefinitely.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Junk Items">
    Review your `types.xml` for high-frequency, low-tier assets such as basic food items, primitive clothing, and common tools.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Lifetime Values">
    Reduce the `lifetime` parameter for these items from the standard 28,800 seconds (8 hours) down to **900 seconds** (15 minutes).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Cycle the Economy">
    This forces the Central Economy to cycle items more frequently, significantly reducing the server's RAM footprint and ensuring that loot continues to spawn where it is needed most.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Maintenance Protocols

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Mandatory Restart Intervals">
    Due to inherent engine-level memory management limitations, we strongly recommend a full server restart every **3 to 4 hours**. This clears cached data and resets the internal state of complex physics objects like vehicles.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vehicle Safety during Restarts">
    Always provide an automated in-game warning (5-minute and 1-minute alerts) before a scheduled restart. Vehicles traveling at high velocities during a server shutdown may experience desynchronization upon re-logging, potentially leading to fatal crashes for the occupants.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Performance Hardware

  If you are running a heavily modded server with 60+ slots, we recommend using our **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** plans. These nodes use high-frequency CPUs that are specifically selected to handle the single-threaded nature of the DayZ server engine.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Stability:** Peak performance for your survivors.
</div>


# How to Fix VerifySignatures Failed Errors in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/fixing-verify-signatures-errors-for-players

Resolve the most common DayZ modding issue. Learn how to troubleshoot and fix signature verification errors between your server and players.

## Resolving Connection Failures

The error message **"You were kicked from the game (VerifySignatures failed)"** is the most frequent technical hurdle encountered by DayZ modded community servers. This security trigger indicates a cryptographic handshake failure between the player's client and the server's security registry. It typically results from a version mismatch, a missing authentication key, or local file corruption. Resolving this issue promptly is essential for maintaining your server's accessibility and player retention.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Root Causes

Understanding why the engine is rejecting a connection is the first step toward a permanent fix.

* **Missing Security Keys:** The server possesses the mod files but lacks the corresponding `.bikey` within the central `/keys/` registry.
* **Asynchronous Updates:** A modification was updated on the Steam Workshop, but your server is still executing an older cached version.
* **Client Corruption:** A specific player's local mod download has become corrupted or contains unauthorized localized files.

***

## Administrator's Resolution Checklist

Follow these steps to ensure your server's security perimeter is correctly configured.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Audit Your Keys">
    For every modification listed in your `-mod=` startup parameter, verify that its unique `.bikey` file is present in the server's root `/keys/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize with Steam">
    Restart your server. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel automatically verifies your mods against the Steam Workshop during the initialization sequence and retrieves any pending updates.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Re-Copy Key Files">
    Following a major mod update, the author may change the name of the key file. Always navigate to the mod's internal `Keys` folder and re-copy the `.bikey` to your server's root `/keys/` directory after a patch.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Diagnostic Triage

If the error persists, use this logic to determine if the issue is global or isolated.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Global Kicks">
    If **every player** is being disconnected with the same error, the issue is strictly **server-side**. Focus your efforts on verifying your `/keys/` directory and ensuring your mod load order is correct.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Isolated Kicks">
    If **only one player** is experiencing the error while others join successfully, the issue is **client-side**. Instruct the player to "Verify Integrity of Game Files" within their Steam client and ensure they have no extra files in their local mod folders.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** smooth connectivity.
</div>


# How to Admin Your Server with CFTools in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/how-to-admin-your-server-with-cftools

Master remote DayZ server management with CFTools. Learn how to integrate GameLabs, manage RCON links, and use global banlists for your community.

## Cloud-Based Community Management

**CFTools Cloud** is the definitive administrative dashboard for high-population DayZ community servers. It provides a centralized, web-based interface that enables you to manage global banlists, monitor real-time killfeeds, and moderate your player base from any device without requiring an active in-game session. By integrating your FREAKHOSTING server with the CFTools ecosystem, you gain access to enterprise-grade security tools and technical insights that are essential for maintaining a professional and fair gaming environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

To establish a secure handshake with the CFTools network, you must implement the appropriate modding infrastructure on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Mod Requirements">
    Subscribe to the `@CF` (Community Framework) and `@GameLabs` modifications on the Steam Workshop. Ensure they are correctly added to your server's active mod list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Your Asset">
    Create an account on the official [cftools.cloud](https://cftools.cloud) portal. Register your server within their dashboard to retrieve your unique **Server ID** and API credentials.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Integration Procedure

Follow these steps to link your physical server node to the CFTools management cloud.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate Structure">
    Launch your server once with the GameLabs mod active to initialize the required directory paths.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Identification">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to `/profiles/GameLabs/` and open the `missionId.cfg` file. Input your unique Server ID provided by the CFTools dashboard and save the file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish the RCON Bridge">
    Within the CFTools web interface, navigate to your server's connection settings. Input your Server IP and the specific RCON Port and Password defined within your `serverDZ.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and Validate">
    Restart your server. The CFTools dashboard should now display a "Connected" status, indicating that real-time telemetry is being synchronized.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Security Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="using Global Banlists">
    One of the most powerful advantages of CFTools is the **Shared Banlist** feature. When enabled, your server will automatically intercept and kick any player who has been blacklisted across the wider CFTools network for confirmed cheating or malicious behavioral patterns. This proactive defense significantly reduces the workload for your localized moderation team.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Real-Time Killfeed Integration">
    use the dashboard to monitor player engagements. This data is important for identifying potential "cheater" behavior, such as suspicious kill distances or rapid engagement sequences that deviate from standard survival mechanics.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **External Tools:** Managing the many.
</div>


# How to Install DayZ Expansion
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/how-to-install-dayz-expansion

Deploy the definitive total overhaul for DayZ. Learn how to install the DayZ Expansion mod suite, manage dependencies, and configure custom mission templates.

## Total Conversion Deployment

**DayZ Expansion** is an ambitious total overhaul project that fundamentally transforms the survival experience. By introducing helicopters, operational boats, specialized base-building mechanics, and a sophisticated integrated currency system, it pushes the game engine to its absolute limits. Due to the scale of these modifications, Expansion requires a specialized installation workflow that goes beyond standard mod deployment. This guide ensures your server is correctly architected to handle the complexity of the Expansion suite.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Dependencies

The Expansion engine will fail to initialize if its mandatory framework requirements are missing from the load order.

* **@CF (Community Framework):** The underlying logic hook for modern DayZ modding.
* **@Dabs Framework:** Specialized technical utilities required for Expansion's UI and physics components.

***

## Mandatory Mission Architecture

A common failure point for new administrators is attempting to execute Expansion on a vanilla mission template. You **must** use the specialized mission files provided by the mod developers to enable custom spawns and vehicle synchronization.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Bundle Assets">
    Open the `@DayZ Expansion Bundle` directory within your [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Migrate Mission Templates">
    Navigate to the `Missions` sub-folder. Copy the specialized mission folder (e.g., `Expansion.ChernarusPlus`) into your server's root `/mpmissions/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Server Configuration">
    Open your `serverDZ.cfg` and update the `template` variable to target your new directory:
    `template="Expansion.ChernarusPlus";`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Restart your server. The engine will now load the Expansion-specific world definitions and logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Warning>
  ### Strategic Data Wipe

  When transitioning an existing server to DayZ Expansion, we strongly recommend performing a full world wipe (deleting the `/storage/` folder). Expansion introduces significant changes to item classnames and global spawn logic; using a legacy save can result in "Ghost Items", invisible geometry, and severe database desynchronization.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Expansion:** The apocalypse, redefined.
</div>


# How to Install DayZ Standalone Mods
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/how-to-install-mods-on-dayz-standalone

Customize your survival experience. Learn how to install Steam Workshop mods, manage security keys, and optimize load orders on your DayZ server.

## Enhancing the Apocalypse

Modifying your DayZ Standalone server is the most effective way to create a unique community identity, whether you are introducing new weaponry, expanding the map, or implementing advanced roleplay mechanics. However, DayZ modding requires more than simple file transfers; you must also authorize the associated security signatures to allow players to establish a secure connection. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel simplifies this process, allowing you to manage your assets and security keys with precision.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Installation Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy and activate a new modification on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Asset Folders">
    Upload the `@ModName` directory to your server's root folder using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp). We recommend avoiding spaces in folder names to prevent parsing errors.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Security Signatures">
    Open the mod folder and locate the `Keys` subdirectory. Copy the **`.bikey`** file and paste it into your server's root `/keys/` folder. Without this key, players will be rejected with a [VerifySignatures Error](/games/dayz/fixing-verify-signatures-errors-for-players).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate via Startup">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab in the panel. Append the folder name to the appropriate parameter, ensuring entries are separated by semicolons (e.g., `@CF;@VPPAdminTools;@More_Guns`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Mod vs. ServerMod Strategies

Understanding where to load your modifications can significantly impact your server's performance and the player's connection experience.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Client-Side Mods (-mod=)">
    use this parameter for any mod that introduces visual or mechanical changes that the player must see (e.g., new clothing, vehicles, or map expansions). Players must download these files to connect.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Server-Only Mods (-servermod=)">
    Reserve this for administrative tools, logging utilities, or performance patches. Because these are strictly server-side logic, players do not need to download them, which reduces the duration of the "Wait for Mods" screen.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Strategic Dependency Management

  Before activating a new mod, always consult its Steam Workshop documentation for required frameworks. Many modern modifications rely on the **@CF (Community Framework)** or **@Dabs Framework** to operate. Initializing a mod without its parent framework will cause an immediate engine crash during the boot sequence.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Modding:** Your world, your vision.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure the Trader Mod in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/installing-and-configuring-trader-mod

Establish a thriving economy on your DayZ server. Learn how to set up Safezones, place Trader NPCs, and configure item catalogues for custom trading.

## Building a Global Wasteland Economy

The **Trader** modification is a cornerstone of modern DayZ community servers, enabling you to transform your world into a living society with a structured economy. By implementing dedicated Safezones and merchant NPCs, you provide survivors with a centralized hub to exchange gathered loot for specialized currency (Rubles). This system encourages long-term progression and facilitates player interaction through trading, black market dealings, and resource management.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Upon the initial server initialization with the mod active, the engine will generate a complete database within the following directory: `/profiles/Trader/`.

### 1. Architecting the Catalogue (`TraderConfig.txt`)

This configuration file defines the inventory available at each NPC and establishes the market value for every item.

```text theme={null}
<Category> Military Armory
<Item> M4A1    <BuyPrice> 1000    <SellPrice> 500
<Item> NVG     <BuyPrice> 5000    <SellPrice> 1000
```

### 2. Physical NPC Placement (`TraderObjects.txt`)

To manifest your traders in the world, you must define their physical coordinates and orientations.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Retrieve Coordinates">
    Position your character in-game at the exact spot where you want the NPC to stand. use an admin tool like [VPPAdminTools](/games/dayz/accessing-vpp-admin-tools) to copy your current X, Y, and Z coordinates.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Entity Logic">
    Input these coordinates into the `TraderObjects.txt` file. You must also specify the character model (class) for the NPC and the direction they should face.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Restart your server. The NPCs will now spawn at the designated points, surrounded by a pre-configured Safezone radius if enabled in the settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Economic Balancing

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Currency Distribution">
    For a functional economy, you must ensure survivors have a method to acquire currency. We recommend updating your [types.xml](/games/dayz/configuring-typesxml-for-loot-spawns-in-dayz) to allow `MoneyRouble` items to spawn in logical locations, such as cash registers or on police/military infected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The 'Sell-Only' Strategy">
    To prevent inflation and encourage exploration, consider setting high-tier weaponry to "Sell Only" within your config. This forces players to scavenge for elite gear while still rewarding them with currency for their efforts.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Safezone Integrity

  Ensure your Safezone boundaries are clearly communicated to your players. Misconfigured Safezones can lead to "spawn camping" or combat logging issues that negatively impact the community experience.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Economy:** Wealth in the wasteland.
</div>


# How to Set Up Custom Loading Screens in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/setting-up-a-custom-loading-screen-mod

Establish your server's brand from the first second. Learn how to configure custom loading screens using automated mods or manual PBO packaging.

## Professional Community Branding

First impressions are important for community growth. Because loading screen assets are managed exclusively by the game client, you cannot simply replace an image file within the server's root directory. Instead, you must implement a modification that instructs the client's engine to override the default vanilla visuals with your custom branding. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel supports several methods for achieving this, ranging from automated URL-based solutions to custom PBO deployments.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Deployment Strategies

Choose the method that best aligns with your technical proficiency and branding requirements.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Automated Method (Recommended)">
    This is the most efficient workflow, using a multipurpose mod like **DayZ-Editor-Loader** or a dedicated **Custom Loading Screen** framework from the Steam Workshop.

    1. Install the framework mod on your server and authorize its keys.
    2. Restart the server once to generate the `/profiles/` configuration.
    3. Locate the JSON config and paste a direct URL to your branding image (e.g., hosted on Imgur or a private CDN).
    4. The mod will automatically fetch and display this image to every player during the connection phase.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual PBO Packaging (Advanced)">
    Use this method if you require a truly independent, proprietary modification without external dependencies.

    1. use the **DayZ Tools** suite to convert your PNG/JPG assets into the engine-native `.edds` format.
    2. Architect a `config.cpp` file that defines the UI class overrides.
    3. Pack the assets into a `.pbo` file using the **Addon Builder**.
    4. Upload the resulting mod to your own Steam Workshop page and add it to your server's load order.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Graphic Resolution Best Practices

  To ensure your loading screen appears correctly across varied hardware, we recommend using a resolution of **1920x1080** or **2560x1440**. Ensure your logo is centrally positioned to avoid being cropped by the engine's dynamic aspect ratio adjustments.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Branding:** First impressions matter.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Party & Group System in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/setting-up-a-party-group-system

Facilitate player coordination and faction management. Learn how to implement party systems with 3D HUD markers and real-time teammate tracking.

## Collaborative Survival Coordination

In the standard vanilla DayZ environment, identifying allies requires physical cues such as specialized clothing, armbands, or constant verbal communication. To improve the user experience and facilitate complex tactical maneuvers, modern community servers implement **Party and Group Systems**. These modifications introduce stylized 3D HUD markers over teammates' heads and real-time map pings, ensuring that your community members can focus on combat and exploration rather than accidental friendly fire.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Recommended Group Frameworks

Selecting the appropriate framework depends on your server's technical complexity and desired gameplay feel.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Expansion Groups">
    The most complete option available. Integrated directly into the [DayZ Expansion Suite](/games/dayz/how-to-install-dayz-expansion), it features advanced territory management, faction hierarchies, and deep map integration.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SchanaModParty">
    A high-performance, lightweight alternative. This is the gold standard for "Vanilla+" servers that require reliable teammate tracking without the overhead of a total overhaul mod.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="LBmaster Groups">
    Focuses on high-fidelity visual feedback. It includes stylized health bars, detailed nameplate customization, and specific role icons for squad leaders and medics.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Configuration Triage

Once you have deployed your chosen modification and authorized its security keys, you can fine-tune the behavior within the `/profiles/` directory.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate JSON Configuration">
    Navigate to your server's `/profiles/` folder and open the specific configuration file for your mod (e.g., `SchanaPartySettings.json` or `ExpansionGroups.json`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Operational Limits">
    Update the `MaxPartySize` variable to align with your community's rules. We recommend a limit of **5 to 8 players** for balanced PVP, or higher for large-scale faction servers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Visual Feed">
    Define the `MarkerDistance`. For high immersion, set names to fade out after **100 meters**. For high-speed combat servers, you may prefer them to be visible globally across the entire map.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify In-Game Input">
    Most group mods use the **P** key as the default toggle for the invitation menu. Verify that this does not conflict with other active mod keybindings on your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Social:** Strength in numbers.
</div>


# How to Manage Mission Files & Maps in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/setting-up-dayz-server-mission-files

Deploy custom maps on your DayZ server by managing mission templates and serverDZ.cfg for smooth transitions between Chernarus, Livonia, and more.

## Transitioning the Theater of War

In the DayZ Standalone architecture, the physical world and its associated logic are governed by the **Mission Folder**. Whether you are transitioning to the freezing landscapes of Namalsk, the overgrown ruins of Livonia, or a community-made map, you must correctly synchronize the terrain assets with the corresponding server-side mission repository. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides a structured environment for managing these files, ensuring a stable and immersive world transition for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to correctly initialize a new map on your dedicated server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Terrain Assets">
    Ensure the physical map modification (e.g., `@Namalsk_Island`) is correctly uploaded and added to your server's `-mod=` startup parameter. Without the actual terrain data, the mission files will fail to initialize.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Migrate Mission Repositories">
    Acquire the multiplayer mission files for your specific map (typically provided by the map author on GitHub). Upload the resulting folder (e.g., `regular.namalsk`) directly into your server's root `/mpmissions/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Global Variables">
    Locate and open the `serverDZ.cfg` file in the root directory. Navigate to the `class Missions` block at the conclusion of the file and update the `template` variable.

    ```cpp theme={null}
    class Missions
    {
        class DayZ
        {
            template="regular.namalsk"; // This must precisely match your folder name
        };
    };
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Save your changes and **Restart** the server. The engine will now load the new map definitions and begin populating the Central Economy.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Database Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Preventing Database Corruption">
    When migrating to a completely different map, we strongly recommend deleting the `storage_1` folder located within your mission directory. This forces the server to regenerate a clean player and world database. Attempting to load legacy player positions or items that are incompatible with the new terrain will lead to immediate server crashes or corrupted character states.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customizing Map Logic">
    Each mission folder contains unique configuration files, such as `map_info.xml` and `cfggameplay.json`. You can modify these files to customize the world's lighting, weather patterns, and fundamental physics specifically for that map instance.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Case Sensitivity

  Our high-performance servers use a Linux-based environment, which is strictly case-sensitive. If your mission folder is named `Regular.Namalsk` but you define it as `regular.namalsk` in the configuration, the engine will fail to locate the path and the server will not start.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Missions:** Fresh starts in new lands.
</div>


# How to Use CodeLocks vs. Combination Locks in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/using-codelock-vs-combination-lock

Compare digital CodeLocks and combination locks on your DayZ server. Configure raid difficulty and learn the advantages of each base security option.

## Securing Your Survival Sanctuary

Protecting your gathered resources is a fundamental priority in the DayZ wasteland. While the vanilla 3-dial and 4-dial combination locks provide a basic level of protection, they are often considered tedious by players and are highly vulnerable to "brute-force" raiding - where a malicious actor manually cycles through every possible combination. By implementing the **CodeLock** modification, you introduce a modern, digital security layer that improves the user experience while significantly hardening your community's bases against unauthorized intrusion.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Advantages

Transitioning to digital security provides several strategic improvements for both players and administrators.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Digital Interface">
    The CodeLock features a responsive numerical keypad. Entering a 4-digit PIN is significantly faster and more intuitive than the mechanical dial manipulation required by vanilla locks, especially during high-stress encounters.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Authorization Memory">
    Once a survivor successfully authorizes their PIN on a CodeLock, the system recognizes them on every return. This enables **Instant Entry**, allowing owners to open their gates with a single click without re-typing their code until they die or the lock is reset.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Enhanced Raid Defense">
    Unlike vanilla locks, CodeLocks are immune to manual guessing. Raiders must use specialized breaching tools or high-yield explosives (such as C4) to bypass the digital encryption, allowing administrators to precisely balance the "cost of raiding" on their server.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Administrative Configuration

Once the mod is initialized on your FREAKHOSTING server, you can fine-tune its balance within the `/profiles/CodeLock/` directory.

* **Primary Path:** `Config.json`

<Steps>
  <Step title="Define Brute-Force Protection">
    Configure the number of incorrect attempts allowed before the lock enters a cooldown phase. This prevents automated script-based guessing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Raid Difficulty">
    Adjust the `RaidTime` variable to determine how many seconds are required to cut the lock using a hacksaw. For hardcore servers, we recommend setting this value extremely high to force the use of explosive raiding mechanics.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manage Tent Security">
    Toggle the `CanAttachToTent` parameter. Enabling this provides solo survivors with a method to secure their mobile base camps, which is highly valued in roleplay communities.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Persistence & Server Wipes

  CodeLocks are tied directly to the world's object database. During a scheduled server wipe, ensure you maintain the `/profiles/CodeLock/` folder if you wish to preserve the master configuration while resetting player progress and base structures.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Protecting your loot.
</div>


# How to Configure Whitelisting in DayZ
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/dayz/whitelisting-players-on-dayz

Establish absolute control over server access. Learn how to implement player whitelisting for private events, streamers, and Roleplay (RP) communities.

## Managing Private Access Control

Whitelisting is an essential administrative protocol for private communities, streamers, and hardcore Roleplay (RP) environments. By implementing a whitelist, you ensure that only verified and authorized individuals can establish a connection to your server, effectively neutralizing the threat of stream-snipers, malicious griefers, or uninvited intruders. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel supports both native vanilla whitelisting and advanced mod-based management for maximum flexibility.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Access Control Methodologies

Choose the method that best aligns with your community's technical infrastructure and staff workflow.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="VPPAdminTools (Recommended)">
    If your server uses the [VPPAdminTools Suite](/games/dayz/accessing-vpp-admin-tools), you can manage your whitelist through a powerful graphical interface.

    1. Open the VPP Dashboard in-game (**End** key).
    2. Navigate to the **Whitelist** module.
    3. Add players directly by their **SteamID64** or current in-game name.
    4. Configure a custom "Connection Rejected" message (e.g., "Join our Discord to apply for whitelist").
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Vanilla Implementation (Manual)">
    This method uses the engine's native logic and does not require external modifications.

    1. In your `serverDZ.cfg`, locate and set `enableWhitelist = 1;`.
    2. Create a file named `whitelist.txt` within your server's root directory.
    3. Input the unique **BattlEye GUID** for every authorized survivor, with one entry per line.
       *Note: BattlEye GUIDs are technically distinct from SteamIDs, making this method more labor-intensive for administrators.*
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Identifying Unique Identifiers

To authorize a player, you must possess their specific network identifier.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Retrieving SteamID64">
    The 17-digit SteamID64 is the primary identifier used by most mods. You can retrieve this by inputting a player's Steam profile URL into tools like [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Converting to BattlEye GUID">
    If using the vanilla whitelist, you must convert the SteamID64 into a 32-character BattlEye GUID. This conversion can be performed through various community-made online converters or administrative plugins.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Maintaining Whitelist Integrity

  If you choose to enable the `enableWhitelist` variable in your configuration, the server will **strictly reject** any player whose identifier is not present in your registry. Ensure your administrative team is added to the list first to avoid locking yourself out of your own server.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Moderation:** Verified players only.
</div>


# How to Change Server Name & Password in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/changing-server-password-and-name

Professionalize your realm's identity. Learn how to customize your Enshrouded server name and implement a secure join password via the JSON configuration.

## Personalizing Your Realm: Identity & Security

Establishing a unique server identity is the primary factor in attracting new survivors to your Enshrouded community. A professional, descriptive name helps your lobby stand out within the global browser, while a strong join password ensures that your progress in Embervale remains protected from unauthorized intruders. The FREAKHOSTING platform provide full access to your server's technical registry, enabling you to manage these variables with absolute precision.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Enshrouded uses a standardized JSON-based registry to manage core server parameters.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Modifying identity variables while the process is active can lead to configuration overwrites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Registry">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and locate the **`enshrouded_server.json`** file situated in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Identity Variables">
    Locate the `name` and `password` parameters. Input your chosen community branding and security key.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "name": "FREAKHOSTING | Embervale Pioneers | 24/7",
      "password": "YourSecurePassword2026",
      "slotCount": 16
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Start** your server. Note that it may take up to 60 seconds for the updated identity to propagate to the global browser list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Strategic Naming Conventions">
    To maximize your server's visibility, we recommend using prefixes like **\[EU]** or **\[US]** and highlighting unique features such as **\[No Wipe]** or **\[Active Discord]**. This helps players find your community using the browser's filter utility.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Password Security Constraints">
    While the engine supports varied strings, we recommend a minimum of **8 characters**. Avoid using special symbols like `"` or `\` within the JSON values, as these can disrupt the file's syntax and cause the server process to fail during initialization.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Identity established.
</div>


# How to Manage World Saves & Backups in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/how-to-manage-save-games-in-enshrouded

Master the technical architecture of your Enshrouded world data. Learn how to securely backup, restore, and transfer persistent voxel saves.

## Technical Data Sovereignty in Embervale

Enshrouded uses a sophisticated database-like architecture for its world saves, designed to track every persistent modification to the 3D voxel grid. Unlike traditional games that use a single flat file, an Enshrouded save maintains granular data for deep excavations, massive architectural projects, and global terraforming. Because this data is written in real-time, maintaining a rigorous backup strategy is essential for protecting your community's progress from potential database corruption or developmental bugs. This guide walk you through the professional management of your world data.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Anatomy

Your world's persistent data resides exclusively within the `/savegame/` directory of your FREAKHOSTING instance. A successful world save consists of two critical technical components:

* **World Binary (Hex ID):** A large, high-entropy file (e.g., `3ad85...`) containing the physical voxel data, terrain changes, and player-built structures.
* **World Metadata Info:** A smaller companion file (e.g., `3ad85..._info`) containing the world state registry, mission flags, and discovery data.

***

## Data Preservation Workflow (Backups)

Follow these steps to generate a secure off-site copy of your world data.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server.

    <Warning>
      **Never** attempt to copy or download active save files while the server is `Online`. The process maintains an active I/O lock on the database; bypassing this can result in a "Half-Written" corrupted backup.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Archive">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab. Select the `/savegame/` directory and use the **Archive (Zip)** utility to compress the data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Secure Locally">
    Download the resulting archive to your local workstation via the browser or a dedicated [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Restoration & Migration Protocols

To revert your world to a previous state or migrate data from a different server, use this standardized protocol.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Purge Destination Data">
    **Stop** the server and navigate to the `/savegame/` directory. Delete any existing files to ensure no ID conflicts occur with the new data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Backup Assets">
    Upload your verified backup files into the empty directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Re-Sync">
    **Start** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; the engine will programmatically verify the new binary hashes and initialize the world state.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Early Access Data Sensitivity

  Enshrouded is currently in active development. Major engine updates can occasionally introduce "Schema Changes" that render older save files incompatible. We strongly recommend maintaining a historical archive of at least three localized backups to ensure you can roll back following a problematic game update.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Data secured.
</div>


# How to Manage Flame Altar Limits in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/increasing-flame-altar-limits

Manage Flame Altar building restrictions on your Enshrouded server. Learn how the altar system limits building zones and maximize your base count.

## Building Boundaries in Embervale

Flame Altars serve as the technical heart of every base in Enshrouded, establishing the protected buildable area and providing essential sanctuaries from the encroaching Shroud. However, the game engine enforces specific constraints on the quantity and scale of these altars to maintain technical stability and prevent world-data bloat. Understanding these limits is important for community owners who wish to manage a high-population server with active builders.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Constraints & Logic

As of the current development build, Flame Altar limits are governed by the world's collective progression rather than simple configuration variables.

* **Global Server Limit:** There is a hard-coded technical cap on the total number of simultaneous active altars permitted per server instance.
* **Progression-Based Scaling:** The number of available slots for altars frequently scales with the world's overall **"Flame Level."** As players contribute resources to strengthen the global flame, new territorial slots are programmatically unlocked.
* **Configuration Registry:** Currently, there is **no direct variable** within the `enshrouded_server.json` file to forcefully override these architectural limits.

***

## Strategic Community Management

To maximize your server's architectural potential within the engine's constraints, we recommend implementing the following community guidelines.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Collaborative Construction">
    Encourage your participants to form guilds or groups. Shared Flame Altars allow multiple players to contribute to a single massive stronghold rather than depleting the server's global altar quota on redundant, individual outposts.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Territorial Auditing">
    Periodically audit your map for abandoned altars from inactive players. Manually purging these "Ghost Bases" ensures that territorial slots remain available for active community members.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Advanced Modding Workarounds

  While official support for a "Limitless" building mode does not yet exist, certain unofficial server wrappers and experimental mod frameworks may provide early-access methods for bypassing these boundaries. Please be aware that using unauthorized modifications to change world-scale limits can lead to significant database corruption and world-save instability.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Flame system active.
</div>


# How to Locate Save Files for Backup in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/locating-save-files-for-backup

Quickly identify the technical path for world and metadata save files on your Enshrouded dedicated server for manual data management.

## Identifying Your Data Repositories

Knowing the precise technical path of your Enshrouded save data is a fundamental requirement for professional server administration. This knowledge is essential for performing localized manual backups, migrating your community to a new hosting node, or investigating database discrepancies following a major game engine update. The Enshrouded architecture uses a distinct directory structure to separate binary world data from global server metadata.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Directories

On a FREAKHOSTING dedicated instance, your persistent data is architected within the following primary paths.

* **Primary World Binary:** `/savegame/`
* **Global Metadata & Engine Config:** Root directory (`/`)

### Identifying the World Container

Within the **`savegame`** directory, you will observe a folder (or a pair of files) using a long hexadecimal string as its identifier (e.g., `3ad85...`). This container houses the specialized binary blobs that represent your community's persistent voxel modifications, terraforming history, and every player-placed structure within Embervale.

***

## Technical Data Segregation

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Character vs. World Data">
    Unlike many survival simulations, Enshrouded uses a decentralized character model. A player's levels, skills, and localized inventory are primarily stored within their own **Steam Cloud profile**. If you initialize a [World Wipe](/games/enshrouded/performing-a-world-wipe), participants will typically retain their character progression when connecting to your new world instance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Metadata Significance">
    The `.info` file situated in your save directory contains the technical world state, including the global "Flame Level" and unlocked fast-travel coordinates. When performing a manual backup, you must ensure this metadata remains synchronized with the primary world binary to prevent initialization errors.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Directories verified.
</div>


# How to Optimize Server Performance in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/performance-optimization

Maximize your server stability and tickrate. Learn how to calibrate slot limits and implement maintenance schedules for Enshrouded's voxel-based engine.

## Managing a Complex Voxel Ecosystem

Enshrouded is architected upon a sophisticated voxel engine designed to track and persist granular changes to the 3D environment. Because every excavation, structural expansion, and terraforming action must be calculated and synchronized for every player in the vicinity, server performance is heavily dependent on single-core CPU frequency. To ensure your community enjoys a fluid, responsive experience in Embervale, you must implement strategic management policies that balance player density against available hardware resources.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Slot Management

The `slotCount` parameter within your `enshrouded_server.json` file is the primary factor in determining your server's technical overhead.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Hosting Tier">
    Review your FREAKHOSTING plan to determine your assigned CPU and RAM resources.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Capacity">
    Apply the following strategic recommendations:

    * **Budget Hardware:** 4 - 8 Slots.
    * **Standard Infrastructure:** 16 Slots.
    * **Extreme Performance:** 32+ Slots.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Strategic Reasoning">
    If 16 participants are exploring geographically distinct regions simultaneously, the engine must initialize 16 independent "Shroud" zones and AI pathfinding threads. This can trigger significant TPS (Ticks Per Second) drops if your slot count exceeds your physical core capacity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Maintenance Cycles

Voxel-based data structures are susceptible to memory accumulation (memory creep) over prolonged uptime sessions.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Automated Restarts">
    use the [FREAKHOSTING Schedules](/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-schedules-and-tasks) utility to implement an automated restart every **6 to 12 hours**. This clears the engine's memory cache and ensures world events remain synchronized.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Save Data I/O">
    Large world saves (exceeding 50MB) can trigger momentary "Hiccups" during the auto-save cycle. Our NVMe-powered storage arrays are designed to minimize this latency, but maintaining a clean directory via periodic world wipes can further improve I/O responsiveness.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Seeking Extreme Performance

  If your community is expanding and you require higher slot counts with zero-jitter performance, consider migrating to our **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** instances. These nodes use specialized high-frequency processors specifically selected to handle the single-threaded bottlenecks inherent in the Enshrouded server executable.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Performance optimized.
</div>


# How to Perform a World Wipe in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/performing-a-world-wipe

Reset your Enshrouded server to a fresh, untouched state. Learn the technical process for purging world data and initializing a brand-new Embervale instance.

## Starting Anew in Embervale

Whether your world has become cluttered with abandoned structures or you simply wish to experience the Early Access progression from scratch with a new community ruleset, performing a world wipe is a straightforward administrative procedure. This process purges all persistent voxel modifications and player-built bases, allowing the game engine to generate a pristine, untouched instance of Embervale.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Reset Procedure

Follow these steps to safely initialize a brand-new world on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Never attempt to delete world files while the engine is initialized, as the process maintains active locks on the database.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Save Data">
    Open the **Files** tab in the sidebar menu and locate the `/savegame/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Purge World Logic">
    Select all files within the folder (or the folder itself) and click **Delete**.

    <Warning>
      This action is irreversible. All terraforming, buildings, and world-level progression (like Flame Altar levels) will be permanently destroyed. Ensure you have a [Manual Backup](/games/enshrouded/how-to-manage-save-games-in-enshrouded) if you wish to preserve any data.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize New World">
    **Start** your server via the console. The engine will detect the missing directory and programmatically generate a fresh world instance with a new unique identifier.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Community Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Character Progression Persistence">
    In Enshrouded, character data (levels, skills, and personal inventory) is primarily stored on the player's local client or Steam Cloud. When survivors rejoin your freshly wiped world, they will likely arrive with their high-tier gear and existing attributes. If you desire a "True Fresh Start" for your community, you must manually coordinate with your players to create new characters.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Updating Server Metadata">
    Following a wipe, it is an excellent strategic opportunity to update your [Server Name and Description](/games/enshrouded/changing-server-password-and-name) to include a "Fresh Wipe" tag (e.g., `[WIPED 23/01]`). This significantly increases visibility within the global server browser.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** World reset.
</div>


# How to Understand Quest Progression in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/quest-progression-shared-vs-personal

Master the shared world mechanics of Embervale. Learn how Enshrouded handles global quest milestones versus individual character development in multiplayer.

## Shared World Evolution in Enshrouded

Enshrouded uses a unique **Server-Wide Progression** model that fundamentally differs from traditional character-centric RPGs. In Embervale, the world itself evolves as milestones are achieved. This architectural choice ensures that the server's environment remains consistent for all participants, but it also means that major narrative shifts and functional unlocks are tied to the world save rather than the individual player. This guide walk you through the technical distinctions between what is shared across your community and what remains exclusive to your character.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Progression Logic

Understanding the division of data is essential for managing player expectations and community events.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Shared (World Registry)">
    * **Functional NPC Unlocks:** When any survivor rescues a specialized NPC (e.g., the Blacksmith or Alchemist), that NPC becomes available at every Flame Altar across the entire server.
    * **Global Flame Level:** Progress towards strengthening the world's protective flame is shared. Improvements to the global flame benefit all connected survivors.
    * **Narrative Milestones:** Major story quests and environmental transitions completed by any group are marked as finished for the entire world instance.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Personal (Client Registry)">
    * **Attributes & Skills:** Your experience points (XP), character levels, and specialized talent tree choices remain unique to your specific character.
    * **Equipment & Inventory:** All weapons, armor, and resources residing in your character's inventory or private chests are persistent and travel with you between different servers.
    * **Geographic Fog-of-War:** The clearing of the world map is a localized client action. Each player must physically traverse regions to reveal them on their own interface.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Community Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The 'Late Joiner' Experience">
    Because early-game milestones are often pre-unlocked on established servers, new players joining an active world may find they have missed the initial narrative context. We recommend using a dedicated "New Player" safehouse containing signs or localized chests that summarize the community's current technical progress.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Consistent Group Play">
    Enshrouded is technically optimized for consistent groups of friends who progress through the narrative simultaneously. If you wish to experience the story from the absolute beginning with a new community, we recommend performing a [Full World Wipe](/games/enshrouded/performing-a-world-wipe) to reset the world registry.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Progression logic.
</div>


# How to Read Server Logs & Debug Crashes in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/reading-logs-and-debugging-crashes

Master the technical diagnostics of your realm. Learn how to interpret Enshrouded server logs to identify startup errors, memory failures, and network timeouts.

## Technical Diagnostics: Monitoring Server Health

In the evolving environment of an Early Access title like Enshrouded, technical instabilities and unexpected process terminations can occasionally occur. When your server fails to initialize or crashes during active gameplay, the localized log files serve as your primary diagnostic resource. These records document every significant world event, authentication handshake, and fatal exception, providing the technical context required for precise troubleshooting. This guide walk you through the professional interpretation of your FREAKHOSTING log directory.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Diagnostic Registry

Follow these steps to retrieve the historical records of your server's operation.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Logs Directory">
    Browse to the `/logs/` folder situated within your server's root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Active Log">
    Identify the most recent **`enshrouded_server.log`** file. You can view this directly within our integrated web editor or download it for offline analysis.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Error Interpretation

Below are the most common technical exceptions encountered by Enshrouded administrators and their corresponding resolution strategies.

| Log Signature                        | Root Cause             | Strategic Resolution                                                                                                                                                 |
| :----------------------------------- | :--------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`Steam Game Server Login failed`** | Authentication Failure | Re-verify your **GSLT Token** within the Startup tab. Ensure the token has not been revoked by Valve.                                                                |
| **`Memory allocation failed`**       | Resource Saturation    | Your world complexity has exceeded your assigned RAM. Consider a [Plan Upgrade](/portals/billing/how-to-upgradedowngrade-your-service) or clearing world voxel data. |
| **`Peer connection timeout`**        | Network Instability    | Confirms a desynchronization between the client and server. Verify that both are running the same engine version.                                                    |

***

## Advanced Debugging Strategies

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Real-Time Terminal Monitoring">
    For immediate feedback, always use the **Console** tab within the Game Panel. This interface streams the most recent log output in real-time, allowing you to observe errors the instant they occur after clicking the **Start** button.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Identifying Voxel Data Bloat">
    If the log indicates exceptionally long initialization times during the "Loading World" phase, audit the size of your `/savegame/` directory. Voxel databases exceeding several hundred megabytes can trigger time-outs during the server's pre-flight checks.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Diagnostics ready.
</div>


# How to Restore Terrain & Voxels in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/restoring-terrain-voxels

Master the art of terraforming. Learn how to reset excavated terrain, fix landscaping errors, and understand voxel regeneration logic on your Enshrouded server.

## Managing a Destructible Ecosystem

The world of Embervale is built upon a fully destructible voxel engine, empowering players to sculpt mountains, excavate subterranean tunnels, and flatten terrain for massive architectural projects. However, unintentional landscaping errors or excessive terrain scarring can occasionally detract from your server's aesthetic. Understanding the technical logic behind voxel persistence and regeneration is essential for maintaining a clean and navigable world environment. This guide walk you through the procedures for managing and restoring your server's terrain.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Persistence Logic

Enshrouded uses proximity-based logic to determine whether a terrain modification should be persistent or temporary.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Protected Zones (Altar Radius)">
    Terrain modifications performed within the active radius of a **Flame Altar** are considered **permanent**. These changes are written directly to your world's database and will not regenerate naturally, regardless of server uptime or player activity.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Wilderness Zones (The Wild)">
    Terrain modifications performed outside of an altar's protection are **volatile**. The engine will programmatically trigger a voxel reset under the following conditions:

    * **Temporal Threshold:** After approximately 2 real-world hours of inactivity in the specific chunk.
    * **Session Initialization:** Following a full server restart (provided no players are currently occupying the area).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Procedure for Forcing a Terrain Reset

If you have encountered a significant landscaping error within a protected base zone and need to revert the terrain to its natural state, use the following technical workflow.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deauthorize the Zone">
    Interact with the responsible Flame Altar and select **"Extinguish Flame"** to remove the territorial protection. This immediately converts the permanent voxel data into volatile data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Evacuate the Sector">
    Ensure all players leave the localized area (chunk). The engine requires the sector to be unloaded from memory to initialize the regeneration logic.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Engine Reboot">
    Navigate to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Restoration">
    Rejoin the server and inspect the coordinates. The terrain will have materialized in its original, untouched form.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Warning>
  ### Building Stability & Structural Loss

  Forcefully resetting the terrain via altar removal is a destructive action. Any player-placed structures (walls, roofs, furniture) within that radius will lose their stability and protection data. Only initialize this procedure if you are prepared to completely reconstruct any architectural assets in that specific zone.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Voxel logic verified.
</div>


# How to Secure Your Enshrouded Realm with a Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/setting-up-an-enshrouded-dedicated-server-password

Protect your Embervale builds and community progress. Learn how to implement a secure dedicated server password and resolve common UI join glitches.

## Securing Your Embervale Domain

Enshrouded dedicated servers are programmatically indexed within the public community browser, making your world discoverable by any participant within the Steam network. If you are hosting a private cooperative group or a specialized community project, implementing a server-wide join password is the only official technical method for restricting access. This ensures that only authorized survivors can interact with your structures, modify your terrain, and progress your world's narrative.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to define a private security key within your server's technical registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Never modify core JSON files while the process is active, as the engine maintains an exclusive lock on the configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Settings Registry">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the **`enshrouded_server.json`** file situated in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Security Key">
    Locate the `"password"` field and input your desired phrase within the double quotes.

    * *Example:* `"password": "YourSecretPhrase2026"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Start** your server. The authentication requirement is now active for all new connection handshakes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Join Strategies & Troubleshooting

A prevalent engine glitch in the Enshrouded client can occasionally prevent the password entry prompt from manifesting correctly in the in-game browser.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The In-Game Browser Fix">
    When joining via the "Direct Connect" box, participants **MUST** manually authorize the **"Enter Password"** checkbox situated next to the IP input. Failure to do so will result in an immediate "No Password Entered" disconnection.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Steam Favorites Method">
    If the in-game UI remains unresponsive, using the Steam Server List is the most reliable technical workaround.

    1. Open Steam -> **View** -> **Game Servers**.
    2. Add your IP and Query Port to the **Favorites** tab.
    3. Join via this list; Steam will prompt for the password **before** initializing the game client, bypassing the internal UI bug entirely.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### String Format Best Practices

  To ensure maximum compatibility with the JSON parser, we recommend using high-entropy alphanumeric passwords. Avoid using special symbols that require complex escaping, such as backslashes (`\`) or nested double-quotes (`"`), as these can invalidate your configuration file and prevent the server from starting.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Privacy secured.
</div>


# How to Troubleshoot Connection Issues in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/troubleshooting-connection-issues-in-enshrouded

Resolve 'Game Creation Failed' and 'Host Not Found' errors. Learn how to fix Enshrouded connectivity issues by auditing hostnames and synchronization.

## Overcoming Connectivity Barriers in Embervale

The Enshrouded dedicated server client is technically sensitive to specific configuration parameters and network synchronization states. If your participants encounter "Host Not Found" errors or if your server is failing to manifest within the global community browser, it is likely due to a metadata discrepancy or an engine-level restriction. Following this diagnostic checklist will help you resolve the most frequent connectivity blockers on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Connectivity Audit

Review these common architectural hurdles to ensure your server's network profile is healthy.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="1. Validating Hostname Metadata">
    Valve's global server indexing system enforces strict limitations on hostname string lengths.

    * **The Constraint:** Names shorter than 4 characters or exceeding 30 characters frequently fail to register with the masterlist.
    * **The Fix:** Ensure your [Server Name](/games/enshrouded/changing-server-password-and-name) is between **5 and 25 characters** and is entirely devoid of complex emojis or special symbols that can disrupt the engine's query response.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="2. Addressing Version Desynchronization">
    During the current Early Access phase, Enshrouded receives high-frequency technical patches.

    * **The Result:** If your local game client has updated but your server node is still using a legacy binary, the engine will trigger a "Version Mismatch" disconnection.
    * **The Fix:** Access your Game Panel and use the **Update** button to trigger the SteamCMD validation process and synchronize your server files.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="3. UDP Protocol & Port Propagation">
    The Enshrouded engine relies on two distinct communication paths: the **Game Port** (Default `15636`) and the **Query Port** (Default `15637`).

    * **Technical Note:** FREAKHOSTING handles these mappings automatically. If you have implement custom port overrides, ensure that **UDP traffic** is authorized for both ports within your local firewall and network router.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## The "Direct Join" Connection Protocol

The in-game browser uses a "Best Fit" algorithm that only displays a localized subset of active servers. If your community members cannot find your title via the search bar, using the Steam Master List is the most reliable technical workaround.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Steam Servers">
    Open your Steam client, navigate to the **View** menu, and select **Game Servers**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Favorites">
    Select the **Favorites** tab and click the **(+)** icon situated at the base of the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Target the Query Port">
    Input your server's numerical IP address followed by the specific **Query Port** (e.g., `191.96.94.100:15637`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Join">
    Click **Add This Address to Favorites**. You can now join your server directly from this list, bypassing the in-game browser's discovery limitations.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Connection stabilized.
</div>


# How to Update Your Enshrouded Dedicated Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/updating-the-enshrouded-server

Maintain version parity and access the latest Embervale content. Learn how to use SteamCMD to update your Enshrouded server on FREAKHOSTING.

## Maintaining Technical Version Parity

Counter-Strike 2 and Enshrouded share a high-frequency developmental lifecycle during their respective Early Access phases. To prevent "Version Mismatch" disconnections and ensure your community has access to the latest biome improvements, stability patches, and functional items, your server node must be synchronized with the official Valve branch. The FREAKHOSTING platform integrates with the SteamCMD utility to automate this maintenance task, ensuring your binaries are updated with minimal downtime.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Update Procedure

Follow these steps to authorize a manual binary validation and update on your instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your active Enshrouded server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Update Trigger">
    Locate and click the **Update** button situated in the primary management sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor SteamCMD Logs">
    The server will transition to an `Updating` status. Open the **Console** tab to view the real-time progress of the validation check:
    `+app_update 2278520 validate`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    Once the download concludes, the server will return to an `Online` or `Offline` state. Proceed to **Start** the server to initialize the updated engine.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Automated Maintenance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Integrated Auto-Update Logic">
    FREAKHOSTING startup scripts are programmatically designed to perform an update check every time the server initializes. If a new patch has been released on Steam, a simple **Stop** and **Start** cycle will often force the retrieval of the latest binaries automatically, bypassing the need for manual button clicks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Integrity & Snapshots">
    While engine updates strictly target the server binaries and do not modify your `/savegame/` directory, the volatile nature of Early Access software means bugs can occur. We highly recommend generating a [Manual Backup](/games/enshrouded/how-to-manage-save-games-in-enshrouded) before applying major narrative or mechanical title updates.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Versioning updated.
</div>


# How to Configure Whitelisting & Security in Enshrouded
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/enshrouded/whitelisting-players-and-passwords

Master the administrative security of your realm. Learn about the current password-based authentication and community workarounds for player whitelisting.

## Managing Global Access Control in Embervale

Establishing absolute control over who can enter your world is a fundamental requirement for maintaining a positive and secure community experience. During the current Early Access phase of Enshrouded, the technical management tools provided by the game engine are purposefully streamlined. While traditional features like persistent SteamID whitelists are still in development, server administrators can implement several effective strategies to safeguard their progress and participants. This guide walk you through the current technical security methodologies on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Current Technical Security Methodologies

The Enshrouded engine primarily uses a "Single-Gate" authentication model to manage server traffic.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Global Password">
    The most reliable and officially supported security measure is the server-wide password defined within your `enshrouded_server.json` configuration. This requires every participant to provide a matching security key during the connection handshake.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Masterlist Visibility">
    To prevent randomized "public" players from discovering your server, you can set the `Private` toggle to `true`. This removes your instance from the global community browser, requiring participants to join using your [Numerical IP and Query Port](/games/enshrouded/troubleshooting-connection-issues-in-enshrouded).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Community Security Alternatives

For administrators requiring more granular moderation, such as individual player restrictions or IP-level blocking, we recommend exploring these community-vetted alternatives.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Third-Party Server Wrappers">
    The Enshrouded community has developed several specialized "Wrappers" that encapsulate the server executable. These tools intercept network events to provide extended administrative features, including real-time player auditing and persistent ban registries.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Manual Database Auditing">
    Advanced administrators can manually inspect the `/savegame/` metadata to identify unauthorized participants. While this does not provide real-time whitelisting, it allows for post-incident analysis and identification of specific player identifiers for future exclusion.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Future Feature Roadmap

  Keen Games (the developer of Enshrouded) has publicly stated that more strong administrative frameworks and official SteamID whitelisting (`whitelist.json`) are significant priorities on their technical roadmap. We recommend maintaining a strong, unique password as your primary defensive perimeter until these native features are released.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Enshrouded:** Security overview.
</div>


# How to Add Custom Radio Streams in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/adding-custom-radio-streams

Add internet radio stations and custom audio streams to your Euro Truck Simulator 2 setup by editing local configuration files for convoy immersion.

## Tuning In to Your Favorite Streams

One of the most immersive features of Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) is the integrated in-game radio system. While the simulator provides a curated list of default stations, you can enhance your experience by adding custom URL streams. This allows you to listen to your preferred real-world music, talk shows, or news broadcasts while hauling cargo across the continent.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Implementation

Custom radio streams are managed locally on your computer. Because this is a client-side feature, the server cannot force a specific station on all participants; however, you can synchronize your convoy by sharing your configuration files.

### 1. Locating the Stream Registry

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Local Files">
    On your Windows PC, navigate to your primary documents directory: `Documents/Euro Truck Simulator 2/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify live_streams.sii">
    Locate the file named `live_streams.sii`. This is the database the game engine uses to populate the radio interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open for Editing">
    Right-click the file and open it with a text editor such as Notepad++ or VS Code.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

### 2. Formatting the Stream Data

To add a new station, you must insert a new entry into the `stream_data` list. The engine requires a specific pipe-separated syntax to parse the data correctly.

**Syntax Template:**

```sii theme={null}
stream_data[X]: "STREAM_URL|STATION_NAME|GENRE|LANGUAGE|BITRATE"
```

**Example Entry:**
`stream_data[100]: "http://stream.example.com/radio.mp3|FREAKHOSTING FM|Gaming|English|128"`

<Warning>
  ### Syntax Integrity

  Ensure that each entry has a unique index number (the number inside the square brackets `[]`). If two entries share the same index, only the first one will be recognized by the game engine.
</Warning>

***

## Community Synchronization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Convoy Listening Sessions">
    For communities that wish to listen to the same music during a large convoy, we recommend sharing your finalized `live_streams.sii` file via Discord or a community drive. Once your members replace their local file with your version, everyone will have access to the exact same station list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Supported Stream Formats">
    The ETS2 engine primarily supports `.mp3` and `.aac` streams. If you encounter a station that refuses to play, verify that the URL leads directly to an audio stream rather than a web-based player page.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Radio synchronized.
</div>


# How to Use Admin Commands & Moderation in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/admin-commands-and-moderation

Maintain a professional convoy environment on your Euro Truck Simulator 2 server. Learn how to use administrative commands to moderate disruptive drivers.

## Policing the European Highways

Effective moderation is essential for maintaining a professional and enjoyable convoy environment in Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2). As a server administrator, you are equipped with the authority to remove disruptive drivers who intentionally block arterial roads, cause synchronized accidents, or violate your community's behavioral standards. This guide walk you through the essential tools and protocols for keeping your highways safe.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Executive Control Commands

Administrative actions are executed directly through the in-game chat interface or the developer console. To target a specific driver, you must first identify their unique **Player ID**.

### Essential Command Registry

| Command      | Action                | Technical Result                                                      |
| :----------- | :-------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `/kick <ID>` | Tactical Removal      | Instantly disconnects the target from the current session.            |
| `/ban <ID>`  | Permanent Restriction | Disconnects and prevents the target from rejoining the server.        |
| `/blacklist` | Data Audit            | Generates a list of all currently restricted SteamIDs in the console. |

***

## Identifying Disruptive Drivers

Follow these steps to retrieve the necessary identifiers for moderation.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Roster">
    Press the **TAB** key to reveal the real-time player list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Numeric ID">
    Note the specific numeric ID displayed adjacent to the offender's name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification via Chat">
    Alternatively, press **Y** to open the chat window. The player's ID is automatically prepended to every message they broadcast, ensuring you target the correct individual.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Establishing Permanent Authority

To grant persistent administrative rights to your staff members, you must register them within the server core configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab, and open the `server_config.sii` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Moderator Registry">
    Locate the `moderator_list` array. Add the **SteamID64** of each staff member as a new entry.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit and Apply">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to initialize the updated administrative list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Tactical Command Execution

  Initializing a kick or ban while a player is in high-speed motion will cause their truck to vanish instantaneously. This can create a significant physics hazard for any drivers following closely behind. Whenever possible, we recommend waiting until the target has reached a lower velocity or a complete stop before executing moderation commands to protect the immersion of other participants.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Moderation tools active.
</div>


# How to Configure AI Traffic Density in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/configuring-ai-traffic-density

Master the flow of your European highways. Learn how to adjust or disable AI traffic density on your Euro Truck Simulator 2 dedicated server.

## Controlling the Highway Flow

By default, Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) dedicated servers include a moderate level of computer-controlled traffic to simulate a living world. Depending on your community's specific objectives, you may wish to increase this density for a realistic "rush hour" challenge or decrease it entirely to facilitate smoother, high-speed convoy maneuvers. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel allows you to precisely calibrate this environment to suit your tactical requirements.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Modifying Global Traffic Levels

The volume of AI traffic is governed by the `g_traffic` variable. This parameter must be modified within your core server configuration file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your ETS2 server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate server_config.sii">
    Find and open the `server_config.sii` file situated in your server's root configuration directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Variable">
    Locate the `g_traffic` entry and adjust the numeric value:

    * **`0`**: Disables all AI traffic, resulting in completely empty roads.
    * **`1.0`**: Standard realistic density (Balanced experience).
    * **`5.0` or higher**: High-intensity traffic (Frequent congestion and intersections).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the console to apply the new traffic logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Performance & Synchronization

Calibrating traffic is a balance between environmental realism and network stability.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="CPU Synchronization">
    AI vehicles are synchronized entities that must be calculated by the server and broadcast to every connected client. Setting `g_traffic` higher than **3.0** significantly increases the synchronization load on the server's CPU.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Network Latency">
    If your players report "Stuttering AI" or frequent "rubber-banding" during close-proximity driving, we recommend returning the value to **1.0** or lower to prioritize smooth player-to-player data transmission.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Important>
  ### Large Convoy Strategy

  If you are hosting a large-scale event with **32 to 64 players**, we highly recommend setting `g_traffic` to **0.5** or **0**. In high-population scenarios, the bandwidth and CPU cycles saved by disabling AI traffic are better utilized to maintain perfectly synchronized truck positions between your human participants.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Traffic density calibrated.
</div>


# How to Use the Developer Console & Teleporting in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/creating-a-teleport-hack-developer-console

Master the developer console to navigate the map instantaneously. Learn how to enable freecam and fix vehicle positioning on your ETS2 server.

## Advanced Navigation & Planning

The Developer Console is an indispensable tool for server administrators, convoy planners, and technical support staff. It provides the capability to "teleport" across the vast European landscape instantaneously, facilitating rapid route verification, environmental troubleshooting, and the swift resolution of vehicle-positioning glitches in distant cities. This guide ensures your local game client is correctly configured to use these administrative capabilities.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Enabling the Local Console

Before you can execute administrative commands, you must authorize the developer flags within your local client configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Local Data">
    Navigate to your primary documents directory on your PC: `Documents/Euro Truck Simulator 2/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit config.cfg">
    Right-click the `config.cfg` file and open it with a text editor. Search for and update the following variables:

    * Change `uset g_developer "0"` to **`uset g_developer "1"`**
    * Change `uset g_console "0"` to **`uset g_console "1"`**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save & Initialize">
    Save the configuration file and launch the ETS2 client to activate the developer overlay.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: using Freecam & Teleportation

With the console enabled, you can now detach the camera from your vehicle and relocate across the map.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Interface">
    Press the tilde (**\~**) key to reveal the developer command line.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Navigation">
    Input the `goto` command followed by your target city or coordinate (e.g., `goto berlin`) and press Enter.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manual Camera Control">
    Your perspective will transition to "Freecam" mode.

    * **Movement:** use your **Numpad (8, 4, 5, 6)** keys.
    * **Precision:** Use the **Mouse Wheel** to dynamically adjust your camera's flight speed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Relocate Vehicle">
    Position your camera precisely above the road surface and press **F9**. Your truck and trailer will be instantly materialized at the camera's current coordinate.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Physics & Altitude Safety

  When using the **F9** drop command, ensure your camera is positioned extremely close to the pavement. Dropping your vehicle from a significant altitude will result in immediate **100% mechanical damage** to your chassis, engine, and active cargo, rendering your truck inoperable until serviced.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Developer tools active.
</div>


# How to Configure Hardcore Mode & Disable GPS in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/disabling-gps-and-hardcore-mode

Maximize your immersion in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Learn how to configure your server to disable GPS, hide player names, and enforce realistic speed limits.

## The Pro-Trucking Challenge

For veteran drivers and simulation enthusiasts, standard navigation aids can occasionally detract from the realism of the trucking experience. By implementing "Hardcore" configuration settings on your FREAKHOSTING server, you can force players to rely on authentic road signage, physical map knowledge, and disciplined CB Radio communication. This technical shift transforms a standard convoy into a professional logistics operation where spatial awareness and navigation skill are paramount.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Adjusting Immersion Parameters

These variables are defined within your core `server_config.sii` file. To apply these changes, you must modify the values using the Game Panel File Manager and restart your instance.

### Technical Configuration Registry

| Variable              |  Value  | Impact on Gameplay                                                      |
| :-------------------- | :-----: | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `force_show_map`      | `false` | Disables the mini-map and GPS overlay, forcing reliance on road signs.  |
| `show_player_names`   | `false` | Removes floating nameplates, requiring visual identification of trucks. |
| `force_speed_limiter` |  `true` | Enforces a hard cap of 90 KM/H (56 MPH) for all participating vehicles. |

***

## Strategic Gameplay Shift

Implementing these constraints significantly alters the community dynamic and player interaction.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Navigation & Communication">
    Without a GPS route, players must coordinate frequently via the integrated **CB Radio (V key)**. Drivers are encouraged to announce their positions by city names or landmarks and notify the convoy of upcoming turns, creating a highly interactive and professional atmosphere.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Convoy Discipline">
    Removing player nameplates prevents "radar-like" awareness of other drivers. This encourages maintaining safe following distances and uses the truck's mirrors more effectively, as you must visually confirm the presence of your fellow drivers.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Marketing Your Realistic Server">
    Servers using these settings are high-demand targets for the simulation roleplay (RP) community. We recommend incorporating prefixes such as **\[Realism]**, **\[Hardcore]**, or **\[Pro-Only]** into your server's public hostname to attract serious, high-skill drivers who value authentic procedures.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enforcing Realistic Physics">
    To complement these visual restrictions, ensure your `force_speed_limiter` is active. This promotes synchronized movement and prevents "speed-hacking" behaviors that can disrupt the pacing of a large-scale convoy.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Immersion maximized.
</div>


# How to Manage Player DLC Requirements in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/handling-missing-dlcs

Master the complexities of DLC compatibility. Learn how map DLCs and cosmetic assets affect your Euro Truck Simulator 2 server's accessibility.

## Navigation & Content Dependencies

Unlike traditional multiplayer architectures where dependencies are often handled through automated asset streaming, Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) uses a strict validation model tied directly to each player's local Steam library. If your server initializes a region or map sector originating from a specific DLC (such as *Iberia*, *West Balkans*, or *Beyond the Baltic Sea*) that a joining participant does not own, the game engine will reject the connection handshake due to data synchronization failure.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Maximizing Server Accessibility

To ensure your server remains accessible to the broadest possible audience, including players who only own the base game, you must generate your package manifest using a "clean" environment.

### The "Base Map" Synchronization Protocol

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deactivate Map DLCs">
    On your local PC, right-click ETS2 in your Steam Library, select **Properties** -> **DLC**, and uncheck all entries related to map expansions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Package Manifest">
    Launch the simulator and use the integrated **Export Server Packages** utility. This generates a `server_packages.sii` file that reflects only the base world sectors.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Hosting">
    Upload the resulting `server_packages.sii` to your FREAKHOSTING instance via the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Visual Content Synchronization

While map DLCs are mandatory for connectivity, cosmetic modifications are handled with greater technical flexibility by the Source engine.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Cosmetic Handling">
    Assets such as specialized **Paint Jobs**, **Cabin Accessories**, and **Wheel Tuning** do not impact server compatibility. If a player uses a DLC asset that another participant does not own, the observer's engine will render a fallback "Plain" texture (typically gray or white). This ensures visual integrity without restricting access.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mod-Related Exceptions">
    If your server uses **ProMods**, the dependency rules become absolute. Every driver **must** possess the identical ProMods version and the specific map DLCs required by that ProMods iteration (e.g., ProMods v2.70 requires all current official map expansions to initialize).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Troubleshooting Connection Rejections

  If players are receiving "Missing DLC" errors despite your base-map configuration, verify that you have not inadvertently included any **Cargo DLCs** (such as *Heavy Cargo* or *Special Transport*) in your active job list or server mod manifest, as these also require ownership for synchronization.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Compatibility verified.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Dedicated Convoy Server in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/how-to-set-up-a-dedicated-convoy-server-ets2

Launch your own persistent Euro Truck Simulator 2 world. Learn how to configure authentication, synchronize map data, and optimize your VTC hosting.

## Persistent European Trucking

Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) provides a strong **Dedicated Convoy Server** mode, facilitating a persistent, always-online environment for communities and Virtual Trucking Companies (VTCs). Unlike standard peer-to-peer sessions that terminate when the host disconnects, a dedicated server remains active 24/7, maintains perfectly synchronized AI traffic across all participants, and provides a stable technical foundation for large-scale events. This guide walk you through the essential steps to initialize and optimize your dedicated hosting instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Authentication & Visibility

To authorize your server for the public masterlist, you must link it to your Steam identity using a **Game Server Login Token (GSLT)**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate GSLT">
    Navigate to the [Steam GSLT Account Manager](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/managegameservers) and log in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register App ID">
    Enter **`227300`** into the App ID field and provide a descriptive memo. Click **Create** to retrieve your unique alphanumeric token.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Token">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), open the **Startup** tab. Paste your token into the **Game Server Login Token** field.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Strategic Configuration

The core behavior of your convoy is governed by the `server_config.sii` file.

<Info>
  ### Technical Path

  The configuration is situated within: `/.local/share/Euro Truck Simulator 2/server_config.sii`.
</Info>

### Key Behavioral Variables

| Variable      | Recommended Value | Impact on Convoy                                  |
| :------------ | :---------------: | :------------------------------------------------ |
| `lobby_name`  |  "Your VTC Name"  | The title displayed in the public server browser. |
| `max_players` |    `8` to `128`   | The total number of driver slots available.       |
| `password`    |   "SecretPhrase"  | Restricts access to authorized members only.      |
| `description` |  "Join our VTC!"  | Displays community rules or mission details.      |

***

## Step 3: Synchronizing Map & Mod Data

To prevent connection rejections caused by "Incompatible Data," you must synchronize your server's world state with your local game client.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Export Manifests">
    On your local PC, open the ETS2 console (**\~**) and execute the command: `export_server_packages`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Exported Files">
    Navigate to your local `Documents/Euro Truck Simulator 2/` directory and locate `server_packages.sii` and `server_packages.dat`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Hosting">
    Upload these two files into your server's root directory via the File Manager. This ensures the server only accepts players with the exact same DLCs and modifications as your client.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### The "First Initialization" Protocol

  A dedicated server must be successfully started at least once to generate its internal directory structure. If you cannot locate the configuration files, click **Start**, monitor the console until it initializes, then **Stop** the server before attempting to modify any `.sii` files.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Convoy system online.
</div>


# How to Increase Maximum Player Capacity in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/increasing-convoy-max-players

Expand your convoy beyond the default limits to host massive community events. Learn how to scale player slots and manage server resource requirements.

## Scaling Your Community Convoy

While the native peer-to-peer "Convoy" limit in Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) was originally restricted to 8 players, the modern dedicated server software enables administrators to scale this capacity significantly higher. This flexibility allows for massive, coordinated community hauls and expansive VTC operations. However, increasing player counts requires a strategic understanding of server resources and network bandwidth to maintain perfectly synchronized truck positions and AI behavior.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Modifying the Slot Limit

The maximum player capacity is defined within your core server configuration file.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Modifying the configuration while the process is active may lead to data being overwritten.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Configuration">
    Navigate to the **File Manager** and open the `server_config.sii` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Max Players">
    Locate the `max_players` variable. Change the numeric value to your desired capacity (e.g., `max_players: 64`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit and Apply">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to broadcast the updated slot count to the Steam masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Performance & Synchronization Thresholds

Selecting the appropriate player count is a balance between community scale and technical stability.

| Participant Count | Resource Impact | Ideal Use Case                                          |
| :---------------- | :-------------- | :------------------------------------------------------ |
| **8 - 16**        | Minimal         | Private friend groups and small logistics teams.        |
| **16 - 32**       | Moderate        | Standard VTC operations and medium community hauls.     |
| **64 - 128**      | High            | Large-scale coordinated events and public open-convoys. |

<Important>
  ### Bandwidth & Packet Synchronization

  Every additional player increases the volume of real-time data being synchronized across the network. If you set your limit beyond the capabilities of your hosting plan or the participants' internet connections, you may encounter "ghost trucks" (invisible vehicles), severe rubber-banding, or AI traffic that appears to teleport. For convoys exceeding 64 players, we highly recommend using our **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** nodes.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Capacity expanded.
</div>


# How to Install ProMods for Multiplayer in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/installing-promods

Deploy the massive ProMods map expansion on your dedicated ETS2 server. Learn how to manage DLC dependencies and ensure perfect synchronization for your convoy.

## Expanding the Horizons: ProMods

**ProMods** is the most renowned map expansion project for Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2), introducing thousands of kilometers of new arterial roads, meticulously detailed cities, and authentic localized landmarks. Running ProMods on a dedicated server enables your community to experience the ultimate simulation depth; however, it requires absolute technical synchronization between the server and every participating driver. This guide ensures your hosting environment is correctly architected to handle the massive scope of the ProMods world.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Requirements

Due to its sheer scale, ProMods has significantly higher resource requirements compared to the vanilla game engine.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Map DLC Dependencies">
    To initialize the current version of ProMods, your server **MUST** have access to all major official Map DLCs (including *Going East*, *Scandinavia*, *Viva la France*, *Italia*, *Beyond the Baltic Sea*, *Road to the Black Sea*, *Iberia*, and *West Balkans*).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Memory Allocation">
    A ProMods world instance can consume over **10GB of RAM** during peak traversal. For a stable experience without crashes or performance dips, we highly recommend using our **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** hosting plans.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to migrate the ProMods assets to your dedicated server node.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate the Definition File">
    Visit the official ProMods website to generate your custom `.def` file. **important:** Ensure you check the box for **"Check this if you are using a dedicated server"**. This optimizes the file for multiplayer synchronization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Asset Files">
    use the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager or an SFTP client to upload all seven ProMods `.scs` files (Assets, Model 1-3, Map, Media, and your custom Def) into the server's `/mod/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Load Priority">
    In your `server_packages.sii`, the entry sequence must match your local mod manifest exactly. For the best stability, we recommend placing the `.def` file at the top of the priority list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize and Validate">
    Restart your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; the first boot will take several minutes as the engine rebuilds the navigation graph for the expanded world.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Version & Hash Synchronization

  Every player intending to join your server must possess the **identical versions** of the ProMods `.scs` files. Even a minor variation in the definition file or an outdated asset build will result in a "Mod Mismatch" error, and the server will reject the connection attempt.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** ProMods initialized.
</div>


# How to Manage Server-Side Mods in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/managing-mods-for-ets2-server

Master the complexities of ETS2 mod synchronization. Learn how to export package manifests and manage physical asset files for your dedicated server.

## Technical Mod Synchronization

Modifying an Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) dedicated server is a technically demanding process due to the engine's strict validation requirements. Unlike platforms that support automated asset streaming, ETS2 requires that every participating driver possesses the **exact same version hashes** of all active modifications before a connection can be established. This guide walk you through the professional "Lockfile" method, ensuring that your community can synchronize their local assets with your FREAKHOSTING instance with zero errors.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The "Manifest Export" Protocol

The most reliable strategy for managing a modded server is to treat your local game client as the authoritative "Master" environment and then broadcast those requirements to the server node.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Establish Local Environment">
    Launch ETS2 on your local PC and enable all desired modifications within a standard Singleplayer Profile. Verify that the mods are compatible and do not cause crashes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the Lockfiles">
    Open the developer console (**\~**) and execute the command: `export_server_packages`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Deployment Assets">
    Navigate to your local `Documents/Euro Truck Simulator 2/` directory. The command will have generated two critical files: `server_packages.sii` and `server_packages.dat`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize with Hosting">
    Upload these two files directly into the root directory of your FREAKHOSTING server via the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing Physical Asset Files

While the game client uses the Steam Workshop interface, a dedicated server requires the modifications to exist as physical `.scs` files within its directory structure.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Storage Path">
    All server-side mod files must be uploaded into the `/mod/` directory situated within the server's root folder.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Workshop Conversions">
    If a modification originates from the Steam Workshop, you must locate the physical `.scs` file within your local Steam hierarchy: `steamapps/workshop/content/227300/`. Move these files to the server's `/mod/` folder to ensure the engine can initialize the assets.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Streamlined Profile Porting">
    For exceptionally complex mod setups involving dozens of interdependent assets, the most efficient method is to copy your **entire local profile folder** into the server's `profiles/` directory. This ensures the server inherits your local mod load order and activation status perfectly, bypassing manual configuration hurdles.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Resolving 'Missing Mod' Connection Rejection">
    If a player is rejected despite having the mods installed, it is likely due to a version mismatch (e.g., the mod was updated on the Workshop, but the server is still using the previous `server_packages.sii` manifest). Always regenerate and re-upload your manifests following any mod updates.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Modding synchronized.
</div>


# How to Edit Saves for Multiplayer in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/safe-save-editing-for-multiplayer

Edit truck specs beyond in-game shop limits in Euro Truck Simulator 2. Learn safe save editing techniques for visual and mechanical convoy customizations.

## Technical Truck Customization

"Save Editing" (frequently referred to as Local Modding) is a sophisticated technique utilized by simulation enthusiasts to customize vehicles beyond the standard constraints of the in-game upgrade shops. This method enables you to architect "hybrid" trucks - such as a Scania chassis using a high-torque Volvo engine - or modify trailer weights and axle configurations. In the dedicated convoy environment, these modifications are generally stable and visible to all participants, provided they use assets that already exist within the shared data manifests.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Tool Preparation

The primary game database files (`.sii`) use a binary encryption that prevents direct text editing. You must first decrypt these files using community-validated technical utilities.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Decryption Utilities">
    Download a reputable decryption tool such as **SII\_Decrypt**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Your Profile Data">
    Navigate to your local game directory: `Documents/Euro Truck Simulator 2/profiles/[ProfileID]/save/quicksave/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Decryption">
    Drag your `game.sii` file onto the decrypter executable. The file will transition to a plain-text format that can be parsed by any technical editor (e.g., Notepad++).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Executing Strategic Edits

Once the file is human-readable, you can search for and modify specific mechanical parameters.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mechanical Swapping">
    Locate the `engine` or `gearbox` data paths. You can replace the technical string of your current part with the path of a part from a different manufacturer (e.g., swapping a Renault engine for a Scania DC16 engine) to improve performance or alter the audio profile of your truck.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Weight & Cargo Logic">
    Search for `cargo_mass` within your active job entry. By reducing this value, you can transport "Heavy Cargo" loads with increased acceleration, or increase it to create extreme pulling challenges for community events.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Convoy Visibility Logic

  If you use an edited truck that refers to assets from a modification that the server does not have registered (or that your fellow drivers lack), other participants will observe your vehicle as a generic fallback "Placeholder" truck. To ensure your custom rig is visible to your entire convoy, always use **Base Game** or **Official DLC** technical paths for your save edits.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** Save data tuned.
</div>


# How to Use World of Trucks Events & Contracts in ETS2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/euro-truck-simulator-2/world-of-trucks-events-on-dedicated-servers

Join official SCS seasonal events and haul World of Trucks contracts on your ETS2 server. Learn how external events sync with private convoy sessions.

## Integrated External Job Market

A frequent inquiry from Virtual Trucking Company (VTC) owners is whether **World of Trucks (WoTr)** events - such as the annual Christmas deliveries, specialized community goals, or Cruising campaigns - function correctly within a dedicated server environment. These features are fully supported and perfectly synchronized across our high-performance infrastructure. By using external contracts, your community can contribute to global rewards while maintaining the persistence and stability of a private convoy.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Authentication & Connection Workflow

To initialize participation in official events on your server, you must link your local profile to the SCS cloud.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Link Your Profile">
    Ensure your active in-game profile is correctly authenticated with your [World of Trucks](https://worldoftrucks.com) account credentials within the profile selection screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select External Markets">
    Navigate to the Job Market and select either **External Contracts** or **External Cargo**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Event Jobs">
    Event-specific jobs are typically highlighted with unique icons or stylized cargo types (e.g., festive trailers for holiday events).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Synchronization Rules

When hauling World of Trucks cargo, the game engine enforces specific constraints to maintain global leaderboard integrity. These rules override your localized server configuration.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Speed Enforcement">
    All External Contracts are hard-locked to **90 KM/H (56 MPH)** by the World of Trucks master server. This restriction is absolute and cannot be bypassed by your FREAKHOSTING `server_config.sii` settings or local physics mods.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Temporal Logic">
    World of Trucks jobs operate on **Real-World Time**. If a contract indicates a 4-hour expiration window, it will expire in 4 actual hours, regardless of in-game sleeping, server restarts, or time manipulation via the console.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Strategic Community Events">
    Seasonal events are the most effective way to stimulate community growth. We recommend organizing "Event Nights" where all community members converge on a single starting city to accept the same External Contract. The WoTr system will verify and track each participant's individual progress towards the global community goal simultaneously.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data Integrity">
    Because WoTr jobs are processed via the SCS API, they are highly resilient to server-side lag. Even if the dedicated server undergoes a brief network hiccup, your contract data remains secure within the SCS cloud.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **ETS2:** External sync active.
</div>


# How to Add Custom Resources & Vehicles in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/adding-resources-and-cars-to-your-fivem-server

Expand your FiveM server features. Learn how to install scripts, deploy high-fidelity vehicles, and manage resource loading categories.

## Enhancing Your Virtual World

In the FiveM ecosystem, every modification - from a fundamental administrative script to a high-fidelity 4K vehicle model - is categorized as a **Resource**. Mastering the correct technical structure and loading logic is essential for maintaining a stable, low-latency environment for your players. By organizing your assets effectively and optimizing your textures, you can create a complex and feature-rich server without compromising performance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Resource Architecture

A valid FiveM resource must adhere to a specific directory layout to be recognized by the CitizenFX engine. Before initiating an upload, verify that your resource folder contains the following core components:

* **`fxmanifest.lua`:** The mandatory metadata file that defines the resource version and instructs the server on how to initialize the logic.
* **`stream/` (Optional):** This directory contains the raw binary assets, such as `.ytd` (textures) and `.yft` (3D models), which are streamed to the client upon joining.
* **`client.lua` / `server.lua`:** The functional scripts that execute logic on either the player's local machine or the central server node.

***

## Strategic Resource Organization

To maintain a professional and manageable server directory, we recommend using **Category Folders** (bracketed directories). This approach simplifies your configuration and improves organizational clarity.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Categories">
    Navigate to your `/resources/` directory via SFTP. Create descriptive subdirectories using square brackets, such as `[cars]`, `[scripts]`, and `[maps]`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Assets">
    Upload your individual resource folders into their corresponding categories.

    * *Example Path:* `/resources/[cars]/ferrari458/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Loading Logic">
    Open your `server.cfg` file to authorize the resources. You can load items individually or by category:

    * **Individual:** `ensure ferrari458`
    * **Category:** `ensure [cars]`
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Efficiency Tip

  using the bracketed category method (e.g., `ensure [cars]`) automatically initializes every resource within that directory. This significantly reduces the size of your `server.cfg` and makes bulk updates much faster.
</Tip>

***

## Optimization & Performance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Managing Texture Budgets">
    If players report "Low Texture Memory" warnings or observe "flashing" geometry, your custom vehicles are likely unoptimized. We recommend that individual vehicle `.ytd` files do not exceed **16MB**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Downscaling">
    use tools like the **Texture Toolkit** to downscale bloated 4K textures to 2K or 1024x1024. This reduces the VRAM demand on your players' graphics cards while maintaining high visual fidelity in the simulation.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Resources synchronized.
</div>


# How to Clear Server and Client Cache in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/clearing-the-fivem-server-cache

Learn how to resolve script errors, map glitches, and client crashes by performing a clean cache reset on your FiveM server and client.

## Optimize Your FiveM Server by Clearing Cache

Clearing your cache is one of the most effective ways to troubleshoot common FiveM issues. Because FiveM compiles scripts and stores map data locally to speed up loading, these files can occasionally become corrupted or outdated, leading to glitches, crashes, or scripts not updating correctly.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Info>
  ### When Should I Clear Cache?

  You should consider clearing your cache if you encounter:

  * **Logic Discrepancies:** Script errors occurring immediately following an update or configuration change.
  * **Visual Artifacts:** Invisible geometry, "flashing" textures, or world map glitches.
  * **Join Failures:** Client-side crashes that exclusively occur when attempting to connect to a specific server.
  * **Asset Desync:** Recent changes to resources or vehicle models not reflecting in the live environment.
</Info>

***

## Cache Reset Methods

Depending on the issue, you may need to clear either the server-side cache or the client-side cache.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Method 1: Server-Side Cache">
    Perform this if you have updated a script or map on the server, but the changes (or errors) from the old version persist for all players.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Stop Your Server">
        Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Access the File Manager">
        Navigate to the **Files** tab in the sidebar to view your server's root directory.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Delete Cache Folder">
        Locate the `cache` folder. Right-click it and select **Delete**.
        <Warning>Do not delete the `/resources/` folder, as this contains your actual server scripts and maps.</Warning>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Restart Your Server">
        Navigate back to the **Console** and click **Start**. The server will take a few moments longer to initialize as it re-compiles your assets.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Method 2: Client-Side Cache">
    If a specific player is experiencing issues while others are fine, the problem is likely corrupted local data on that player's computer.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Close FiveM">
        Ensure the FiveM application is completely closed on your PC.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Locate Application Data">
        Right-click your FiveM desktop shortcut and select **Open File Location**. Alternatively, navigate to `%localappdata%\FiveM`.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open Data Folder">
        Enter the `FiveM Application Data` folder and then open the `data` directory.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Clear Cache Folders">
        Delete the following folders:

        * `cache`
        * `server-cache`
        * `server-cache-priv`
      </Step>

      <Step title="Restart and Rejoin">
        Launch FiveM again and rejoin the server. The client will download fresh copies of the server assets.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Check>
  ### Is My Data Safe?

  Clearing the cache is a safe procedure. It **does not** delete your MySQL database, player inventories, or server configuration files. It only removes temporary "compiled" files that are automatically recreated on the next launch.
</Check>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Troubleshooting Persistent Issues">
    If clearing the cache does not resolve your problem:

    * **Check Server Logs:** Look for specific script errors in the console.
    * **Verify Resource Syntax:** Ensure your `fxmanifest.lua` files are correctly configured.
    * **Update Artifacts:** Ensure your server is running the latest FiveM artifacts via the **Startup** tab.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Performance Tips">
    Avoid clearing the server cache too frequently, as it forces the server to re-compile all resources, which can cause temporary CPU spikes during startup.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Cache maintenance complete.
</div>


# How to Configure Mumble Voice Chat in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/configuring-mumble-voice-chat

Master high-fidelity in-game communication. Learn how to optimize the built-in Mumble protocol using PMA-Voice for your FiveM server.

## Crystal Clear Spatial Communication

Modern FiveM environments use the integrated **Mumble** protocol to provide low-latency, high-fidelity VoIP (Voice over IP) directly within the game engine. By using Mumble instead of external applications (such as TeamSpeak or Discord), you ensure that voice data is perfectly synchronized with 3D player positions and in-game radio frequencies. This native integration is essential for immersive roleplay, providing realistic audio attenuation based on the distance and orientation of other survivors.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Audio Configuration

To achieve the best acoustic performance, we strongly recommend using the **PMA-Voice** resource. To ensure the engine initializes correctly, you must define the following parameters within your `server.cfg` **before** the resource initialization line.

```cfg theme={null}
# Enable Native Audio (Mandatory for Mumble)
setr voice_useNativeAudio true

# Proximity & Logic Calibration
setr voice_useSendingRangeOnly true
setr voice_enableSubmix 1

# Default User Interface Settings
setr voice_defaultCycle "F11"
setr voice_defaultVolume 0.4
```

***

## Technical Troubleshooting

If a participant reports a total loss of audio or intermittent connectivity, follow this diagnostic checklist.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Output Verification">
    Instruct the player to navigate to the GTA V main menu: **Settings** -> **Voice Chat**. Ensure the **Output Device** is set to their primary active headphones or speakers.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Submix Logic">
    If using custom sirens, vehicle effects, or radio distortions, verify that `voice_enableSubmix` is set to `1`. An incorrect value here can lead to muffled audio or "vacuum" effects that hinder communication.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client-Side Synchronization">
    Persistent Mumble desynchronization on the client-side is often caused by local cache corruption. If audio fails to restore, the most effective solution is a complete restart of the FiveM application.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Legacy Framework Conflicts

  If you are migrating an existing community from an older server build, you must verify that legacy voice scripts (e.g., `esx_voice`, `vdk_voice`, or `mumble-voip`) have been **completely removed**. These outdated resources frequently conflict with modern **pma-voice** logic, resulting in randomized microphone failures and global voice crashes.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Voice systems active.
</div>


# How to Configure the server.cfg File in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/configuring-servercfg-for-fivem

Master the central brain of your FiveM server. Learn how to manage resources, security tokens, and professional branding within the server.cfg file.

## Architecting the Server Core

The `server.cfg` file serves as the central nervous system of your FiveM server. It dictates every fundamental aspect of your environment - from the specific resources and frameworks that define your gameplay, to the administrative permissions and security tokens required for public visibility. Establishing a well-structured and optimized configuration is essential for technical stability and providing a professional experience for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Identity & Professional Branding

Your server's public profile is defined by several key variables that determine how potential players discover and perceive your project within the Cfx.re masterlist.

```cfg theme={null}
sv_hostname "FREAKHOSTING RP | High Performance | Custom Assets"
sets sv_projectName "FREAKHOSTING Roleplay"
sets sv_projectDesc "A premium roleplay environment for serious players."
sets tags "roleplay, drifting, police, qb-core"
sv_maxclients 48
load_server_icon logo.png
```

* **Project Metadata:** `sv_projectName` and `sv_projectDesc` are utilized by the modern FiveM UI to provide a more detailed summary than the standard hostname.
* **Visual Recognition:** `load_server_icon` points to a 96x96 pixel `.png` file located in your root directory, providing a unique logo for your browser entry.

***

## Authentication & Authorization

To authorize your server's communication with the global masterlist and Steam services, you must implement valid security tokens.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="License Key">
    The `sv_licenseKey` is mandatory for server initialization. Obtain your unique key from the official [Cfx.re Keymaster](https://keymaster.fivem.net/).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Steam API">
    The `steam_webApiKey` is required if your resources use Steam identifiers for player whitelisting or data storage. Generate your key at [steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Resource Loading Order

FiveM initializes resources sequentially. If a script depends on another framework (e.g., a car dealer script requiring a database wrapper), the dependency **must** be authorized first in the configuration.

<Steps>
  <Step title="System Foundations">
    Load basic engine requirements: `spawnmanager`, `chat`, and `mapmanager`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Database Connectivity">
    Initialize your database bridge (e.g., `oxmysql` or legacy `mysql-async`) to ensure subsequent scripts can save data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Core Framework">
    Deploy your primary gameplay logic, such as **QB-Core**, **ESX**, or **vMenu**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Communication & Assets">
    Load voice resources like **pma-voice**, followed by your bracketed asset folders: `[cars]`, `[maps]`, and `[clothing]`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Organizational Optimization

  Instead of maintaining a massive list of hundreds of individual `ensure` lines, group your resources into bracketed subdirectories (e.g., `/resources/[legal_jobs]/`). You can then load every asset within that directory simultaneously using a single command: `ensure [legal_jobs]`.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Core configuration verified.
</div>


# How to Create a Custom Loading Screen in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/creating-a-custom-loading-screen

Establish a professional first impression for your players. Learn how to architect a custom NUI loading screen using HTML, CSS, and interactive audio.

## Establishing a Professional First Impression

The loading screen represents the initial interaction a player has with your community. By replacing the default FiveM loader with a custom **NUI (Native User Interface)** screen, you can effectively communicate your server's rules, showcase high-fidelity community artwork, and establish a specific atmosphere through immersive background music. This guide ensures your loading screen is correctly architected for performance and cross-resolution compatibility.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Resource Foundation

Create a dedicated directory named `freak_loadscreen` within your server's `/resources/` folder. A professional loading screen requires the following technical components:

* **`fxmanifest.lua`:** The authoritative registry that instructs the engine to load the UI.
* **`index.html`:** The structural visual layout of your screen.
* **`style.css`:** The design layer responsible for animations, typography, and responsive positioning.
* **`music.mp3`:** Your atmospheric background audio track.

***

## Step 2: Defining the Technical Manifest

Your `fxmanifest.lua` must explicitly categorize the resource as a loading screen to trigger the correct initialization sequence during the connection handshake.

```lua theme={null}
fx_version 'cerulean'
games { 'gta5' }

loadscreen 'index.html'

files {
    'index.html',
    'style.css',
    'music.mp3',
    'images/*.png'
}
```

***

## Step 3: Architecting the UI (HTML)

The `index.html` functions as a standard web page rendered within the FiveM internal browser. You can use modern CSS animations to create a dynamic and engaging environment.

```html theme={null}
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
    <div id="container">
        <h1>Welcome to FREAKHOSTING RP</h1>
        <p>Press ESC for community rules | Establishing connection...</p>
    </div>
    
    <audio id="bgm" src="music.mp3" autoplay loop></audio>
    <script>
        // Establishing subtle volume to maintain user comfort
        document.getElementById("bgm").volume = 0.3; 
    </script>
</body>
</html>
```

***

## Strategic Design Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Audio Etiquette & Accessibility">
    High-decibel, un-skippable audio can negatively impact the user experience. Always set your script's default volume to **0.3 (30%)** or lower. We highly recommend including a visible "Mute" button in your UI to allow players to prioritize their own communication or music while waiting to join.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Visual Optimization">
    Ensure your background imagery is optimized for various aspect ratios (16:9, 21:9, and 4:3). using high-resolution `.jpg` or `.webp` files with a balance between quality and file size ensures that your loading screen initializes rapidly for players with slower internet connections.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Activating the Resource

  Once your files are uploaded, add **`ensure freak_loadscreen`** to your `server.cfg`. The new visuals will take effect for every new player joining the server immediately following a server restart.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Branding active.
</div>


# How to Resolve Server Thread Hitch Warnings in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/fixing-server-thread-hitch-warnings-in-fivem

Eliminate server stuttering and performance lag. Learn how to use the FiveM profiler to identify unoptimized scripts and resolve thread hitch warnings.

## Eliminating Server-Side Stutter

Server Thread Hitch warnings are the primary technical indicator of performance degradation within a FiveM environment. These alerts appear in your console when a specific resource or script sequence takes longer than **50ms** to process its logic loop. When this threshold is exceeded, the server process pauses momentarily, resulting in "rubber-banding", delayed AI synchronization, and a disjointed experience for your players. Identifying and neutralizing these bottlenecks is essential for maintaining a high-performance community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Performance Analysis

Before you can resolve a hitch, you must accurately identify the responsible resource. The CitizenFX engine includes a built-in profiler designed for deep diagnostic analysis.

### using the Native Profiler

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Recording">
    Access your server **Console** (via the Game Panel or txAdmin) and execute:
    `profiler record 500`
    This captures granular performance data for 500 execution ticks.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate Data Export">
    Once the capture concludes, save the telemetry:
    `profiler save hitch_report`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Visualizer">
    Generate a secure viewing link:
    `profiler view hitch_report`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Technical Review">
    Open the generated URL in a modern browser (Chrome or Edge). The timeline will display a hierarchical breakdown of every active script's CPU consumption, allowing you to pinpoint exactly which logic is causing the stall.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Optimization Table

Most hitching incidents originate from one of three common architectural flaws within custom scripts.

| Common Culprit                | Technical Cause                                                                                 | Recommended Fix                                                                                     |
| :---------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Infinite High-Speed Loops** | using `while true do` without an appropriate rest period.                                       | Insert a `Wait(0)` or higher to allow the thread to yield to the engine.                            |
| **Synchronous SQL Calls**     | Forcing the main thread to wait for a database response during a frame loop.                    | Transition to **asynchronous** queries (e.g., `oxmysql`) to prevent main thread blocking.           |
| **Native Invocation Spam**    | Repeatedly calling expensive natives like `GetEntityCoords` for dozens of entities every frame. | Implement distance-check throttling (e.g., execute check logic every 500ms instead of every frame). |

***

<Important>
  ### Infrastructure Overhead

  While hitching is frequently a software-level issue, verify that your server has sufficient physical overhead. If the **CPU Usage** on your FREAKHOSTING dashboard consistently exceeds **80%** even during periods of low activity, your current plan may be undersized for your resource list. Consider a [Plan Migration](/games/fivem/how-to-change-slots-on-your-fivem-server) to our **Extreme High-Frequency** nodes for improved single-threaded performance.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Performance stabilized.
</div>


# How to Add a Custom Server Logo in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-add-a-custom-logo-to-your-fivem-server

Professionalize your project identity. Learn the technical requirements and configuration steps to upload a custom server icon for your FiveM community.

## Visual Branding & Identity

A custom server logo (frequently referred to as a Server Icon) is a fundamental component of professional project branding within the FiveM ecosystem. This graphical asset appears prominently next to your community's name in the global server browser and within the player's history tab. It serves as the primary visual hook that differentiates your server from competitors and establishes a recognizable brand identity. This guide ensures your asset meets the strict technical specifications required for the CitizenFX masterlist.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Asset Specifications

The FiveM engine enforces rigorous constraints on the server icon to maintain a consistent and optimized user interface for all players.

* **File Format:** The asset **must** be a `.png` file. High-compression formats like `.jpg` or `.webp` are not supported.
* **Dimensions:** The image must be exactly **96x96 pixels**. Larger images will fail to initialize, and smaller images will appear distorted.
* **Transparency:** Alpha channels are fully supported, enabling the use of rounded corners, shadows, or custom-shaped branding.

***

## Deployment & Integration Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize and display your community branding.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the File">
    use a graphic editor (e.g., Photoshop or Canva) to export your logo as a 96x96 pixel `.png`. Rename the file to a simplified identifier, such as `logo.png` or `icon.png`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload to Root">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **File Manager**. Upload your image directly into the server's root directory (the same folder containing your `server.cfg`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Server Configuration">
    Open your `server.cfg` file and locate or add the `load_server_icon` variable.

    ```cfg theme={null}
    load_server_icon logo.png
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Identity">
    Save the configuration and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Understanding Icon Propagation

  Following a server restart, the global masterlist may require several minutes to synchronize your metadata and update the icon in the public browser. If your branding does not appear immediately, use the "Direct Connect" feature to your own IP to force a local metadata refresh on your client.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Branding active.
</div>


# How to Install Custom Maps (YMAPs) in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-add-custom-maps-ymaps

Transform your world with custom architecture. Learn how to stream .ymap files to add custom buildings, props, and modified terrain to your FiveM server.

## Re-Architecting Los Santos

Custom maps within the FiveM ecosystem are primarily managed through `.ymap` files, which contain coordinate data for object placement and environmental modifications. Whether you are implementing a high-detail police station interior or simply adding decorative vegetation to public spaces, these files must be "streamed" from the server to the client using a standardized resource structure. This guide ensure your custom terrain is correctly initialized and optimized for a smooth player experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Architecting the Map Resource

To maintain engine compatibility and organizational clarity, raw `.ymap` files must be encapsulated within a dedicated resource container.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Directory">
    Create a new folder named `custom_map_pack` (or a similar descriptive identifier) within your server's `/resources/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Stream Path">
    Inside your new folder, create a subfolder precisely named **`stream`**. This is the directory that the CitizenFX engine monitors for binary map assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish the Manifest">
    Create a file named `fxmanifest.lua` in the root of your `custom_map_pack` folder to define the resource metadata.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Technical Configuration

Your `fxmanifest.lua` must explicitly instruct the server to treat the directory as a mapping resource. Use the following baseline configuration:

```lua theme={null}
fx_version 'cerulean'
game 'gta5'

this_is_a_map 'yes'
```

Place your `.ymap` files directly into the **`stream/`** folder. You can include dozens of unique placement files within a single resource to minimize your `server.cfg` entry count and improve loading efficiency.

***

## Common Technical Challenges

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving Z-Fighting & Flickering">
    If you observe textures "flickering" or fighting for visual priority, you likely have overlapping map data in the same coordinates. This frequently occurs when installing a custom modification for a high-traffic area (e.g., Legion Square) without disabling the corresponding vanilla map files using `IPL` commands or removing conflicting community resources.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Missing Textures">
    If your custom buildings appear as invisible geometry or generic gray boxes, ensure that any associated `.ytd` (texture dictionary) files were also placed in the `stream/` directory along with the `.ymap` files.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Activation

  Once your files are positioned, add **`ensure custom_map_pack`** to your `server.cfg`. The new geometry will be visible to all players upon their next connection to the server.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Terrain modified.
</div>


# How to Enforce a Specific Game Build in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-change-game-build-on-your-fivem-server

Unlock the latest GTA V vehicles, clothing, and map updates by enforcing a specific game build version on your FiveM roleplay or freeroam server.

## Accessing Modern DLC Content

By default, FiveM servers initialize using an older version of the GTA V engine to maintain absolute technical stability across all client configurations. However, many modern community resources - specifically advanced clothing packs, high-detail vehicles, and complex map expansions - require assets introduced in newer official DLCs such as the *Cayo Perico Heist* or *The Chop Shop*. By enforcing a newer game build, you instruct the CitizenFX engine to stream these updated assets to your players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Selecting Your Technical Build

Different builds provide access to different generations of GTA V content. We recommend selecting the build that precisely matches the requirements of your installed modifications.

| Build Number | DLC Name          | Technical Significance                                        |
| :----------- | :---------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **1604**     | Arena War         | Legacy standard for high-stability servers.                   |
| **2189**     | Cayo Perico       | Required for island assets and specific tactical gear.        |
| **2372**     | Los Santos Tuners | Unlocks specialized vehicle modifications and race tracks.    |
| **2699**     | The Contract      | Essential for agency-themed assets and modern vehicles.       |
| **3095**     | The Chop Shop     | **Current Recommendation:** The most expansive asset library. |

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to apply a specific build via the FREAKHOSTING management interface.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Build Parameter">
    Locate the **Game Build** field. Enter the numeric code for your desired version (e.g., `3095`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manual Configuration">
    Alternatively, you can open your `server.cfg` and add the following variable:

    ```cfg theme={null}
    sv_enforceGameBuild 3095
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    **Restart** your server. Upon joining, players will observe a specialized loading bar as the engine downloads the required DLC manifests.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Warning>
  ### Resource & Framework Compatibility

  While newer builds offer a significantly larger asset library, some legacy scripts may rely on specific engine quirks or internal memory offsets found only in Build 1604. If you experience client crashes or menu initialization failures immediately after changing builds, verify that your core framework (e.g., **QB-Core** or **ESX**) has been updated to its latest stable release.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Game build enforced.
</div>


# How to Configure Your License Key in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-change-server-license-key-on-your-fivem-server

Authenticate your FiveM server and link it to your IP address. Learn how to generate and apply a Cfx.re License Key for project visibility.

## Validating Your Server Instance

Every public FiveM server must be authenticated with a unique **License Key** generated via the official [Cfx.re Keymaster](https://keymaster.fivem.net/). This key serves as a secure link between your server instance and your identity as a host. It determines your server's visibility within the global browser and dictates your eligibility for advanced features such as [OneSync Infinity](/games/fivem/understanding-onesync-infinity-vs-legacy). Without a valid, synchronized license key, your server process will fail to initialize.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Generating Your Keymaster Credentials

Follow these steps to retrieve your unique server key from the CitizenFX collective.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Your Endpoint">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and note your server's **Public IP Address** (e.g., `191.96.94.100`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Keymaster">
    Visit the [Cfx.re Keymaster](https://keymaster.fivem.net/) portal and sign in with your FiveM forum account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register New Server">
    Click **New Server** and input the following metadata:

    * **Display Name:** A descriptive title for your records (e.g., `FREAK_Roleplay_Main`).
    * **Initial Server IP:** Enter your numerical FREAKHOSTING IP address **without the port**.
    * **Server Type:** Select **VPS**.
    * **Provider:** Enter **FREAKHOSTING**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Hash">
    Click **Generate**. A long alphanumeric hash beginning with `cfxk_` will be displayed. Copy this string precisely to your clipboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Activation Workflow

Once you have acquired your hash, you must apply it to your server configuration.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="FreakPanel (Recommended)">
    1. Navigate to the **Startup** tab in your Game Panel.
    2. Locate the **License Key** field.
    3. Paste your `cfxk_` hash into the field.
    4. **Restart** your server to authorize the session.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual (server.cfg)">
    1. Open your `server.cfg` file in the File Manager.
    2. Ensure the following line is correctly defined at the conclusion of the file:
       `sv_licenseKey "cfxk_your_specific_hash_here"`
    3. **Restart** the server to synchronize your identity.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Managing IP Mismatch Errors

  FiveM license keys are strictly bound to the IP address specified during generation. If you use a key generated for IP `1.1.1.1` on a server located at `2.2.2.2`, the engine will trigger an authentication error and shutdown. If you migrate your server to a different region or receive a new IP from our support team, you **must** update the IP in Keymaster or generate a fresh key immediately to maintain uptime.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** License authenticated.
</div>


# How to Change Maximum Player Slots in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-change-slots-on-your-fivem-server

Scale your community. Learn how to adjust player capacity and understand the technical requirements for high-population FiveM servers.

## Managing Server Capacity

Adjusting your player slots is a critical aspect of managing community density and ensuring server resources are utilized effectively. While the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel allows you to modify this value at any time, increasing your capacity beyond **48 slots** involves specific technical requirements, including an active [OneSync](/games/fivem/understanding-onesync-infinity-vs-legacy) configuration and external licensing. This guide ensures your server is correctly configured to support your intended player base.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Slot Configuration

You can modify your server's capacity using two primary methods. We recommend ensuring both values are synchronized to prevent metadata conflicts.

### Option 1: Game Panel Interface (Recommended)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Max Players">
    Locate the field labeled **Max Players**. Enter your desired slot count (e.g., `32`, `48`, or `128`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Changes">
    Navigate back to the **Console** and **Restart** your server to broadcast the updated capacity to the masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Option 2: Manual Configuration Override

If you prefer direct file management, you can define the limit within your `server.cfg`:

```cfg theme={null}
# Define the maximum number of simultaneous clients
sv_maxclients 48
```

***

## Technical Prerequisites for High Capacity

Operating a high-population server requires adherence to the official CitizenFX licensing model.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Standard (1 - 48 Slots)">
    Any registered [License Key](/games/fivem/how-to-change-server-license-key-on-your-fivem-server) can host up to 48 players without additional subscription requirements.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Premium (49 - 128+ Slots)">
    To exceed the 48-slot barrier, your license key must be associated with an active **Cfx.re Patreon Element Club** (Argentum or higher) membership. Without this authorization, setting `sv_maxclients` higher than 48 will cause your server to fail its heartbeat check, and it will not appear in the public browser.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Resource Scaling & Stability

  As you increase player slots, the demand on the server's CPU and network bandwidth grows exponentially. For communities targeting **64+ players**, we highly recommend using our **FREAKHOSTING Extreme** hosting plans to maintain consistent tickrates and prevent "desync" during peak hours.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Capacity updated.
</div>


# How to Install the Emergency Uniforms Pack (EUP) in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-eup-emergency-uniforms-pack

Deploy high-quality Police, EMS, and Fire Department uniforms for your community. Learn how to install and configure the EUP framework on your FiveM server.

## Professional Departmental Clothing

The **Emergency Uniforms Pack (EUP)** is the definitive standard for departmental attire and tactical gear within the FiveM roleplay ecosystem. It provides your community with hundreds of high-fidelity components for Law Enforcement (LEO), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Fire Departments, featuring perfectly synchronized textures and badges. By implementing EUP, you elevate the immersion of your roleplay environment, allowing for distinct visual identification of various public service branches.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

The FiveM engine enforces strict licensing requirements for streaming custom clothing assets. Before beginning the installation, ensure your environment meets these criteria:

* **Authorized License Key:** Your [Server License Key](/games/fivem/how-to-change-server-license-key-on-your-fivem-server) must be associated with a **Cfx.re Patreon Element Club** (Argentum tier or higher) membership. Standard keys are not authorized to stream the data-heavy clothing overrides required by EUP.
* **UI Frameworks:** Most modern iterations of EUP require **NativeUI** or a framework-specific menu (such as `qb-menu`) to facilitate the selection interface.

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to integrate the EUP framework into your resource stack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Download the primary EUP distribution from the [official EUP Team repository](https://github.com/EUP-Team). A standard installation typically involves two resources:

    * **`eup-stream`:** Contains the physical `.ydd` (models) and `.ytd` (texture) assets.
    * **`eup-ui`:** The logical script responsible for the user interface and outfit assembly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Resources">
    Upload both directories into your server's `/resources/` folder using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Loading Order">
    Open your `server.cfg` and authorize the resources in this specific sequence to ensure dependencies are resolved correctly:

    ```cfg theme={null}
    ensure NativeUI
    ensure eup-stream
    ensure eup-ui
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Identifying Character Corruption

  If players report "invisible" limbs, distorted bodies, or default vanilla clothing appearing when selecting EUP options, it is almost exclusively a result of an unauthorized license key. Verify that your Patreon subscription is active and that the correct `cfxk_` key is applied in your **Startup** parameters.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** EUP deployed.
</div>


# How to Install Mods on Your FiveM Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-mods-on-your-fivem-server

A complete guide for deploying vehicles, scripts, and maps. Learn the professional technical workflow for FiveM resource management.

## The Modding Blueprint

In the FiveM ecosystem, every modification - whether it is a complex economy system, a tactical script, or a high-fidelity vehicle pack - is categorized as a **Resource**. To maintain a stable and performant environment for your community, you must adhere to a standardized technical workflow: Research, Transfer, and Activation. This guide walk you through the professional deployment of community-made assets on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    12 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Strategic Content Acquisition

To safeguard your server against "Global Bans" or malware-infected scripts, we strongly recommend exclusively using reputable community repositories.

* **[Cfx.re Forums](https://forum.cfx.re/):** The primary official source for verified releases and framework updates.
* **[GTA5-Mods.com](https://www.gta5-mods.com/):** A vast library of vehicle models and map assets (require manual resource conversion).
* **[LCPDFR.com](https://www.lcpdfr.com/):** The definitive destination for law enforcement and emergency service themed modifications.

***

## Step 2: Technical Asset Transfer (SFTP)

While our web-based File Manager is optimized for rapid configuration edits, we highly recommend using a dedicated SFTP client (such as **FileZilla** or **WinSCP**) for transferring large assets or entire modpacks.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Establish Connection">
    Retrieve your SFTP credentials from the **Settings** tab in your Game Panel and connect via your preferred client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Directory">
    Navigate to the `/resources/` directory. This is the only folder where the engine will monitor for modded logic.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Unzipped Folders">
    Upload your extracted resource folders directly. Ensure that each folder contains a valid `fxmanifest.lua` file in its root directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Engine Activation Protocol

Simply uploading the files does not initialize them. You must explicitly instruct the CitizenFX engine to "ensure" the resources are active during the boot sequence.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Modify server.cfg">
    Open your `server.cfg` file using the integrated editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Ensure">
    Add the `ensure` command followed by the exact folder name of your mod.

    * *Example:* `ensure freak_script`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finalize and Restart">
    Save the configuration and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Logic: Ensure vs. Start

  We recommend exclusively using the `ensure` command. Unlike the legacy `start` command, `ensure` performs an internal validation check. If the resource is already initialized, it will not attempt a dual-load, effectively preventing redundant execution and silent logic errors.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting & Verification

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving Initialization Failures">
    If a script fails to load, verify that the `fxmanifest.lua` is present. Modern FiveM resources **must** use `fxmanifest.lua`; older scripts using `__resource.lua` are considered deprecated and may trigger stability issues.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Desynced Assets">
    If your custom vehicles or maps are invisible to players, verify your [Patreon License Key](/games/fivem/how-to-change-server-license-key-on-your-fivem-server) status. Most asset-streaming features require an Argentum-tier membership or higher.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Environment ready.
</div>


# How to Set Up & use txAdmin in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-install-txadmin-on-fivem

Master the official FiveM management suite. Learn how to initialize txAdmin, deploy automated frameworks, and monitor your community performance.

## The Modern Administrative Standard

**txAdmin** is the definitive management suite for the FiveM ecosystem, providing server owners with a sleek, high-performance web dashboard for all operational tasks. It replaces the need for complex manual maintenance by offering automated server restarts, integrated player management, and rapid framework deployment via the "Recipe" system. At FREAKHOSTING, txAdmin is natively integrated into our platform, allowing you to manage your community from any device with absolute precision and security.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization

Every FiveM instance on the FREAKHOSTING network includes a pre-installed txAdmin environment. Follow these steps to link your administrative identity.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Process">
    Click **Start** on your server via the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Authorization PIN">
    Navigate to the **Console** tab. Locate the terminal output block containing a unique **4-digit PIN**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Dashboard">
    Open your web browser and navigate to the address: `http://YourServerIP:40120`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Link Account">
    Input the PIN and follow the prompts to log in using your official **Cfx.re (FiveM)** credentials.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Automated Project Deployment (Recipes)

For administrators initializing a new community, txAdmin's **Recipe System** is the most efficient technical path for deployment.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Framework Selection">
    * **QB-Core:** A modern, high-performance framework characterized by its modular architecture and extensive documentation.
    * **ESX Legacy:** The established industry standard for RPG-centric environments with a vast library of existing community scripts.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Deployment Logic">
    Once a recipe is selected, txAdmin programmatically retrieves the latest framework builds, initializes your MySQL database, and generates a functional `server.cfg`, reducing your setup time from hours to minutes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Core Management Capabilities

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Real-Time Performance Monitoring">
    use the integrated live console and resource monitor to identify memory leaks or CPU spikes before they impact your players' experience.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Advanced Player Moderation">
    The **Player Manager** allows you to view detailed persistent identifiers (Steam, License, Discord), manage global whitelists, and enforce bans that remain active across server wipes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Maintenance Cycles">
    Schedule recurring server restarts with customizable in-game warnings. This ensures system memory is cleared periodically, maintaining high tickrates for your community.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Dashboard Security

  The txAdmin interface operates on port **40120**. This dashboard grants absolute control over your server's logical and physical data. **Never share your txAdmin URL or recovery codes.** If you suspect unauthorized access, immediately delete the `admins.json` file situated within your `/txData/` directory and restart the server to force a security reset.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** txAdmin active.
</div>


# How to Set Your Steam Web API Key in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-set-your-fivem-server-steam-web-api-key

Enable player identifiers and whitelisting by linking your FiveM server to the Steam network. Learn how to generate and apply a Steam Web API Key.

## Technical Steam Integration

To uniquely identify participants and use sophisticated Steam-based whitelisting systems, your FiveM server must establish a secure link with the Steam Web API. This authorization allows the CitizenFX engine to verify player identities in real-time, matching their localized session data to their global Steam profile. This integration is essential for servers using frameworks like **QB-Core** or **ESX**, which frequently rely on Steam identifiers for persistent character data and inventory storage.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Retrieving Your Authentication Key

Follow these steps to generate a unique access token from the Valve Corporation.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authenticate with Steam">
    Log in to your primary personal Steam account via a web browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the API Manager">
    Navigate to the [Steam Web API Key Management](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey) portal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Your Hostname">
    In the **Domain Name** field, input your server's IP address or simply `freakhosting.com`. This field is for your own identification and does not restrict key usage to that specific domain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Token">
    Click **Register**. A long alphanumeric string will be generated. Copy this key precisely to your clipboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Activation Workflow

Once you have acquired your token, you must apply it to your FREAKHOSTING instance to enable the integration.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="FreakPanel (Recommended)">
    1. Navigate to the **Startup** tab in your Game Panel.
    2. Locate the field labeled **Steam Web API Key**.
    3. Paste your token into the field and ensure there are no trailing spaces.
    4. **Restart** your server to initialize the Steam handshake.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual (server.cfg)">
    1. Open your `server.cfg` file in the File Manager.
    2. Locate or add the following variable definition:
       `set steam_webApiKey "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"`
    3. Save the file and restart the server process.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Critical Credential Security

  Your Steam Web API Key is a highly sensitive credential that provides access to your account's association with the Steam network. **Never share this key** in public Discord channels, support tickets, or community forums. If you suspect your token has been compromised, you must revoke it immediately on the Steam portal and generate a new one.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Steam link verified.
</div>


# How to Connect Your MySQL Database in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-setup-your-database-on-your-fivem-server

Master persistent data storage. Learn how to link your FiveM framework (QB-Core/ESX) to a high-performance MySQL database for player data and inventories.

## Managing Persistent Community Data

In the modern FiveM ecosystem, a strong database is the fundamental foundation of any persistent community. Whether you are hosting a complex economy-based Roleplay (RP) server or a competitive racing hub, your database is responsible for storing every critical data point - including character bank balances, vehicle ownership, housing coordinates, and inventory states. Establishing a secure and optimized connection string is the most important technical step in ensuring your server's long-term stability and performance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Initialize Your Infrastructure

Every FREAKHOSTING plan includes a dedicated MySQL environment. Follow these steps to generate your unique credentials.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Database Management">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Databases** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate New Registry">
    Click the **New Database** button. Provide a descriptive name (e.g., `freak_rp_live`) and set the "Connection From" field to `%` to allow internal node synchronization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Authorization Details">
    Once created, click the **Eye icon** or the menu dots to reveal your **Endpoint (Host)**, **Username**, **Password**, and **Database Name**. Copy these details precisely.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Configuring the Connection String

Open your `server.cfg` file. Depending on your chosen database wrapper, the syntax required for the connection string will vary.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Modern (oxmysql)">
    This is the current industry recommendation for high-performance servers.

    ```cfg theme={null}
    set mysql_connection_string "mysql://USER:PASSWORD@ENDPOINT:3306/DATABASE_NAME?waitForConnections=true&charset=utf8mb4"
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Legacy (mysql-async)">
    Required for older community scripts that have not yet transitioned to modern standards.

    ```cfg theme={null}
    set mysql_connection_string "server=ENDPOINT;database=DATABASE_NAME;userid=USER;password=PASSWORD"
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Technical Loading Priority

  FiveM initializes resources sequentially. Your database wrapper (e.g., **oxmysql**) **MUST** be initialized before any script that attempts to query or save data. In your `server.cfg`, ensure the initialization command `ensure oxmysql` appears at the very beginning of your resource list, immediately following the default system requirements.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Database connected.
</div>


# How to Update Server Artifacts in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/how-to-update-your-fivem-server-artifact

Maintain your server's core performance and security. Learn how to update FiveM server artifacts to the latest official Cfx.re builds via our Game Panel.

## Maintaining the System Core

**Artifacts** (frequently referred to as the server binaries or core files) represent the fundamental executable engine that powers your FiveM instance. Regularly updating your artifacts is a critical maintenance task required for compatibility with newer GTA V game builds, ensuring OneSync synchronization stability, and accessing the latest technical features within txAdmin. This guide ensure your server remains on the cutting edge of the CitizenFX ecosystem.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The One-Click Update Workflow

FREAKHOSTING has simplified the technical process of artifact management into a centralized, single-click interface within your management dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Artifacts Tab">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select the specific server you wish to update. Locate the **Artifacts** tab in the sidebar menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Build">
    Browse the list of verified builds provided directly from the official Cfx.re repository:

    * **Recommended:** The most technically stable and community-vetted build.
    * **Latest:** Includes the most recent security patches and experimental features.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Installation">
    Click the **Install** button next to your selected version. The system will automatically retrieve the binary assets and replace your existing core files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the New Core">
    Once the panel confirms completion, navigate to the **Console** and click **Restart** to boot the server using the new engine version.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Verification

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Confirming Build Status">
    After the server initializes, examine the initial lines of the console output. The engine will explicitly broadcast its build number (e.g., `FXServer-master v1.0.0.XXXX`). Alternatively, you can view the "Host" metadata in the txAdmin dashboard sidebar to verify your current version.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Version Rollbacks">
    If a specific community resource becomes unstable or triggers crashes after an update, you can use the same **Artifacts** tab to select and install a previous "Recommended" version, reverting your engine state instantaneously.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Prerequisite: Backup Verification

  While artifact updates are strictly binary-level and do not modify your `/resources/` directory or `server.cfg`, we strongly recommend generating a [Full Backup](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups) before performing a version jump. This ensures a safe recovery point if your specific mod configuration is incompatible with the new engine logic.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Artifacts updated.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure vMenu in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/installing-vmenu-server-sided-menu

Master server-side administration. Learn how to install vMenu, manage ACE permissions, and configure administrative access for your FiveM community.

## complete Server Control

**vMenu** is the industry-standard server-sided trainer and administrative suite for the FiveM platform. Unlike client-side menus which are frequently flagged by anti-cheat systems, vMenu resides entirely within the server's resource stack. This enables server owners to implement a "Zero Trust" security model, precisely defining which players are authorized to spawn vehicles, manipulate the global weather, or use administrative teleportation tools. This guide walk you through the professional deployment and permission architecture of vMenu.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Installation & File Placement

Correct directory organization is important for ensuring vMenu can locate its sensitive permission records.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Release">
    Download the primary distribution from the [official vMenu GitHub repository](https://github.com/vMenu/vMenu).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy the Resource">
    Create a folder named `vMenu` within your `/resources/` directory and upload the extracted assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Permission Persistence">
    **Critical:** Locate the `permissions.cfg` file provided in the download. Move this file to your **root server directory** (the same location as your `server.cfg`). Placing this file within the resource folder is not recommended as it complicates future updates.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Technical Activation Sequence

To ensure vMenu initializes with the correct authority, you must execute its permission registry **before** the resource is ensured in your `server.cfg`.

```cfg theme={null}
# Authorization Registry (Must load first)
exec permissions.cfg

# Initialize the Resource
ensure vMenu
```

***

## Step 3: Architecting Administrative Authority (ACE)

FiveM uses the **ACE (Access Control List)** system to manage permissions. Follow these steps to elevate your account to a Superadmin status within the vMenu framework.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open permissions.cfg">
    use the File Manager to open your `permissions.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define User Principals">
    Locate the **Principals** section and add your unique identifier (Steam Hex or Cfx.re License).

    * *Example:* `add_principal identifier.steam:11000010a2c3d4e group.admin`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Permission Sets">
    Ensure the `group.admin` identifier is granted access to the internal vMenu logic:
    `add_ace group.admin "vMenu.Everything" allow`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Managing Public Access

  By default, vMenu is architected with a "Deny All" security posture. If your community is a "Menu-Based" server where regular players should have limited access (e.g., changing their character's wardrobe or vehicle color), you must navigate to the `builtin.everyone` section within `permissions.cfg` and toggle specific `deny` variables to `allow`.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** vMenu integrated.
</div>


# How to Load World Interiors (IPLs) in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/loading-map-interiors-ipls

Unlock hidden buildings and specialized zones. Learn how to use Item Placement (IPL) requests to load vanilla interiors like the Casino or Cayo Perico.

## Unlocking the Los Santos Architecture

By default, several prominent landmarks and high-detail buildings in Grand Theft Auto V initialize as empty shells or invisible voids within the FiveM environment. This occurs because the engine uses **Item Placement (IPL)** requests to dynamically load interior geometry, furniture, and collision data only when required. To use these locations for community heists, immersive roleplay, or social hubs, you must explicitly instruct the server to stream these loaders to every connected client.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## using Unified Interior Loaders (Recommended)

The most efficient technical strategy for managing global interiors is deploying a complete loader resource such as **Bob74\_IPL**. This framework provides a centralized suite for toggling office furniture, hospital configurations, and even different atmospheric variants of the Diamond Casino.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Resource">
    Download the latest stable release from the official [Bob74\_IPL repository](https://github.com/Bob74/Bob74_IPL).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Resources">
    Upload the folder into your server's `/resources/` directory using the Game Panel File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Engine">
    Add **`ensure Bob74_IPL`** to your `server.cfg` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize Atmosphere">
    For advanced users, you can modify the `dlc_ipl` logic scripts within the resource to change environmental textures (e.g., transitioning a pristine hospital floor to a bloody "emergency" variant).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Manual Developer Invocations

If you are developing proprietary scripts or require specific targeted interiors, you can load individual shells using the following technical commands within a client-side script.

| Interior Target              | Technical IPL Registry                |
| :--------------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
| **Vangelico Jewel Store**    | `RequestIpl("post_hiest_unload")`     |
| **FIB Headquarters**         | `RequestIpl("FIB_01")`                |
| **Lester's Garment Factory** | `RequestIpl("v_lestersoft_milo_")`    |
| **Cayo Perico Terrain**      | `RequestIpl("h4_islandx_terrain_01")` |

***

<Note>
  ### Troubleshooting: The "Gray Void" Glitch

  If players report "falling through the floor" when entering buildings like the Pillbox Hill Hospital, it indicates that the **Collision Mesh** associated with the interior has not been initialized. This is a primary indicator that your IPL loader resource is either missing, incorrectly named in the `server.cfg`, or failing to execute due to a script conflict.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Interiors unlocked.
</div>


# How to Configure License Keys & Patreon Benefits in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/setting-up-a-fivem-license-key

Unlock advanced OneSync features and custom clothing streaming. Learn how to manage your Cfx.re License Key and link Patreon tiers for project scaling.

## Technical Project Authorization

While a basic FiveM license key is free and sufficient for standard community hosting, many of the most sought-after features - such as **OneSync Infinity** (64+ slots) and **Custom Clothing (EUP)** - are gated by the official Cfx.re Patreon reward system. Understanding how to correctly link your license to your Patreon account is the essential first step toward scaling your community and providing a premium roleplay experience. This guide ensure your server identity is correctly authorized and synchronized with your subscription rewards.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Registry via Keymaster

Follow these steps to generate the primary identity token for your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authenticate with Cfx.re">
    Sign in to the [Cfx.re Keymaster](https://keymaster.fivem.net/) portal using your FiveM forum credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Your Node">
    Click **New Server** and input your dedicated **FREAKHOSTING IP Address** (omit the port number).
  </Step>

  <Step title="IP Binding Logic">
    **Important:** Your license key is cryptographically locked to the IP address specified during this step. If your server IP changes due to a node migration or plan upgrade, you **must** update the IP registry within this portal immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: The Element Club Hierarchy

To access advanced engine features, your Cfx.re identity must be a verified member of the **Element Club**.

| Tier             | Primary Benefits              | Technical Use Case                           |
| :--------------- | :---------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- |
| **Basic (Free)** | 48 Slots                      | Standard friend groups and development.      |
| **Argentum**     | **Custom Clothing (EUP)**     | Mandatory for professional LEO/EMS roleplay. |
| **Aurum**        | **128 Slots** + Animal Peds   | High-population community growth.            |
| **Platinum**     | **2048 Slots** + Early Access | Enterprise-level project management.         |

***

## Step 3: Reward Synchronization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Understanding Propagation Latency">
    After pledging to the [FiveM Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/fivem), the rewards are not instantaneous. It typically requires between **2 to 6 hours** for the subscription status to propagate to the global masterlist. You can verify successful synchronization when your key on the Keymaster portal displays the "Element Club" badge next to its identifier.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Resolving Authorization Failures">
    If your server fails to initialize with a "License Key Mismatch" error, ensure that the key is encapsulated in double quotes within your `server.cfg` and that you have not exceeded the active instance limit (Basic keys are restricted to 3 simultaneous servers).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Managing Your Subscription

  Always use the same email address for your Patreon pledge and your Cfx.re forum account. A discrepancy between these two addresses will prevent the system from automatically linking your rewards to your generated license keys.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Licensing specialized.
</div>


# How to Import SQL Files with HeidiSQL for FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/setting-up-a-mysql-database

Master remote database interaction. Learn how to manage your FiveM database, import script tables, and edit player data using the HeidiSQL client.

## Technical Database Interaction

While the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](/games/fivem/how-to-setup-your-database-on-your-fivem-server) provides the underlying network connection, **HeidiSQL** is the industry-standard desktop client utilized to actually interact with your persistent data. This powerful, lightweight tool is essential for administrators who need to import `.sql` files for complex resources (such as job systems or dealership scripts) and for performing manual adjustments to player bank balances, inventory items, or administrative ranks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Establishing a Remote Connection

Follow these steps to link your local machine to your hosted database instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Client">
    Download and install the latest stable version of [HeidiSQL](https://www.heidisql.com/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Session">
    Launch the application and click **New** to create a connection profile.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Credentials">
    * **Network Type:** Select `MariaDB or MySQL (TCP/IP)`.
    * **Hostname / IP:** Enter your Database Endpoint (Found in the panel's **Databases** tab).
    * **User / Password:** Input your specific database credentials.
    * **Port:** use the default `3306`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Tunnel">
    Click **Open**. The application will establish a secure connection and display your database structure in the left-hand sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Importing Resource Data

Complex FiveM scripts often include a `.sql` file (e.g., `esx_vehicleshop.sql`) designed to initialize the necessary tables and relationships.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Target Registry">
    In the HeidiSQL sidebar, click on your server's database name to set it as the active context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open SQL Asset">
    Navigate to **File** -> **Run SQL file...** and select the `.sql` file provided with your modification.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Logic">
    If a "Query" tab initializes, press the **Execute (Blue Play button)** or **F9**. The script will now programmatically build your database tables.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Installation">
    Right-click your database and select **Refresh**. New entries should now be visible within the table hierarchy.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Data Preservation Protocol

  Executing a `.sql` file can be a destructive action if the script contains `DROP TABLE` or `REPLACE` commands. We strongly recommend using the **Export** feature within HeidiSQL to create a local dump of your data before importing major framework updates.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Database managed.
</div>


# How to Resolve Network Thread Hitches in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/troubleshooting-network-thread-hitch-warning-in-fivem-servers

Identify and eliminate network-based server lag. Learn how to diagnose event spam and optimize data synchronization for your FiveM community.

## Managing Global Network Congestion

A **Network Thread Hitch** is a technical bottleneck that differs significantly from a standard script-level hitch. While script hitches are caused by heavy localized logic, network hitches occur when the server process attempts to broadcast an excessive volume of data (packets) to clients simultaneously, or when a specific resource "spams" global network events. This congestion results in "ghosting," delayed interactions, and severe rubber-banding for every player in the session.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Diagnostic Triage

To resolve a network hitch, you must first pinpoint the specific resource responsible for the congestion.

### Identifying Event Spam

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Console">
    Open your **txAdmin Live Console** or the primary Game Panel terminal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Monitoring">
    Execute the command `neteventlog` to begin a real-time audit of all network traffic.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Analyze Payloads">
    Watch for events with high frequency or large payload sizes (displayed in bytes).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Culprit">
    Look for logic patterns such as `TriggerClientEvent('some_event', -1, huge_table)`. Sending massive data tables to every active player (`-1`) every few milliseconds is the primary cause of network saturation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Optimization Techniques

Once the problematic logic is identified, apply these architectural fixes to restore network fluidity.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Strategic Culling">
    Only transmit data to players who are physically nearby or actually require the information. Instead of using the `-1` (Everyone) broadcast, target specific player IDs or use proximity-based distance checks.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Data Compression">
    Avoid sending entire objects or complex tables. For example, instead of sending a full vehicle configuration, send only the plate string and have the client-side script retrieve the details from its own local cache.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Adaptive Throttling">
    Reduce the update frequency for non-critical elements. A player's HUD or dynamic map marker rarely requires a 60Hz update rate; throttling these events to every 500ms or 1000ms significantly reduces the packet overhead.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### The OneSync Synchronization Thread

  If your console explicitly reports "Sync Thread Hitching," the issue is often related to **OneSync Entity Ownership**. If a player with a high-latency connection or unstable hardware "owns" a vehicle that dozens of other players are observing, the network thread will struggle to synchronize that entity's state, resulting in hitches for everyone in that localized area.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Network optimized.
</div>


# How to Tune Vehicle Handling in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/tuning-custom-cars-handling-meta

Master the mechanics of your custom fleet. Learn how to adjust acceleration, top speeds, and center of gravity using the handling.meta file.

## Engineering Your Custom Fleet

Imported vehicle models from community repositories often initialize with unbalanced or unrealistic physics. They may possess excessive acceleration, lack appropriate tire grip, or frequently flip over during standard maneuvers due to an incorrectly defined center of gravity. Every mechanical trait of a vehicle is governed by the `handling.meta` file residing within its resource directory. Mastering this file is essential for providing a professional and consistent driving experience for your players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Locating the Engineering Registry

The handling data is situated within the individual resource folder for the specific vehicle.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Resource Directory">
    Navigate to your vehicle's folder (e.g., `/resources/[cars]/supra/`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Metadata">
    Open the `data/` subdirectory. Locate and open the `handling.meta` file with the integrated text editor.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Tuning Variables

Adjust the following technical parameters to calibrate your vehicle's performance.

| Variable                    | Description                 | Professional Tuning Tip                                                                 |
| :-------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`fInitialDriveForce`**    | The raw engine torque.      | `0.25` is appropriate for standard sedans; `0.45` represents an elite supercar.         |
| **`fBrakeForce`**           | Deceleration strength.      | Most imports require an increase; we recommend a range of `0.8` to `1.2`.               |
| **`fSteeringLock`**         | The maximum wheel angle.    | Increase this value to enable tighter city turns or more aggressive drifting.           |
| **`fMass`**                 | The physical weight (KG).   | Heavier vehicles (e.g., SUVs) require a corresponding increase in `fBrakeForce`.        |
| **`vecCentreOfMassOffset`** | The physical balance point. | If the vehicle flips, lower the **Z** (3rd value) to `0.1` or lower to drop the weight. |

***

## Implementation & Validation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Commit Changes">
    Save your modifications within the File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Refresh the Resource">
    In your server console, execute: `ensure [resource_name]`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Forced Re-initialization">
    **Important:** Handling data is frequently cached by the game client. If the changes do not reflect immediately, you must **Delete and Respawn** the vehicle or restart your FiveM client to observe the new physics.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### The Incremental Method

  Always perform technical adjustments in small increments of **0.05**. Drastic changes to variables like `fInitialDriveForce` can make a vehicle completely undriveable or cause it to physically glitch through the map upon acceleration.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Handling calibrated.
</div>


# Understanding OneSync Infinity vs. Legacy in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/understanding-onesync-infinity-vs-legacy

Compare OneSync Infinity and Legacy modes in FiveM. Learn the differences for player synchronization, entity streaming, and high-population networking.

## Scaling Your Server Infrastructure

OneSync is the proprietary technical framework that enables FiveM servers to surpass the original 32-player limitation inherent in the GTA V engine. However, selecting the appropriate synchronization mode is a critical architectural decision. Your choice between **Legacy** and **Infinity** fundamentally dictates how player data is broadcast across the network and determines the compatibility requirements for your custom scripts. This guide ensure you select the optimal mode for your community's growth.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Mode Comparison

Choosing the correct mode depends on your target player population and the age of your resource library.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="OneSync Legacy">
    * **Capacity:** Limited to **48 slots**.
    * **Synchronization Logic:** Global. Every connected player's entity data is broadcast to every other player's client simultaneously. You can "see" a player's metadata regardless of their distance from you.
    * **Technical Compatibility:** Ideal for legacy communities using older scripts (2017 - 2019) that rely on global client-side awareness.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OneSync Infinity (Recommended)">
    * **Capacity:** Supports up to **2048 slots**.
    * **Synchronization Logic:** **Distance Culling**. A player's client only receives data for entities and participants within a \~400-meter radius.
    * **Technical Compatibility:** Requires modern scripting standards. Logic such as `GetActivePlayers()` executed on the client will only return nearby players, not the global server roster.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Global Mode Authorization

While FREAKHOSTING servers initialize with OneSync enabled by default via the [Startup Settings](/games/fivem/configuring-servercfg-for-fivem), you can explicitly define the mode within your `server.cfg`.

```cfg theme={null}
# Force Enable OneSync Infinity
set onesync on
```

***

## Strategic Scripting Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Server-Side Data Calculation">
    In an Infinity environment, client-side scripts are "blind" to distant world events. If you are implementing a global scoreboard or a "Total Online" player counter, you **must** perform these calculations on the **Server-Side** and broadcast the resulting integer to the clients.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimizing Network Bandwidth">
    Infinity is significantly more efficient than Legacy for high-population servers. By using distance culling, the server only transmits relevant packets to each player, drastically reducing the bandwidth overhead and preventing client-side FPS drops in crowded areas.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Framework Dependencies

  Before transitioning to OneSync Infinity, verify that your primary framework (e.g., **ESX** or **QB-Core**) is using its latest stable build. Older versions of these frameworks may experience inventory desynchronization or "ghost" character issues when distance culling is active.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** OneSync optimized.
</div>


# How to Configure Discord-Based Whitelisting in FiveM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/fivem/whitelisting-with-discord-roles

Establish a synchronized community ecosystem. Learn how to link your FiveM server whitelist and permissions directly to your Discord server roles.

## Modern Community Integration

The technical standard for managing community access has transitioned from manual SteamID entry to dynamic **Discord Role Synchronization**. By using Discord as your primary database for permissions, you ensure that if a player is granted a "Police" or "Staff" role within your Discord guild, they automatically receive the corresponding powers in-game. Conversely, if a player leaves your Discord server, their whitelist status is revoked instantaneously, providing an automated and highly secure management workflow.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Prerequisites

To establish the bridge between the CitizenFX engine and the Discord API, you require two fundamental community frameworks:

1. **Badger-Discord-API:** The underlying logic handler that retrieves player role metadata from your guild.
2. **DiscordAcePerms:** The configuration script that converts Discord roles into FiveM **ACE** (Access Control List) permissions.

***

## Step 1: Architecting the Discord Bot

Follow these steps to create the secure gateway for your server data.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Application">
    Visit the [Discord Developer Portal](https://discord.com/developers/applications) and create a **New Application**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Bot Presence">
    Navigate to the **Bot** tab. Ensure that the **Server Members Intent** toggle is enabled; without this, the bot cannot retrieve player role lists.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Tokens to cfg">
    Copy your **Bot Token** and **Guild (Server) ID**. Input these into your `server.cfg` using the following variables:

    ```cfg theme={null}
    set DiscordBotToken "YOUR_SECURE_TOKEN"
    set GuildID "YOUR_SERVER_ID"
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Mapping Discord Roles to FiveM Groups

To translate your community hierarchy into game permissions, you must define the relationships within your permission script's `config.lua`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Retrieve Role IDs">
    In Discord, right-click your desired role and select **Copy ID**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Mapping Registry">
    Populate the `roleList` with your technical mappings:

    ```lua theme={null}
    roleList = {
        ['123456789012345'] = "group.admin",       -- Founder Role
        ['987654321098765'] = "group.whitelisted", -- Community Member Role
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Bridge">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the console to ensure the Badger-Discord-API successfully authenticates with the Discord gateway.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Automated Onboarding

  using Discord-based whitelisting allows you to automate your entire onboarding process. By integrating a "Rules Verification" bot in Discord that assigns a role upon completion, you enable players to whitelist themselves for your FiveM server without requiring manual staff approval, significantly accelerating your community's growth.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **FiveM:** Discord synchronization active.
</div>


# How to Add Weapon Packs (M9K, CW2.0, Arc9) in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/adding-weapon-packs-m9k-cw2

Equip your players with custom firepower. Learn how to install and synchronize weapon bases like M9K, TFA, and Arc9 on your GMod server.

## Expanding Your Tactical Arsenal

Weapon modifications represent the core gameplay loop for most Garry's Mod communities, particularly within the **DarkRP**, **MilitaryRP**, and **Sandbox** genres. Selecting the appropriate weapon base is a strategic balance between visual fidelity (animations and attachments) and server-side performance (tickrate and netcode overhead). This guide will help you choose the correct system for your community and ensure your players can use these assets without technical errors.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Comparison of Weapon Bases

Choose the framework that best aligns with your server's performance goals and gameplay depth.

| Base Name        | Technical Complexity | Performance Impact | Ideal Use Case                         |
| :--------------- | :------------------- | :----------------- | :------------------------------------- |
| **M9K**          | Low                  | **Very Low**       | High-population DarkRP servers.        |
| **TFA**          | Moderate             | Moderate           | Tactical Sandbox and Serious RP.       |
| **CW 2.0**       | High                 | Moderate           | Attachment-heavy competitive gameplay. |
| **ARC9 / ArcCW** | **Extreme**          | High               | Ultra-realistic combat and simulation. |

***

## Installation & Content Synchronization

Simply uploading the weapon scripts is insufficient. If your players do not possess the corresponding models and textures locally, they will observe floating red **"ERROR"** markers instead of weaponry.

### Step 1: Workshop Integration

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Collection">
    Add your chosen weapon pack and its mandatory **Base Resource** to your server's Steam Workshop Collection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Manifest">
    Ensure the unique Workshop IDs are registered within your `/lua/autorun/server/workshop.lua` file to force client-side downloads.

    ```lua theme={null}
    resource.AddWorkshop("WORKSHOP_ID_HERE")
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Deployment Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The 'Multi-Part' Addon Constraint">
    Many premium-quality weapon systems (specifically **Arc9** and **TFA**) are distributed across multiple Workshop entries: the **Base Logic**, the **Texture Repository**, and the **Audio Assets**. You must include every component in your collection. Failure to do so will result in silent weapons or the infamous "purple checkered" texture errors.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimizing Network Performance">
    High-fidelity weapons use complex netcode for synchronized animations. If you notice server "Hitching" during large firefights, consider using a more lightweight base like M9K or reducing the number of simultaneous active weapon resources.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Verification

  After restarting your server, join as a player and attempt to spawn a weapon via the "Q" menu. If the weapon appears correctly and plays audio, your synchronization is successful.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Firepower initialized.
</div>


# How to Configure DarkRP Jobs in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/configuring-darkrp-jobs

Define the social hierarchy of your city. Learn how to create custom jobs, set salaries, and implement VIP-exclusive roles in the DarkRP gamemode.

## Architecting the Social Hierarchy

Jobs represent the core mechanical foundation of the DarkRP gamemode. By correctly configuring your `jobs.lua` registry, you can define a unique social landscape ranging from government officials and medical staff to specialized criminal syndicates and community-specific lore roles. This guide walk you through the technical implementation of new roles while ensuring your changes are preserved across server updates.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Infrastructure

To ensure your custom content is not overwritten during official gamemode updates, you **must** implement all modifications within the **DarkRP Modification** addon.

* **Storage Path:** `/garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua`

***

## Anatomy of a Job Registry Entry

Every role in the city is defined by a specific Lua table. Below is the technical structure for a standard Law Enforcement role.

```lua theme={null}
TEAM_POLICE = DarkRP.createJob("Civil Protection", {
   color = Color(25, 25, 170, 255),
   model = {"models/player/police.mdl"},
   description = [[The protector of the city. Maintain the peace and enforce the law.]],
   weapons = {"arrest_stick", "stunstick", "door_ram"},
   command = "cp",
   max = 4,
   salary = 65,
   admin = 0,
   vote = true,
   hasLicense = true,
   category = "Civil Protection",
})
```

### Strategic Variable Breakdown

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Identity & Visuals">
    * **color:** Defines the hex color of the job name in the scoreboard and chat.
    * **model:** Specifies the character model used by the player. You can include multiple models in the array to allow for randomized appearances.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Economic Balance">
    * **max:** The maximum number of players allowed to hold this job simultaneously. Set to `0` for infinite capacity (e.g., Citizens).
    * **salary:** The amount of automated income the player receives every payday interval.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mechanics">
    * **vote:** If `true`, players must win a community election to switch to this role.
    * **hasLicense:** Grants the player a default weapons permit upon spawning.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Implementing Exclusive VIP Roles

To monetize your server or reward dedicated community members, you can restrict specific high-tier jobs to authorized user groups using a `customCheck` logic block.

```lua theme={null}
   customCheck = function(ply) return ply:GetUserGroup() == "vip" or ply:IsAdmin() end,
   CustomCheckFailMsg = "This specialized role requires a VIP or Staff rank!"
```

***

<Warning>
  ### Syntax Integrity Alert

  The `jobs.lua` file is extremely sensitive to formatting errors. A single missing comma (`,`) or an unclosed bracket (`}`) will cause the entire script to fail. This results in the "Loot Drought" equivalent for DarkRP, where the F4 menu fails to open and every player is forcefully defaulted to the "Citizen" job. Always use a technical editor with Lua syntax highlighting and verify your console for errors after saving.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Job market updated.
</div>


# How to Set Up the ULX Admin Mod in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/configuring-ulx-admin-mod

Master Garry's Mod server administration. Learn how to install ULX/ULib and configure superadmin permissions for player moderation.

## Establishing Administrative Authority

**ULX (User Layer eXtension)** is the definitive standard for server administration within the Garry's Mod ecosystem. It provides a complete graphical user interface (GUI) and a highly efficient chat-based command system that empowers you to manage player behavior, enforce bans, and manipulate world physics with precision. This guide walk you through the correct initialization of the ULX framework and the elevation of your administrative privileges.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

ULX is built upon the **ULib** framework. These two modifications must be installed in tandem to function correctly.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Workshop Integration">
    Add both **ULX** and **ULib** to your server's Steam Workshop Collection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    Restart your server. Monitor the **Console** tab for the "ULX Version X initialized" metadata to confirm the hook is active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Gaining Administrative Privileges

Before you can use the in-game management tools, you must explicitly authorize your account through the server console.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect to Your Server">
    Launch Garry's Mod and join your active server session.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Game Panel">
    Navigate to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Superadmin">
    Execute the following command, ensuring you replace the ID with your personal identifier:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ulx adduserid "STEAM_0:1:12345678" superadmin
    ```

    <Info>
      **Note:** ULX uses the **Legacy SteamID** format (e.g., `STEAM_0:0:12345`). You can retrieve your legacy ID by inputting your profile URL into [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Accessing the Management Interface

Once your account is elevated to Superadmin, you can interact with the server management tools directly through the game client.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Chat Interface">
    Type **`!menu`** into the in-game chat box. This initializes the primary XGUI dashboard where you can manage groups, bans, and technical server settings.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Client Console">
    Open your developer console (**\~**) and execute the command **`xgui`**. This is useful for administrators who prefer a larger, windowed interface for complex task management.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Moderation

  use the **Cmds** tab within the ULX menu to perform rapid actions on players. This interface allows you to instantly kick, freeze, or teleport problematic users without needing to memorize specific console syntax.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** ULX authority active.
</div>


# How to Configure ULX Groups and Permissions in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/configuring-ulx-groups-and-permissions

Delegate power and manage your staff hierarchy. Learn how to create custom ranks like Moderator or VIP and define granular command permissions.

## Managing Your Staff Hierarchy

To successfully operate a large community, you must delegate power effectively among your team. using the ULX Group system, you can architect a granular hierarchy where **Moderators** can perform tactical removals (kicking) but lack the authority for permanent bans, while **VIPs** can access specialized physical capabilities without granting them any administrative influence over other players. This guide ensures your permissions are correctly calibrated for security and community balance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Creating a New Community Rank

Initializing a new group allows you to categorize your players and staff beyond the default vanilla roles.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Menu">
    Join your server and open the ULX management interface by typing **`!menu`** in the chat.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Group Logic">
    Navigate to the **Users** tab and select the **Groups** sub-menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Inheritance">
    Click **Create Group**. In the "Inherits From" field, select a base role.

    * **Staff Ranks:** We recommend inheriting from `admin`. This grants the group all standard administrative powers as a baseline, which you can then restrict.
    * **Player Ranks:** Inherit from `user` to ensure they only possess basic community permissions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Assigning Granular Permissions

Once your group is established, you can define exactly which tools and commands each role is authorized to use.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Granting Authority">
    On the right-hand panel of the Groups tab, locate your desired command (e.g., `ulx noclip`). Check the box to immediately enable that capability for every member of the selected group.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Restricting Access">
    If a group inherits from a higher role but you wish to limit their reach, find the specific sensitive command (e.g., `ulx ban`) and **uncheck** the box or explicitly set the toggle to **Deny**.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### The Superadmin Restriction

  The `superadmin` rank possesses the capability to execute **RCON commands**, granting full access to the server's backend console. You should never grant the `ulx rcon` permission to any rank other than the primary server owner. Compromised superadmin credentials can lead to the permanent loss of your server's data and configuration.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Permissions calibrated.
</div>


# How to Set Up WorkshopDL (FastDL) in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/how-to-create-a-fastdl-collection-for-gmod

Eliminate player 'ERROR' markers and missing textures. Learn how to architect a Steam Workshop Collection and configure FastDL for your GMod server.

## Technical Content Synchronization

In the Garry's Mod ecosystem, **FastDL** is most efficiently implemented through the **WorkshopDL** protocol. This system uses Valve's global content delivery network (CDN) to distribute your server's custom models, high-resolution textures, and unique audio assets to every joining player. By establishing a correct synchronization workflow, you ensure that every participant observes your virtual world exactly as you have architected it, without the distraction of red "ERROR" signs or purple checkered textures.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Architecting Your Workshop Collection

Your collection serves as the authoritative manifest for all community-made assets required by your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Collection">
    Navigate to the [Steam GMod Workshop](https://steamcommunity.com/app/4000/workshop/) and create a new **Public Collection**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Populate Content">
    Add every modification, weapon pack, and map asset you intend to use. Ensure you also include any mandatory "Base" requirements for your selected mods.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Identity Token">
    Note the numerical **Collection ID** situated at the conclusion of your collection's URL (e.g., `?id=123456789`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Server-Side Authorization

Once your collection is published, you must authorize your FREAKHOSTING server to communicate with the Steam Workshop.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Parameters">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Identity Keys">
    * **Workshop ID:** Paste your numerical Collection ID.
    * **API Key:** Input your unique [Steam Web API Key](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Initial Sync">
    Restart your server. The engine will now download and mount the collection's assets into the server's persistent storage.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Forcing Client-Side Downloads

While the server now possesses the assets, the game engine does not automatically instruct joining players to download them. You must create a "Resource Downloader" script.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Lua Script">
    In the File Manager, navigate to `/garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/` and create a new file named `workshop_sync.lua`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Download Registry">
    Add a `resource.AddWorkshop` entry for **every individual addon** within your collection:

    ```lua theme={null}
    resource.AddWorkshop("ID_OF_ADDON_1")
    resource.AddWorkshop("ID_OF_ADDON_2")
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Tactical Automation

  Manually entering hundreds of IDs can be error-prone. We recommend using a community-validated **Collection-to-Lua generator** tool. These utilities allow you to paste your Collection URL and instantly generate a clean Lua script containing every necessary `resource.AddWorkshop` line.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Workshop sync active.
</div>


# How to Force Custom Content Downloads in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/how-to-force-server-clients-to-download-content

Master player content synchronization. Learn the technical methods for forcing clients to download models, textures, and audio assets upon connection.

## Eliminating Asset Discrepancies

In the Garry's Mod architecture, the presence of an addon on the server node does not automatically trigger a download for the joining player. To prevent your community from observing giant flashing red **"ERROR"** markers or corrupted "purple and black" textures, you must explicitly instruct the game client to retrieve and mount the corresponding assets during the initial connection handshake. This guide walk you through the two primary technical methodologies for forcing content synchronization.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: The WorkshopDL Protocol (Recommended)

If your community uses assets hosted on the Steam Workshop, the engine can automate the distribution process using Valve's global infrastructure.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Autorun Directory">
    Navigate to the following path via the File Manager: `/garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Sync Script">
    Create a new file named `workshop_sync.lua`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Addon Identifiers">
    Input the unique numerical ID from the Workshop URL for every required asset:

    ```lua theme={null}
    resource.AddWorkshop("ADDON_ID_HERE")
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: Manual FastDL (Loose File Injection)

If your server uses proprietary assets not found on the Steam Workshop (e.g., custom `.mp3` audio cues or unique localized models), you must use the manual **FastDL** protocol.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Server Scripts">
    In the same `/garrysmod/lua/autorun/server/` directory, create a file named `resource_sync.lua`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Direct Paths">
    Register the exact file paths relative to your server's root directory:

    ```lua theme={null}
    resource.AddFile("sound/myserver/welcome_notification.mp3")
    resource.AddFile("models/player/proprietary_skin.mdl")
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  ### Path Case-Sensitivity

  Our high-performance servers operate on Linux, which is strictly case-sensitive. When using `resource.AddFile`, the path must match the physical storage capitalization precisely. For example, if your folder is named `Models` and you define it as `models`, the client's request will return a 404 error, and the asset will fail to download.
</Important>

***

## Technical Maintenance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Handling 'Missing Map' Errors">
    If a player is rejected with a "Missing Map" error, ensure that you have added the map's Workshop ID to your `workshop_sync.lua`. Unlike models, the engine requires the map asset to be fully validated before the loading screen even initializes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Client-Side Verification">
    If a single player continues to see errors while others join successfully, instruct them to delete their local `downloads/` folder within their GMod directory to force a clean re-synchronization with your server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Content logic synced.
</div>


# How to Install and Restrict Wiremod in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/installing-and-restricting-wiremod

Deploy the powerful Wiremod circuitry system while protecting your server from lag and crash exploits. Learn how to configure Expression 2 (E2) quotas.

## Technical Electronics & Automation

**Wiremod** is arguably the most complex and functionally powerful modification within the Garry's Mod ecosystem. It empowers your community to architect functional computers, automated defensive turrets, and intricate navigation systems using a vast array of electronic components. However, its specialized "Expression 2" (E2) scripting environment can be inadvertently or maliciously misused to trigger significant server-wide lag or kernel-level crashes. This guide ensures you can provide the depth of Wiremod while maintaining absolute server stability.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Installation & Verification

Follow these steps to initialize the Wiremod framework on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Workshop Deployment">
    Add the primary **Wiremod** addon to your server's Steam Workshop Collection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Hook">
    **Restart** your server via the Game Panel to mount the new assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Technical Audit">
    Join the server and verify that the "Wire" tab has successfully initialized within your "Q" spawn menu.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Strategic Stability Configuration

To prevent players from executing unoptimized E2 logic that consumes excessive CPU cycles, you must establish strict operational quotas.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Expression 2 Settings">
    While in-game, open your **Spawn Menu (Q)**, navigate to the **Utilities** tab, and select **Wire** -> **Expression 2**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure CPU Quotas">
    Adjust the following variables to enforce processing limits:

    * **Soft Quota:** Set to **2000**. (Triggers a warning if exceeded).
    * **Hard Quota:** Set to **8000**. (Instantly disables the chip if exceeded).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restrict Extensions">
    For security integrity, ensure the `http` and `console` extensions are **Disabled**. This prevents malicious actors from using your server node to launch outbound DDoS attacks or flooding your console logs with irrelevant data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Administrative Tool Restrictions

If your community requires a higher level of oversight, we recommend restricting the "Expression 2" tool to verified groups (e.g., VIPs or Staff) using the **ULX** framework.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open ULX Menu">
    Type **`!menu`** in the in-game chat.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Sandbox Tools">
    Go to the **Cmds** tab and select **Sandbox** -> **Tool Restrictions**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enforce Authority">
    Locate `wire_expression2` in the list and restrict its usage to the `supporter` group or higher. This ensures that only trusted participants can use the most resource-intensive capabilities of the mod.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Circuitry secured.
</div>


# How to Fix Missing Textures (CSS Content) in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/installing-css-content

Fix the purple and black missing texture error in Garry's Mod by installing Counter-Strike: Source content. Resolve the most common GMod visual glitch.

## The Missing Asset Paradox

If a player joins your server and encounters neon purple and black checkered textures on the walls or giant red **"ERROR"** models representing vehicles and props, they are lacking the fundamental **Counter-Strike: Source (CSS)** asset library. Because Garry's Mod was architected using the Source 1 engine, a vast majority of community maps and modifications rely directly on materials and models found within the CSS binaries. Understanding how to resolve this for your player base is essential for maintaining a professional visual environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Misconceptions

A frequent error among new server administrators is the belief that mounting CSS on the server node will fix visual glitches for the players.

* **The Server's Requirement:** The server requires CSS assets to accurately calculate physics, collision meshes, and world geometry. If CSS is missing from the server, players may "fall through the floor" or collide with invisible objects.
* **The Client's Requirement:** The **Player (Client)** requires CSS assets locally to render the visual textures and high-fidelity models. If CSS is missing from the player's local files, they will see the standard fallback "Missing Texture" visuals.

***

## Strategic Community Solutions

To ensure your community enjoys a glitch-free experience, you should guide your players toward one of the following methods.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Method A: Official Mounting">
    The most stable and professional solution.

    1. Purchase and install **Counter-Strike: Source** via Steam.
    2. Launch Garry's Mod and select the **Controller Icon** in the bottom-right of the main menu.
    3. Check the box for **Counter-Strike: Source** to authorize the engine to use the assets.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Method B: Content Packs">
    Ideal for players who do not own the full CSS title.

    1. Instruct players to subscribe to "CSS Content" or "CSS Textures" packs available on the Steam Workshop.
    2. We recommend including a direct link to a verified texture pack in your [Server Workshop Collection](/games/garrys-mod/how-to-create-a-fastdl-collection-for-gmod) so new players download them automatically upon joining.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Administrative Responsibility

  As a server owner, you should always [Mount CSS on your Server](/games/garrys-mod/mounting-css-content-on-your-gmod-server) to ensure the physical world logic is sound. Combining server-side mounting with a client-side texture pack in your collection is the "gold standard" for professional GMod hosting.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Visuals restored.
</div>


# How to Mount CS:Source on Your GMod Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/mounting-css-content-on-your-gmod-server

Properly mount Counter-Strike: Source assets on your server. Learn how to prevent map collision bugs and physics errors on your Garry's Mod dedicated server.

## Server-Side Physical Infrastructure

While players require Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) to render visual textures, your **server** requires these same assets to process the physical world. Without correctly mounted CSS files on the server node, players will encounter critical gameplay errors, such as falling through "solid" floors, being unable to drive across bridges, or receiving immediate "Missing Map" disconnections. The FREAKHOSTING management interface provides several methods for ensuring your server's physical logic is sound.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: The Automated Panel Toggle

Most FREAKHOSTING GMod environments include the foundational `cstrike` binaries by default. This is the most reliable and efficient activation method.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Parameters">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Toggle">
    Locate the **Mount CSS** environment variable. Ensure the toggle is set to **Enabled**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Configuration">
    Navigate back to the **Console** and **Restart** your server. The engine will now hook into the `cstrike` directory during the boot sequence.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: Manual mount.cfg Verification

If you are using a specialized server build or a custom directory structure, you may need to verify the mounting path within your configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Config Files">
    Open the File Manager and navigate to: `/garrysmod/cfg/mount.cfg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Asset Path">
    Ensure the file content correctly identifies the absolute path to the CSS folder. On our high-performance clusters, the structure typically appears as follows:

    ```cfg theme={null}
    "mountcfg"
    {
        "cstrike"    "/home/container/cstrike"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save & Apply">
    Commit your changes and restart the server to initialize the new pathing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Performance Audit

Once the server has returned to an `Online` status, you can verify the success of the mount through the engine itself.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Console Verification">
    Type the command **`mount`** into the server console. A successful initialization will return a list showing `cstrike` linked to its corresponding directory path.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Physics Testing">
    Join the server and navigate to a known CSS-dependent area (e.g., a custom Roleplay map bridge). If you can walk and drive across the surface without falling through, your physical infrastructure is correctly mounted.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Missing Directory Errors

  If the `mount` command returns an empty list or an error, verify that the `cstrike` folder actually exists within your server's root directory. If this folder is missing, you must [Reinstall Your Server](/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-server-settings-and-reinstall) or contact our support team to have the standard assets repopulated.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Server assets mounted.
</div>


# How to Optimize for High Player Counts in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/optimizing-servercfg-for-high-player-counts

Tune your server for 60+ players. Learn how to optimize networking rates, physics iterations, and tickrate for high-population GMod communities.

## Technical Performance Scaling

Scaling a Garry's Mod server to support 100+ simultaneous players requires a strategic departure from standard out-of-the-box settings. To maintain a smooth experience, you must optimize how the Source engine calculates physics and how data packets are distributed across the network. By reducing collision precision and widening your network "pipes," you can significantly mitigate server-side "Hitching" and improve synchronization for players with high-latency connections.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Strategic Networking Rates

High-capacity servers require increased bandwidth thresholds to prevent packet loss during intense gameplay events. Append these variables to your `server.cfg`.

```cfg theme={null}
sv_minrate 35000            // Enforces a minimum 35kbps bandwidth per client
sv_maxrate 0                // Allows for unlimited maximum bandwidth usage
net_splitpacket_maxrate 1048576
sv_minupdaterate 16
sv_maxupdaterate 66
```

***

## Step 2: Physics Engine Optimization

Complex physics interactions (specifically collisions between player-spawned props) are the primary cause of server CPU spikes.

| Variable                  | Recommended Value | Technical Result                                                                            |
| :------------------------ | :---------------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **`gmod_physiterations`** |        `2`        | Dramatically improves performance by reducing collision calculation precision.              |
| **`sv_turbophysics`**     |        `1`        | Prevents players from becoming dynamic physics objects when standing on moving props.       |
| **`phys_timescale`**      |       `1.0`       | **Do Not Modify:** Changing this value will permanently desynchronize movement and gravity. |

***

## Step 3: Tickrate Selection

While competitive FPS titles use 128 Tick, high-population GMod servers (DarkRP/Sandbox) must use **lower** values to maintain infrastructure stability.

* **Recommended Threshold:** Use **16** or **33** Tick.
* **The Risk of High Tickrates:** Initializing a server at **66 or 100 Tick** with 80+ players will likely overwhelm the single-threaded capacity of the CPU, resulting in massive rubber-banding and frequent player timeouts.
* **Implementation:** Modify the `-tickrate` variable within your Game Panel **Startup Settings**.

***

<Important>
  ### Managing the Prop Budget

  Even with perfect technical optimization, a map containing over 5,000 active dynamic props will trigger performance degradation. We strongly recommend implementing an **Automated Cleanup Script** that programmatically removes "Abandoned" props (items left behind by players who have disconnected) to reclaim server resources.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Optimization applied.
</div>


# How to Set Up a TTT Server in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/setting-up-a-ttt-server

Launch a game of deception and survival. Learn how to activate the Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT) gamemode and configure essential round variables.

## Technical Deception & Survival

**Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT)** is a specialized social deduction gamemode that focuses on psychological interaction and tactical awareness rather than complex UI management. Unlike roleplay-heavy modes, a successful TTT environment depends on precise map selection, high-performance synchronization of custom weaponry, and strict automated moderation of "Random Deathmatch" (RDM) behaviors. This guide walk you through the correct initialization of the TTT framework on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Gamemode Activation

Follow these steps to instruct the Source engine to load the TTT logic during the boot sequence.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Parameters">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Gamemode">
    Locate the **Gamemode** environment variable and enter **`terrortown`** (all lowercase).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Engine Hook">
    **Critical:** TTT uses a vast majority of assets from the Counter-Strike: Source binaries. Ensure the **Mount CSS** toggle is set to **Enabled** in the same tab. Without this, the world physics will fail to initialize.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Restart your server via the **Console** tab.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Strategic Round Configuration

To maintain a professional gameplay flow and minimize downtime between matches, apply these optimized variables to your `server.cfg`.

| Variable                   | Recommended Value | Impact on Gameplay                                                    |
| :------------------------- | :---------------: | :-------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`ttt_preptime_seconds`** |        `30`       | Grants Traitors sufficient time to plan before the round initializes. |
| **`ttt_posttime_seconds`** |        `15`       | Provides a brief window to review the results and scoreboard.         |
| **`ttt_firstpreptime`**    |        `60`       | Allows for a longer initial warmup following a map change.            |
| **`ttt_karma_strict`**     |        `1`        | Automatically punishes players who engage in disruptive RDM behavior. |

***

<Important>
  ### Identifying Collision Mesh Errors

  If players report that they are capable of "walking through walls" or falling through geometry on popular maps such as `ttt_rooftops` or `ttt_67thway`, it is a definitive technical indicator that your **server-side CSS mount** has either failed to initialize or is disabled. Re-verify your [Mount Configuration](/games/garrys-mod/mounting-css-content-on-your-gmod-server) to resolve this immediately.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** TTT initialized.
</div>


# How to Set Up the DarkRP Gamemode in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/setting-up-darkrp-gamemode

Deploy the world's most popular Garry's Mod roleplay framework. Learn how to correctly install the DarkRP core and the mandatory modification addon.

## The Roleplay Foundation

**DarkRP** is the most widely played and celebrated gamemode in the history of Garry's Mod. Setting it up correctly requires a two-part technical architecture: the core gamemode logic and the **DarkRP Modification** addon. using the modification addon is a critical best practice, as it ensures your community's custom configurations - including jobs, economy settings, and shipment registries - are never lost or overwritten during an official gamemode update.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Core Engine Installation

Follow these steps to initialize the fundamental DarkRP logic on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Framework">
    Download the latest stable release of [DarkRP](https://github.com/FPtje/DarkRP) from the official GitHub repository.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Gamemodes">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP, upload the `darkrp` folder into your `/garrysmod/gamemodes/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify File Integrity">
    Confirm that the directory structure is correct. You should observe a file path similar to `/gamemodes/darkrp/gamemode/cl_init.lua`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Implementing the Modification Addon

<Warning>
  ### Critical Technical Warning

  **Never edit the core files residing within the `/gamemodes/darkrp/` folder.** Any changes made there will be permanently purged during the next update. All customizations must be performed within the modification addon.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the Addon">
    Download the [DarkRP Modification](https://github.com/FPtje/darkrpmodification) repository.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Addons">
    Upload the folder directly into your server's root `/garrysmod/addons/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Your Identity">
    This directory serves as your community's configuration hub:

    * **`lua/darkrp_customthings/jobs.lua`:** Define your [Police, Citizen, and VIP roles](/games/garrys-mod/configuring-darkrp-jobs).
    * **`lua/darkrp_config/settings.lua`:** Calibrate global variables like starting currency, tax rates, and prop limits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Activation Workflow

Once your assets are deployed, you must instruct the Source engine to use the DarkRP logic.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Parameters">
    Log in to your FREAKHOSTING dashboard and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Gamemode">
    Locate the **Gamemode** field and enter **`darkrp`** (all lowercase).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize & Verify">
    **Restart** your server. Upon joining, the presence of the DarkRP HUD and the availability of the F4 management menu will confirm a successful deployment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** DarkRP deployed.
</div>


# How to Configure Falcos Prop Protection (FPP) in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/setting-up-falcos-prop-protection

Secure your server against griefing and physics exploits. Learn how to configure FPP to prevent prop-killing, world deletion, and server-crashing prop spam.

## Technical Server Defenses

**Falcos Prop Protection (FPP)** is the essential technical shield for any community Garry's Mod server. Without this framework, a single malicious player can delete critical world geometry, freeze the server process by spawning massive collision objects, or "prop-kill" other community members within designated safe zones. FPP provides a strong suite of tools to define ownership, automate world cleanup, and restrict toolgun usage based on player rank. This guide walk you through the professional calibration of your FPP shields.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Accessing the Management Dashboard

FPP is frequently bundled with the DarkRP gamemode or can be deployed as a standalone modification from the Steam Workshop.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Spawn Menu Initialization">
    Join your server and hold the **Q** key to open the primary Spawn Menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Utilities">
    Click the **Utilities** tab located in the top-right corner of the interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open FPP Settings">
    Locate and click on **Falcos Prop Protection** within the sidebar menu.

    * *Note:* You must possess **[Superadmin Privileges](/games/garrys-mod/configuring-ulx-admin-mod)** to modify global server-wide variables.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Recommended Anti-Grief Calibration

To maintain a high-performance environment, we recommend applying the following logical constraints.

| Management Module    |        Recommended Action        | Technical Purpose                                                                                             |
| :------------------- | :------------------------------: | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **General Settings** | Enable **Cleanup on Disconnect** | Automatically purges a player's assets when they leave, preventing persistent world clutter and memory leaks. |
| **Antispam**         |  Enable **Big Prop Protection**  | Programmatically blocks the spawning of oversized models that are known to trigger immediate physics lag.     |
| **Toolgun Options**  |   Restrict **Remover** to Admin  | Prevents unauthorized players from deleting world entities or other participants' structures.                 |

***

## Step 3: The Buddy & Collaboration System

FPP includes a specialized "Buddies" feature designed for cooperative building.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Granting Individual Permissions">
    If two players are collaborating on a single structure, they can use the FPP menu to grant one another specific "Buddy" permissions. This allows them to move, edit, or use each other's props without granting these same dangerous powers to the general player base.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Group Integration">
    FPP can be configured to automatically recognize members of the same **ULX Group** or **DarkRP Organization** as buddies, facilitating smooth team-based construction.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** FPP shields active.
</div>


# How to Choose WorkshopDL vs. FastDL in GMod
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/garrys-mod/using-collection-loader-vs-manual-fastdl

Optimize your server join times and visual consistency. Learn the technical differences between WorkshopDL and FastDL content delivery methods for GMod.

## The Content Delivery Dilemma

A primary frustration for many Garry's Mod participants is excessively long "Joining Server" durations or the presence of disruptive red **"ERROR"** markers. These issues almost exclusively originate from an unoptimized or misconfigured content delivery system - the technical pipeline used to synchronize assets between the server and the client. To ensure your community has a smooth experience, you must strategically choose between **WorkshopDL** and **FastDL**. This guide walk you through the technical trade-offs of both methodologies.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Performance Breakdown

Selecting the correct delivery architecture depends on the uniqueness of your server's assets and your administrative resources.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="WorkshopDL (Modern Standard)">
    Instructs the game client to download compressed `.gma` files directly from Valve's global content delivery network (CDN).

    * **Strategic Pros:** Negligible technical maintenance; uses Steam's massive bandwidth; requires no external web hosting.
    * **Strategic Cons:** Players must download the *entire* addon archive even if the server only uses a single model; assets are subject to Steam's occasional maintenance outages.
    * **Implementation:** Add `+host_workshop_collection` to your [Startup Settings](/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-network-and-subdomains) and use `resource.AddWorkshop` in your Lua scripts.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="FastDL (Legacy/Proprietary)">
    uses a traditional web server (HTTP) to host individual loose assets (`.mdl`, `.vmt`, `.vtf`) for the client to retrieve.

    * **Strategic Pros:** Optimal for extremely specific file delivery; only transmits the exact assets required for the current map.
    * **Strategic Cons:** Requires a separate, high-uptime web server; requires manual management of the directory structure and **bzip2** compression.
    * **Implementation:** Requires the definition of the `sv_downloadurl` variable within your `server.cfg`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Decision Matrix: Which should you choose?

For the vast majority of community servers, **WorkshopDL** is the superior choice due to its stability and ease of use.

* **Use WorkshopDL if:** You are using community-made weapon packs, player models, or common maps found on the Steam Workshop. This is the optimal path for 95% of modern GMod projects.
* **Use FastDL if:** You possess proprietary, "Private" content that you do not wish to publish to the public Workshop (e.g., custom community-branded textures, private donor models, or specialized UI sounds).

***

<Important>
  ### Diagnostic Error Identification

  To effectively troubleshoot player complaints, use this visual logic:

  * **Purple Checkered Textures:** Indicates a missing [Counter-Strike: Source](/games/garrys-mod/installing-css-content) dependency.
  * **Red ERROR Model:** Indicates a technical failure in your WorkshopDL or FastDL configuration for that specific resource.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **GMod:** Delivery optimized.
</div>


# Game Server Hosting Guides and Tutorials
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/getting-started

Browse the complete library of game server hosting guides on FREAKHOSTING. Find setup tutorials, configuration tips, and troubleshooting for every game.

## Supported Games

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

We support **36+ games** with detailed setup guides, configuration tutorials, and troubleshooting articles. Browse by category below or use the sidebar to find your game.

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Popular Games" icon="fire" href="/games/fivem/setting-up-a-fivem-license-key">
    **FiveM, Minecraft, Rust, CS2, Palworld, Garry's Mod**

    The most popular game servers we host with extensive documentation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Survival Games" icon="tent" href="/games/7-days-to-die/admin-commands-for-7-days-to-die">
    **7 Days To Die, DayZ, Valheim, Project Zomboid, Enshrouded, V Rising, Sons Of The Forest, Icarus, Ark**

    Survive, build, and thrive in these challenging survival games.
  </Card>

  <Card title="GTA & RDR Multiplayer" icon="car" href="/games/altv/altv-getting-started-with-altv-server-setup">
    **alt:V, RedM, RAGE Multiplayer, Multi Theft Auto**

    Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption multiplayer frameworks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Racing & Simulation" icon="flag-checkered" href="/games/assetto-corsa/setting-up-a-custom-track-in-assetto-corsa">
    **Assetto Corsa, BeamMP, Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator**

    Racing simulators and truck driving games.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shooters" icon="crosshairs" href="/games/counter-strike-2/how-to-connect-to-a-counter-strike-2-server">
    **Counter Strike Source, CS 1.6, Left 4 Dead 2, Killing Floor 2, Arma 3, SCP: Secret Laboratory**

    First-person shooters and tactical games.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sandbox & Building" icon="cube" href="/games/terraria/how-to-install-tshock-on-terraria">
    **Terraria, Satisfactory, Unturned, Hytale**

    Creative sandbox and building games.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Other Games" icon="gamepad" href="/games/mordhau/managing-admins">
    **Mordhau, Risk Of Rain 2**

    Additional games we support.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Can't Find Your Game?

  If you need help with a game not listed here, contact our support team:

  * **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)
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Advanced Server Settings in Hytale
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/advanced-server-configuration

Master your Hytale server with our complete guide. Learn about advanced configuration, performance tuning, and multi-server setups for your hosting.

## Master Your Hytale Server

This complete guide covers everything from basic configuration to advanced multi-server architectures. Whether you are setting up your first server or optimizing a production environment, you will find expert-level instructions here.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="15 Minutes">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration File Locations

Your Hytale server uses several JSON configuration files to manage its behavior. Understanding where these files are located is the first step toward effective server management.

### Server Root Directory

| File               | Purpose                           | When to Edit                      |
| :----------------- | :-------------------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
| `config.json`      | Main server settings              | Server name, slots, view distance |
| `permissions.json` | Player permissions & admin groups | Adding admins, setting roles      |
| `bans.json`        | Banned player list                | Banning/unbanning players         |
| `whitelist.json`   | Allowed players (if enabled)      | Private server access             |

### World-Specific Configuration

| Location                                  | Purpose                                            |
| :---------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| `universe/worlds/[WorldName]/config.json` | Individual world settings (PvP, spawning, effects) |

***

## Editing Your Configuration

Follow these steps to safely modify your server files.

<Warning>
  ### Safety First

  * **Always create a backup** of your server files before making changes.
  * **Stop your server completely** before editing any configuration files. Changes made while the server is running will be overwritten.
</Warning>

### How to Edit Files

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Game Panel (Recommended)">
    The easiest way to manage your files is through the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Stop Server">
        Navigate to the **Console** and click **Stop**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open File Manager">
        Go to the **Files** tab in the sidebar.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Edit File">
        Locate the JSON file you wish to modify, click on it to open the editor, make your changes, and click **Save Content**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start Server">
        Return to the **Console** and click **Start**.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual Editing">
    If you are self-hosting or using SFTP.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Stop Service">
        Ensure the server process is fully stopped.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Edit Locally">
        Open the file in a text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Validate JSON">
        Use a tool like [JSONLint](https://jsonlint.com) to ensure your syntax is correct.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Restart">
        Save the file and start your server.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Server Configuration (config.json)

The main `config.json` controls your server core behavior. This is the primary file for customization.

### Settings Overview

| Setting         | Description                                                         |
| :-------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `ServerName`    | The name displayed in the server browser.                           |
| `MaxPlayers`    | The maximum number of simultaneous players.                         |
| `MaxViewRadius` | Controls how many chunks are sent to players (impacts performance). |

***

## Advanced Architecture

### Multi-Server Support

Hytale features built-in multi-server support, meaning you do not need an external proxy like BungeeCord or Velocity.

### Network Protocol

Hytale uses the **QUIC protocol over UDP** instead of traditional TCP. Ensure your firewall is configured to allow UDP traffic on your server ports.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Performance Tuning: JVM Flags">
    For high-traffic servers, adjusting launch arguments can improve stability.

    * `-XX:+UseG1GC`: Recommended garbage collector for Hytale.
    * `-Xms` and `-Xmx`: Set your minimum and maximum RAM allocation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="World Pre-Generation">
    Eliminate exploration lag by pre-generating your world chunks before players join. This significantly reduces CPU strain during gameplay.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Hytale:** Advanced Configuration Guide.
</div>

***

## World Configuration (Per-World Settings)

Each world has independent settings stored in `universe/worlds/[WorldName]/config.json`. These allow you to customize gameplay mechanics per dimension or world instance.

### Gameplay Settings

| Setting               | Default | Description                                   |
| :-------------------- | :------ | :-------------------------------------------- |
| `Seed`                | Random  | The world generation seed.                    |
| `IsPvpEnabled`        | false   | Enables or disables player combat.            |
| `IsFallDamageEnabled` | true    | Controls if players take damage from falling. |
| `IsGameTimePaused`    | false   | Freezes the day/night cycle.                  |
| `IsSpawningNPC`       | true    | Enables natural NPC spawning.                 |
| `IsAllNPCFrozen`      | false   | Freezes all NPC AI.                           |

### Performance & Save Settings

| Setting                 | Default | Description                                                  |
| :---------------------- | :------ | :----------------------------------------------------------- |
| `IsTicking`             | true    | Controls if world physics are active.                        |
| `IsBlockTicking`        | true    | Controls if block updates are active.                        |
| `IsSavingPlayers`       | true    | Enables saving of player data.                               |
| `IsSavingChunks`        | true    | Enables saving of terrain changes.                           |
| `SaveNewChunks`         | true    | Caches new terrain as it is generated.                       |
| `IsUnloadingChunks`     | true    | Frees unused memory by unloading distant chunks.             |
| `DeleteOnUniverseStart` | false   | Wipes the world on every restart (use with extreme caution). |

### Visual Effects (ClientEffects)

| Effect              | Default | Description                                |
| :------------------ | :------ | :----------------------------------------- |
| `SunIntensity`      | 0.25    | Adjusts the brightness of the sun.         |
| `BloomIntensity`    | 0.3     | Controls the strength of the glow effect.  |
| `BloomPower`        | 8.0     | Adjusts the sharpness of the bloom effect. |
| `SunshaftIntensity` | 0.3     | Controls the strength of "God rays".       |

***

## World Pre-Generation

Pre-generating terrain before players explore eliminates chunk generation lag during gameplay. This is highly recommended for production servers.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Method 1: Manual Exploration">
    Best for small maps or quick setups.

    1. Start your server and join as an admin.
    2. Enable fly mode.
    3. Fly around the map; chunks will save automatically as they are rendered.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Method 2: Pre-Generation Mods">
    Best for large worlds and automated generation.

    1. Download a pre-generation mod and place it in the `mods/` folder.
    2. Configure the radius and center coordinates.
    3. Execute the generation command provided by the mod.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Method 3: Built-in Command Line">
    Check for native options using:

    ```bash theme={null}
    java -jar HytaleServer.jar --help
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Server Mesh Architecture

Hytale features built-in multi-server support, allowing you to transfer players between servers without an external proxy like BungeeCord.

### Transferring Players

You can use the native Java API to move players smoothly:

```java theme={null}
// Send a player to another server
PlayerRef.referToServer(host, port, payload)

// Handle incoming player connections
PlayerSetupConnectEvent.referToServer(host, port)
```

<Warning>
  ### Security Alert

  Referral payloads pass through the client and can be modified. Always sign payloads using **HMAC with a shared secret key** so the receiving server can verify authenticity.
</Warning>

***

## Launch Options & Performance

### JVM Memory Flags

For optimal stability, allocate enough RAM to your Hytale instance. We recommend setting the initial and maximum RAM to the same value to prevent performance dips during allocation.

| Flag           | Example  | Purpose                                             |
| :------------- | :------- | :-------------------------------------------------- |
| `-Xms`         | `-Xms6G` | Initial RAM allocation.                             |
| `-Xmx`         | `-Xmx6G` | Maximum RAM allocation.                             |
| `-XX:+UseG1GC` | —      | G1 Garbage Collector (recommended for low-latency). |

### Server Launch Options

| Flag                        | Description                                  |
| :-------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- |
| `--assets <path>`           | Game assets location (e.g., `Assets.zip`).   |
| `--bind <ip:port>`          | Bind to a specific network interface.        |
| `--auth-mode <mode>`        | `authenticated` (online) or `offline` (LAN). |
| `--backup`                  | Enables automatic world backups.             |
| `--backup-frequency <mins>` | Time between backups in minutes.             |

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Hytale:** Advanced Configuration Guide.
</div>


# How to Add a Password to Your Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-add-a-password-to-your-server

> Keep your server private - This guide shows you how to add, change, or remove a password on your Hytale server to control who can join.

## Protect Your Server with Password Authentication

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Keep your server private** - This guide shows you how to add, change, or remove a password on your Hytale server to control who can join.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                         | What You'll Learn         |
| :---------------------------------------------- | :------------------------ |
| [Set a Password](#set-a-server-password)        | Add password protection   |
| [Remove Password](#remove-the-password)         | Make server public again  |
| [Manual Config](#manual-configuration-advanced) | Edit config.json directly |

***

## How Password Protection Works

When a password is set on your server:

| Behavior            | Description                                        |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------- |
| Connection Prompt   | Players see a password entry field when joining    |
| Access Control      | Only players with the correct password can connect |
| No Account Required | Password is server-wide, not per-player            |

***

## Set a Server Password

### Via Control Panel (Recommended)

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | **Stop** your server                         |
|   3  | Navigate to the **Config** tab               |
|   4  | Locate the **Server Password** field         |
|   5  | Enter your desired password                  |
|   6  | Click **Save**                               |
|   7  | **Start** your server                        |

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> Always stop your server before making configuration changes to prevent settings from not being applied correctly.

***

## Remove the Password

To make your server public again:

| Step | Action                                               |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | **Stop** your server                                 |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Config** tab                       |
|   3  | **Clear** the Server Password field (leave it empty) |
|   4  | Click **Save**                                       |
|   5  | **Start** your server                                |

Players will no longer need a password to join.

***

## Manual Configuration (Advanced)

The password setting is stored in the `config.json` file in your server's root directory.

### File Location

| File          | Location              |
| :------------ | :-------------------- |
| `config.json` | Server root directory |

### Config.json Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "Version": 3,
  "ServerName": "My Hytale Server",
  "MOTD": "Welcome!",
  "Password": "YourSecretPassword",
  "MaxPlayers": 100,
  ...
}
```

### Setting/Removing Password Manually

| Action          | Value                              |
| :-------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Set password    | `"Password": "YourSecretPassword"` |
| Remove password | `"Password": ""`                   |

> \[!CAUTION]
> If editing `config.json` manually, **stop the server first** and restart it after saving changes.

***

## Password Best Practices

| Practice               | Reason                       |
| :--------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| Use a strong password  | Prevents guessing            |
| Share securely         | Don't post password publicly |
| Change periodically    | Limits exposure if leaked    |
| Combine with whitelist | Double layer of protection   |

***

## Password vs Whitelist Comparison

| Feature            |       Password       |       Whitelist       |
| :----------------- | :------------------: | :-------------------: |
| Who can join       | Anyone with password |  Only listed players  |
| Per-player control |          No          |          Yes          |
| Easy to share      |          Yes         |           No          |
| Best for           | Quick private access | Strict member control |

<Tip>
  > For maximum security, use **both** a password and a whitelist together.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

### Password Not Working

| Issue                | Solution                      |
| :------------------- | :---------------------------- |
| Server not restarted | Stop and start the server     |
| Config not saved     | Verify changes were saved     |
| Spaces in password   | Try a password without spaces |

### Players Can Join Without Password

| Issue                | Solution                                 |
| :------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| Password field empty | Re-enter the password                    |
| Wrong config file    | Ensure you're editing the correct server |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Add an Admin to Your Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-add-an-admin-to-your-server

> Empower trusted players - This guide shows you how to add and remove admins (operators) on your Hytale server, giving them access to powerful management co...

## Grant Operator Permissions for Server Management & Moderation

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Empower trusted players** - This guide shows you how to add and remove admins (operators) on your Hytale server, giving them access to powerful management commands.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                   | What You'll Learn     |
| :---------------------------------------- | :-------------------- |
| [What Can Admins Do](#what-can-admins-do) | Permissions overview  |
| [Add an Admin](#add-an-admin)             | Grant operator access |
| [Remove an Admin](#remove-an-admin)       | Revoke permissions    |
| [Command Reference](#command-reference)   | All op commands       |

***

## What Can Admins Do?

Admins (operators) have access to powerful commands for managing your server:

| Capability        | Description                           |
| :---------------- | :------------------------------------ |
| Player Management | Kick, ban, mute players               |
| World Management  | Teleport, spawn items, modify terrain |
| Server Commands   | Access all administrative commands    |
| Moderation        | Enforce rules and manage behavior     |
| Whitelist Bypass  | Join even when whitelist is enabled   |

> \[!CAUTION]
>
> ### Security Warning
>
> Only grant admin access to **trusted players**. Admins have full control over the server and can potentially cause damage if permissions are misused.

***

## Add an Admin

You can add admins using the server console or in-game commands.

### Via Server Console (Recommended)

This method works even if no admins currently exist on the server.

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Console** tab              |
|   3  | Enter the command: `op add <playername>`     |
|   4  | Press **Enter**                              |

**Example:**

```
op add Steve
```

### Via In-Game (Requires Existing Admin)

If you already have admin access, run the command in-game:

```
/op add <playername>
```

<Tip>
  > Commands entered in the **server console** do not require a leading slash (`/`). In-game commands do require the slash.
</Tip>

***

## Remove an Admin

To revoke a player's admin permissions:

### Via Server Console

```
op remove <playername>
```

### Via In-Game

```
/op remove <playername>
```

**Example:**

```
op remove Steve
```

<Note>
  > Changes take effect immediately. The player will lose admin access as soon as the command is executed.
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Command Reference

| Command              | Description                       |
| :------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
| `op add <player>`    | Grant admin/operator permissions  |
| `op remove <player>` | Revoke admin/operator permissions |

***

## Permissions File Location

Admin permissions are stored in a JSON file on your server:

| File               | Location              |
| :----------------- | :-------------------- |
| `permissions.json` | Server root directory |

### Manual Editing (Advanced)

You can also edit `permissions.json` directly:

```json theme={null}
{
  "operators": [
    "PlayerOne",
    "PlayerTwo"
  ]
}
```

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> If editing the file manually, **stop the server first** to prevent conflicts. Restart the server after saving changes.

***

## Best Practices

| Practice                 | Reason                               |
| :----------------------- | :----------------------------------- |
| Limit admin count        | Fewer admins = less risk             |
| Use trusted players only | Admins have full control             |
| Document who has access  | Track permissions for accountability |
| Review regularly         | Remove inactive admins               |

***

## Troubleshooting

### Command Not Working

| Issue                  | Solution                            |
| :--------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
| Player name misspelled | Check exact username                |
| Using slash in console | Remove the `/` prefix in console    |
| Missing slash in-game  | Add `/` prefix for in-game commands |

### Admin Cannot Use Commands

| Issue                | Solution                         |
| :------------------- | :------------------------------- |
| Not properly added   | Re-run `op add <name>`           |
| Server not restarted | Some changes may require restart |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Change the Name of Your Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-change-the-name-of-your-server

> Make your server stand out - This guide shows you how to change your Hytale server's display name, making it easily identifiable for your community.

## Customize Your Server Identity in the Server Browser

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Make your server stand out** - This guide shows you how to change your Hytale server's display name, making it easily identifiable for your community.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                         | What You'll Learn         |
| :---------------------------------------------- | :------------------------ |
| [Change Server Name](#change-your-server-name)  | Update via control panel  |
| [Manual Config](#manual-configuration-advanced) | Edit config.json directly |
| [Name Ideas](#server-name-tips)                 | Best practices            |

***

## Why Change Your Server Name?

Your server name is the first thing players see when browsing servers:

| Benefit         | Description                                   |
| :-------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
| Brand Identity  | Create a recognizable name for your community |
| Easy to Find    | Help friends locate your server quickly       |
| Set the Tone    | Convey your server's theme or purpose         |
| Professionalism | Stand out with a polished, custom name        |

***

## Change Your Server Name

### Via Control Panel (Recommended)

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | **Stop** your server                         |
|   3  | Navigate to the **Config** tab               |
|   4  | Locate the **Server Name** field             |
|   5  | Enter your preferred server name             |
|   6  | Click **Save**                               |
|   7  | **Start** your server                        |

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> Always stop your server before making configuration changes to ensure settings are applied correctly.

***

## Manual Configuration (Advanced)

The server name is stored in the `config.json` file in your server's root directory.

### File Location

| File          | Location              |
| :------------ | :-------------------- |
| `config.json` | Server root directory |

### Config.json Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "Version": 3,
  "ServerName": "My Awesome Hytale Server",
  "MOTD": "Welcome to our world!",
  "Password": "",
  "MaxPlayers": 100,
  ...
}
```

### Editing Manually

| Step | Action                                     |
| :--: | :----------------------------------------- |
|   1  | **Stop** your server                       |
|   2  | Open `config.json` via File Manager or FTP |
|   3  | Find the `"ServerName"` field              |
|   4  | Change the value to your desired name      |
|   5  | **Save** the file                          |
|   6  | **Start** your server                      |

> \[!CAUTION]
> Be careful with JSON syntax. Ensure quotes and commas are correctly placed to avoid errors.

***

## Server Name Tips

### Best Practices

| Tip                         | Reason                                |
| :-------------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
| Keep it memorable           | Easy for players to find and remember |
| Avoid special characters    | Some may not display correctly        |
| Include your community name | Build brand recognition               |
| Keep it concise             | Long names may be truncated           |

### Name Ideas

| Type        | Examples                           |
| :---------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Community   | "Hytale Heroes", "Adventure Guild" |
| Descriptive | "Creative Builders", "PvP Arena"   |
| Themed      | "Dragon's Realm", "Mystic Isles"   |
| Simple      | "John's Server", "Friends Only"    |

***

## Troubleshooting

### Name Not Updating

| Issue                | Solution                  |
| :------------------- | :------------------------ |
| Server not restarted | Stop and start the server |
| Config not saved     | Verify changes were saved |
| Syntax error         | Check JSON formatting     |

### Name Appears Truncated

| Issue         | Solution                                             |
| :------------ | :--------------------------------------------------- |
| Name too long | Use a shorter name (under 32 characters recommended) |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Enable and Manage a Whitelist
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-enable-and-manage-a-whitelist

> Keep your server private - This guide shows you how to enable a whitelist on your Hytale server, add or remove players, and maintain complete control over ...

## Control Server Access & Restrict Who Can Join

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Keep your server private** - This guide shows you how to enable a whitelist on your Hytale server, add or remove players, and maintain complete control over who can join.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                     | What You'll Learn      |
| :------------------------------------------ | :--------------------- |
| [What is a Whitelist](#what-is-a-whitelist) | Overview and benefits  |
| [Enable Whitelist](#enable-the-whitelist)   | Turn on access control |
| [Manage Players](#manage-whitelist-players) | Add and remove players |
| [Command Reference](#command-reference)     | All whitelist commands |

***

## What is a Whitelist?

A whitelist restricts server access to **only approved players**. When enabled:

| Access Level             | Can Join? |
| :----------------------- | :-------: |
| Players on the whitelist |    Yes    |
| Server admins/operators  |    Yes    |
| Everyone else            |     No    |

### When to Use a Whitelist

| Use Case         | Description                               |
| :--------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
| Private Server   | Limit access to friends and family only   |
| Community Server | Pre-approve members before they can join  |
| Event Server     | Restrict access during special events     |
| Development      | Keep testing servers closed to the public |

***

## Enable the Whitelist

Whitelisting can be toggled using commands - **no server restart required**.

### Via Control Panel Console

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Console** tab              |
|   3  | Enter the command: `whitelist on`            |

### Via In-Game (Admin Required)

If you have admin or operator permissions, run the command directly in chat:

```
whitelist on
```

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> Once enabled, only players on the whitelist and admins will be able to join. All other connection attempts will be rejected.

***

## Disable the Whitelist

To make your server public again:

```
whitelist off
```

This immediately allows all players to join without restriction.

***

## Manage Whitelist Players

After enabling the whitelist, you can add or remove players at any time.

### Add a Player

```
whitelist add <playername>
```

**Example:**

```
whitelist add Steve
```

### Remove a Player

```
whitelist remove <playername>
```

**Example:**

```
whitelist remove Steve
```

<Note>
  > Changes apply **immediately**. Players gain or lose access as soon as the command is executed.
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Command Reference

| Command                     | Description              |
| :-------------------------- | :----------------------- |
| `whitelist on`              | Enable the whitelist     |
| `whitelist off`             | Disable the whitelist    |
| `whitelist add <player>`    | Grant a player access    |
| `whitelist remove <player>` | Revoke a player's access |

***

## Whitelist File Location

The whitelist is stored in a JSON file on your server:

| File             | Location              |
| :--------------- | :-------------------- |
| `whitelist.json` | Server root directory |

### Manual Editing (Advanced)

You can also edit `whitelist.json` directly via FTP or the file manager:

```json theme={null}
[
  {
    "name": "PlayerOne"
  },
  {
    "name": "PlayerTwo"
  }
]
```

> \[!CAUTION]
> If editing the file manually, **stop the server first** to prevent conflicts. Restart the server after saving changes.

***

## Troubleshooting

### Player Cannot Join Despite Being Whitelisted

| Issue                 | Solution                            |
| :-------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
| Name misspelled       | Check exact spelling in add command |
| Whitelist not enabled | Run `whitelist on`                  |
| Player not on list    | Run `whitelist add <name>` again    |

### Admin Locked Out

Admins and operators can always join, even if not explicitly on the whitelist. If you're locked out:

1. Access the server console via control panel
2. Run `whitelist off` or add yourself with `whitelist add <yourname>`

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Import Player Data from Singleplayer
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-import-player-data-from-singleplayer

> Continue your adventure online - This guide shows you how to transfer your singleplayer character data, inventory, and progress to your Hytale server so yo...

## Transfer Your Character Progress, Inventory & Save Data

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Continue your adventure online** - This guide shows you how to transfer your singleplayer character data, inventory, and progress to your Hytale server so you don't have to start over.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                                            | What You'll Learn                |
| :----------------------------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------- |
| [Locate Player Data](#step-1-locate-your-singleplayer-player-data) | Find your save files             |
| [Upload to Server](#step-2-upload-player-data-to-your-server)      | Transfer files via control panel |

***

## Important: Before You Begin

> \[!CAUTION]
>
> ### Universe Compatibility
>
> Player data is **tied to the specific universe** it was created in. You must upload the player data to the **matching universe** on your server for it to work correctly.

***

## Step 1: Locate Your Singleplayer Player Data

First, you need to find your player data files on your computer.

### Open the Universe Folder

| Step | Action                                                                 |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Launch **Hytale**                                                      |
|   2  | Click on **Worlds**                                                    |
|   3  | **Right-click** any world that belongs to the universe you want to use |
|   4  | Click **Open Folder**                                                  |

This will open the universe directory on your computer.

### Navigate to Player Data

| Location           | Path                |
| :----------------- | :------------------ |
| Player Data Folder | `universe/players/` |

<Note>
  > Inside the `players/` folder, you will find player data files that store your character progress, inventory, and stats.
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Step 2: Upload Player Data to Your Server

Once you have located the player data files, upload them to your server.

> \[!IMPORTANT]
>
> ### Stop Your Server First
>
> For best results, make sure your server is **stopped** before uploading player data. This prevents file conflicts and data corruption.

### Upload via Control Panel

| Step | Action                                                               |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | **Stop** your server in the control panel                            |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Files** tab                                        |
|   3  | Open the following directory: `universe/players/`                    |
|   4  | **Upload** the player data files from your computer into this folder |
|   5  | **Start** your server                                                |

### Upload via FTP (Alternative)

| Step | Action                                                           |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Connect to your server using an **FTP client** (e.g., FileZilla) |
|   2  | Navigate to `universe/players/`                                  |
|   3  | Upload your player data files                                    |
|   4  | Disconnect and start your server                                 |

***

## File Structure Reference

### What Gets Transferred

| Data               | Description                 |
| :----------------- | :-------------------------- |
| Character Progress | Level, experience, unlocks  |
| Inventory          | Items, equipment, resources |
| Player Stats       | Health, stamina, abilities  |

### Directory Structure

```
universe/
├── players/
│   ├── [PlayerUUID].json    ← Your player data file
│   └── ...
└── worlds/
    └── [WorldName]/
```

***

## Troubleshooting

### Player Data Not Loading

| Issue            | Solution                                            |
| :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------- |
| Wrong Universe   | Ensure you uploaded to the matching universe folder |
| Server Running   | Stop the server before uploading files              |
| File Permissions | Check that files were uploaded completely           |

### Character Appears Reset

<Tip>
  > If your character appears reset after joining, double-check that:
</Tip>

> * The player data file was uploaded to the correct `universe/players/` folder
> * The universe on the server matches the one from your singleplayer save
> * Your server was restarted after uploading

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Join Your Hytale Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-join-your-hytale-server

> Get into the game fast - This guide shows you two methods to join your Hytale server: Direct Connect for quick access, or adding the server to your list fo...

## Complete Guide for Connecting via Direct Connect or Server List

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Get into the game fast** - This guide shows you two methods to join your Hytale server: Direct Connect for quick access, or adding the server to your list for easy future connections.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                                     | What You'll Learn            |
| :---------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| [Find Your IP](#step-1-find-your-server-ip-address)         | Locate your server address   |
| [Direct Connect](#step-2-join-using-direct-connect)         | Quick one-time connection    |
| [Add to Server List](#step-3-join-by-adding-to-server-list) | Save server for easy access  |
| [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)                         | Fix common connection issues |

***

## Step 1: Find Your Server IP Address

Before joining, you need your server's unique address.

| Step | Action                                                         |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel**                   |
|   2  | Locate the **IP Address** field on your server dashboard       |
|   3  | Copy both the **IP** and the **Port** (displayed as `IP:Port`) |

<Tip>
  > The IP address format looks like `123.456.78.90:5520`. The number after the colon is the port.
</Tip>

***

## Step 2: Join Using Direct Connect

This is the **fastest method** to join a server immediately.

| Step | Action                                                  |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------------------ |
|   1  | Launch **Hytale**                                       |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Servers** menu                        |
|   3  | Click on the **Direct Connect** button                  |
|   4  | Paste your server's **IP address** into the input field |
|   5  | Click **Connect** to join                               |

<Note>
  > Direct Connect is ideal for one-time connections or testing. For regular play, consider adding the server to your list (Step 3).
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Step 3: Join by Adding to Server List

Save your server to your list so you don't have to enter the IP every time.

| Step | Action                                                      |
| :--: | :---------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Launch **Hytale**                                           |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Servers** menu                            |
|   3  | Click on **Add Server**                                     |
|   4  | Paste your **Server IP Address** into the appropriate field |
|   5  | Enter a **Server Name** (e.g., "My Hytale World")           |
|   6  | Click **Add Server**                                        |
|   7  | The server will now appear in your list                     |
|   8  | **Double-click** the server to join                         |

### Benefits of Adding to Server List

| Feature          | Benefit                              |
| :--------------- | :----------------------------------- |
| One-Time Setup   | Enter the IP once, connect forever   |
| Quick Access     | Double-click to join instantly       |
| Custom Names     | Name servers for easy identification |
| Multiple Servers | Save all your favorite servers       |

***

## Troubleshooting

### Cannot Connect to Server

| Check         | Solution                                               |
| :------------ | :----------------------------------------------------- |
| Server Status | Ensure your server shows "Online" in the control panel |
| IP Address    | Double-check that the IP was copied correctly          |
| Port Number   | Make sure you included the port (e.g., `:5520`)        |
| Firewall      | Verify the server's firewall allows UDP port 5520      |

### Connection is Slow or World Not Loading

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> If you can connect but the world doesn't load, this may be a network driver issue. See our **[Slow Connection and World Not Loading Fix](/games/hytale/slow-connection-and-world-not-loading-fix)** guide for detailed solutions.

### Still Having Issues?

| Resource      | Description                             |
| :------------ | :-------------------------------------- |
| Control Panel | Check server console for error messages |
| Support Team  | Contact our 24/7 support for assistance |

***

## Quick Reference

### Connection Methods Comparison

| Method             | Best For                       | Steps Required |
| :----------------- | :----------------------------- | :------------: |
| Direct Connect     | One-time connections, testing  |     5 steps    |
| Add to Server List | Regular play, multiple servers | 8 steps (once) |

### Default Connection Details

| Setting        | Value                                |
| :------------- | :----------------------------------- |
| Protocol       | QUIC over UDP                        |
| Default Port   | 5520                                 |
| Address Format | `IP:Port` (e.g., `191.96.94.2:5520`) |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Upload a Singleplayer World to Your Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-upload-a-singleplayer-world-to-your-server

> Bring your creations online - This guide shows you how to upload your singleplayer world to your Hytale server, load it using commands, and set it as the d...

## Transfer Your Custom World, Load It Online & Set It as Default

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Bring your creations online** - This guide shows you how to upload your singleplayer world to your Hytale server, load it using commands, and set it as the default spawn world.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   8 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                                            | What You'll Learn        |
| :----------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------- |
| [Locate World Files](#step-1-locate-your-singleplayer-world-files) | Find your world folder   |
| [Upload to Server](#step-2-upload-your-world-to-the-server)        | Transfer files to server |
| [Load the World](#step-3-load-the-world-on-the-server)             | Activate via commands    |
| [Set Default World](#step-4-set-the-default-world)                 | Make it the spawn world  |
| [Travel Between Worlds](#step-5-travel-between-worlds)             | Multi-world navigation   |

***

## Understanding Hytale Universe Structure

<Note>
  > Hytale uses a **universe/worlds** structure. A single universe can contain multiple worlds. This is why world files are stored in the `universe/worlds/` subdirectory.
</Note>

```
universe/
├── players/
└── worlds/
    ├── default/          ← Default world
    ├── MyCustomWorld/    ← Your uploaded world
    └── AnotherWorld/
```

***

## Step 1: Locate Your Singleplayer World Files

First, find your world folder on your local computer.

| Step | Action                                                  |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------------------ |
|   1  | Open the **Hytale** client                              |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Worlds** menu                         |
|   3  | **Right-click** the world you want to upload            |
|   4  | Select **Open Folder**                                  |
|   5  | In File Explorer, navigate to `universe/worlds/`        |
|   6  | Identify the specific world folder you want to transfer |

<Tip>
  > The world folder name is what you'll use in server commands later. Note it down exactly.
</Tip>

***

## Step 2: Upload Your World to the Server

Transfer the world folder to your server.

### Option A: Direct Upload (Small Worlds)

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | **Stop** your server                         |
|   3  | Go to the **Files** tab (File Manager)       |
|   4  | Navigate to `universe/worlds/`               |
|   5  | **Upload** the entire world folder           |
|   6  | Wait for the upload to complete              |

### Option B: ZIP Upload (Large Worlds - Recommended)

| Step | Action                                                             |
| :--: | :----------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | On your computer, **compress** the world folder into a `.zip` file |
|   2  | Log in to your control panel and **stop** the server               |
|   3  | Navigate to `universe/worlds/`                                     |
|   4  | Upload the `.zip` file                                             |
|   5  | Use the control panel's **Unarchive** feature to extract it        |
|   6  | Delete the `.zip` file after extraction                            |

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> ZIP upload is significantly faster for large worlds and reduces the chance of upload failures.

***

## Step 3: Load the World on the Server

Once uploaded, you must activate the world using server commands.

### View Available Worlds

```
world list
```

This displays all world folders in `universe/worlds/`.

### Load a Specific World

```
world load <worldname>
```

| Parameter     | Description                         |
| :------------ | :---------------------------------- |
| `<worldname>` | The exact folder name of your world |

**Example:**

```
world load MyCustomWorld
```

> \[!CAUTION]
> The world name must **match the folder name exactly**, including capitalization.

***

## Step 4: Set the Default World

Make your uploaded world the primary spawn point for all players.

### Set Default World Command

```
world setdefault <worldname>
```

**Example:**

```
world setdefault MyCustomWorld
```

| Effect           | Description                              |
| :--------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| Startup Behavior | Server loads this world first on startup |
| Player Spawn     | New players spawn in this world          |
| Priority         | This world takes precedence over others  |

***

## Step 5: Travel Between Worlds

Players with appropriate permissions can teleport between loaded worlds.

### Teleport to Another World

```
/tp world <worldname>
```

**Example:**

```
/tp world AnotherWorld
```

<Note>
  > This command requires operator permissions. Players can smoothly navigate between different environments on a single server.
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Command Reference

| Command                   | Description                       |
| :------------------------ | :-------------------------------- |
| `world list`              | Display all available worlds      |
| `world load <name>`       | Load a specific world into memory |
| `world setdefault <name>` | Set a world as the default spawn  |
| `/tp world <name>`        | Teleport to a different world     |

***

## Troubleshooting

### World Not Appearing in List

| Issue                    | Solution                               |
| :----------------------- | :------------------------------------- |
| Folder in wrong location | Ensure folder is in `universe/worlds/` |
| ZIP not extracted        | Use Unarchive feature after upload     |
| Server not restarted     | Restart the server after upload        |

### Command Not Working

| Issue            | Solution                                           |
| :--------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| Name mismatch    | Check folder name matches exactly (case-sensitive) |
| World not loaded | Run `world load <name>` first                      |
| No permissions   | Ensure you have operator access                    |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Fix Connection & World Loading in Hytale
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/slow-connection-and-world-not-loading-fix

Resolve slow connections and world loading failures in Hytale caused by network driver conflicts, firewall rules, and misconfigured server settings.

## Complete Troubleshooting Guide for Network Driver Issues on Windows

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Fix multiplayer connection problems in Hytale** - This guide helps you resolve slow server connections and world loading issues caused by network driver incompatibilities with the QUIC protocol.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|  10 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                   | What You'll Learn                     |
| :---------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
| [Symptoms](#symptoms-is-this-your-issue)  | Identify if this guide applies to you |
| [The Problem](#understanding-the-problem) | Why this happens (QUIC protocol)      |
| [Confirmation](#confirming-the-issue)     | How to verify the cause               |
| [Solutions](#solutions)                   | Step-by-step fixes                    |

***

## Symptoms: Is This Your Issue?

Check if the following describes your situation:

| Symptom            | Description                                                 |
| :----------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------- |
| Stable Internet    | Your internet works fine (YouTube, browsing, etc.)          |
| Singleplayer Works | Your singleplayer world loads without issues                |
| Multiplayer Fails  | Connecting to servers is very slow or hangs                 |
| World Not Loading  | You join a server but the world doesn't render              |
| Frozen Actions     | Your friend can see you move, but you can't perform actions |
| Windows OS         | You are using a Windows operating system                    |

<Note>
  > If all of these symptoms match your experience, this guide will likely solve your problem.
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

## Understanding the Problem

### Why Does This Happen?

Hytale uses the **QUIC protocol** for network communication. QUIC is a modern, high-performance protocol, but it is **not fully supported by all network hardware and drivers**.

| Factor              | Details                                             |
| :------------------ | :-------------------------------------------------- |
| Affected Hardware   | Intel and Realtek network adapters (most common)    |
| Connection Types    | Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet can be affected             |
| Root Cause          | Rare driver bugs with QUIC protocol handling        |
| Driver Fix Expected | Unlikely - this is a low-priority issue for vendors |

***

## Confirming the Issue

Before making changes, confirm that network drivers are the cause:

| Step | Action                                         |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Get an **Ethernet USB dongle** (any brand)     |
|   2  | Connect it to your computer                    |
|   3  | Connect to the internet through the USB dongle |
|   4  | Try joining a Hytale server                    |

<Tip>
  > **If the problem is resolved using the USB dongle**, your built-in network adapter drivers are the issue. Proceed with the solutions below.
</Tip>

***

## Solutions

> \[!IMPORTANT]
>
> ### Before You Begin
>
> * Try each solution **one at a time**
> * **Test after each solution** to see if the problem is fixed
> * You may not need to apply all solutions
> * Solutions are ordered from least invasive to most invasive

***

### Initial Steps (Required for All Solutions)

Open your network adapter settings:

| Step | Action                                           |
| :--: | :----------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Open the **Start Menu**                          |
|   2  | Type `View network connections`                  |
|   3  | Click the **Control Panel** link that appears    |
|   4  | Find your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) |
|   5  | **Right-click** it and select **Properties**     |
|   6  | Click **Configure**                              |

You are now in the network adapter configuration window.

***

### Solution 1: Priority & VLAN

> **Difficulty:** Easy | **Risk:** Low

| Step | Action                                 |
| :--: | :------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Go to the **Advanced** tab             |
|   2  | Find **Priority & VLAN** in the list   |
|   3  | Set it to **Priority & VLAN Disabled** |
|   4  | Click **OK**                           |
|   5  | Wait for your connection to restore    |
|   6  | Test Hytale multiplayer                |

***

### Solution 2: Receive Segment Coalescing

> **Difficulty:** Easy | **Risk:** Low

| Step | Action                                   |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Go to the **Advanced** tab               |
|   2  | Find **Recv. Segment Coalescing (IPv4)** |
|   3  | Set it to **Disabled**                   |
|   4  | Find **Recv. Segment Coalescing (IPv6)** |
|   5  | Set it to **Disabled**                   |
|   6  | Click **OK**                             |
|   7  | Wait for your connection to restore      |
|   8  | Test Hytale multiplayer                  |

***

### Solution 3: Energy Saving Features

> **Difficulty:** Medium | **Risk:** Low

Disable power-saving features that can interfere with network performance:

| Setting                   |    Set To    |
| :------------------------ | :----------: |
| Advanced EEE              | **Disabled** |
| ARP Offload               | **Disabled** |
| Energy-Efficient Ethernet | **Disabled** |
| Flow Control              | **Disabled** |
| Green Ethernet            | **Disabled** |

| Step | Action                                 |
| :--: | :------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Go to the **Advanced** tab             |
|   2  | Find each setting above and disable it |
|   3  | Click **OK**                           |
|   4  | Wait for your connection to restore    |
|   5  | Test Hytale multiplayer                |

***

### Solution 4: Full Driver Configuration (Advanced)

> **Difficulty:** Advanced | **Risk:** Medium

> \[!CAUTION]
>
> ### Warning
>
> This is an **invasive change** that modifies many driver settings. It may be difficult to reverse without reinstalling network drivers. Only use this if Solutions 1-3 did not work.

Configure **all** of the following settings in the **Advanced** tab:

#### Network Offloading Settings

| Setting                      |        Set To       |
| :--------------------------- | :-----------------: |
| ARP Offload                  |     **Disabled**    |
| NS Offload                   |     **Disabled**    |
| IPv4 Checksum Offload        | **Rx & Tx Enabled** |
| TCP Checksum Offload (IPv4)  |     **Disabled**    |
| TCP Checksum Offload (IPv6)  |     **Disabled**    |
| UDP Checksum Offload (IPv4)  |     **Disabled**    |
| UDP Checksum Offload (IPv6)  |     **Disabled**    |
| Large Send Offload v2 (IPv4) |     **Disabled**    |
| Large Send Offload v2 (IPv6) |     **Disabled**    |

#### Power & Energy Settings

| Setting                   |    Set To    |
| :------------------------ | :----------: |
| Advanced EEE              | **Disabled** |
| Energy-Efficient Ethernet | **Disabled** |
| Green Ethernet            | **Disabled** |
| Gigabit Lite              | **Disabled** |
| Power Saving Mode         | **Disabled** |

#### Performance Settings

| Setting                      |          Set To          |
| :--------------------------- | :----------------------: |
| EEE Max Support Speed        | **1.0 Gbps Full Duplex** |
| Flow Control                 |       **Disabled**       |
| Interrupt Moderation         |       **Disabled**       |
| Jumbo Frame                  |       **Disabled**       |
| Maximum Number of RSS Queues |       **4 Queues**       |
| Receive Buffers              |          **512**         |
| Receive Side Scaling         |        **Enabled**       |
| Transmit Buffers             |  **1024** (or **2048**)  |
| Speed & Duplex               |         **Auto**         |

#### VLAN & Wake Settings

| Setting                                     |       Set To       |
| :------------------------------------------ | :----------------: |
| Priority & VLAN                             |    **Disabled**    |
| VLAN ID                                     |        **0**       |
| Network Address                             |   **Not Present**  |
| Wake on Magic Packet                        |    **Disabled**    |
| Wake on magic packet when system is in S0ix |    **Disabled**    |
| Wake on pattern match                       |    **Disabled**    |
| Shutdown Wake-On-Lan                        |    **Disabled**    |
| WOL & Shutdown Link Speed                   | **Not Speed Down** |

After configuring all settings:

| Step | Action                              |
| :--: | :---------------------------------- |
|   1  | Click **OK**                        |
|   2  | Wait for your connection to restore |
|   3  | Restart your computer               |
|   4  | Test Hytale multiplayer             |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>


# How to Configure Automatic Server Updates in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/automatic-server-updates

Configure your ICARUS dedicated server to automatically download and apply weekly patches, ensuring players always connect to the latest game version.

## Introduction

Icarus updates weekly (Fridays).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Script

Use a batch file:
`steamcmd +app_update 209540 ...`

## Restart

You MUST restart the server to apply the update. Clients cannot join otherwise.

## Conclusion

Check the "Week 104 Update" logs.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Call Dropships and Extract in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/calling-dropships-and-extraction

Learn how to call extraction dropships and leave ICARUS prospects with your loot. Understand extraction mechanics, timers, and missed ship consequences.

## Introduction

How to leave?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method

Craft "Orbital Exchange Interface"? No, just return to Pod.
On Dedicated, you can leave anytime via menu "Return to Station" generally, but you must ensure your inventory is saved.

## Conclusion

Don't Alt+F4 or you lose your gear.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Insurance and Permadeath in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/configuring-insurance-and-permadeath

Configure insurance costs and permadeath penalties on your ICARUS server to control how punishing character loss feels during failed prospect extractions.

## Introduction

Losing a character is painful.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server Settings

`Hardcore=False` (Default).
If True, you lose character on death.
Insurance is a meta-currency feature.

## Conclusion

Dedicated Servers usually disable Hardcore to be friendly.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Delete Glitched Characters in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/deleting-glitched-characters

Fix stuck or broken characters on your ICARUS server by safely deleting glitched player profiles and allowing affected players to rejoin with fresh data.

## Introduction

Stuck under the map?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Admin

Delete the player's `.json` in the save folder.
This forces them to create a new character (or download their cloud character?).
Actually, Icarus characters are stored on RocketWerkz servers. Dedicated server stores "Prospect Data".
Kick the player. They rejoin.

## Conclusion

Use "Unstick" in escape menu first.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Edit Difficulty and Hardcore Settings in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/editing-difficulty-hardcore

Adjust creature damage, health scaling, and hazards on your ICARUS server for a custom difficulty experience from casual exploration to hardcore survival.

## Introduction

Bears are too easy?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`ServerSettings.ini` -> `Difficulty=Hard`.
Increases bear HP and storm frequency.

## Conclusion

Hard mode in Icarus is brutal. Permadeath risk.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Exotics Farming Settings in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/exotics-farming-settings

Configure exotic material spawn rates on your ICARUS dedicated server to control how players farm rare endgame resources during prospects and open world.

## Introduction

Can you spawn Exotics on Dedicated?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Yes, using Admin Tools.

## Setup

Add your SteamID to `Admins.txt` (if supported) or enable `AdminEnabled=True`.
In game, perform extraction missions.

## Conclusion

Exotics carry over to your character's space station currency.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Fire Settings and Destruction in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/fire-settings-and-destruction

Control fire spread speed, damage, and forest fire behavior on your ICARUS server to prevent lag and protect player structures from wildfire destruction.

## Introduction

Forest fires lag the server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Settings

`ServerSettings.ini`.
`FireSpreadMultiplier=0.5`.
`BuildingDamageFromFire=True`.

## Conclusion

Keep fire enabled for realism, but reduce spread if laggy.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Prospect Settings in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/icarus-configuring-prospect-settings

Set up persistent open world sessions or timed prospects on your ICARUS server. Configure session types, timers, difficulty modifiers, and lobby settings.

## Introduction

Icarus Dedicated Servers allow you to run persistent "Open World" prospects or "Outposts".

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

The configuration is handled via `ServerSettings.ini`.

## Step-by-Step Guide

1. Navigate to `/Icarus/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/` (or LinuxServer).
2. Open `ServerSettings.ini`.
3. **SessionName:** "FREAKHOSTING World".
4. **JoinPassword:** Set strict.
5. **AdminPassword:** Set strict.

## Difficulty Tuning

Icarus doesn't use a simple "Easy/Hard" switch. You modify `ExperienceMultiplier`.

* `GlobalExperienceMultiplier=1.5` (50% faster leveling).

## Conclusion

Keep backups of the `/Saved/` folder. Icarus writes to disk frequently.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Choose Between Open World and Styx Map in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/open-world-vs-styx-map

Choose between the persistent open world Olympus map and mission-based Styx map on your ICARUS server. Compare gameplay modes and server performance.

## Introduction

Icarus now has Persistent Open World.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`ServerSettings.ini`.
`SessionName=MyWorld`.
`Map=Styx` (or `Olympus`).

## Mode

To play Open World, you select valid Prospect data. Or create new via Lobby.

## Conclusion

Styx is harder.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Resume Prospects in ICARUS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/icarus/resuming-prospects

Understand how ICARUS server sessions work as lobbies, manage prospect timers, and learn how to resume interrupted missions without losing player progress.

## Introduction

Your dedicated server "Session" is a Lobby.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Players can leave and rejoin.
But if the Prospect Timer expires (7 days), the session ends.

## Open World

For Open World, timer is infinite. Ensure you are running `OpenWorld` mode, not a Mission.

## Conclusion

Check the `Prospects` json to extend timers if needed.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Access the KF2 WebAdmin GUI
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/accessing-kf2-webadmin

Enable and access the WebAdmin browser interface on your Killing Floor 2 server to manage maps, players, game settings, and mutators from any device.

## Graphical Administration

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The **WebAdmin GUI** is the industry-standard way to manage a Killing Floor 2 server. It provides a visual interface to change maps, adjust difficulty on the fly, manage sub-admin permissions, and view active player statistics without needing to edit complex configuration files manually.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Enabling the Interface

By default, the web server is often disabled. You must activate it in your configuration:

1. Open the file `KFWeb.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Ensure the following settings are applied:
   ```ini theme={null}
   [WebAdmin.WebAdmin]
   bEnabled=true
   ListenPort=8080
   ```
3. **Important:** Ensure the port you choose (e.g., `8080`) is allocated to your server. If the page fails to load, try using your **Game Port + 10** (e.g., if your game is on 7777, use 7787).

***

## 2. Accessing the Portal

1. Open your web browser.
2. Enter the following URL: `http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:PORT/ServerAdmin/`
3. Login using the **Admin Password** defined in your `PCServer-KFGame.ini`.

***

## 3. Key Features

* **Current Game:** Switch maps instantly or kill specific Zed groups during a wave for testing.
* **Access Policy:** Create unique logins for your moderators without sharing the master password.
* **Bans & Kicks:** Manage your ban list with a visual search tool.

***

<Note>
  ### Firewall Note

  If you are using a custom port that hasn't been pre-opened by FREAKHOSTING, the WebAdmin will fail to connect. We recommend sticking to the ports allocated in your **Network** tab for maximum compatibility.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** WebAdmin live.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Add Custom Music and Audio Mods in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/adding-custom-music

Understand the limitations and methods for adding custom soundbanks, music tracks, and audio modifications to your Killing Floor 2 dedicated server.

## Soundscape Customization

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Killing Floor 2 uses the **Wwise** audio engine, which is highly optimized but notoriously difficult to modify server-side. Unlike many Source engine games, you cannot simply upload an `.mp3` to the server and have it play for everyone. Replacing music or sound effects requires a client-side interaction through the Steam Workshop.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Why Server-Side Audio Fails

The server does not "stream" audio to the client. Most audio is contained in local `.wem` files within the client's game directory.

* If you modify a sound on the server, the client will still hear their local version unless they have the same modded file installed.

***

## 2. The Workshop Solution

The most effective way to implement custom music is via a **Workshop Mod Collection**:

1. Find or create a "Soundtrack Replacement" mod on the Steam Workshop.
2. Add the mod's ID to your server's [Workshop Synchronization list](/games/killing-floor-2/how-to-setup-custom-mapsworkshop-in-kf2).
3. When players join, they will be prompted to download the mod, ensuring that both the server and the client are playing the same audio cues.

***

<Important>
  ### XP Warning

  Modifying core game soundbanks can sometimes trigger Tripwire's **anti-cheat or ranking detection**. If you use a "Mutator" to play audio, ensure it is on the **Tripwire Whitelist**; otherwise, your server may become "Unranked," and players will not earn Perk XP.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Audio logic defined.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Gamemodes and Difficulty in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/configuring-gamemodes-and-difficulty-in-kf2

Configure game modes like Survival and Endless, set difficulty from Normal to Hell on Earth, and customize wave counts on your Killing Floor 2 dedicated server.

## Scaling the Challenge

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Killing Floor 2 features a wide range of difficulties that change Zed behavior, spawn rates, and individual Zed damage. Whether you are running a friendly "Normal" server or a hardcore "Hell on Earth" (HoE) tactical environment, mastering the difficulty and wave length settings is essential for community retention.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Difficulty Levels

In your `PCServer-KFGame.ini` or via **Startup Arguments**, use the following numerical values for `GameDifficulty`:

| Value | Level        | Description                                            |
| :---- | :----------- | :----------------------------------------------------- |
| **0** | **Normal**   | Slower Zeds, higher player health.                     |
| **1** | **Hard**     | The standard experience for balanced play.             |
| **2** | **Suicidal** | Increased Zed agility and faster attack patterns.      |
| **3** | **HoE**      | One mistake equals a wipe; for coordinated teams only. |

***

## 2. Wave Length

Adjust how long a match lasts using the `GameLength` variable:

* **0 (Short):** 4 Waves + Boss
* **1 (Medium):** 7 Waves + Boss
* **2 (Long):** 10 Waves + Boss

***

## 3. The WebAdmin Advantage (Recommended)

While you can edit text files, we strongly recommend using the [WebAdmin GUI](/games/killing-floor-2/accessing-kf2-webadmin).

* **In-Game Switching:** You can vote for or force a difficulty change between matches without restarting the entire server. This allows you to scale the challenge based on the skill level of the players currently in your lobby.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Difficulty tuned.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Server Branding and MOTD in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/configuring-server-name-and-motd

Customize your KF2 server identity by setting a unique name, uploading a banner image, and writing a Message of the Day to welcome your players.

## First Impressions

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In a crowded server browser, branding is everything. A server with a custom banner, a clear welcome message, and relevant links for Discord or Store pages will always attract more players than a "Default Server 01." Killing Floor 2 allows for rich-text MOTDs and external image hosting.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Setting the Server Name

1. Navigate to your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** tab.
2. Locate the **Server Name** field.
3. Enter your branding (e.g., `FREAKHOSTING | 24/7 Prison Map | Double XP`).
4. Restart the server.

***

## 2. Configuring the MOTD and Banner

To add a high-quality banner that appears when players join:

1. Open `PCServer-KFGame.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Search for the `[KFGame.KFGameReplicationInfo]` block.
3. Edit the following lines:
   * `ServerMOTD=` Your text based welcome message.
   * `BannerLink=` A direct URL to an image (e.g., `http://i.imgur.com/example.png`).
   * `WebsiteLink=` Your community's website or Discord invite.

***

<Tip>
  ### Image Constraints

  For the best results, use a banner with a **1024x512** resolution. Ensure the image is hosted on as HTTPS-ready site (like Imgur) to prevent the game from blocking the download as "insecure content."
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Branding active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Enable Ranked XP and Prestige in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/enabling-prestige-leveling

Configure your KF2 server to qualify for official ranked Perk XP and Prestige leveling so your players can advance their class ranks permanently.

## Ranked Progression

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> One of the primary reasons players join a server is to level up their Perks. If a server is considered "Unranked," players will not earn XP, their kills will not count towards Prestige, and they will likely leave immediately. Understanding what triggers a "Ranked" status is important for server health.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. The Whitelist Rule

Tripwire Interactive (the developers) maintains a strictly controlled "Whitelist" for server modifications.

* **Ranked:** If you use vanity mods (Damage Numbers, HUD tweaks) that are on the official whitelist.
* **Unranked:** If you use "Blacklisted" mutators, such as "Infinite Ammo," "Super Weapons," or "Infinite Dosh" mods.

***

## 2. Server Configuration

Ensure your server is allowing takeover and ranked play by checking these variables in `PCServer-KFGame.ini`:

```ini theme={null}
bUsedForTakeover=true
bEnabled=true
```

If you are running a "Sandbox" style server for practice, you can set `bUsedForTakeover` to `false`, but note that this will effectively hide your server from the standard matchmaking pool.

***

<Important>
  ### The "Mutator" Check

  Whenever you install a new plugin or mutator, check the server console on startup. If you see a message stating **"Not using default perk classes"** or **"Server is Unranked,"** it means one of your active mods is not on the Tripwire whitelist. You must remove that mod to restore XP progression.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** XP systems verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Force Seasonal Events in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/forcing-seasonal-events

Force seasonal events like Summer Sideshow or Christmas Crackdown on your KF2 server year-round to unlock themed Zed skins, maps, and event rewards.

## Seasonal Slaughter

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Killing Floor 2 features a variety of seasonal events that transform the Zeds into festive variants (e.g., Gingerbread Men, Clowns, or Cyber-Infected). While these events usually happen automatically on specific dates, you can force any theme to be active at any time through the server's startup parameters.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Event Codes

To force a specific theme, you must use the `?Event=` flag in your **Startup Arguments**:

* **0:** None (Standard Zeds)
* **1:** Summer Sideshow (Clowns/Circus)
* **2:** Halloween Horrors
* **3:** Christmas Crackshot (Winter/Sledges)

***

## 2. Implementation

1. Access your FREAKHOSTING dashboard and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
2. Locate the **Additional Arguments** or **Event** field.
3. Apply the code (e.g., `?Event=1` for Summer).
4. Restart the server.

***

<Note>
  ### Automatic Rotation

  If you leave the event code at `0` (or empty), the server will automatically sync with Tripwire's backend. This means your server will display Christmas Zeds in December and Halloween Zeds in October without any manual intervention.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Seasonal logic active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Workshop Maps in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/how-to-setup-custom-mapsworkshop-in-kf2

Install community maps from Steam Workshop onto your KF2 server using the automated download system. Configure map rotations and manage workshop content.

## Expanding the Rotation

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Killing Floor 2 has an integrated Workshop system that allows the server to automatically download and sync map files with connecting clients. This ensures that players always have the correct version of a map without needing to manually browse the Workshop themselves.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   7 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Subscribing the Server

1. Find the **Workshop ID** of the map you want (the number in the URL).
2. Open `PCServer-KFEngine.ini` via the File Manager.
3. Locate the `[OnlineSubsystemSteamworks.KFWorkshopSteamworks]` section.
4. Add a new line for each map:
   `ServerSubscribedWorkshopItems=123456789`

***

## 2. Defining the Map Summary

The server needs to know how to display the map in the menu.

1. Open `PCServer-KFGame.ini`.
2. Add a new map entry at the bottom of the file following this format:
   ```ini theme={null}
   [KF-MapName KFMapSummary]
   MapName=KF-MapName
   ScreenshotPathName=UI_MapPreview_TEX.UI_MapPreview_Placeholder
   ```

***

## 3. The WebAdmin Shortcut (Recommended)

Managing these files manually is prone to syntax errors. We strongly recommend using the [WebAdmin GUI](/games/killing-floor-2/accessing-kf2-webadmin):

1. Log in to WebAdmin.
2. Navigate to **Workshop Content**.
3. Simply paste the Workshop ID and click **Add**. The system will automatically update both of the `.ini` files mentioned above for you.

***

<Important>
  ### Case Sensitivity

  The `MapName` in your config must match the internal `.kfm` filename exactly. If the Workshop file is named `KF-BikiniBottom.kfm`, using `MapName=Bikini` will cause the server to fail the loading process.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Workshop synced.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Controlled Difficulty (Hardcore Mode) in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/installing-controlled-difficulty

Install the Controlled Difficulty mutator on your KF2 server for precision control over Zed spawns, wave composition, and difficulty scaling in matches.

## Hardcore Tactical Play

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> For professional Killing Floor 2 teams, even "Hell on Earth" can eventually become predictable. **Controlled Difficulty (CD)** is a specialized mutator that allows admins to define exact spawn cycles, increase the max number of Zeds alive simultaneously, and force specific squad compositions (e.g., constant Fleshpound waves).

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Advanced  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Installation

1. Download the latest version of Controlled Difficulty from the **Steam Workshop** or GitHub.
2. Add the Workshop ID to your server's [Subscription list](/games/killing-floor-2/how-to-setup-custom-mapsworkshop-in-kf2).
3. Activate it by adding the following to your Startup Arguments:
   `?Mutator=ControlledDifficulty.CD_Survival`

***

## 2. Configuration (CDConfig.json)

Unlike standard mutators, CD uses a separate `.json` file located in the server's root directory. This is where you define:

* **Spawn Modifiers:** Increase the total Zed count beyond the default limits.
* **Squad Presets:** Load specialized wave patterns used in competitive tournaments.

***

<Important>
  ### CPU Performance

  Running Controlled Difficulty with high Zed counts (e.g., 100+ Zeds alive at once) is extremely CPU-intensive. If you notice "Z-Warping" or lag, reduce your spawn multipliers.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** CD Mutator active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Server Mutators in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/installing-mutators

Install and activate server mutators on your KF2 server to change game rules, add custom weapons, modify Zed behavior, and create unique gameplay modes.

## Rulebook Modification

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mutators are essentially plugins for Killing Floor 2. They can range from simple visual changes (e.g., "Big Head Mode") to complex logic overrides like "Infinite Ammo" or "RPG Systems." Activating a mutator requires two steps: downloading the files via the Workshop and defining them in the startup command.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Identifying the Class Name

Every mutator has a "Class Name" that looks like `ModName.ClassName`.

* **Finding the Class:** This is usually provided on the Workshop page. For example, the Controlled Difficulty mutator uses `ControlledDifficulty.CD`.

***

## 2. Activation via Startup

1. Navigate to the FREAKHOSTING **Startup** tab.
2. Locate the **Mutators** field.
3. Enter the class name provided by the mod author.
4. If you want to run **multiple mutators**, separate them with a comma (no spaces):
   `?Mutator=ModA.ClassA,ModB.ClassB`

***

<Important>
  ### The "Unranked" Trap

  Most mutators will cause your server to become **Unranked**, meaning Perk XP is disabled. Always check if a mutator is on the [Tripwire Whitelist](/games/killing-floor-2/enabling-prestige-leveling) before adding it to a public server.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Mutators active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set a Server Password in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/setting-a-server-password

Set a join password on your KF2 dedicated server to restrict access to invited players only and keep your private matches secure from random joiners.

## Managing Server Access

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, Killing Floor 2 servers are open to the public. If you are running a private match or training for a tournament, you must apply a password. Additionally, managing the "Takeover" mode is essential to prevent random lobbies from "hijacking" your dedicated instance.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Setting the Join Password

1. Open your `PCServer-KFGame.ini` file via the File Manager.
2. Locate the variable `GamePassword=`.
3. Enter your desired password (e.g., `GamePassword=Secret123`).
4. Restart the server.

***

## 2. Disabling Takeover Mode

In the "Matchmaking" world of KF2, random groups can "Take Over" empty servers to play their own custom games. If you want your server to remain *exclusively* yours:

1. In the same `.ini` file, find `bUsedForTakeover=`.
2. Set this to `false`.
3. This prevents the server from being used by the public matchmaking system, ensuring your configuration is never overwritten by a lobby host.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Privacy secured.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Increase Max Player Slots in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/setting-max-players-to-100

Increase max player slots on your KF2 server beyond the default 6-player cap to host massive survival matches with up to 64 or 100 participants.

## Scaling the Squad

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Killing Floor 2 is balanced for 6-player cooperative play. However, many community servers prefer a "Chaos" environment with 32, 64, or even 100 players. While the engine supports these numbers, several technical steps are required to ensure the UI and scoreboard function correctly.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Configuration Changes

1. Open `PCServer-KFGame.ini`.
2. Locate the `MaxPlayers` variable:
   * `MaxPlayers=64`
3. Restart the server. Any player can now join via the `open IP` console command even if the server browser says 6/6.

***

## 2. Fixing the Scoreboard (Mutators)

By default, the game UI will only show the first 6 players. To see everyone, you must install a "Large Player UI" or "MaxPlayers" mutator from the Workshop.

* These mods modify the `KFGame.u` or use a custom HUD class to display more than 6 rows on the status screen.

***

<Caution>
  ### Balance Warning

  With 64 players, the standard amount of Zeds makes the game trivial. To keep the challenge alive, we strongly recommend combining high player counts with the [Controlled Difficulty mutator](/games/killing-floor-2/installing-controlled-difficulty) to increase the spawn rates proportionally.
</Caution>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** Slots increased.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up FastDL HTTP Redirect in KF2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/killing-floor-2/setting-up-fastdl-redirect

Set up HTTP redirect for FastDL on your Killing Floor 2 server to speed up custom map and mod downloads by routing clients through an external web server.

## High-Speed Content Delivery

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Large custom maps (often 100MB+) can take several minutes to download using the game's default networking. By enabling **FastDL**, the server tells the player's client to download those files via high-speed HTTP instead. This drastically reduces wait times and prevents players from leaving the loading screen in frustration.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Hosting Your Files

1. Compress your `.kfm` (map) files using the **DirectX cooker** or standard compression to the `.uz2` format if possible.
2. Upload these files to an external web server or the URL provided by your FREAKHOSTING FastDL service.

***

## 2. Configuring the Redirect

1. Open `PCServer-KFEngine.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Search for the `[IpDrv.HTTPDownload]` section.
3. Apply the following variables:
   * `RedirectToURL=http://your-fastdl-link.com/kf2/`
   * `UseCompression=true` (Set to true if using `.uz2` files).

***

<Note>
  ### Workshop vs. FastDL

  If you are using the [Steam Workshop system](/games/killing-floor-2/how-to-setup-custom-mapsworkshop-in-kf2), you **do not need FastDL**. Steam handles the high-speed delivery automatically. FastDL is only necessary for custom mods or maps that are NOT hosted on the official Steam Workshop.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **KF2:** FastDL active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Vote Permissions in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/configuring-vote-permissions

Control the voting system on your L4D2 server to prevent kick abuse, manage map votes, and maintain fair player autonomy during cooperative campaigns.

## Democratic Moderation

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The Left 4 Dead 2 voting system allows players to skip maps, restart rounds, or kick suspected griefers. However, without proper configuration, trolls often use "Callvote Kick" to remove legitimate players. Balancing these permissions is key to a healthy public server environment.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Vanilla Management (server.cfg)

If you are not using any administrative mods, you can control the entire system via these CVARs in your `server.cfg`:

* `sv_allow_votes 1`: The master switch. Set to **0** to disable all voting entirely.
* `sv_vote_allow_spectators 0`: Strongly recommended. Prevents people in the spectator slot from influencing active games.
* `sv_vote_kick_ban_duration 15`: Sets the ban length (in minutes) for a player who is successfully vote-kicked.

***

## 2. SourceMod Overrides (Advanced)

If you have **SourceMod** installed, you can restrict specific types of votes to players with certain administrative flags.

* **Path:** `/addons/sourcemod/configs/admin_overrides.cfg`

```cfg theme={null}
Overrides
{
    "VoteKick" "b"  // Only admins with the 'b' (Generic Admin) flag can start a kick vote.
    "VoteRestart" "k" // Only admins with the 'k' (Vote) flag can restart the round.
}
```

***

<Important>
  ### The Versus Dilemma

  On **Competitive Versus** servers, it is often best to disable voting entirely (`sv_allow_votes 0`) and rely on active staff or Discord-based reporting. This prevents teams from "rage-voting" a campaign restart when they lose a round.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Democracy tuned.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Enable Player Spray Logos in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/enabling-spray-logos

Enable custom player spray logos on your L4D2 server by configuring server-side settings that allow clients to upload and display personal spray decals.

## Community Expression

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, many dedicated servers disable custom spray logos to save bandwidth or prevent the display of inappropriate content. If you wish to allow your community to use their custom decals, you must explicitly enable the upload and download protocols.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Server Configuration

Add the following lines to your `server.cfg` to allow the exchange of spray files:

```cfg theme={null}
sv_allowupload 1    // Allows the client to send their spray to the server
sv_allowdownload 1  // Allows other clients to download that spray from the server
decalfrequency 30   // Time in seconds between spray uses (prevents spam)
```

***

## 2. Troubleshooting Visibility Issues

If players report that they cannot see other people's sprays:

1. **FastDL Conflict:** If you use a custom `sv_downloadurl` for large maps, the game may attempt to look for temporary spray files on the web server (where they don't exist).
2. **Client Settings:** The player may have disabled decals in their local video settings (`r_decals 0`).
3. **Steam Cloud:** Sometimes Steam fails to sync a player's local `temp.vtf` spray file to the server.

***

<Note>
  ### Content Control

  There is no automated way to "filter" sprays on a dedicated server. Enabling `sv_allowupload` is an all-or-nothing setting. If you find your server being abused by trolls, the only solution is to disable the feature or move to an administrative "Spray Tracer" plugin.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Decals enabled.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Fix Consistency Errors in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/fixing-consistency-errors

Fix the Server is enforcing consistency error in L4D2 that kicks players using Workshop mods, custom skins, or modified game files from your server.

## File Verification Errors

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> If a player attempts to join and is immediately met with the error: **"Server is enforcing consistency for this file: models/infected/..."**, it means the server's security settings are preventing them from using custom weapon skins, character models, or texture mods.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. The Global Fix

To allow all players to join regardless of their locally installed Workshop mods, add this line to your `server.cfg`:

```cfg theme={null}
sv_consistency 0
```

***

## 2. Understanding the Modes

* **`sv_consistency 0` (Recommended):** Disables the check. This is standard for casual and public servers, as almost all modern L4D2 players use at least one cosmetic mod.
* **`sv_consistency 1` (Competitive):** Enforces a strict match between the server and the client. This is used in competitive play to prevent players from using "Cheat" mods, such as neon-colored zombies or transparent wall textures.

***

<Important>
  ### The Participation Penalty

  Enforcing consistency (`1`) on a public server will typically result in **40-60%** of potential players being kicked instantly. Unless you are running a strictly vanilla or tournament-style lobby, we recommend keeping this value at `0`.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Consistency bypassed.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Left 4 DHooks in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/how-to-install-left-4-dhooks

Install the Left 4 DHooks SourceMod extension on your L4D2 server to enable advanced gameplay modifications, 8-player lobbies, and complex plugin functionality.

## Deep Engine Integration

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Left 4 DHooks** is a powerful SourceMod extension that allows developers to "hook" into the game engine's internal functions. It is a mandatory requirement for popular plugins that modify Tank HP, manipulate Spawn Timers, or enable **SuperVersus** (8-player slots).

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Installation Steps

1. **Download:** Get the latest build from the [AlliedModders project page](https://forums.alliedmods.net/showthread.php?t=321696).
2. **Binary:** Upload the `.ext.so` (Linux) or `.ext.dll` (Windows) file to `/addons/sourcemod/extensions/`.
3. **GameData (Critical):** Upload the `l4d2_dhooks.txt` file to `/addons/sourcemod/gamedata/`. Without this file, the extension cannot find the locations in memory to hook into.

***

## 2. The "Update Trap"

Valve frequently releases small updates for Left 4 Dead 2. These updates often change the "Offsets" in the game code, causing Left 4 DHooks to fail and the server to **crash instantly** on startup.

* **The Fix:** You rarely need to update the entire plugin. Simply visit the forums and download the newest **GameData (.txt)** file, replace your old one, and restart the server.

***

<Important>
  ### Check Your Logs

  If any of your plugins (like 10v10 slots) are not working, check the SourceMod error logs in `/addons/sourcemod/logs/`. If you see "Extension Left 4 DHooks was not loaded," it usually means you forgot the binary or the GameData file is corrupt.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** DHooks established.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Custom Campaigns in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/installing-custom-campaigns

Extend your L4D2 server with community-created campaigns and custom maps. Learn how to upload, configure, and rotate third-party map packs for players.

## New Horizons

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Custom campaigns like **Urban Flight**, **War-Torn**, or **I am Legend** are the primary way to keep a Left 4 Dead 2 server fresh. These packages are distributed as `.vpk` files, which contain the maps, models, and custom textures unique to that environment.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Manual VPK Installation

1. Upload the chosen `CampaignName.vpk` to the following directory on your server:
   * `/left4dead2/addons/`
2. Restart the server.
3. **Verification:** In the console, type `sm_maps` (if SourceMod is installed) to see if the new map names appear in the list.

***

## 2. Launching the Campaign

Every custom campaign has a unique "Starter Map" name (e.g., `uf1_boulevard`). To manually change the server to this map:

1. Open your console.
2. Type: `changelevel map_name_here`

***

## 3. The Content Sync Problem

If you simply upload the VPK to the server, players will be disconnected with a **"Map Missing"** error because they don't have the file.

* **The Modern Solution:** Add the map to your **Steam Workshop Collection** and link it in your [Startup Settings](/games/left-4-dead-2/installing-custom-campaigns). This forces the client to download the VPK directly from Steam, bypassing the need for a complex FastDL setup.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** World expanded.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up a Competitive Versus Server in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/left-4-dead-2-setting-up-a-versus-competitive-server

Set up a competitive 4v4 Versus server in Left 4 Dead 2 with the correct SourceMod extensions, EQ configs, and game settings for tournament-quality matches.

## The Competitive Standard

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Versus mode is the heart of competitive Left 4 Dead 2. Transforming a standard lobby into a tournament-ready environment requires breaking the default 4-player survivor limit, disabling disruptive vanilla mechanics (like Tier-2 weapon spawns), and ensuring the server can remain active without human players present.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Core Configuration (server.cfg)

Before installing plugins, ensure your base game settings are optimized for a stable Versus environment:

```cfg theme={null}
mp_gamemode versus      // Force the Versus gamemode
sv_cheats 0             // Ensure cheats are disabled
sb_all_bot_game 1       // Prevents the server from shutting down when all players leave
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0 // Allows players to join directly via IP
```

***

## 2. Unlocking the 8-Player Limit

By default, Left 4 Dead 2 limits the entire server to 4 players. For 4v4 Versus, you must use the **L4DToolZ** extension to unlock the slots.

1. Install **Metamod** and **SourceMod**.
2. Upload the **L4DToolZ** extension to `/addons/sourcemod/extensions/`.
3. Add these lines to your `server.cfg`:
   * `sv_maxplayers 8`
   * `sv_visiblemaxplayers 8`

***

## 3. Balancing the Game

Vanilla Versus is often considered unbalanced due to "infinite" medkits and powerful laser-sighted snipers. To resolve this, most competitive servers run a **MatchMode** plugin like **ZoneMod**.

* **ZoneMod** automatically removes Tier-2 weapons.
* It fixes Tank and Witch spawn locations for fairness.
* It replaces medical kits with pills to encourage faster, more aggressive gameplay.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Versus ready.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Host 8+ Player Slots (SuperVersus) in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/setting-up-8-player-servers-superversus

Break the default engine limits in L4D2 to host 10v10, 16v16, or large-scale SuperVersus lobbies with expanded player slots and custom team setups.

## Expanding Beyond the Limits

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, Left 4 Dead 2 is hardcoded to support 4 Survivors and 4 Infected. To host a "Mega-Server" (e.g., 10v10 or 15v15), you must use a two-step process: using an **Extension** to unlock the engine's player capacity and a **Plugin** to manage the actual spawning of extra character models.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   7 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. The Unlocker: L4DToolZ

The first step is to tell the engine that it is allowed to accept more than 8 connections.

1. Download the latest **L4DToolZ** extension.
2. Upload the files to your `/addons/sourcemod/extensions/` directory.
3. **Startup:** Ensure your FREAKHOSTING Startup Command includes `-maxplayers 32` (or your desired count).
4. **Config:** Add these to your `server.cfg`:
   ```cfg theme={null}
   sv_maxplayers 20
   sv_visiblemaxplayers 20
   ```

***

## 2. The Manager: SuperVersus

Once 20 people can join, you need a way to spawn 10 Survivor bots and 10 Infected bots. Without this, the extra players will simply be stuck in Spectator.

1. Install the **SuperVersus** plugin to `/addons/sourcemod/plugins/`.
2. Navigate to: `cfg/sourcemod/plugin.l4d_superversus.cfg`
3. Configure the limits:
   * `l4d_survivor_limit 10`
   * `l4d_infected_limit 10`

***

<Important>
  ### Session Full Errors

  If a 5th player attempts to join and receives a "Session is full" error despite your settings, it means **L4DToolZ** has failed to load. Type `meta list` in the server console. If L4DToolZ is not listed with a "Running" status, verify that your binary version matches your operating system (Linux vs Windows).
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Slots expanded.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Competitive Configs (ZoneMod) in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/setting-up-competitive-configs

Deploy tournament-grade configs like ZoneMod on your L4D2 Versus server to remove RNG, balance gameplay, and create fair competitive match settings.

## Fair & Balanced Play

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Vanilla Left 4 Dead 2 is widely considered unbalanced for high-level play due to random Tank spawns, excessive medical supplies, and over-powered weapons like the Auto-Shotgun. **ZoneMod** is the modern standard for rebalancing the game, removing "luck-based" factors and focusing on player skill.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Installation

1. Ensure **SourceMod** and **MetaMod** are installed.
2. Download the latest **ZoneMod** package (standard in the competitive scene from L4DNation or GitHub).
3. Upload the folders directly to your `/left4dead2/` directory (Merging `addons`, `cfg`, etc.).

***

## 2. Activating a Match

Unlike standard plugins, ZoneMod doesn't run 24/7. It must be "voted in" by the players:

1. Join your server and open the chat.
2. Type `!match` (or `!slots` to set player counts first).
3. Select **ZoneMod** from the list, followed by the format (e.g., **4v4**).
4. The server will automatically restart and load the configuration.

***

## 3. Core Mechanics of ZoneMod

* **Weapon Tiers:** All Tier-2 weapons (Assault Rifles, Snipers, Auto-Shotguns) are removed or replaced with Tier-1 variants (SMGs, Pump Shotguns).
* **Infected Spawns:** Special Infected spawn timers are fixed (e.g., 20 seconds) to ensure consistent pressure.
* **Score System:** Winning is based on distance traveled and health remaining, removing the "Survivor-biased" vanilla scoring.

***

<Important>
  ### Consistency Enforced

  When running ZoneMod, do not set `sv_consistency 0`. Competitive play requires all players to use the same textures and models to prevent "Cheat" skins that make Infected glowing or bright.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** ZoneMod active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use SourceMod Administration in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/sourcemod-admin-menu-basics

Master the SourceMod admin menu on your L4D2 server to manage players, execute votes, adjust settings, and enforce rules during live gameplay sessions.

## Command & Control

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Once you have [SourceMod installed and configured](/games/left-4-dead-2/how-to-install-left-4-dhooks), the **Admin Menu** becomes your primary tool for moderation. It allows you to quickly punish trolls, change maps, and adjust server variables without memorizing complex console commands.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Quick Access (Binding)

Typing `sm_admin` into your console every time you need to kick someone is inefficient. We recommend binding the menu to a specific key:

1. Open your game's **Developer Console** (`~`).
2. Type: `bind p sm_admin`
3. Now, pressing the **P** key while in-game will instantly toggle the administrative interface.

***

## 2. Menu Sections

* **Player Management:** Slay (kill) a player, slap them (move/damage), or perform a Kick/Ban.
* **Voting:** Start an official server vote to change the campaign, restart the level, or enable "All-Talk" voice chat.
* **Server CVARs:** Adjust gravity, enable/disable cheats, or change the game difficulty without restarting.

***

<Important>
  ### "You do not have access"

  If you see this error message when opening the menu, your SteamID is not correctly added to the `admins_simple.ini` file.

  1. Check the file in `/addons/sourcemod/configs/admins_simple.ini`.
  2. Ensure your SteamID is in quotes followed by the `"99:z"` flag.
  3. Type `sm_reloadadmins` in the server console to apply changes.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** Admin menu mastered.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Unlock 100 Tickrate Performance in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/unlocking-100-tickrate

Boost your L4D2 server to 100 tickrate for improved hit registration, smoother movement, and more responsive gameplay during competitive Versus matches.

## High-Fidelity Combat

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, Left 4 Dead 2 runs at a sluggish **30 Tickrate**. While this was acceptable for 2009 hardware, modern gamers expect higher responsiveness. Unlocking your server to **100 Tickrate** dramatically improves hit registration (especially for Jockeys and Chargers) and makes movement feel significantly smoother.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Technical Requirements

Unlocking the tickrate requires a specialized engine modification:

1. Install the **Tickrate Enabler** extension.
2. In your FREAKHOSTING **Startup Settings**, add `-tickrate 100` to the command line parameters.

***

## 2. Network Sync (server.cfg)

If you unlock the tickrate but don't tell the server to send more data, the game will feel "choppy." Add these to your `server.cfg`:

```cfg theme={null}
sv_minrate 100000        // Higher bandwidth for more updates
sv_maxrate 0             // Allow unlimited max
sv_mincmdrate 100        // Force clients to send 100 updates per sec
sv_minupdaterate 100     // Force server to send 100 updates per sec
```

***

## 3. Physics & Mechanics Changes

Running at 100 Tick changes the math behind the physics engine:

* **Projectiles:** Spitter spit and Tank rocks may fly slightly faster or curve differently.
* **Jockeying:** The Jockey "dead-stops" become much easier to hit as the server checks for contact 100 times per second instead of 30.
* **Leap Logic:** Hunter leaps will be more precise, making mid-air "skeets" more consistent.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** 100 Tick active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Implement RPG Perk Systems in L4D2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/left-4-dead-2/using-perk-mods-rpg

Add RPG progression to your L4D2 server with perk mods that introduce character leveling, skill trees, and custom abilities for long-term player engagement.

## Survival Progression

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> RPG systems (such as **Points Reloaded** or **PRPG**) transform the standard L4D2 experience into a progression-based game. Players earn Experience Points (XP) for killing Special Infected and completing campaigns, which can then be spent on "Perks" like increased clip size, faster reload speeds, or unique health regeneration.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Installation

1. Select your desired RPG plugin (Points Reloaded is the most stable modern choice).
2. Upload the `.smx` file to `/addons/sourcemod/plugins/`.
3. Restart the server once to generate the configuration files.

***

## 2. Database Integration (Critical)

Because RPG systems must "remember" a player's level and points even after they disconnect, you must use a database.

1. Create a **MySQL Database** in your [GamePanel Database Tab](/games/left-4-dead-2/using-perk-mods-rpg).
2. Edit: `/addons/sourcemod/configs/databases.cfg`
3. Add a block for your RPG plugin (e.g., named "prpg"):
   ```cfg theme={null}
   "prpg"
   {
       "driver"    "mysql"
       "host"      "ENDPOINT_IP"
       "database"  "DATABASE_NAME"
       "user"      "USERNAME"
       "pass"      "PASSWORD"
   }
   ```

***

<Important>
  ### SQLite Warning

  While many RPG plugins offer a local `sqlite` option, we strongly recommend against it for public servers. If your server crashes mid-write, the local database file can corrupt, causing every single player on your server to lose their progress and reset to Level 1.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **L4D2:** RPG system live.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Enable Cross-Version Compatibility with ViaVersion
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/allow-older-clients-to-join-viaversion

Expand your player base by allowing multiple Minecraft versions to connect to your server. Learn how to install and configure the ViaVersion suite.

## Bridging the Version Gap

A primary challenge for public Minecraft communities is version fragmentation. While some players prefer the latest stable release for modern features, others use specific legacy versions like 1.8.8 for competitive PVP or 1.16.5 for optimized modpacks. By default, players cannot join a server if their client version does not match the server's build. The **ViaVersion** ecosystem resolves this by performing real-time packet translation, allowing your FREAKHOSTING server to accept a wider range of clients and maximize your community's growth.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Via Suite: Choosing Your Components

Depending on your server's native version and your target audience, you may require a combination of these technical modules.

| Plugin Name      | Technical Function                                    | Example Scenario                                     |
| :--------------- | :---------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------- |
| **ViaVersion**   | Allows **NEWER** clients to join an **OLDER** server. | Your server is 1.8.8; you want 1.21 players to join. |
| **ViaBackwards** | Allows **OLDER** clients to join a **NEWER** server.  | Your server is 1.21; you want 1.19 players to join.  |
| **ViaRewind**    | Extension for ViaBackwards for **LEGACY** support.    | Your server is 1.21; you want 1.8.x players to join. |

***

## Installation & Deployment

Follow these steps to initialize cross-version support on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the appropriate JAR files from the official [ViaVersion Hangar Repository](https://hangar.papermc.io/ViaVersion/ViaVersion).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the JAR files into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Logic">
    **Restart** your server. The plugins will automatically generate their configuration folders and begin packet translation logic.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Technical Verification">
    Attempt to join your server using several different versions in your local Minecraft launcher to verify the handshake is successful.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Gameplay Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Visual & Mechanical Limitations">
    Packet translation enables connectivity but cannot modify the player's local game engine. If a legacy 1.8.8 player joins a 1.21 server, they will not be able to observe or interact with modern blocks (e.g., Trial Spawners or Crafters) correctly; these will appear as placeholder items or invisible geometry.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Combat Synchronization">
    Players joining from 1.9+ versions onto an older server will still be subject to modern combat cooldowns unless you implement a balancing modification like **OldCombatMechanics**. We recommend testing your server's "Combat Feel" across different versions to ensure fair competitive play.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Infinite compatibility.
</div>


# How to Change Your Minecraft Server Version
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/changing-your-minecraft-server-version

Master the technical transition between Minecraft updates. Learn how to safely switch versions, synchronize modloaders, and manage Java runtime environments.

## Navigating the Minecraft Eras

Minecraft is a unique ecosystem defined by its distinct developmental eras. From the legendary 1.8.8 PvP builds to the modern 1.21+ mechanical updates, managing your server version is a core responsibility for every owner. Unlike traditional games that use automated updates, Minecraft requires a precise synchronization between the game JAR and the underlying Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides an automated system to handle these transitions, ensuring your community always has access to their preferred gameplay experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Java Requirements

Using an incompatible Java version is the primary cause of server startup failures. use this technical registry to identify the correct environment for your intended version.

| Minecraft Version | Recommended Java Runtime   |
| :---------------- | :------------------------- |
| **1.18 - 1.21+**  | **Java 17** or **Java 21** |
| **1.17.x**        | **Java 16**                |
| **1.8 - 1.16.5**  | **Java 8** or **Java 11**  |

***

## Version Migration Workflow

Follow these steps to transition your server to a new software build.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Data Preservation">
    **Warning:** Downgrading versions (e.g., 1.21 to 1.19) will permanently corrupt your world files. Always create a [Full Backup](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups) of your `/world/` directory before initializing a migration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Runtime">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab. Locate the **Docker Image** dropdown and select the Java version identified in the technical table above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Software Build">
    In the same **Startup** tab, update the **Server Version** (or `MINECRAFT_VERSION`) variable to your desired target (e.g., `1.20.4`, `latest`, or `snapshot`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Automated Rebuild">
    Navigate to **Settings** -> **Reinstall**. The panel will programmatically retrieve the correct JAR and support files, replacing your current engine binaries.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting Initialization Errors

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="UnsupportedClassVersionError">
    If your console displays this specific error, it confirms a mismatch between your Java version and the Minecraft JAR. Return to the **Startup** tab and verify that your **Docker Image** matches the requirements for your game version.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="World Loading Failures">
    If the server starts but the world appears reset or corrupted, ensure you are not attempting to load a "Newer Version" world on an "Older Version" engine. The Minecraft world format is not backwards compatible.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Infinite possibilities.
</div>


# How to Set Up Land Claims with GriefPrevention
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/claims-and-land-protection-griefprevention

Protect your survival community from griefers and theft. Learn how to use the GriefPrevention 'Golden Shovel' system to secure player builds.

## Securing Your Survival Creations

A primary challenge for any public survival community is safeguarding player architecture and resources from malicious griefers. **GriefPrevention** is the industry-standard solution for land protection, offering an intuitive, visual claiming system that requires no complex coordinate input. By using the iconic "Golden Shovel" mechanic, players can define their own territory, manage trust levels for friends, and ensure their progress is preserved in a secure environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Golden Shovel Mechanic

GriefPrevention uses physical interactions to define territorial boundaries, making it accessible for players of all skill levels.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Tool">
    Acquire a **Golden Shovel**. By default, the plugin can be configured to provide this to new players automatically upon their first join.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Anchor Point A">
    Right-click the ground at the first corner of your intended claim. A diamond block (visual only) will appear to mark the anchor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Anchor Point B">
    Right-click the ground at the opposite diagonal corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    If you possess sufficient **Claim Blocks**, the area will be enclosed by gold and glowstone markers, indicating that your territory is now protected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Earning Territorial Expansion

To prevent a single player from instantly dominating the map, GriefPrevention uses a time-based economy for land ownership.

* **Accumulation:** Players earn "Claim Blocks" simply by remaining active on the server (the standard default is **100 blocks per hour**).
* **Bonus Blocks:** As a server administrator, you can reward dedicated community members or donors with one-time block grants using the `/adjustbonusclaimblocks` command.

***

## Collaborative Permissions (Trust)

Survivors can grant granular access levels to their friends or faction members within their claimed zone using these standardized commands.

| Command               | Permission Level | Technical Access                                           |
| :-------------------- | :--------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`/trust`**          | Full Access      | Building, breaking, and container interaction.             |
| **`/containerTrust`** | Utility Access   | Opening chests, furnaces, and use craft benches.           |
| **`/accessTrust`**    | Button Access    | Opening doors, using levers, and interacting with buttons. |
| **`/untrust`**        | Revoke           | Removes all previously granted permissions instantly.      |

***

## Administrative Oversight

Server staff possess overriding authority to manage and audit all world claims.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Bypassing Restrictions">
    Use **`/ignoreclaims`** to enter a technical "Overdrive" mode. This allows staff members to edit, build, or investigate any claim on the server regardless of trust levels.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hub & Spawn Protection">
    use **`/adminclaims`** before using your shovel. This creates special "Admin Claims" that do not consume personal block totals and are ideal for protecting community hubs, shops, and spawn zones.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Trapped Players

  If a player inadvertently becomes trapped within a high-walled claim they do not have access to, they can execute the **`/unstuck`** command. The plugin will calculate the nearest safe wilderness coordinate and teleport them there automatically.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Secure survival.
</div>


# How to Enable Bedrock Crossplay with GeyserMC
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/enabling-crossplay-with-bedrock-geysermc

Unite your community across all platforms. Learn how to connect Bedrock Edition (Console, Mobile, Windows) players to your Java Edition Minecraft server.

## Technical Cross-Platform Unity

Historically, the structural differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition prevented any form of shared multiplayer. **GeyserMC** revolutionizes this by functioning as a high-performance, real-time packet translator. By implementing Geyser, you enable players on mobile devices, consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), and Windows 10/11 Edition to smoothly join your Java-based community. This technical bridge ensures your server is accessible to the widest possible audience regardless of their chosen hardware platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Components

A successful crossplay environment requires the coordinated deployment of two specialized modules.

1. **Geyser:** The translation engine responsible for converting Bedrock network packets into Java-compatible data streams.
2. **Floodgate:** An authentication bypass layer that allows Bedrock participants to connect using their Microsoft/Xbox credentials without requiring a separate Java Edition account purchase.

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize the cross-platform bridge on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Binaries">
    Download the appropriate JAR files from the official [GeyserMC Download Portal](https://geysermc.org/download). You will require both the `Geyser-Spigot` and `Floodgate-Spigot` builds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload both JAR files into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Configurations">
    **Restart** your server to generate the necessary directory structures and configuration files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Network Configuration">
    Open `/plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml` and verify the following technical parameters:

    * **`bedrock.port`:** Set this to your assigned Bedrock port (Default is `19132`).
    * **`remote.address`:** Set this to `127.0.0.1` to ensure local communication.
    * **`auth-type`:** Ensure this is set to **`floodgate`** to enable smooth authentication.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Networking: UDP Protocol

Unlike Java Edition, which uses the TCP protocol, Bedrock Edition communication relies exclusively on **UDP**.

<Warning>
  ### Firewall Synchronization

  For Bedrock players to connect, you must ensure that your assigned port is authorized for UDP traffic. FREAKHOSTING high-performance nodes are pre-configured to support both protocols; however, if you use a custom firewall profile, you must explicitly allow incoming UDP traffic on your Bedrock port.
</Warning>

***

## Management & Accessibility

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Console Platform Workarounds">
    Microsoft and Sony restrict the direct addition of third-party servers on consoles. To join your community, console players must use specialized workarounds such as the **BedrockTogether** mobile application or custom DNS redirects (e.g., BedrockConnect) to "spoof" a local LAN connection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Visual & Mechanical Parity">
    While Geyser translates logic accurately, Bedrock players may experience minor visual discrepancies, such as differently rendered entity animations or stylized UI elements. These are purely client-side rendering differences and do not impact the underlying gameplay logic or world persistence.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Cross-platform unity.
</div>


# How to Determine RAM Requirements for Modded Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-much-ram-do-i-need-for-my-modded-minecraft-server

Sizing your performance for modpacks. Learn how to calculate the ideal RAM allocation based on modpack complexity, player count, and world generation.

## Sizing Your Performance

Selecting the appropriate volume of Random Access Memory (RAM) is the most critical technical decision for ensuring a smooth, jitter-free modded experience. While the "more is better" philosophy is prevalent, over-allocation can occasionally lead to prolonged Java Garbage Collection (GC) pauses, causing intermittent server freezes. This guide helps you identify the technical "sweet spot" for your community by analyzing modpack complexity and player density scaling.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Modpack Complexity Tiers

The baseline memory footprint of your server is determined by the specific modloader (Forge, NeoForge, or Fabric) and the total volume of registered assets and block states.

| Complexity Tier           | Example Modpacks                           | Recommended RAM    |
| :------------------------ | :----------------------------------------- | :----------------- |
| **Light (Vanilla+)**      | FTB Lite, Better Minecraft \[Fabric]       | **3 GB - 4 GB**    |
| **Medium (Kitchen Sink)** | All the Mods 9, Stoneblock 3, Enigmatica   | **6 GB - 8 GB**    |
| **Heavy (Expert/Tech)**   | RLCraft, GregTech New Horizons, SkyFactory | **10 GB - 12 GB+** |

***

## Strategic Player Scaling

As players explore diverse dimensions (The End, Twilight Forest, etc.) and trigger new world generation, the demands on your memory pool increase dynamically.

* **Small Group (2-5 Players):** Baseline tier + **1 GB** overhead.
* **Medium Community (10-20 Players):** Baseline tier + **4 GB** overhead.
* **Large Network (30+ Players):** We recommend using a [Proxy Architecture](/games/minecraft/setting-up-bungeecord-velocity-proxy-network) to distribute the load across multiple physical server instances.

***

## Optimization Protocols

Implementing these technical best practices can significantly reduce your RAM requirements and improve overall stability.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="World Pre-Generation (Chunky)">
    Most "Can't keep up" errors occur during real-time world generation. By using the **Chunky** plugin/mod to pre-generate your world border during off-peak hours, you eliminate the CPU and RAM spikes associated with dynamic terrain calculation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Aikar's Garbage Collection Flags">
    Managing how Java reclaims unused memory is important. FREAKHOSTING uses optimized JVM startup flags by default, which prioritize short, frequent collection cycles over long, impactful pauses.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Profiling (Spark)">
    If your server experiences lag while RAM usage appears low, use the **Spark** profiler (`/spark profiler`). This tool provides a granular breakdown of whether your performance bottleneck is actually related to entity AI, ticking tiles, or network throughput.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Dynamic Scaling

  If you find your community is outgrowing its current resources, you can [Upgrade Your RAM](/portals/billing/how-to-upgradedowngrade-your-service) instantly via the FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel without any data loss or manual migration required.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Performance:** Peak efficiency.
</div>


# How to Add a Custom Minecraft Server Icon
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-add-a-custom-minecraft-server-icon

Professionalize your project identity. Learn the technical requirements and configuration steps to upload a custom 64x64 PNG icon for your Minecraft server.

## Visual Branding & Project Identity

A custom server icon is the primary visual element players encounter when browsing the Minecraft server list. Beyond aesthetics, it serves as a critical branding tool that differentiates your community from generic lobbies and establishes a professional first impression. The Minecraft engine enforces strict technical constraints on the server icon to ensure consistent rendering across all client versions. This guide ensures your asset is correctly formatted and deployed for maximum visibility.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Asset Specifications

To maintain compatibility with the Minecraft client, your image file must adhere precisely to these parameters.

* **File Format:** The asset **must** be a `.png` file. High-compression formats such as `.jpg` or `.webp` are not recognized by the engine.
* **Dimensions:** The image must be exactly **64x64 pixels**. Images with incorrect dimensions will fail to render, often defaulting to the vanilla grass block icon.
* **Filename:** The file must be named precisely **`server-icon.png`** (all lowercase).

***

## Deployment & Integration Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize and display your community branding.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the File">
    use a graphic editor (e.g., Photoshop, GIMP, or Canva) to export your logo as a 64x64 pixel `.png`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Root Directory">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the Asset">
    Upload your `server-icon.png` directly into the server's root directory (the same folder containing your `server.properties`). If an existing icon is present, select the option to overwrite it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Identity">
    Return to the **Console** and **Restart** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Design & Verification

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Optimizing for Visibility">
    Because server icons are rendered at a very small scale, we recommend avoiding intricate details or small typography. High-contrast logos with vibrant color palettes and bold silhouettes are most effective for attracting attention in a crowded server list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Verification">
    Open your Minecraft client and refresh your Multiplayer list. If the icon does not appear immediately, it may be cached by your local game client. Try deleting your server entry and re-adding it to force a metadata refresh.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Branding complete.
</div>


# How to Allow Non-Premium (Cracked) Players in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-allow-non-premium-players-to-join-your-minecraft-server

Expand your community accessibility. Learn how to disable online-mode and implement secure authentication for non-premium Minecraft players.

## Opening Your Doors: Offline Mode

By default, Minecraft servers perform a real-time verification of every player's identity against the official Mojang and Microsoft authentication clusters. While this ensures community security, it restricts your server to players with paid "Premium" accounts. By transitioning your FREAKHOSTING server to **Offline Mode**, you can allow players using alternative or "cracked" launchers to join your world. This is a common strategy for community growth in specific global regions where premium accounts are less prevalent.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to modify your server's authentication protocol.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Modifying identity variables while the engine is active can lead to UUID (player data) synchronization errors.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Server Properties">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the `server.properties` file located in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable Online Verification">
    Locate the `online-mode` variable. Update the value from `true` to **`false`**.

    ```properties theme={null}
    online-mode=false
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Start** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Security Requirements

<Warning>
  ### Critical Identity Vulnerability

  Transitioning to offline mode removes the engine's built-in cryptographic identity checks. This means that a malicious actor can join your server using **any username**, including yours or your staff members', effectively gaining full administrative access without a password.
</Warning>

If you choose to operate an offline server, you **must** implement a secondary authentication layer to safeguard your community.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="AuthMeReloaded">
    The industry standard for offline authentication. It requires every player to register a password upon their first join and log in during every subsequent session before they can move or execute commands.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="nLogin">
    A modernized, high-performance alternative featuring advanced "FastLogin" capabilities for premium players and integrated bot protection.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Understanding UUID Changes

  Please be aware that changing the `online-mode` variable will alter every player's unique identifier (UUID). Existing players may lose access to their inventories, ender chests, and land claims as the engine now identifies them via a different technical hash. We recommend only performing this change on a fresh world or before your community has established significant progress.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Everyone is welcome.
</div>


# How to Create a MySQL Database for Minecraft Plugins
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-create-a-mysql-database-for-plugins

Switch from flat-file storage to MySQL for your Minecraft plugins. Improve performance and enable cross-server data synchronization for proxy networks.

## Professional Data Management

As your community expands, using standard `.yml` or `.h2` files for storing massive datasets - such as CoreProtect block logs or complex LuckPerms hierarchies - can lead to significant server-side lag and an increased risk of data corruption. **MySQL** provides a strong, high-performance relational database environment that enables lightning-fast lookups and facilitates data synchronization across multiple server instances. This guide walk you through the initialization and connection of your dedicated database on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Initialize Your Infrastructure

Every FREAKHOSTING Minecraft plan includes a dedicated MySQL environment. Follow these steps to generate your unique credentials.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Database Management">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Databases** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate New Registry">
    Click the **New Database** button. Provide a descriptive name (e.g., `minecraft_data`) and set the "Connection From" field to `%` to allow internal node synchronization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Authorization Details">
    Once created, click the **Eye icon** or the database entry to reveal your **Endpoint (Host)**, **Username**, **Password**, and **Database Name**. Copy these details precisely.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Synchronizing Your Plugins

Most modern Minecraft plugins feature a `storage` or `database` section within their primary `config.yml`. To enable the integration, you must update the storage type and input your credentials.

| Plugin          | Configuration Method                                                   |
| :-------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **LuckPerms**   | Update `storage-method: mysql` and input credentials in `config.yml`.  |
| **CoreProtect** | Set `use-mysql: true` and define connection parameters.                |
| **LiteBans**    | Update `driver: mysql` and ensure the `address` matches your Endpoint. |

***

## Strategic Database Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Implementing Table Prefixes">
    If you intend to use a single database for multiple different plugins, you **must** define a unique **Table Prefix** for each one (e.g., `lp_` for LuckPerms and `co_` for CoreProtect). This prevents naming collisions and ensures that one plugin does not accidentally overwrite or corrupt the data of another.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cross-Server Synchronization">
    MySQL is the fundamental requirement for "Network-wide" features. By pointing multiple servers (e.g., Survival and Creative) to the same database and prefix, you can synchronize player ranks, bans, and balances across your entire network instantly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Credential Security

  Your database credentials provide absolute control over your server's persistent data. Never share your password or endpoint in public support tickets or community forums. If you suspect your database has been compromised, use the **Reset Password** feature within the Databases tab immediately.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Database:** Optimized and reliable.
</div>


# How to Customize Your Minecraft Server MOTD
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-customize-the-motd-on-your-minecraft-server

Create a compelling MOTD for your Minecraft server using color codes, formatting symbols, and special characters to make a professional first impression.

## Defining Your First Impression

The "Message of the Day" (MOTD) is the primary text displayed immediately beneath your server's name in the multiplayer lobby. Beyond a simple greeting, a well-architected MOTD serves as a important marketing tool that attracts players by highlighting your server's unique features, active game modes, or ongoing community events. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides full access to your configuration files, enabling you to implement complex, stylized MOTDs that differentiate your server from the competition.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration via server.properties

The core MOTD is defined within the engine's primary property registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit Properties">
    Locate and open the **`server.properties`** file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Variable">
    Find the line starting with `motd=`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply Customization">
    Enter your desired message after the equals sign. To apply changes, **Restart** your server via the console.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Stylized Formatting

Minecraft uses specific Unicode escape sequences to render colors and font styles within the `server.properties` file.

### Common Escape Codes

| Effect    | Unicode Sequence |
| :-------- | :--------------- |
| **Red**   | `\u00A7c`        |
| **Gold**  | `\u00A76`        |
| **Blue**  | `\u00A79`        |
| **White** | `\u00A7f`        |
| **Bold**  | `\u00A7l`        |

**Implementation Example:**
`motd=\u00A76FREAKHOSTING \u00A7f| \u00A7cSurvival Evolved \u00A7l[NEW]`

***

## Strategic Branding Tools

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="using Online Visual Editors">
    Manually calculating Unicode escape sequences can be technically demanding. We highly recommend using visual design tools such as **[mcmotd.cc](https://mcmotd.cc)** or **[minecraft.tools](https://minecraft.tools)**. These platforms allow you to design your MOTD in a real-time preview and instantly generate the correctly formatted "Server Properties" code for you to paste.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Multi-Line MOTDs">
    Standard MOTDs support up to two lines of text. To initialize a second line, use the newline escape sequence **`\n`** within your string.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Dynamic MOTDs

  If you require more advanced functionality, such as alternating messages or player-count dependent MOTDs, we recommend installing a specialized plugin like **MiniMOTD** or **ServerListPlus** via our [Plugin Management System](/games/minecraft/how-to-install-plugins).
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Visuals optimized.
</div>


# How to Enable Command Blocks in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-enable-command-blocks-on-your-minecraft-server

Enable command blocks on your Minecraft server to automate gameplay mechanics, create custom events, and build interactive features with redstone logic.

## Unlocking Advanced Automation

Command blocks are powerful technical entities that enable server owners to implement complex automation, custom game logic, and immersive environmental triggers. Whether you are architecting a massive community spawn zone, building an elaborate adventure map, or automating server-wide events, command blocks serve as the primary engine for custom scripting within the vanilla framework. By default, these blocks are disabled to prevent unauthorized exploitation; this guide walk you through the secure activation process on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Activation Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize the use of command blocks within your world.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Modifying core properties while the engine is active can lead to configuration overwrites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Server Properties">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the **`server.properties`** file located in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Authorization">
    Locate the `enable-command-block` variable. Update the value from `false` to **`true`**.

    ```properties theme={null}
    enable-command-block=true
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Start** your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Usage Requirements

Even with the global configuration active, the Minecraft engine enforces strict prerequisites for interacting with command blocks to maintain server security.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Creative Mode Access">
    Command blocks are exclusively accessible to players currently in **Creative Mode** (`/gamemode creative`). You cannot open the interface or modify the internal logic while in Survival or Adventure mode.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Operator Status (OP)">
    Only players with **Level 2 Operator** status or higher can interact with command blocks. To grant yourself this authority, execute the command `/op YourUsername` within the server console.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Bypassing Spawn Protection">
    If your command blocks are situated within the server's primary spawn zone, their logic may be restricted by the `spawn-protection` variable in `server.properties`. We recommend setting this value to `0` if you intend to use complex automated hubs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Log Spam">
    High-frequency command blocks (e.g., those using "Repeat" mode) can flood your server console with execution messages. To maintain a clean log, execute the following gamerule in-game:
    `/gamerule commandBlockOutput false`
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Automation enabled.
</div>


# How to Manage Operator (OP) Status in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-give-and-remove-op-on-your-minecraft-server

Delegate administrative authority safely. Learn how to grant and revoke Operator (OP) privileges using the server console and in-game commands.

## Managing Administrative Authority

Operator (OP) status represents the highest level of administrative authority within a Minecraft server. Granting a player OP status provides them with the capability to execute powerful technical commands, bypass social restrictions (such as whitelists), and modify the world environment permanently. Effectively managing your operator list is critical for maintaining server security and ensuring your community's progress is protected from unauthorized interference.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Authorization Workflow

You can manage your administrative team directly through the FREAKHOSTING management interface.

### Granting OP Privileges

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Console">
    Log in to your [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute the Command">
    In the command line field at the bottom of the console, type:

    ```bash theme={null}
    op <PlayerName>
    ```

    *Note: Replace `<PlayerName>` with the exact, case-sensitive username of the intended administrator.*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Metadata">
    The console will return: `Made [PlayerName] a server operator`. The player will now have access to administrative commands in-game.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Revoking OP Privileges

<Steps>
  <Step title="Execute Deauthorization">
    Within the server console, type:

    ```bash theme={null}
    deop <PlayerName>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verification">
    The console will confirm: `Made [PlayerName] no longer a server operator`. The player's administrative access is revoked instantaneously.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Security Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Principle of Trust">
    Grant OP status **exclusively** to individuals you trust implicitly. Operators possess the technical capability to stop the server process, purge the world database, and permanently ban other participants.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="using Permission Frameworks">
    For large-scale staff teams, using full OP status is often considered an unnecessary security risk. We highly recommend implementing a specialized permissions plugin like **LuckPerms**. This allows you to grant specific capabilities (e.g., the ability to kick players) without granting the dangerous power to stop the server or delete data.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Managing OP via Files

  You can also audit your current administrative list by opening the `ops.json` file situated in your server's root directory. This file contains a technical registry of all authorized UUIDs and their corresponding permission levels.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Hierarchy managed.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure Dynmap in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-configure-dynmap-on-your-minecraft-server

Transform your world into a visual masterpiece. Learn how to deploy Dynmap to create a real-time, browser-based 3D map for your Minecraft server.

## Visualizing Your Virtual World

**Dynmap** is one of the most iconic and highly regarded plugins in the Minecraft ecosystem. It programmatically renders your world data into a high-detail, interactive web interface, allowing players to track their real-time positions, view block-by-block construction progress, and observe the landscape in both 2D and 3D perspectives directly from any modern web browser. Implementing a web map is a powerful way to enhance community engagement and provide a sense of scale to your survival world.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Technical Deployment

Follow these steps to initialize the map rendering engine on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the appropriate JAR file from the official [Dynmap Spigot Portal](https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/dynmap%C2%AE.274/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the JAR into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Environment">
    **Restart** your server to generate the configuration directory and internal web server files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request Port Allocation">
    **Important:** Dynmap uses an internal web server that operates on port **8123** by default. On our high-performance clusters, this port is restricted. You **must** [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) to have a unique technical port allocated specifically for your web map.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Optimization & Storage

Dynmap is resource-intensive, generating millions of small image tiles that can significantly impact server storage and performance if not correctly managed.

### Calibrating Resolution Scaling

Locate the `configuration.txt` file within the `/plugins/dynmap/` directory. Find the `deftemplatesuffix` variable and adjust it based on your available resources:

* **`lowres` (Recommended):** Provides a high-fidelity experience while maintaining manageable disk space consumption.
* **`vlowres`:** Ideal for exceptionally large worlds or servers using lower-tier storage plans.

***

## Management & Access

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Updating the Web Port">
    Once our support team provides your unique port, locate the `webserver-port` setting in `configuration.txt` and update it to the new value (e.g., `webserver-port: 12345`). Restart the server to apply the change.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Initializing the Full Render">
    To populate the map for the first time, execute the command **`/dynmap fullrender`** in the server console. Be aware that this is a CPU-intensive process; we recommend performing it during off-peak community hours.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Storage Capacity Warning

  complete map renders can consume **gigabytes** of persistent storage. Monitor your dashboard closely following a full render. We highly recommend establishing a **World Border** using the vanilla `/worldborder` command or the **WorldGuard** plugin to prevent the map (and your storage usage) from growing infinitely.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Map rendering active.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure GeyserMC in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-configure-geysermc-on-your-minecraft-server

Bridge the gap between Java and Bedrock Edition. Learn how to install GeyserMC and Floodgate to allow Console and Mobile players to join your server.

## Technical Cross-Platform Unity

Historically, the architectural differences between Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition prevented any form of synchronized multiplayer. **GeyserMC** solves this by acting as a high-performance, real-time packet translator. By implementing Geyser, you enable players on mobile devices, consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Switch), and Windows 10/11 Edition to smoothly join your Java-based community. This technical bridge ensures your server remains inclusive and accessible to the widest possible audience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Components

To enable a successful crossplay experience, you must deploy two specialized technical modules.

1. **Geyser:** The core translation engine that handles the network protocol handshake between Bedrock and Java.
2. **Floodgate:** An authentication bridge that allows Bedrock players to join without requiring a Java account, using their Microsoft/Xbox identity instead.

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize the crossplay bridge on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the appropriate JAR files from the official [GeyserMC Portal](https://geysermc.org/download). You will require both the `Geyser-Spigot` and `Floodgate-Spigot` builds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload both JAR files into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Logic">
    **Restart** your server to generate the configuration folders and default variables.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Network Configuration">
    Open `/plugins/Geyser-Spigot/config.yml` and verify:

    * **`bedrock.port`:** Set this to your assigned Bedrock port (Default is `19132`).
    * **`auth-type`:** Ensure this is set to **`floodgate`** for the best user experience.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Networking: The UDP Protocol

Unlike Java Edition which uses TCP, Bedrock Edition communication relies exclusively on **UDP**.

<Important>
  ### Firewall Synchronization

  On the FREAKHOSTING network, ensure that your assigned Bedrock port is authorized for both TCP and UDP traffic. If you encounter "Unable to connect" errors for mobile players, [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) to verify your node's UDP allocation status.
</Important>

***

## Management & Accessibility

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Console Platform Restrictions">
    Directly adding third-party servers to the Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch "Server List" is restricted by the manufacturers. Players on these platforms must use specialized workarounds such as the **BedrockTogether** mobile application or custom DNS redirects to join your community.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Visual & Mechanical Parity">
    Geyser performs sophisticated packet translation, but Bedrock players may observe minor visual discrepancies in entity animations or stylized UI elements. These are purely client-side rendering differences and do not impact the underlying gameplay logic or world persistence.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Cross-platform unity.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure Votifier in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-configure-votifier-on-your-minecraft-server

Incentivize community growth and automate rewards. Learn how to install NuVotifier and configure secure voting for your Minecraft server.

## Incentivizing Community Growth

**NuVotifier** (the modernized and secure iteration of the original Votifier plugin) is a critical tool for server marketing and player acquisition. It enables external server listing websites to programmatically notify your server the instant a player submits a vote. By acknowledging these votes in real-time, you can automate rewarding your community with in-game currency, rare items, or crate keys, fostering a self-sustaining cycle of server visibility and community engagement.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    7 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Port Configuration

Follow these steps to initialize the voting listener on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the appropriate JAR from the official [NuVotifier Spigot Repository](https://www.spigotmc.org/resources/nuvotifier.1531/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the JAR into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Environment">
    **Restart** your server to generate the necessary configuration files and RSA security keys.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request Port Allocation">
    **Important:** NuVotifier requires a dedicated open port (Default `8192`) to receive incoming webhooks. On our high-performance clusters, you **must** [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) to have a unique technical port assigned specifically for your voting listener.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Establishing the Secure Link

Once you have received your unique port from our support team, you must authorize external websites to communicate with your instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure the Listener">
    Open `/plugins/Votifier/config.yml` and update the `port:` variable to your assigned value. Ensure the `host:` is set to `0.0.0.0` to listen on all interfaces.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Public Key">
    Navigate to `/plugins/Votifier/rsa/public.key`. Open this file and copy the entire alphanumeric string precisely. This is your server's unique cryptographic identity.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register on Server Lists">
    Visit your preferred server listing sites (e.g., PlanetMinecraft). Locate the "Votifier Settings" section and paste your **Server IP**, **Assigned Port**, and **Public Key**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Logic vs. Rewards

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Understanding the Listener Model">
    It is important to understand that NuVotifier **only receives** the notification that a vote occurred. It does not possess the inherent logic to give items or execute commands. To automate rewards, you must install a secondary "Vote Listener" plugin such as **AdvancedVote**, **SuperVoter**, or **VoteParty**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Verification">
    Most server list websites provide a "Test Vote" button. After configuring your listener, use this tool while monitoring your server console. You should observe a log entry confirming that a "Votifier vote was received," indicating a successful technical handshake.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Marketing active.
</div>


# How to Install Minecraft Paper
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-minecraft-paper

Switch to Paper, the optimized Minecraft server software built on Spigot. Improve tick performance, reduce lag, and unlock advanced configuration options.

## Upgrading to High-Performance Hosting

Standard vanilla Minecraft binaries are notoriously unoptimized for multiplayer environments, frequently suffering from significant tick lag and inefficient thread management. **Paper** (formerly PaperSpigot) is a high-performance "fork" of Spigot designed to resolve these bottlenecks. It implements thousands of performance optimizations, fixes critical engine bugs, and improves chunk loading dynamics while maintaining absolute compatibility with the vast ecosystem of Bukkit and Spigot plugins. For community owners seeking a stable and responsive survival experience, Paper is the definitive technical standard.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Advantages of Paper

Choosing Paper provides your server with a superior technical foundation compared to standard vanilla or Spigot builds.

* **CPU Efficiency:** Implements asynchronous chunk loading and specialized ticking logic to reduce the demand on your server's processor.
* **Vulnerability Patching:** Provides rapid security updates for exploits that may persist in vanilla distributions for months.
* **Granular Control:** Unlocks advanced configuration files (e.g., `paper-world-defaults.yml`) that allow you to fine-tune entity activation ranges, hopper speeds, and world-saving intervals.

***

## Installation Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy Paper using the integrated FREAKHOSTING version management system.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Game Panel">
    Log in to your [management dashboard](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your Minecraft instance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Software Build">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab. Locate the **Server Version** (or `VERSION`) field and ensure your desired target is specified (e.g., `1.21.1` or `latest`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Automated Rebuild">
    Navigate to **Settings** -> **Reinstall**. The panel will programmatically retrieve the appropriate Paper JAR and synchronize the underlying Java environment.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Initialization">
    Monitor the **Console** tab. Upon a successful boot, you will observe the "Paper version X" metadata, and the server will generate the specialized Paper configuration folders.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### The "Clean Install" Strategy

  If you are transitioning your community from a significantly older version or a different modloader ecosystem (such as Forge or Fabric), we strongly recommend using the **Reinstall** feature. This ensures that incompatible legacy binaries are purged, providing a stable foundation for your new Paper environment.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Performance optimized.
</div>


# How to Install Plugins on Your Minecraft Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-plugins

Learn how to install and manage Minecraft plugins using our Game Panel's automatic installer or manual SFTP upload. Boost your server's features today.

## Enhance Your Minecraft Experience with Plugins

Plugins are the building blocks of a custom Minecraft server. They enable you to add essential features such as economy systems, land protection, custom commands, and performance optimizations without requiring players to install anything on their own computers.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner Friendly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Important>
  ### Software Requirements

  Plugins only work on specific server types. Your server must be running **Paper**, **Spigot**, or **Purpur**.

  "Vanilla" Minecraft servers do not support plugins. If you need to switch your server type, follow our [Paper Installation Guide](/games/minecraft/how-to-install-minecraft-paper).
</Important>

<Info>
  ### Which Plugins Should I Choose?

  If you're unsure which plugins to install first, check out our curated list of [Recommended Minecraft Plugins](/games/minecraft/recommended-plugins).
</Info>

***

## Installation Methods

Choose the method that best fits your needs. The **Automatic Installer** is recommended for most users, while **Manual Upload** is best for custom or premium plugins.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Method 1: Automatic Installer">
    The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel features a built-in search tool that connects directly to popular plugin repositories.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Access the Plugin Menu">
        Log in to your [Game Panel](https://panel.freakhosting.com) and select your server. In the left-hand sidebar, navigate to **Configuration** and then click on **Plugins**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Search for Plugins">
        Use the search bar to find the plugin you want (for example, "LuckPerms" or "WorldEdit").
      </Step>

      <Step title="Install">
        Click the **Install** button next to the desired plugin. The panel will automatically download the correct `.jar` file into your server's plugins folder.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Restart Server">
        Navigate back to the **Console** and click **Restart** to activate the new plugin.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Method 2: Manual Upload (SFTP)">
    Use this method if you have downloaded a plugin from [SpigotMC](https://www.spigotmc.org/), [Polymart](https://polymart.org/), or [Hangar](https://hangar.papermc.io/).

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the Plugin">
        Ensure you have the `.jar` file of the plugin saved on your computer.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect to Your Files">
        In the Game Panel, go to the **Files** tab. For larger files or multiple plugins, we recommend using [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Upload to Plugins Folder">
        Open the `plugins` directory. Drag and drop your `.jar` file directly into this folder.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Restart Server">
        Restart your server via the **Console** tab to load the plugin.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Verifying the Installation

To confirm that your plugins are running correctly:

1. Open your server **Console**.
2. Type `plugins` and press Enter.

<Check>
  ### Understanding the Output

  * If the plugin name appears in **green**, it is loaded and active.
  * If it appears in **red**, there is an error. Check the console logs for details.
</Check>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Common Issues & Troubleshooting">
    * **Version Mismatch:** Ensure the plugin version is compatible with your Minecraft server version.
    * **Missing Dependencies:** Some plugins require other plugins (like Vault or EssentialsX) to function. Check the plugin's documentation.
    * **Wrong Server Type:** Double-check that you are running Paper or Spigot, not Vanilla or Forge.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Advanced Configuration: MySQL">
    Many performance-heavy plugins (like LuckPerms or CoreProtect) work better when connected to a database. Learn [How to Create a MySQL Database for Plugins](/games/minecraft/how-to-create-a-mysql-database-for-plugins).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Features expanded.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Minecraft Server Whitelist
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-set-up-a-minecraft-whitelist

Secure your Minecraft community from unauthorized access. Learn how to enable and manage an exclusive player whitelist using console commands.

## Securing Your Digital Community

A whitelist represents your server's primary technical defense against unauthorized intrusion, griefing, and automated bot attacks. Unlike a standard "Blacklist" or "Banlist" which targets specific known offenders, a whitelist implement a "Default Deny" security posture: every player is restricted from joining by default, and access is exclusively granted to those you have manually verified. This is an essential protocol for private survival groups, Roleplay (RP) communities, and high-security technical projects.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Activation Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize the whitelist enforcement on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Console">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Enforcement">
    Execute the following command to activate the security logic:

    ```bash theme={null}
    whitelist on
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Activation">
    The console will return: `Whitelist is now turned on`. Any player not currently in your registry will be instantly disconnected if they attempt to join.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing the Authorized Registry

You can manipulate your access list in real-time without requiring a server restart.

| Administrative Action    | Command Syntax                                                          |
| :----------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Authorize Player**     | `whitelist add <PlayerName>`                                            |
| **Revoke Authorization** | `whitelist remove <PlayerName>`                                         |
| **Audit Registry**       | `whitelist list`                                                        |
| **Synchronize Files**    | `whitelist reload` (use if manually editing the `whitelist.json` file). |

***

## Technical Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="UUID Persistence & Name Changes">
    Modern Minecraft versions identify players via their **Universally Unique Identifier (UUID)** rather than just their username. This ensures that if an authorized community member changes their name through the official launcher, they will retain their whitelist status smoothly without administrative intervention.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Offline Mode (Cracked) Servers">
    If your server has `online-mode=false` active, the engine cannot verify UUIDs through official Mojang servers. In this scenario, we highly recommend using a secondary authentication plugin (e.g., AuthMeReloaded) in conjunction with the whitelist to prevent impersonation attacks.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Administrative Access

  Always ensure that you have added your own username to the whitelist **before** activating the `whitelist on` command. If you enable the whitelist while you are not on the list, you will be unable to join your own server via the game client.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Access controlled.
</div>


# How to Upload a Custom Minecraft World
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-upload-a-custom-world-to-minecraft

Upload custom worlds to your Minecraft server by transferring singleplayer saves or community maps. Follow the workflow for activating uploaded world files.

## Migration: Bringing Your World to the Cloud

Whether you have architected a masterpiece within a singleplayer environment or downloaded a complex adventure map from a community repository, migrating your world to a dedicated server is the most effective way to share your progress. This procedure involves more than a simple file transfer; you must correctly synchronize the metadata, dimension directories, and configuration variables to ensure a stable deployment. This guide walk you through the professional technical workflow for world migration on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Preparation: The ZIP Protocol

Minecraft worlds are composed of thousands of minute files situated within the `region` and `playerdata` subdirectories. Attempting to upload these individually via a standard browser or SFTP will lead to significant latency and an increased probability of data corruption.

* **Mandatory Step:** You **must** compress your world folder into a standardized **.ZIP** archive before initiating the transfer.
* **Verification:** Ensure that the internal directory structure starts immediately with files like `level.dat` and the `region/` folder, rather than being nested within redundant subdirectories.

***

## Migration Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy your custom world to your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. World files are actively locked by the Java process and cannot be modified while the engine is initialized.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Purge Legacy Data">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab. Delete the existing `world`, `world_nether`, and `world_the_end` directories. (We recommend generating a [Full Backup](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups) before this destructive action).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload and Extract">
    Upload your compressed ZIP archive directly into the server's root directory. Once the transfer concludes, right-click the archive and select **Unarchive**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Standardize Naming">
    Rename the extracted folder to **`world`** or update the `level-name` variable in your `server.properties` to match your folder name precisely.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Dimension Mapping: Paper & Spigot

If you are migrating a singleplayer world to a professional server build (e.g., Paper or Purpur), you will notice a technical discrepancy in how dimensions are stored.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Singleplayer (Vanilla)">
    All three dimensions (Overworld, Nether, and End) are stored within a single parent directory. The Nether resides in `DIM-1` and the End in `DIM1`.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Multiplayer (Paper/Spigot)">
    The engine automatically detects the `DIM` folders upon the first boot and splits them into distinct top-level directories: `world_nether` and `world_the_end`. This is standard behavior and is required for multi-threaded performance optimizations.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Troubleshooting Connectivity

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Positioning & Spawn Glitches">
    If you materialize within the ocean or a void upon joining, it is likely that your player coordinate metadata was not correctly synchronized. use the server console to execute:
    `/tp @a 0 100 0`
    This will teleport all active players to the map's origin, allowing you to manually navigate to your builds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Version Mismatch Errors">
    Ensure that the Minecraft version used to create the world matches the version running on your server. While newer engines can often "Upgrade" older world formats, attempting to load a 1.21 world on a 1.12.2 server will lead to immediate world corruption and crashes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** World successfully migrated.
</div>


# How to Use a Custom World Seed in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-use-a-custom-world-seed-on-your-minecraft-server

Engineer your ideal world. Learn how to input specific generation seeds to create unique Minecraft landscapes and locate specialized biomes.

## Crafting Your Environment: Custom Seeds

Seeds are unique alphanumeric strings that serve as the mathematical foundation for the Minecraft terrain generator. By defining a specific seed, you can replicate iconic worlds found in community "Best Seed" lists or ensure your community spawns in close proximity to specialized biomes, such as Cherry Groves, Jungles, or Ancient Cities. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides full access to the underlying engine properties, allowing you to dictate the geography of your world before the first block is even rendered.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to authorize a specific generation seed for your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Terrain generation logic is established during the initial boot sequence and cannot be modified while the world is actively loaded.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Server Properties">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the **`server.properties`** file situated in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Seed Variable">
    Locate the `level-seed` property. Input your chosen alphanumeric string after the equals sign.

    * *Example:* `level-seed=FREAKHOSTING2026`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Purge Existing World Data">
    **Warning:** For the new seed to take effect, the engine must generate a new world. You must delete (or rename) the existing `world` directory. We recommend generating a [Full Backup](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups) before this step.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Sourcing Community Seeds

If you are looking for specific environmental features, we recommend using these reputable community resources:

* **[MCSeeder](https://mcseeder.com):** A powerful technical tool for mapping and filtering seeds based on biome proximity.
* **[PlanetMinecraft](https://www.planetminecraft.com/seeds/):** A curated repository of aesthetically stunning landscapes and structural seeds.
* **[Reddit (r/minecraftseeds)](https://reddit.com/r/minecraftseeds):** A vibrant community sharing the latest discoveries for every major game version.

***

<Note>
  ### Technical Version Dependency

  Terrain generation algorithms undergo significant modifications with every major Minecraft update (e.g., the "Caves & Cliffs" update). A seed that produced a mountain range in version 1.12.2 will result in a completely different geography in 1.21. Always verify that your chosen seed was documented for the specific version currently running on your server.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Terrain logic defined.
</div>


# How to Optimize bukkit.yml in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-bukkityml

Fine-tune your server's core API layer. Learn how to optimize mob spawning limits and chunk management within bukkit.yml to maximize TPS and CPU efficiency.

## Technical Core Optimization: bukkit.yml

The `bukkit.yml` file serves as the fundamental configuration registry for your server's API layer. While often overlooked in favor of world-specific settings, tuning the variables within this file is essential for reducing CPU overhead and maintaining a consistent 20.0 TPS (Ticks Per Second) during peak community hours. This guide focuses on optimizing the three primary technical pillars of the Bukkit engine: entity limits, chunk lifecycle management, and spawn calculation intervals.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Spawn Calibration

High entity counts are the primary contributor to server-side lag. By reducing the maximum number of simultaneous mobs allowed per player, you can drastically lower the CPU cycles required for pathfinding and AI logic.

### 1. Defining Spawn Limits

Locate the `spawn-limits` object and apply these high-performance values:

```yaml theme={null}
spawn-limits:
  monsters: 50      # Default 70 | Significant TPS improvement.
  animals: 10       # Default 15 | Reduces passive entity load.
  water-animals: 3  # Default 5  | Minimizes unnecessary ocean calculations.
  ambient: 1        # Default 15 | Essential for reducing Bat entities.
```

### 2. Throttling Ticks-Per-Spawn

The engine defaults to calculating new monster spawns every single tick (20 times per second). This frequency is generally excessive for survival gameplay.

* **`monster-spawns`:** Set this to **`4`** (Default 1). This instructs the server to calculate spawns every 4 ticks, reducing the AI processing load by 75% without visibly affecting the difficulty for players.

***

## Technical Chunk Management

Managing how the server handles memory recovery for unloaded chunks is important for preventing RAM bloat.

* **Chunk Garbage Collection:** Locate the `period-in-ticks` variable.
* **Recommended Value:** **`400`** (Default 600).
* **Technical Result:** Lowering this value ensures the server checks for and purges empty, inactive chunks from memory every 20 seconds instead of every 30, expediting RAM recovery following player movement.

***

<Note>
  ### Interaction with Paper MC

  If your server uses the [Paper Modloader](/games/minecraft/how-to-install-minecraft-paper), many of the values defined in `bukkit.yml` serve as "Fallbacks." Paper implements its own advanced logic within `paper-world-defaults.yml`. We recommend optimizing your Bukkit core first, then proceeding to fine-tune your Paper-specific variables for the ultimate performance profile.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Core performance tuned.
</div>


# How to Fix Minecraft Server Lag & Low TPS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-minecraft-server-performance-lag-fixes

Diagnose and fix Minecraft server lag by understanding TPS vs. ping, optimizing configurations, pre-generating chunks, and eliminating performance issues.

## Identifying the Source of Lag

In the Minecraft ecosystem, "Lag" is a generalized term that frequently describes two distinct technical phenomena. To resolve performance issues effectively, you must first identify the root cause:

* **Server Lag (Low TPS):** The server's CPU cannot process world events (ticking) within the required 50ms window. This results in "rubber-banding" and delayed entity movements. A "Perfect" server operates at **20.0 TPS**.
* **Network Lag (High Ping):** The physical latency between the player's computer and the FREAKHOSTING data center. This results in delayed block-breaking and chat latency.

This guide focuses on maximizing your **TPS** to ensure a 20.0 high-performance experience for your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    12 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## 1. The Strategy of World Pre-Generation

Real-time terrain generation is the most CPU-intensive task a Minecraft server performs. When players fly into unexplored territory, the server must calculate biomes, structures, and block placement instantly, often causing massive TPS drops.

* **The Solution:** use the **Chunky** plugin to programmatically render your world border during off-peak hours.
* **Technical Goal:** Pre-generating a **5,000 to 10,000 block radius** ensures that the server only needs to "read" existing files from the high-speed NVMe storage rather than calculating them on the fly, eliminating 90% of explorer-related lag.

***

## 2. Technical Configuration Hardening

Tuning your core property files is the fastest method for reclaiming wasted CPU cycles.

### server.properties

* **`view-distance`:** Set to **`6`**. The vanilla default (10) requires the server to track and process nearly 400% more chunks than a setting of 6.
* **`simulation-distance`:** Set to **`4`**. This restricts active entity AI and ticking logic to a tight radius around the player, preserving resources for core world events.

### bukkit.yml

* **`spawn-limits`:** Reduce `monsters` to **45** and `animals` to **8**.
* **`ticks-per.monster-spawns`:** Set to **4**. This instructs the engine to check for new spawns every 4 ticks rather than every single tick, reducing AI overhead by 75%.

### spigot.yml

* **`entity-activation-range`:** Set `monsters` to **24** and `animals` to **16**. Entities outside this range will "hibernate," pausing their AI logic until a player approaches.

***

## 3. Advanced Diagnostic Profiling (Spark)

If lag persists after configuration hardening, a specific modification or entity farm is likely the culprit.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Profiler">
    Install the **Spark** plugin and execute: `/spark profiler start`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Data Capture">
    Monitor the server during a period of active lag for approximately 10 minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate Flame Graph">
    Execute: `/spark profiler stop`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Technical Review">
    Open the generated URL. The hierarchical graph will pinpoint exactly which plugin, event, or entity type is consuming the highest percentage of your CPU's "tick time."
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### The Choice of Modloader

  Paper (and high-performance forks like Purpur) are architected with significantly more efficient internal logic than standard Vanilla or Spigot builds. If your community is experiencing performance hurdles, your first technical step should always be transitioning to **Paper**.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Performance:** 20.0 TPS achieved.
</div>


# How to Optimize Server Startup Flags in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-server-startup-flags

Tune the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for peak performance. Learn how to implement Aikar's Flags and optimize memory allocation to eliminate micro-stutters.

## Tuning the Engine: Startup Flags

Minecraft operates within the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), a specialized environment that manages memory and execution logic for the game. By providing specific technical instructions (flags) during the startup sequence, you can dictate exactly how Java handles memory allocation and "Garbage Collection" (GC). Correctly tuned flags are essential for eliminating micro-stutters and ensuring consistent performance, especially on servers with high player counts or complex modifications.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Aikar's Flags: The Professional Standard

Developed through years of community-driven empirical testing, **Aikar's Flags** represent the gold standard for Minecraft server optimization. These arguments prioritize frequent, minute memory cleanups over infrequent, massive ones, effectively preventing the "stop-the-world" pauses that cause noticeable in-game lag spikes.

### The Recommended Configuration (Minecraft 1.18+)

If your hosting tier permits custom startup parameters, we recommend using the following string:

```bash theme={null}
-XX:+UseG1GC -XX:+ParallelRefProcEnabled -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=200 -XX:+UnlockExperimentalVMOptions -XX:+DisableExplicitGC -XX:+AlwaysPreTouch -XX:G1NewSizePercent=30 -XX:G1MaxNewSizePercent=40 -XX:G1HeapRegionSize=8M -XX:G1ReservePercent=20 -XX:G1HeapWastePercent=5 -XX:G1MixedGCCountTarget=4 -XX:InitiatingHeapOccupancyPercent=15 -XX:G1MixedGCLiveThresholdPercent=90 -XX:G1RSetUpdatingPauseTimePercent=5 -XX:SurvivorRatio=32 -XX:+PerfDisableSharedMem -XX:MaxTenuringThreshold=1 -Dusing.aikars.flags=https://mcflags.emc.gs -Daikars.new.flags=true
```

***

## Strategic Memory Allocation

### Synchronizing Xms and Xmx

A fundamental best practice is to set your Minimum Memory (`Xms`) equal to your Maximum Memory (`Xmx`).

* **Technical Reasoning:** If these values differ, the JVM will constantly attempt to resize the memory heap based on immediate demand. This negotiation with the operating system consumes CPU cycles and frequently triggers lag during the resizing process. By setting them to the same value, you pre-allocate the entire heap upon startup, ensuring total stability.

### The OS Overhead Buffer

When allocating memory to the JVM, you must leave sufficient resources for the underlying Linux operating system and the Game Panel's background processes.

* **Recommended Limit:** For a plan with **12GB of total RAM**, do not allocate more than **10.5GB** to the Minecraft process (e.g., `-Xmx10500M`). Maintaining a 1GB to 1.5GB buffer prevents the host node from forcefully terminating your server due to out-of-memory (OOM) errors at the OS level.

***

<Note>
  ### Integrated Platform Optimization

  At FREAKHOSTING, our **Premium** and **Extreme** instances include these technical optimizations automatically at the panel level. You typically do not require manual flag entry unless you are deploying a highly specialized modpack or a proprietary server jar.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Java:** Optimized for Minecraft.
</div>


# How to Optimize spigot.yml in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/optimizing-spigotyml

Fine-tune your server's entity and item logic. Learn how to optimize entity activation ranges and merge radii within spigot.yml to maximize CPU performance.

## Deep Performance Tuning: spigot.yml

The `spigot.yml` file provides granular control over the most CPU-intensive components of the Minecraft engine: entity AI logic and item lifecycle management. Tuning these settings is an essential requirement for servers with high player populations or communities that use massive automated entity farms. By calibrating how the server "wakes up" mobs and how it aggregates dropped items, you can reclaim significant hardware resources while maintaining a high-fidelity gameplay experience.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Optimization Variables

To improve your server's Ticks Per Second (TPS), we recommend applying the following modifications to your `spigot.yml` registry.

### 1. Entity Activation Range

This is the most impactful setting for performance. It dictates the physical distance (in blocks) a player must be from an entity for its AI logic to initialize. Entities outside this radius will remain stationary, consuming negligible CPU cycles.

* **`animals`:** Set to **`16`** (Default 32).
* **`monsters`:** Set to **`24`** (Default 32).
* **`misc`:** Set to **`8`** (Default 16).

### 2. Physical Merge Radius

The merge radius logic instructs the server to "clump" dropped items and experience orbs together into a single stack. This reduces the total number of unique entities the server must track and calculate physics for.

* **`item`:** Set to **`4.0`** (Default 2.5).
* **`exp`:** Set to **`6.0`** (Default 3.0).

***

## Technical Maintenance Registry

These settings manage the automatic purging of entities and inactive logic loops.

| Technical Variable            | Default Value | Optimized Value | Strategic Purpose                                                       |
| :---------------------------- | :-----------: | :-------------: | :---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`arrow-despawn-rate`**      |     `1200`    |    **`300`**    | Reduces projectile persistence from 60 seconds to 15 seconds.           |
| **`item-despawn-rate`**       |     `6000`    |    **`4000`**   | Purges "trash" items every 3.3 minutes to reclaim world memory.         |
| **`tick-inactive-villagers`** |     `true`    |   **`false`**   | Prevents out-of-range villagers from performing expensive pathing math. |
| **`mob-spawn-range`**         |      `8`      |     **`6`**     | Restricts spawns to areas players can actually observe.                 |

***

<Note>
  ### Identifying Bottlenecks

  If you have applied these optimizations and still experience server stuttering, we recommend using the **[Spark Profiler](/games/minecraft/profiling-server-lag-with-spark)**. This tool will help you identify if a specific world region or specialized entity (such as a massive villager trading hall) is circumventing these global limits.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Spigot:** Efficiency maximized.
</div>


# How to Pre-Generate Your World with Chunky
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/pre-generating-your-world-to-prevent-lag-chunky

Eliminate the primary cause of server lag. Learn how to use the Chunky plugin to pre-render your Minecraft map and ensure smooth exploration for your players.

## Eliminating the Primary Cause of Lag

In the Minecraft engine, real-time world generation is the most CPU-intensive task your server will perform. As players explore new territories, the server must calculate complex biome distributions, ore deposits, and structural placement instantly. This frequently results in significant Ticks Per Second (TPS) drops and micro-stutters. By **Pre-Generating** your world, you calculate these assets once and store them on your high-speed NVMe disk, effectively turning heavy mathematical processing into a simple file read. The **Chunky** plugin is the industry-standard tool for managing this process efficiently.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installation & Strategic Planning

Follow these steps to deploy the Chunky framework on your Paper, Spigot, or Purpur server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the appropriate JAR file from the official [Chunky Hangar Repository](https://hangar.papermc.io/pop4959/Chunky).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins">
    Using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the JAR into your server's `/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Environment">
    **Restart** your server. Chunky will automatically generate its configuration folders.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Your Boundary">
    A 5,000-block radius (10,000 x 10,000 total area) is generally sufficient for medium communities. Note that area increases exponentially; a 10k radius is technically **4x larger** than a 5k radius and will require significantly more storage.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Operational Workflow

Execute the following commands in sequence within your server console to begin the generation process.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Core Commands">
    1. **`/chunky radius 5000`:** Defines the physical boundary of the render.
    2. **`/chunky center 0 0`:** Centers the generation point on the world origin (spawn).
    3. **`/chunky start`:** Initializes the background generation process.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Management Logic">
    * **`/chunky pause`:** Suspends generation if your players are experiencing excessive lag.
    * **`/chunky continue`:** Resumes the process from the last successful chunk.
    * **`/chunky silent`:** Disables progress broadcasting to prevent console log bloat.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Performance Impact

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Hardware Consumption">
    While active, Chunky is designed to use **100% of available CPU resources** to complete the render as quickly as possible. During this window, legitimate gameplay will be severely impacted. We strongly recommend scheduling world generation during **Off-Peak Hours** when zero players are online.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Storage & Disk Usage">
    Pre-generated chunks are stored physically on your server. A standard 10k radius world can consume between **10GB and 25GB** of disk space depending on your Minecraft version and world complexity. Ensure you have adequate storage on your FREAKHOSTING plan before initiating a large-scale render.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Nether & End Synchronization

  Exploration lag is just as prevalent in secondary dimensions. We highly recommend pre-generating at least a **2,000-block radius** in the Nether using the command:
  `/chunky world world_nether` followed by your radius and start commands.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Map generation complete.
</div>


# How to Profile Server Lag with Spark in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/profiling-server-lag-with-spark

Use the Spark profiler to identify laggy plugins, entity bottlenecks, and memory leaks on your Minecraft server. Generate detailed performance reports.

## Advanced Technical Diagnostics: Spark

Identifying the root cause of performance degradation on a complex Minecraft server can be mathematically challenging without the correct telemetry. **Spark** is a premier, high-performance CPU and memory profiler designed to provide granular visibility into your server's "heartbeat" (TPS). By capturing and visualizing technical stack traces, Spark enables administrators to pinpoint exactly which plugin, entity type, or world event is consuming excessive hardware resources. This guide ensuring you can move beyond guesswork and resolve lag through data-driven analysis.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Data Collection Workflow

To generate a meaningful performance report, you must capture data while the server is experiencing its highest load.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Profiler">
    Ensure the Spark plugin is active (Note: Spark is built-in to the **Purpur** modloader). Execute the following command in-game or via the console:

    ```bash theme={null}
    /spark profiler start
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="The Observation Window">
    Allow the server to operate for **10 to 15 minutes** while participants are actively playing. Profiling an empty server will not yield actionable diagnostic data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Data Export">
    Conclude the capture by running:

    ```bash theme={null}
    /spark profiler stop
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access the Visualizer">
    The plugin will generate a unique, secure URL (e.g., `spark.lucko.me/XXXXXX`). Open this link in a modern web browser to access the hierarchical diagnostic dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interpreting the Flame Graph

The Flame Graph is a visual representation of your CPU's time allocation. Understanding its geometry is essential for successful optimization.

* **Horizontal Width = CPU Time:** The wider a specific bar or "node," the higher the percentage of your total tick time it consumed. Focus your optimization efforts on the widest nodes.
* **`EntityTick` Hierarchies:** If this section is disproportionately wide, your community likely has too many active mobs, unoptimized entity farms, or a large volume of dropped items.
* **Plugin Callstacks:** Individual plugin names will appear in the graph. If a single plugin (e.g., `EssentialsX`) accounts for more than **15%** of the total tick time, it indicates a significant configuration issue or a technical conflict.

***

## Strategic Memory Analysis

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Diagnosing Memory Leaks">
    If your server experiences "Out of Memory" (OOM) crashes, use the **`/spark heapsummary`** command. This generates a report of every object currently residing in your server's RAM, allowing you to identify buggy modifications that are failing to release unused memory.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Real-Time Performance Overlay">
    Use **`/spark health`** for a rapid overview of your current TPS, CPU usage percentages, and memory heap allocation. This is the fastest method for verifying if a recent technical change had an immediate impact on stability.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Seeking Expert Review

  If you are unable to identify the source of your lag within the Flame Graph, we recommend sharing your Spark URL within our official community Discord. Our technical staff and experienced community members can help you parse complex stack traces to find the bottleneck.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Diagnostics active.
</div>


# Curated Recommended Minecraft Plugins
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/recommended-plugins

Equip your server with the best tools. Explore our curated list of essential free and premium plugins for performance, security, and community growth.

## Architecting Your Server's Feature Set

With over 50,000 modifications available across the SpigotMC and Hangar ecosystems, selecting the optimal software stack for your community can be technically overwhelming. To ensure your server is stable, secure, and engaging, we have curated a professional registry of industry-standard plugins. These tools are utilized by the most successful Minecraft communities to maintain high performance and provide a feature-rich environment for their players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Foundation: The Essential Free Suite

These resources are considered the mandatory technical foundation for any professional community server.

| Plugin Name     | Functional Category                                                      | Strategic Purpose                                                                        |
| :-------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **EssentialsX** | Core Logic                                                               | Implements fundamental commands such as `/home`, `/warp`, and `/tp`.                     |
| **LuckPerms**   | Permissions                                                              | The definitive standard for managing staff ranks and secure permission nodes.            |
| **WorldEdit**   | Construction                                                             | Facilitates rapid environment design and structural manipulation.                        |
| **ViaVersion**  | [Compatibility](/games/minecraft/allow-older-clients-to-join-viaversion) | Allows participants on multiple client versions to connect simultaneously.               |
| **CoreProtect** | Security & Audit                                                         | Enables block-level data logging and targeted restoration of malicious "griefing."       |
| **Vault**       | API Integration                                                          | Functions as the mandatory communications bridge between economy and permission scripts. |

***

## Performance & Optimization Tools

To maintain a consistent 20.0 TPS, we recommend incorporating these specialized diagnostic and performance modifications.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Spark (Deep Diagnostics)">
    The premier technical profiler for identifying CPU and memory bottlenecks. use this tool to pinpoint exactly which plugin or world event is triggering lag spikes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Chunky (World Pre-Generation)">
    Eliminates the #1 cause of Minecraft lag by programmatically rendering your world border during off-peak hours, converting heavy mathematical generation into simple file reads.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Professional Premium Enhancements

If you are looking to elevate your server to an enterprise-grade level, these paid modifications are widely considered the gold standard for community management and monetization.

* **LiteBans:** A strong, network-wide ban management system featuring a professional web-based audit interface.
* **ShopGUI+:** An intuitive, high-performance GUI shop system that eliminates the need for complex physical shop builds.
* **Spartan Anti-Cheat:** uses advanced behavioral analysis to detect and neutralize combat and movement hacks with minimal false positives.
* **McMMO:** Introduces a deep RPG-style leveling system that significantly increases long-term player retention.

***

<Note>
  ### Infrastructure Synchronization

  Many high-level management plugins (specifically LuckPerms, LiteBans, and CoreProtect) achieve their best performance when synchronized with a **MySQL Database**. FREAKHOSTING provides free database allocations with every plan to support your professional data needs.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Plugin suite recommended.
</div>


# How to Choose Between Dynmap and BlueMap in Minecraft
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/setting-up-a-web-map-dynmap-vs-bluemap

Master world visualization. Compare the two leading Minecraft web map plugins to find the optimal balance between 3D visuals and server performance.

## Visualizing Your Virtual World

A web map is the single most effective method for increasing player engagement and showcasing the architectural complexity of your community. It allows players to view your server's topography, track teammate locations, and inspect localized builds in real-time through any modern web browser. Within the Minecraft ecosystem, two primary frameworks dominate the market: **Dynmap** and **BlueMap**. Choosing the appropriate contender is a strategic decision that depends on your community's aesthetic goals and your server's available hardware resources.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Contenders

Analyze the architectural differences between the "Classic" and "Modern" approaches to world rendering.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Dynmap (The Top-Down Classic)">
    Dynmap uses a tile-based rendering system, creating a visual experience similar to "Google Maps." It renders your world in 2D (top-down) and 2.5D (isometric) perspectives.

    * **Pros:** Extremely reliable technical history; low browser impact for your users; compatible with older mobile devices and integrated GPUs.
    * **Cons:** Flat visual aesthetic; generates millions of minute files that can lead to high storage overhead.
    * **Ideal For:** Large-scale Survival, Faction, and Anarchy servers where informational clarity is prioritized over cinematic fidelity.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="BlueMap (The 3D Modernist)">
    BlueMap generates a full 3D, traversable digital twin of your world using modern WebGL technology.

    * **Pros:** Stunning high-fidelity visuals; allows users to zoom, rotate, and fly through buildings as if they were in Spectator mode.
    * **Cons:** Significantly higher CPU load during the initial world-render phase; requires a modern GPU on the user's local machine for smooth navigation.
    * **Ideal For:** Creative communities, RPG worlds, and specialized hub servers where the "WOW" factor is essential for community branding.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Performance Impact

Before deploying a web map, evaluate the resource footprint on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

| Resource Metric          | Dynmap                             | BlueMap                       |
| :----------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------- |
| **CPU Intensity**        | Moderate (Constant)                | High (Burst during render)    |
| **Disk Space**           | Very High (Millions of tiny files) | High (Optimized larger files) |
| **User Latency**         | **Low**                            | High (Requires WebGL)         |
| **Mobile Compatibility** | High                               | Moderate                      |

***

<Important>
  ### Infrastructure Port Allocation

  Both Dynmap and BlueMap operate their own internal web servers. On our high-performance clusters, the default ports (8123 for Dynmap, 8100 for BlueMap) are restricted to prevent conflicts. You **must** [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) specifically requesting a **Web Map Port** before your map will become accessible over the public internet.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Visuals decided.
</div>


# How to Set Up a Proxy (Velocity/Bungee) Network
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/setting-up-bungeecord-velocity-proxy-network

Link multiple Minecraft servers using Velocity or BungeeCord proxy to create a network with Hub, Survival, and Minigame environments for your community.

## Architecting a Professional Network

A Minecraft "Proxy" functions as a high-performance traffic router, serving as the primary entry point for your community. It enables players to connect to a single IP address and smoothly jump between different physical server instances (e.g., transitioning from a central Hub to a Survival world) without ever disconnecting from the network. While BungeeCord was the legacy standard, **Velocity** is the modern industry recommendation, providing vastly superior security protocols, improved resource efficiency, and advanced player synchronization. This guide walk you through the technical architecture required to launch your first network on FREAKHOSTING.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    15 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Overview

A functional network requires a minimum of three distinct FREAKHOSTING server IDs to maintain a professional logical separation.

1. **The Proxy (Velocity):** The "Front Door" of your network. It handles authentication and traffic routing (typically assigned to Port **25565**).
2. **The Hub (Paper):** The default landing zone where players materialize upon joining.
3. **The Game Server (Paper/Forge):** The destination world where the primary gameplay (Survival, Skyblock, etc.) occurs.

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to establish the secure handshake between your proxy and your backend servers.

### Step 1: Configuring the Velocity Gateway

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Registry">
    Open your Velocity server's `velocity.toml` file. Locate the `[servers]` section and define your backend instances.

    ```toml theme={null}
    [servers]
    hub = "1.2.3.4:25566"
    survival = "1.2.3.4:25567"
    try = ["hub"]
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Secret Key">
    Locate the `forwarding-secret` string generated within the same file. Copy this key precisely; it is the cryptographic "password" for your network.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Step 2: Hardening the Backend Servers (Paper)

On **every** backend server (Hub, Survival, etc.), you must authorize the proxy to manage player sessions.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Update Paper Configuration">
    Open the `config/paper-global.yml` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Velocity Support">
    Set `velocity.enabled` to **`true`** and paste your **Secret Key** from Step 1 into the `velocity.secret` field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify Authentication Protocol">
    **Important:** In `server.properties`, set `online-mode` to **`false`**. Velocity will handle the official Mojang authentication at the front door, ensuring your backend remains secure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Security Architecture

<Warning>
  ### Critical: Preventing Proxy Bypass

  Operating backend servers in "Offline Mode" is technically required for proxy functionality, but it introduces a major security vulnerability. If a malicious actor identifies your backend ports (e.g., `25566`), they can join them directly and assume any identity, including yours. using Velocity's **Modern Forwarding Secret** is mandatory; it ensures that your backend servers strictly reject any connection attempt that does not originate from your authorized proxy.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Minecraft:** Network architecture online.
</div>


# How to Customize Server Name and Branding in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/adding-colors-to-server-name

Customize your MORDHAU server name with rich text formatting and configure the Message of the Day to engage your medieval combat community effectively.

## First Impressions in the Armor Room

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In Mordhau's server browser, having a clear and professional name is the first step to attracting players. While Mordhau does not officially support colored text in the main browser list (Rich Text), you can use tactical naming and a high-quality Message of the Day (MOTD) to leave a lasting impression.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Setting the Server Name

1. Navigate to your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** tab.
2. Locate the **Server Name** field.
3. Use a clear format (e.g., `FREAKHOSTING | 1v1 Duel | 120 Tick | US East`).
4. Avoid using non-standard symbols that might cause your server to be filtered out by player search preferences.

***

## 2. The Graphical MOTD

Unlike the browser name, the **Message of the Day (MOTD)** supports external links and images. This appears when a player is in the loading screen.

1. Open `Game.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Search for the `[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameMode]` section.
3. Edit the following variable:
   * `MotdURL=http://your-image-link.com/banner.png`
4. Set a relevant `WebsiteURL=` to link your Discord or community site.

***

<Tip>
  ### Image Hosting

  For the MOTD banner, we recommend using a direct link to an image hosted on Imgur or your own web server. Ensure the link ends in `.png` or `.jpg` for the game engine to render it correctly.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Branding active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Advanced Admin Commands in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/advanced-admin-management

Master the admin console in MORDHAU to manage staff permissions, execute server commands, moderate players, and maintain order on your dedicated server.

## Enforcement on the Frontline

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Effective moderation is key to maintaining a healthy Mordhau community, especially on Duel or Roleplay servers. As an administrator, you have access to a suite of in-game commands to manage players, switch maps, and moderate behavior directly through the console.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Authenticating as Admin

Before you can use commands, you must log in:

1. Open the in-game console (default key: `~` or `End`).
2. Type: `adminlogin YOUR_PASSWORD`
3. If successful, you will now have access to administrative rights for the session.

***

## 2. Essential Admin Commands

| Command                | Action                                                      |
| :--------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **playerlist**         | Displays all active players and their unique PlayFab IDs.   |
| **kick \[ID/Name]**    | Removes a player from the current session.                  |
| **ban \[ID/Name]**     | Permanently restricts a player's access.                    |
| **changelevel \[Map]** | Instantly switches the server to a new map.                 |
| **parrythis**          | A fun admin-only command to instantly kill a target player. |

***

## 3. Persistent Admin List (Admins.txt)

To avoid logging in every time, you can whitelist your SteamID:

1. Navigate to `/Mordhau/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
2. Open `Admins.txt`.
3. Add your **PlayFab ID** (retrieved from `playerlist`) on a new line.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Admin logic defined.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Map Rotation and Vote Lists in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/configuring-map-rotation

Create a balanced map rotation and define vote options between matches on your MORDHAU server for diverse Frontline, Invasion, and Deathmatch gameplay.

## Designing the Battlefield

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mordhau allows for a highly customized map rotation where you can mix and match different gamemodes (Frontline, Invasion, FFA, Skirmish) into a single cycle. Defining a varied rotation prevents player burnout and keeps your server populated across different times of the day.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. The Map Rotation List

1. Open `Game.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Locate the `[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameMode]` section.
3. Add your maps using the `MapRotation` variable:

```ini theme={null}
[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameMode]
MapRotation=FFA_ThePit
MapRotation=INV_Camp_0
MapRotation=FL_MountainPeak
MapRotation=SKM_Contraband
```

***

## 2. Gamemode Prefixes

Each map must start with the correct prefix for the gamemode you wish to play:

* **INV\_:** Invasion (Objective based)
* **FL\_:** Frontline (Capture points)
* **FFA\_:** Deathmatch (Every man for himself)
* **SKM\_:** Skirmish (Last team standing)

***

<Important>
  ### The "Vote" Rule

  By default, Mordhau will display a voting screen at the end of every match. The maps appearing in the vote screen are pulled directly from your `MapRotation` list. To force a linear rotation without voting, set `bDisableMapVote=True` in your `Game.ini`.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Rotation established.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Optimize Tickrate and Slot Limits in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/configuring-tickrate-and-max-players

Optimize your MORDHAU server by adjusting network tickrate and player slot limits to balance smooth melee combat with stable server frame rates.

## Network Performance Engineering

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mordhau is a combat-intensive game where every millisecond of latency counts. The "Tickrate" determines how many times per second the server calculates physics and weapon swings. While a higher tickrate results in smoother duels, it drastically increases the CPU load as the player count grows.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Adjusting the Tickrate

To increase the "smoothness" of combat (especially for Duel servers):

1. Navigate to `/Mordhau/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
2. Open `Engine.ini`.
3. Add or modify the following block:
   ```ini theme={null}
   [/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
   NetServerMaxTickRate=60
   ```

* **30 Tick:** Recommended for 64-player Invasion (Stable/Standard).
* **60 Tick:** Recommended for 32-player Frontline (Smooth).
* **120 Tick:** Recommended for 1v1 Duel servers (Ultimate precision).

***

## 2. Max Players (Slots)

The slot limit is primarily defined in your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** settings.

* Ensure your `Game.ini` variable `MaxSlots=` matches your plan's allocation.
* **Extreme Tip:** Beyond 64 players, the engine can become unstable. We recommend staying at 64 or lower for public regional servers.

***

<Caution>
  ### CPU Saturation

  Increasing a 64-player server to 120 Tick will likely cause massive server-side lag ("Stuttering") as the CPU cannot keep up with the calculations. Always balance your Tickrate against your active player count.
</Caution>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Performance tuned.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Custom Workshop Maps in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/installing-custom-maps

Install custom maps on your MORDHAU server using the Mod.io integration to add community-created arenas, siege maps, and large-scale battlegrounds.

## Beyond official Frontiers

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mordhau uses **Mod.io** for its community content rather than the standard Steam Workshop. This allows for cross-platform mod support and more granular control over mod updates. To install a custom map, you must subscribe to it via the server config and use its internal name to load it.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Subscribing to Mods (Game.ini)

1. Find the map you want on [Mordhau Mod.io](https://mordhau.mod.io).
2. Note the **Resource ID** (a series of numbers).
3. Open `Game.ini` and locate the `[Modivol.Modivol]` section (or create it):
   ```ini theme={null}
   [Modivol.Modivol]
   Mods=123456
   Mods=789012
   ```

***

## 2. Launching the Map

Adding the ID tells the server to download the files, but it does not tell the server to *start* the map.

1. To change to the custom map in-game, use: `changelevel U_InternalMapName`
2. **Finding the Name:** The internal name is often different from the Mod.io title (e.g., `U_HelmsDeep` for "Lord of the Rings - Helm's Deep"). You can find this name in the mod's description or by checking the server log on boot.

***

<Important>
  ### The "U\_" Prefix

  Most custom maps in Mordhau require the `U_` (Unreal) prefix before the map name when using the `changelevel` command. Without it, the server will default to a vanilla map or fail to load.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Mod.io synced.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install Mods via Mod.io in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/installing-mods-modio

Enable the Mod.io integration on your MORDHAU dedicated server to automatically download, update, and manage community mods and custom content packs.

## Community Mod Integration

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Unlike Many Steam-based games, Mordhau uses **Mod.io** for its community content. This system allows for streamlined mod management and automatic downloads for connecting players. To use mods, you must link your Mod.io account to the server and specify which Resource IDs to load.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   6 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Retrieving Your Auth Token

To allow your server to communicate with the Mod.io API:

1. Log in to [Mod.io](https://mordhau.mod.io).
2. Go to **Account Settings** -> **API Access**.
3. Generate an **OAuth Access Token**.
4. Save this token; you will need to enter it into your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** parameters.

***

## 2. Configuration (Game.ini)

Once you have your token, you must tell the server which mods to download by their **Resource ID**:

1. Open `Game.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Locate (or create) the `[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameSession]` section.
3. Add your mod IDs:
   ```ini theme={null}
   [/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameSession]
   Mods=12345
   Mods=67890
   ```

***

<Important>
  ### The Startup Flag

  For the Mod.io integration to function, ensure the `-ModDownload` flag is active in your Startup tab. FREAKHOSTING servers usually enable this by default, but it is the primary reason mods fail to initialize on boot.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Mod.io active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage the Admin Whitelist in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/managing-admins

Authorize staff as server administrators on your MORDHAU server by editing the Admins.txt file with their correct PlayFab or Steam identifiers.

## Staff Authorization

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> While the `adminlogin` command is useful for temporary sessions, a professional server requires a persistent admin list. By whitelisting your PlayFab ID, you and your staff will automatically gain administrative powers every time you connect, without needing to remember a password.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Retrieving Member IDs

Mordhau uses **PlayFab IDs** (not SteamID64) for internal server administration.

1. Connect to your server.
2. Open the console (`~`) and type `playerlist`.
3. Locate the player you want to authorize and copy their long ID string.

***

## 2. Editing the Whitelist

1. Navigate to `/Mordhau/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
2. Open (or create) `Admins.txt`.
3. Paste the PlayFab IDs, one per line:
   ```txt theme={null}
   76561198000000001
   76561198000000002
   ```
4. Save the file and **Restart** the server.

***

<Tip>
  ### Toggle Admin

  Once whitelisted, you may still need to activate your administrative powers in-game to access the management menus. Use the console command `toggleadmin` to enable your staff status after joining.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Admin whitelist established.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Master Map Rotations and Gamemodes in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/mordhau-configuring-map-rotation-and-gamemodes

Mix MORDHAU game modes like Invasion, Frontline, Horde, and Deathmatch into a single rotation to keep your server fresh and player interest high.

## Advanced Conflict Orchestration

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mordhau's flexibility allows you to host a server that switches between high-intensity **Invasion** matches and relaxing **Horde** defense rounds automatically. Because the configuration is sensitive to formatting, this guide outlines the exact syntax required to ensure your rotation never skips a beat.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   8 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Syntax and Prefixes

Map strings in `Game.ini` must be prefixed with their respective gamemode. Using an incorrect prefix (e.g., using `FL_` on a map that only supports `FFA`) will cause the match to fail to load.

| Prefix    | Gamemode   | Map Example      |
| :-------- | :--------- | :--------------- |
| **FL\_**  | Frontline  | `FL_Camp`        |
| **INV\_** | Invasion   | `INV_Grad_0`     |
| **SKM\_** | Skirmish   | `SKM_Contraband` |
| **HRD\_** | Horde      | `HRD_Castello`   |
| **FFA\_** | Deathmatch | `FFA_ThePit`     |

***

## 2. Configuring Game.ini

1. Navigate to: `/Mordhau/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Game.ini`
2. Add the rotation block under the `[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameMode]` section:

```ini theme={null}
[/Script/Mordhau.MordhauGameMode]
MapRotation=FL_MountainPeak
MapRotation=INV_Grad_0
MapRotation=SKM_ThePit
MapRotation=HRD_Camp
```

***

<Important>
  ### Case Sensitivity

  Ensure your map names match the official internal strings (e.g., `MountainPeak` instead of `mountain_peak`). If specified incorrectly, the server will default to **The Pit** in FFA mode as a failsafe, which usually indicates a syntax error in your config.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Rotation logic mastered.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Physics and Arrow Camera in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/tweak-physics-and-arrow-cam

Configure ragdoll physics density and enable cinematic arrow-tracking camera on your MORDHAU server for better performance and enhanced archery combat.

## Visual Fidelity and Mechanics

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Beyond standard rules, Mordhau offers granular settings for visual physics and camera behavior. You can enable the "Arrow Camera" to follow projectiles in flight and adjust how many ragdolls are active simultaneously to balance server performance with the "gory" aesthetic of a medieval battlefield.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. The Arrow Camera

The arrow camera provides a cinematic view for bowmen and ballista users.

* **Activation:** In `Game.ini`, find `bEnableArrowCamera=` and set it to `true`.
* **Effect:** Players can hold the action key after firing to follow their projectile to the target.

***

## 2. Ragdoll Optimization

High-population servers (64+ players) can struggle with "Ragdoll Lag" when many players die in a small area.

* **Config:** In `Engine.ini`, locate `RagdollStayTime`.
* **Recommendation:** Keep this value between **30-60 seconds**. Setting it too high will cause bodies to pile up, consuming significant CPU cycles for physics calculations.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Physics optimized.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Unban Players in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/unbanning-players

Remove player bans on your MORDHAU server by editing the ban list file. Learn how to locate, identify, and delete specific ban entries for players.

## Reversing Restrictions

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Mistaken bans happen. Mordhau stores its ban data in a flat text file, allowing you to easily view, edit, or remove entries without needing to be in-game. This is the most reliable way to handle appeals or correct accidental bans.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Locating the Ban List

1. Navigate to `/Mordhau/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
2. Locate the file named `BanList.txt`.
3. Open the file to see the list of restricted PlayFab IDs and their associated reasons.

***

## 2. Removing a Ban

The format for an entry is typically `PlayFabID:Reason`.

1. To unban a player, simply delete their entire line of data from the file.
2. Save the changes.
3. **Important:** You must **Restart** the server or use the in-game command `unban [PlayFabID]` while logged in as an admin for the change to take effect immediately.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** Ban list cleared.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up RCON in MORDHAU
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/mordhau/using-rcon-for-mordhau

Enable and configure RCON on your MORDHAU server to manage gameplay, moderate players, and execute commands remotely through external admin tools.

## Remote Command Control

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **RCON** (Remote Console) allows you to send commands to your server without being connected as a player. This is essential for community managers who need to monitor chat, perform bans, or switch maps while away from their PC using mobile tools or dedicated staff dashboards.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## 1. Enabling RCON (Game.ini)

RCON must be explicitly activated in your server configuration:

1. Open `Game.ini` via the File Manager.
2. Locate the `[Server.Settings]` section.
3. Configure the following:
   ```ini theme={null}
   [Server.Settings]
   RconEnabled=1
   RconPassword=YourSecurePassword
   RconPort=7778
   ```
4. **Note:** Your `RconPort` should typically be **Game Port + 1** or a port specifically allocated to you in the **Network** tab.

***

## 2. Connecting a Client

Mordhau uses the standard **Source RCON** protocol.

* **Tools:** Use generic applications like *mRCON* (Windows) or *RCON Client* (Android/iOS).
* **Setup:** Enter your Server IP, RconPort, and Password to establish a connection.

***

<Important>
  ### Security Best Practice

  Never use your administrative in-game password as your RCON password. RCON is a powerful tool; if your password is leaked, anyone can wipe your ban list or shut down your server instantly.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Mordhau:** RCON live.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure ACL.xml in MTA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/configuring-acl-xml

Configure ACL.xml on your MTA:SA server to assign admin, moderator, and user permission groups that control who can execute specific server commands.

## Introduction

The ACL controls who is Admin, SuperModerator, or User.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## File

`/mods/deathmatch/acl.xml`.

## Adding Admin

1. Find group "Admin".
2. Add object:
   `<object name="user.YourUsername" />`
3. *Note:* You must register in-game with `/register YourUsername YourPass` first.

## Conclusion

The ACL is powerful. You can restrict specific functions (`command.ban`) to specific groups.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure FPS Limit in MTA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/configuring-fps-limit

Increase the default 36 FPS cap on your MTA:SA server to 60 or 100 FPS for smoother gameplay, better vehicle handling, and modern client performance.

## Introduction

Default is 36 FPS (GTA SA legacy). You want 60 or 100.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`mtaserver.conf`.
`<fpslimit>60</fpslimit>`.

* *Warning:* Going above 60 can cause physics glitches (swimming, diving issues) in GTA SA engine. 60 is the safe limit. 100 is for racing only.

## Conclusion

Smooth fluidity.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Install MySQL Modules in MTA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/installing-modules-mysql

Install the MySQL module on your MTA:SA server to enable persistent data storage for player accounts, vehicle garages, factions, and custom gamemodes.

## Introduction

For database connectivity, you often need the `mta_mysql.dll` module.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Install

1. `/modules/` folder.
2. `mtaserver.conf`:
   `<module src="mta_mysql.dll" />`

## Conclusion

Linux uses `.so`, Windows uses `.dll`. Ensure you have the right one.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Install Resources on MTA:SA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/multi-theft-auto-installing-resources-on-mtasa

Install and manage resources on your MTA:SA server including gamemodes, maps, and scripts. Learn folder structure, meta.xml setup, and start commands.

## Introduction

MTA:SA uses a resource system (similar to FiveM but older). Resources are `.zip` files or folders containing `meta.xml`.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step-by-Step Guide

### Step 1: Uploading

1. Navigate to `/mods/deathmatch/resources/`.
2. Upload your resource folder (e.g., `race-system`).

### Step 2: Starting

1. You can auto-start it in `mtaserver.conf`.
   * Scroll to bottom.
   * Add `<resource src="race-system" startup="1" protected="0" />`.
2. Or use the console: `start race-system`.

## Admin Panel (P)

Press `P` to open the admin panel. Log in with `login user pass`.

## Conclusion

MTA is extremely stable. Once a resource is installed, it rarely breaks.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set a Server Password in MTA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/setting-a-server-password

Set a join password on your MTA:SA server to restrict access to authorized players only and keep your private roleplay or freeroam sessions secure.

## Introduction

Lock it down.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`mtaserver.conf`.
`<password>YourPassword</password>` (Inside the `<server>` block).

## Conclusion

Remove the line to make it public.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set the Default Gamemode in MTA
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/multi-theft-auto/setting-the-default-gamemode

Set the default gamemode on your MTA:SA server to auto-launch race, roleplay, freeroam, or custom modes when the server starts without manual setup.

## Introduction

MTA is a sandbox. You need a gamemode.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config (`mtaserver.conf`)

Scroll to bottom.
`<resource src="play" startup="1" protected="0" />`
Change "play" to "race" or "drift".

## Conclusion

Ensure the resource exists in `/resources/`.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Use Admin Commands in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/admin-commands-list-for-palworld

Master the administrative control of your Palworld server. Learn how to authenticate as an admin, manage player sessions, and execute world-level commands.

## Managing Your Palworld Server

Administrative authority in Palworld is managed through a global password authentication system. Unlike games that use persistent whitelists or "OP" status linked to a specific account, any player who possesses your server's administrative password can execute technical commands to manage the world environment. This system provides high flexibility for staff teams but requires diligent password security to prevent unauthorized exploitation of your server resources.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Authentication Workflow

Before you can execute administrative logic, you must authorize your current session within the in-game interface.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Establish Connection">
    Join your Palworld server through the multiplayer menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Command Overlay">
    Press **Enter** to initialize the in-game chat interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Authorization">
    Input the following command precisely:

    ```bash theme={null}
    /AdminPassword <Your_Secret_Password>
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Metadata">
    Upon a successful handshake, the system log will broadcast: **`Admin Password Matches`**. You are now authorized to manage the instance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Administrator Registry

Once authenticated, you can use the following command set to govern your server.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server Infrastructure">
    * **`/Save`**: Forces an immediate write of the world state to the persistent database.
    * **`/Broadcast {Message}`**: Transmits a high-visibility global announcement to every active participant.
    * **`/Shutdown {Seconds} {Message}`**: Schedules a graceful power-off sequence with a countdown timer.
    * **`/DoExit`**: Forcefully terminates the server process (use only if standard shutdown fails).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Player & Faction Moderation">
    Moderation commands require the target's **SteamID64** or **PlayerUID**, which can be retrieved via the `/ShowPlayers` utility.

    * **`/ShowPlayers`**: Generates a real-time list of all connected drivers and their unique identifiers.
    * **`/KickPlayer {SteamID}`**: Tactically removes a player from the current session.
    * **`/BanPlayer {SteamID}`**: Permanently restricts a player's access to the server.
    * **`/TeleportToPlayer {SteamID}`**: Relocates your avatar to the target's exact coordinates.
    * **`/TeleportToMe {SteamID}`**: Summons the target player directly to your location.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Remote Management (RCON)

  Palworld's in-game chat interface has a limited character buffer, which can occasionally truncate long SteamIDs or complex messages. For enterprise-level moderation and easier data handling, we highly recommend using a dedicated **RCON Utility**. This allows you to manage your community from outside the game client with superior clipboard support and logging capabilities.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Administrator access active.
</div>


# How to Configure Death Penalties in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/configuring-death-penalties-keep-inventory

Customize your server's difficulty curve. Learn how to enable 'Keep Inventory' or implement hardcore item and Pal drops upon death.

## Calibrating the Survival Challenge

In the default Palworld environment, the death of a survivor is a highly punishing event, requiring the player to drop their entire inventory, active equipment, and currently deployed Pals at the site of their demise. To cater to different community playstyles - ranging from casual exploration to hardcore survival - you can modify the `DeathPenalty` variable. This technical adjustment allows you to implement a "Keep Inventory" experience or fine-tune exactly which assets are lost upon failure.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to modify the death penalty logic on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Registry">
    Browse to the following path: `/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Variable">
    Find the `DeathPenalty=` parameter within the settings string. Replace the existing value with one of the technical modes identified in the table below.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the console. The engine must re-initialize to apply the updated gameplay logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Available Penalty Modes

You must input the following values exactly as written (case-sensitive) to ensure the engine parses the logic correctly.

| Technical Value        | Functional Result                                                                              | Recommended Use Case                 |
| :--------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------- |
| **`None`**             | **Absolute Retention:** You respawn with your full inventory, active equipment, and all Pals.  | Casual, creative, or social servers. |
| **`Item`**             | **Material Loss:** You drop raw resources (wood, stone, etc.) but retain weapons and armor.    | Standard survival balance.           |
| **`ItemAndEquipment`** | **Full Gear Loss:** You lose all items and equipment, but your Pals remain in your possession. | Competitive PVP environments.        |
| **`All`**              | **Hardcore Reset:** You drop your entire inventory, all gear, and all currently equipped Pals. | High-stakes hardcore communities.    |

***

<Note>
  ### Verification of Persistence

  When a player drops items upon death, the server generates a "Death Chest" or sphere containing the assets. This object is subject to the server's global entity cleanup timers. If your server uses high-frequency cleanup logic, encourage players to retrieve their items promptly to avoid permanent data loss.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Difficulty tuned.
</div>


# How to Configure RCON & Admin Tools in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/configuring-rcon-and-admin-tools-for-palworld

Master remote server management. Learn how to enable RCON support and use external administrative tools to monitor your Palworld community.

## Professional Remote Management

Remote Console (RCON) is a important communication protocol that enables you to execute administrative commands, broadcast global announcements, and manage player sessions without requiring an active in-game client session. This is essential for community owners who wish to automate maintenance tasks, monitor server health during peak hours, or moderate their community while away from their primary workstation. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides a secure and high-speed network path for all RCON communications.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization

Follow these steps to authorize and configure the RCON engine within your server files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Files** tab, and open:
    `/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable the RCON Engine">
    Locate the `RCONEnabled=` parameter and ensure it is set to **`true`**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Communication Port">
    Verify the `RCONPort=` variable.
    **Important:** On our high-performance clusters, you must use the specific port allocated to you in the **Network** tab of your dashboard (the standard default is often `25575`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Administrative Password">
    Ensure a strong string is defined within the `AdminPassword=` field. RCON uses this identical password for authentication.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Recommended Administrative Suites

Because the raw terminal can be limited, many professional administrators prefer using third-party graphical interfaces for more efficient community management.

* **ARRCON:** A lightweight, cross-platform terminal optimized for rapid command execution and clean log parsing.
* **Palworld RCON Tool:** A feature-rich graphical dashboard that provides visual player lists, allowing for one-click kicks, bans, and teleports.

***

## Establishing a Secure Connection

Once your server is correctly configured and restarted, follow this workflow to link your external tool.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Client">
    Launch your chosen RCON application on your local PC.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Server Metadata">
    * **Hostname:** Enter your numerical FREAKHOSTING IP address.
    * **Port:** Input the RCON-specific port defined in your settings.
    * **Password:** Enter your master **Admin Password**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate & Execute">
    Click **Connect**. You can now execute commands such as `/ShowPlayers` or `/Broadcast` directly through the external interface.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Warning>
  ### Security Integrity Notice

  Enabling RCON with a vulnerable or easily guessable password grants unauthorized individuals absolute control over your server instance, including the ability to purge world data. We strongly recommend using a high-entropy alphanumeric string for your `AdminPassword` to maintain the integrity of your community.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Remote management active.
</div>


# How to Fix Corrupted Saves in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/fixing-corrupted-saves

Recover your world data from infinite loading screens or character reset loops. Learn how to use Palworld's internal backup system for data restoration.

## Managing Save Data Integrity

During the current development phase of Palworld, technical crashes or incomplete database writes can occasionally lead to corrupted `Level.sav` files. This typically manifests as an "Infinite Loading Screen" when joining or a logic loop where players are incorrectly prompted to initiate "Character Creation" despite having existing progress. Fortunately, the Palworld engine maintains an autonomous internal backup registry situated within your server's directory structure. using these snapshots is the most effective strategy for reverting your world to a stable state.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: Internal World Restoration (Recommended)

Follow these steps to revert your global world progress to a previous timestamped snapshot.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Never attempt to manipulate database files while the engine is actively performing I/O operations.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Backups">
    Open the **File Manager** and browse to the following directory:
    `/Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/<Your_World_ID>/backup/world/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a Stable Snapshot">
    Locate the folder corresponding to a timestamp immediately prior to the corruption incident.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Replacement">
    Copy the `Level.sav` and any associated metadata files from the backup folder. Paste them into the parent directory: `/Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0/<Your_World_ID>/`, choosing to **Overwrite** the existing files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Recovery">
    **Start** your server. Verify that the world initializes correctly and that the map geometry is intact.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: Resolving Character Initialization Loops

If the world loads successfully but specific players are being forced to reset their characters, the corruption is likely localized to their individual profile data.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Identify Player GUID">
    Retrieve the 32-character **GUID** of the affected player from the server console or the `/Players/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Local Backups">
    Navigate to the `backup/local/` directory situated within your save folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sync Individual Data">
    Find the specific player's backup file and move it into the primary `/Players/` folder, replacing the non-functional version.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Prevention & Graceful Shutdowns

  The primary catalyst for Palworld save corruption is an "ungraceful" shutdown where the server process is killed while still writing data. To safeguard your community's progress, always execute the **`/Save`** command in-game or via RCON before using the **Stop** button in your management dashboard.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Data recovered.
</div>


# How to Fix the Password UI Bug in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/fixing-the-no-password-prompt-connection-bug

Fix the connection failed error in Palworld when joining a password-protected server directly. Learn the workaround for the missing password prompt bug.

## Overcoming the "Direct Connect" Interface Bug

A prevalent technical issue within the Palworld client involves the "Direct Connect" feature found at the base of the server browser. Many players encounter a scenario where joining via IP on a password-protected server results in an immediate "Connection Failed" or "No Password Entered" notification, without the game ever presenting the required authentication prompt. This is a recognized client-side UI bug that can be bypassed using specific manual procedures.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Primary Solution: Manual Checkbox Override

When using the **Direct Connect** interface, you must explicitly instruct the client to expect an authentication challenge.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Input Server Address">
    Type your numerical FREAKHOSTING IP address and port (e.g., `191.96.94.100:8211`) into the connection box.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Password Input">
    **important:** Locate the checkbox labeled **"Enter Password"** situated immediately adjacent to the connection string. You **MUST** manually check this box before proceeding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Handshake">
    Click the **Connect** button. The secondary password entry popup will now correctly manifest, allowing you to input your server's security key.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Alternative: The "Lobby Priming" Workaround

If the manual checkbox fails to trigger the prompt for specific users, follow this workflow to "prime" the game's UI logic.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select a Community Server">
    Navigate to the **Community Servers** tab and click on any random server that features a lock icon (indicating it is password protected).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trigger & Cancel">
    Wait for the password prompt to appear for the random server, then click **Cancel**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to Direct Connect">
    Immediately return to the **Direct Connect** field and attempt to join your specific server again. The engine's UI state is now "primed," and it will correctly present the password box for your instance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Connection issues resolved.
</div>


# How to Configure World Settings & XP Multipliers in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/how-to-configure-palworld-world-settings-xp-capture-rate

Engineer your ideal survival experience. Learn how to adjust multipliers for XP gain, Pal capture probability, and item drop rates on your Palworld server.

## Engineering the Palworld Experience

Palworld offers complete control over your survival journey, allowing you to transform a high-stakes, hardcore grind into a fast-paced creative adventure. These settings are managed through a series of numeric multipliers situated within your server's primary configuration registry. By precisely calibrating variables like XP gain, Pal capture probability, and resource yield, you can tailor the gameplay loop to perfectly align with your community's preferences.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to modify the fundamental logic of your world.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Edits performed while the engine is active will be overwritten by the server's cache upon shutdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Settings Registry">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open:
    `/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adhere to Syntax Constraints">
    **Critical:** The Palworld engine requires all settings to exist on a **single continuous line** within the `OptionSettings=(...)` block. Do not introduce line breaks or spaces between the parameters, as this will cause the configuration to fail.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit and Restart">
    Save your modifications and **Restart** the server to initialize the new gameplay logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Gameplay Multipliers

Adjust these primary variables to recalibrate the balance of your world.

| Technical Variable           | Default |   Logic  | Strategic Result                                                                           |
| :--------------------------- | :-----: | :------: | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`ExpRate`**                |  `1.0`  | Increase | Accelerates character and Pal leveling (e.g., `2.0` = 2x XP).                              |
| **`PalCaptureRate`**         |  `1.0`  | Increase | Improves the mathematical probability of successful captures.                              |
| **`CollectionDropRate`**     |  `1.0`  | Increase | Scales the materials gathered from nodes like Wood and Stone.                              |
| **`CollectionObjectHpRate`** |  `1.0`  | Decrease | Reduces node health, making resource harvesting significantly faster.                      |
| **`Difficulty`**             |  `None` | Constant | **Maintain as `None`** to ensure your custom numeric values are not overridden by presets. |

***

<Note>
  ### Resolving Blank Configuration Files

  If your `PalWorldSettings.ini` initializes as a completely blank file, you must manually populate it with the engine's default template. You can retrieve this block from the `DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini` file situated in your server's root directory. Copy the entire contents into your live configuration before applying your specific overrides.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Gameplay experience tuned.
</div>


# How to Install UE4SS Modding Framework in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/how-to-install-ue4ss-modding-framework

Enable advanced server-side scripting. Learn how to install and configure the Unreal Engine 4 Scripting System (UE4SS) for your Palworld dedicated server.

## Unlocking Advanced Server-Side Modding

The **Unreal Engine 4 Scripting System (UE4SS)** is the fundamental technical framework required for executing sophisticated server-side scripts in Palworld. By injecting logic directly into the game engine, UE4SS enables the use of Lua and C++ modifications that can implement custom anti-cheat measures, increase player slot limits beyond native constraints, and introduce complex new mechanics to your community. This guide walk you through the professional installation and configuration of the UE4SS framework on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Installation Workflow

UE4SS must be situated within the server's binary core to function correctly.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Download the primary distribution (typically `UE4SS_v3.x.x.zip`) from the [official UE4SS technical repository](https://github.com/UE4SS-RE/RE-UE4SS/releases).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Binaries">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, browse to the following directory:
    `/Pal/Binaries/Win64/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Framework Files">
    Upload and extract the ZIP contents into this directory. Upon completion, you should observe `dwmapi.dll`, `UE4SS.dll`, and a specialized `Mods/` folder within the Win64 path.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Headless Mode">
    Open the `UE4SS-settings.ini` file. Locate the `GuiConsoleVisible` parameter and ensure it is set to **`0`**.

    <Warning>
      If `GuiConsoleVisible` remains set to `1`, the server will attempt to initialize a visual window on the host node, resulting in an immediate process crash.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Activating Custom Modifications

Once the framework is initialized, follow this procedure to enable individual community-made scripts.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Deploy Mod Assets">
    Upload your specific mod folder into the `/Pal/Binaries/Win64/Mods/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Registry">
    Open the `mods.txt` file situated within the same folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Execution">
    Input the exact name of your mod folder followed by a binary toggle: `ModFolderName : 1`.

    * *Example:* `PalGuard : 1`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Version Synchronization & Patching

  Palworld uses an aggressive development cycle. Official game updates frequently break the technical hooks used by UE4SS. If your server fails to initialize following a game patch, rename `dwmapi.dll` to `dwmapi.dll.old` to disable the framework. This allows you to maintain server uptime while awaiting an updated release from the UE4SS development team.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Modding framework online.
</div>


# How to Increase Player & Guild Limits in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/increasing-the-32-player-limit-guild-limit

Scale your Palworld community beyond the native constraints. Learn how to implement slot injection and manage guild membership and worker capacities.

## Scaling Your Survival Community

The native Palworld dedicated server binaries are architected with a hard cap of **32 simultaneous players**. While this limitation is appropriate for private groups and small cooperatives, larger communities and gaming networks frequently require increased capacity to foster a vibrant economy and active world. Pushing beyond this barrier involves using specialized technical frameworks and balancing entity density to maintain server performance. This guide ensures you can scale your community effectively while safeguarding your server's technical integrity.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Pushing the 32-Player Barrier

Because the slot limit is hard-coded into the core engine logic, traditional configuration variables cannot increase it. You must implement a technical "Slot Injector" to override the engine's internal checks.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Framework">
    Ensure your server has the [UE4SS Modding Framework](/games/palworld/how-to-install-ue4ss-modding-framework) correctly installed and verified.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Injection Logic">
    Install a compatible slot injection modification, such as the specialized module within **PalGuard**, into your server's `Mods/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate the Registry">
    Modify the modification's configuration file to your target slot count (e.g., `64` or `128`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    **Restart** your server. The global browser will now broadcast your updated capacity to the masterlist.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Capacity Variables

While player slots require injection, guild rosters and base worker limits can be managed directly through your `PalWorldSettings.ini` registry.

| Technical Variable         | Default | Optimized | Strategic Purpose                                                                   |
| :------------------------- | :-----: | :-------: | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`GuildPlayerMaxNum`**    |   `20`  |    `50`   | Increases the maximum number of players allowed to join a single guild entity.      |
| **`BaseCampWorkerMaxNum`** |   `15`  |    `20`   | Scales the total volume of Pals active in a base. Use caution when increasing this. |

***

<Warning>
  ### Infrastructure Resource Constraints

  Every active player and base worker introduces significant CPU demand for pathfinding and logic execution.

  * **The Risk:** Setting `BaseCampWorkerMaxNum` to 50 on a 32-player server results in **1,600 simultaneous AI threads**. This will trigger severe server-side lag and frequent kernel-level crashes.
  * **The Fix:** We recommend maintaining worker limits at or near the default value when scaling player counts to preserve the server's **Tick Rate**.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Capacity redefined.
</div>


# How to Manage Abandoned Bases & Structure Decay in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/managing-abandoned-bases-auto-decay

Maintain a clean and high-performance server environment. Learn how to configure automated guild wipes and structure deterioration for inactive players.

## Maintaining an Optimized World

In a thriving survival environment, the accumulation of abandoned structures from inactive players can rapidly degrade server performance. Half-finished bases and vacant wooden shacks bloat the world database, consume valuable CPU cycles for physics calculations, and prevent new community members from claiming prime territory. Implementing an automated decay and wipe policy is essential for maintaining high Ticks Per Second (TPS) and ensuring your map remains fresh and traversable. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides full control over these variables within your configuration registry.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Global Inactivity Policies

These settings are managed within your `PalWorldSettings.ini` file. Adjusting these parameters allows you to automate the removal of inactive community entities.

### 1. Automated Guild Wipes (Hard Reset)

The guild wipe system programmatically deletes an entire guild's assets, including Pals, storage, and bases, if no members log in for a specified duration.

* **`AutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=true`**: Activates the automated inactivity monitor.
* **`AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.0`**: Defines the threshold in hours. A value of `72` equates to **3 real-world days** of total inactivity before the guild is purged from the database.

### 2. Structural Deterioration (Soft Decay)

This variable governs the mechanical damage applied to structures built outside the protective radius of an active Palbox.

* **`BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.0`**: Controls the speed of environmental decay.
* **Strategic Recommendation:** Set this to **`0.0`** if your community values creative freedom and wishes to build decorative outposts across the map without them taking automated damage.

***

## Community Strategy Recommendations

The optimal decay policy depends on your community's core objective and server ruleset.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Casual PvE & RPG">
    For social communities where players may take vacations, we recommend disabling `AutoResetGuild` or setting the timer to **`336.0`** (14 days). This provides a significant safety window for your survivors while still protecting the server from multi-month abandonment.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Competitive PvP & Hardcore">
    In high-stakes environments, territory is a valuable resource. using a **48 to 72 hour** timer ensures that strategic land remains contested and prevents the map from becoming a graveyard of inactive strongholds.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** World maintenance active.
</div>


# How to Manage Saves & Backups in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/managing-save-files-and-backups-in-palworld

Manage Palworld save data by understanding the file architecture, optimizing save intervals, recovering player profiles, and implementing backup strategies.

## Data Sovereignty in the Palpagos Islands

Palworld uses a modular data architecture that separates the global **World State** (`Level.sav`) from individual **Player Data** (located within the `Players/*.sav` subdirectory). While this structure facilitates granular recovery, it is highly sensitive to incomplete I/O operations caused by ungraceful server shutdowns. Maintaining a strong backup strategy and optimizing how the engine writes to persistent storage is essential for safeguarding your community's progress. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides multiple layers of protection to ensure your world data remains integral.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Optimizing the World Save Lifecycle

The frequency of automated disk writes can significantly impact server performance, particularly as your world database expands in complexity.

* **Technical Variable:** `AutoSaveSpan=30.0`
* **Tuning Strategy:** The engine default of 30 seconds can trigger "Micro-Freezes" on high-population servers. For a smoother experience, we recommend increasing this value to **`300.0`** (5 minutes). This reduces the frequency of heavy disk operations while still maintaining a reasonable recovery window in the event of a crash.

***

## Data Recovery Workflows

Palworld generates internal snapshots that serve as your first line of defense against data corruption.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Global World Corruption">
    use this method if your server encounters an "Infinite Loading Screen" or fails to initialize map geometry.

    1. **Stop** your server.
    2. Navigate to the `/backup/world/` directory within your save folder.
    3. Identify a stable timestamp and copy the `Level.sav` and `LevelMeta.sav` files.
    4. Paste these into the primary save directory, choosing to **Overwrite** the non-functional versions.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Individual Profile Recovery">
    Use this if a specific player is incorrectly prompted to initiate "Character Creation" despite having existing progress.

    1. Identify the player's unique **GUID** from the server console.
    2. Locate the corresponding backup `.sav` within the `/backup/local/` directory.
    3. Migrate this file to the primary `/Players/` folder, ensuring the filename precisely matches the player's GUID.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Redundancy & Off-Site Protection

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy">
    While internal game snapshots are convenient, they reside on the same logical disk as your live data. We strongly recommend using the **[Backups](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups)** tab in your Game Panel to generate separate, compressed archives of your entire `/Pal/Saved/` directory.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Manual SFTP Archiving">
    For the ultimate degree of data sovereignty, download a full copy of your save directory once per week via an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp). This ensures your community can be restored even in the event of a catastrophic global engine failure or developmental bug.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Data protection configured.
</div>


# How to Optimize Breeding Speed in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/optimizing-breeding-settings-for-speed

Reduce hatching times and accelerate egg production. Learn how to calibrate PalEggDefaultHatchingTime for a more dynamic Palworld progression experience.

## Accelerating the Life Cycle

The Palworld breeding and hatching mechanics are a significant component of endgame progression. Under the official "Hard" configuration, incubating a Massive Egg can require up to **72 real-world hours**, which is often incompatible with the pacing of community-hosted environments. By precisely calibrating the `PalEggDefaultHatchingTime` and `WorkSpeedRate` variables, you can transform this process into a more dynamic and engaging experience for your players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to modify the breeding logic within your configuration registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Registry">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to the following path:
    `/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Variables">
    Find the `PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=` and `WorkSpeedRate=` parameters.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Strategic Adjustments">
    Apply the numeric values identified in the tables below to achieve your desired gameplay balance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to apply the updated technical logic.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Calibrating Hatching Intervals

The `PalEggDefaultHatchingTime` variable acts as a direct temporal multiplier. Lowering this value decreases the real-world time required for an egg to reach maturity.

| Mode          | Technical Value | Estimated Time (Huge Egg) |
| :------------ | :-------------: | :------------------------ |
| **Vanilla**   |      `1.0`      | **72 Hours**              |
| **Optimized** |      `0.1`      | **\~7 Hours**             |
| **Rapid**     |      `0.01`     | **\~40 Minutes**          |
| **Instant**   |      `0.0`      | **Immediate (0 Seconds)** |

***

## Enhancing Production Throughput

To accelerate the actual "generation" of eggs within the Breeding Farm, you must modify the overall efficiency of your worker Pals.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="WorkSpeedRate">
    Increasing this value (e.g., to **`2.0`**) instructs the engine to process all tasks, including egg generation, at double the standard speed.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Trade-offs & Balance">
    Accelerated work rates increase the metabolic demand on your Pals. High-performance workers will consume hunger and sanity points more rapidly, necessitating a more strong food infrastructure within your base camps.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Breeding optimized.
</div>


# How to Set a Server Password in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/setting-up-a-password-for-your-palworld-server

Secure your survival world. Learn how to implement a private join password to protect your Palworld community from unauthorized access.

## Securing Your Digital Community

Establishing a server-wide join password is the most effective technical strategy for managing private cooperative matches, dedicated team practices, or exclusive community-only events. By implementing a private access key, you ensure that only authorized participants can enter your world, effectively neutralizing the threat of malicious griefers or uninvited intruders. It is important to distinguish between the **Server Password** (required for connection) and the **Admin Password** (utilized for administrative execution).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to define a private access key within your Palworld configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Modifying identity variables while the engine is active can lead to configuration overwrites.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Settings Registry">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open the following directory:
    `/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Security Key">
    Locate the `ServerPassword=""` parameter. Input your desired alphanumeric string within the double quotes.

    * *Example:* `ServerPassword="MyPrivateWorld2026"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the console. The authentication requirement is now active for all joining players.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Connection Integrity

A prevalent client-side bug in Palworld can occasionally prevent the password prompt from appearing, resulting in an immediate connection failure.

<Important>
  ### Resolving the UI Handshake Failure

  When joining a password-protected server via the "Direct Connect" field, players **MUST** manually check the box labeled **"Enter Password"** situated adjacent to the IP input. Failure to authorize this checkbox will cause the engine to attempt a standard connection, which is instantly rejected by the server's security layer.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Server secured.
</div>


# How to Manage Memory Leaks & Automated Restarts in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/understanding-palworld-memory-leaks-and-auto-restarts

Ensure long-term server stability. Learn how to mitigate Palworld memory leaks by configuring strategic automated restart schedules via our Game Panel.

## The Technical Reality of Memory Leaks

In its current developmental phase on the Unreal Engine 5, the Palworld server executable is highly susceptible to **Memory Leaks**. This is a technical phenomenon where the engine fails to release unused RAM back to the operating system after certain world events or player actions. Over time, your server's RAM consumption will progressively trend upward in a diagonal line. If left unmanaged, this will eventually consume 100% of your plan's resources, triggering an immediate process crash. Implementing a strategic restart schedule is the most effective method for maintaining high performance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Restart Frequencies

The optimal frequency for restarting your server depends on your community's active player count and your physical memory allocation.

| Assigned RAM    | Recommended Interval | Strategic Purpose                                    |
| :-------------- | :------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------- |
| **8GB - 12GB**  |     Every 4 Hours    | Prevents crashes on high-density survival servers.   |
| **16GB - 24GB** |  Every 6 to 8 Hours  | Balances uptime with consistent tick-rate stability. |
| **32GB+**       |    Every 24 Hours    | Ideal for large-scale enterprise clusters.           |

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to automate your maintenance cycles using the FREAKHOSTING scheduler.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Schedules">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), select your server, and click on the **Schedules** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Task">
    Click **Create Schedule**. Provide a descriptive name (e.g., `Memory Flush`) and set the execution interval using Cron syntax or the visual selector.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Power Action">
    Click on your new schedule and select **New Task**. Set the action to **`Power Control -> Restart`**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Save the task. The system will now automatically cycle the server binaries, flushing the leaked memory and restoring peak performance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Note>
  ### Real-Time Resource Monitoring

  You can proactively monitor your RAM trend within the **Console** or **Analytics** tabs of your dashboard. A memory leak is visually represented as a constant upward climb. To protect the underlying host node, our system will automatically terminate and restart processes that exceed their allocated safety thresholds.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Stability maintained.
</div>


# How to Install & Configure PalGuard Anti-Cheat in Palworld
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/palworld/using-palguard-anti-cheat

Harden your Palworld server against exploits and griefing. Learn how to install PalGuard to prevent unauthorized structure deletion and speedhacks.

## Technical Infrastructure Hardening

By default, Palworld dedicated servers possess minimal protection against client-side modifications and third-party trainers. In a public environment, malicious actors can easily exploit this lack of verification to grant themselves infinite experience, teleport across the map, or instantaneously delete every structure within your world. **PalGuard** is a strong, community-developed security framework designed to neutralize 99% of these common exploits by implementing server-side request validation. This guide walk you through the professional installation of the PalGuard anti-cheat suite.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

PalGuard operates via DLL injection and requires a specialized modding environment to interface with the game engine.

* **UE4SS Framework:** You **must** have the [UE4SS Modding Framework](/games/palworld/how-to-install-ue4ss-modding-framework) correctly installed and verified before proceeding with the PalGuard deployment.

***

## Installation & Activation Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy the security layer to your server binaries.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Build">
    Download the most recent PalGuard distribution from the [official technical repository](https://github.com/mkr-as/PalGuard).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Mods Directory">
    using the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, upload the `PalGuard` folder and associated `.dll` assets into:
    `/Pal/Binaries/Win64/Mods/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Registry">
    Open the `mods.txt` file situated within the same `Win64/Mods/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Execution">
    Input the following line to initialize the plugin:
    `PalGuard : 1`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Shield">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the console logs to confirm that the PalGuard initialization handshake has successfully concluded.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Security Features

Once active, PalGuard enforces several critical security policies automatically.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Request Validation">
    The plugin intercepts all structural "Delete" and "Build" packets. If a player attempts to modify geometry they do not own (outside of their guild), the request is silently discarded at the network layer.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Velocity Enforcement">
    PalGuard calculates the movement vectors of every active survivor. Players exceeding the engine's logical speed thresholds (Speedhacks) are automatically flagged and disconnected from the session.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Admin Hardening">
    Adds a secondary layer of authentication for administrative commands, preventing unauthorized users from assuming control even if they possess the global admin password.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Public Visibility & Safety

  If your server is intended for public consumption and appears within the in-game community browser, **PalGuard is a mandatory requirement**. Without this security layer, your world database and player structures are highly vulnerable to permanent griefing from automated scripts.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Palworld:** Anti-cheat active.
</div>


# How to Use Admin Commands in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/admin-commands-and-invisible-mode

Master administrative control on your Project Zomboid server. Learn how to authorize admin ranks, use invisible mode, and manage the tactical admin panel.

## Governing Knox County: Administrative Rights

Authorized administrators in Project Zomboid (PZ) possess significant world-level authority, enabling them to navigate the zombie-infested landscape without physical constraints. From instantaneous teleportation between survivors to granular weather manipulation and spawning high-tier survival equipment, these tools are essential for community moderation and resolving technical world glitches. This guide walk you through the professional authorization workflow and the essential command registry for your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Authorization Workflow

Administrative access is managed through unique "Access Levels" assigned directly to individual account usernames.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Execute Console Command">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Console** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Access Level">
    In the terminal, execute the following command precisely:

    ```bash theme={null}
    setaccesslevel "YourUsername" "admin"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify In-Game Interface">
    Upon rejoining the server, a stylized **"Admin"** icon will manifest within the left-hand sidebar of your screen. Clicking this initializes the visual management dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Administrative Registry

You can execute the following logic triggers directly within the in-game chat interface to manage your session.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Personal Utility">
    * **`/godmode`**: Toggles absolute invulnerability to all damage sources.
    * **`/invisible`**: Renders your character undetectable by zombie AI; they will ignore your presence entirely.
    * **`/noclip`**: Disables physical collisions, allowing you to walk through structures and fly across the map.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="World Management">
    * **`/teleport "PlayerName"`**: Relocates your character to the exact coordinates of the specified survivor.
    * **`/teleportto "PlayerA" "PlayerB"`**: Programmatically moves Player A to the current position of Player B.
    * **`/createhorde 50`**: Spawns a cluster of 50 zombies at your current cursor coordinates. **Warning:** Excessive spawning can trigger localized CPU spikes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## The Visual Admin Dashboard

While chat commands offer rapid execution, the **Admin Panel** provides a complete graphical interface for deep world management.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Item Spawner Module">
    Access a searchable database of every item ID within the game engine (e.g., `Base.Axe` or `Base.Shotgun`). This utility allows you to materialize specific equipment or modded assets directly into your inventory or a targeted container.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Atmospheric Control">
    The **Weather** tab enables instantaneous manipulation of the global environment. You can forcibly terminate thunderstorms, clear thick fog, or accelerate the onset of winter to test your community's survival readiness.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Admin status confirmed.
</div>


# How to Configure Car Mechanics in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/car-mechanics-and-hotwiring-settings

Master the mechanics of transportation. Learn how to calibrate vehicle condition, fuel efficiency, and collision damage within your sandbox settings.

## Managing Vehicle Sovereignty

In the expansive world of Project Zomboid, a functional vehicle is often the difference between a successful scavenging run and a fatal encounter. While the vanilla mechanics are designed for hyper-realism, the default scarcity and fragility of cars can be punishing for community-hosted environments. By precisely calibrating your sandbox variables, you can adjust vehicle reliability, optimize fuel consumption, and implement mechanical safeguards to better suit your community's progression speed.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Architecture

These parameters are situated within the `{ServerName}_SandboxVars.lua` registry located in your server's `/Zomboid/Server/` directory.

### 1. Global Mechanical Condition

The **`CarGeneralCondition`** variable determines the starting health of engines, batteries, and tires for newly discovered vehicles.

* **Value `1` (Low):** Most cars will initialize with critical mechanical failures and empty batteries.
* **Value `2` (Normal):** The standard survival balance.
* **Value `3` (High):** Ideal for "Early Outbreak" scenarios, providing players with more reliable transportation options.

### 2. Fuel Efficiency & Consumption

For servers using massive custom map mods, the standard gas consumption rate can be overly restrictive.

* **`CarGasConsumption`**: Set this to **`0.5`** to double the operational range of every tank. This reduces the frequency of high-risk refueling runs at contested gas stations.

***

## Technical Safety: Impact Calibration

Mechanical damage during high-speed collisions is a primary cause of character death in multiplayer environments.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Latency Risk">
    Due to potential network desynchronization, players may occasionally "collide" with obstacles like trees or abandoned cars that have not yet fully rendered on their client.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Strategic Safeguard">
    We recommend setting **`CarDamageOnImpact`** to **`0.5`**. This retains the realism of collision damage while preventing instantaneous character death caused by minor technical lag spikes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Implementing Advanced Accessibility

Project Zomboid does not possess a global "Instant Hotwire" toggle. To improve community accessibility to transportation, consider these strategic adjustments:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Trait Point Incentivization">
    Increase the **Free Trait Points** in your server settings. This allows players to select the **Burglar** occupation at character creation, granting them the innate ability to hotwire any vehicle without leveling skills.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Plugin-Based Force Entry">
    Install the **Common Sense** modification. This enables players to use a Crowbar to programmatically force open vehicle doors and windows, significantly reducing the frustration of finding a perfect car with a missing key.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Vehicle settings optimized.
</div>


# How to Configure Erosion & Nature in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/configuring-erosion-and-nature-takeover

Control the decay of civilization. Learn how to calibrate the speed at which vines, trees, and grass reclaim Knox County within your PZ sandbox settings.

## Time's Toll: The Erosion Mechanics

In Project Zomboid, "Erosion" is the technical system that simulates the inevitable reclamation of urban environments by the natural world. As days progress, grass will programmatically overflow onto pavement, vines will scale residential structures, and trees will eventually sprout through the centers of critical highways. While this system provides an immersive and visually stunning post-apocalyptic atmosphere, aggressive erosion can significantly impact both vehicle navigation and server performance over long-term sessions.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Calibrating Growth Velocity

The speed of environmental decay is governed by the **`ErosionSpeed`** variable situated within your `{ServerName}_SandboxVars.lua` configuration file.

| Technical Value | Growth Profile  | Duration to 100% Maturity                        |
| :-------------- | :-------------- | :----------------------------------------------- |
| **`1`**         | **Accelerated** | 20 Real-World Days                               |
| **`3`**         | **Standard**    | 100 Real-World Days                              |
| **`5`**         | **Protracted**  | 500 Real-World Days                              |
| **`-1`**        | **Disabled**    | Environmental states remain static indefinitely. |

***

## Strategic Gameplay & Performance Impact

Selecting the appropriate erosion profile is a balance between aesthetic realism and community accessibility.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Logistical Challenges">
    using accelerated erosion (`1`) means that within a single real-world month, arterial roads will be obstructed by young trees. This forces survivors to maintain constant vigilance and carry axes during every logistics run to keep supply lines open.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Server Resource Overhead">
    As the engine generates thousands of additional grass and tree entities, the world database size increases. On high-population servers, extreme nature takeover can lead to client-side FPS degradation in heavily overgrown urban sectors like West Point or Louisville.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Environmental Maintenance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Manual Vegetation Removal">
    Survivors can interact with the environment directly to combat erosion. using the "Remove Grass" or "Remove Wall Vines" context menus allows players to maintain the aesthetic integrity of their safehouses and ensure base perimeters remain clear of visual obstructions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Strategic Recommendations">
    For servers targeting long-term community survival (6+ months of uptime), we recommend using the **Protracted (`5`)** setting. This ensures the world remains navigable for new players while still providing a sense of progressing decay for veterans.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Erosion rules set.
</div>


# How to Configure Sandbox Variables in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/how-to-configure-sandbox-variables-in-project-zomboid

Engineer your ideal apocalypse. Learn the professional technical workflow for managing SandboxVars.lua to calibrate zombie lore, loot rarity, and world rules.

## Tuning the Apocalypse: Sandbox Variables

"Sandbox Variables" represent the fundamental mechanical logic of your Project Zomboid world. These parameters dictate every technical aspect of the simulation - from the exact movement speed and auditory sensitivity of the zombie horde to the scarcity of survival resources and global experience multipliers. Because these settings are stored in a rigorous Lua table format (`SandboxVars.lua`), manual syntax errors frequently result in server initialization failures. This guide walk you through the professional "Gold Standard" method for generating and deploying a stable configuration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The "Gold Standard" Configuration Workflow

To eliminate the risk of Lua syntax corruption, we highly recommend using the game engine's native graphical interface to generate your configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Local Preset">
    Launch Project Zomboid on your personal computer. Select **Solo** -> **Sandbox** to initialize the visual configuration menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate World Logic">
    use the interactive menus to define your community's ruleset (e.g., set **Loot Rarity** to "Extremely Rare" or **XP Multiplier** to `3.0`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Technical Preset">
    Locate the **"Save Preset"** utility at the base of the interface. Assign a distinct identifier, such as `Freak_Global_Vars`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Local Asset">
    Navigate to your local Windows user directory:
    `C:\Users\[Username]\Zomboid\Sandbox Presets\Freak_Global_Vars.lua`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Hosting">
    use [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) to upload this file to your server's `/Zomboid/Server/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize Naming">
    Rename the uploaded file to precisely match your server's active identity (e.g., `servertest_SandboxVars.lua`).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Parameter Registry

Below are the most impactful variables utilized by professional administrators to balance their environments.

| Technical Variable     | Functional Result   | Recommended Calibration                                                   |
| :--------------------- | :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **`XpMultiplier`**     | Progression Speed   | `3.0` to `5.0` for balanced community growth.                             |
| **`ZombieLore.Speed`** | Tactical Difficulty | `1` = Sprinters, `2` = Fast Shamblers, `3` = Shamblers.                   |
| **`LootRespawn`**      | Resource Economy    | Set to `168` (Hours) for weekly replenishment of containers.              |
| **`StatsDecrease`**    | Metabolism          | Reduce to `0.7` to decrease the frequency of character hunger and thirst. |

***

<Note>
  ### Applying Configuration Updates

  Sandbox variables are initialized during the world generation and boot sequence. For modifications to take effect, you must **Restart** your server via the FREAKHOSTING dashboard. Note that certain structural variables (e.g., "Start Month") only apply to entirely new world generations.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Sandbox configured.
</div>


# How to Install Brita's Weapon Pack in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/installing-britas-weapon-pack

Equip your community with an elite arsenal. Learn how to correctly install Brita's Weapon Pack and its mandatory technical dependencies on your PZ server.

## The Ultimate Arsenal: Brita's Modifications

**Brita's Weapon Pack** is the definitive technical standard for firearms enhancement within the Project Zomboid (PZ) community. It introduces hundreds of meticulously detailed modern firearms, modular attachments, and diverse ammunition types, fundamentally revolutionizing the combat dynamics of Knox County. Due to its significant technical complexity and reliance on external frameworks, a precise installation workflow and load order are mandatory to prevent visual glitches and logic failures. This guide walk you through the professional deployment of the Brita ecosystem on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Dependencies

The Brita ecosystem will fail to initialize correctly if its mandatory support frameworks are missing or positioned incorrectly within your configuration. You must authorized these three components in the following sequence:

1. **Mod Options** (Workshop: `2169435993` | ID: `b4k_ModOptions`)
2. **Arsenal(26) GunFighter Mod \[2.0]** (Workshop: `2297098490` | ID: `Arsenal(26)GunFighter`)
3. **Brita's Weapon Pack** (Workshop: `2200148440` | ID: `Brita`)

***

## Installation & Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to synchronize the weapon pack with your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Identity File">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and open your primary `{ServerName}.ini` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Workshop Assets">
    Locate the `WorkshopItems=` variable. Append the three numeric IDs identified above, ensuring they are separated by semicolons (`;`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Mod Load Order">
    Locate the `Mods=` variable. **important:** You must list the Mod IDs in the exact order specified in the Technical Dependencies section. Failure to do so will result in invisible assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Synchronization">
    **Start** your server. The engine will programmatically retrieve approximately **1.2GB** of mod data. Monitor the console to verify successful hashing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Troubleshooting: "Phantom" Firearms

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Invisible Models & Silent Audio">
    If firearms appear as invisible entities or make no audible sound when discharged, the **Arsenal(26) GunFighter** mod has failed to initialize. Brita's pack provides the 3D geometry, but the GunFighter script provides the actual code logic and audio hooks. Re-verify your `Mods=` string for correct spelling and order.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Handling Mod Updates">
    Whenever the Brita pack receives an update on the Steam Workshop, your server may trigger a "Version Mismatch" error. To resolve this, simply **Restart** your server twice; the FREAKHOSTING panel will automatically detect the newer version and synchronize the local files.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Armory updated.
</div>


# How to Install Mods on a Project Zomboid Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/installing-mods-to-a-project-zomboid-server

Master the technical deployment of Workshop content. Learn how to manage WorkshopItems and Mod IDs to customize your Project Zomboid survival experience.

## Technical Modding Infrastructure

Managing modifications on a Project Zomboid (PZ) dedicated server is a rigorous two-stage technical procedure. Unlike simpler engines, PZ requires you to explicitly define both the **Workshop ID** (instructing Steam to retrieve the data) and the **Mod ID** (instructing the game engine to activate specific logic). If these two registries are not perfectly synchronized, the modification will fail to initialize, resulting in connection rejections for your players. This guide walk you through the professional configuration of your server's `.ini` registry on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Technical Asset Identification

Before modifying your configuration, you must retrieve the specific identifiers from the Steam Workshop portal.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Workshop ID">
    Identify the 10-digit numeric string found at the base of the mod description or within the browser URL (e.g., `2843606331`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Mod ID">
    Find the alphanumeric technical name provided by the creator (e.g., `BetterSorting`).

    * *Strategic Note:* A single Workshop ID may contain multiple Mod IDs (e.g., separate "Easy" and "Hard" logic modules). Ensure you only authorize the specific variant you intend to use.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Configuration & Deployment

Navigate to your server's primary directory path: `/Zomboid/Server/`. Open your active configuration file (typically `servertest.ini`).

### 1. The Download Registry

Locate the **`WorkshopItems=`** variable. Input the numeric identifiers, ensuring every entry is separated by a semicolon (`;`). This instructs the FREAKHOSTING node to synchronize these assets with the Steam network during every boot sequence.

`WorkshopItems=2843606331;123456789;555555555`

### 2. The Logic Activation Registry

Locate the **`Mods=`** variable. Input the alphanumeric Mod IDs in the corresponding sequence.

`Mods=BetterSorting;ModNameA;ModNameB`

***

## Strategic Map Load Order

Implementing custom maps (e.g., **Raven Creek** or **Bedford Falls**) requires an additional configuration step to ensure the world geometry renders correctly.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Priority Rule">
    Locate the **`Map=`** variable. You **must** position your custom map identifiers **before** the vanilla world reference (`Muldraugh, KY`).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Technical Reasoning">
    The PZ engine parses map data from left to right. If the vanilla world is listed first, the engine will prioritize the default geometry, causing your custom monuments and buildings to be overwritten or fail to spawn.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

**Correct Syntax:** `Map=RavenCreek;Muldraugh, KY`

***

<Note>
  ### Managing Mod Updates

  When a mod author publishes an update to the Workshop, your server will automatically detect the change upon its next **Restart**. If players encounter a "Version Mismatch" error, simply trigger a reboot via the Game Panel to force a fresh technical handshake with the Steam API.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Mods configured.
</div>


# How to Manage Panic & Stress in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/managing-panic-and-stress

Master the psychological simulation. Learn how to tune combat panic increases, stress decay rates, and mental health variables on your Project Zomboid server.

## The Mental Toll: Psychological Survival

In Project Zomboid, the psychological state of a survivor is as critical as their physical health. High **Panic** levels drastically reduce combat effectiveness by diminishing firearm accuracy and melee damage, while chronic **Stress** leads to debilitating unhappiness and clinical depression. As a server administrator, you can fine-tune these psychological multipliers within your sandbox configuration to create either a "Hardened Veterans" experience or a "Terrified Rookies" atmosphere. This guide walk you through the technical calibration of these mental moodles on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Parameter Calibration

These psychological variables are situated within your `{ServerName}_SandboxVars.lua` registry.

### 1. Combat Panic Dynamics

The engine calculates panic based on proximity to the zombie horde and individual character traits (e.g., "Brave" vs. "Cowardly").

* **`PanicIncreaseValue`**: Determines the intensity of the initial heart rate spike when a character first observes an undead entity.
* **`PanicDecayRate`**: Dictates the speed at which a character regains their composure once they have broken line-of-sight with the horde.
* **Optimization Strategy:** For roleplay-heavy servers, we recommend slightly increasing the decay rate to simulate survivors becoming accustomed to the apocalypse over time.

### 2. Longitudinal Mental Health

Extended periods of isolation or stagnation can lead to long-term moodle degradation.

* **`UnhappinessIncrease`**: Scales the velocity at which "Unhappy" moodles develop into full depression.
* **`BoredomDecrease`**: Calibrates the effectiveness of interactive activities (e.g., reading books or using exercise equipment) in neutralizing the "Bored" state.

***

## Strategic Community Management

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Smoker Trait Protocol">
    A primary source of chronic stress in multiplayer is the **Smoker** trait. Since the engine lacks a global toggle to disable trait-specific stress, we recommend using a [Starter Kit](/games/project-zomboid/installing-mods-to-a-project-zomboid-server) that includes **Cigarettes** and a **Lighter**. This prevents initial player frustration and reduces early-game attrition.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Combat Balancing">
    If your players report that firearms are "too difficult" to use effectively, consider lowering the `PanicIncreaseValue`. This ensures that even under pressure, survivors maintain a baseline level of accuracy, making combat feel more responsive and less randomized.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Mental health settings set.
</div>


# How to Optimize RAM Allocation in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/optimizing-ram-allocation

Configure your server's Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for peak performance. Learn how to calibrate memory heaps and Garbage Collection to eliminate micro-stutters.

## Tuning the Engine: RAM & JVM Architecture

Project Zomboid operates within the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), a specialized software environment that manages memory and execution logic. Unlike C++ based game engines, Java using an automated **Garbage Collection (GC)** system to reclaim unused memory. If your server is incorrectly allocated or uses inefficient collection logic, players will experience debilitating "Micro-Stuttering," synchronization delays, or catastrophic "Out of Memory" crashes. This guide ensures your memory pool is correctly calibrated for the intensive requirements of a persistent survival world.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Memory Allotment

Within the FREAKHOSTING **Startup** dashboard, you can define the boundaries of your Java memory heap.

* **`-Xmx` (Maximum Heap):** Defines the ceiling of memory the engine is authorized to consume.
* **`-Xms` (Startup Heap):** Specifies the volume of RAM the server reserves immediately during the boot sequence.
* **Strategic Recommendation:** We strongly advise setting your **Xms** and **Xmx** to identical values. This eliminates the CPU overhead associated with the JVM constantly attempting to resize the memory heap during active gameplay.

### Strategic Allocation Tiers

| Community Profile               | Modload Intensity       | Recommended RAM    |
| :------------------------------ | :---------------------- | :----------------- |
| **Small Group (1-4 Players)**   | Pure Vanilla            | **6 GB**           |
| **Medium Squad (5-10 Players)** | 20 - 50 Active Mods     | **8 GB - 10 GB**   |
| **Large Network (20+ Players)** | Custom Maps + 100+ Mods | **12 GB - 16 GB+** |

***

## Technical Hardening: Eliminating Stutters

If your server experiences periodic "freezes" (e.g., every 30 seconds), the Garbage Collector is likely initiating a "Stop-the-World" pause to purge large amounts of stale data.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Solution: G1GC">
    Adding the following flags to your startup instructs the JVM to use more modern, incremental collection logic:
    `-XX:+UseG1GC -XX:MaxGCPauseMillis=50`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Result">
    This logic prioritizes shorter, more frequent memory cleanups that are imperceptible to the player, maintaining a smooth world tickrate even during high-intensity combat events.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Operating System Overhead

  Never allocate 100% of your plan's physical RAM to the game process. The underlying Linux kernel and our management panels require a safety buffer to remain responsive.

  * **Rule of Thumb:** Maintain at least **1GB to 1.5GB** of free RAM for the host system.
  * **Example:** If you possess a 16GB plan, set your `-Xmx` to `14500M`.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Memory optimized.
</div>


# How to Set Custom Spawn Regions in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/setting-custom-spawn-regions

Expand your community's starting options. Learn how to manually register custom modded cities and specialized spawn points in your Project Zomboid server menu.

## Managing Global Character Insertion

When a participant initializes a new character on your Project Zomboid (PZ) server, the engine presents a standardized selection of starting locations (e.g., Muldraugh, West Point, or Riverside). While many high-fidelity map modifications include their own technical boundaries, they frequently do not manifest in this visual list automatically. To provide your community with the ability to spawn directly into modded environments like **Raven Creek** or **Bedford Falls**, you must manually register the map's metadata within your server's primary spawn registry.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Infrastructure

Spawn selection logic is governed by a dedicated Lua file situated within your server's persistent configuration directory.

* **Technical Path:** `/Zomboid/Server/[ServerIdentity]_spawnregions.lua`

### Manual Registry Management

Follow these steps to authorize a new geographical spawn point.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    use the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager to locate and open your `_spawnregions.lua` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Modded Assets">
    Navigate to the individual map resource folder (either via the Workshop directory or your server's mod repository). Locate the path to the `spawnpoints.lua` file associated with the city.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Lua Table">
    Insert a new entry into the `SpawnRegions()` function using the standardized format identified below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

```lua theme={null}
function SpawnRegions()
    return {
        { name = "Muldraugh, KY", file = "media/maps/Muldraugh, KY/spawnpoints.lua" },
        { name = "Riverside, KY", file = "media/maps/Riverside, KY/spawnpoints.lua" },
        -- Custom Modification Entry:
        { name = "Raven Creek", file = "media/maps/RavenCreek/spawnpoints.lua" },
    }
end
```

***

## Strategic Navigation & Accuracy

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving Directory Discrepancies">
    If your custom spawn entry fails to appear, ensure the `file =` string precisely matches the internal directory structure of the mod. You can verify this by inspecting the mod's `.zip` archive on your local PC and tracing the path through `media/maps/`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enforcing Spawn Randomization">
    Within your `server.properties` file, ensure that `SpawnPoint=` is left blank if you wish to use the selection menu. If you define a specific coordinate in the properties file, the engine will bypass the visual selection screen entirely and force all players to a single insertion point.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Balanced Onboarding

  Providing specialized spawn regions for "Safe" areas or "High-Loot" zones allows you to manage the difficulty curve for new players. Consider adding community-built "Newbie Outposts" to the spawn list to improve retention for first-time survivors.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Spawn regions registered.
</div>


# How to Configure Safehouses & Factions in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/setting-up-safehouses-and-factions

Configure safehouse claims, raiding permissions, and faction alliances on your Project Zomboid server to protect player progress and promote teamwork.

## Securing Your Sanctuary: Safehouse Mechanics

In the hostile environment of Project Zomboid, a **Safehouse** represents a survivor's primary technical defense against unauthorized intrusion. By "claiming" a residential or commercial structure, participants can establish a protected perimeter where uninvited players are programmatically restricted from entering, looting containers, or dismantling fortifications. **Factions** extend this logic, allowing coordinated groups to share ownership and coordinate the defense of their sovereign territory. This guide walk you through the technical configuration of these social systems on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Perimeter Protection

Unlike gameplay multipliers, safehouse rules are governed by the primary server registry situated within your `/Zomboid/Server/[ServerName].ini` file.

| Technical Variable                | Functional Result | Strategic Purpose                                                                            |
| :-------------------------------- | :---------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`PlayerSafehouse`**             | `true`            | Enables the fundamental capability for survivors to claim world geometry.                    |
| **`SafehouseDaySurvivedToClaim`** | `1`               | Enforces a minimum survival duration (in real-world days) before a claim can be initialized. |
| **`SafehouseRemovalTime`**        | `336`             | Defines the inactivity threshold in hours (e.g., `336` = 14 days) before a claim is purged.  |

***

## Calibrating Raid & Trespass Logic

For competitive PvP environments, you may wish to implement a "Soft Claim" model where properties are identified but not physically impenetrable.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Trespassing Authorization">
    **`SafehouseAllowTrepass=true`**: Allows non-members to physically enter the building while maintaining the claim status. This is ideal for roleplay servers that allow social interaction within bases.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Economic Raiding">
    **`SafehouseAllowLoot=true`**: Enables unauthorized participants to interact with containers. This facilitates "Raiding" without allowing the permanent destruction of the structure's physical walls.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Community Hardening

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Neutralizing Spawn Griefing">
    A common community challenge is "Spawn Locking," where malicious users claim houses immediately adjacent to new player spawn points. We highly recommend increasing **`SafehouseDaySurvivedToClaim`** to **`2` or `3`**. This ensures that only committed community members who have survived initial encounters can lock down territory.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Preventing Arson & Griefing">
    To protect the world's persistent geometry, ensure **`SafehouseAllowFire`** is set to **`false`**. This prevents malicious actors from using Molotov cocktails or campfire glitches to instantaneously vaporize complex player-built strongholds.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Territory rules established.
</div>


# How to Configure Skill Book Reading Speed in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/skill-book-reading-speed

Accelerate character progression and reduce technical downtime. Learn how to calibrate the MinutesPerPage variable for your Project Zomboid server.

## Managing Study Time: Technical Reading Speed

In the standard Project Zomboid (PZ) simulation, studying a high-tier skill book (e.g., *Master Mechanics* or *Expert Trapping*) can require upwards of **20 real-world minutes**. While this contributes to the immersive realism of singleplayer gameplay, it often results in technical downtime and stagnant sessions in a multiplayer environment where the world clock never stops. By precisely calibrating the `MinutesPerPage` variable, you can accelerate the learning process, allowing your community to focus on active exploration and combat rather than stationary reading.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Parameter Calibration

The global reading velocity is governed by a single multiplier situated within your `{ServerName}_SandboxVars.lua` registry.

* **Variable Identifier:** `MinutesPerPage`
* **Technical Logic:** This value defines the temporal cost of processing a single page of text. Decreasing this number results in faster overall reading speeds.

### Recommended Configuration Tiers

| Multiplier Value |   Progression Speed  | Community Use Case                                               |
| :--------------- | :------------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`1.0`**        |      **Vanilla**     | Strictly for hardcore, ultra-realism roleplay servers.           |
| **`0.5`**        |  **2x Accelerated**  | A balanced middle ground for small cooperative groups.           |
| **`0.3`**        | **3.3x Accelerated** | **Recommended:** The standard for most active community servers. |
| **`0.1`**        |   **Near-Instant**   | Ideal for fast-paced PvP or high-turnover combat servers.        |

***

## Strategic Community Impacts

Adjusting this variable has a direct correlation with character build diversity and community balance.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Trait Relevancy & Meta">
    If you implement an accelerated reading speed (e.g., `0.1`), the **"Fast Reader"** trait becomes functionally redundant, while the **"Slow Reader"** trait loses its primary mechanical penalty. We recommend notifying your community of your chosen reading multipliers within your [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) before they finalize their character creation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Accelerating Infrastructure Growth">
    Faster reading allows your community to unlock critical skills (such as Electricity for hotwiring or Carpentry for base building) much earlier in the server's lifecycle. This is a powerful tool for maintaining community momentum following a world wipe.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Literacy rates improved.
</div>


# How to Soft Reset Your Map in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/soft-resetting-a-project-zomboid-server

Cleanup excess world clutter and optimize performance. Learn how to perform a safe soft reset to remove corpses and blood while preserving player progress.

## Technical World Maintenance: Soft Resets

A **Soft Reset** is a important maintenance and diagnostic procedure for long-running Project Zomboid (PZ) servers. Over weeks of active community play, the world accumulates significant amounts of "World Noise" - including thousands of zombie corpses, excessive blood splatters, and items discarded on the ground. This data bloat can lead to server-side "Hitching" and increased world-loading times for clients. A soft reset programmatically purges this temporary data to restore peak performance, while crucially **preserving** character skills, player inventories, and all custom-built safehouses.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Professional Reset Procedure

To ensure data integrity, you must use the official engine flag rather than manually manipulating binary files within the world directory.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server. Ensure the process is completely offline before proceeding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Launch Arguments">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab. Locate the **Additional Arguments** field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Reset Flag">
    Input the following technical command precisely:
    `-Dsoftreset`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute and Monitor">
    **Start** the server. Monitor the **Console** tab; you will observe the log entry: `Soft-Resetting Map...`. Once the world finishes initializing, the cleanup is complete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Cleanup and Revert">
    **Critical Step:** Stop the server again. **Remove** the `-Dsoftreset` flag from your Startup settings. If you neglect this, the server will reset the world on every subsequent reboot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Resume Operations">
    Start the server normally to resume standard community gameplay in a refreshed environment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Scoping: What is Purged?

Understanding the technical boundaries of a soft reset helps you manage community expectations.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Purged Data">
    * All biological remains (Zombie and Player corpses).
    * Environmental blood splatters and debris.
    * Loose items situated on the floor/ground (excluding containers).
    * Unfinished fire pits and localized biological waste.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Preserved Data">
    * **Characters:** All levels, skills, and recipes remain intact.
    * **Inventories:** Everything within player bags and active slots is safe.
    * **Safehouses:** Structures built by players and claimed buildings are preserved.
    * **Storage:** Contents of crates, refrigerators, and lockers are **not** affected.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Loot Replenishment vs. Soft Reset

  If your primary objective is to refill empty containers with new resources, a technical soft reset is **not** the appropriate solution. Instead, you should modify your [Sandbox Variables](/games/project-zomboid/how-to-configure-sandbox-variables-in-project-zomboid) using the `HoursForLootRespawn` and `MaxItemsForLootRespawn` parameters. This provides a more efficient and targeted approach to resource management.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** World state refreshed.
</div>


# How to Use VHS Tapes & XP Boosts in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/vhs-tapes-and-xp-boosts

Recover missed skill training and accelerate character development. Learn how to use the Home VHS system to gain massive XP boosts on your server.

## Technical Recovery: The VHS Mechanics

In the initial nine real-world days of a Project Zomboid (PZ) world cycle, the "Life and Living TV" channel broadcasts educational content that provides free experience points for critical survival skills. Participants who join a community server following this window will "miss the show," placing them at a significant technical disadvantage compared to world veterans. The **Home VHS** system allows these late-arrivals to recover this important XP by locating and studying the recorded counterparts of these broadcasts.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Workflow for XP Acquisition

Follow these steps to use recorded media for character progression.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Asset Acquisition">
    Locate retail video stores within major urban centers (e.g., *Hit Vids* in Muldraugh). Search for specialized educational tapes including the "Woodcraft" series, "The Cook Show," or "Carzone."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Interface Interaction">
    Locate a functional television unit. Right-click the device and select **"Device Options"**. Drag the desired VHS tape into the media slot and press **Play**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Logic Processing">
    Your character will begin receiving experience "ticks" at the same frequency as the original live broadcast. You do not need to remain stationary; you can perform localized tasks like cooking or sorting inventory while the tape remains active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Parameter Synergy

Acquiring XP via VHS is most efficient when combined with other server-side technical multipliers.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Library Multiplier">
    **Mandatory Best Practice:** Always read the corresponding **Skill Book** (e.g., *Carpentry Vol. 1*) before initializing a VHS tape. The book's multiplier applies directly to the media experience, often allowing a survivor to bypass several character levels with a single 5-minute video.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Server Rate Scaling">
    Experience gained from media is programmatically scaled by your server's global **`XPMultiplier`** defined in the [Sandbox Variables](/games/project-zomboid/how-to-configure-sandbox-variables-in-project-zomboid).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Registry & Diminishing Returns

  The game engine maintains a hidden registry of every media title your character has processed. You can only gain experience from a specific VHS title (e.g., "Woodcraft E1") **once per character life**. Rewatching the same tape will provide stress reduction but will result in zero additional skill progression.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Media systems verified.
</div>


# How to Install Cryogenic Winter in Project Zomboid
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/winter-is-coming-cryogenic-winter

Master the ultimate environmental challenge. Learn how to install Cryogenic Winter and calibrate your sandbox settings for a permanent sub-zero ice age.

## Eternal Frost: The Cryogenic Winter Conversion

**Cryogenic Winter** is a premier environmental total-conversion modification for Project Zomboid that fundamentally re-architects the simulation's climate engine. By eliminating the standard seasonal cycle in favor of a permanent, lethal ice age with temperatures plummeting as low as **-100°C**, the gameplay focus shifts from standard zombie avoidance to the desperate technical management of body heat. Implementing this modification transforms your FREAKHOSTING server into a high-stakes survival challenge where the environment is as dangerous as the undead.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Configuration Requirements

To create a cohesive and technically realistic frost-apocalypse, you must adjust several [Sandbox Variables](/games/project-zomboid/how-to-configure-sandbox-variables-in-project-zomboid) to reflect the environmental reality of a frozen world.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Environmental Logic">
    * **Erosion Speed:** Set to **Slow (`5`)** or **Disabled (`-1`)**. Rapid vegetation growth is biologically impossible in extreme sub-zero conditions.
    * **Decay Rates:** Increase the preservation timers for food and corpses. The extreme cold acts as a global natural refrigerator, delaying the decomposition logic.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Economic Scarcity">
    * **Farming Yields:** Significantly decrease harvest yields. Successful agriculture should be restricted to indoor "Greenhouse" environments with active heat sources.
    * **Water Persistence:** Accelerate the global water shutoff to simulate frozen arterial plumbing throughout Knox County.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Essential Survival Infrastructure

Administrators should ensure the following assets are available to facilitate community survival.

* **Thermal Regulation (Antique Ovens):** These become the most valuable technical assets in the world database, providing reliable heat without requiring a functional electrical grid.
* **Insulation (High-Tier Padding):** Encourage players to prioritize heavy clothing immediately upon spawning. Without high insulation values, characters will succumb to hypothermia within minutes of outdoor exposure.
* **Logistics (Vehicle Heaters):** Maintaining vehicle engines and heater components becomes a critical mechanical priority for any long-distance scavenging operation.

***

<Important>
  ### Technical Load Priority

  Cryogenic Winter implements significant overrides to the engine's weather and climate classes. If your server uses other atmospheric modifications or "10 Years Later" map packs, you **must** position Cryogenic Winter at the **very end** of your `Mods=` list in the server configuration. This ensures its temperature logic takes absolute priority over other conflicting weather scripts.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Project Zomboid:** Arctic weather deployed.
</div>


# How to Set Up 3D Markets and Checkpoints in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/3d-markets-and-checkpoints

Create 3D market zones and checkpoint markers on your RAGE:MP server using scripting to build interactive locations for shops, missions, and player events.

## Introduction

Drawing a cylinder on the ground.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Code

`mp.markers.new(1, pos, 1.0, ...)`
Used for "Go Here" missions.

## Conclusion

Combine with ColShapes to detect entry.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Understand Client vs Server Side Scripts in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/client-side-vs-server-side-scripts

Understand how RAGE:MP splits logic between client and server scripts. Learn when to use each context for UI rendering, game events, and secure data.

## Introduction

RageMP logic is split.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

* **Server:** Database, Logic, Auth.
* **Client:** UI (CEF), Rendering, Inputs.

## Folder

`client_packages` = Downloaded to client.
`packages` = Runs on server.

## Conclusion

Use Events to talk between them (`mp.events.callRemote`).

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Create Map Blips in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/creating-map-blips

Add custom map blips and location markers to your RAGE:MP server pause menu map using scripting to help players navigate shops, bases, and event areas.

## Introduction

Show locations on pause map.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Code (JS)

```js theme={null}
mp.blips.new(1, new mp.Vector3(0, 0, 0), {
    name: 'Spawn',
    color: 1,
    shortRange: true,
});
```

## Icons

Use GTA V Blip IDs (0-800).

## Conclusion

Run this client-side.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Enable 3D Voice Chat in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/enabling-3d-voice-chat

Enable the built-in 3D spatial voice chat on your RAGE:MP server for proximity-based communication during roleplay, racing, and freeroam gameplay.

## Introduction

Built-in voice.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`conf.json`.
`"voice-chat": true`.
`"voice-chat-sample-rate": 48000`.

## Client

`mp.voiceChat.muted = false`.
Bind key to push-to-talk.

## Conclusion

Quality is decent.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Handle DLC and Modded Clothing in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/handling-dlc-and-modded-clothing

Stream custom vehicles, DLC clothing, and modded assets on your RAGE:MP server. Configure client-side resource packs and handle model replacements.

## Introduction

Adding real cars.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## DLC Packs

1. Place `dlc.rpf` in `client_packages/game_resources/dlcpacks/`.
2. Clients download it on join.

## Sync

RageMP syncs modded assets better than FiveM (sometimes).

## Conclusion

Keep total size under 2GB or join times will be 20 minutes.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Install Bridge (C# vs Node) in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/installing-bridge-csharp-vs-node

Choose between C# and Node.js scripting on your RAGE:MP server. Install and configure each language bridge for custom gamemode development and logic.

## Introduction

RageMP supports two languages.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

1. **.NET (C#):** `dotnet` folder. High performance.
2. **Node.js:** `client_packages` / `packages`. Easier.

## Config

`conf.json`.
`"csharp": "enabled"` or `"nodejs": "enabled"`.

## Conclusion

Most major gamemodes are C#.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure a Basic RAGE:MP Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/rage-multiplayer-basic-server-configuration-guide

Configure your RAGE:MP server from scratch using conf.json. Set the server name, max players, gamemode, port, and public announce options for GTA V.

## Introduction

RAGE Multiplayer (GTA V) uses `conf.json` for all settings.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration

1. Open `conf.json` in root.
2. **name:** Server Hostname.
3. **dlimit:** Dimension Limit.
4. **announce:** `true` (Show in master list).
5. **gamemode:** The name of the gamemode resource folder (e.g., "freeroam").

## Resources

RAGE uses C# or JS bridges.

* Place resources in `/client_packages/` (Client side) and `/packages/` (Server side).

## Conclusion

RAGE is lightweight compared to FiveM but requires more coding knowledge (C#/JS) to set up a gamemode from scratch.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure conf.json in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/server-config-conf-json

Master every setting in the RAGE:MP conf.json file including server name, player limits, announce toggle, gamemode path, and network port assignments.

## Introduction

Main settings.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Options

* `"maxplayers": 100`
* `"name": "FREAKHOSTING"`
* `"gamemode": "freeroam"`
* `"stream-distance": 300.0`

## Conclusion

Keep stream distance reasonable to save bandwidth.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Sync Weather and Time in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/syncing-weather-and-time

Synchronize weather and time of day across all players on your RAGE:MP server using server-side scripting for consistent environmental conditions.

## Introduction

It's raining for everyone.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server

`mp.world.weather = 'EXTRASUNNY';`
`mp.world.time.set(12, 0, 0);`

## Sync

RageMP syncs this automatically to all clients.

## Conclusion

Dynamic weather scripts loop through weathers.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Use CEF for UI in RAGE:MP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rage-multiplayer/using-cef-for-ui

Build custom UIs for your RAGE:MP server using the Chromium Embedded Framework to create HTML, CSS, and JavaScript-powered menus, HUDs, and panels.

## Introduction

RageMP UI is HTML/CSS/JS.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Usage

`browser = mp.browsers.new('package://myuri/index.html');`.
Render HTML overlay.

## Communication

`browser.execute('jsFunction()');`
`mp.events.add('clientEvent', ...)`

## Conclusion

Powerful UIs (Login screens, Speedometers).

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up Admin Menu in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/admin-menu-setup

Set up an admin menu on your RedM server to manage players, ban troublemakers, teleport, spawn items, and moderate your Red Dead Redemption 2 community.

## Introduction

Banning cowboys.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Install

1. `vorp_admin` resource.
2. **Permissions:** In database or config, assign your SteamID to Group `superadmin`.

## Menu

Press `Insert` or `Delete` (configurable).

## Conclusion

Godmode prevents you from dying to bears.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up Banking and Economy in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/banking-and-economy

Configure banking and economy on your RedM server with gold and dollar currencies, player accounts, and shop integration for immersive Wild West roleplay.

## Introduction

Gold and Dollars.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resource

**vorp\_banks**.
Players store money.
Robberies enabled?

## Config

`EnableRobbery = true`.
`MinCops = 2`.

## Conclusion

Economy balance is key.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure OneSync in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/configuring-onesync

Enable OneSync on your RedM server to support more than 32 players with improved entity synchronization and better network performance for large lobbies.

## Introduction

Like FiveM, RedM needs OneSync for >32 players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`server.cfg`.
`set onesync on`.

## Issues

RedM OneSync is less stable than FiveM. NPCs might glitch (wagons flying).
Test thoroughly before going public.

## Conclusion

Required for 48+ slots.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Trains and Trolleys in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/configuring-trains-and-trolleys

Configure working trains and trolley routes on your RedM server to enable immersive transportation, dynamic schedules, and scenic cross-map travel.

## Introduction

Trains are essential.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resource

**RedM\_Trains**.
Allows automatic train spawns.
Control speed, stops.

## Config

Lua tables defining routes.
`Valentine` -> `Rhodes`.

## Conclusion

Don't detail the train or it causes desync.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up MariaDB Database in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/database-setup-mariadb

Set up MariaDB on your RedM server to store persistent character data, inventories, housing, and faction information required by VORP and RP frameworks.

## Introduction

Character saves.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Connection

`set mysql_connection_string "server=127.0.0.1;database=s1_redm..."`.
Use `oxmysql` resource for best performance.

## Conclusion

Always backup SQL.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up Horse Stables and Ownership in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/horse-stables-and-ownership

Configure horse stables and persistent ownership on your RedM server so players can purchase, store, and retrieve horses across roleplay sessions.

## Introduction

Saving horses.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resource

**vorp\_stables**.
Requires Database.

## Limits

Set max horses per player in config.
`MaxHorses = 3`.

## Conclusion

Horses die permanently if configured.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Install VORP Core and Resources in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/installing-vorp-core-and-resources

Install VORP Core and roleplay resources on your RedM server to build a Red Dead Redemption 2 RP framework with inventory, characters, and economy.

## Introduction

RedM RP requires a Core.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

**VORP Core** is the most popular.

## Install

1. Database (MariaDB).
2. Run SQLs.
3. Resources: `/server-data/resources/[vorp]`.
4. `server.cfg`: `ensure vorp_core`.

## Conclusion

VORP has hundreds of dependencies. Use a "Recipe" or "Base Pack" if possible.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up Judiciary System in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/judiciary-system-courts-and-jails

Set up courts, jail cells, and sentencing mechanics on your RedM server to create immersive law enforcement roleplay in Red Dead Redemption 2.

## Introduction

Law and Order.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resource

**vorp\_police**.
Adds Jails (Sisika Penitentiary).
**vorp\_courts**.
Judges can set sentences.

## Conclusion

Roleplay heavy.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up a RedM Peak Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/redm-setting-up-a-redm-peak-server

Set up a RedM server from scratch using CitizenFX for Red Dead Redemption 2 multiplayer. Configure server settings, resources, and database connections.

## Introduction

RedM (Red Dead Redemption 2 Roleplay) is built on the same "CitizenFX" framework as FiveM.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Most guides for FiveM apply here.

## Setup

1. **License Key:** Get it from Keymaster (select RedM server type).
2. **Artifacts:** Use RedM artifacts (not FiveM).
3. **Gamemode:** "VORP" or "RedEM" are the two main frameworks.

## Config

`server.cfg` structure is identical to FiveM.
`ensure vorp_core`
`ensure vorp_inventory`

## Conclusion

RedM is heavier than FiveM. Ensure your server has at least 8GB RAM allocated.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Set Up Telegrams Mail System in RedM
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/redm/sending-telegrams-mail-system

Install a telegram and mail system on your RedM server so players can send messages, receive quest notifications, and interact with a Wild West post office.

## Introduction

Post office.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resource

**redm-telegram**.
Go to post office, send message to player.
They receive item "Telegram". Reading it shows text.

## Conclusion

Immersive communication.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Server Browser Tags in RoR2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/configuring-server-browser-tags

Configure server browser tags like Modded, Vanilla, and difficulty labels on your RoR2 server so players can discover and filter for your lobby easily.

## Introduction

"Modded", "Vanilla", "Easy".

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`sv_tags "modded,fun,freakhosting"`.
Important for filtering.

## Modded Flag

If you install BepInEx, the server automatically gets the "Modded" tag and disappears from the Vanilla browser.
Use **UnmoddedClients** mod (if client-side mods aren't needed) to appear in vanilla list? (Gray area).

## Conclusion

Wear the Modded tag proudly.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Enable Scavengers and Secret Bosses in RoR2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/enabling-scavengers-and-secret-bosses

Enable hidden boss encounters like Scavengers on your Risk of Rain 2 server by configuring spawn rules, artifact modifiers, and endgame boss triggers.

## Introduction

Some bosses are hidden.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Artifacts

Enable **Artifact of Dissonance** to spawn monsters outside their biome.
Enable **Artifact of Vengeance** (Doppelganger).

## Command

`ev_scavenger 1` ? No, game spawns them post-loop (Stage 6+).

## Conclusion

Loop the game (Interact with Primordial Teleporter fins) to see them.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Host Prismatic Trials in RoR2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/hosting-prismatic-trials

Host Prismatic Trials on your RoR2 server for seeded daily challenge runs with leaderboard tracking, fixed loadouts, and competitive scoring for players.

## Introduction

Prismatic Trials are seeded daily runs.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Dedicated can host them?
**No.** Dedicated is for standard runs.
Prismatic is a leaderboard mode.

## Alternative

Use a specific **Seed** in `server.cfg`? No, RoR2 dedicated uses random seed unless Modded (`SetSeed` plugin).

## Conclusion

Use mods to force a seed for tournament play.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Ping Limits and Kick Settings in RoR2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/ping-limits-and-kick-settings

Configure ping thresholds and auto-kick rules on your RoR2 server to remove high-latency players who cause desync, rubber-banding, and laggy combat.

## Introduction

Kick laggy players.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`sv_max_ping 300` (Default).
Lower to 150 for stable runs.
RoR2 is sensitive to lag (Rubberbanding).

## Conclusion

Unlike Turn-based games, RoR2 needs low ping.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Play Eclipse Mode on a Dedicated Server in RoR2
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/risk-of-rain-2/playing-eclipse-mode-on-dedicated-server

Run Eclipse difficulty on your RoR2 server for ranked challenge runs from Eclipse 1 through 8 with stacking debuffs and progressively brutal modifiers.

## Introduction

Eclipse is the ranked challenge mode (E1-E8).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Normally singleplayer.

## Enabling

Currently, Dedicated Servers default to Classic Run.
To play Eclipse, you need a mod like **EclipseMultiplayer** or **DifficultySelection**.

## Config

With mod enabled, select "Eclipse" in lobby.

## Conclusion

It syncs the lowest Eclipse level of the party.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Ban Players in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/banning-players-by-steamid-and-ip

Sustain a healthy community by removing cheaters and toxic players. Learn how to use SteamID and IP bans to secure your Rust server.

## Maintaining Order: Professional Administration

In the high-stakes, competitive environment of Rust, toxicity and cheating can rapidly dismantle a community's reputation and player base. As a server owner, you must be prepared to swiftly and decisively remove problematic players using their **SteamID64** (a unique 17-digit identifier). This ensures that offenders are permanently restricted from rejoining your world under that specific account. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel provides multiple interfaces for executing these critical moderation tasks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Identifying the Offender

To issue a valid ban, you must retrieve the player's primary network identifier.

* **BattleMetrics Integration:** Locate your server, find the specific player's profile in the activity log, and copy the numerical string in the **Steam ID** field.
* **External Lookup:** If you only possess their profile URL, utilized a tool like **[SteamID.io](https://steamid.io)** to retrieve the 64-bit ID (e.g., `76561198012345678`).

***

## The Administrative Banning Process

Choose the interface that best suits your current operational environment.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="In-Game Console (F1)">
    The most direct method for active moderators.

    1. Press **F1** to open the developer overlay.
    2. Execute the following command:
       `banid <SteamID> "<Reason>"`
    3. **important Finalization:** You **MUST** execute the command **`writecfg`** immediately after. If you neglect this step, the ban will reside only in temporary memory and will vanish upon the next server restart.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual Registry Management">
    Ideal for performing bulk audits or removing bans while the server is offline.

    1. In the File Manager, navigate to: `/server/{identity}/cfg/bans.cfg`.
    2. Manually add or delete entries following this technical format:
       `banid <steamid> "<name>" "<reason>"`
    3. Save the file to commit your changes.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### IP Banning vs. Account Restrictions

  While Rust supports the `banip` command, it is frequently considered less reliable than SteamID bans due to the prevalence of dynamic IP addresses and VPN usage. For persistent offenders using multiple "Alt" accounts, we recommend deploying specialized Oxide modifications such as **SmartGuard** or **VPNBlock** to identify and intercept suspicious connection signatures automatically.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Moderation tools verified.
</div>


# How to Configure Map Seeds & World Size in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/changing-the-map-seed-and-size-in-rust

Engineer your ideal island. Learn how to use procedural generation seeds and size variables to customize monument placement and topography on your Rust server.

## Crafting the Island: Procedural Generation

Rust's core replayability is driven by its procedural generation engine. Every scheduled "Wipe" provides an opportunity to manifest a completely unique island featuring different monument placements, topography, and resource distributions. By precisely controlling the **Seed** and **Size** variables, you dictate the physical geography of your server, allowing you to optimize for specific player counts or specialized community objectives.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Parameters

These variables are managed within your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** tab.

### 1. World Size (`server.worldsize`)

This parameter defines the map's total dimensions in square meters.

* **Minimum (`1000`):** Extremely constrained area; major monuments may fail to initialize.
* **Standard (`3500` - `4500`):** The professional recommendation for communities of 100 to 200 players.
* **Maximum (`6000`):** Massive landscape; requires significant CPU and RAM overhead to maintain stable network synchronization.

### 2. World Seed (`server.seed`)

This serves as the unique numeric key for the generation algorithm.

* **Value Range:** Any integer between `1` and `2147483647`.
* **Logic:** Modifying the seed while maintaining the same size results in a completely different layout of the island.

***

## Strategic Map Selection

Rather than using randomized seeds, we recommend using a visual gallery to ensure your map features the specific landmarks (e.g., Launch Site, Oil Rig, or Military Tunnels) your community expects.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Browse External Repositories">
    Visit **[RustMaps.com](https://rustmaps.com)** or a similar community visualization tool.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filter & Analyze">
    Search by your desired world size and verify that the biome distribution and monument frequency meet your community standards.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the Token">
    Copy the numerical **Seed** identified in the map metadata.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Startup">
    Input the size and seed into the corresponding fields in your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### The Persistence Paradox

  If you modify the Seed or Size while an active map file exists in your `/server/{identity}/` directory, the engine will prioritize the existing data and ignore your new settings. To force the generation of a new world, you **must** perform a [World Wipe](/games/rust/how-to-wipe-your-rust-server-map-blueprints) by deleting the `.map` and `.sav` files situated in your identity folder.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** World generation verified.
</div>


# How to Configure BetterLoot & Drop Rates in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/configuring-loot-tables-betterloot

Engineer your server's loot economy. Learn how to use BetterLoot to create 2x, 5x, or 10x modded experiences by customizing crate and barrel drops.

## Balancing the Digital Economy

Vanilla Rust progression is meticulously designed for a slow and arduous survival experience. To create a "Modded" environment that appeals to casual players or fast-paced competitive groups, you must recalibrate the loot tables residing within world containers. **BetterLoot** is the industry-standard framework for fine-tuning these drop rates, allowing you to increase the frequency of high-tier components and eliminate "junk" items from the loot pool.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy and initialize the BetterLoot logic on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Oxide Support">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab in your Game Panel and ensure the **Oxide/uMod** toggle is set to **Enabled**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Plugin Script">
    Download `BetterLoot.cs` from the uMod repository and upload it into your `/oxide/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Registry">
    Restart your server. The plugin will programmatically scan the game database and generate its primary configuration file.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Loot Calibration

The behavior of your server's economy is governed by the `BetterLoot.json` file situated in your `/oxide/config/` folder.

### 1. Understanding Rarity Scaling

BetterLoot uses a "Rarity" weighting system rather than a global multiplier. By adjusting the probability values for `Rare`, `Very Rare`, and `Elite` categories, you can increase the likelihood of players discovering weapon parts and high-tier explosives within military crates.

### 2. Implementing Item Blacklists

To curate a specific gameplay theme (e.g., a "Primitive" server), you can permanently remove specific items from the world loot pool.

* **Method:** Locate the `"Blacklist"` array within the configuration and input the technical item shortnames.
* *Example:* `"explosive.timed", "rifle.ak"`

***

<Important>
  ### Tactical Distinction: Loot vs. Gathering

  A common error among new administrators is confusing "Loot" with "Gathering."

  * **BetterLoot:** Exclusively governs items discovered within **Barrels, Crates, and Loot Boxes**.
  * **GatherManager:** Exclusively governs the yield obtained from **Harvesting Trees, Ores, and Animal Carcasses**.
    To create a consistent "2x" experience, you **must** implement and calibrate both plugins simultaneously.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Loot tables established.
</div>


# How to Configure Server Identity & Branding in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/configuring-server-description-and-header-image

Customize your Rust server description, website links, and header image for the masterlist browser to build a professional presence and attract players.

## Establishing Your Community Identity

Your server's entry within the Rust Master List serves as your primary marketing portal. A high-resolution header image, combined with a professionally formatted description, can significantly increase your community's visibility and conversion rate. By effectively communicating your server's rules, rates, and unique features before a player even initializes their connection, you ensure you attract the specific audience your community was designed for.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Visual Specifications

The **Header Image** is the primary visual banner displayed within the server browser overlay.

* **Recommended Dimensions:** `1024x512` pixels (Standard 2:1 aspect ratio).
* **Format Requirements:** You must use a direct link to a `.jpg` or `.png` file.
* **Hosting Best Practices:** use a high-uptime image CDN such as Imgur. Ensure your URL points directly to the image data (e.g., `https://i.imgur.com/example.png`) rather than a web-based gallery page.

***

## Configuration Methodologies

Follow these steps to apply your community branding via the FREAKHOSTING management suite.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Startup Interface (Recommended)">
    1. Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
    2. Populate the **Server Description** field. Use the **`\n`** sequence to create intentional line breaks for improved readability.
    3. Paste your direct URL into the **Header Image** field.
    4. Input your community's Discord or website link into the **Server URL** field.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual File Management">
    1. Open the File Manager and navigate to: `/server/{identity}/cfg/server.cfg`.
    2. Add or update the following technical variables:
       ```cfg theme={null}
       server.headerimage "https://i.imgur.com/yourimage.jpg"
       server.description "First Line\nSecond Line\nThird Line"
       server.url "https://discord.gg/yourbrand"
       ```
    3. Save the file and restart the server to broadcast the updated metadata.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Strategic Marketing Tip

  The average player spends less than three seconds reviewing a server description before moving to the next entry. We recommend front-loading your most critical features - such as **"2x Loot"**, **"No Blueprints"**, or **"Group Limit: Trio"** - within the first two lines to maximize impact.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Brand identity active.
</div>


# How to Set Up RCON & RustAdmin in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/connecting-rcon-tools-rustadmin

Master remote server administration. Learn how to securely connect RustAdmin to your server using the WebRCON protocol for advanced community management.

## Professional Remote Command & Control

Managing a high-population Rust server exclusively through the in-game F1 developer console is technically inefficient and lacks critical diagnostic visibility. **RustAdmin** is the industry-standard desktop suite that provides a dedicated graphical interface for monitoring real-time chat logs, auditing player inventories, and automating complex tasks such as scheduled restart broadcasts and persistent ban enforcement. By using the modern WebRCON protocol, you can maintain absolute control over your FREAKHOSTING instance from any location.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Credential Preparation

Before initializing the connection, you must retrieve your unique RCON parameters from the FREAKHOSTING **Startup** dashboard.

* **RCON IP:** This corresponds to your server's primary numerical IP address.
* **RCON Port:** Typically assigned as your Game Port plus one (e.g., if your game port is `28015`, your RCON port is likely `28016`).
* **RCON Password:** The private alphanumeric string you established within the panel settings.

***

## Connectivity Workflow (WebRCON)

Modern Rust server builds use the **WebRCON (WebSocket)** protocol, which offers significantly higher stability and security compared to the legacy Source RCON standard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authorize WebRCON">
    In the Game Panel **Startup** tab, ensure that the `rcon.web` environment variable is set to **`1`**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Client">
    Launch the **RustAdmin** application on your local workstation and navigate to the **Configuration** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Server Metadata">
    Enter your IP, RCON Port, and Password into the designated fields. Ensure you select **`WebRcon`** from the Server Type dropdown menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Link">
    Click **Save** and then **Connect**. The status indicator in the utility bar will transition to green once the cryptographic handshake is successful.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Resolving Persistent Disconnections">
    If the status bar remains red, verify that your RCON password does not contain special characters (such as `#` or `"`) that can interfere with the engine's parsing logic. We recommend using a high-entropy alphanumeric string for maximum compatibility.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Port Conflict Verification">
    Ensure you are using the specific **RCON Port** identified in your dashboard rather than the primary Game Port. Many network firewalls require unique routing rules for WebSocket traffic.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** RCON management active.
</div>


# How to Create Starter Kits & VIP Ranks in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/creating-start-kits-and-vip-kits

Optimize player retention and reward community loyalty. Learn how to use the Rust Kits plugin to provide starter equipment and daily VIP rewards.

## Managing Survival Loadouts: Player Kits

Providing an initial "Starter Kit" - typically consisting of basic tools and primitive weaponry - is a important strategy for improving player retention by enabling new community members to navigate the high-risk initial minutes of a server wipe. also, implementing "VIP Kits" serves as a fundamental mechanism for server owners to reward donors or established community veterans. The **Kits** framework for Oxide provides a sophisticated graphical interface for managing these assets directly within your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization

Follow these steps to deploy the Kits framework to your server's technical stack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Oxide Support">
    Ensure that **Oxide/uMod** is set to **Enabled** within your Game Panel **Startup** settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Plugin Script">
    Download the latest `Kits.cs` binary from the uMod repository and upload it into the `/oxide/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Authority">
    To manage kits in-game, your SteamID64 must be registered as an [Authenticated Server Owner](/games/rust/setting-up-rust-server-admins-and-moderators).
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Kit Construction (GUI)

The Kits plugin uses a "Copy-from-Inventory" logic, ensuring your kit contents are precisely identical to your current character loadout.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the Prototype">
    Clear your character's inventory and equip the exact combination of items, including ammunition counts and weapon attachments, that you wish the kit to contain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Registry">
    Execute the following command in the in-game chat:
    `/kit add "starter"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Calibrate Parameters">
    Type `/kit edit "starter"` to reveal the graphical configuration overlay.

    * **Cooldown:** The temporal delay (in seconds) required between redemptions.
    * **Usage Limit:** The maximum number of times a single player can use the kit per world wipe.
    * **Permission Node:** For restricted kits, assign a custom node (e.g., `kits.vip`) and grant it to your group: `oxide.grant group vip kits.vip`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Operational Strategies

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Implementing Automatic Insertion (Autokit)">
    To provide survivors with items the instant they wake up on the beach, use the command: `/kit autokit "starter" true`. This instructs the engine to replace the default rock and torch with your custom template upon character initialization.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Synchronizing with Server Wipes">
    The Kits plugin stores usage counts within the `/oxide/data/` directory. To ensure your "Per-Wipe" limits reset correctly, we recommend deleting the `Kits_Data.json` file whenever you perform a [World Wipe](/games/rust/how-to-wipe-your-rust-server-map-blueprints).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Kits configured.
</div>


# How to Install Custom Maps & RustEdit in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/how-to-install-custom-maps-rustedit

Transform your world with unique geography and complex puzzles. Learn how to deploy RustEdit extensions and use Level URLs for custom map hosting.

## Expanding the Horizon: Custom Topography

One of Rust's greatest technical strengths is its active community of cartographers. From 1:1 recreations of real-world landscapes to high-detail post-apocalyptic zones, custom maps can breathe new life into a stagnant server. Deploying these environments involves more than a simple file transfer; you must implement the **RustEdit Extension** to support custom prefabs and use a **Level URL** to facilitate high-speed content delivery to your players. This guide walk you through the professional deployment of custom map assets on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The RustEdit Technical Extension

The majority of premium-quality custom maps (such as those from Lone.Design) use specialized assets that the vanilla engine cannot initialize natively. The **RustEdit DLL** provides the necessary bridge for the engine to recognize custom monuments, Bradley APC paths, and complex automated electrical puzzles.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire the DLL">
    Download the latest version of `Oxide.Ext.RustEdit.dll` from the official community repository. Ensure the version matches your current server architecture.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Directory">
    In the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager, navigate to:
    `RustDedicated_Data/Managed/`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy and Verify">
    Upload the DLL file into the Managed directory and restart your server. The extension is now active and ready to interpret custom map data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Deployment: The Level URL Methodology

While you can host `.map` files locally, the most reliable technical method is using an external Content Delivery Network (CDN) to maximize player download speeds and prevent server-side bandwidth saturation.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stage the Asset">
    Upload your `.map` file to a high-availability host such as **Dropbox** or **Discord**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate Direct Link">
    Retrieve the share link. If using Dropbox, you **must** change the URL conclusion from `dl=0` to **`dl=1`** to instruct the game client to download the binary data directly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Startup">
    Navigate to the **Startup** tab in your Game Panel. Locate the **Level URL** field and paste your modified direct download link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    Restart the server. The engine will programmatically retrieve the map from the URL and initialize the custom topography.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Resolving Checksum Mismatch Disconnections

  If a player is rejected with a "Checksum Mismatch" error, their local cached version of the map differs from the authoritative server version. This frequently occurs if you update the map file but maintain the identical `Level URL`. Instruct affected players to delete their local `maps/` directory situated within their Steam library to force a fresh re-synchronization with your server.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Custom topography active.
</div>


# How to Wipe Your Rust Server (Map & Blueprints)
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/how-to-wipe-your-rust-server-map-blueprints

Master the fundamental cycle of server renewal. Learn how to perform map resets and full blueprint wipes to maintain performance and gameplay balance.

## The Cycle of Renewal: Wiping Protocols

In the Rust ecosystem, "Wiping" is the fundamental mechanical loop that ensures long-term community health. By systematically resetting the world state, you provide a balanced entry point for new players and purge the landscape of abandoned structures and excessive entity clutter. This procedure is the most effective method for maintaining high server FPS and reclaiming technical resources. This guide walk you through the precise technical steps for both "Soft" and "Hard" resets on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Wipe Categories

Depending on your community's progression speed, you may choose to preserve or purge player technical knowledge.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Map Wipe (Soft Reset)">
    Resets the physical terrain and removes all player-built structures, inventory stashes, and deployed entities.

    * **Retention:** Players **retain** all researched Blueprints (BPs) and character levels.
    * **Technical Procedure:** Stop the server and delete all files using the **`.sav`** and **`.map`** extensions within your `/server/{identity}/` directory.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Full Wipe (Hard Reset)">
    Completely purges all data, forcing every player to begin their journey from zero.

    * **Retention:** Zero. All technological progress is neutralized.
    * **Technical Procedure:** In addition to deleting `.sav` and `.map` files, you must delete the **`player.blueprints.db`** file situated in your identity folder.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## The Official Force Wipe Schedule

Independent of your localized community schedule, Facepunch Studios (the developer) mandates a global **"Force Wipe"** on the **first Thursday of every month** (typically at 19:00 UTC).

* **Technical Necessity:** During this window, the global server binaries undergo major updates. To maintain compatibility with the new engine logic and feature sets, the engine forcefully requires a fresh world and blueprint database.
* **Administrator Action:** You must use the **Update** feature in your Game Panel during this window to ensure your server binaries match the players' updated clients.

***

<Note>
  ### Tactical Marketing: The "Fresh" Tag

  The phrase "Fresh Wipe" is the most potent search term within the Rust community browser. We highly recommend appending the wipe date to your server's hostname immediately following a reset (e.g., `FREAK PvP | 2x | JUST WIPED 1/15`) to maximize your community's visibility during the high-traffic post-wipe hours.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Wipe protocols verified.
</div>


# How to Install Oxide & uMod in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/installing-oxideumod-on-your-rust-server

Enable advanced plugin support. Learn how to deploy the Oxide/uMod framework to authorize kits, economy systems, and administrative tools on your Rust server.

## Powering Community Customization: Oxide

**Oxide** (now formally known as uMod) is the definitive technical framework for modding the Rust server engine. It functions as a lightweight abstraction layer that enables the execution of C#-based `.cs` plugins, allowing administrators to implement features ranging from simple gather-rate multipliers to complete economy and RPG systems. By modifying the server's core assembly binaries, Oxide provides a high-performance environment for community customization without the significant overhead associated with full engine conversions.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

FREAKHOSTING has integrated the Oxide installation process directly into our automated startup pipeline, eliminating the need for manual file injection.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your active Rust instance. Navigate to the **Startup** tab in the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize the Framework">
    Locate the **Oxide / uMod** environment variable. Set the toggle to **Enabled** (or input `1` depending on your interface version).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Automated Patching">
    Return to the **Console** tab and click **Restart**. Our system will programmatically retrieve the latest Oxide binaries and patch your server's core assemblies during the boot sequence.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Verification

Once the server has achieved an `Online` status, you must verify that the framework has successfully hooked into the engine.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Console">
    Access the real-time terminal within your Game Panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Version Audit">
    Input the following command:
    `oxide.version`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Result">
    A successful initialization will return specific version metadata for both the Oxide core and the C# compiler. If the console returns "Command not found," the patching sequence has failed to initialize.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### The Post-Update Recovery Protocol

  Garry's Mod and Rust receive frequent engine updates via Steam. Every time a major update is applied, the official binaries will overwrite the modified `Assembly-CSharp.dll` file, effectively disabling your modifications and reverting the server to a "Vanilla" state. To restore your functionality, simply **Restart** your server twice. Our startup script will detect the discrepancy and re-apply the Oxide patches automatically.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Oxide framework active.
</div>


# How to Fix Steam Auth Timeouts in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/resolving-steam-auth-timeout-errors-in-rust

Resolve persistent 'Disconnected: Steam Auth Timeout' errors. Learn how to optimize connection thresholds and network parameters to ensure a stable handshake.

## Managing Connection Handshake Stability

The error message **"Disconnected: Steam Auth Timeout"** is a technical alert indicating that your Rust server failed to complete its cryptographic verification handshake with the Valve authentication servers within the allocated temporal window. This incident is most prevalent during periods of global Steam network congestion or when a player's initial data burst is delayed by suboptimal network routing. Resolving this issue involves widening your server's acceptance thresholds and optimizing the flow of diagnostic packets.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Threshold Calibration

The most immediate method for mitigating timeout disconnections is increasing the server's patience during the identity verification phase.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Config Directory">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **File Manager**. Navigate to: `/server/{identity}/cfg/`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Modify server.cfg">
    Locate and open the `server.cfg` file using the integrated editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement the Timeout Variable">
    Insert the following technical command at the conclusion of the file:
    `server.connectiontimeout 300`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Changes">
    Save the file. This increases the authorization window from the vanilla default to **300 seconds** (5 minutes), allowing players with slower connections sufficient time to complete the Steam handshake.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Network Optimization

If persistent timeouts continue following the threshold increase, you may be experiencing packet saturation during the world synchronization phase.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Throughput Management">
    Try incrementing the `server.maxpacketspersecond` variable to **`2500`** within your Game Panel **Startup** tab. This allows the engine to handle a higher volume of inbound network events during the intensive joining sequence.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Query Port Validation">
    Ensure that your **Query Port** (typically your Game Port plus one) is not being restricted by localized ISP firewalls. This specific port is responsible for the heartbeat communication between your server and the Steam Master List.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Connectivity optimized.
</div>


# How to Configure Discord Authentication in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/rust-discord-authentication

Hardened your community security. Learn how to link your Rust server to Discord to prevent ban evasion and automate player rank synchronization.

## Technical Community Integration: Discord Auth

"Auth-Gated" servers represent the gold standard for high-security, high-integrity Rust communities. By requiring participants to link their Steam profiles to a verified Discord account before they can move or interact with the world, you implement a formidable barrier against automated bot attacks and ban evasion. This system ensures that every survivor in your world is associated with a unique Discord identity, allowing for automated rank synchronization, streamlined support, and enhanced accountability.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Prerequisites

Establishing this secure handshake requires the coordination of an Oxide modification and a Discord Application.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Framework Support">
    Verify that **Oxide/uMod** is active on your FREAKHOSTING instance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy Authentication Logic">
    Install a vetted integration plugin such as `DiscordAuth.cs` or **RustCord** into your `/oxide/plugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Discord Gateway">
    Visit the [Discord Developer Portal](https://discord.com/developers/applications) and create a **New Application**. Generate a secure **Bot Token** and ensure the "Server Members Intent" is enabled.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The Authentication Handshake

Once the infrastructure is deployed, the player onboarding process follows a specific security sequence.

1. **Session Initialization:** The player connects to the server but remains physically frozen at the spawn coordinates.
2. **Identity Request:** The player executes the `/auth` command within the in-game chat.
3. **Token Generation:** The server generates a unique, time-sensitive 5-digit verification code.
4. **Discord Verification:** The player transmits this code via a Direct Message (DM) to your community's authorized Discord bot.
5. **Session Authorization:** The bot validates the cryptographic link, assigns the appropriate Discord roles, and instantly unfreezes the player's character in-game.

***

## Strategic Security Advantages

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Neutralizing Ban Evasion">
    Requiring Discord Auth forces malicious actors to maintain a phone-verified Discord account to access your server. Because high-reputation Discord accounts are significantly more difficult to acquire in bulk compared to fresh Steam accounts, this protocol dramatically reduces the frequency of "Alt-Account" raiding and cheating.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Rank Synchronization">
    By linking identities, your server can automatically detect a player's Discord status. If a member purchases a VIP rank on your webstore, the system can instantly grant the corresponding in-game kits and permissions without manual administrative intervention.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Discord integration active.
</div>


# How to Configure an In-Game Server Shop in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-a-server-shop

Establish a functional economy on your Rust server. Learn how to deploy the GUIShop framework and integrate Economics for a smooth player trading experience.

## Managing Global Economic Hubs

Implementing an in-game shop provides a important "Currency Sink" for your server's economy, rewarding active survivors with access to rare components, utility perks, or specialized vehicles like Minicopters. Depending on your community's architectural design, you can use physical currency via the **Economics** framework or implement a playtime-based loyalty system via **ServerRewards (RP)**. The FREAKHOSTING platform supports the full technical stack required to maintain a high-performance, visual shopping interface.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Infrastructure Stack

To host a professional visual shop, you must deploy the following three-layered technical stack within your `/oxide/plugins/` directory.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Currency Engine">
    Install **Economics** (for standard numeric money) or **ServerRewards** (for points earned through playtime and NPC kills).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Asset Rendering">
    Install the **ImageLibrary** plugin. This serves as the mandatory technical hook responsible for downloading and caching item icons from the Steam CDN.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Visual Interface">
    Deploy the **GUIShop** plugin to provide the interactive on-screen menu that players access via chat commands.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Configuration

The primary logical settings for your marketplace are managed within the `GUIShop.json` file situated in your `/oxide/config/` folder.

* **Economic Balance:** Define categories (e.g., `Weapons`, `Resources`, `Transport`) to keep the shop organized.
* **Transaction Logic:**
  * **`Buy Price`:** The cost required for a player to acquire the item.
  * **`Sell Price`:** The reimbursement received when a player trades assets back to the system.
* **Command Execution:** You can configure shop entries to execute console commands instead of delivering physical items. This is the professional method for "selling" VIP rank temporary permissions or automated kit access.

***

<Tip>
  ### Maintaining Economic Integrity

  To preserve the longevity of your server wipe, avoid providing "End-Game" raiding tools (e.g., C4, Rockets, or Explosive Ammo) directly within the shop. Instead, focus on selling high-utility components like **Gears**, **Springs**, and **Tech Trash**. This enables players to rebuild following a raid without neutralizing the incentive to explore high-tier monuments.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Economy systems established.
</div>


# How to Configure Restarts & Wipe Schedules in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-automatic-restarts-and-wipe-schedules

Maintain peak server performance and player retention. Learn how to automate restart cycles and manage community-facing wipe announcements.

## Managing Technical Maintenance Cycles

Rust servers are notoriously resource-intensive and prone to "Memory Creep" during prolonged uptime sessions. To maintain a high tickrate (TPS), minimize network jitter, and prevent spontaneous engine-level crashes, it is essential to implement a rigorous automated restart policy. also, effectively communicating your "Wipe Schedule" is the primary factor in maintaining player retention, as survivors are significantly more likely to invest time in a server if they know exactly when the next fresh start is scheduled.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Automated Panel Restarts

The most resilient method for managing maintenance is using the FREAKHOSTING **Schedules** utility. This system operates independently of the game process, ensuring that even if the server is technically "Frozen," the reboot sequence will still initialize.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize the Task">
    Navigate to the **Schedules** tab in your Game Panel and click **Create Schedule**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Frequency">
    Assign a descriptive name (e.g., `Daily Flush`) and set the interval using Cron syntax. For a standard 12-hour cycle, we recommend a low-traffic window such as **04:00** and **16:00**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Broadcast Warnings">
    Add a **New Task** using the `Send Command` action.

    * **Command:** `global.say "Server restarting for maintenance in 10 minutes!"`
    * **Time Offset:** Set to `0` seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Power Action">
    Add a final task with the action **`Power Control -> Restart`**. Set the **Time Offset** to `600` seconds to ensure the server only reboots once the warning timer has concluded.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Communicating the World Wipe

While the physical act of wiping the map (purging `.sav` files) should remain a manual administrative action to prevent data accidents, you can automate the community-facing countdown using the **WipeSchedule** modification.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Player Interface">
    By implementing the WipeSchedule plugin, players can execute the **`/wipe`** command at any time to view a dynamic countdown timer indicating the end of the current map cycle.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Strategic Sync">
    **Important:** Always ensure your localized community schedule aligns with the global **Facepunch Force Wipe** (the first Thursday of every month). Attempting to "hold" a map through this window will lead to version mismatch errors and block all player connections.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Maintenance schedules active.
</div>


# How to Configure the Remover Tool in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-remover-tool

Install the Remover Tool plugin on your Rust server to let players use /remove for fixing building mistakes, demolishing structures, and recovering items.

## Managing Structures: Remover Tool

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The **Remover Tool** is a essential "Quality of Life" addition for modded Rust servers. It allows players to instantly dismantle their own walls and foundations using a hammer or a chat command, which is important for fixing building errors or rearranging base layouts without wasting explosives.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Installation & Permissions

1. **Deployment:** Upload `RemoverTool.cs` to your `/oxide/plugins/` directory.
2. **Permissions:** No one can use the tool by default. You must grant access:
   * **Players:** `oxide.grant group default removertool.remove`
   * **Administrators:** `oxide.grant group admin removertool.target` (Allows removing any entity you look at).

***

## Anti-Griefing Security

Allowing players to instantly delete walls can be exploited during raids (e.g., removing a wall to hide loot or open a specific peek-hole).

* **Raid Block Integration:** You **MUST** install a raid-blocker plugin (like **NoEscape**).
* **Configuration:** In `RemoverTool.json`, ensure `"UseRaidBlocker": true` is set. This disables the `/remove` command the moment a player or any nearby structure is damaged by an explosion.

***

<Note>
  ### Refunds

  You can configure the tool to return a percentage of the building's cost to the player's inventory. For competitive servers, we recommend a **50% refund** to prevent players from instantly "reversing" an expensive base build for free.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Structure management set.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Admin & Moderator Ranks in Rust
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/rust/setting-up-rust-server-admins-and-moderators

Master the Rust authentication levels to delegate power. Learn how to securely grant administrative access, flight, and management tools to your staff.

## Establishing Administrative Authority

Rust uses a three-tiered technical authentication system to manage server access and executive authority. Granting administrative powers is essential for moderators who need to use specialized tools such as **Noclip (flight)**, item spawning, and invisible spectating to identify and neutralize cheaters. Correctly configuring these ranks ensures that your staff team has the appropriate tools to maintain community order while protecting the server's core variables from unauthorized modification.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Authentication Tiers

The Rust engine recognizes three distinct "Auth Levels" that dictate a user's command access.

* **Level 0 (Player):** Standard participant status. No access to administrative or developer commands.
* **Level 1 (Moderator):** Access to tactical moderation commands including `/kick`, `/ban`, and `/mute`. Moderators typically **cannot** spawn items or use developer cheats by default.
* **Level 2 (Owner):** Absolute authority. Access to all server variables, unrestricted item spawning, and administrative noclip.

***

## Authorization Workflow

The most secure method for assigning ranks is using the **Web RCON** console within your FREAKHOSTING dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Retrieve SteamID64">
    Obtain the player's 17-digit numerical identifier (e.g., `76561198000000000`). You can retrieve this by pasting their profile URL into [SteamID.io](https://steamid.io).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Auth Command">
    In your server console, input the appropriate command:

    * **For Owners:** `ownerid <SteamID> "DescriptiveName"`
    * **For Moderators:** `moderatorid <SteamID> "DescriptiveName"`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit Permission Registry">
    **Critical:** You must execute the command **`server.writecfg`** immediately after. If you neglect this, the rank will only exist in temporary memory and will be lost upon the next restart.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Status">
    The player must disconnect and reconnect to the server for the new administrative flags to be recognized by the game client.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Administration Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Separate Account Protocol">
    To maintain community trust, we strongly recommend that administrators who intend to participate in standard gameplay use a **separate "Player" account**. If players observe an administrator building or raiding while using their staff account, it frequently triggers accusations of "Admin Abuse," potentially damaging your server's reputation for fairness.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Invisible Spectating">
    Authorized staff can enter a "Spectator" state by using the console command `spectate`. This allows you to observe suspicious players from their perspective without manifesting an in-game character model, providing an essential tool for identifying sophisticated "closet" cheaters.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Rust:** Staff hierarchy verified.
</div>


# How to Manage Admins in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/admin-management-in-satisfactory

Learn how the server claim system and admin passwords work on Satisfactory dedicated servers to manage ownership, grant access, and set admin permissions.

## Introduction

Satisfactory Dedicated Servers do not have a text file list of admins. Instead, they use a "Claim" system involving an **Admin Password**.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

The first person to set up the server sets the password. Anyone else who wants admin rights must enter this password in their client.

## Step-by-Step Guide

### Step 1: Initial Setup (The Claim)

1. Start your new FREAKHOSTING server.
2. Open Satisfactory on your PC.
3. Go to **Server Manager** -> **Add Server**. Enter your IP/Port.
4. The server states will show as "Unclaimed".
5. Click **Claim Server**.
6. You will be asked to set an **Admin Password**. Write this down!
7. You are now the Admin.

### Step 2: Authenticating Other Admins

If your friend joins, they successfully connect as a "Guest". To make them Admin:

1. They must escape to the menu.
2. Go to **Server Manager**.
3. Select the server.
4. Click **Authenticate**.
5. Type the Admin Password you created in Step 1.
6. They now have full access to manage saves and settings.

### Step 3: Resetting the Password (I forgot it!)

If you lose the password, you must reset the server's identity.

1. **Stop** the server.
2. Navigate to `/FactoryGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
3. Delete `ServerSettings.ini`.
4. **Restart**.
5. The server will return to the "Unclaimed" state. You can now re-claim it and set a new password. The save file (your factory) is **safe** and will not be deleted.

## Conclusion

Satisfactory's system is unique but secure. Only share the Admin Password with people you trust to upload/download save files or change game rules.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Fix Belt Quality Settings in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/changing-server-quality-settings-for-belts-satisfactory

Fix conveyor belt stuttering on your Satisfactory dedicated server by adjusting network quality settings, bandwidth limits, and replication frequency.

## Introduction

"Why do the items on my conveyor belts look like a slideshow?"

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

This is the most common question in Satisfactory multiplayer. It is caused by **Network Bandwidth Limits**.

By default, Unreal Engine limits the data rate. When you have 5000 items moving on belts, the server hits this limit and stops sending updates for the movement, causing them to stutter or "teleport".

## Prerequisites

* **File Access:** Config `.ini` editing required.

## Step-by-Step Guide

### Step 1: Client Settings (Easy)

First, ensure your own game is set to Ultra.

1. Options -> Server Settings.
2. **Network Quality:** Set to **Ultra**.
3. This increases the receiving limit on your end. But the server is usually the bottleneck.

### Step 2: Server Config (The Real Fix)

1. Stop the server.
2. Navigate to `/FactoryGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`.
3. Open `Engine.ini`. (If it doesn't exist, create it).
4. Paste the following block at the bottom:

```ini theme={null}
[/Script/OnlineSubsystemUtils.IpNetDriver]
MaxClientRate=1048576
MaxInternetClientRate=1048576

[/Script/Engine.Player]
ConfiguredInternetSpeed=1048576
ConfiguredLanSpeed=1048576
```

### Explaining the Math

* `15000` (Default) = \~15 KB/s. Way too low for a Mega Factory.
* `1048576` = \~1 MB/s. This allows the server to send detailed position updates for thousands of items.

### Step 3: Restart

Save and restart. Your belts should now be smooth.

## Conclusion

Optimizing `Engine.ini` is mandatory for any late-game factory. Without it, the desync becomes unplayable.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Use Creative Mode Options in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/creative-mode-options

Enable creative mode on your Satisfactory server to unlock free building, flight, and unlimited resources for planning factory layouts and testing designs.

## Introduction

Fly and build without cost.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Enable

In **Server Manager** -> **Game Settings** -> **Advanced Game Settings**.

* **No Build Cost**: Check.
* **Flight Mode**: Check (Double jump to fly).
* **No Power**: Check (Factories run without power).

## Conclusion

This disables achievements.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Fix Pipeline Issues in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/fluid-dynamics-and-pipeline-issues

Diagnose and fix empty pipeline bugs and fluid desync on your Satisfactory dedicated server to keep production lines and fluid networks running correctly.

## Introduction

"My pipes are empty!"

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Dedicated servers sometimes desync fluid calculations (mk2 pipes).

## Fix

1. **Flush Network:** Open a pipe segment -> Click Flush.
2. **Avoid Sloshing:** Don't build full loops without valves.
3. **Engine.ini:** Increase bandwidth (See Belts guide).

## Conclusion

Fluids are cleaner in Singleplayer. On Server, use Buffers to smooth out the flow.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Upload Your Save to a Satisfactory Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/how-to-upload-your-save-to-a-satisfactory-server

Did you start a factory in Singleplayer and now want to move it to a dedicated server for 24/7 production? You can transfer the `.sav` file easily.

## Introduction

Did you start a factory in Singleplayer and now want to move it to a dedicated server for 24/7 production? You can transfer the `.sav` file easily.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Prerequisites

* **Local Save:** Located in `%localappdata%\FactoryGame\Saved\SaveGames\{YOUR_ID}\`.

## Step-by-Step Guide

### Step 1: Prepare the File

1. Find your save (e.g., `MyBase.sav`).
2. Rename it to something simple like `session.sav` (Optional, but removes spaces).

### Step 2: Uploading

1. Connect via SFTP.
2. Navigate to `/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/`.
   * *Note:* This path is weird on Linux. It might be hidden. If you can't find it, look for the log file "LogServer" -> search for "Save Path" to find where the server thinks the saves are.
   * *Common Path:* `/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/`.
3. Upload the `.sav` file.

### Step 3: Configuring Startup

1. Go to **Server Manager** (In your Game Client).
2. Select the server.
3. Go to **Manage Saves** tab.
4. You should see "session" in the list.
5. Click **Load Game**.
6. The server will restart and load that factory.

## Troubleshooting

**"Version Mismatch"**

* If you played on "Experimental" branch locally, you cannot load that save on "Early Access" (Stable) server. They must match.

## Conclusion

Your factory is portable. Move it between PC and Server as much as you like. Just remember to **Save** before shutting down!

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Use Blueprints on Dedicated Servers in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/understanding-blueprints-on-dedicated-servers

Use blueprints on your Satisfactory server to copy and paste factory sections, share designs between players, and speed up large-scale construction work.

## Introduction

Blueprints (Mk2) allow you to copy-paste factories.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Syncing

Blueprints are saved in a separate folder:
`/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/blueprints/`.
If you create one, it saves there.
If you want to upload one from Singleplayer, you must upload the `.sbp` and `.sbpcfg` files to that folder.

## Conclusion

Blueprints are per-save-session usually.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Unlock All Milestones in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/unlocking-all-milestones

Skip early-game progression on your Satisfactory server by unlocking all milestones and tiers, giving players immediate access to advanced recipes.

## Introduction

Skip the tutorial and Tiers 1-4.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Settings

In **Advanced Game Settings** (AGS).

* **Unlock All Tiers**: Instantly gives access to Nuclear Power.
* **Give All Schematics**: Unlocks all alternate recipes.

## Conclusion

Great for testing layouts.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Use Map Editors (SCIM) in Satisfactory
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/satisfactory/using-map-editors-scim

Use the Satisfactory Calculator Interactive Map to view, edit, and optimize save files. Relocate buildings, delete objects, and plan factory layouts.

## Introduction

The **Satisfactory Calculator Interactive Map (SCIM)** is the ultimate save editor.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Move your entire base 100 meters to the left. Respawn a lost death crate.

## Steps

1. Download `.sav` from server.
2. Upload to SCIM Website.
3. Edit (Right click -> Delete/Move).
4. Download modified `.sav`.
5. Upload to server.

## Conclusion

Also fixes "Ghost Players" (offline clones sitting drinking coffee).

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Adjust Light Containment Decontamination in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/adjusting-light-containment-decontamination

Adjust the Light Containment decontamination timer on your SCP:SL server to change when the zone locks down and forces players into Heavy Containment.

## Introduction

15 minutes (900 seconds) is default.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`light_containment_zone_decontamination_time: 900`.
Set to `1200` for slower games.

## Conclusion

Gas kills everything.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Friendly Fire in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/configuring-friendly-fire

Enable or disable friendly fire on your SCP:SL server to control whether teammates like Chaos Insurgency or MTF units can damage each other in rounds.

## Introduction

Chaos Insurgency killing each other?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`gameplay_config.txt`.
`friendly_fire: true`.
`friendly_fire_multiplier: 0.5`.

## Conclusion

Keep it OFF for public servers (Griefing).

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure SCP-914 Recipes in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/configuring-scp-914-recipes

Customize SCP-914 upgrade recipes on your SCP:SL server to control which items transform when processed through the Rough, Coarse, and Fine settings.

## Introduction

The upgrade machine.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`config_gameplay.txt`.
`scp914_mode: default`.
You can change input/output logic with plugins (`SCP-914 Custom Recipes`).
Vanilla only allows basic mode changing (Rough/Coarse/1:1/Fine/Very Fine).

## Conclusion

Don't put players in on "Rough".

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Customize the Lobby Waiting Screen in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/customizing-the-lobby-waiting-screen

Customize the lobby waiting screen on your SCP:SL server by editing the waiting area, player count thresholds, and round start countdown timer settings.

## Introduction

Waiting for players...

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`lobby_waiting_time: 15`.
`lobby_countdown: 10`.

## Text

You can't change the "Waiting for players" text in vanilla easily. Requires Exiled plugins to display "Welcome to FREAKHOSTING" in lobby.

## Conclusion

Keep wait times short.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
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</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Door Access Permissions in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/door-access-permissions

Configure door access permissions on your SCP:SL server to control which keycard levels can open specific doors throughout the facility containment zones.

## Introduction

Can you change which keycard opens which door?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

Yes, in detailed configs or using plugins (Exiled).

## Config

Vanilla config is limited.
Install **Exiled** framework for "DoorLock" plugins.

## Conclusion

Vanilla game settings are in `%appdata%/SCP Secret Laboratory/config/`.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

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</Tip>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
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  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Grenade Chain Reactions in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/grenade-chain-reactions

Configure grenade chain reactions on your SCP:SL server to control explosion propagation, blast radius stacking, and fragmentation damage in tight spaces.

## Introduction

Elevator grenade spam.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`pd_refresh_rate: 10`.
`grenade_chain_limit: 10`.
Prevent server crash by limiting how many grenades explode at once.

## Conclusion

Chaos Theory.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Intercom Cooldowns in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/intercom-cooldowns-and-speech-time

Set intercom cooldown timers and speech duration on your SCP:SL server to manage facility-wide announcements and prevent intercom spam from players.

## Introduction

"Attention all personnel!"

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`intercom_cooldown: 120`.
`intercom_max_speech_time: 20`.

## Conclusion

Prevent mic spam.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure RemoteAdmin Permissions in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/remoteadmin-config-permissions

Assign moderator and admin ranks with granular permissions on your SCP:SL server using the RemoteAdmin configuration file and permission flag system.

## Introduction

Assigning moderator ranks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`config_remoteadmin.txt`.

```yaml theme={null}
Members:
  - 76561198...: owner
  - 76561199...: moderator
Roles:
  moderator:
    - kick
    - ban
```

## Conclusion

Don't give `forceclass` to moderators.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
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</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure SCP Health and Spawn Scaling in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-health-and-spawn-scaling

Scale SCP health pools based on player count on your SCP:SL server to keep encounters balanced so SCP-173, SCP-096, and others remain challenging.

## Introduction

Scaling SCP-173 HP based on player count.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Config

`gameplay_config.txt`.
`scp173_health: 3000`.
`spawn_wave_probability`.

## Conclusion

Rebalance HP if you have 40 players.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure RemoteAdmin (RA) in SCP:SL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/scp-secret-laboratory/scp-secret-laboratory-configuring-remoteadmin-ra

Set up Remote Admin on your SCP:SL server to manage rounds, kick players, assign roles, and monitor game state from the dedicated admin panel interface.

## Introduction

SCP:SL servers use "Remote Admin" (RA) to manage rounds.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step-by-Step Guide

1. Navigate to `/Config/7777/` (or port number config path).
2. Open `config_remoteadmin.txt`.
3. Add your SteamID64 under the "Owner" role.
   ```yaml theme={null}
   Members:
   - 76561198000000000: owner
   ```
4. **Restart**.
5. Press `M` inside game to open RA panel.

## Conclusion

The RA config is YAML based. Indentation matters! Do not use tabs, use spaces.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026
</div>


# How to Configure Season Length in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/configuring-season-length

Customize spring, summer, autumn, and winter cycle durations on your Sons of the Forest server to control pacing, resources, and environmental difficulty.

## Managing the Climate: Seasons

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In Sons of the Forest, seasons aren't just cosmetic. They impact resource availability (frozen lakes in winter), enemy aggression levels, and your character's survival needs. Proper configuration of season length is important for ensuring your players have enough time to prepare for the harsh winter months.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Seasonal Durations

Within your server configuration files, you can define how long each cycle lasts.

### 1. The Season Length Variable

* **Short:** Approximately 2-3 in-game days per season. Use this for fast-paced servers.
* **Normal:** 3-5 days. The default experience.
* **Long:** 10-15 days. Recommended for serious survivalists.
* **Realistic:** 90 days. Follows real-world time; winter will last for months.

### 2. Implementation

Navigate to `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json` and locate:
`"GameSetting.V.SeasonLength": "Short"` (Replace with your preference).

***

<Tip>
  ### Resource Strategy

  In Spring, salmon spawn in rivers, providing easy food. In Winter, these same rivers often freeze, making fishing impossible. If you set your season length to "Long" or "Realistic," ensure you advise players to stockpile dry meat and canned goods before the first snow falls.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Seasonal logic verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Cheatstick & Admin Console in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick

Enable the developer console and use cheatstick commands on your Sons of the Forest server to manage the world, spawn items, and debug gameplay.

## Developer Oversight: The Console

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Unlike the traditional console systems in most survival games, Sons of the Forest uses a hidden "Cheatstick" menu to access administrative powers. This menu allows hosts to spawn items, fly (debugcamera), and instantly build massive structures for community events.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Activation Process

To open the console, you must first bypass the game's developer lock:

1. **Enter the "Cheat":** While in-game (not in a menu), type the word `cheatstick` using your keyboard. You do not need to open a text box; simply type it blindly while in the world.
2. **Access Menu:** Press the **F1** key.
3. **Verification:** A text prompt should appear in the top-left corner of the screen. If it does not appear, ensure you typed the word correctly without any pauses.

***

## Essential Commands

| Command               | Effect                                                          |
| :-------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `addallitems`         | Adds 1 of every item in the game to your inventory.             |
| `godmode on`          | Invulnerability and infinite stamina.                           |
| `instantbookbuild on` | Any architectural blueprint finishes as soon as you look at it. |
| `loghack on`          | Infinite logs appear in your hands while building.              |
| `save`                | Forces the dedicated server to save current world progress.     |

***

<Important>
  ### Server-Side Permission

  For the `cheatstick` menu to function on a dedicated server, the variable `"AllowCheats": true` must be set within the `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json` file. If this is false, only local "Admin" password users can execute commands.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Console tools active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Server Admin in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/dedicated-server-admin-config

Configure admin passwords, owner credentials, and permissions on your Sons of the Forest server using the JSON configuration file and SteamID system.

## Server Authority: Admin Setup

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Sons of the Forest dedicated servers use a streamlined permission system based on administrative passwords. By configuring an "Admin Password," you grant yourself the ability to execute world-management commands and manage player connections directly from the in-game client.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Initialization

1. **Stop Server:** Ensure your server is offline before modifying JSON files.
2. **Locate Config:** Open the `/userdata/dedicatedserver.cfg` file using the FREAKHOSTING File Manager.
3. **Set Password:** Find the line `"AdminPassword": ""` and enter your desired secure phrase between the quotes.
   * *Example:* `"AdminPassword": "MySecretPassword123!"`

***

## Authenticating In-Game

Once the server is back online, follow these steps to claim your administrative rights:

1. Join your server as a normal player.
2. Open the **F1** console (requires [Cheatstick Activation](/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick) first).
3. Type the following command: `/adminlogin {YourPassword}`.
4. If successful, you will receive more strong options within the F1 menu to kick, ban, or teleport players.

***

<Note>
  ### SteamID Authorization

  Advanced users can also authorize themselves by adding their 17-digit SteamID64 to the `"Owners"` array in the configuration file, allowing for automatic admin status every time they connect without needing to type a password.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Admin config verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Enable Tree Regrowth in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/enabling-tree-regrowth

Enable automatic tree regrowth on your Sons of the Forest server to let forests regenerate over time, preventing permanent deforestation on the island.

## Environmental Restoration: Tree Regrowth

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, deforestation in Sons of the Forest can become permanent if you clear large swaths of land for building. To maintain the island's lush environment and ensure a steady supply of building materials for the long term, we recommend enabling the **Tree Regrowth** system.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration Variables

This setting is managed within the Gameplay settings file:

* **Path:** `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`
* **Variable:** `"GameSetting.V.TreeRegrowth": true` (Set to true to enable).

***

## How It Functions

* **Timing:** Trees typically regrow while players are **sleeping**.
* **Rate:** The speed is determined by the `TreeRegrowthRate` variable. A value of `0.1` represents a 10% chance for a stump to grow back into a tree each night cycle.
* **Proximity:** Regrowth will **not** occur if a player-built structure (like a cabin) is too close to the stump, preventing trees from bursting through your floors.

***

<Tip>
  ### Kelvin Tip

  If you have tree regrowth enabled, instruct Kelvin to "Clear 5-10 meters" around your base rather than "Get Logs" from nearby sources. Large clear-cuts far from your base will eventually grow back, keeping your immediate view clear while preserving the forest's overall health.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Regrowth system active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Change Difficulty & Seasons in Sons of Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/how-to-change-difficulty-and-season-length-in-sons-of-the-forest

Modify difficulty and seasonal cycle durations on your Sons of the Forest server through the JSON config to balance survival challenge and gameplay pace.

## World Parameters: Difficulty & Environment

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Sons of the Forest uses a specialized JSON structure for world management. Unlike its predecessor, this system allows for granular control over enemy health, animal spawn rates, and most critically, the **Season Length**. Whether you want a permanent summer vacation or a grueling realistic-time winter, these settings are found in your dedicated server's user data.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration Paths

All gameplay-related world settings are generating in the following folder **after the first successful server boot**:

* **Gameplay Settings:** `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`
* **Network Settings:** `/userdata/dedicatedserverlaunch.json`

***

## Modifying World Traits

### 1. Game Difficulty

Locate `"GameSetting.V.Difficulty"`:

* **Normal:** The balanced survival experience.
* **Hard:** Increased enemy aggression and resource scarcity.
* **Peaceful:** No cannibal or mutant threats (useful for creative building).
* **Custom:** Enables specific boolean flags found in the `CustomGameModeSettings` block.

### 2. Seasonal Duration

Locate `"GameSetting.V.SeasonLength"`:

* **Short:** Rapidly cycles through seasons.
* **Default:** Standard pacing.
* **Long:** Historically accurate day-counts for each season.
* **Realistic:** Winter and Summer will last for months of real-world time.

***

<Important>
  ### The "Initialization" Rule

  If your `/userdata/` folder is empty or the JSON files are missing, the server must run **once** for the engine to generate them. Start your FREAKHOSTING server, wait for the console to reach the "Game Loaded" state, then stop it to initialize these configuration files.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** World variables verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Infinite Logs & Build Hacks in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/infinite-logs-and-build-hacks

Enable infinite logs and building shortcuts on your Sons of the Forest server to accelerate base construction and creative building for your community.

## Architectural Mastery: Build Hacks

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Constructing a massive fortified base in Sons of the Forest can be an exhausting logistical challenge. For community project builds or creative-focused servers, you can use hidden developer flags to bypass material requirements and movement restrictions, allowing you to focus entirely on the design.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Log Hacking

Logging is the most time-consuming part of the game. Enabling the "Log Hack" allows you to place infinite structures without depleting your hands.

1. **Activate Console:** Ensure you have typed `cheatstick` ([detailed here](/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick)) and pressed **F1**.
2. **The Command:** Type `loghack on`.
3. **Usage:** Pick up a single log. As you place it into a blueprint or onto a wall, a new log will instantly appear in your hands. You never need to return to the forest for more wood.

***

## Structural Shortcuts

In addition to infinite materials, you can enable these building aids:

* **Instant Build:** `instantbookbuild on`. Any ghost-blueprint you place will be instantly completed as soon as you look at it.
* **Super Jump:** `superjump on`. Allows you to leap over defensive walls and onto rooftops to inspect your work from above.
* **Fall Damage:** `setvariation 1` (Can vary). We recommend using `godmode on` while building at heights to prevent accidental death from scaffolding falls.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Build tools verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Spawn Items in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/item-spawning-ids

Spawn items via the developer console on your Sons of the Forest server. Find item IDs for weapons, tools, food, and materials to add to inventories.

## Resource Procurement: Item Spawning

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> If you find yourself stuck due to a lost item (like the Shovel or Rebreather) or simply wish to test endgame weaponry, the Sons of the Forest console allow for instant item procurement. By using the `additem` command followed by the specific numeric ID, you can bypass hours of cave exploration.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Spawning Procedure

1. **Prerequisite:** You must have the [Cheatstick console enabled](/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick).
2. **Command Syntax:** `additem {ID}`
3. **Example:** To spawn a pistol, you would type `additem 355` in the F1 console.

***

## Essential Survival IDs

| Item Name      | ID  | Category    |
| :------------- | :-- | :---------- |
| **Shovel**     | 485 | Exploration |
| **Rope Gun**   | 523 | Exploration |
| **Rebreather** | 444 | Exploration |
| **Modern Axe** | 356 | Tools       |
| **Machete**    | 359 | Weapons     |
| **Pistol**     | 355 | Weapons     |
| **Shotgun**    | 358 | Weapons     |
| **Flashlight** | 471 | Gear        |

***

<Note>
  ### Full List

  The game features hundreds of IDs for clothing, food, and building components. For an exhaustive list of every decorative and structural ID, we recommend consulting the official Sons of the Forest community wiki, as new IDs are added with every weekly Early Access patch.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Item IDs verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Kelvin & Virginia in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/managing-kelvin-and-virginia

Manage companion NPCs Kelvin and Virginia on your Sons of the Forest server. Learn how to issue commands, protect them, and resurrect them after death.

## Companion Management: Kelvin & Virginia

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Kelvin and Virginia are important assets for any Sons of the Forest world, providing automated labor and defensive fire support. However, on a dedicated server, their deaths are permanent by default. If a companion is accidentally killed by a player or a cannibal raid, they will not respawn naturally unless the world is reset or the save file is manually edited.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Resurrecting Fallen Allies

If Kelvin (Robby) or Virginia die, you must modify the world's save state to bring them back.

1. **Stop Server:** Shut down the server via the FREAKHOSTING panel.
2. **Download Save:** Navigate to `/userdata/Saves/DedicatedServer/Multiplayer/{Slot}/` and download the `GameStateSaveData.json` file.
3. **Edit Registry:** Open the file in a text editor and search for:
   * `"IsRobbyDead": true` -> Change to `false`
   * `"IsVirginiaDead": true` -> Change to `false`
4. **Health Check:** Ensure their health values in `SaveData.json` are reset to `100.0` or they may instantly die again upon loading.
5. **Re-upload:** Replace the files on the server and restart.

***

## Console Spawning (Alternative)

If you prefer not to edit files, you can attempt to force-spawn a new instance of the companion using the [F1 Console](/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick).

* **Spawn Kelvin:** `addcharacter Robby`
* **Spawn Virginia:** `addcharacter Virginia`

***

<Important>
  ### Duplicate Warning

  Using the `addcharacter` command creates a *new* instance of the NPC. If the original NPC was actually still alive (perhaps just stuck in a cave), you will now have two copies of Kelvin operating on the server. This can lead to increased CPU load and pathfinding glitches. Always verify death via save files before spawning new characters.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** NPC logic verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Save Slots in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/managing-save-slots-in-sons-of-the-forest

Switch between campaign save slots and world states on your Sons of the Forest server to manage playthroughs, test configurations, and back up progress.

## Persistence Management: Save Slots

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Sons of the Forest allows a single dedicated server instance to manage multiple "Slots" or distinct world campaigns. This is particularly useful for server owners who wish to host a "Hardcore" world on weekdays and a "Creative" world on weekends without deleting any existing player progress.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Navigating the Save Path

All world data and player inventories are archived in the following directory:

* **Directory:** `/userdata/Saves/DedicatedServer/Multiplayer/`
* **Folders:** Inside, you will see subfolders named with long GUID strings (e.g., `000000001`). These correspond directly to your active **Save Slot ID**.

***

## Switching or Wiping (The Slot Method)

To "Wipe" your server while preserving the old world for the future:

1. **Stop Server:** Navigate to your FREAKHOSTING dashboard and shut down the instance.
2. **Modify Startup:** Go to the **Startup** tab.
3. **Change ID:** Locate the **Save Slot** variable.
   * **Current:** `1`
   * **New Slot:** `2`
4. **Boot:** Start the server. The engine will see that no folder for "Slot 2" exists and will automatically generate a brand-new island. All new players will wake up at the starting crash site.

***

<Tip>
  ### Manual Backups

  While FREAKHOSTING provides automated infrastructure backups, we strongly recommend manually downloading your `/userdata/Saves/` folder to your local PC once a week. Because Sons of the Forest is in Early Access, large game patches can occasionally corrupt the save file's internal JSON structure.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Save logic verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Sleep Settings in Sons of Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/multiplayer-sleep-settings

Configure multiplayer sleep requirements on your Sons of the Forest server to control how many players must rest to skip the night and trigger regrowth.

## Temporal Management: Sleep Logic

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In a multiplayer environment, skipping the night can be difficult if players are spread out across the island or if someone is AFK in a base. By adjusting the "Sleep Percentage," you can control how many people must use a tent or bed simultaneously for the server to accelerate time to the next morning.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration Variable

This setting is found in your main gameplay configuration file:

* **Path:** `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`
* **Variable:** `"GameSetting.V.PlayersSleepingPercentage": 100`

***

## Recommended Thresholds

* **100% (Default):** Requires every single player online to be tucked into a bed. This is often impossible on public servers.
* **50% (Recommended):** Only half the server needs to sleep. This is the community standard for active dedicated servers.
* **1% (Instant Skip):** As long as one person is sleeping, the night will skip. Use this for low-population friend groups.

***

<Note>
  ### Tree Regrowth Link

  Remember that [Tree Regrowth](/games/sons-of-the-forest/enabling-tree-regrowth) is tied to the sleep cycle. If your server never sleeps (because the percentage is too high), your forests will never regenerate naturally.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Sleep settings verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up Admins in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/setting-up-admins-for-sons-of-the-forest

Grant admin privileges on your Sons of the Forest server by configuring the SteamID whitelist to authorize specific players as owners and administrators.

## Authority Management: Server Admins

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Administrative rights in Sons of the Forest grant you the power to bypass standard survival restrictions, execute developer console commands, and moderate the player community via kicks and bans. There are two primary methods for establishing these rights: the Whitelist system (for persistent rights) and the Password system (for temporary access).

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## The Whitelist Method (Persistent)

This is the most secure method for defining long-term server owners.

1. **Identify ID:** Obtain your 17-digit SteamID64 (e.g., `76561198...`).
2. **Access Files:** Navigate to your `/userdata/` directory via the Freakhosting File Manager.
3. **Edit Whitelist:** Open the `ownerswhitelist.txt` file.
4. **Input:** Paste your SteamID64 on a new line. Save the file.
5. **Relog:** When you next connect to the server, the engine will automatically recognize you as an "Owner," granting you full access to the [F1 Console](/games/sons-of-the-forest/console-commands-cheatstick).

***

## Enabling Cheat Mode

Granting admin rights allows you to open the console, but the commands themselves may still be locked if the server is in "Pure" mode.

* **Config Path:** `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`
* **Variable:** `"GameSetting.V.CheatsMode": true`
* **Utility:** This must be set to `true` to enable building hacks, godmode, and item spawning.

***

<Note>
  ### Security Warning

  Setting `CheatsMode` to true enables administrative commands for any user you have granted ownership or moderator status. Be extremely selective with whom you add to your `ownerswhitelist.txt`, as there is currently no "permission tier" system-every owner has full destructive power over the world.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Admin hierarchy active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Teleport Players in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/teleporting-players

Teleport players across the island on your Sons of the Forest server using console coordinates. Learn the teleport commands and common landmark positions.

## Instant Traversal: Teleportation

***

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The Sons of the Forest island is significantly larger than its predecessor, making manual travel between caves and bases a time-consuming task. Administrators can use the `goto` command within the F1 console to instantly relocate themselves or their companions to specific coordinates or player locations.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Coordinate-Based Teleportation

The primary method for moving across the world is using X, Y, and Z coordinates.

* **Command:** `goto [X] [Z] [Y]`
* **Spatial Logic:**
  * **X:** East/West position.
  * **Z:** North/South position.
  * **Y:** Vertical height (Altitude).
* **Important Note:** In the Unity engine (which powers SotF), **Y is height**. If you enter a low Y value while teleporting to a mountainous region, you may spawn deep underground or fall through the map geometry.

***

## Player-to-Player Teleport

On dedicated servers where administrative mods are installed, you can often use simplified player-based commands:

1. **Request:** `goto [PlayerName]` (Relocates you directly to that player's current position).
2. **Summon:** `bring [PlayerName]` (Forces the player to your current location).

***

<Tip>
  ### Safety First

  We recommend using `godmode on` before teleporting to unknown coordinates. This ensures that if you accidentally spawn several hundred feet in the air or inside a cliffside, you will survive the fall or the collision.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** Teleportation tools verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Tune Enemy Aggression in Sons of the Forest
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/sons-of-the-forest/tuning-enemy-aggression

Tune cannibal and mutant aggression on your Sons of the Forest server by adjusting enemy behavior, damage, spawn frequency, and patrol patterns in config.

## Managing the Threat: Aggression

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Survival in Sons of the Forest is defined by your interaction with the island's hostile inhabitants. By adjusting aggression parameters, you can transform your server from a relatively peaceful building simulator into a relentless "tower defense" experience where your base is under constant siege.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Global Behavior Settings

These variables are found in `/userdata/dedicatedservergameplay.json`:

### 1. The Aggression Level

Located under `"GameSetting.V.EnemyAggression"`:

* **Low:** Enemies rarely initiate combat and will often observe from a distance.
* **Normal:** Balanced behavior; they will attack if provoked or if you enter their territory.
* **High:** Constant raids. Patrols will actively hunt players across the map and engage on sight.

### 2. Attack Frequency

The frequency of "Base Raids" (where cannibals specifically target your structures) is tied to the time of year and your proximity to their camps. In "Hard" mode or with custom difficulty enabled, you can increase the `EnemyDamage` multiplier to make every encounter potentially fatal.

***

<Note>
  ### Custom Difficulty

  If you set your world to `Custom` difficulty, you can manually fine-tune variables like `"GameSetting.V.CannibalDamage"` and `"GameSetting.V.MutantSpawnRate"` to create a unique challenge that fits your community's skill level.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Sons of the Forest:** AI parameters verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Change World Size & Difficulty in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/changing-world-size-and-difficulty-in-terraria

Engineer your ideal realm. Learn how to configure world dimensions and difficulty levels before generation to ensure the best multiplayer experience.

## Crafting Your Realm: World Generation Logic

In the Terraria engine, world parameters are technically static once the generation sequence concludes. This means you cannot expand a "Small" world into a "Large" world or transition from "Classic" to "Master" mode after the world file (`.wld`) has been created. These critical variables must be defined within your configuration registry **before** the server initializes its first world instance. This guide walk you through the technical configuration of your world and the procedure for forcing a regeneration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration (`serverconfig.txt`)

You can define these variables directly within the `serverconfig.txt` file or use the **Startup** tab in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel.

### 1. World Size Calibration (`autocreate`)

This parameter dictates the total horizontal and vertical dimensions of your map.

* **`1` (Small):** Optimized for singleplayer or 1-2 survivors.
* **`2` (Medium):** A balanced environment for small cooperative groups.
* **`3` (Large):** **Highly Recommended** for public community servers (4+ players). A large world ensures sufficient resource distribution and biome diversity for every participant.

### 2. Difficulty Tiers (`difficulty`)

Adjust the survival intensity and loot quality by modifying the following modes:

| Mode ID | Name        | Mechanical Impact                                                   |
| :------ | :---------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **`0`** | **Classic** | Standard baseline gameplay and mechanics.                           |
| **`1`** | **Expert**  | Scaled boss health, increased drop rates, and unique Treasure Bags. |
| **`2`** | **Master**  | Extreme tactical challenge, exclusive relics, and rare mount drops. |
| **`3`** | **Journey** | Accessible mode featuring research and duplication capabilities.    |

***

## Procedure for World Regeneration

If you have already initialized a world and wish to modify these settings, you must programmatically force the engine to regenerate the terrain.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Configurations">
    Modify the `autocreate` and `difficulty` variables in your **Startup** settings or `serverconfig.txt` to reflect your new desired state.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Purge Legacy Data">
    Navigate to the **Files** tab and enter the `/Saves/Worlds/` directory. Delete or rename the existing **`.wld`** file to prevent the engine from loading the old data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Generation">
    **Start** the server. The engine will detect the missing world file and automatically generate a new one using your updated technical parameters.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** World generation rules set.
</div>


# How to Set Up Starter Kits & Loadouts in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/class-setup-and-loadout-plugins

Optimize player retention on your TShock server. Learn how to implement Starter Kits and Server-Side Characters (SSC) to provide a balanced survival experience.

## Onboarding Survivors: Strategic Starter Kits

Public Terraria servers can be a daunting environment for new survivors attempting to establish themselves within an existing world. By implementing a standardized "Starter Kit," you provide new community members with essential mobility tools (such as a Magic Mirror) and basic defensive equipment, significantly improving player retention and early-game engagement. This guide walk you through the technical implementation of the **StarterPack** framework and the mandatory synchronization of **Server-Side Characters (SSC)** on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment of StarterPack

The most efficient method for managing initial loadouts is using the **StarterPack** plugin for the TShock framework.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Assets">
    Download the `StarterPack.dll` binary from the official TShock plugin repository.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Server">
    use the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) File Manager or SFTP to upload the DLL into your `/ServerPlugins/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Registry">
    Restart your server once. This action programmatically generates the `StarterPack.json` configuration file within the same folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Item Identifiers">
    Open the configuration and populate the kit with specific **Item IDs**.

    * **Recommended IDs:** `50` (Magic Mirror), `2322` (Mining Helmet), `20` (Copper Broadsword).
    * **Balance Warning:** Avoid providing "End-Game" artifacts like the Zenith, as this neutralizes the world's sense of progression and reduces player longevity.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Essential Logic: Server-Side Characters (SSC)

To ensure your starter kits are mandatory and to prevent community imbalance, you must authorize the **Server-Side Characters** feature.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Technical Reason">
    Without SSC, the Terraria engine allows players to connect using characters from their local singleplayer worlds. This enables malicious actors or veterans to enter your survival server with endgame gear, instantly bypassing your intended progression curve.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Implementing SSC">
    Navigate to your root directory and open the **`config.json`** file. Locate the `"ServerSideCharacter"` parameter and set its value to **`true`**.

    * *Strategic Result:* Players are forced to initialize a fresh character for your server. Their inventory data is stored securely in your server's technical database rather than on their local computer.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Managing Technical Database Bloat

  As your community expands, the SSC database will accumulate thousands of individual character profiles. We recommend using the **[TShock CleanUp](/games/terraria/managing-bans-and-guests-in-terraria)** commands periodically to purge inactive character data (e.g., profiles that haven't logged in for 30+ days) to maintain high server performance.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Starter kits initialized.
</div>


# How to Configure Auto-Backups & Saves in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/configuring-auto-backup-interval

Protect your world data from corruption and crashes. Learn how to calibrate the TShock BackupInterval and implement a strong data preservation strategy.

## Data Sovereignty: Technical Auto-Savings

In the Terraria engine, world data is programmatically written to disk primarily during a graceful server shutdown or at specific time-based intervals. If your server encounters a process termination due to a memory overflow or a technical plugin conflict, any progress achieved since the last successful write operation could be permanently lost. Implementing a rigorous auto-save and backup policy is essential for maintaining community trust and safeguarding months of architectural progress.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Interval Calibration

The frequency of automated backups is governed by the TShock configuration registry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **Files** tab. Navigate to the `/tshock/` directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit config.json">
    Open the `config.json` file using the integrated text editor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Backup Logic">
    Locate and modify the following parameters:

    * **`BackupInterval`:** Change from the default `60` to **`15`** (minutes). This ensures you never lose more than a quarter-hour of gameplay.
    * **`SaveWorldOnCrash`:** Set this to **`true`**. This instructs the engine to attempt an immediate emergency disk write if a fatal exception is detected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server to activate the new backup rules.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Data Restoration Procedures

If your primary `.wld` file becomes unreadable or corrupted, use our standardized recovery protocol.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Recovering From TShock Snapshots">
    1. **Stop** the server via the dashboard.
    2. Navigate to the `/tshock/backups/` directory.
    3. Identify the most recent ZIP archive corresponding to a healthy world state.
    4. Extract the `.wld` file and migrate it to your primary `/Saves/Worlds/` folder, overwriting the corrupted version.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="FREAKHOSTING Cloud Backups">
    For absolute redundancy, use the **[Backups](/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups)** tab in your Game Panel to restore a full server snapshot. This is the most reliable method for recovering from catastrophic plugin or directory-wide errors.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Important>
  ### Managing Backup Storage Bloat

  Frequent backup intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes) generate significant amounts of data. A "Large" Terraria world can exceed **100MB per snapshot**. Monitor your disk usage closely via the Game Panel dashboard to ensure your storage does not reach capacity, as this will prevent the server from generating future saves.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Backups configured.
</div>


# How to Configure Journey Mode in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/configuring-journey-mode-settings

Master absolute creative control. Learn the requirements and TShock permissions needed to host a specialized Journey Mode server for builders.

## Creative Control: The Journey Mode Environment

Journey Mode represents Terraria's official "Creative" equivalent, providing players with powerful environmental manipulation tools and the unique ability to duplicate any item once it has been researched. While this mode is an exceptional choice for community building projects and architectural showcases, it requires specific technical synchronization between the server's world difficulty and the players' character profiles. This guide walk you through the technical requirements and administrative permissions for managing a Journey server on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Synchronization Requirements

For a Journey Mode session to successfully initialize, the engine enforces strict parity between the world and the participant.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Server Registry">
    The `difficulty` parameter within your **Startup Settings** or `serverconfig.txt` must be explicitly set to **`3`**. If this value is incorrect, the server will operate under standard survival logic, and Journey characters will be rejected.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Client Profile">
    Survivors **must** create a new character specifically using the **"Journey"** difficulty setting.

    * **Logical Restriction:** Standard characters (Classic, Expert, Master) cannot connect to Journey worlds, and Journey characters cannot migrate to standard survival servers.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## TShock Power Management

If your instance uses the [TShock Framework](/games/terraria/how-to-install-tshock-on-terraria), you can programmatically control which community members have access to Journey's powerful manipulation menu using permission nodes.

| Permission Node              | Technical Capability                                                        |
| :--------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`tshock.journey.power`**   | Grants global access to the primary Journey power menu and UI.              |
| **`tshock.journey.time`**    | Allows the participant to freeze or accelerate the world's day/night cycle. |
| **`tshock.journey.weather`** | Authorizes the manual triggering of rain, wind, and thunderstorms.          |
| **`tshock.journey.spawn`**   | Enables the manipulation of enemy spawn rates (0x to 10x).                  |

***

<Note>
  ### Strategic Progression Note

  Journey Mode is technically designed to facilitate building and testing. Because items lose all inherent value once they are researched and duplicated, we recommend using **Expert or Master** modes for standard survival communities where resource scarcity and a sense of progression are primary objectives.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Journey mode configured.
</div>


# How to Configure TShock Groups & Permissions in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/configuring-tshock-groups-and-permissions

Master the administrative hierarchy of your server. Learn how to create custom ranks, assign permission nodes, and manage TShock group inheritance.

## Authority Management: The TShock Hierarchy

TShock uses a sophisticated grouping architecture that enables you to delegate administrative power and reward community loyalty with high precision. By defining specialized permission nodes, you can architect a granular hierarchy where "Guests" are restricted to exploration, "Citizens" can build and collaborate, and "Staff" possess the tactical tools required for moderation. This guide ensures your server's authority structure is secure, scalable, and correctly synchronized with your community goals.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Group Hierarchy

By default, the TShock framework initializes with a balanced set of roles. Understanding these baseline groups is essential before creating custom variants.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Guest (Unregistered)">
    The entry point for all new participants. Authorized for basic world navigation but restricted from structural modification if world protection is active.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Default (Registered)">
    Survivors who have successfully executed the `/register` command. This represents the standard participant rank with building and container access.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Admin (Moderator)">
    Authorized for tactical community management, including the ability to kick, ban, and mute disruptive players.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="SuperAdmin (Owner)">
    Absolute world authority. Possesses the `*` (Global) permission node, granting control over every technical command and server variable.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Essential Administrative Commands

Ranks are managed through real-time console commands or the in-game chat interface (provided you possess SuperAdmin status).

| Administrative Action | Technical Syntax                | Strategic Purpose                                                         |
| :-------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Create Group**      | `/group add [name] [parent]`    | Defines a new rank that inherits all powers from the `parent` group.      |
| **Authorize Power**   | `/group addperm [group] [node]` | Grants a specific capability (e.g., `tshock.teleport`) to an entire rank. |
| **Revoke Power**      | `/group delperm [group] [node]` | Removes a specific node from the group's authorized registry.             |
| **Assign Player**     | `/user group [player] [rank]`   | Migrates a specific participant into a new administrative or social tier. |

***

## Strategic Permission Architecture

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The 'Star' Permission Security">
    The **`*`** (Asterisk) permission is a powerful technical wildcard. It bypasses every security check within the TShock engine. We strongly recommend that this node remains restricted exclusively to the **SuperAdmin** group. Granting "Star" access to junior staff members creates a significant security vulnerability, as it allows for the deletion of world data and manipulation of server-side credentials.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Implementing Inheritance">
    using the **Parent** parameter when adding a group (e.g., `/group add vip default`) ensures that your `vip` group automatically receives every future permission granted to the `default` group. This prevents redundant configuration and ensures your hierarchy remains consistent.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** TShock permissions active.
</div>


# How to Configure Expert & Master Mode Loot in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/expert-and-master-mode-drop-rates

Maximize your community's rewards. Learn how Expert and Master modes introduce Treasure Bags and relics to ensure fair loot distribution in multiplayer.

## Reaping the Rewards: Strategic Difficulty Scaling

In the Terraria ecosystem, higher difficulty settings provide significantly more than just a formidable combat challenge. Transitioning your server to Expert or Master mode introduces specialized loot mechanics that are essential for maintaining a fair and balanced item distribution within a multiplayer environment. By using instanced rewards, you ensure that every participant is recognized for their contribution to world progression.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Treasure Bag Mechanic: Instanced Loot

The primary strategic reason to initialize your FREAKHOSTING server in **Expert (`1`)** or **Master (`2`)** mode is the implementation of the Treasure Bag system.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="The Classic Mode Problem">
    In Classic Mode, bosses drop a single, centralized set of items. In a high-population server, this frequently results in a "Winner-Takes-All" scenario where one player retrieves the entire loot pool, leaving the rest of the community without progression materials.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The Expert/Master Solution">
    Loot becomes **Instanced**. Every player who contributed significant damage to a boss encounter will receive their own personalized **Treasure Bag**. This ensures that the entire community progresses at a synchronized rate and eliminates potential conflict over high-tier assets.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Difficulty Comparison

Understand the technical trade-offs between world modes to select the optimal experience for your community.

| Difficulty Mode |  ID | Strategic Loot Benefits                                             | Combat Scale         |
| :-------------- | :-: | :------------------------------------------------------------------ | :------------------- |
| **Classic**     | `0` | Standard global drops.                                              | Baseline HP/Damage.  |
| **Expert**      | `1` | **Treasure Bags**, Exclusive accessories (e.g., Shield of Cthulhu). | 2x Enemy Attributes. |
| **Master**      | `2` | Exclusive **Relics**, high-tier mounts, and rare pets.              | 3x Enemy Attributes. |

***

<Note>
  ### Multi-Stage progression

  Expert Mode is widely considered the industry standard for community survival servers. It provides sufficient mechanical challenge to keep veteran groups engaged while using the Treasure Bag logic to prevent early-game community attrition caused by loot scarcity.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Difficulty mechanics verified.
</div>


# How to Install & Set Up TShock in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/how-to-install-tshock-on-terraria

Enable advanced administrative control. Learn how to install the TShock framework to authorize plugins, manage permissions, and protect your Terraria server.

## Pro Administration: The TShock Framework

While the official vanilla Terraria server binaries are highly stable, they lack the essential feature sets required for public community hosting, such as strong anti-griefing protection, persistent account registration, and modular plugin support. **TShock** is the definitive industry-standard replacement that provides these complete management tools while maintaining absolute technical compatibility with vanilla game clients. This guide walk you through the professional initialization of TShock on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment via Panel

FREAKHOSTING has integrated the TShock deployment process directly into our automated startup pipeline, eliminating the need for manual binary injection.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Software Build">
    Locate the **Server Version** dropdown and select **TShock**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Automated Patching">
    Return to the **Console** and click **Restart**. Our system will programmatically retrieve the latest TShock binaries and synchronize the necessary libraries during the boot sequence.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Authorizing Your Administrative Identity

Upon the initial boot, TShock generates a unique, one-time security token required to claim the "SuperAdmin" rank.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Monitor the Console">
    Watch your server logs for a stylized notification:
    `To become SuperAdmin, type /setup [9-Digit-Code]`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Handshake">
    Launch Terraria on your workstation and join your server instance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Setup">
    Type the `/setup` command (including your specific code) into the in-game chat interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Secure Your Account">
    Once authorized, execute `/register <Password>` followed by `/login <Password>` to link your character UUID to your administrative permissions permanently.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Technical Client Compatibility

  Despite the significant modifications made to the server-side engine, your community members **DO NOT** require any specialized software or mods to connect. TShock is architected to remain transparent to the client, allowing players to join using their standard Steam or GOG versions of Terraria.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** TShock installed.
</div>

***

<Important>
  ### Client Compatibility

  Despite being a modified server engine, your players **DO NOT** need to install TShock. They can join using their standard Steam/Vanilla Terraria game client.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** TShock installed.
</div>


# How to Install & Manage TShock Plugins in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/installing-tshock-plugins

Extend your server's technical capabilities. Learn how to deploy TShock plugins for WorldEdit, economy systems, and advanced server administration.

## Expanding the Engine: TShock Plugins

TShock plugins are modular technical extensions, typically distributed as `.dll` files, that introduce sophisticated new functionalities to your Terraria server. Whether your community requires a decentralized economy for trading, **WorldEdit** for massive structural terraforming, or **Essentials** for streamlined player shortcuts, plugins serve as the backbone of a successful community ecosystem. By using the TShock API, these modifications can alter world behavior without requiring players to install any localized mods.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to correctly integrate new modifications into your server's software stack.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Latest Binaries">
    Obtain the desired plugin from the official [TShock Hangar](https://hangar.papermc.io/) or the community Discord. **Important:** Ensure the plugin is explicitly designed for TShock; modifications for "tModLoader" are architecturally incompatible.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab, or connect via [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to ServerPlugins">
    Upload the `.dll` file directly into the `/ServerPlugins/` directory located in your server's root folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Logic">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab during the boot sequence; TShock will broadcast a registry of every successfully loaded assembly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuration & Customization

Once a plugin has successfully initialized for the first time, it programmatically generates its own configuration registry.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Locating JSON Configs">
    Navigate to the `/tshock/` or `/ServerPlugins/Config/` directory. Most plugins use a `.json` format for their settings, allowing you to calibrate parameters such as command cooldowns, block placement limits, or starter item IDs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Access (Permissions)">
    Simply installing a plugin does not always grant players access to its commands. You must explicitly authorize the new capabilities using the [TShock Permission System](/games/terraria/configuring-tshock-groups-and-permissions) (e.g., `/group addperm default plugin.command.node`).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Warning>
  ### Technical Version Sensitivity

  TShock plugins are highly dependent on the specific **TShock API version**. If you perform a major server update (e.g., transitioning from Terraria 1.4.4 to 1.4.5), ensure your plugins are also updated to their corresponding compatible builds. A mismatched plugin assembly will frequently trigger a "Reflection Type Load Exception" or a "Method Not Found" error, causing the server process to crash on startup.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Plugins active.
</div>


# How to Manage Bans & Guest Permissions in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/managing-bans-and-guests-in-terraria

Protect your world from griefing and unauthorized destruction. Learn how to use TShock's advanced banning and 'Graylisting' systems to secure your community.

## Managing Private Access Control

Public Terraria servers are frequent targets for architectural griefing and world destruction. Without a rigorous management strategy, a single unauthorized participant using high-tier explosives or buckets of lava can compromise hours of collective community progress. The **TShock** framework provides advanced banning and "Graylisting" systems designed to neutralize these threats while maintaining a welcoming environment for legitimate survivors. This guide walk you through the professional security protocols for your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Administrative Moderation Commands

TShock persists all moderation data within a secure SQLite database, ensuring that restrictions remain active across server restarts.

| Administrative Action  | Command Syntax             | Strategic Purpose                                                          |
| :--------------------- | :------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Account Ban**        | `/ban [player] [reason]`   | Restricts the specific TShock account from rejoining the server.           |
| **IP-Level Block**     | `/ban addip [IP] [reason]` | Neutralizes the player's connection entirely via their network identifier. |
| **Audit Registry**     | `/ban list`                | Generates a real-time list of all restricted accounts and IP addresses.    |
| **Revoke Restriction** | `/unban [player]`          | Restores world access to a previously restricted account or IP.            |

***

## Graylisting: The "No-Build" Security Model

The most effective technical defense against map destruction is the "Graylist" model. In this configuration, new players (Guests) are authorized to explore and socialize but are programmatically restricted from structural modification until they are verified.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Restrict the Guest Rank">
    use the following command to remove block-interaction capabilities from the default entry group:
    `/group addperm guest -tshock.world.edit`
    *(Note: The negative prefix `-` explicitly denies the permission node).*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Community Verification">
    Interact with new players as they join to ensure they adhere to your server's behavioral standards.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Promote to Trusted Status">
    Once a survivor is verified, elevate them to the **`default`** or **`member`** group to authorize building and container access:
    `/user group [PlayerName] default`
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Tip>
  ### Proactive Automated Defense

  By implementing this Graylist model, you ensure that anyone can discover your server and enjoy its atmosphere, but they cannot use TNT, distribute lava, or dismantle safehouses until an administrator has manually authorized their participation. This is the "gold standard" for high-population public Terraria hosting.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Security protocols set.
</div>


# How to Manually Trigger World Events in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/manually-triggering-events

Master the environmental timeline. Learn how to bypass RNG and instantly summon Blood Moons, Solar Eclipses, and invasions using TShock administrative commands.

## Dominating the Calendar: Administrative Events

Waiting for the mathematical probability of a Solar Eclipse or a Martian Madness event can be a significant bottleneck for community progression, especially when survivors are preparing for endgame boss encounters or farming specialized rare drops. As an authorized server administrator, you possess the technical capability to bypass the game engine's randomized timers and programmatically trigger almost any global world event. This ensures your community can participate in high-intensity combat encounters exactly when they are most needed.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Summoning Registry

Execute these commands directly within the in-game chat interface while authorized as an admin or [SuperAdmin](/games/terraria/how-to-install-tshock-on-terraria).

| Command Syntax          | Technical Result                 | Environmental Requirement             |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ |
| **`/bloodmoon`**        | Toggles a **Blood Moon**.        | Immediate execution.                  |
| **`/eclipse`**          | Toggles a **Solar Eclipse**.     | Must be initialized during daytime.   |
| **`/invasion goblin`**  | Summons the **Goblin Army**.     | Immediate world-wide event.           |
| **`/invasion pirate`**  | Summons the **Pirate Invasion**. | High-tier resource event.             |
| **`/invasion martian`** | Begins **Martian Madness**.      | Late-game technological event.        |
| **`/frostmoon`**        | Initializes the **Frost Moon**.  | Must be initialized during nighttime. |

***

## Strategic Community Control

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Tactical Crisis Management">
    If an invasion or celestial event (e.g., the Frost Moon) scales beyond your community's current defensive capabilities, resulting in persistent player deaths at spawn points, execute the **`/butcher`** command. This logic trigger instantly purges every active hostile entity from the map, effectively clearing the current combat wave.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Event Persistence">
    Unlike natural events, some administrative summons can persist through server restarts if they are written to the world metadata. If an event fails to conclude naturally, use the same toggle command (e.g., `/bloodmoon`) to manually terminate the state.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Synchronized Progression

  Manually triggering events is an excellent strategy for hosting community "Event Nights." We recommend announcing these summons within your [Discord Server](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) in advance to ensure maximum participation and coordinated tactical defense.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** World events synchronized.
</div>


# How to Visualize World Seeds & Maps in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/seed-map-viewer-terramap

Render your Terraria world with TerraMap to reveal hidden biomes, track loot locations, and monitor corruption spread for complete visual world analysis.

## Visualizing Embervale: The TerraMap Utility

**TerraMap** is a high-performance external diagnostic utility, available as both a web application and a localized desktop client, that enables you to render your entire Terraria world file into an interactive, high-resolution map. For server administrators, this tool is indispensable for auditing world generation integrity, identifying the precise coordinates of hidden biomes (such as the Aether or Jungle Temple), and tracking the literal spread of world evils. This guide walk you through the professional technical workflow for visualizing your FREAKHOSTING world data.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Access Workflow

Follow these steps to migrate your server's data into the visualization engine.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Asset Retrieval">
    Establish a connection to your server using an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Binary World">
    Navigate to the following directory: `/Saves/Worlds/`. Locate and download your active **`.wld`** file to your local workstation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Renderer">
    Navigate to the [TerraMap Web Interface](https://terramap.github.io/) and upload your downloaded binary file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Targeted Analysis">
    use the integrated search utility to highlight specific block types. This is essential for identifying the distribution of **Plantera's Bulbs**, **Life Fruit**, or **Enchanted Sword Shrines**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Administrative Utilization

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Corruption & Crimson Monitoring">
    use color-coded filters to observe the exact progression of the world evil. This enables administrators to direct community efforts or use the Clentaminator with 100% precision to protect important biome resources.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Structural Integrity Audits">
    Verify that critical world-generation milestones, such as **Floating Islands** or the **Dungeon** entrance, have initialized correctly. If a world is missing essential structures, you can perform a [World Regeneration](/games/terraria/changing-world-size-and-difficulty-in-terraria) immediately.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Managing Community Spoilers

  using TerraMap reveals the entirety of the world's fog-of-war, including regions your character has not physically traversed. To maintain the sense of discovery and survival immersion, we recommend that administrators keep detailed map renders confidential or only share specific, localized snapshots with the general community.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Map visualization verified.
</div>


# How to Configure Server Passwords in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/setting-up-a-terraria-server-password

Set a connection password on your Terraria server and understand the difference between server-wide access keys and TShock user account security.

## Managing Private Access: Entry Passwords

Establishing a server-wide join password represents your primary technical defense against unauthorized intrusion and randomized community disruption. This global setting applies to both vanilla and TShock-based instances, requiring every participant to provide a matching security key during the initial network handshake. Correctly configuring this perimeter is essential for hosting private cooperative matches, dedicated community events, or specialized technical testing environments.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to define your server's public security key.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the File Manager">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Server Config">
    Locate and open the **`serverconfig.txt`** file situated in your root directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Password">
    Locate or add the `password=` variable. Input your desired alphanumeric string.

    * *Example Syntax:* `password=EmbervaleSecure2026`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Security">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the console. The engine must re-initialize to broadcast the authentication requirement.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The Multi-Layered Security Model

Administrators using the [TShock Framework](/games/terraria/how-to-install-tshock-on-terraria) must distinguish between the two independent layers of security.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Global Connection Password">
    * **Purpose:** Restricts access to the entire world database.
    * **Enforcement:** Triggered the instant a player attempts to connect to the IP and Port.
    * **Logic:** Handled by the core server binaries.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Account Registry Password">
    * **Purpose:** Restricts access to specific permissions and character data.
    * **Enforcement:** Triggered **after** world joining via the `/login` command.
    * **Logic:** Handled exclusively by the TShock plugin framework.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Strategic Community Visibility

  If your community goal is to grow a large public player base and appear within the "Public" Terraria server masterlists, we recommend leaving the `password=` field blank. Statistics indicate that password-protected servers see significantly reduced engagement from randomized survivors. Instead, consider using [Graylisting](/games/terraria/managing-bans-and-guests-in-terraria) to protect your builds without restricting initial access.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Password protocols active.
</div>


# How to Troubleshoot Pylon Network Issues in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/troubleshooting-pylon-network-on-servers

Resolve common fast-travel failures. Learn how to fix Pylon biome errors, NPC housing discrepancies, and regional protection conflicts on your Terraria server.

## Managing Global Fast-Travel: Pylon Logic

Pylons represent an essential technical infrastructure for any large-scale Terraria community, providing a smooth "Fast-Travel" network across diverse world biomes. However, on dedicated servers, participants frequently encounter logic failures such as **"The Pylon is not in the correct biome"** or **"You are not close enough to a Pylon."** These errors are typically triggered by NPC status discrepancies, environmental world-evil spread, or conflicts with server-side protection frameworks. This guide ensures your Pylon network remains operational and efficient.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Core Operational Requirements

For a Pylon entity to function as a valid teleportation node, the engine enforces three primary technical conditions.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Geographic Integrity">
    The Pylon must remain situated within its native biome. A **Jungle Pylon** will programmatically cease operation if the surrounding tiles exceed the "Corruption" or "Crimson" density thresholds. Administrators should use the Clentaminator to maintain biome purity around Pylon hubs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="NPC Synchronization">
    At least **two living NPCs** must possess valid, assigned housing within the Pylon's immediate interaction radius. If an NPC is killed during an event or relocated, the link is instantly severed.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Combat Restrictions">
    The Pylon network is programmatically disabled during active **Boss Encounters** or **Global Invasions** (e.g., Blood Moon or Pirate Invasion) to prevent players from bypassing combat mechanics through teleportation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Technical Server Troubleshooting

Review these common backend hurdles if your community reports persistent Pylon failures.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="TShock Region Flag Conflicts">
    If you use [TShock Regions](/games/terraria/managing-bans-and-guests-in-terraria) to protect your community hubs, verify that the region allows for **"Living"** entities. If a region flag prevents NPC pathfinding or "Housing" logic, the Pylon will fail to recognize the nearby NPCs and remain inactive.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Addressing NPC Position Desync">
    Occasionally, the server node may believe an NPC has drifted out of range while the client renders them locally. To resolve this, we recommend using the TShock command **`/kill *`** (target NPCs only) to force a global respawn and technical coordinate reset.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical Fix: PylonOverride">
    For large-scale public servers, the 2-NPC requirement can be difficult to maintain. We recommend installing the **PylonOverride** plugin. This allows you to configure the engine to ignore NPC requirements entirely, providing a 100% reliable teleportation experience for your community.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** Pylon network audited.
</div>


# How to Upload a Custom World in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/uploading-a-custom-terraria-world

Migrate your adventure to the cloud. Learn the technical workflow for uploading local singleplayer saves or community maps to your Terraria dedicated server.

## Migrating Worlds: Professional Data Transfer

Whether you are transitioning a private singleplayer masterpiece to a coordinated multiplayer group or hosting a renowned community adventure map like *Builder's Workshop*, the Terraria engine facilitates smooth world migration. This procedure involves more than a simple file transfer; you must correctly synchronize the world metadata and pathing within your server configuration to ensure the engine initializes the correct binary data. This guide walk you through the professional technical workflow for world migration on the FREAKHOSTING platform.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Migration Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy your custom world to your dedicated instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate Local Binary">
    On your personal workstation, navigate to your local Terraria save repository:
    `Documents \ My Games \ Terraria \ Worlds`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Establish a connection to your server using an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to World Directory">
    Navigate to the following path: `/Saves/Worlds/`. Upload your **`.wld`** file directly into this folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Engine Logic">
    Open the **`serverconfig.txt`** file in your root directory. Update the following parameters to target your new asset:

    * `world=Saves/Worlds/YourWorldName.wld`
    * `worldname=YourWorldName`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the World">
    **Restart** your server via the Game Panel. Monitor the console to ensure the engine successfully hashes and mounts the uploaded terrain.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting Initialization Failures

If the server generates a generic fresh world instead of loading your custom assets, review these technical commonalities.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Case Sensitivity on Linux">
    Our high-performance nodes use Linux, which is strictly case-sensitive. If your configuration targets `MyWorld.wld` but the physical file is named `myworld.wld`, the engine will fail the lookup and initialize a randomized world to prevent a startup crash.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Pathing Accuracy">
    Ensure the `world=` string in your config file accurately reflects the technical subdirectory. If the file is placed directly in the root directory rather than `/Saves/Worlds/`, the configuration path must be updated accordingly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** World migration complete.
</div>


# How to Use TEdit for World Manipulation in Terraria
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/terraria/using-tedit-with-dedicated-server-worlds

Master the art of external terraforming. Learn how to use TEdit to perform mass corruption removal, structural migration, and binary world repairs.

## Advanced Terraforming: The TEdit Utility

**TEdit** is the definitive external world manipulation suite for Terraria server administrators. It enables sophisticated, "Out-of-Game" modifications that are mathematically impossible within the standard simulation - such as the instantaneous purification of entire continents, the precision migration of complex structures between world files, and the technical correction of database-level chest glitches. This guide ensures your world manipulation workflow is secure and optimized for the FREAKHOSTING infrastructure.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Professional Technical Workflow

To safeguard your world's binary integrity, you must adhere to a rigorous maintenance sequence. Never attempt to manipulate a world file while the server process is initialized.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Maintenance Mode">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and **Stop** your server process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Asset Retrieval">
    Connect to your server using an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Binary World">
    Navigate to the following directory: `/Saves/Worlds/`. Download the target **`.wld`** file to your local PC.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Targeted Editing">
    Launch **TEdit** and open your local world file. Perform your architectural modifications or environmental cleansing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synchronize Changes">
    Save the world in TEdit and upload the modified binary back to the server, overwriting the legacy version.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the New State">
    **Start** the server and verify the structural integrity of your changes in-game.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Capabilities

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Structural Migration">
    use the "Schematic" feature within TEdit to copy high-detail community builds (e.g., a custom Arena or Hub) and paste them into a freshly generated world. This is the primary method used by community networks to maintain community assets across world wipes.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Environmental Cleansing">
    use the "Morph" brush or global "Replace" utility to instantly convert every tile of Corruption or Crimson into Purity or Hallow. This is significantly more efficient than localized Clentaminator usage for established communities.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Warning>
  ### Technical Version Parity

  TEdit releases are programmatically tied to specific Terraria engine builds. Attempting to save a world file using a TEdit version that does not precisely match your server's technical build (e.g., editing a 1.4.4.9 world with a 1.4.4.1 binary) can lead to permanent data corruption and localized "World Eating" bugs. Always ensure you are using the latest stable release from the [official TEdit repository](https://github.com/TEdit/Terraria-Edit/releases).
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Terraria:** World manipulation verified.
</div>


# How to Configure Arena Mode (Battle Royale) in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/configuring-arena-mode-battle-royale

Transform your Unturned server into a competitive Battle Royale experience. Learn how to enable Arena mode and calibrate match timers and dead zone damage.

## Survival of the Fittest: Arena Mode

Unturned features an integrated "Arena" mode that programmatically mirrors the mechanics of prominent Battle Royale titles. In this high-stakes environment, survivors are deployed into a specialized map where they must scavenge for high-tier loot while remaining within an increasingly restrictive "Dead Zone." The last individual or coordinated squad standing claims victory. By correctly configuring your server logic, you can host professional-grade competitive matches with customized pacing and intensity.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization Workflow

To transition your server to the Arena framework, you must synchronize both your map selection and the server's operational command set.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select an Arena Map">
    Identify a map specifically architected for Arena play, such as **Washington Arena**, **PEI Arena**, or **Monolith**. Maps without defined arena boundaries will fail to initialize the mode correctly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Commands.dat">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the following path: `/Servers/Default/Server/Commands.dat`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Arena Mode">
    Add the following technical parameters to the file:

    ```txt theme={null}
    Mode Arena
    Map Washington_Arena
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Change">
    **Restart** your server via the console. The engine will now load the competitive logic instead of standard survival.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Match Calibration

You can precisely fine-tune the intensity of your matches by modifying the `Config.json` file situated in your server directory.

| Technical Variable        | Functional Result | Strategic Purpose                                                                                     |
| :------------------------ | :---------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`Arena_Time_Limit`**    | Temporal Delay    | Defines the duration (in seconds) before the safe zone begins its first contraction.                  |
| **`Arena_Wall_Damage`**   | Penalty Intensity | Sets the health deduction per second for players caught within the Dead Zone (e.g., `10`).            |
| **`Arena_Force_Respawn`** | Match Lifecycle   | Automatically restarts the round and teleports players to new spawn points once a winner is declared. |

***

<Note>
  ### Minimum Player Requirements

  By default, an Arena match will remain in a "Waiting" state until at least **2 players** have successfully connected to the lobby. For larger community events, we recommend increasing this threshold within the `Config.json` to ensure a dense and competitive field before the initial deployment begins.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Arena mode active.
</div>


# How to Configure Loot Tables & Spawns in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/configuring-loot-tables

Calibrate item spawn rates and rarity on your Unturned server using global multipliers and plugins to create high-loot, hardcore, or balanced survival.

## Technical Loot Calibration

Establishing a balanced loot economy is the primary method for defining your server's gameplay identity. Whether you are architecting a hardcore survival experience where discovering a firearm is a rare milestone, or a high-intensity "Military RP" arena where elite gear is abundant, adjusting your loot tables is essential. Unturned provides two distinct technical pathways for economy management: global probability multipliers and granular, plugin-driven category redirection.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Global Multipliers (`Config.json`)

The most efficient method for increasing item density across the entire map is modifying the global environmental variables.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **File Manager**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Config.json">
    Navigate to the following path: `/Servers/Default/Config.json`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Item Logic">
    Find the `Items` object and calibrate the following parameters:

    ```json theme={null}
    "Items": {
      "Spawn_Chance": 0.5,     // Set to 1.0 for 100% item density
      "Despawn_Dropped_Time": 600,
      "Despawn_Natural_Time": 900,
      "Respawn_Time": 60.0
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Category Management

If your project requires modifying specific item rarities (e.g., making the Timberwolf sniper rifle available in civilian locations), using a [RocketMod](/games/unturned/installing-rocketmod-on-unturned) plugin such as **LootConfig** is the professional standard.

* **The Problem:** Manually editing the base game `.dat` files is technically tedious and your modifications will be purged every time the game engine receives an update via Steam.
* **The Solution:** Plugins allow you to dynamically redirect "Spawn IDs." You can programmatically add "Military" assets to "Police" spawn points without ever modifying the underlying map data, ensuring your balance remains intact across server updates.

***

<Important>
  ### Curated Map Dependencies

  When using specialized "Curated" maps such as **Arid**, **Elver**, or **Buak**, the loot tables are frequently hard-coded within the map's proprietary resource files. In these scenarios, the global multipliers in `Config.json` may behave inconsistently. Always consult the map creator's technical documentation when balancing non-vanilla environments.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Loot tables balanced.
</div>


# How to Install Custom Workshop Maps in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/how-to-add-workshop-maps-to-unturned

Expand your world beyond vanilla territories. Learn how to deploy massive community maps like Arid, Elver, and Polaris on your Unturned dedicated server.

## Expanding Your Survival Horizon

Unturned possesses one of the most prolific and technically creative map-making communities within the Steam ecosystem. Transitioning your server from vanilla maps like PEI or Washington to a massive community project - such as **Arid**, **Elver**, or **Buak** - significantly enhances the gameplay depth and variety for your community. To successfully deploy a custom map, you must follow a coordinated technical sequence: authorizing the automated download via the Steam Workshop API and then defining the specific map identity within your server configuration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Technical Asset Identification

Before initializing the configuration, you must retrieve two critical identifiers from the Steam Workshop portal.

* **Workshop ID:** The 10-digit numeric string found at the conclusion of the browser URL (e.g., `2683620106` for the Arid map).
* **Internal Map Identity:** This is the technical folder name defined by the creator (often located in the mod's description). It may differ from the public Workshop title (e.g., "Arid Extended" is frequently identified simply as **`Arid`** internally).

***

## Step 2: Authorizing the Download

Follow these steps to instruct your FREAKHOSTING instance to retrieve the map data from the global Steam network.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Configuration">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Download Registry">
    Open the following file: `/Servers/Default/WorkshopDownloadConfig.json`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the File ID">
    Insert your map's numeric ID into the `File_IDs` array. Ensure you maintain the correct comma placement if adding multiple assets.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "File_IDs": [
        2683620106
      ],
      "Max_Query_Retries": 2
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Retrieval">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; the engine will programmatically download and mount the map assets during the boot sequence.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Setting the Active World

Once the files reside within the server's cache, you must explicitly tell the engine to initialize that specific world.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Commands.dat">
    Navigate to `/Servers/Default/Server/Commands.dat` within the File Manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the Map">
    Update or add the `map` command followed by the **Internal Map Identity** identified in Step 1.

    ```txt theme={null}
    map Arid
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy & Verify">
    Restart the server once more. A successful deployment will show the new map name in the server browser and display the correct loading assets upon joining.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<Important>
  ### Strict Case Sensitivity

  The Unturned `map` command is rigorously case-sensitive. If the internal map directory is named `Elver` and you input `map elver` (lowercase), the engine will fail to locate the world data and default to the vanilla **PEI** map to prevent a startup crash. Always double-check the creator's exact spelling.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** World expansion complete.
</div>


# How to Install the RocketMod Framework in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/installing-rocketmod-on-unturned

Unlock advanced community management and custom logic. Learn how to deploy the RocketMod framework to authorize kits, teleports, and economy systems.

## Technical Plugin Architecture

**RocketMod** (alongside its modernized successor, **OpenMod**) is the essential technical foundation for high-quality Unturned community servers. It functions as a lightweight abstraction layer that enables the execution of specialized `.dll` plugins, allowing administrators to implement features such as complex Economy systems, Home/TPA teleports, and granular Permission Groups. Without this framework, your server is restricted to the game's basic survival commands. The FREAKHOSTING platform provides an automated deployment method to ensure your server is correctly patched for high-performance modding.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to initialize the RocketMod environment on your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Startup Settings">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Startup** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize the Framework">
    Locate the **Modding / RocketMod** environment variable. Set the toggle to **Enabled** (or input `1` depending on your interface version).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Automated Patching">
    Return to the **Console** and click **Restart**. During the boot sequence, our system will programmatically retrieve the latest framework binaries and generate the required directory structure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Directory Organization

Once the framework is active, a new management hub will manifest within your server's root directory: `/Servers/Default/Rocket/`.

* **`/Plugins/`:** The primary repository for your modification logic. This is where you upload your `.dll` plugin files.
* **`/Libraries/`:** A directory for shared dependencies required by sophisticated plugins (e.g., database drivers).
* **`Permissions.config.xml`:** The master registry for managing [Ranks and Command Access](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned).

***

## Decision Matrix: RocketMod vs. OpenMod

| Attribute            | RocketMod 4                      | OpenMod                       |
| :------------------- | :------------------------------- | :---------------------------- |
| **Stability**        | Industry Standard                | Modern / High                 |
| **Plugin Ecosystem** | Massive (99% of community mods). | Growing (Proprietary format). |
| **Performance**      | Optimized                        | **Superior Multi-threading**  |

<Important>
  ### Technical Binary Matching

  When sourcing modifications from community repositories, verify the target framework. "OpenMod" plugins use a distinct architectural structure and are **incompatible** with standard RocketMod 4 installations. Attempting to load mismatched binaries will result in immediate initialization failure and console errors.
</Important>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** RocketMod active.
</div>


# How to Use Item IDs & Admin Spawning in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/item-ids-and-spawning

Master the administrative arsenal. Learn how to use the /give command and explore a curated registry of common item IDs for weapons, gear, and medical supplies.

## Managing Your Administrative Arsenal

As an authorized administrator on an Unturned server, you possess the technical capability to materialize any asset directly into your inventory or that of another participant. This functionality is indispensable for verifying modded weapon performance, facilitating community-run events, or providing restitution to players who have encountered environmental glitches. To use these commands, your Steam identity must first be authorized within the [Admin Registry](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Technical Spawning Syntax

Item materialization is executed through the chat interface or the server console using a standardized forward-slash delimiter.

* **Standard Syntax:** `/give <Player>/<ItemID>/<Amount>`
* **Example Execution:** `/give Vlad/363/1` (Instantly grants 1 Maplestrike rifle to the player "Vlad").

***

## Essential Item Registry

Below is a curated selection of high-utility item identifiers utilized by professional server administrators.

| Item Name         | Technical ID | Functional Category       |
| :---------------- | :----------: | :------------------------ |
| **Maplestrike**   |     `363`    | Primary Assault Rifle     |
| **Alicepack**     |     `253`    | High-Capacity Storage     |
| **Military Drum** |     `17`     | High-Capacity Ammunition  |
| **Medkit**        |     `15`     | Critical Medical Recovery |
| **Canteen**       |     `337`    | Infinite Hydration        |
| **Glowstick**     |     `276`    | Tactical Illumination     |

***

## Sourcing Community Assets

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Identifying Curated Map Assets">
    Specialized maps like **Arid** or **Elver** use a proprietary range of item IDs not found in the vanilla game engine. We highly recommend using a searchable database such as **[UnturnedItems.com](https://unturneditems.com/)** to retrieve identifiers for map-specific weaponry and equipment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Administrative Ethics">
    While spawning items is a powerful tool, we recommend using it sparingly during active gameplay to preserve the survival integrity of your community. Frequent spawning of high-tier gear can disrupt the server's loot economy and diminish player satisfaction.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Mass Spawning

  If you are preparing for a large-scale event, you can use the `@` symbol in place of a player name (e.g., `/give @/ItemID/Amount`) to grant an item to every currently connected participant simultaneously.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Item logic ready.
</div>


# How to Find & Install Plugins in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/plugin-repositories-openmod-rocket

Find and install plugins for your Unturned server from the RocketMod and OpenMod repositories. Learn the correct download and deployment workflow.

## Expanding Server Functional Capabilities

The baseline Unturned experience can be dramatically transformed through the implementation of specialized modifications. Whether you are seeking fundamental quality-of-life enhancements such as `/tpa` and `/home`, or complex roleplay frameworks for decentralized economies and job hierarchies, knowing how to safely source and deploy your `.dll` binaries is the first step toward professional server administration. This guide ensures you can navigate the community's plugin repositories and maintain a stable, high-performance software stack.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Sourcing: Trusted Repositories

To safeguard your server against malicious code injection or backdoors, we strongly recommend exclusively using established community repositories. Avoid downloading `.dll` assets from unauthorized Discord servers or unverified file-sharing links.

* **[ImperialPlugins](https://imperialplugins.com/):** The premier marketplace for high-fidelity RocketMod and OpenMod content, offering both free utilities and feature-rich premium modifications.
* **GitHub:** The primary hub for open-source Unturned development. Search for "RocketMod Plugins" or "Unturned OpenMod" to discover community-driven logic.
* **RocketMod.net (Legacy):** Although the original platform is archived, it remains a valuable repository for thousands of established legacy modifications.

***

## Technical Installation Workflow

Follow these steps to deploy a new modification to your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Acquire Binary Package">
    Download the specific plugin distribution (typically a `.dll` file). Ensure the version is compatible with your active framework (RocketMod 4 or OpenMod).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize File Transfer">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **Files** tab, or connect via [SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy to Plugins Directory">
    Navigate to the following path: `/Servers/Default/Rocket/Plugins/`. Upload the `.dll` file directly into this folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Logic">
    **Restart** your server or execute the command `rocket reload` within the console to register the new modification.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Advanced Dependency Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Libraries Directory">
    If a modification includes supporting files or "Dependencies," these must generally be placed within the `/Servers/Default/Rocket/Libraries/` folder. The server engine uses these assets to initialize the primary plugin logic; if a library is missing, the server will trigger an "Assembly Load Exception" and fail to boot.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Technical README Validation">
    Always review the included documentation for your modification. Some plugins require the manual creation of specialized data folders or the execution of initial SQL scripts before they can manifest correctly in-game.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Plugin logic defined.
</div>


# How to Choose Popular Curated Maps in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/popular-curated-maps-list

Master world deployment with our curated reference guide. Discover the Workshop IDs and technical names for Unturned's most celebrated community maps.

## Technical Community Masterpieces

Curated maps represent the pinnacle of Unturned world design, often receiving official recognition from the primary developer (SDGNelson). Unlike basic Workshop creations, curated projects typically feature unique custom assets, specialized NPC questlines, and distinct environmental mechanics that offer a total conversion experience. To successfully host these worlds on your FREAKHOSTING dedicated server, you must precisely synchronize the Workshop download ID with the engine's internal map registry.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Reference Registry

use the following metadata to correctly configure your [Workshop Retrieval System](/games/unturned/how-to-add-workshop-maps-to-unturned).

| Map Identity |  Workshop ID | Environment Profile                                    |
| :----------- | :----------: | :----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Arid**     | `2683620106` | Desolate desert with a high-fidelity military focus.   |
| **Elver**    | `2136497468` | Urban-centric survival featuring complex progression.  |
| **Polaris**  | `2898548949` | Sub-zero tundra landscapes and secret laboratory hubs. |
| **Buak**     | `3000540166` | Deeply immersive, story-driven survival experience.    |
| **Ireland**  | `1311025539` | Lush greenery and stylized localized weaponry.         |

***

## Technical Deployment Workflow

To manifest these worlds on your instance, follow this standardized procedure:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize Automated Download">
    Add the 10-digit **Workshop ID** to the `File_IDs` array within your `WorkshopDownloadConfig.json` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register Active Template">
    In your `Commands.dat` file, set the `map` command to the exact internal name (e.g., `map Buak`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Dependent Assets">
    **Important:** Many curated maps are distributed as two separate Workshop items: the **Map Terrain** and the **Asset Pack**. You must include both Workshop IDs in your configuration, or players will observe floating red errors and missing textures.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Map library updated.
</div>


# How to Configure Permission Group Hierarchies in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/rocketmod-permission-groups-detailed

Engineer a professional community structure. Learn how to use RocketMod inheritance to create a fair and scalable progression system for your Unturned server.

## Architecting Your Community Hierarchy

Professional server management relies on a well-defined technical hierarchy. using the **RocketMod Inheritance System**, you can architect a scalable structure where "VIPs" inherit all fundamental player commands while gaining unique specialized perks, and "Admins" possess absolute authority without requiring redundant command registration. This hierarchical model ensures that your [Permissions.config.xml](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned) remains clean, manageable, and secure as your community expands.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Strategic Inheritance Model

We recommend implementing a standardized 4-tier structure to maintain operational clarity and reward community loyalty.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Guest (The Default Base)">
    The entry-level group for all new participants. Authorized for basic social commands such as `/p` (position) and global chat.
  </Step>

  <Step title="VIP (The Contributor Tier)">
    Inherits from the **Guest** group. Gains access to advanced survival aids such as `/kit`, `/home`, and `/tpa` with optimized cooldowns.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Moderator (The Enforcement Tier)">
    Inherits from the **VIP** group. Authorized for tactical moderation tools including `/kick`, `/vanish`, and `/warn`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Admin (The Absolute Tier)">
    Inherits from the **Moderator** group. Possesses total world authority, including `/i` (item spawning), `/v` (vehicle spawning), and full `/rcon` execution.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Parameter Calibration

### Defining Command Cooldowns

To prevent community "spam" and maintain the integrity of your server's economic balance, you can restrict the frequency of high-impact commands.

```xml theme={null}
<Permission Cooldown="600">tpa</Permission>
```

* **Technical Result:** The player is restricted to one successful teleportation request every **10 minutes** (600 seconds).

***

## Strategic Automation

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="using Parent Groups">
    The `<ParentGroup>` tag is the cornerstone of technical efficiency. By defining `<ParentGroup>default</ParentGroup>` within your VIP block, any permission added to the default group is automatically propagated to the VIPs. This eliminates the need for manual duplication and ensures consistent behavior across your entire hierarchy.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dynamic Hierarchy Updates">
    Whenever you adjust a permission within a parent group, the changes are instantly inherited by all child groups. This allowing you to perform global server reconfigurations by editing a single group block rather than auditing your entire XML file.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Hierarchy defined.
</div>


# How to Configure Localization & Chat Colors in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/rocketmod-translation-and-colors

Professionalize your server's communication. Learn how to translate automated messages and use Hex color codes to create a unique visual identity in the chat.

## Visual Branding & Localization

Professional community management begins with clear and localized communication. An Unturned server that uses the native language of its participants and employs a consistent, color-coded notification system significantly improves the user experience and establishes a premium brand identity. The **RocketMod** framework enables you to localize every automated response and use rich-text formatting to visually distinguish between administrative alerts, economic rewards, and system errors.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Message Translation

RocketMod programmatically generates a dedicated translation registry for the core framework and every individual plugin it initializes.

* **Technical Path:** `/Servers/Default/Rocket/Rocket.en.translation.xml` (Substituting `.en.` for your target language code).

### Modifying Registry Entries

To update a specific string (e.g., the "Invalid Command" notification), locate the corresponding `Id` and modify its `Value`.

```xml theme={null}
<Translation Id="command_generic_invalid" Value="¡Comando desconocido!" />
```

***

## Implementing Dynamic Chat Colors

Unturned uses a standard **Hexadecimal (Hex)** color system within its XML configuration files. This allows you to apply high-visibility highlighting to critical community information.

* **Standard Syntax:** `<color=#HEXCODE>Your Message Text</color>`

### Strategic Color Combinations

| Category            | Recommended Hex | Visual Identity                                                  |
| :------------------ | :-------------: | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Critical Errors** |    `#FF0000`    | Red: Used for bans, kicks, and permission denials.               |
| **VIP / Rewards**   |    `#FFD700`    | Gold: Ideal for donor announcements and event wins.              |
| **System Success**  |    `#00FF00`    | Green: Applied to successful teleports or character heals.       |
| **Admin Inquiries** |    `#00FFFF`    | Cyan: Distinguishes direct staff communication from global chat. |

***

## Community Personalization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Localizing Group Prefixes">
    To complete your server's visual identity, ensure you update the **Prefixes** within your [Permissions.config.xml](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned). For a localized experience, you might transition from the standard `[Admin]` to localized variants like `[Administrador]`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dynamic Placeholders">
    Many translation strings support placeholders (e.g., `{0}`, `{1}`). These are utilized by the engine to dynamically insert player names or numerical values into the message. **Important:** Always ensure these placeholders remain intact within your translated text to prevent script errors.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Branding applied.
</div>


# How to Configure RocketMod Permissions in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned

Master the technical XML-based permission hierarchy. Learn how to define administrative ranks, grant command access, and manage SteamID authorizations.

## Authority via XML: The RocketMod Hierarchy

The RocketMod permission system is the fundamental engine that dictates executive authority within your Unturned community. By using a rigorous XML-based structure, you can precisely define which players are authorized to use specialized tools (such as `/v` for vehicle spawning) and which staff members possess the power to moderate the player base. Because XML is a highly sensitive technical format, maintaining syntax integrity is essential; a single misplaced character can invalidate the entire registry, resulting in the instantaneous demotion of your entire staff team.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical File Architecture

Your community's authority registry is situated within the following path: `/Servers/Default/Rocket/Permissions.config.xml`. We recommend using an [SFTP Client](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) to download and edit this file locally using a technical text editor like Notepad++ or VS Code.

***

## Authorizing Community Ranks

### 1. Managing Group Membership

To assign a specific rank (e.g., **Admin** or **VIP**) to a player, you must register their 17-digit **SteamID64** within the appropriate `<Members>` block.

```xml theme={null}
<Group>
    <Id>admin</Id>
    <Members>
        <Member>76561198031234567</Member>
    </Members>
</Group>
```

### 2. Granting Functional Access

The `<Permissions>` block within each group defines the technical scope of that rank. You can assign specific plugin commands and even implement temporal restrictions (cooldowns).

```xml theme={null}
<Permissions>
  <Permission Cooldown="0">v</Permission>
  <Permission Cooldown="300">heal</Permission>
</Permissions>
```

***

## Deployment & Verification

Unlike many core server variables, permissions can be synchronized dynamically without requiring a full server reboot.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Commit Modifications">
    Save your changes to the `Permissions.config.xml` file and upload it to the server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Re-Sync">
    In the server console (or in-game if already authorized), execute:
    `rocket reload permissions`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Syntax Status">
    Monitor the console for a green confirmation message: **`Permissions reloaded`**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Critical Syntax Recovery

  If the `reload` command returns a red error, **do not disconnect from your administrative session.** The error indicates an XML formatting failure. If left uncorrected, the engine will fail to load any permissions upon the next initialization, effectively locking you out of your administrative tools. Re-verify your closing tags and bracket placements immediately.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Permissions secured.
</div>


# How to Spawn & Manage Vehicles in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/spawning-vehicles

Master the transportation mechanics of your server. Learn how to use administrative commands to spawn and moderate vehicle entities in Unturned.

## Managing Server Transportation Mechanics

Navigating expansive world maps such as Russia, Germany, or Arid can be a time-intensive process for survivors. As an authorized administrator, you possess the technical capability to materialize any vehicle entity - ranging from primitive bicycles and civilian sedans to high-performance military tanks and multi-rotor helicopters - directly to your coordinates. This functionality is essential for facilitating community logistics, performing world troubleshooting, or managing large-scale server events. To use these commands, ensure your identity is authorized within the [Admin Registry](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Technical Vehicle Command

Vehicle materialization is executed through the in-game chat interface using a standardized forward-slash delimiter.

* **Standard Syntax:** `/vehicle <Player>/<VehicleID>`
* **Example Execution:** `/vehicle Vlad/1` (Instantly spawns a Black Offroader at the player "Vlad's" location).

***

## Security & Entity Ownership

By default, every administrative vehicle initializes in an **Unlocked** state, allowing any participant to interact with the asset.

* **Persistent Locking:** Survivors can use a "Stealy Wheely Automobiley" to cryptographically lock a vehicle to their specific SteamID or Faction ID.
* **Administrative Cleanup:** If an abandoned vehicle is obstructing a spawn point or causing performance degradation, you can use the `/destroy` command while aiming at the object to purge the entity from the world database.

***

<Warning>
  ### Physics Engine Stability

  The Unturned physics engine can become unstable if a high density of active vehicle entities is concentrated within a single sector (e.g., during a "Car Show" community event).

  * **The Risk:** Excessive vehicle clusters can trigger server-side "Hitching" and client-side FPS drops.
  * **The Fix:** We recommend implementing a plugin-based automated despawn policy for vehicles that have remained stationary for over **72 real-world hours** to reclaim hardware resources.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Vehicle logic tuned.
</div>


# How to Configure Steam Group Whitelisting in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/whitelisting-via-steam-group

Sustain a dedicated community and prevent griefing. Learn how to restrict server access by linking your Unturned instance to a specific Steam Community Group.

## Managing Community Access Control

Implementing a Steam Group whitelist is one of the most effective technical strategies for building a dedicated community while simultaneously neutralizing the threat of randomized griefers or uninvited intruders. Once authorized, the server engine will programmatically verify every connecting player's group membership against the global Steam database. Participants who have not joined your community's official Steam Group will be automatically disconnected during the initial handshake, ensuring your world remains exclusive to your verified members.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Identifying Your Steam Group Token

To link your community, you must retrieve your group's unique 64-bit identifier.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Group Page">
    Navigate to your official community group page within a standard web browser.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the ID">
    In many cases, the numerical ID is visible directly within the browser's URL. If your group uses a custom vanity URL, you may need to append **`/edit`** to the address to view the technical metadata or use a third-party "Steam ID Finder" utility.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Format">
    Ensure you have the long-form **Group ID64** (typically starting with `103582...`) copied to your clipboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Configuration & Deployment

Follow these steps to initialize the membership check on your FREAKHOSTING instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Config.json">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the **File Manager**. Navigate to: `/Servers/Default/Config.json`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Identity Variable">
    Search for the `Steam_Group_ID` parameter within the `Identity` object. Replace the default `0` with your copied ID.

    ```json theme={null}
    "Identity": {
        "Steam_Group_ID": "103582791465220608"
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    Save the file and **Restart** your server via the console. The membership verification is now active for all joining players.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Synchronization Considerations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Membership Latency">
    The Steam API can occasionally encounter minor latency when updating active member lists. If a player joins your group while the server is actively running, they may need to restart their Unturned client to ensure their local Steam "Identity Ticket" reflects their new membership status before they can successfully connect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Administrative Overrides">
    Server administrators and those registered within the [Admin Registry](/games/unturned/setting-up-permissions-in-rocketmod-unturned) are typically exempted from the group membership check, ensuring you maintain access to your instance even if you are not currently in the group.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Whitelist established.
</div>


# How to Configure Workshop Collections in Unturned
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/unturned/workshop-collections-auto-subscribe

Group your Unturned server mods and maps into a Steam Workshop Collection for automated downloads and synchronized content for all connecting players.

## Centralized Asset Management

Maintaining a server with dozens of individual modification IDs is technically inefficient and prone to human error. By using a **Steam Workshop Collection**, you transition to a centralized management model where your server's assets are governed directly through the Steam interface. When you append a new item to your collection or remove an obsolete modification, your FREAKHOSTING server will programmatically detect the change and synchronize its local cache during the subsequent boot sequence. This ensures your server always uses the most current versions of your community's content.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Initialization Workflow

Instead of maintaining an extensive list of numeric identifiers, you only need to register the unique token for your collection.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Architect the Collection">
    Navigate to the [Unturned Steam Workshop](https://steamcommunity.com/app/304930/workshop/) and create a new **Public Collection**. Add all required maps, weapon packs, and cosmetic assets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Identity Token">
    Note the 10-digit numeric ID situated at the conclusion of your collection's URL (e.g., `?id=123456789`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Registry">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open the following file:
    `/Servers/Default/WorkshopDownloadConfig.json`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Register the Collection ID">
    Insert your collection's ID into the `File_IDs` array.

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "File_IDs": [
        123456789
      ],
      "Max_Query_Retries": 2
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Growth">
    **Restart** your server. Monitor the **Console** tab; the engine will now recursively download every item contained within the collection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategic Community Synchronization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Automated Client-Side Onboarding">
    One of Unturned's greatest technical strengths is its automated onboarding logic. When a player attempts to join your server, the engine automatically identifies any missing Workshop content and prompts the user to download it. By using a Collection, you guarantee that the server's binaries are perfectly aligned with the assets the players are retrieving, preventing "Asset Mismatch" disconnections.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Collection Updates">
    Whenever you add a new modification to your Steam Collection, you do not need to edit any server files. Simply trigger a **Restart** from the panel, and the server will programmatically fetch the newly added assets before allowing players to connect.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Unturned:** Workshop synced.
</div>


# How to Change Game Settings in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/changing-game-settings-in-v-rising-items-sunlight

Customize your V Rising server's ruleset, including modifying inventory stack sizes, loot yield multipliers, and sunlight lethality.

## Ruleset Configuration: Game Settings

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> V Rising offers incredible flexibility for server owners, allowing you to tweak almost every aspect of the vampire experience. From making the sun less deadly to doubling resource yields, all gameplay variables are stored in a single JSON configuration file.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Accessing the Configuration

To modify gameplay rules, you must edit the server's primary settings file:

1. **Navigate:** Go to `/save-data/Settings/` in your File Manager.
2. **File:** Open `ServerGameSettings.json`.
3. **Requirement:** If this file is missing, start the server once to allow the engine to generate the default template, then stop the server.

***

## Essential Modifiers

Here are the most commonly requested adjustments:

### 1. Inventory & Stacking

* **Variable:** `"InventoryStacksModifier": 1.0`
* **Effect:** Increasing this to `2.0` doubles the stack size of all items (e.g., holding 1000 Stone instead of 500).

### 2. Loot & Yield

* **Variable:** `"MaterialYieldModifier_Global": 1.0`
* **Effect:** Controls how many resources you get from hitting trees/rocks. Set to `3.0` for a "3x Gather" server.
* **Variable:** `"DropTableModifier_General": 1.0`
* **Effect:** Controls loot dropped by mobs and bosses.

### 3. Day/Night Cycle

* **Variable:** `"DayDurationInSeconds": 1080`
* **Effect:** Determines the length of a full 24-hour cycle. Increase this number to make days (and therefore nights) last longer.
* **Variable:** `"SunDamageModifier": 1.0`
* **Effect:** Reduce to `0.5` to make the sun inflict 50% less damage per tick, giving vampires a better chance of survival during the day.

***

<Important>
  ### JSON Syntax Warning

  This file is sensitive to syntax errors. A missing comma `,` at the end of a line or an unclosed bracket `}` will cause the server to **reset to default settings** upon boot. We strongly recommend copying your content into a JSON Validator before saving.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Settings verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure PvP Protection & Raid Times in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/configuring-pvp-protection-and-raid-times

Define PvP protection windows and raid schedules on your V Rising server to prevent offline sieges, configure golem access, and set fair combat rules.

## Siege Management: Raid Windows

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In V Rising, "Raiding" involves crafting a Siege Golem to breach enemy castle walls. To maintain a healthy community and prevent "offline raiding" (where players are destroyed while sleeping at 4 AM), we recommend restricting Golem usage to specific real-world hours.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Configuring Time Slots

These settings are managed within `/save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json`.

### 1. Weekday Schedule

```json theme={null}
"VSCastleWeekdayTime": {
  "StartHour": 17,
  "EndHour": 23,
  "TimeZone": 0
},
```

* **Interpretation:** Raiding is enabled from 17:00 (5 PM) to 23:00 (11 PM) server time, Monday through Friday.

### 2. Weekend Schedule

```json theme={null}
"VSCastleWeekendTime": {
  "StartHour": 15,
  "EndHour": 23,
  "TimeZone": 0
},
```

* **Interpretation:** A longer window is typically provided on weekends when more players are active.

***

## Golem Mechanics

Beyond the time window, you can tweak the Golem itself:

* **Variable:** `"CastleSiegeTimer": 100`
* **Effect:** This is the time (in seconds) it takes for a Golem to activate after placement. Increasing this to `300` (5 minutes) gives defenders more time to rally and counter-attack before their walls can be damaged.

***

<Tip>
  ### PvE Mode

  If you wish to disable raiding entirely, simply change the `"GameModeType"` to `"PvE"`. This automatically disables castle damage and hostile player interactions without needing to manually edit the raid timers.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Siege timers active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Servant Missions in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/configuring-servant-missions

Speed up servant hunts and increase loot yields on your V Rising server to accelerate passive resource gathering and endgame progression for your players.

## Thrall Efficiency: Servant Missions

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Vampire Servants act as your passive gathering force, venturing out into Vardoran to collect resources while you sleep. By default, these missions can take up to 24 hours to complete. For faster-paced servers, adjusting these timers is essential to keep resource income flowing.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Optimization Settings

These variables are found in the `/save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json` file.

### 1. Reducing Mission Time

* **Variable:** `"ServantMissionTimeModifier": 1.0`
* **Tweak:** Set to `0.2`.
* **Effect:** A 0.2 modifier is a 5x speed increase. A standard 24-hour hunt will now only take \~4.8 hours, allowing players to send servants out multiple times per day.

### 2. Increasing Loot

* **Variable:** `"ServantMissionDropsModifier": 1.0`
* **Tweak:** Set to `2.0` or `3.0`.
* **Effect:** Servants return with double or triple the amount of loot, making high-risk missions to areas like Silverlight Hills much more rewarding.

### 3. Faster Conversion

* **Variable:** `"ServantConvertRateModifier": 1.0`
* **Tweak:** Set to `5.0`.
* **Effect:** Significantly reduces the time a human thrall must spend in the Servant Coffin before they are broken to your will.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Servant logic optimized.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Enable Teleport with Resources in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/enabling-teleport-with-resources

Remove the teleportation restriction for bound resources on your V Rising server so players can fast travel freely without dropping wood, stone, and ore.

## Traversal Freedom: Unbound Teleportation

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In the standard V Rising experience, carrying resources (Wood, Stone, Ore) marks you as "Bound," preventing the use of Vampire Waygates. This forces players to manually traverse the map with loot. Disabling this restriction is the **#1 most requested feature** for private servers, as it drastically improves Quality of Life.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   2 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## The Configuration

This setting acts as a boolean toggle within the server configuration.

1. **Access Settings:** Navigate to `/save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json`.
2. **Locate Variable:** Find `"TeleportBoundItems"`.
3. **Modify:** Change the value to `false`.
   * **True:** (Default) Items are bound; you cannot teleport.
   * **False:** Items are NOT bound; you can teleport freely with full pockets.
4. **Restart:** Save the file and restart the server.

***

<Note>
  ### PvP Implication

  On PvP servers, enabling this allows players to effectively teleport loot "to safety" instantly. If you want to encourage intercepting resource caravans, you should keep this setting as `true` (Vanilla).
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Waygates unbound.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Become Admin in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/how-to-become-admin-in-v-rising

Authenticate as admin in V Rising to unlock the SuperUser console for spawning items, banning players, teleporting, and executing server management commands.

## Server Authority: Admin Access

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Server Admins in V Rising have access to the console command suite. This allows for item spawning, instant teleportation, observing players invisibly, and banning toxic users. Authorization relies on your SteamID64.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Authentication Steps

### 1. Server-Side Configuration

1. Navigate to `/save-data/Settings/`.
2. Open or create the file named `adminlist.txt`.
3. Paste your 17-digit **SteamID64** on the first line. (Find this via steamid.io).
4. Save the file and **Restart the Server**.

### 2. Client-Side Enablement

1. Launch V Rising on your PC.
2. Go to **Options** > **General**.
3. Check the box for **Console Enabled**.

### 3. In-Game Authorization

1. Connect to your server.
2. Press the tilde key (`~` or `` ` ``) to open the console.
3. Type the command: `AdminAuth`
4. If successful, the system will reply: "Admin Privileges Granted."

***

## Essential Commands

| Command                | Effect                                             |
| :--------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| `give [name] [amount]` | Spawns items into your inventory.                  |
| `teleport [User]`      | Teleports you to a specific player.                |
| `toggleobservermode`   | Turns you invisible and allows flying (Spectator). |
| `bancharacter [Name]`  | Bans a character from the server.                  |

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Privileges granted.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Clans & Group Limits in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/managing-clans-and-group-limits

Set max clan sizes on your V Rising server to control the group meta, from solo vampire survival to large clan warfare with configurable member limits.

## Social Structures: Clan Size

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The "Clan Size" limit is the single most important variable for defining your server's gameplay style. A limit of **1-2** encourages a hardcore, stealthy survival experience, while a limit of **10** creates massive "Zerg" wars where armies clash over territory.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration

This setting is controlled via the central settings file.

1. **Navigate:** Go to `/save-data/Settings/` via your File Manager.
2. **File:** Open `ServerGameSettings.json`.
3. **Variable:** Locate `"ClanSize"`.
4. **Values:**
   * `1`: Solo Only (No teaming allowed mechanics-wise).
   * `2`: Duos (Popular for competitive PvP).
   * `4`: Standard Squad (Default).
   * `10`: Maximum recommended for public servers.

***

## Mechanic Implications

Changing the clan size affects more than just the roster count:

* **Research Sharing:** Clan members share all unlocked technologies. In a 10-person clan, one player can research Iron Weapons, and all 9 others instantly learn it.
* **Castle Access:** Only clan members can interact with a Castle Heart or open secure chests inside a base.
* **Voice Chat:** Clans have a dedicated private voice channel in-game.

***

<Note>
  ### Mid-Wipe Changes

  You can change the Clan Size on an active server without wiping. However, if you **reduce** the size (e.g., from 10 to 4), existing large clans will remain intact but will likely encounter bugs when trying to invite new members or manage their roster.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Group limits defined.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Save Files in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/managing-save-files-in-v-rising

Manage V Rising save files by understanding the directory structure, performing manual backups, transferring world data, and restoring previous game states.

## Persistence: Saves & Backups

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> V Rising saves are not single files; they are complex directories containing a session manifest and binary blobs representing the world state. Understanding how to navigate these folders is critical for rolling back your server in the event of data corruption or a bad update.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Save Directory Structure

All world data is typically located at:

* **Path:** `/save-data/Saves/v1/World1/`

Inside this folder, you will see a series of auto-generated directories:

* `AutoSave_0`
* `AutoSave_1`
* `...`
* `SessionId.json` (Do not delete this; it tracks the current active session).

To assess which save is the most recent, check the **"Last Modified"** timestamp in your File Manager.

***

## Restoring a Backup

If you need to roll back the server to yesterday's state:

1. **Stop** the server completely.
2. **Archive:** Rename the current latest save folder (e.g., `AutoSave_55`) to `AutoSave_55_BROKEN` to keep it safe.
3. **Rollback:** The server engine typically looks for the valid save folder with the highest index or most recent timestamp. To force a rollback, simply delete or move the broken latest folder out of the directory. Upon restart, the server will load the *next* available recent save (e.g., `AutoSave_54`).

***

<Tip>
  ### Wiping via SaveName

  To start a fresh map ("Wipe") without deleting your old files:

  1. Go to the **Startup** tab.
  2. Change the **Save Name** variable (e.g., from `World1` to `Season2`).
  3. Restart. The server will generate a brand new directory (`/Saves/v1/Season2/`), leaving your old world untouched in the `World1` folder.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Data integrity verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Offline Raiding Protection in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/offline-raiding-settings

Configure offline raid protection on your V Rising server by setting siege golem windows and castle vulnerability timers to prevent attacks on absent players.

## Siege Defense: Raid Windows

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> V Rising does not have a "Magic Shield" or plugin that detects if a player is offline. Instead, fairness is enforced via **Raid Windows**. By restricting the hours in which a Siege Golem can be summoned, you ensure that players only need to defend their castles during specific, predictable times of the day.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Schedule Configuration

You can define separate windows for Weekdays and Weekends in `ServerGameSettings.json`.

### 1. Weekday Schedule

```json theme={null}
"VSCastleWeekdayTime": {
  "StartHour": 18,
  "EndHour": 22,
  "TimeZone": "Local"
}
```

**Effect:** Castles are invulnerable Monday-Friday, except between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

### 2. Weekend Schedule

```json theme={null}
"VSCastleWeekendTime": {
  "StartHour": 16,
  "EndHour": 23,
  "TimeZone": "Local"
}
```

**Effect:** A wider window is opened on Saturday and Sunday.

***

## Golem Durability

To further discourage "easy" raids, you can buff the Siege Golem mechanics:

* **`SiegeWeaponHealth`:** Set to `High` to make Golems harder to destroy.
* **`CastleSiegeTimer`:** Increase this value (in seconds) to extend the "Announcement" phase. If set to `300`, the entire server gets a 5-minute warning that a Golem has been placed on the map before it can throw its first punch.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Siege parameters set.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Adjust Sun Damage in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/reducing-sun-damage-easy-mode

Adjust sun damage intensity and day-night cycle on your V Rising server to make daytime less punishing for vampires or extend nighttime for easier gameplay.

## Environmental Hazards: The Sun

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The primary antagonist in V Rising is the sun itself. While avoiding sunlight is the core loop of the vampire experience, standard settings can be punishing for casual players. Server owners can "nerf" the sun to allow for longer excursions or extended building sessions during the day.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Configuration Variables

These settings are found in `/save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json`.

### 1. Sun Lethality

* **Variable:** `"SunDamageModifier"`
* **Values:**
  * `1.0`: Default. Deadly in seconds.
  * `0.5`: Reduced damage. You can survive running between distant tree shadows.
  * `0.0`: No damage. Useful for creative/building servers, but breaks immersion.

### 2. Day Duration

* **Variable:** `"DayDurationInSeconds"`
* **Default:** `1080` (18 minutes).
* **Recommendation:** Increasing this to `2160` (36 minutes) doubles the length of both Day AND Night, giving players more time to complete long dungeon raids.

### 3. Daylight Hours

* **Variables:** `"DayStartHour"` and `"DayEndHour"`.
* **Tweak:** Setting Start to `10` and End to `14` creates a "Long Night" server where the sun is only up for a brief, terrifying 4-hour window.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Day cycle calibrated.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Reset Castle Decay & Clean Up Maps in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/resetting-map-chunks

Clean up abandoned castles on your V Rising server by configuring decay rates, manually removing derelict structures, and reclaiming map space for players.

## World Maintenance: Decay

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Unlike procedural games (Minecraft, Rust), the V Rising map is static. You cannot "reset chunks" to regenerate resources or clear land. Space is a finite resource. To prevent the map from becoming littered with abandoned tier-1 bases, you must use the **Castle Decay** system to forcibly remove inactive players.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Configuring Decay

The Castle Heart consumes "Blood Essence" to stay alive. If it runs out, the castle enters a state of decay.

* **File:** `/save-data/Settings/ServerGameSettings.json`
* **Variable:** `"CastleDecayRateModifier"`
  * `1.0`: Default.
  * `2.0`: Decays twice as fast. Recommended for high-traffic servers to free up "prime real estate" quickly.
  * `0.0`: No decay. Castles stand forever. Not recommended for public servers.

***

## Admin Removal (Manual)

If a massive castle is blocking a critical road or a cave entrance and isn't decaying fast enough:

1. **Authenticate:** Open the console and type `AdminAuth`.
2. **Target:** Aim your crosshair directly at the castle structure.
3. **Execute:** Type the command `AdminDestroy` (or `Destroy` in some versions).
4. **Result:** The entire structure connected to that Castle Heart will be instantly demolished. Be careful-there is no "Undo."

***

<Note>
  ### Upkeep Costs

  You can also increase the `"CastleBloodEssenceDrainModifier"` to make castles more expensive to maintain. This forces players to log in frequently to farm essence, ensuring that only active players get to keep their massive fortresses.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Cleanup protocols active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Tune Castle Decay in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/tuning-castle-decay-rate

Configure castle heart decay on your V Rising server to control how quickly abandoned bases consume blood essence and crumble, keeping the map clean.

## Land Management: Castle Decay

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> V Rising servers often face a "land crisis" where prime locations are taken by players who quit after two days. The **Decay System** handles this by requiring constant upkeep. By tuning the drain and decay rates, admins can ensure that abandoned structures are removed quickly to make room for active players.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## The Two Stages of Integrity

### Stage 1: Consumption (Draining)

Before a castle decays, it must run out of fuel.

* **Variable:** `"CastleBloodEssenceDrainModifier"`
* **Default:** `1.0`
* **Tweak:** Setting this to `2.0` doubles the amount of Blood Essence required every hour. This increases the "rent" cost of owning a castle, forcing players to log in frequently to farm.

### Stage 2: Collapse (Decaying)

Once the Castle Heart is empty (0 Essence), the structure enters **Decay Mode**. Walls turn red, privacy is lost, and the castle takes passive damage over time.

* **Variable:** `"CastleDecayRateModifier"`
* **Default:** `1.0`
* **Tweak:** Setting this to `5.0` (Fast Decay) causes an abandoned castle to crumble in a matter of hours rather than days. This is highly recommended for popular public servers to recycle land rapidly.

***

<Note>
  ### "Breaching"

  When a castle is in decay (red), **any player** can attack the walls and destroy them, even if it is outside of the raid window or the server is PvE. This allows neighbors to manually clear out abandoned ruins near their territory.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Decay rates optimized.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use the Vampire Lockbox in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/usage-of-vampire-lockbox

Use the Vampire Lockbox on your V Rising server to store items in the only raid-proof container available. Understand lockbox mechanics and placement tips.

## Asset Protection: The Lockbox

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In a ruthless PvP environment, walls can be breached and chests can be looted. The **Vampire Lockbox** serves as the only absolute guarantee of safety. Items placed within this specific container cannot be stolen, even if your castle is completely destroyed by a siege golem.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   2 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Mechanics & Limitations

### 1. Raid Immunity

The Lockbox is mechanically distinct from standard chests. When a player interacts with an enemy Lockbox, it simply will not open. It does not have durability in the same way standard furniture does during a raid.

### 2. Building Limit

* **Hard Limit:** You can only construct **one (1)** Vampire Lockbox per Castle Heart.
* **Config:** This limit is hardcoded in the game's core logic to prevent players from storing 100% of their loot in safety. The design philosophy forces players to risk their resources.

### 3. Restrictions

* **Soul Shards:** The powerful endgame artifacts (Soul Shards of Solara, Behemoth, and Winged Horror) **cannot** be placed inside a Lockbox. They must be displayed in the open or stored in standard chests, ensuring they remain in play for other factions to steal.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Secure storage explained.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Admin Spectator Mode in V Rising
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/v-rising/using-admin-spectator-mode

Activate admin spectator mode on your V Rising server to invisibly observe players, investigate suspected cheating, and monitor gameplay without disruption.

## Oversight Tools: Spectator Mode

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Spectator Mode (Observer) is an essential tool for server moderation. It detaches your camera from your physical character model, rendering you invisible and allowing you to fly through solid objects (noclip) to observe player behavior while remaining undetected.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Activation & Usage

### 1. Entering Observer Mode

1. Ensure you have [Authenticated as Admin](/games/v-rising/how-to-become-admin-in-v-rising).
2. Open the console (`~`).
3. Type: `toggleobserve`
4. **Effect:** Your HUD will change, and you will no longer see your character.

### 2. Navigation Controls

* **WASD:** Move the camera laterally.
* **Space:** Ascend (Fly Up).
* **Ctrl:** Descend (Fly Down).
* **Shift:** Hold to increase flight speed significantly.

### 3. Exiting

* Retype `toggleobserve` in the console to snap your camera back to your physical body.

***

<Important>
  ### The "Ghost Body" Risk

  When you enter Spectator Mode, your physical character **stays where you left it**. You do not become the camera; you are remote-controlling it.

  * **Danger:** If you use this command while standing in an open field, a wolf or enemy player can still kill your AFK body while you are busy watching someone else. Always hide in a coffin or a secure admin room before spectating.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **V Rising:** Surveillance active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Advanced BepInEx in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/advanced-bepinex-configuration

Configure BepInEx on your Valheim server to manage plugin load order, adjust debug logging, resolve mod conflicts, and troubleshoot common startup errors.

## Fine-Tuning BepInEx

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> BepInEx is the standard open-source framework used AD provide modding support to Unity-based games like Valheim. While it typically works "out of the box," advanced configuration is necessary for deep debugging and optimizing mod loading performance.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Accessing the Configuration

The main framework settings are located in:
`/BepInEx/config/BepInEx.cfg`

***

## Critical Settings for Server Owners

### 1. Enabling the Console

By default, some server environments hide the BepInEx terminal output. Enabling the console is important for seeing error logs in real-time.

* **Section:** `[Logging.Console]`
* **Variable:** `Enabled = true`
* **Utility:** This allows you to see "Red Text" (exceptions) in your FREAKHOSTING web console when a mod fails to load.

### 2. The Patching Engine

If you are moving servers or debugging a total crash, you may need to toggle the Harmony patching engine.

* **Section:** `[Preloader.Entrypoint]`
* **Variable:** `ApplyPatches = true`
* **Warning:** Setting this to `false` will disable ALMOST ALL mods. Use only for identifying core engine failures.

***

<Note>
  ### Mod Loading Issues

  If BepInEx refuses to load even with the correct files, verify that the `doorstop_config.ini` file exists in your server's root directory. This file instructs the Valheim executable to initialize the modding framework upon startup.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** BepInEx framework configured.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Raid Frequency in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/configuring-raid-frequency

Adjust raid event frequency and difficulty on your Valheim server using world modifiers to balance base defense challenge with overall gameplay pacing.

## Managing World Events: Raids

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> "Raids" are random events where enemies attack your base for a specific duration. By default, the game checks for a raid every 46 minutes with a 20% chance of triggering. You can now modify this behavior using built-in World Modifiers.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Startup Multipliers

You can add these modifiers to your server's startup arguments (via the **Startup** tab in the FREAKHOSTING panel):

### 1. Raid Intensity (`-modifier raids`)

* **`none`**: Disables all raids entirely. Perfect for creative/building servers.
* **`muchless`**: Significantly reduces the 20% trigger chance.
* **`muchmore`**: Increases the frequency, making attacks happen much more often.

### 2. Scaling Difficulty (`-modifier combat`)

* **`veryeasy` / `easy`**: Reduces enemy HP and damage during the raid.
* **`hard` / `veryhard`**: Challenges players with aggressive, high-damage attackers.

***

<Important>
  ### Granular Control

  Modifiers are "global" presets. If you want to disable specific raids (e.g., stop Trolls but keep Draugr), you will still need to install the **Custom Raids** mod via BepInEx.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Raid frequency balanced.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Death Penalties & Skill Drain in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/configuring-skill-drain-on-death

Customize death penalties on your Valheim server by adjusting skill drain percentages, item drop behavior, and tombstone mechanics for your community.

## The Cost of Mortality: Skill Drain

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In a standard Valheim world, death results in a 5% reduction to all of your character's skills. At higher levels, a single mistake can wipe out hours of dedicated training. Using world modifiers, you can adjust these penalties to suit your server's playstyle.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Customizing the Penalty

Add the following arguments to your **Startup** tab to change how death affects your players:

| Argument                              | Mode          | Effect                                                           |
| :------------------------------------ | :------------ | :--------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty casual`**   | **Casual**    | You keep equipped gear. Skill loss is reduced to **1%**.         |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty veryeasy`** | **Very Easy** | No item loss. **No skill loss.**                                 |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty hard`**     | **Hard**      | Increased skill loss and higher item drop impact.                |
| **`-modifier deathpenalty hardcore`** | **Hardcore**  | Characters or inventories may be permanently deleted upon death. |

***

<Tip>
  ### Server Best Practice

  For public dedicated servers, the `casual` setting is highly recommended. It maintains the challenge of retrieving your grave while preventing the "progression wall" that causes players to quit after high-level deaths.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Death penalties configured.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up Eitr Refinery & Structure Safety in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/eitr-refinery-and-marble-mistlands

Set up the Eitr Refinery safely in your Valheim Mistlands base. Learn containment strategies and how to prevent explosion damage to nearby structures.

## Managing Radioactive Magic: Eitr

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The **Eitr Refinery** is an essential late-game structure used to process Refined Eitr. However, while active, the machine emits "Eitr Sparks" that deal continuous physical damage to surrounding structures. If not properly contained, it will eventually destroy your entire base.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Containment Strategy

Eitr Sparks deal "Siege/Pickaxe" damage. This means standard materials will not survive exposure:

* **Wood:** Destroyed almost instantly.
* **Stone:** Crumbles within a few minutes of operation.
* **Iron:** Highly resistant, but will eventually break.

### The Solution: Black Marble

**Black Marble** is the only Mistlands-tier material that is entirely immune to the damage emitted by the Eitr Refinery.

1. **Designate a Room:** Build a dedicated chamber made entirely of Black Marble blocks.
2. **Floor & Ceiling:** Ensure the machine is sitting on marble and has a marble roof.
3. **Iron Grates:** You can use iron grates for visibility, but be aware that sparks can occasionally "clipping" through narrow gaps during server desync.

***

<Warning title="Safety First">
  Never build an Eitr Refinery inside or adjacent to a wooden longhouse. The radiation sparks can ignite fires and destroy supporting beams, leading to total structural collapse of your building.
</Warning>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Refinery safety verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Fix Incompatible Version Errors in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/fixing-incompatible-version-errors-in-valheim

Fix incompatible version errors in Valheim caused by mismatched client and server builds. Verify versions, update your server, and sync mod dependencies.

## Troubleshooting: Version Mismatch

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> The "Incompatible Version" error occurs whenever the game client (your PC) and the game server (FREAKHOSTING) are running different versions of Valheim. This often happens immediately after a game update is released on Steam.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Common Resolutions

### 1. Trigger a Server Update

Our servers check for updates upon startup. If Valheim has just released a patch:

1. Go to your FREAKHOSTING **Console**.
2. Click **Restart**.
3. Watch for the line `Success! App '896660' fully installed.` in the console.

### 2. Check Beta Branches

If you are opted into a "Public Test" (beta) branch on Steam to try new content like Ashlands, you cannot join a "Standard" server.

* **Fix:** Right-click Valheim in Steam -> Properties -> Betas -> Set to **None**.

### 3. Mod Verification

If you are running mods via BepInEx, both the server and your client must have matching versions of those mods.

* **Common Culprit:** **Valheim Plus**. If the server is on `v0.9.11` and you are on `v0.9.10`, you will get a version error.

***

<Important>
  ### The PlayFab/Crossplay Factor

  If you have **Crossplay** enabled (`-crossplay`), the server uses Microsoft's PlayFab network. Occasionally, there is a delay between Steam releasing an update and PlayFab updating their relay servers. If standard fixes fail, try disabling crossplay temporarily.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Connectivity restored.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Upload a Local World in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/how-to-upload-a-local-world-to-your-valheim-server

Upload your singleplayer Valheim world to a dedicated server. Learn which files to transfer, the correct directory paths, and how to activate your world.

## Moving Your Adventure Online

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Valheim worlds comprise two distinct files: the `.db` (Database) file containing the world state, and the `.fwl` (Metadata) file containing world info. To transition from singleplayer to a dedicated server, you must migrate both files simultaneously.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Locating Your Files

Traditionally, Valheim uses Steam Cloud for saves. You must first ensure they are available locally on your PC.

1. **Move to Local:** In the Valheim main menu, select your world and click **"Move to Local"** if it is currently in the cloud.
2. **Path:** Navigate to your local AppData folder:
   `%appdata%/../LocalLow/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/`
3. **Identify:** Find your `WorldName.db` and `WorldName.fwl`.

***

## Server Deployment

1. **Connect via SFTP:** Use an FTP client to access your FREAKHOSTING server files.
2. **Directory:** Upload your two files to the following path:
   `/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/`
   *(Note: If the directory doesn't exist, start the server once to generate it.)*
3. **Startup Config:** In your **Startup** tab, update the **World Name** variable to match your uploaded filename exactly (Case-Sensitive).
4. **Restart:** Boot the server to load the new world.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** World migration complete.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Install BepInEx & Mods in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/installing-bepinex-and-mods-on-valheim

Install BepInEx on your Valheim server and learn how to add, configure, and manage plugins for custom gameplay features and quality-of-life modifications.

## Modding Your Viking Realm

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Since Valheim does not feature native mod support, the community uses the **BepInEx (Unity Modding Framework)** to inject custom code. For a modded server to function correctly, both the server and all joining clients must usually have the exact same set of plugins.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   8 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Server-Side Setup

1. **Download:** Get the latest **BepInExPack Valheim** from Thunderstore.
2. **Deployment:** Extract the contents and upload them to your server's root directory (where the `valheim_server_x86_64` executable is located).
3. **Plugin Directory:** Once installed, placed any mod `.dll` files into the `/BepInEx/plugins/` folder.
4. **Restart:** Re-launch the server to initialize the plugins.

***

## Client-Side Best Practices

To avoid "Version Incompatible" errors, players should use a mod manager to sync with the server.

* **Recommended Tool:** **r2modman** or the Thunderstore Mod Manager.
* **Manual Sync:** If not using a manager, players must manually place the same `.dll` files into their local `BepInEx/plugins` folder.

***

<Important>
  ### Egg/Launch Logic

  On FREAKHOSTING, ensure your server is using the **Modded (BepInEx)** egg in the Startup/Software selection. This ensures the server starts using the BepInEx bootstrap script rather than the vanilla game engine.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Mods initialized.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage the Admin List in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/managing-the-valheim-admin-list

Grant admin privileges on your Valheim server by editing the admin list. Learn console commands for banning, kicking, and managing your Viking community.

## Authority in Valheim: Admins

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Administrative status in Valheim allows players to kick, ban, and force world saves via the in-game console. However, by default, dedicated server admins cannot use "cheats" (like flying or item spawning). This guide covers basic administration and how to unlock full control.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Adding Administrative Access

Access is managed through a text file using a player's unique **SteamID64**.

1. **Obtain ID:** Retrieve the 17-digit SteamID64 (e.g., `76561198000000000`).
2. **Access File:** Navigate to `/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/`.
3. **Edit:** Open `adminlist.txt` and paste the ID on its own line.
4. **Restart:** Reboot the server to apply the permissions.

***

## Core Admin Commands

Press **F5** in-game to open the console and use the following:

* `kick [name/ip/userID]`: Ejects the player from the session.
* `ban [name/ip/userID]`: Permanently blocks the player.
* `save`: Forces an immediate world save to disk.

***

<Tip>
  ### Unlocking Full Cheats

  To enable commands like `god` or `fly` on a dedicated server, you must install the **"Server Devcommands"** mod (by JereKuusela) on both the server and your client. Without this mod, the `devcommands` toggle is ignored by the server engine.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Admin permissions active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Restore World Backups in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/restoring-a-backup

Restore your Valheim world from backups after corruption or resets. Learn how to locate backup files, swap save data, and recover your server state.

## Disaster Recovery: Valheim Saves

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Valheim worlds can occasionally experience corruption, often manifesting as a "0KB" file size or a world resetting to Day 0. The game engine maintains a simple secondary backup system that can be used to restore your progress without external tools.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## The '.old' Recovery Method

Whenever Valheim saves a new state, it migrates the previous successful save to a `.old` file extension.

1. **Stop the Server:** Never modify world files while the game process is active.
2. **Locate Files:** Go to your `/worlds_local/` directory.
3. **Identify Health:**
   * `World.db` (The current, likely broken file).
   * `World.db.old` (The previous successful save).
4. **Restoration:**
   * Delete the current `World.db` and `World.fwl`.
   * Rename `World.db.old` to `World.db`.
   * Rename `World.fwl.old` to `World.fwl`.
5. **Restart:** Boot the server to verify the rollback.

***

## Panel-Level Backups

If both the primary and `.old` files are corrupt, you must use the **FREAKHOSTING Backups** tab to restore a previously archived ZIP of your world directory.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Backup recovery verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Set Up Crossplay (Xbox & PC) in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/setting-up-valheim-crossplay-xbox-pc

Enable crossplay on your Valheim server so Steam, Microsoft Store, and Xbox players can join the same world with the correct cross-platform server settings.

## Bridging Platforms: Crossplay

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Valheim supports cross-platform play using the Microsoft PlayFab network. This allows players on Xbox consoles to join dedicated servers hosted on Linux alongside Steam and Microsoft Store players.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   4 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Enabling Crossplay

1. **Startup Tab:** Navigate to your FREAKHOSTING **Startup** settings.
2. **Toggle Argument:** Add the `-crossplay` argument to your server's startup command.
3. **Restart:** Reboot the server to initialize the PlayFab session.

***

## Connecting via "Join Code"

Console players cannot easily type direct IP/Port combinations. Instead, they use a dynamic **Join Code**.

1. **Locate Code:** Once the server starts, check your **Console** log.
2. **Log Entry:** Look for a line similar to: `Session "ServerName" with join code 123456`.
3. **Share:** Provide this 6-digit code to your Xbox/Console players for them to join via the "Join Game" menu.

***

<Warning title="Modding Restriction">
  Xbox and Microsoft Store clients **cannot** install mods. If your server is running BepInEx or Valheim Plus, cross-platform players will be unable to join. To support crossplay, your server must remain **Vanilla**.
</Warning>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Cross-platform active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Ghost Mode & Debugfly in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/using-ghost-mode-and-debugfly

Enable ghost mode and debugfly on your Valheim server for administrative flight, player monitoring, and build inspection without aggro or fall damage.

## Administrative Superpowers

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> By default, Valheim dedicated servers restrict advanced commands like "fly" or "ghost" to singleplayer sessions only. Even if you are listed in the `adminlist.txt`, the standard game engine prevents these "cheats" for security reasons. This guide explains how to bypass these locks safely.

| Reading Time |  Difficulty  | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :----------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  | Intermediate | January 2026 |

***

## Enabling Admin Commands

To use flight or invisibility on a multiplayer server, you must install a specific middleware mod on both the server and your local client.

1. **Install Mod:** Download and install the **"Server Devcommands"** mod (by JereKuusela).
2. **Setup Admin:** Ensure your SteamID64 is added to the server's `adminlist.txt`.
3. **Login:** In-game, open your console (**F5**) and type `devcommands`.
4. **Activate Features:** Use `debugmode` to toggle advanced shortcuts.

***

## Command Shortcuts

Once `debugmode` is active, you can use these hotkeys:

* **Z Key:** Toggle Flight (Fly/Debugfly).
* **B Key:** Toggle No-Cost Building (Build anything for free).
* **K Key:** Kill all nearby hostile entities.
* **`ghost` Command:** Makes you invisible to enemies; they will ignore your presence.

***

<Note>
  ### Mod Requirement

  Without the **Server Devcommands** mod, the server will ignore any attempt to toggle `devcommands`, even if the console superficially displays "True."
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Admin tools active.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use the Cartography Table for Map Sharing in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/using-the-cartography-table-map-sharing

Use the Cartography Table in Valheim to share explored map data and markers between players. Learn placement tips, sharing mechanics, and sync behavior.

## Shared Exploration: Cartography

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> In Valheim, map data is stored locally for each individual player. If one player sails to the edge of the world, others will still see that area covered in Fog of War. The **Cartography Table** is a built-in feature that allows players to upload and download discovery data to keep the community map synchronized.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Crafting Requirements

To build a Cartography Table, you will need the following materials and a level 1 Workbench:

* **10 Bone Fragments** (Dropped by Skeletons)
* **10 Copper**
* **5 Leather Scraps**
* **10 Fine Wood**
* **4 Raspberries**

***

## How to Sync Data

The table does not automatically share data in real-time. Players must manually interact with it to exchange information:

1. **Record Discoveries:** Interact with the **left side** of the table (the writing tools). This uploads your personal explored map and markers to the table.
2. **Read Map:** Interact with the **right side** of the table (the large map). This downloads all exploration data currently stored in the table to your personal minimap.

***

<Tip>
  ### Shared Markers

  In addition to the fog of war, the Cartography Table also syncs user-placed map markers. This is the best way to point out boss altars, merchant locations, or distant resource camps to your teammates.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Shared map synchronized.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Vulkan API for Valheim Servers
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/using-vulkan-for-valheim-server

Understand how Vulkan API applies to Valheim dedicated servers on headless Linux. Learn why Vulkan is a client-side optimization, not a server setting.

## Visual APIs & Dedicated Hosting

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> Vulkan is a modern, high-performance graphics API that many players use on their home PCs to improve FPS (Frames Per Second) in Valheim. A common question from server owners is whether they should enable Vulkan on their FREAKHOSTING dedicated server.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Should I enable Vulkan?

**The Answer is No.**

Dedicated servers operate in a **"Headless"** state. This means:

1. **No Graphics Rendering:** The server only calculates math, physics, and networking data. It does not "see" or render the game world visually.
2. **No GPU Requirement:** Our host nodes do not use graphics cards to run server processes; they rely entirely on high-performance CPUs.
3. **API Logic:** Since no frames are being rendered, graphics APIs like Vulkan, DirectX, or OpenGL are irrelevant to server performance.

***

<Important>
  ### Stability Warning

  Adding arguments like `-force-vulkan` or `-force-d3d11` to your server's **Startup** tab can actually prevent the server from booting. When the Linux server tries to initialize a graphics driver that doesn't exist, it will typically crash with a "Driver initialization failed" error.
</Important>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Server architecture verified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Wards & PvP Settings in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/ward-settings-and-pvp

Configure Ward protection zones and PvP on your Valheim server to prevent griefing, control structure damage, and manage player-versus-player combat rules.

## Base Protection: Wards

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> A **Ward** is a magical structure that extends a defensive field over your base. It is the primary method for protecting your chests, doors, and structures on a public or semi-private dedicated server.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Using Wards Effectively

* **Permissions:** Only players who have "Accepted" the ward can open doors or build/dismantle items within its radius.
* **Chests:** Standard chests are locked by the ward. However, the **Personal Chest** (Iron) is always private, regardless of ward status.
* **Physical Damage:** **CRITICAL:** Wards do NOT prevent players from physically attacking your walls with weapons/axes. If a player is determined, they can still break into your base. For total invulnerability, the **WardIsLove** mod is required.

***

## Consensual PvP Mechanics

PvP in Valheim is strictly "Opt-In" by default.

1. **The Toggle:** Open your inventory (Tab) and locate the **Crossed Swords** icon in the top-right corner.
2. **Engagement:** You can only deal damage to another player if **BOTH** you and the target have your PvP flags enabled (Swords Up).
3. **Safety:** If a player has their PvP flag disabled (Swords Down), they are immune to damage from all other players.

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Combat rules defined.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure World Modifiers in Valheim
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/games/valheim/world-modifiers-no-map-hardcore

Apply world modifiers on your Valheim server to disable the map, remove portals, enable hardcore permadeath, or adjust resource costs for custom gameplay.

## Redefining Survival: Modifiers

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> World Modifiers allow you to fundamentally change the rules of your Valheim server without installing complex mods. These settings apply globally to all players and are initialized during the server startup process.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   5 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Popular Modifiers

Add these strings to your **Startup Arguments** in the FREAKHOSTING panel to activate them:

### 1. Hardcore Mode (No Guidance)

* **`-modifier map false`**: Disables the minimap and the main map entirely. Players must navigate by celestial bodies and landmarks.
* **`-modifier portals none`**: Disables all portal functionality, forcing players to use ships and land routes for travel.

### 2. Creative Mode (Hammer Mode)

* **`-modifier buildcost 0`**: All building and crafting recipes require zero materials. Perfect for "Creative Only" community builds.

### 3. Resource Scaling

* **`-modifier resources 2`**: Doubles materials gained from gathering and mining.
* **`-modifier resources 3`**: Triples all drops for a "Super-Fast" progression experience.

***

<Note>
  ### Implementation

  Modifiers are executed by the server engine. Your players do not need to install anything locally; the rules will automatically apply to their character the moment they connect to your world.
</Note>

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our support team:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Website Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Valheim:** Game rules modified.
</div>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# Welcome to FREAKHOSTING
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/get-started/welcome

Get started with FREAKHOSTING by exploring documentation for game servers, VPS hosting, web hosting, and billing. Find setup guides and troubleshooting help.

> This knowledge base is designed to help you get the most out of your hosting experience. Whether you're a new customer or a power user, you'll find everything you need here.

|  Platform Overview |                  Service Status                 | Support Hours |
| :----------------: | :---------------------------------------------: | :-----------: |
| All-in-One Hosting | [Check Status](https://status.freakhosting.com) |    24/7/365   |

***

## What We Offer

FREAKHOSTING provides premium hosting solutions built for performance and reliability:

* **Game Server Hosting**: Minecraft, FiveM, Counter-Strike 2, and 30+ other games
* **VPS Hosting**: flexible virtual private servers for any workload
* **Dedicated Servers**: bare-metal servers for maximum performance
* **Web Hosting**: fast, reliable website hosting with NVMe storage

***

## Quick Start Links

### Account & Billing

* [Login to the Billing Panel](/portals/billing/how-to-login-and-access-the-billing-panel): manage your account, invoices, and services.
* [Navigate Your Billing Dashboard](/portals/billing/how-to-navigate-your-billing-dashboard): find your way around the client area.
* [Add Funds](/portals/billing/how-to-add-funds-in-your-account-balance): add credit to your account balance.

### Service Management

* [Login to the Game Panel](/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel): control and configure your game servers.
* [Login to the VPS Panel](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-vps-control-panel): manage your virtual private servers.
* [Login to the Web Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com): manage your website hosting.

***

## Browse by Category

| Category           | Description                                              |
| :----------------- | :------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Billing Area**   | Payments, invoices, renewals, and account management     |
| **Game Panel**     | Managing and configuring your game servers               |
| **VPS Panel**      | VPS control panel guides and OS installations            |
| **Web Panel**      | Web hosting management                                   |
| **Firewall Panel** | DDoS protection and security configuration               |
| **Games**          | Game-specific tutorials and configuration guides         |
| **Other**          | Server location, network diagnostics, and general guides |

***

<Note>
  ### Support Channels

  If you need assistance or have any questions, our support team is ready to help:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on our website
  * **Support Ticket:** [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### First Month Discount

  Use code **KB20** at checkout to get **20% off** your first month of hosting!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **FREAKHOSTING LTD** | Premium Hosting Services
</div>


# Accepted Payment Methods
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/accepted-payment-methods

Explore the wide range of secure payment options available at FREAKHOSTING, including Credit Cards, PayPal, Cryptocurrency, and more.

## Flexible Payment Solutions

FREAKHOSTING offers a diverse range of secure and convenient payment methods to ensure your hosting experience is as smooth as possible. Whether you prefer traditional banking, digital wallets, or decentralized currency, we have an option that fits your needs.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Credit/Debit Cards

We accept all major credit and debit cards through multiple secure payment gateways:

### Stripe

|       Card Type      | Supported |
| :------------------: | :-------: |
|       **Visa**       |     ✅     |
|    **Mastercard**    |     ✅     |
| **American Express** |     ✅     |
|     **Discover**     |     ✅     |

### Revolut

We also accept card payments through **Revolut Merchants**, which supports:

|   Payment Type   | Supported |
| :--------------: | :-------: |
| **Credit Cards** |     ✅     |
|  **Debit Cards** |     ✅     |
|   **Apple Pay**  |     ✅     |
|  **Google Pay**  |     ✅     |

<Tip>
  ### Automatic Payments

  You can save your card securely for automatic recurring payments. This helps prevent service interruptions due to missed payments.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  ### Revolut 1-Click

  Revolut users can enjoy faster checkout with **Revolut Pay** for one-click payments!
</Tip>

***

## Managing Your Credit Cards

You can manage your saved payment methods directly within the Billing Panel to ensure seamless renewals.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Menu">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar and select **Payment Methods**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a New Card">
    Click **Add New Card** (or **Add Payment Method**) to securely store a card for future invoices.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Existing Details">
    From the same page you can view, set a default, and remove expired or unused cards to keep your billing records accurate.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  ### Secure Storage

  We do not store your full card details on our servers. All sensitive data is handled securely by our payment processors (Stripe/Revolut) via encrypted tokens.
</Tip>

***

## PayPal

| Feature                      | Details                                                           |
| :--------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **One-Time Payments**        | Pay individual invoices using your PayPal balance or linked cards |
| **Recurring Subscriptions**  | Set up automatic payments for hassle-free renewals                |
| **PayPal Credit/Debit Card** | Pay directly with cards through PayPal's card payment gateway     |
| **PayPal Credit**            | Use PayPal Credit where available in your region                  |

<Note>
  ### Managing PayPal Subscriptions

  If you need to cancel a PayPal subscription, please see our guide: [How to Cancel an Automatic Payment on PayPal](/portals/billing/how-to-cancel-an-automatic-payment-on-paypal)
</Note>

***

## Cryptocurrency

We accept cryptocurrency payments through two secure, regulated processors, [**CoinGate**](https://coingate.com) and [**Coinify**](https://www.coinify.com). You can choose either crypto gateway at checkout.

### CoinGate

CoinGate supports 70+ cryptocurrencies across all major networks.

| Cryptocurrency |  Symbol  | Cryptocurrency |  Symbol  |
| :------------- | :------: | :------------- | :------: |
| Bitcoin        |  **BTC** | Ethereum       |  **ETH** |
| USD Coin       | **USDC** | Litecoin       |  **LTC** |
| Bitcoin Cash   |  **BCH** | XRP            |  **XRP** |
| TRON           |  **TRX** | Dogecoin       | **DOGE** |
| Solana         |  **SOL** | Binance Coin   |  **BNB** |
| Polygon        |  **POL** | Shiba Inu      | **SHIB** |
| Arbitrum       |  **ARB** | Optimism       |  **OP**  |
| Base           | **BASE** | Monero         |  **XMR** |

**Supported networks:** Bitcoin / Lightning, Ethereum (ERC-20), BSC (BEP-20), Solana, Tron (TRC-20), Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base.

<Note>
  ### Growing Currency Support

  The range of cryptocurrencies CoinGate accepts is constantly growing. Check the [CoinGate Supported Currencies Page](https://coingate.com/supported-currencies) for the latest coins and networks.
</Note>

### Coinify

Coinify is a MiCA-compliant European crypto payment provider supporting 20+ cryptocurrencies plus major USD stablecoins.

| Cryptocurrency    |  Symbol  | Cryptocurrency    |  Symbol  |
| :---------------- | :------: | :---------------- | :------: |
| Bitcoin           |  **BTC** | Ethereum          |  **ETH** |
| Litecoin          |  **LTC** | Bitcoin Cash      |  **BCH** |
| Bitcoin SV        |  **BSV** | Cardano           |  **ADA** |
| BNB Chain         |  **BNB** | Dogecoin          | **DOGE** |
| Polkadot          |  **DOT** | Internet Computer |  **ICP** |
| Chainlink         | **LINK** | Nano              | **NANO** |
| Nimiq             |  **NIM** | Polygon           |  **POL** |
| Qtum              | **QTUM** | Shiba Inu         | **SHIB** |
| Solana            |  **SOL** | Sui               |  **SUI** |
| Toncoin           |  **TON** | Tron              |  **TRX** |
| Stellar           |  **XLM** | Aave              | **AAVE** |
| Polyhedra Network |  **ZKJ** |                   |          |

**Stablecoins:** USD Coin (**USDC**) and Tether (**USDT**) are accepted across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, and Tron.

<Note>
  ### Growing Currency Support

  Coinify enables all supported cryptocurrencies by default and may update the list over time. See the [Coinify Supported Crypto Page](https://www.coinify.com/supported-crypto-merchants) for the current list.
</Note>

<Warning>
  ### Important: Non-Refundable

  Cryptocurrency payments through either gateway are **non-refundable** due to the nature of blockchain transactions. Please ensure your order is correct before completing payment.
</Warning>

***

## Other Payment Methods

### Paysafecard / Skrill / Neteller

Powered by **Skrill 1-Tap** for quick and easy payments:

| Details           | Information                             |
| :---------------- | :-------------------------------------- |
| **Paysafecard**   | Use prepaid Paysafecard vouchers to pay |
| **Skrill**        | Pay using your Skrill digital wallet    |
| **Neteller**      | Use your Neteller e-wallet balance      |
| **Refund Policy** | Non-refundable                          |

### Bank Transfer (via Revolut)

| Details             | Information                                 |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------ |
| **Availability**    | Available through Revolut Merchants         |
| **Processing Time** | Usually instant or within 1-2 business days |
| **Refund Policy**   | Non-refundable                              |

### GoCardless (Bank Direct Debit)

| Details           | Information                                           |
| :---------------- | :---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Availability**  | Available for recurring payments in supported regions |
| **How It Works**  | Direct debit from your bank account                   |
| **Ideal For**     | Automatic recurring payments without cards            |
| **Refund Policy** | Non-refundable                                        |

***

## Important Information

### Refundable vs Non-Refundable Payment Methods

| Payment Method                                        | Refund Eligible |
| :---------------------------------------------------- | :-------------: |
| **Credit/Debit Cards (Stripe)**                       |        ✅        |
| **Credit/Debit Cards/Apple Pay/Google Pay (Revolut)** |        ✅        |
| **PayPal**                                            |        ✅        |
| **Cryptocurrency**                                    |        ❌        |
| **Bank Transfer**                                     |        ✅        |
| **Paysafecard**                                       |        ❌        |
| **Skrill / Neteller**                                 |        ❌        |
| **GoCardless**                                        |        ✅        |

\*Subject to our [refund policy terms](/portals/billing/how-to-request-a-refund)

<Warning>
  ### Chargebacks and Disputes

  Filing a chargeback or payment dispute may result in **immediate termination** of your services and forfeiture of any future refund eligibility. Please contact our support team to resolve any billing issues before initiating disputes with your payment provider.
</Warning>

***

### Adding Funds to Your Account

You can add credit to your account balance using any of our accepted payment methods. This credit can be used for future purchases and renewals.

<Note>
  ### Account Balance Policy

  * Account credit is **non-refundable** and **non-transferable**
  * Credit cannot be withdrawn or redeemed for cash
  * Great for pre-paying renewals or taking advantage of promotions
</Note>

For more information, see: [How to Add Funds in Your Account Balance](/portals/billing/how-to-add-funds-in-your-account-balance)

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **FREAKHOSTING:** Secure Payment Solutions.
</div>


# How to Add a Sub-User to the Billing Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-add-a-sub-user-to-the-billing-panel

Delegate account tasks and manage access levels by inviting sub-users to your FREAKHOSTING billing account with custom permissions.

## Delegating Account Access

Adding a sub-user to the FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel is a straightforward process that allows you to delegate specific tasks or access levels to other team members within your organization. This ensures that your hosting services can be managed collaboratively without sharing your primary owner credentials.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Invitation Process

Follow these steps to invite and configure a new user for your billing account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Menu">
    Log in to the [Billing Panel](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php) and click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar to open the account menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open User Management">
    Select [**User Management**](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php?action=users) from the menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invite New User">
    Click the **Invite New User** button. Enter the email address of the person you wish to add.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Permissions">
    Choose between granting **All Permissions** or selecting **Custom Permissions** to restrict access to specific areas, such as invoices or support tickets.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Verification & Confirmation

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What happens next?">
    Upon sending the invitation, the system will broadcast an email to the recipient. They must click the verification link within the email to activate their access to your account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Managing Existing Users">
    You can modify or revoke a sub-user's access at any time through the same **User Management** tab. This allows for dynamic control over who can interact with your billing data.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Security Best Practice

  To maintain account integrity, only provide the minimum necessary permissions required for the sub-user's specific role. Avoid granting "All Permissions" unless absolutely necessary for administrative redundancy.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Add Funds to Your Account Balance
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-add-funds-in-your-account-balance

Add credit to your FREAKHOSTING account using secure payment gateways like PayPal and credit cards. Pre-pay for hosting and manage your payment methods.

## Managing Your Account Credit

Adding funds to your account balance lets you pre-pay for renewals and new purchases. When you hold a positive balance, FREAKHOSTING uses it automatically to settle invoices, helping you avoid accidental service interruptions.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How to Add Funds

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Add Funds">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and select **Invoices → Add Funds** from the left sidebar. You can also click the **+** next to your **Account Balance** at the bottom of the sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter an Amount">
    Type the amount you want to deposit. Your account balance can hold up to a maximum of **€1000.00**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Payment Method">
    Pick a gateway from the dropdown: **Credit & Debit Card**, **Revolut**, **PayPal**, **Coinify** or **Coingate** (cryptocurrency), **Paysafecard / Skrill / Neteller**, or **Bank Direct Debit**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Deposit">
    Click **Add Funds** and follow the secure prompts from the payment provider to finish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## After You Deposit

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Confirming your credit">
    Your updated balance appears at the bottom of the sidebar and on your dashboard, and you receive an email confirmation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How credit is used">
    When you have available credit, the system applies it to new invoices automatically before charging your saved payment method.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Account Credit Policy

  Account credit is **non-refundable** and **non-transferable**, and cannot be withdrawn for cash. It is intended for paying for FREAKHOSTING services and renewals.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  ### Efficiency Tip

  Depositing a larger amount at once can save time on monthly renewals and is especially useful if you manage multiple servers, keeping them all online without individual transaction overhead.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Cancel an Automatic Payment on PayPal
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-cancel-an-automatic-payment-on-paypal

Follow our simple guide to stop recurring payments or subscriptions for your FREAKHOSTING services directly within your PayPal account.

## Managing Your PayPal Subscriptions

If you have set up an automatic payment for your FREAKHOSTING services, you can cancel it at any time directly through your PayPal account. This guide walk you through the process step-by-step to ensure your recurring billing is stopped correctly.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Cancellation Steps

Follow these instructions to locate and cancel your automatic payment.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to PayPal">
    Visit [PayPal.com](https://www.paypal.com) and log in with your email address and password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Automatic Payments">
    Navigate to the **Settings** (gear icon) in the top right corner, then select the **Payments** tab. Click on **Manage Automatic Payments** or use this [direct link](https://www.paypal.com/myaccount/autopay/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Merchant">
    Locate **FREAKHOSTING** (or the relevant payment entry) in the list of active merchants on the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Cancel Subscription">
    Click on the merchant name to view the subscription details. Click the **Cancel** button next to the active status and confirm your choice in the popup window.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  ### Confirmation

  Once canceled, PayPal will display a confirmation message, and the status will change to **Inactive**. You will also receive an email from PayPal confirming the change.
</Check>

***

<Warning>
  ### Important Billing Notes

  * **Service Cancellation:** Canceling the PayPal automatic payment stops PayPal from charging you, but does **not** cancel your hosting service. To stop the service itself, [request a cancellation](/portals/billing/how-to-request-a-cancellation-for-your-service). To simply stop automatic charging, you can also turn off [automatic renewal](/portals/billing/how-to-manage-auto-renewal-for-services) in the service's **Billing & Renewal** settings.
  * **Avoid Suspensions:** To prevent service interruption, ensure you have an alternative payment method ready or pay your invoices manually before the due date.
  * **Unpaid Invoices:** If an invoice remains unpaid after the automatic payment is stopped, your service may be suspended or terminated as per our [Terms of Service](https://freakhosting.com/legal).
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Billing Support:** Managing PayPal Subscriptions.
</div>


# How to Change Your Billing Panel Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-change-the-password-for-the-billing-panel

Update your FREAKHOSTING billing panel password to maintain account security. Follow the steps to change your credentials from the client area settings.

## Securing Your Billing Account

Regularly updating your Billing Panel password is a fundamental aspect of account security. By maintaining unique and complex credentials, you significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your personal information and financial records. This guide ensures your account remains protected through a quick and secure update process.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Password Update Steps

Follow these instructions to modify your current login credentials.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Password Settings">
    Log in to the [Billing Panel](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php). Click on your name in the top right corner and navigate to the [Change Password](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/user/password) section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Current Identity">
    Enter your current password in the **Existing Password** field to authorize the change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a New Password">
    Enter your new password in the **New Password** field, then re-enter it in **Confirm New Password**. A strength meter shows how strong it is, and the **Generate Password** button can create a strong one for you. Aim for a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Changes">
    Click **Save Changes** to apply the update (or **Cancel** to discard it). You can keep using the panel with your new password right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Security Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Using Password Managers">
    We strongly advise using a dedicated password manager (such as Bitwarden or 1Password) to generate and store high-entropy passwords. This eliminates the need to remember complex strings while ensuring each of your services has a unique key.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Ending Your Session">
    Upon completing your administrative tasks, always use the **Logout** button found in the account dropdown menu. This is especially critical if you are accessing your billing information from a shared or public computer.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Secure Your Entire Identity

  While changing your password is an excellent start, using a unique password for every service and keeping your recovery email up to date are the best ways to keep your account safe.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Change Your Billing Cycle
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-change-your-billing-cycle

Modify your FREAKHOSTING payment frequency between monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual periods to optimize your hosting costs.

## Adjust Your Payment Frequency

Modifying your billing cycle is an effective way to optimize your hosting expenses. Whether you prefer the flexibility of short-term monthly payments or the significant cost savings associated with long-term annual commitments, FREAKHOSTING provides the tools to adjust your frequency at any time.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Available Billing Options

The following payment frequencies are typically available for our hosting services. Please note that options may vary based on the specific product or plan.

| Billing Cycle     | Frequency       | Primary Benefit                                     |
| :---------------- | :-------------- | :-------------------------------------------------- |
| **Monthly**       | Every 30 days   | High flexibility and low upfront cost.              |
| **Quarterly**     | Every 3 months  | Balanced commitment with moderate savings.          |
| **Semi-Annually** | Every 6 months  | Reduced administrative overhead.                    |
| **Annually**      | Every 12 months | **Maximum savings** (up to 20% off standard rates). |

***

## Change Procedure

Follow these steps to transition your service to a new billing period.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open My Services">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and go to **Services → My Services** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Service">
    Click the **Actions** button next to the service and choose **Manage**, or click the service name, to open its **Product Details** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Billing & Renewal Card">
    In the **Billing & Renewal** card at the top of the page, find the **Billing cycle** selector. It shows your current cycle (for example, *Currently Monthly*).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a New Cycle">
    Open the dropdown and select **Monthly**, **Quarterly**, **Semi-Annually**, or **Annually**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Change">
    Click **Update**. The service is renewed onto the new cycle, and the system displays the new recurring price and any amount due.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Policy & Prorating Details

Understanding how changes affect your current term is essential for managing your budget.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Upgrading Cycles">
    When moving from a shorter cycle (Monthly) to a longer one (Annual), you will be asked to pay the prorated difference for the remainder of your current term. Your next renewal will then reflect the full discounted annual rate.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Downgrading Cycles">
    Transitioning to a shorter cycle (Annual to Monthly) typically takes effect at the end of your current paid term. We do not offer prorated refunds for mid-cycle downgrades.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Important Billing Notes

  * **Discount Transfers:** Promotional codes or one-time discounts applied during your initial purchase may not carry over to a new billing cycle.
  * **Service Continuity:** Ensure payment is completed promptly if an invoice is generated during the change process to prevent service suspension.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Change Your Server Location
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-change-your-server-location

Transfer your FREAKHOSTING server to a different region to reduce latency and improve game performance. Learn the location change process and data impact.

## Optimizing Your Server Location

Choosing the right geographical location for your server is the most effective way to reduce latency (ping) and give your players a smooth experience. FREAKHOSTING offers high-performance nodes across multiple regions in Europe and North America, so you can position your service close to your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    6 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Selecting the Best Region

Proximity is the primary factor in network performance. Before changing region, it helps to test your connection to our different locations.

<Tip>
  ### Test Your Latency

  Unsure which region gives you the best connection? Use our **Looking Glass** to run ping tests and traceroutes from your network: [lg.freakhosting.com](https://lg.freakhosting.com)
</Tip>

***

## Change Procedure

The location is a configurable option on your service, so you change it from the Upgrade/Downgrade area.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Service">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea), go to **Services → My Services**, and open the service you want to relocate (via the **Actions** menu → **Manage**, or by clicking its name).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Configurable Options">
    On the **Product Details** page, click **Upgrade/downgrade**, then switch to the **Configurable Options** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a New Region">
    In the **Location** row, open the **New Configuration** dropdown and choose your desired region, then click **Continue**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the Order">
    Review any price difference and complete checkout. The available regions depend on your product.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request the Migration if Needed">
    For server types that require a manual move, [open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) after placing the order, confirm you are ready for the migration, and acknowledge the IP change.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Post-Relocation Expectations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Your IP address will change">
    Moving to a new node **always results in a new IP address**. Update your game's server-browser entry and share the new connection details with your players.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data migration">
    For migrations handled by our team, your files are transferred to the new location securely. Your server is offline during this window to prevent data corruption.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Prepare Your Community

  Let your players know about the scheduled downtime and the upcoming IP change before you start, to keep the transition smooth.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Configure Security Questions
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-configure-security-questions

Set up security questions on your FREAKHOSTING account for extra identity verification during password resets, support tickets, and account management.

## Hardening Your Account Security

Security questions provide a important fallback verification method. If our system detects an unusual login attempt or if you need to perform high-sensitivity actions (like an account recovery), we may ask for your secret answer. This ensures that even if someone potentially bypasses your password, they cannot easily take over your account without knowing your personal information.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Setting Up Your Questions

Follow these steps to establish your security fallback.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Security">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and go to **Account** -> [Security Settings](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/user/security).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Question">
    Scroll to the **Security Question** section. Select a question from the dropdown menu that has a unique but memorable answer for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Secret Answer">
    Type your answer in the provided field. Note that the system is usually case-sensitive, so remember your capitalization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Current Password">
    To prevent unauthorized changes, you must enter your current account password to save the new security configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Commit Changes">
    Click **Save Changes** to finalize the setup.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Best Practices for Answers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Avoid Public Information">
    Do not use answers that someone could find on your social media profiles (e.g., your hometown or your pet's name if you post about them frequently).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Nonsense Answers">
    A strong technique is to use an answer that is unrelated to the question. For example, if the question is "What was your first car?", your answer could be "Blue-Elephant-42". Just ensure you store this in a secure **Password Manager**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Multi-Factor is Better

  Security questions are a fallback. For active, daily protection, we highly recommend enabling [Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)](https://freakhosting.com/kb/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication-on-the-billing-panel) which provides much stronger cryptographic security.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Account Security:** Identity verification layers.
</div>


# How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication-on-the-billing-panel

Fortify your FREAKHOSTING account with 2FA. Learn how to set up time-based one-time passwords using apps like Google Authenticator or Authy.

## Protect Your Account with 2FA

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds a important layer of security to your FREAKHOSTING account. By requiring a unique, time-sensitive code from your mobile device in addition to your standard password, you ensure that only you can access your billing information and hosting services, even if your password becomes compromised.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

To initialize 2FA, you will require a mobile device with an active time-based one-time password (TOTP) application.

| Recommended App             | Platform      | Key Feature                                           |
| :-------------------------- | :------------ | :---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Authy**                   | iOS / Android | Multi-device synchronization and cloud backups.       |
| **Google Authenticator**    | iOS / Android | Simple, offline, and industry-standard.               |
| **Microsoft Authenticator** | iOS / Android | Integrated with Microsoft account security ecosystem. |

***

## Setup Procedure

Follow these steps to activate 2FA on your billing profile.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Security Settings">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea). Click on your **name** in the top-right corner and select [Security Settings](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/user/security) from the dropdown menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Activation">
    Locate the Two-Factor Authentication section and click the **Click here to Enable** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR Code">
    Open your chosen authenticator app, select the option to add a new account, and scan the QR code displayed on your screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Synchronization">
    Input the 6-digit code currently displayed in your app into the verification field on our website and click **Submit**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Backup Codes">
    **important:** The system will generate several one-time use backup codes. Store these in a secure, offline location.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Management & Recovery

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Logging in with 2FA active">
    After entering your standard email and password, the system will prompt you for a 2FA code. Simply open your app, find the FREAKHOSTING entry, and input the code before the 30-second timer expires.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Lost access to your device?">
    If you lose your mobile device, use one of your saved **Backup Codes** to bypass the prompt. If you also lack backup codes, you must [Contact Support](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and provide identity verification to manually reset your account security.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Critical Security Notice

  **Never share your backup codes with anyone.** Our staff will never ask for your 2FA codes or backup keys. Treat these codes with the same level of confidentiality as your primary account password.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Join the Affiliate Program
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-join-the-affiliate-program

Earn passive income by referring new customers to FREAKHOSTING. Learn how to activate your affiliate account and manage your referral links.

## Earn by Referring Customers

The FREAKHOSTING Affiliate Program provides a powerful opportunity for content creators, web developers, and community leaders to monetize their audience. By recommending our high-performance hosting services, you can earn competitive commissions for every successful referral, building a steady stream of passive income while providing value to your community.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Program Infrastructure

Understanding our commission structure and requirements is essential for maximizing your earning potential.

| Metric              | Detail                                      |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------ |
| **Commission Rate** | Up to **20%** of net order value.           |
| **Holding Period**  | 30 days (to account for potential refunds). |
| **Minimum Payout**  | €50.00 and a minimum of 50 transactions.    |
| **Lifetime Cap**    | Up to €1,000 total per referred customer.   |

***

## Enrollment Procedure

Follow these steps to activate your unique affiliate profile and start sharing your links.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Client Area">
    Log in to your [FREAKHOSTING Account](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea). If you do not have an account, you can [register here](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/register.php).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Affiliates Section">
    Click **Affiliates** in the left sidebar, or use this [direct link](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/affiliates.php).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate Your Account">
    Review the terms and conditions and click the **Activate Affiliate Account** button. This initializes your unique tracking ID.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve Referral Links">
    Your dashboard will now display your primary referral link. You can also use the **Custom URL Generator** to create links to specific product pages.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Strategy & Tracking

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Where to promote your links?">
    Successful affiliates typically share links through YouTube descriptions, technical tutorials on personal blogs, or within community Discord servers. Always ensure your promotion is helpful and relevant to the recipient.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Monitoring your performance">
    Your Affiliate Dashboard provides real-time statistics on **Clicks**, **Signups**, and **Conversion Rates**, allowing you to identify which promotional methods are most effective.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Important Program Rules

  * **No Self-Referrals:** You cannot earn commissions by referring yourself or accounts under your direct control.
  * **Public Promotion:** You must engage in active, public promotion. Programs with fewer than 5 unique customers may be flagged for review.
  * **Prohibited Methods:** Use of fake accounts, misleading branding, or domain names that impersonate FREAKHOSTING will result in immediate termination from the program.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Affiliate Support:** Grow with FREAKHOSTING.
</div>


# How to Login and Access the Billing Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-login-and-access-the-billing-panel

Follow our simple guide to access the FREAKHOSTING billing panel and manage your account, services, and support tickets effortlessly.

## Accessing Your Billing Dashboard

The FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel (also known as the Client Area) is your centralized hub for managing every aspect of your hosting journey. From here, you can pay invoices, deploy new services, manage existing ones, and communicate directly with our support team.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Authentication Procedure

Follow these steps to securely access your account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Visit the Client Area">
    Open your web browser and navigate to the [Billing Panel](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Credentials">
    Input the **email address** and **password** you established during your initial checkout or account registration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Login">
    Click the **Login** button to securely access your dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Navigating the Dashboard

Once authenticated, you land on the **Dashboard**, which gives you an at-a-glance overview of your account: total spend, active services, registered domains, invoices due, and a 12-month spending chart. A **Get started** checklist helps new accounts verify their email, add a payment method, and deploy their first service.

### The Left Sidebar

The main navigation lives in the sidebar on the left:

* **Client Area:** Return to the dashboard overview at any time.
* **Services:** View and manage your game servers, VPS, and web hosting, or order new services.
* **Domains:** Manage, register, or transfer domain names.
* **Invoices:** View your billing history and add funds to your balance.
* **Tickets:** Open a support ticket or review existing ones.
* **Affiliates:** Track referrals and request commission payouts.
* Quick links to the **Knowledgebase**, **Firewall**, **Status** page, and **Discord**.

### The Account Menu

Click your **name** at the bottom of the sidebar to open the account menu, where you can reach **My Account**, **Contacts**, **Email History**, **Account Security**, **Payment Methods**, **User Management**, and **Logout**.

### Top Bar

The top-right corner provides a **dark/light mode** toggle, a **language** switcher, a **notifications** bell, and your **shopping cart**. Your current **account balance** is shown at the bottom of the sidebar.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Lost access to your account?">
    If you cannot remember your credentials, use the [Reset Password](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/password/reset) utility on the login page to receive a recovery link via email.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Secure your login">
    Use a strong, unique password and keep your contact email up to date so you can always recover access. You can review third-party application access under **Account Security → Single Sign-On** in the account menu.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Auto-Renewal for Services
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-auto-renewal-for-services

Enable and configure automatic renewal settings for your FREAKHOSTING services. Manage payment schedules and ensure uninterrupted hosting with auto-renewal.

## Continuous Service Uptime

Auto-renewal is the most reliable way to prevent accidental service suspension. When enabled, our billing system will automatically attempt to pay your upcoming invoices using your stored payment method or account credit, ensuring your servers stay online without manual intervention.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuring Auto-Renewal

Follow these steps to manage the renewal status of your services.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open My Services">
    From the left sidebar, go to **Services → My Services**, then click the **Actions** button next to the service and choose **Manage** (or click the service name) to open its **Product Details** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Billing & Renewal Card">
    At the top of the Product Details page you will see the **Billing & Renewal** card, which controls how the service renews and is billed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle Automatic Renewal">
    Use the **Automatic renewal** switch to turn it **On** or **Off**. When **On**, upcoming invoices are charged automatically to your saved payment method or account credit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm a Payment Source">
    Make sure you have a [saved payment method](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php?action=paymentmethods) or sufficient [account balance](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php?action=addfunds) so the system can process the renewal.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## How It Works

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Payment Window">
    Our system attempts to process auto-renewals **7 to 10 days** before the invoice due date. This buffer ensures that if a payment fails (e.g., expired card), you have ample time to update your details before the service is suspended.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Using Account Credit First">
    The billing panel is programmed to always check your **Account Balance** first. If you have enough credit, it will be applied automatically, and your secondary payment method will not be charged.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Expired Payment Methods

  Auto-renewal will fail if your stored card is expired or has insufficient funds. We recommend reviewing your **Payment Methods** page every 6 months to keep your saved cards accurate.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Billing Support:** Automated subscription management.
</div>


# How to Manage Configurable Service Options
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-configurable-service-options

Learn how to modify specific parameters of your FREAKHOSTING services, such as upgrading RAM, changing OS, or adding dedicated IPs.

## Granular Resource Scaling

Beyond switching your whole hosting plan, FREAKHOSTING lets you adjust specific **Configurable Options** on an active service. This is ideal when you need a single add-on, such as an extra dedicated IP or a different location, without moving to a higher service tier.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Modifying Specific Options

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Service">
    Go to **Services → My Services** and open the service (via the **Actions** menu → **Manage**, or by clicking its name) to reach its **Product Details** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Upgrade/downgrade">
    Click **Upgrade/downgrade**, then switch to the **Configurable Options** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Your Options">
    For each row, set the **New Configuration** dropdown, or leave it on **No Change**. Available options include:

    * **Location**: move your service to a different region.
    * **IP Addresses**: add extra dedicated IPs, priced per additional IP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Continue and Pay">
    Click **Continue**, review the prorated cost, and complete checkout. Your service is updated once the invoice has been paid.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Good to Know

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Change Package vs. Configurable Options">
    The **Change Package** tab switches your entire plan tier (for example, from BVPS-2 to BVPS-3). The **Configurable Options** tab adjusts a single add-on on your *current* plan, such as adding an IP address or changing location.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Prorated costs">
    Like plan changes, configurable options are billed on a **prorated basis**: you pay for the new add-on only for the remaining days of your current billing cycle.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reinstalling the operating system">
    Changing a VPS operating system is **not** a configurable option. You can reinstall the OS yourself from the server's control panel using **Rebuild Server** on the Product Details page.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Location Changes Affect Your IP

  Changing your service **Location** moves it to a different node and results in a **new IP address**. Update any saved connection details and inform your players after the change.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Contacts and Sub-Accounts
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-contacts-and-sub-accounts

Learn how to add additional contacts or sub-accounts to your FREAKHOSTING profile to delegate billing and technical tasks to team members.

## Collaborative Account Management

If you run a community or organization, you can add extra **contacts** to your account so the right people receive billing, technical, or product emails. Contacts are people associated with your account. If you also want to give someone their own login to manage your account, use [User Management](/portals/billing/how-to-add-a-sub-user-to-the-billing-panel) instead.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Adding or Editing a Contact

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Contacts">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar and select **Contacts**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add or Choose a Contact">
    Click **Add New Contact** to create a new one, or use the **Choose Contact** dropdown and click **Go** to edit an existing contact.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Contact Details">
    Fill in the **first name, last name, company (optional), email address, and phone number** in the Contact Details form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Email Preferences">
    Choose which emails this contact should receive: **General**, **Invoice**, **Support**, **Product**, and **Domain** notifications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Click **Save Changes** to store the contact.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Contacts vs. User Management

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Contacts (this page)">
    Use contacts to make sure the right people receive specific account emails, for example sending invoices to your accounting contact. A contact does not get their own login to your account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="User Management (login access)">
    To let someone sign in and manage your account with their own credentials and permissions, invite them as a sub-user instead. See [How to Add a Sub-User to the Billing Panel](/portals/billing/how-to-add-a-sub-user-to-the-billing-panel).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Keeping Contacts Current

  Review your contacts periodically and remove anyone who no longer needs your account emails to keep communications tidy and secure.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Email and Notification Preferences
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-email-and-notification-preferences

Choose exactly which account, billing, and service emails you receive from FREAKHOSTING, plus affiliate and mailing-list notifications.

## Controlling What Lands in Your Inbox

FREAKHOSTING sends a range of emails about your account, billing, and services. You can fine-tune exactly which categories you receive from your account's **Email Preferences**.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Updating Your Email Preferences

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open My Account">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar and select **My Account**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Email Preferences">
    Scroll to the **Email Preferences** section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle Categories">
    Enable or disable each category, then save your changes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Available Email Categories

| Category             | What it covers                                            |
| :------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- |
| **General Emails**   | All account-related emails.                               |
| **Invoice Emails**   | New invoices, reminders, and overdue notices.             |
| **Support Emails**   | Copies of all support ticket communication.               |
| **Product Emails**   | Welcome emails, suspensions, and other lifecycle notices. |
| **Domain Emails**    | Registration, transfer, and renewal notices.              |
| **Affiliate Emails** | Affiliate program notifications.                          |

<Warning>
  ### Stay Informed About Billing

  We recommend keeping **Invoice Emails** and **Product Emails** enabled. Disabling them means you may miss renewal reminders or suspension warnings, which can lead to unexpected service interruptions.
</Warning>

***

## Other Notifications

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Affiliate notifications">
    On the **My Account** page you can toggle **Affiliates notification** to receive an email whenever a new referral is added to your account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mailing list">
    Opt in to our mailing list to receive occasional news, offers, and product announcements. You can unsubscribe at any time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="In-panel notifications">
    The **bell icon** in the top-right corner of the panel shows account alerts while you are logged in.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **Communication Preferences:** Only the emails you want.
</div>


# How to Manage Invoices and Billing History
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-invoices-and-billing-history

Learn how to view, download, and pay your invoices, as well as track your complete billing history within the FREAKHOSTING Client Area.

## Managing Your Billing Records

The FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel keeps a complete record of every invoice on your account. From here you can review past payments, download PDF copies for your records, and settle any outstanding balances.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Your Invoices

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Invoices Menu">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and select **Invoices → Invoices** from the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Overview">
    At the top of the page, summary cards show your total number of invoices along with how many are **Unpaid** and **Paid**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find an Invoice">
    Use the **search** box to find an invoice by number, or the **All statuses** dropdown to filter by status (Paid, Unpaid, Cancelled, Refunded).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open or Download">
    The table lists each invoice's **number, invoice date, due date, total, and status**. In the **Actions** column, the **eye** icon opens the full invoice and the **download** icon saves a PDF copy.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## On the Invoice Page

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Paying an unpaid invoice">
    Open the invoice, choose a payment gateway, and click **Pay Now** to complete the payment. Paid and cancelled invoices do not show this option.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Printing or downloading">
    Use the **Print** and **Download** buttons at the top of the invoice to get a copy for your records or accounting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Invoice details">
    Each invoice lists the itemized charges, sub-total, any account credit applied, and the total, plus a **Transactions** section showing the payment date, gateway, and transaction ID once it has been paid.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Paying Multiple Invoices

  If you have more than one unpaid invoice, you can settle them together using the mass-payment option, which combines the outstanding balances into a single payment.
</Tip>

<Note>
  ### Invoice Reminders

  Our system emails you when a new invoice is generated and again as the due date approaches. Keep your contact email up to date so you never miss one.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Manage Linked Accounts (Google & Discord)
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-linked-accounts-google-discord

Learn how to link your Google or Discord accounts to your FREAKHOSTING profile for Discord-exclusive features and faster, more secure logins.

## Streamlining Your Authentication

FREAKHOSTING supports Single Sign-On (SSO) through third-party providers like Google and Discord. Linking your accounts not only allows you to log in with a single click but also verifies your status within our community Discord server, ensuring you receive the appropriate customer roles and access to exclusive support channels.

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  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Linking Your Accounts

Follow these steps to connect your social profiles to your billing account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Security Settings">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and navigate to **Account** -> [Security Settings](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/user/security).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Linked Accounts">
    Scroll to the **Linked Accounts** section. You will see icons for available providers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize Connection">
    Click the **Link** button next to Google or Discord. You will be redirected to the provider's official authorization page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Link">
    Once authorized, you will be returned to the FREAKHOSTING panel. Your profile picture and display name from the provider will now be visible in your security settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Benefits of Linking

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Discord Role Synchronization">
    By linking Discord, our bot will automatically assign you the **Customer** role and any specific **Service Holder** roles (e.g., VPS Owner, Game Server Owner) on our [Official Discord Server](https://discord.gg/freakhosting).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="One-Click Login">
    You no longer need to remember your billing panel password. Simply click "Login with Google/Discord" on the entry page to access your account instantly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enhanced Account Recovery">
    If you lose access to your primary email, having a second linked account can help our support team verify your identity and restore your access more quickly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Privacy Note

  FREAKHOSTING only requests basic profile information (Email and Username) from Google and Discord. We never gain access to your passwords or private messages on those platforms.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Account Security:** Third-party integrations.
</div>


# How to Manage Saved Payment Methods
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-saved-payment-methods

Add, update, set a default, and remove saved cards from the FREAKHOSTING Payment Methods page for faster checkout and reliable auto-renewals.

## Managing Your Saved Cards

Saving a payment method lets FREAKHOSTING renew your services automatically and makes checkout faster. This guide shows how to add, update, set a default, and remove cards from the **Payment Methods** page.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

For the full list of payment options we accept, see [Accepted Payment Methods](/portals/billing/accepted-payment-methods).

***

## Adding a Payment Method

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Menu">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Payment Methods">
    Choose **Payment Methods** to open the management page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a New Card">
    Click **Add New Card**, enter your card details, and save. Your card is stored securely with our payment processor.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing Existing Cards

| Action             | What it helps                                                        |
| :----------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Set a default**  | Mark one card as default so it is used first for automatic renewals. |
| **Update details** | Replace an expiring card with new details to avoid failed renewals.  |
| **Remove a card**  | Delete cards you no longer use to keep your records tidy.            |

<Tip>
  ### Card Security

  We never store your full card number on our servers. All sensitive details are tokenized and held securely by our payment processors (Stripe / Revolut).
</Tip>

<Warning>
  ### Avoid Failed Renewals

  If your saved card expires, [automatic renewals](/portals/billing/how-to-manage-auto-renewal-for-services) will fail. Review your saved cards every few months to keep them valid.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **Secure Payments:** Faster checkout, fewer interruptions.
</div>


# How to Manage Your Account Details
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-manage-your-account-details

Update your personal information, billing address, default payment method, language, and Discord/PayPal IDs on the FREAKHOSTING My Account page.

## Keeping Your Profile Up to Date

Your account details power your invoices, billing communication, and login recovery. Keeping them accurate ensures invoices are addressed correctly and that you never miss an important notification.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Opening Your Account Details

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Menu">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select My Account">
    Choose **My Account** to open the [Account Details](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php?action=details) page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit a Section">
    Each section has its own **Update Your Details** form. Make your changes and save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What You Can Update

| Section                  | Details                                                                                  |
| :----------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Personal Information** | First/last name, company, email address, and phone number.                               |
| **Billing Address**      | Street address, city, state/region, ZIP code, and country.                               |
| **Billing Preferences**  | Default payment method, default billing contact, and interface language.                 |
| **Discord & PayPal IDs** | Your Discord ID for community features and a PayPal ID for affiliate commission payouts. |
| **Email Preferences**    | Choose which account, billing, and service emails you receive.                           |

<Note>
  ### Default Payment Method

  The **Payment Method** you set here is used by default for new orders. You can still choose a different method at checkout for any individual order.
</Note>

To fine-tune which emails you receive, see [How to Manage Email and Notification Preferences](/portals/billing/how-to-manage-email-and-notification-preferences).

***

## Tips for Accurate Records

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use a reliable email address">
    Your email is used for invoices, renewal reminders, and password recovery. Make sure it is one you check regularly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep your address current">
    An accurate billing address keeps your invoices valid for accounting or VAT purposes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **Account Management:** Your profile, your control.
</div>


# How to Monitor Login History and Security Logs
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-monitor-login-history-and-security-logs

Review login history and security logs on your FREAKHOSTING account to track sessions, detect unauthorized access attempts, and monitor account activity.

## Keeping Your Account Secure

Monitoring your account activity helps you catch anything unexpected and keep your services protected. The FREAKHOSTING Client Area centers your account records in a few places. Here is how to review them and what to do if something looks wrong.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Reviewing Account Activity

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Email History">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar and select **Email History**. Almost every account action, such as new orders, invoices, payments, and password changes, generates an email, so this is the clearest timeline of what has happened on your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan for Anything Unexpected">
    Look for messages you don't recognize, such as order confirmations, password-change notices, or payment confirmations you didn't initiate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Connected Applications">
    Open **Account Security** from the account menu to check **Single Sign-On**, which controls whether third-party applications can reach your billing account. Turn it off if you don't use it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## If You Suspect Unauthorized Access

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Change your password immediately">
    Update your password right away from the Change Password page. See [How to Change Your Billing Panel Password](/portals/billing/how-to-change-the-password-for-the-billing-panel).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Review who has access">
    Check **User Management** for any sub-users you don't recognize and remove them. See [How to Add a Sub-User to the Billing Panel](/portals/billing/how-to-add-a-sub-user-to-the-billing-panel).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Contact support">
    If you still have concerns, [open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and our team can review recent access on your account and help you secure it.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Act Quickly

  If you see a payment, order, or change you didn't make, change your password and contact support immediately to limit any impact.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Navigate Your Billing Dashboard
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-navigate-your-billing-dashboard

Get familiar with the FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel layout: the dashboard overview, sidebar navigation, account menu, and top bar controls.

## Your Account at a Glance

The FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel has a modern, streamlined layout that puts every part of your account a click away. This guide walks you through the dashboard, the sidebar navigation, and the account menu so you always know where to find things.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Dashboard

When you log in, you land on the **Dashboard** (your Client Area home). It gives you a quick overview of your account:

* **Get started checklist**: new accounts see quick steps to verify their email, add a payment method, and deploy a first service.
* **Account stats**: cards showing your **spend over the last 12 months**, **active services**, **registered domains**, and **invoices due**.
* **Spending chart**: a 12-month graph of your spending history.
* **Quick actions**: shortcuts to *Order a service*, *Register a domain*, *Billing & invoices*, and *Get support*.
* **Recent activity**: your latest services, invoices, support tickets, and announcements.

***

## The Left Sidebar

The main menu lives in the sidebar on the left side of the screen.

| Menu                                            | What it does                                      |
| :---------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| **Client Area**                                 | Returns to the dashboard overview.                |
| **Services**                                    | View and manage your services, or order new ones. |
| **Domains**                                     | Manage, register, or transfer domains.            |
| **Invoices**                                    | View billing history and add funds.               |
| **Tickets**                                     | Open or review support tickets.                   |
| **Affiliates**                                  | Track referrals and request payouts.              |
| **Knowledgebase / Firewall / Status / Discord** | Quick links to helpful external resources.        |

<Tip>
  ### Collapse the Sidebar

  Use the arrow button at the top of the sidebar to collapse it for a wider view of your content.
</Tip>

***

## The Account Menu

Click your **name** at the bottom of the sidebar to open the account menu:

<Steps>
  <Step title="My Account">
    Update your personal information, billing address, and preferences.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Contacts">
    Add additional contacts for billing and technical communication.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Email History">
    Review every email we have sent to your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Account Security">
    Manage Single Sign-On for connected third-party applications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Payment Methods">
    Add, set as default, or remove your saved cards.
  </Step>

  <Step title="User Management">
    Invite sub-users and control their permissions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Logout">
    Securely end your session.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## The Top Bar

The top-right of the panel gives you a few quick controls:

* **Dark / Light mode**: toggle the panel's theme.
* **Language**: switch the interface language.
* **Notifications**: the bell icon shows account alerts.
* **Shopping cart**: review items before checkout.

Your current **account balance** is always shown at the bottom of the sidebar, with a quick link to add funds.

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** June 2026 | **FREAKHOSTING:** Your billing panel, simplified.
</div>


# How to Renew Your Service Early
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-renew-your-service-early

Proactively secure your hosting by renewing your FREAKHOSTING services before the billing date to ensure zero downtime and data safety.

## Proactive Service Renewal

Renewing your services before their due date is the most effective way to prevent interruptions and safeguard your data. Renewing early removes the risk of accidental suspension from payment delays or an expired card, giving you peace of mind for your gaming community or web projects.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Why Renew Early?

Proactive account management offers several key advantages.

| Advantage          | Description                                                                      |
| :----------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Zero Downtime**  | Avoids the automatic suspension that follows an unpaid, overdue invoice.         |
| **Data Integrity** | Protects your files from deletion policies tied to long-term unpaid services.    |
| **Budget Control** | Lets you use existing **account credit** or renew while current pricing applies. |

<Warning>
  ### Service Suspension Risks

  Services are suspended shortly after a missed due date. If an invoice stays unpaid beyond the suspension window, the associated data may be permanently deleted to reclaim node resources.
</Warning>

***

## Renewal Procedure

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Service">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea), go to **Services → My Services**, and open the service you want to renew (via the **Actions** menu → **Manage**, or by clicking its name).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Renew Service">
    On the **Product Details** page, click **Renew Service**. This opens the **Renew** page, which lists your renewable services with the upcoming **renewal period** and price.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Renewal to Your Cart">
    Find the service and click **Add to Cart**. Use **Show Non-Renewable Items** if you want to see services that cannot currently be renewed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Out and Pay">
    Review the **Order Summary**, click **View Cart**, then complete checkout to pay the renewal invoice.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Renewal Mechanics

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How is the new date calculated?">
    Early renewal adds time on top of your existing due date. For example, if your service is due on July 11th and you renew for one month, the new due date becomes August 10th, so you do **not** lose any days by paying early.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automatic vs. manual renewal">
    If you have **automatic renewal** enabled and a valid payment method or account credit, the system attempts to generate and pay your renewal invoice automatically before the due date. The manual steps above let you renew even earlier, whenever you choose.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Request a Cancellation for Your Service
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-request-a-cancellation-for-your-service

Follow our proper procedures to submit a cancellation request for your FREAKHOSTING services and understand the different termination options.

## Managing Service Termination

If you no longer need a service hosted with FREAKHOSTING, you can submit a cancellation request directly from your Client Area. This stops future invoices and schedules the service for termination. Follow the steps below to make sure your request is processed correctly.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Cancellation Procedure

Submitting a request ensures that no further invoices are generated for the selected service.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Client Area">
    Sign in to the [FREAKHOSTING Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) with your registered email and password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open My Services">
    From the left sidebar, go to **Services → My Services** to see your active products.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start the Cancellation Request">
    Click the **Actions** button (the **⋯** menu) next to the service and choose **Request Cancellation**. You can also open the service's **Product Details** page and click **Request Cancellation** there. Either option opens the **Account Cancellation Request** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Describe Your Reason">
    In the **Briefly Describe your reason for Cancellation** box, enter your reason. This field is required and must be **at least 15 characters** long.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Cancellation Type">
    Set the **Cancellation Type** dropdown to either **Immediate** or **End of Billing Period**. It defaults to **Immediate**, so change it to **End of Billing Period** if you want to keep using the time you have already paid for (see below).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit the Request">
    Click the red **Request Cancellation** button to confirm, or click **Cancel** to go back without making any changes. Once submitted, your cancellation is scheduled and you receive a confirmation email.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Choosing Your Cancellation Type

When you submit the form, you must specify when the service should terminate.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="End of Billing Period">
    **Recommended:** Your service stays fully operational until the end of your current paid term. You get to use the time you have already paid for, and no further invoices are generated.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Immediate">
    The service is flagged for termination right away (typically processed within a few hours). Access to your files and control panel is revoked almost immediately. Only choose this if you no longer need any data from the server.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## What Happens After You Submit

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Your request is scheduled">
    The cancellation is logged against the service. If you chose **End of Billing Period**, the service keeps running until its next due date and is then terminated; if you chose **Immediate**, it is queued for termination shortly after you submit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Confirmation email">
    You receive an email confirming the cancellation request and the scheduled termination date.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Changed your mind?">
    If you submitted a request by mistake or want to keep the service, [open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) as soon as possible. Our team can withdraw a pending cancellation before it is processed.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Critical Data Notice

<Warning>
  ### Data Preservation & Backups

  * **Permanent Deletion:** Once the termination date is reached, all data associated with the service is **permanently deleted** from our nodes.
  * **Manual Backup:** We strongly recommend downloading a full backup of your world files, databases, and configurations via your control panel or SFTP **before** the service is terminated, especially for an immediate cancellation.
  * **Refund Eligibility:** Submitting a cancellation does not automatically issue a refund. See our [Refund Policy](/portals/billing/how-to-request-a-refund) to check whether you qualify.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Request a Refund
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-request-a-refund

Understand the FREAKHOSTING refund eligibility criteria and learn how to correctly submit a refund request for your hosting services.

## Understanding Our Refund Policy

At FREAKHOSTING, we strive to provide the highest quality infrastructure. To ensure customer satisfaction, we offer a **72-hour money-back guarantee** for specific eligible services. Before initializing a request, please review the criteria below to determine if your purchase qualifies for a refund.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Eligibility Criteria

Our money-back guarantee is designed for first-time users to test our platform with confidence.

| Service Category      | Eligibility Status | Conditions                                      |
| :-------------------- | :----------------- | :---------------------------------------------- |
| **Web Hosting**       | Eligible           | Within 72 hours of first-time purchase.         |
| **Game Servers**      | Eligible           | Within 72 hours of first-time purchase.         |
| **VPS Servers**       | Non-Refundable     | Resources are provisioned instantly upon order. |
| **Dedicated Servers** | Non-Refundable     | Manual setup and hardware allocation required.  |

<Warning>
  ### Critical Policy Restrictions

  * **The 72-Hour Window:** Requests submitted after the initial 72-hour period are strictly ineligible for refunds.
  * **Exclusions:** One-time setup fees, software licenses (e.g., cPanel, Windows), and domain registrations are non-refundable under any circumstances.
  * **Account Credits:** Funds added to your account balance are non-refundable and non-transferable.
</Warning>

***

## Refund Submission Process

Follow these steps to submit your request to our billing department.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Eligibility">
    Ensure your service type and purchase date align with the requirements mentioned above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a Support Ticket">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and navigate to [Submit a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). Select the **Billing** department.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide Details">
    Include your **Invoice Number**, the **Service Name**, and a brief explanation for the refund request. This feedback helps us improve our service.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit & Await Review">
    Click **Submit**. Our billing specialists will review your request and process eligible refunds within **24-48 business hours**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Important Billing Information

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Non-Refundable Payment Methods">
    Due to the technical nature of blockchain and specific banking protocols, payments made via **Cryptocurrency**, **Paysafecard**, or **Direct Bank Transfers** are non-refundable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Chargebacks & Disputes">
    Filing a chargeback or payment dispute through your bank or PayPal before contacting us will result in the **immediate termination** of all active services and the permanent forfeiture of refund eligibility.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Try Resolving Issues First

  If you are requesting a refund due to technical difficulties, please reach out to our technical support team first. Many connection or configuration issues can be resolved in minutes, ensuring you get the most out of your hosting.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Request an Affiliate Payout
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-request-an-affiliate-payout

Withdraw earned affiliate commissions from your FREAKHOSTING account once you reach the payout threshold. Learn available payment methods and processing times.

## Withdraw Your Affiliate Earnings

Once you have successfully referred customers to FREAKHOSTING and reached our minimum payout threshold, you can request a withdrawal of your earned commissions. This guide outlines the requirements and the step-by-step process for receiving your funds.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Payout Requirements

Before initializing a withdrawal, ensure your affiliate profile meets the following criteria:

| Requirement          | Detail                                                          |
| :------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Minimum Balance**  | **€50.00** in cleared commissions.                              |
| **Minimum Activity** | A minimum of **50 successful transactions**.                    |
| **Holding Period**   | 30 days must have passed since the original client payment.     |
| **Account Standing** | Your account must have no active policy violations or disputes. |

***

## Withdrawal Procedure

Follow these steps to transfer your earnings from your affiliate balance to your personal account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Verify Your Balance">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and navigate to the **Affiliates** tab. View your **Available Balance** to confirm you meet the minimum threshold.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Request">
    Click the **Request Withdrawal** button. This button only becomes active once the minimum balance and transaction count are achieved.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Payout Method">
    Specify your preferred destination for the funds (e.g., PayPal email address or Bank Transfer details).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Submission">
    Review your payment details for accuracy and click **Submit**. You will receive an automated confirmation that your request is in the manual review queue.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Processing & Verification

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Review Timeline">
    Every withdrawal request undergoes a manual review by our Partners & Compliance team. This process typically takes **1 to 5 business days**. Once approved, funds are generally broadcast within 30 days.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Limits & Caps">
    Default accounts have a monthly payout cap of **€500**. Requests exceeding this amount, or total lifetime earnings over €500, may require enhanced Identity Verification (KYC) and written approval from management.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Accurate Payment Details

  Please double-check your payment information before submitting. Errors in PayPal addresses or IBAN numbers can lead to significant delays or failed transfers that our team may not be able to recover.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Affiliate Support:** Cashing out your success.
</div>


# How to Reset Your Billing Panel Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-reset-account-password-on-the-billing-panel

Recover access to your FREAKHOSTING client area by resetting your billing panel password through the secure email-based recovery process when locked out.

## Regaining Access to Your Account

If you've forgotten your Client Area password, the **Lost Password Reset** tool emails you a secure link to set a new one. You must be logged out to use it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Password Recovery Procedure

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Reset Page">
    Log out, then go to the [Lost Password Reset](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/password/reset) page (also linked from the login screen). If you are still logged in, the page will ask you to log out first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Email">
    Type the **email address** registered to your account, with no typos, since the recovery link is only sent to the registered address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Request the Reset">
    Submit the form. We email you a unique, time-sensitive reset link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Your Inbox">
    Open the email from FREAKHOSTING and click the reset link. If it isn't there within a couple of minutes, check your **Spam/Junk** folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a New Password">
    Follow the prompts to choose a new password, then log in with your new credentials.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Security Recommendations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Choosing a strong password">
    Use at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid birthdays or common words. The change-password form includes a **Generate Password** helper if you'd like a strong one created for you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep your recovery email secure">
    Because resets are sent to your registered email, keep that mailbox secure and make sure its address is current in **My Account** so you can always recover access.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Note>
  ### Locked Out of Your Email Too?

  If you no longer have access to your registered email address, [contact our support team](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) so we can help verify your identity and restore access.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Transfer Service Ownership
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-transfer-service-ownership

Learn how to transfer your FREAKHOSTING billing ownership and panel access to another user using our self-service tools and support system.

## Relocating Your Service Ownership

Whether you're handing a community project to a new leader or moving services within your organization, you can transfer the billing ownership and management of a service to another FREAKHOSTING account. Ownership transfers are handled by our billing team through a support ticket, so that both the billing record and the control panel move across correctly.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Before You Start

| Requirement              | Details                                                                                                     |
| :----------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Service Status**       | The service should be **Active** (not suspended or terminated).                                             |
| **Outstanding Invoices** | Any unpaid invoices for the service must be settled first.                                                  |
| **Recipient Account**    | The new owner must already have a [FREAKHOSTING account](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/register.php). |

***

## How to Request a Transfer

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm the Requirements">
    Make sure the service is active, its invoices are paid, and the new owner already has an account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a Billing Ticket">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and go to **Tickets → Submit Ticket**, choosing the **Billing** department.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide the Details">
    State the **service name or ID** you want to transfer and the **email address** of the new owner's account, and confirm that you authorize the transfer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="We Process the Transfer">
    Our team verifies the request, moves the service to the new owner's account, and confirms once it's done. The new owner can then manage and pay for the service from their own account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Control Panel Access

<Warning>
  ### Billing vs. Technical Access

  Transferring billing ownership does not automatically change the login for the Game Panel or VPS control panel. Mention in your ticket that you also want the panel access updated.
</Warning>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="For Game Servers">
    Ask for the Game Panel ownership to be reassigned and provide the new owner's registered Game Panel email address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="For VPS Services">
    Ask for the VPS to be reassigned to the new owner's control-panel account.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Verify Before You Transfer

  An ownership transfer hands billing responsibility and access to someone else. Only transfer to people you trust, and double-check the recipient's email address before submitting your request.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Upgrade or Downgrade Your Service
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-upgradedowngrade-your-service

Scale your FREAKHOSTING hosting plan up or down effortlessly. Learn how to adjust your resources while maintaining your data integrity.

## Modifying Your Service Plan

At FREAKHOSTING, your resource requirements can evolve as your project grows or as community activity fluctuates. You can scale your hosting plan up or down, or adjust individual add-ons, directly from the Client Area, with no manual data migration required.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How to Open the Upgrade/Downgrade Page

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open My Services">
    Log in to the [Client Area](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) and go to **Services → My Services** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Service">
    Click the **Actions** button next to the service and choose **Manage**, or click the service name, to open its **Product Details** page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Upgrade/downgrade">
    In the service's management actions (next to *Renew Service* and *Request Cancellation*), click **Upgrade/downgrade**. This opens the **Upgrade/Downgrade** page, which has two tabs: **Change Package** and **Configurable Options**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose What to Change">
    Use **Change Package** to move to a different plan tier, or **Configurable Options** to adjust add-ons on your current plan (both explained below).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm and Pay">
    Review the summary and the prorated amount, then confirm. An invoice is generated, and your service is updated automatically once it has been paid.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Change Package vs. Configurable Options

The Upgrade/Downgrade page is split into two tabs, depending on what you want to change.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Change Package">
    The **Change Package** tab lists the plans you can switch to (for example, Budget VPS **BVPS-1** through **BVPS-10**). Each option shows its resources (vCPU, RAM, NVMe storage, and network), plus the security and control-panel features included.

    Pricing is displayed for the **1, 3, 6, and 12-month** terms so you can compare costs. Choose the plan that fits your needs and click **Choose Product** to continue.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Configurable Options">
    The **Configurable Options** tab lets you fine-tune your *current* plan without switching tiers. For each row, leave the **New Configuration** dropdown on **No Change**, or pick a new value, then click **Continue**. Common options include:

    * **Location**: move your service to a different region (for example, Frankfurt or Los Angeles).
    * **IP Addresses**: add extra dedicated IPs, priced per additional IP.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Prorated Billing Mechanics

We use a transparent prorated billing system so you only pay for the resources you use.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Upgrading your service">
    When upgrading to a more powerful plan, you are invoiced only for the price difference between your current plan and the new one, for the remaining days of your current billing cycle.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Downgrading your service">
    When downgrading to a lower tier, the change typically takes effect on your next renewal. If you would like a prorated account credit for time already paid on the higher-tier plan, [submit a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) to our Billing Department.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Outstanding Invoices

  If an upcoming renewal invoice has already been generated for your current plan, settle that invoice **before** starting a plan modification to prevent synchronization errors in our billing system.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use Affiliate Referral Tools and Stats
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-use-affiliate-referral-tools-and-stats

Track referral performance and view commission statistics on the FREAKHOSTING affiliate dashboard to generate custom links and maximize your referral earnings.

## Optimizing Your Affiliate Performance

Joining the affiliate program is just the first step. To get the most from it, you'll want to understand the stats your dashboard shows and the tools it gives you for sharing tracked links.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Affiliate Dashboard

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Affiliates Page">
    Select **Affiliates** from the left sidebar, or visit [affiliates.php](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/affiliates.php). The cards at the top show your **Clicks**, **Signups**, and **Conversion** rate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy Your Referral Link">
    Your **unique referral link** is shown below the stats. Share it to start referring customers. When someone clicks it and signs up, the referral is credited to you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Your Balance and Referrals">
    The **Current Balance** section shows your **commissions pending maturation**, **available commissions balance**, and **total amount withdrawn**. The **Your referrals** table lists each referred order with its amount, your commission, and its status.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Referral Tools

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Direct Links">
    The **Direct Links** button provides ready-made link and banner codes you can paste into your website, with your tracking already built in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom URL Generator">
    The **Custom URL Generator** turns any FREAKHOSTING page into a tracked referral link, so you can send people straight to a specific game server or VPS plan. See [How to Use the Affiliate Custom URL Generator](/portals/billing/how-to-use-the-affiliate-custom-url-generator).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Email notifications">
    Tick **Receive email when affiliates added to your account** to be notified whenever a new referral is credited.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Improving Your Conversions

  A personal review or a "how-to" video typically converts far better than posting a bare link. Add context that helps your audience understand why the service fits their needs.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to Use the Affiliate Custom URL Generator
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-use-the-affiliate-custom-url-generator

Learn how to create deep-linked referral URLs to specific FREAKHOSTING products or pages to maximize your affiliate conversion rates.

## Targeted Affiliate Marketing

Your primary referral link points people to the FREAKHOSTING site in general. The **Custom URL Generator** lets you create a tracked link to a *specific* page, such as a particular game server or VPS plan, so your audience lands exactly where it's most relevant and is more likely to convert.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Generating a Custom Link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Affiliates Page">
    Log in and select **Affiliates** from the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Custom URL Generator">
    Next to your **unique referral link**, click the **Custom URL Generator** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Target URL">
    Paste the URL of the FREAKHOSTING page you want to promote, for example a specific game server or VPS plan page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the Link">
    Generate the link. The tool returns that page's URL with your unique affiliate ID attached.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy and Share">
    Copy the tracked link and use it in your video descriptions, blog posts, or social profiles.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Best Referral Strategies

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Link to the most relevant page">
    Sending someone straight to the product they're interested in removes friction and usually converts better than linking to a generic landing page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Track specific campaigns">
    Use different custom links for different platforms (for example, one for YouTube and one for Discord) so you can see which channels drive the most signups in your stats.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### How Tracking Works

  Custom links are tracked with a browser cookie, so if a visitor clicks your link and completes a purchase later, the referral can still be credited to you.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to View and Accept Quotes
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-view-and-accept-quotes

Review and accept custom service quotes from FREAKHOSTING for specialized hosting requirements, bulk orders, and custom configurations from your client area.

## Custom Service Quotes

For requirements that fall outside our standard plans, such as enterprise hardware, large migrations, or custom resource configurations, our team can prepare a personalized quote. The Quotes page lets you review a proposal and turn it into an active service once you accept it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Viewing and Accepting a Quote

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Quotes Page">
    When our team sends you a quote, you receive an email with a link to view it. You can also open the [My Quotes](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/clientarea.php?action=quotes) page directly in the Client Area.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Proposal">
    The list shows each quote's **number, subject, date created, valid-until date, and stage**. Click a quote to see the full breakdown of items and pricing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept or Decline">
    If the proposal looks right, click **Accept**, which generates an invoice for the quoted amount. If you no longer need it, you can decline the quote.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pay the Invoice">
    Pay the resulting invoice to begin provisioning of your custom service.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Key Quote Details

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Valid-until date and stage">
    Each quote has a **Valid Until** date and a **Stage** (such as Draft, Delivered, or Accepted). Accept the quote before it expires to lock in the proposed pricing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Printable copy">
    You can download or print a quote from its view page, which is handy for internal approvals or procurement.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Requesting a Quote

  Need a custom solution? [Open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) with our Sales department to discuss your requirements.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# How to View Email History and Communications
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/billing/how-to-view-email-history-and-communications

Access a complete log of all emails sent to you by FREAKHOSTING, including technical alerts, billing invoices, and support updates.

## Your Communication Archive

The **Email History** page keeps a copy of every email FREAKHOSTING has sent to your registered address, such as order confirmations, invoices, server details, and more. It is the place to look if a message was filtered into spam or you need an old setup email.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Viewing Your Emails

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Email History">
    Click your **name** at the bottom of the left sidebar and select **Email History**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse or Search">
    The page shows summary cards (total emails sent and attached files) and a table listing each message's **Date Sent** and **Message Subject**. Use the **search** box to find a specific email.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a Message">
    Click the **view (eye)** icon, or **View Message**, to open the full content of any email. Messages that include attachments show the number of **attached files**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Uses

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Retrieving setup details">
    Lost the email with your server, panel, or VPS login details? Search for the relevant order or "VPS Details" to find it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Checking billing notices">
    Confirm when invoices, payment confirmations, or suspension warnings were sent to keep your account in good standing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Whitelisting

  If our emails aren't reaching your inbox, add `noreply@freakhosting.com` and `support@freakhosting.com` to your contacts or email whitelist.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>


# Cosmicguard Mitigation Overview
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/cosmicguard/cosmicguard-mitigation-overview

Technical overview of the Cosmicguard high-performance mitigation network. Learn about stateful packet inspection and A2S query caching features.

## Performance-Focused Security

Cosmicguard is a premium DDoS mitigation layer integrated into the FREAKHOSTING infrastructure, specifically optimized for low-latency gaming and high-performance real-time applications. Unlike standard volumetric filters, Cosmicguard specializes in stateful packet inspection and hardware-level query offloading. This technical approach ensures that your server remains protected against complex application-layer attacks without sacrificing the responsive connection quality required by competitive gaming communities.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Core Features

The Cosmicguard network is defined by its ability to intelligently differentiate between legitimate users and malicious traffic in real-time.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Stateful Packet Inspection">
    Cosmicguard performs deep packet inspection (DPI) to maintain a logical "state" for every connection. It validates handshakes and protocol-specific data (such as a Minecraft join request) before allowing traffic to proceed to your server. Malformed or out-of-sequence packets are discarded at the network edge, protecting your CPU from processing overhead.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="A2S Hardware Caching">
    For titles using the Source Engine or SteamNET (CS2, Rust, GMod), server info queries can be a major attack vector. Cosmicguard caches your server's metadata (player count, map, and status) on dedicated hardware. Queries are answered by the firewall itself, ensuring your server remains "Online" in browsers even during intense query floods.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Infrastructure & Connectivity

The Cosmicguard backbone is architected for zero jitter and maximum throughput.

* **Global Scrubbing Nodes:** using a distributed network of high-speed scrubbing centers to mitigate attacks as close to the source as possible.
* **Ultra-Low Latency Routing:** Optimized pathfinding ensures that the mitigation process adds negligible delay to your players' ping, maintaining a professional gaming experience.
* **Volumetric Capacity:** Designed to absorb multi-terabit volumetric floods, ensuring that even the most aggressive attacks do not impact the underlying hardware node.

***

## Management Workflow

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Unified Protocol Ruleset">
    Administrators can manage TCP, UDP, and ICMP filtering from a single, cohesive interface. This eliminates the need to jump between different configuration screens when hardening your server perimeter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="One-Click Game Presets">
    Access a library of pre-tuned presets for complex titles like FiveM, Palworld, and ARK. These presets apply the optimal stateful validation rules for the selected game's network protocol with a single click.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Optimizing for Valve Titles

  If you are hosting a Source Engine game, ensure that **A2S Caching** is enabled within your Cosmicguard settings. This is the most effective way to prevent "Server Not Responding" errors during high-intensity community events.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Cosmicguard:** Performance-first mitigation.
</div>


# How to Apply Cosmicguard Protection Profiles
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/cosmicguard/how-to-apply-cosmicguard-protection-profiles

Deploy high-performance firewall presets for your game servers. Learn how to use Cosmicguard profiles for stateful inspection and protocol validation.

## One-Click Performance Presets

Cosmicguard Protection Profiles (also known as Presets) are technical rulesets specifically tuned for high-performance, latency-sensitive gaming environments. By applying a profile, you enable advanced stateful packet inspection and protocol-specific validation tailored to your game engine. This ensures that malicious traffic is dropped at the network edge while legitimate player data is prioritized and delivered with zero jitter.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Supported Protection Logic

Cosmicguard offers a complete library of presets designed for modern multiplayer engines.

* **Valve Ecosystem:** Specialized logic for Rust, Counter-Strike 2, DayZ, and Team Fortress 2.
* **Grand Theft Auto RP:** Optimized FiveM filtering featuring advanced Layer 7 protection.
* **Survival Titles:** Deep packet validation for Palworld, Unturned, and The Isle.
* **Enhanced Security:** Specialized profiles for Cloudflare-only traffic and stateful TCP SynCookies.

***

## Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps to activate a protection profile for your server.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Dashboard">
    Log in to the [Firewall Management Portal](https://firewall.freakhosting.com).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your IP">
    Navigate to the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** tab and click on the specific IP address protected by the Cosmicguard network.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Profile Selection">
    Locate the **Protection Profiles** (or Presets) dropdown menu within the IP management interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finalize and Apply">
    Select the profile that precisely matches your server's primary game or application and click **Apply Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Maintenance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Real-Time Application">
    Switching between profiles is instantaneous. There is no requirement to restart your game server; however, active connections may experience a momentary (sub-second) refresh as the stateful inspection table updates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automated Intelligence Updates">
    Cosmicguard presets are dynamic. Our network engineers constantly refine the underlying logic of each profile to address emerging bypass methods and threat vectors. By using a preset, you are automatically benefiting from the latest mitigation intelligence.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Identifying the Correct Profile

  If your specific game is not listed, we recommend using the **Generic Game** or **Source Engine** profile as a baseline. These provide a strong foundation of stateful validation suitable for most UDP-based real-time protocols.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Cosmicguard:** Intelligent protection presets.
</div>


# How to Apply Custom Cosmicguard Filtering Rules
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/cosmicguard/how-to-apply-custom-cosmicguard-filtering-rules

Master the unified Cosmicguard filtering interface. Learn how to architect advanced custom rules for TCP, UDP, and ICMP to secure your virtual infrastructure.

## Unified Filtering Interface

The Cosmicguard custom rule engine is an advanced management interface that allows you to architect sophisticated, stateful filters for any traffic type. By using high-level "Logic Blocks," you can build a bespoke security perimeter that accommodates custom game modifications, proprietary applications, or unique network requirements. Unlike traditional firewalls that require separate management for different protocols, Cosmicguard provides a unified ecosystem for all network traffic.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Rule Architecture

Cosmicguard uses a protocol-agnostic management style, allowing you to oversee your entire security posture from a single list.

* **Unified Management:** Manage TCP, UDP, and ICMP rules in a cohesive sequence.
* **Port Flexibility:** Full support for individual service ports (e.g., `25565`) or expansive numeric ranges (e.g., `10000-20000`) for dynamically assigned game instances.
* **Hierarchical Priority:** Rules are evaluated from top to bottom. This sequence is critical when combining broad restrictions with specific exceptions.

***

## Technical Logic Blocks

Rather than basic port forwarding, Cosmicguard allows you to assign specialized mitigation engines to your rules.

| Logic Block             | Technical Purpose                                                         |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Any TCP Application** | General stateful hardening for TCP-based services.                        |
| **SynCookies**          | Advanced SYN-flood protection for high-traffic environments.              |
| **Steam Query**         | Hardened stateful validation for Valve's A2S query protocol.              |
| **FiveM L7**            | Deep packet inspection optimized for GTA V roleplay traffic.              |
| **Cloudflare Only**     | Restricts traffic to only originated from verified Cloudflare edge nodes. |
| **RakNet v2**           | Protocol-specific validation for modern engines like Palworld and Rust.   |

***

## Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to establish a new custom filter.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Your IP">
    Log in to the [Firewall Panel](https://firewall.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** tab. Select your Cosmicguard-protected address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize New Rule">
    Open the **Filtering Rules** section and click **Create New Rule**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Protocol & Range">
    Specify the protocol (TCP, UDP, or ICMP) and the destination port range you wish to safeguard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Mitigation Logic">
    Select the **Logic Block** that best corresponds to your application's traffic pattern.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Establish Action">
    Set the rule action to **Allow** (to whitelist specific validated traffic) or **Deny** (to drop all matching packets).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Rule Sequencing

  Always ensure your specific "Allow" rules for active services are positioned **above** any broad "Deny All" rules. If a general restriction is evaluated first, it will drop legitimate traffic before the system reaches your specific whitelist entry.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Cosmicguard:** Advanced network architecture.
</div>


# Understanding A2S Caching
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/cosmicguard/understanding-a2s-caching

Master server visibility and performance with Cosmicguard A2S Caching. Learn how edge-querying reduces CPU load and prevents timeouts for Valve engine games.

## Hardware-Level Query Performance

A2S (Source Engine) queries are the fundamental packets utilized by Steam and in-game browsers to retrieve real-time server information, such as player counts, current maps, and server names. While essential for visibility, these queries can be exploited by malicious actors to flood your server with thousands of requests, overwhelming your CPU and causing legitimate players to see your server as "Timed Out." Cosmicguard's **A2S Caching** technology solves this by answering these queries at the network edge, ensuring your server remains visible and responsive under even the most intense query-based attacks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Mechanics of Edge-Querying

When A2S Caching is active, the relationship between the player's client and your game server changes fundamentally to prioritize performance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Status Learning">
    The Cosmicguard firewall periodically communicates with your game server to "learn" its current status (Active Players, Maximum Slots, Map Name, and Version).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edge Storage">
    This metadata is stored in a high-speed hardware cache located directly within our global scrubbing centers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Autonomous Response">
    When a player or a browser bot sends an `A2S_INFO` request, the **firewall answers the query directly** from its local cache.
  </Step>

  <Step title="CPU Preservation">
    Because the query never reaches your server, your CPU resources are preserved entirely for processing core game logic and player movements.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Operational Benefits

Implementing A2S Caching provides several strategic advantages for community owners.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Zero CPU Latency">
    High player-count servers (such as 200+ slot Rust servers) generate massive query traffic naturally. By offloading these requests to the firewall, you eliminate the micro-stutters often associated with the game engine attempting to process thousands of info requests while simultaneously managing physics.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Maximum Browser Visibility">
    Since the firewall responds with multi-gigabit throughput and sub-millisecond response times, your server will consistently appear at the top of browser lists with a stable "Online" status, even if the backend game process is experiencing heavy load.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Activation & Support

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How to Enable Caching">
    A2S Caching is automatically integrated into specific **Cosmicguard** Protection Profiles designed for the Valve ecosystem. To activate it, simply apply the profile that matches your game (e.g., Rust, CS2, TF2, or GMod) within the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** tab.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cache Refresh Intervals">
    The cache refreshes every few seconds to ensure that your player count and map information remain accurate. This small delay is imperceptible to users but provides a massive security shield for your infrastructure.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Supported Protocol Requirement

  A2S Caching is exclusively compatible with games using the standard Valve Source Engine query protocol. If your game uses a proprietary or custom query system (such as certain Minecraft query plugins), this specific hardware caching layer may not be applicable.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Cosmicguard:** Advanced hardware caching.
</div>


# Dataforest Mitigation Overview
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/dataforest/dataforest-mitigation-overview

Technical overview of the Dataforest DDoS mitigation network. Learn about volumetric capacity, behavioral detection, and geographic blocking features.

## Enterprise-Grade Mitigation

Dataforest is a high-capacity scrubbing network architected to absorb massive volumetric attacks while maintaining the low-latency performance required by modern web applications and game engines. As our primary protection layer for a vast array of services, Dataforest uses a hybrid detection approach that combines real-time signature matching with sophisticated behavioral analysis. This technical framework ensures that even the largest multi-terabit floods are neutralized at the network edge, long before they can impact your virtual hardware.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Mitigation Capacity

The Dataforest backbone is designed for extreme resilience and high-throughput data processing.

* **Global Volumetric Capacity:** Features a distributed scrubbing capacity exceeding **12 Tbps**, allowing the network to absorb the world's largest recorded volumetric events.
* **Protocol Coverage:** Native, hardware-accelerated protection against Layer 3 and Layer 4 vectors, including UDP reflections (DNS, NTP), TCP SYN floods, and ICMP floods.
* **Deep Packet Inspection:** Analyzes individual packet payloads to identify and drop malformed data that attempts to exploit specific application-layer vulnerabilities.

***

## Advanced Detection Logic

Dataforest employs two complementary methodologies to identify and mitigate malicious traffic in real-time.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Signature-Based Detection">
    uses a massive, constantly updated database of known attack fingerprints and botnet communication patterns. This allows for the instantaneous blocking of recognized threats with zero impact on legitimate users.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Behavioral Analysis">
    Monitors traffic patterns for anomalies that deviate from standard protocol behavior. If a source begins sending traffic that does not align with your selected game or application profile, the system dynamically restricts that source to prevent potential service degradation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Management & Control Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Geographic & ASN Restrictions">
    Administrators can lock down their network perimeter based on traffic origin. You can block entire countries or specific Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) to prevent traffic from known high-risk regions or specialized VPN/Proxy providers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom Default Policies">
    Define how the firewall handles traffic that does not match an explicit filter.

    * **Filter Mode:** (Standard) Traffic is passed through the mitigation engines for validation.
    * **Drop Mode:** (Whitelist) Blocks all traffic that hasn't been explicitly authorized, creating a "zero-trust" environment for proprietary services.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Optimizing Regional Communities

  If your community is localized to a specific region (e.g., North America), using **Country Blocking** to restrict traffic from other continents is one of the most effective ways to eliminate automated bot scans and reduce the overall attack surface of your server.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Dataforest:** Enterprise volumetric protection.
</div>


# How to Apply Custom Dataforest Filtering Rules
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/dataforest/how-to-apply-custom-dataforest-filtering-rules

Master granular network control within the Dataforest ecosystem. Learn how to architect advanced TCP, UDP, and ICMP filtering rules for your virtual services.

## Granular Traffic Control

The Dataforest custom rule engine is a powerful management interface designed for advanced users and specialized applications. By using this interface, you can architect a bespoke security perimeter that goes beyond standard protection profiles. You have the technical flexibility to define specific protocols, port ranges, and specialized filtering "engines" that understand the unique traffic patterns of your proprietary software or custom game modifications.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Configuration Interface Access

Follow these steps to initialize the custom rule creation process.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Your Asset">
    Log in to the [Firewall Panel](https://firewall.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** tab. Select your Dataforest-protected IP.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Filtering Controls">
    Click on the **Filters** tab in the secondary navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize the Rule">
    Click the **Apply Protection** button and select the **Apply Filter** tab within the configuration modal to access the custom rule builder.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Logic Engines

Dataforest provides a wide array of specialized engines that perform protocol-specific validation.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="TCP Logic Engines">
    * **Gaming-Specific:** Optimized validation for AltV, FiveM (Strict/Light), Minecraft Java, and Tibia.
    * **Infrastructure:** Hardened engines for HTTP, SSH, TLS, txAdmin, and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
    * **Security Verification:** use the **Website Challenge** engine to require browser validation before granting network access.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="UDP Logic Engines">
    * **Valve Ecosystem:** Stateful inspection for Source Engine (CS2, TF2, GMod), Rust, DayZ, and Arma 3.
    * **Modern Survival:** Deep packet validation for Palworld, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Terraria.
    * **VOIP & Networking:** Specialized low-latency engines for TeamSpeak Voice, Wireguard, and OpenVPN.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Advanced Rule Parameters

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Port Range Configuration">
    By default, rules can be applied to a single port (e.g., `25565`). For dynamic applications, toggle the **Use port range** switch to define a start and end port (e.g., `10000-20000`). Leaving these fields empty will apply the engine to **all ports** for the selected protocol.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="IP List Integration">
    Incorporate your pre-defined **IP Lists** (Whitelists or Blacklists) into your rules. This allows you to apply a specific filtering engine exclusively to traffic originating from known staff IPs or restricted proxy ranges.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Protocol Selection

  Ensure you select the correct protocol (TCP, UDP, or ICMP) for your rule. Applying a UDP-specific logic engine to a TCP port will result in the immediate rejection of all legitimate traffic. Always verify your application's technical documentation before committing changes.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Dataforest:** Bespoke network architecture.
</div>


# How to Apply Dataforest Protection Profiles
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/dataforest/how-to-apply-dataforest-protection-profiles

Deploy pre-configured firewall presets for your games and applications. Learn how to securely use Dataforest profiles for automated DDoS protection.

## Simplified Security Presets

Dataforest Protection Profiles (also known as Presets) are pre-configured firewall logic blocks expertly tuned for specific games and network protocols. Applying a profile is the most efficient method for securing your services, as it eliminates the need for manual rule creation while enabling advanced protocol validation. These profiles are designed to allow legitimate user traffic to proceed unimpeded while discard malicious packets at our global scrubbing edge.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Profile Categories

Our library includes dozens of specialized presets optimized for modern digital workloads.

* **Minecraft Ecosystem:** Dedicated validation for both Java Edition and Bedrock (Geyser) traffic.
* **Roleplay Platforms:** Specialized Layer 7 filtering for FiveM, AltV, and RedM.
* **Source Engine:** Optimized query and data handling for Rust, Garry's Mod, CS2, and DayZ.
* **Infrastructure:** Hardened presets for standard Web (HTTP/HTTPS), SSH, and VPN protocols.
* **Modern Survival:** Protocol-specific inspection for Palworld, ARK: Survival Evolved, and Squad.

***

## Deployment Procedure

Follow these steps to activate a protection profile for your IP address.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Portal">
    Log in to the [Firewall Management Panel](https://firewall.freakhosting.com).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify Your Asset">
    Navigate to the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** tab and locate the specific IP address you wish to protect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Click the **Settings** or **Manage** button next to your IP to open the configuration interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Application">
    Select the profile that precisely matches your primary service from the **Protection Profile** dropdown menu and click **Save Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Operational Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The Single Profile Limitation">
    Each IP address can only maintain one active Protection Profile at any given time. If you are hosting multiple diverse services on a single IP (e.g., a Minecraft server and a Web server), we recommend using the **Any Application** profile or building a [Custom Filtering Strategy](/portals/firewall/dataforest/how-to-apply-custom-dataforest-filtering-rules).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dynamic Intelligence Updates">
    Dataforest profiles are not static. Our network security team constantly updates the underlying logic of these presets to mitigate new attack vectors. These updates are applied automatically at the network layer; you do not need to re-apply the profile manually.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Requesting Custom Profiles

  If your specific game or proprietary application is not represented in our standard library, please [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). Our engineers can often develop and deploy custom filtering logic tailored to your unique requirements.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Dataforest:** Automated intelligence for absolute uptime.
</div>


# How to Configure Dataforest IP Settings
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/dataforest/how-to-configure-dataforest-ip-settings

Configure Dataforest DDoS protection settings including ASN blocking, country restrictions, and granular IP allowlists for your FREAKHOSTING network.

## Advanced IP Configuration

The **IP Settings** module provides granular control over the network perimeter of your Dataforest-protected assets. Within this interface, you can define how our mitigation infrastructure handles unmatched traffic, block entire geographical regions, and manage sophisticated IP whitelists and blacklists. These tools are essential for administrators who wish to implement a "Zero Trust" security architecture or strictly limit their service accessibility to specific communities.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Global Traffic Policy

The **Default Action** parameter determines how the firewall treats incoming packets that do not match any of your [Custom Filtering Rules](/portals/firewall/dataforest/how-to-apply-custom-dataforest-filtering-rules).

* **FILTER (Recommended):** Traffic is passed through the specialized Dataforest mitigation engines. This is the optimal setting for public game servers, as it allows our AI to scrub for threats while delivering legitimate data.
* **DROP (Default Deny):** All unmatched traffic is immediately discarded at the edge. This creates a highly secure environment where only traffic explicitly authorized by your custom rules can reach your VPS or dedicated node.

***

## Technical Access Restrictions

Lock down your network based on the origin and provider of the incoming data.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="ASN Blocking">
    Autonomous System Number (ASN) blocking allows you to restrict traffic from entire internet service providers, data centers, or VPN networks. Input the numerical ASNs (separated by commas) to block or allow them.

    * *Example:* `15169, 16509, 8075` (Blocks Google, Amazon, and Microsoft data center ranges).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Country Blocking">
    Geo-fencing allows you to restrict traffic based on the geographic origin (ISO-2 code) of the source IP. This is ideal for regional community servers looking to eliminate international botnet scans.

    * *Example:* `US, GB, DE, FR, CN` (Manage up to 20 country codes simultaneously).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Hierarchical IP Lists

IP Lists are advanced containers used to manage specific IP addresses or CIDR ranges with high-priority logic.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Container">
    Click **Create List** and provide a descriptive identifier (e.g., `Technical-Staff-Whitelist` or `Restricted-Proxy-Ranges`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define CIDR Entries">
    Click **View Entries** next to your list and select **Add Entry**. Input the specific network range using standard CIDR notation (e.g., `1.2.3.4/32` for a single device).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Priority Logic">
    Select **Whitelist** to ensure this range bypasses all mitigation logic, or **Blacklist** to drop all packets from this source before they reach the protocol validation layer.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Self-Lockout Risk

  Be exceptionally careful when using the **DROP** default action or strict **Country Whitelisting**. If you inadvertently block your own IP address or ASN, you will lose all connectivity to your server. Always ensure you have a whitelisted administrative IP list established before enabling global restrictions.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Dataforest:** Professional perimeter security.
</div>


# Firewall Panel Overview
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/firewall-panel-overview

Master the FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel. Learn how to manage your IP addresses, configure enterprise-grade DDoS protection, and monitor network security.

## complete Network Security

The FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel is a centralized, enterprise-grade dashboard designed to provide absolute control over your network security. By using industry-leading mitigation technology, we empower you to manage sophisticated filtering rules, analyze real-time attack telemetry, and automate your security posture via a strong API. Whether you are hosting a high-population game server or a critical web application, our firewall infrastructure ensures your services remain online and performant under the most intense network stress.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Strategic Dashboard Navigation

The Firewall Panel is architected into specialized modules to streamline your security management.

* **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses):** The primary hub for managing protection profiles and granular filtering rules for your assigned assets.
* **[Attack Logs](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/attack-logs):** A complete repository of historical and real-time DDoS event data, including peak bandwidth and packet-per-second (PPS) metrics.
* **[API Management](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/api-keys):** Generate and restrict secure keys for programmatic integration with your own applications and monitoring tools.
* **[Notifications](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/notifications):** Configure real-time security alerts to be delivered via Discord, Slack, or Email.
* **[Audit Logs](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/audit-logs):** A complete historical record of all administrative actions performed within the panel, ensuring team accountability.

***

## DDoS Protection Infrastructure

FREAKHOSTING integrates with two world-class DDoS mitigation providers to offer optimized protection based on your specific workload requirements.

| Protection Layer | Ideal Workload               | Specialized Features                                                                |
| :--------------- | :--------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dataforest**   | Game Servers & General Apps  | Extensive game-specific profile library and advanced layer 7 TCP/UDP filtering.     |
| **Cosmicguard**  | Performance-Critical Engines | Proprietary A2S caching for Valve titles and ultra-low latency stateful inspection. |

<Note>
  ### Automated Provider Assignment

  Your IP address is intelligently assigned to a specific protection layer based on your geographical region and service tier. You can identify your current provider within the **IP Addresses** management tab.
</Note>

***

## Management Capabilities

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Intelligent Protection Profiles">
    Deploy dozens of pre-configured profiles optimized for specific network protocols and game engines, such as Minecraft, Rust, FiveM, and standard Web (HTTP/HTTPS) traffic. These profiles contain expertly tuned rulesets designed to block malicious traffic while prioritizing legitimate user data.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom Filtering Rules">
    For advanced administrators, we offer granular control over TCP, UDP, and ICMP traffic. You can establish custom allow/deny rules based on port ranges, payload size, and source geography to create a bespoke security perimeter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Enterprise Automation (API)">
    Our RESTful API allows you to programmatically update filtering rules and retrieve network telemetry. This is ideal for developers who wish to build custom management dashboards or automated response systems.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Real-Time Monitoring

  use the **Attack Logs** to identify patterns in malicious activity. By understanding the vectors used against your server, you can more effectively tune your protection profiles for maximum efficiency.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Absolute protection for your digital assets.
</div>


# How to Access API Documentation
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/how-to-access-api-documentation

Master the technical integration of your network security. Learn how to locate and use the REST API reference for the FREAKHOSTING Firewall.

## Developer Integration Guide

The **[API Docs](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/api-docs)** module within the FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel provides a complete technical reference for our RESTful interface. This documentation is essential for developers and system administrators who wish to programmatically manage network filtering, retrieve real-time telemetry, or integrate our specialized DDoS mitigation into their proprietary deployment pipelines.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Technical Reference

Our documentation is embedded directly within the management dashboard, ensuring that you always have access to the most up-to-date version of the API schema.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Authenticate">
    Log in to the [Firewall Portal](https://firewall.freakhosting.com) using your primary credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate API Docs">
    Click on the **[API Docs](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/api-docs)** tab in the primary navigation menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explore Endpoints">
    The interface will dynamically load all available REST endpoints, including request methods, required parameters, and example response payloads.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Authentication Standards

To interact with the API gateway, you must authenticate every request using a valid **Bearer Token** generated within the [API Keys](/portals/firewall/how-to-manage-api-keys) section of the panel.

* **Header Key:** `Authorization`
* **Header Value Format:** `Bearer [YOUR_SECURE_TOKEN]`

***

## Gateway Architecture

All requests must be directed to our secure, high-availability API gateway.

**Primary Base URL:**
`https://firewall.freakhosting.com/api/remote`

### Essential Endpoints

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="GET /ips">
    Retrieves a complete list of all protected IP addresses associated with your account, including their unique system identifiers and assigned mitigation profiles.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="GET /ips/{id}/rules">
    Fetches the current filtering ruleset for a specific IP address, allowing you to audit your active security perimeter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="POST /ips/{id}/rules">
    Programmatically creates a new filtering rule (TCP, UDP, or ICMP) for the specified target. This endpoint is important for building dynamic automated response systems.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### use API Keys with Restrictions

  For production environments, always use an API key restricted to your management server's specific IP address. This ensures that your technical reference and active security remain protected even if your token is accidentally exposed.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Absolute protection for your digital assets.
</div>


# How to Analyze Attack Logs
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/how-to-analyze-attack-logs

Master the interpretation of real-time and historical DDoS attack data. Learn how to monitor technical metrics and verify the mitigation status of your network.

## Real-Time Attack Telemetry

The **[Attack Logs](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/attack-logs)** module within the FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel provides deep visibility into the malicious traffic targeting your infrastructure. By analyzing this telemetry, you can verify the effectiveness of our mitigation engines, identify specific threat vectors, and gain a technical understanding of the scale and intensity of neutralized attacks.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Performance Metrics

When a DDoS event is detected, our systems record several critical data points to help you understand the nature of the threat.

* **Peak (Mbps):** Represents the highest volumetric bandwidth utilized during the attack. This metric defines the "size" of the flood.
* **Peak (PPS):** Indicates the maximum number of Packets Per Second processed. This metric measures the "intensity" and is often more critical for game server stability than raw bandwidth.
* **Severity Rating:** An intelligent assessment of the attack's impact potential compared to your server's baseline legitimate traffic.
* **Mitigation Duration:** The total elapsed time the mitigation engine remained in an active scrubbing state to protect your IP.

***

## Interpreting Event Status

Every log entry is categorized by a status indicator, allowing you to prioritize incidents that require immediate attention.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Active Mitigation">
    The server is currently experiencing an ongoing attack. Our scrubbing centers are actively filtering traffic in real-time to ensure your services remain accessible.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Mitigated / Finished">
    The malicious event has concluded. The mitigation engine has successfully neutralized the threat, and the target IP address has returned to its normal operational state.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Log Filtering

For administrators managing large-scale networks, our panel offers granular filtering tools to isolate relevant data.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Target Identification">
    Filter the log repository by a specific **Destination IP** to analyze the history of a single service or game server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Temporal Analysis">
    Adjust the date range to view logs from the last hour, 24 hours, or the entire current month to identify recurring patterns or "slow-drip" attacks.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Priority Sorting">
    use the **Severity Filter** to focus exclusively on high-intensity events, allowing you to bypass minor automated scans and focus on significant threats.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Data Retention Policy

  Detailed attack telemetry is retained within the portal for a duration of **30 real-world days**. If you require logs for insurance compliance or external security reporting, ensure you export or document the data before the retention window concludes.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Absolute protection for your digital assets.
</div>


# How to Configure Firewall Notifications
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/how-to-configure-firewall-notifications

Set up real-time DDoS and security incident alerts via Discord, Slack, and email to stay informed about attacks targeting your FREAKHOSTING protected network.

## Real-Time Security Alerts

Maintaining constant situational awareness of your network status is important for professional server management. The FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel allows you to configure automated **[Notifications](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/notifications)** that trigger the instant our mitigation engines detect and neutralize a DDoS event. By establishing these communication channels, you ensure that your technical team or community staff are informed of significant security incidents without having to manually monitor the dashboard.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Supported Communication Channels

We offer integration with several popular platforms to suit your operational workflow.

* **Discord Webhooks:** Delivers a rich, stylized message directly to your staff or community server, providing immediate visibility for your moderators.
* **Slack Webhooks:** Optimized for professional environments and internal team coordination.
* **Direct Email:** Traditional text-based alerts broadcast to your registered administrative addresses.

***

## Webhook Configuration Workflow

Follow these steps to link your preferred communication platform to your firewall management profile.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Generate Your Webhook">
    Within your Discord or Slack channel settings, navigate to the **Integrations** menu and create a new Webhook. Copy the unique **Webhook URL** provided by the platform.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Notification Settings">
    Log in to the [Firewall Panel](https://firewall.freakhosting.com) and click on the **[Notifications](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/notifications)** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Channel">
    Click the **Add Notification Channel** button. Select your platform (Discord or Slack) and paste your URL into the destination field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate & Deploy">
    Click **Test and Save**. The system will broadcast a heartbeat message to your channel to verify the connection is active.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing Alert Severity

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Severity Thresholds">
    To prevent "notification fatigue," you can configure your channels to only trigger for specific event levels. For instance, you may wish to receive Discord alerts for all events but only receive Email alerts for "High" or "Critical" severity attacks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Multi-Recipient Management">
    Our system supports multiple notification channels simultaneously. You can route alerts to different Discord channels or team member emails based on your internal escalation protocols.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### Verification is Essential

  Always use the **Send Test Notification** feature when establishing a new channel. This ensures that your firewall's outbound traffic is not being restricted and that the webhook payload is correctly formatted for your destination platform.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Absolute protection for your digital assets.
</div>


# How to Manage API Keys for the Firewall Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/how-to-manage-api-keys

Automate your security workflow with API keys. Learn how to securely generate, restrict, and manage access tokens for the FREAKHOSTING Firewall REST API.

## Automating Your Security Workflow

The FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel features a strong RESTful API that enables developers to automate network security management. By generating secure **API Keys** (Access Tokens), you can programmatically list your assigned IP addresses, update granular filtering rules, and retrieve real-time attack telemetry. This is an essential feature for organizations that wish to integrate their server deployment pipelines with our specialized DDoS mitigation infrastructure.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Token Generation Workflow

Follow these steps to establish a new secure connection point for your automation tools.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access API Management">
    Log in to the [Firewall Portal](https://firewall.freakhosting.com) and navigate to the **[API Keys](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/api-keys)** tab in the primary menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize New Key">
    Click the **Create Key** or **Generate New Key** button to open the configuration interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Key Metadata">
    * **Key Name:** Provide a descriptive identifier (e.g., `Discord-Bot-Mitigation` or `Main-Panel-Sync`).
    * **IP Restriction:** (Highly Recommended) Input the specific IP address of the server or application that will be making the API calls.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finalize and Secure">
    Click **Generate**. The system will display your unique API key. **Copy this key immediately** and store it in a secure location.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### One-Time Visibility

  For your security, the full API key is only displayed once during the generation process. Our database only stores a cryptographic hash of the key. If you close the window without saving the token, you will need to revoke it and generate a new one.
</Warning>

***

## API Security Standards

To maintain the integrity of your network perimeter, we recommend adhering to these technical standards.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Access Restriction">
    Always use the **IP Restriction** feature. By limiting key usage to your management server's specific IP address, you ensure that even if the key is leaked, it cannot be utilized by an unauthorized party.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Key Rotation">
    For high-security environments, we recommend rotating your API keys every **90 days**. This limits the window of opportunity for any potential compromised credentials.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Revocation & Compliance

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Disabling Compromised Tokens">
    If you suspect a key has been exposed or if a developer has left your organization, you must revoke the token immediately. Within the **API Keys** tab, locate the specific key and click the **Revoke** icon. All active sessions using that key will be terminated instantaneously.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Environmental Security">
    Never hardcode API keys directly into your software's source code. Instead, use **Environment Variables** (ENV) or a secure secrets management vault to deliver the token to your application at runtime.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Automation:** Enterprise management simplified.
</div>


# How to Review Firewall Activity Logs
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/how-to-review-firewall-activity-logs

Maintain accountability and security within your network. Learn how to use the audit trail to track administrative changes made to your FREAKHOSTING firewall.

## complete Security Audit Trail

The **[Activity Log](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/audit-logs)** module within the FREAKHOSTING Firewall Panel provides a transparent and immutable history of every administrative action performed within your security dashboard. This feature is a critical component for maintaining accountability, especially for organizations with multiple sub-users or technical staff members. By reviewing these logs, you can monitor exactly who modified your security perimeter, what specific rules were altered, and the precise timing of those changes.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Log Anatomy & Data Points

Every entry within the Activity Log is meticulously documented with several technical identifiers to provide a complete picture of each event.

* **Authorized User:** Identifies the specific account (Primary or Sub-user) that initiated the action.
* **Action Description:** A technical summary of the modification (e.g., `Update Dataforest Protection Profile` or `Revoke API Key`).
* **Precise Timestamp:** The exact date and time the change was broadcast to our mitigation infrastructure.
* **Source IP Address:** Records the geographic and network origin of the administrator who performed the update.

***

## Operational & Security Benefits

using your audit trail effectively can significantly enhance your network management capabilities.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Team Accountability">
    Ensure that staff members are adhering to your internal security protocols by tracking which moderator updated a specific game profile or created a new custom filter.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Rapid Troubleshooting">
    If your service experiences an unexpected change in traffic flow, the Activity Log is the first place to check. You can quickly identify if a recently added firewall rule is inadvertently blocking legitimate users.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Intrusion Detection">
    Monitor for anomalies, such as the creation of unauthorized API keys or unexpected filter deletions, which may indicate a compromised administrative session.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Navigating the History

For large-scale operations with frequent administrative updates, our panel offers tools to narrow down your search results.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Temporal Filtering">
    Filter the logs by date range to view history from a specific billing cycle or following a known security incident.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Action Categorization">
    Narrow your results to specific event types, such as focusing exclusively on `Filter Changes` or `Notification Updates`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keyword Identification">
    Use the search utility to find entries related to a specific IP address or staff member name.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  ### Permanent Data Retention

  Unlike attack telemetry, Activity Logs are retained permanently for the life of your account. This ensures you have a reliable, long-term audit trail for compliance and operational review.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Absolute protection for your digital assets.
</div>


# Understanding Our DDoS Protection Providers
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/firewall/understanding-ddos-protection-providers

Discover the advanced mitigation layers used at FREAKHOSTING. Learn about the unique strengths of Dataforest and Cosmicguard in securing your services.

## Multi-Layered Network Security

To ensure absolute uptime and peak performance for every client, FREAKHOSTING uses a hybrid security architecture powered by two specialized DDoS mitigation providers: **Dataforest** and **Cosmicguard**. Each provider is selected based on its unique ability to handle specific types of network traffic and attack vectors. This guide explains the technical strengths of each layer and helps you identify which provider is currently safeguarding your digital assets.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Dataforest: Versatile Protocol Filtering

Dataforest serves as our primary mitigation layer for a vast array of general applications and complex game engines. It is characterized by its high degree of rule granularity and massive volumetric capacity.

* **Extensive Profile Library:** Includes expertly tuned "Protection Profiles" for almost any common service, including Minecraft, FiveM, and standard Web/SSH traffic.
* **Advanced Layer 7 Filtering:** Capable of deep packet inspection to identify and neutralize sophisticated application-layer attacks.
* **Geographic Control:** Features integrated ASN and country-level blocking to eliminate entire malicious regions from reaching your network.

***

## Cosmicguard: High-Performance Game Mitigation

Cosmicguard is a specialized mitigation network engineered specifically for latency-sensitive gaming environments that use the Steam ecosystem and Valve's network protocols.

* **A2S Hardware Caching:** uses hardware-level caching for server query information (A2S), preventing query-based floods from impacting game engine performance.
* **SteamNET Integration:** Superior handling of the unique traffic patterns used by titles like Counter-Strike 2, Rust, and Team Fortress 2.
* **Rapid Micro-Burst Detection:** Employs ultra-fast detection algorithms designed to neutralize small, high-intensity bursts that traditional firewalls might overlook.

***

## Technical Comparison

| Feature                    | Dataforest                 | Cosmicguard           |
| :------------------------- | :------------------------- | :-------------------- |
| **Best For**               | Minecraft, FiveM, Web, SSH | CS2, Rust, TF2, GMod  |
| **A2S Query Caching**      | Not Supported              | **Fully Supported**   |
| **ASN / Country Blocking** | **Fully Supported**        | Not Supported         |
| **Custom Rule Types**      | TCP & UDP                  | TCP, UDP & ICMP       |
| **Latency Profile**        | Industry Standard          | **Ultra-Low Latency** |

***

## Identifying Your Assigned Provider

You can verify which layer is protecting your specific IP address by following these steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Firewall Panel">
    Log in to the [Firewall Management Portal](https://firewall.freakhosting.com).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to IP Addresses">
    Open the **[IP Addresses](https://firewall.freakhosting.com/dashboard/ip-addresses)** management tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Provider Label">
    Locate your IP address in the list. The system will display a clear badge indicating either **Dataforest** or **Cosmicguard** next to the address.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  ### Requesting a Provider Migration

  If your project requires a specific technical feature (such as A2S Caching) that is exclusive to a different provider, please [Open a Support Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). Our network engineers can evaluate your requirements and migrate your service to the appropriate mitigation cluster.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Security:** Multi-layered mitigation for absolute uptime.
</div>


# Game Panel Dashboard Overview
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/game-panel-dashboard-overview

Navigate the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel dashboard including server status, resource monitors, power controls, navigation tabs, and SFTP access.

## Your Game Server Command Center

The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel Dashboard is the first screen you see after selecting a server at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). Think of it as mission control for your game server — power controls, real-time resource stats, server details, SFTP credentials, and quick access to every management tool — all on a single page.

Let us walk through exactly what you will find here and how to make the most of it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Top Navigation Bar

The navigation bar runs across the top of every page in the panel and stays visible no matter where you are. Here is what you will find:

* **FREAKHOSTING Logo** — On the far left. Click it to return to the main server list from anywhere.
* **Server Selector Dropdown** — Just to the right of the logo, this dropdown displays your currently selected server (for example, "Server Ts test"). Click it to instantly switch between your game servers without navigating back to the list.
* **Discord Link** — On the right side of the bar. Takes you directly to the FREAKHOSTING community Discord server where you can get help, share tips, and stay updated.
* **Account Link with Avatar** — The rightmost item. Click your avatar to access account settings, change your password, or manage your profile.

<Tip>
  The server selector dropdown is the fastest way to jump between servers when you manage more than one. No need to go back to the main list — just click, select, and you are there.
</Tip>

***

## Server Header and Status Bar

Directly below the top navigation, the **server header** gives you the most critical information about your currently selected server at a glance.

### Server Name and Status Badge

On the left side of the header, you will see your **server name** followed by a colored **status badge**:

* **Running** (green badge) — Your server is online and accepting connections. This is the status you want to see.
* **Offline** (red badge) — Your server is not currently running. Use the power controls to start it.
* **Starting** — The server is in the process of booting up. Give it a moment.
* **Stopping** — The server is shutting down gracefully.

### Connection Address

Next to the server name and status, you will find the **IP address and port** for your server displayed prominently — for example, **191.96.94.103:9987**. This is the address players or clients use to connect to your server. You can click it to copy it to your clipboard for quick sharing.

### Resource Stats Bar

The header also displays three real-time resource gauges inline:

| Resource   | Example Display       | What It Means                                                                                          |
| ---------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **CPU**    | 0% / Unlimited        | Current CPU usage against your allocation. Unlimited means no hard cap is set on your plan.            |
| **Memory** | 0 GiB / Unlimited     | Current RAM usage against your allocation. Shows actual consumption in real time.                      |
| **Disk**   | 20.93 MiB / Unlimited | Total disk space used by your server files, including the game installation, configs, and world saves. |

<Info>
  When your plan shows **Unlimited** (displayed as an infinity symbol) for CPU, memory, or disk, it means FREAKHOSTING has not imposed a hard cap on that resource for your server type. You still share node resources with other servers, so be mindful of extremely heavy usage.
</Info>

***

## Power Controls

Directly below the server header, three power control buttons let you manage your server's state:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Start" icon="play">
    **Green button.** Boots your server from an offline state. Click this when you want to bring your server online. The status badge will change from Offline (red) to Starting, then to Running (green) once the boot completes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restart" icon="rotate">
    **Dark button.** Performs a graceful restart — the server stops and immediately starts again. Use this after configuration changes, mod updates, or if your server is acting sluggish. Players will be briefly disconnected.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stop" icon="stop">
    **Red outlined button.** Sends a graceful shutdown signal to your server. The server will save its state and stop cleanly. Use this when you need to take the server offline for maintenance or extended downtime.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  If your server is unresponsive and the **Stop** button does not work, you may need to use a **Kill** option (available in the console) to force-terminate the process. Use this only as a last resort, as it does not allow the server to save its state gracefully and could cause data loss.
</Warning>

***

## Navigation Tabs

Below the power controls, a row of navigation tabs gives you access to every management feature for your server. Here is what each tab contains:

### Primary Tabs

| Tab           | What It Does                                                                                 |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dashboard** | Returns you to this main overview page — your home base for the selected server              |
| **Console**   | Opens the live server console where you can view real-time output and type commands directly |
| **Settings**  | Server configuration options including server name, description, and reinstall options       |
| **Activity**  | A chronological log of all actions performed on the server — who did what and when           |

### Management Dropdown

The **Management** dropdown expands to reveal these sections:

| Section        | What It Does                                                                                                                            |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Files**      | A full file manager for browsing, editing, uploading, and downloading your server files — configs, plugins, mods, world saves, and more |
| **Databases**  | Create and manage MySQL databases for plugins or mods that require database storage                                                     |
| **Backups**    | Create, download, restore, and manage server backups. Essential before making big changes                                               |
| **Subdomains** | Configure custom subdomains for your server if your plan supports it                                                                    |
| **Network**    | View and manage network allocations, ports, and IP assignments for your server                                                          |
| **Importer**   | Import server files or configurations from external sources                                                                             |

### Configuration Dropdown

The **Configuration** dropdown provides these tools:

| Section       | What It Does                                                                                                                                             |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Schedules** | Set up automated tasks like daily restarts, periodic backups, or timed commands. Think of it as cron jobs for your game server                           |
| **Users**     | Manage sub-users who can access this specific server. Assign granular permissions so team members can help manage the server without full account access |
| **Startup**   | View and edit startup parameters, command-line flags, and environment variables that control how your server launches                                    |

### Admin View

If you have administrative privileges, an **Admin** tab is also visible. This links to the Pterodactyl administration backend and is only shown to accounts with admin access.

<Tip>
  The **Console** tab is where you will spend most of your time during active management. It shows live server output and lets you run commands as if you were connected directly to the server terminal.
</Tip>

***

## Dashboard Content Area

Below the navigation tabs, the dashboard is divided into several content sections that give you a comprehensive view of your server's health.

### Banner Image

At the top of the content area, a **banner image** is displayed based on the type of game server you are running (for example, a Minecraft landscape banner for Minecraft servers). This is purely visual and helps you quickly identify the server type.

### Resource Usage Cards

Three resource monitoring cards sit below the banner, each with a teal-colored icon and clear labels:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="CPU Usage" icon="microchip">
    Shows your current CPU consumption. When the server is offline, it displays **Offline**. When running, you will see a percentage value against your allocation (for example, "12% / Unlimited"). Useful for spotting performance bottlenecks during peak player activity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Memory Usage" icon="memory">
    Displays current RAM usage in real time. When offline, shows **0 Bytes**. When running, it updates to show actual memory consumption (for example, "1.2 GiB / Unlimited"). If your server is lagging, check this card first — high memory usage is a common culprit.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Disk Usage" icon="hard-drive">
    Shows total disk space consumed by your server files. For example, **20.93 MiB / Unlimited**. This value persists even when the server is offline because your files remain on disk. Keep an eye on this if you have large world saves, many plugins, or frequent backups stored locally.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Server Information Panel

Below the resource cards, the **Server Info** panel provides essential technical details about your server:

| Field         | Example Value                                | What It Means                                                                                                       |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Status**    | Offline (red badge) or Running (green badge) | Current power state of your server                                                                                  |
| **Uptime**    | Displays time since last start               | How long the server has been running continuously. Resets when the server restarts or stops                         |
| **Hostname**  | 94.103-de.freakhosting.com:9987              | The DNS hostname assigned to your server, including the port. Players can use this instead of the raw IP address    |
| **Server IP** | 191.96.94.103                                | The raw IPv4 address of the node your server is running on                                                          |
| **Node ID**   | N20                                          | The internal identifier for the physical node hosting your server. Useful when communicating with support           |
| **Server ID** | #41298f70                                    | Your server's unique identifier within the panel. Reference this when opening support tickets for faster resolution |

<Info>
  The **Hostname** is often easier for players to remember than a raw IP address. Share the hostname (for example, **94.103-de.freakhosting.com:9987**) with your community so they can connect even if the underlying IP ever changes.
</Info>

***

## SFTP Details Panel

The **SFTP Details** panel provides everything you need to connect to your server files via SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol). This is essential for uploading large files, bulk-editing configurations, or managing mods and plugins outside of the web-based file manager.

| Field              | Example Value                     |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------- |
| **Server Address** | sftp\://n20.freakhosting.com:2022 |
| **Username**       | freak0705.41298f70                |

<Note>
  Your SFTP password is the **same password** you use to log in to this panel. There is no separate SFTP password to remember. If you change your panel password, your SFTP password changes with it.
</Note>

### Connecting via SFTP

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get Your SFTP Credentials">
    Find the **SFTP Details** panel on your dashboard. Note the **Server Address** and **Username** displayed there.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Your SFTP Client">
    Use an SFTP client like **FileZilla**, **WinSCP**, or **Cyberduck**. Enter the server address, port (**2022**), your username, and your panel password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect and Transfer Files">
    Click **Connect** (or equivalent) in your SFTP client. You will be placed in your server's root directory where you can upload mods, edit config files, download backups, and more.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The dashboard also features a **Launch SFTP** button that attempts to open your default SFTP client with the connection details pre-filled. If you have FileZilla or a similar client installed and associated with the `sftp://` protocol, clicking this button will open the client and connect automatically.

<Tip>
  **FileZilla** is a free, cross-platform SFTP client that works well with the Game Panel. Download it from [filezilla-project.org](https://filezilla-project.org/) and use the SFTP details from your dashboard to connect. Remember to set the port to **2022**, not the default 22.
</Tip>

***

## Quick Actions from the Dashboard

You do not need to leave the dashboard for many common tasks. Here is what you can do right from this page:

* **Start, restart, or stop your server** — The power buttons are always visible at the top of the dashboard. One click is all it takes.
* **Check resource usage** — Glance at the three resource cards to see if CPU, memory, or disk usage looks unusual. High values during peak play times are normal, but unexpected spikes when no one is online could indicate a problem.
* **Copy your connection address** — The IP:Port displayed in the server header can be copied and shared with players instantly.
* **Grab SFTP credentials** — The SFTP Details panel has everything you need to connect a file transfer client without navigating to any other page.
* **Check server uptime** — The Server Info panel shows how long your server has been running since its last start, helping you track stability.

***

## Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Dashboard

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Monitor resource usage to prevent lag">
    The three resource cards on the dashboard update in real time when your server is running. If players report lag, check the **CPU Usage** and **Memory Usage** cards first. Consistently high values (above 80-90%) suggest your server may need optimization — reducing view distance, limiting entities, or removing heavy plugins can help. If the resource cards regularly show high usage during normal player counts, consider upgrading your plan.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use the hostname instead of the IP for player connections">
    The **Hostname** in the Server Info panel (for example, **94.103-de.freakhosting.com:9987**) is a DNS name that points to your server. Share this with your players instead of the raw IP address. If your server ever migrates to a different node, the hostname can be updated to point to the new IP, meaning your players do not need to change anything.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set up scheduled restarts for stability">
    Game servers can accumulate memory leaks and temporary data over long run times. Head to **Configuration > Schedules** to set up automatic daily restarts during low-activity hours (for example, 4:00 AM). This keeps your server fresh and prevents the slow performance degradation that comes with extended uptime.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Create backups before making changes">
    Before installing new mods, updating plugins, or editing configuration files, always create a backup first. Navigate to **Management > Backups** and click **Create Backup**. If something goes wrong, you can restore your server to the exact state it was in before the change. It takes less than a minute and can save you hours of frustration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use sub-users for team management">
    If you have moderators or co-admins helping you run your game server, set them up as sub-users under **Configuration > Users**. You can assign granular permissions so they can restart the server or manage files without having access to sensitive settings like startup parameters or network configuration. This is much safer than sharing your main account credentials.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Dashboard navigation simplified.
</div>


# How to Change Your Game Panel Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-change-your-account-password

Update your FREAKHOSTING Game Panel password and email address to keep your account secure. Follow the steps from your account settings in the control panel.

## Keep Your Account Locked Down

Your Game Panel password is the key to every game server on your account. If it is weak, reused from another site, or has been floating around in a data breach, now is the time to change it. The same goes for your email address -- if you have switched inboxes or want a more secure one tied to your account, you can update that too.

Both options live on the **Account** page at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com), and they take less than a minute to complete.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    1 Minute
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Getting to the Account Page

Before you can change anything, you need to reach the Account settings.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Open your browser and go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). Enter your email and password, then click **Login**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Account Settings">
    Click your **Account** link (with your avatar icon) in the **top-right corner** of the navigation bar. This takes you to the Account page where all your profile settings live.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Changing Your Password

The **Update Password** section sits on the **right side** of the Account page. This is where you swap your current password for a new one.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter Your Current Password">
    In the **Current Password** field, type the password you are using right now. The panel needs this to verify it is actually you making the change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a New Password">
    In the **New Password** field, type your new password. The panel requires it to be **at least 8 characters in length** and recommends it be **unique to this website**. A strong password mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

    <Tip>
      Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store a truly random password. Something like `G7#kL9$mPx2!` is far stronger than `MyServer2026` -- and you will never have to remember it.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the New Password">
    Re-type your new password in the **Confirm New Password** field. This must match exactly what you entered above -- the panel will not let you proceed if there is a mismatch.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Update Password">
    Hit the green **Update Password** button. If everything checks out, your password is changed immediately. You will stay logged in on your current session, but any other active sessions will require the new password.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  After changing your password, update it in your password manager right away. If you forget the new password and have not saved it anywhere, you will need to use the **Forgot Password?** link on the login page to reset it via email.
</Warning>

***

## Updating Your Email Address

The **Update Email** section sits on the **left side** of the Account page, directly above the Appearance settings. This changes the email address tied to your Game Panel account -- the one you use to log in and receive password reset emails.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter the New Email Address">
    In the **Email** field, type the new email address you want associated with your account. Make sure it is an inbox you actually have access to -- you will need it if you ever have to reset your password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Your Password">
    In the **Confirm Password** field, type your **current** account password. This prevents anyone who happens to be at your keyboard from changing your email without authorization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Update Email">
    Hit the teal **Update Email** button. Your login email is updated immediately. From now on, use the new email address to sign in.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Changing your email here only affects the **Game Panel** at games.freakhosting.com. It does not change your email in the billing panel at freakhosting.com/clientarea or any other FREAKHOSTING service. Those are separate accounts with separate credentials.
</Info>

***

## Adjusting Appearance Settings

While you are on the Account page, you will notice an **Appearance** section below the Update Email area. It has two options:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Panel Language" icon="language">
    A dropdown menu that lets you change the language of the Game Panel interface. The default is **English**, but other languages are available if you prefer to navigate in a different language.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Panel Sounds" icon="volume-high">
    A toggle switch for **Off** and **On**. When enabled, the panel plays notification sounds for certain events. If you find them distracting, flip the toggle to **Off**.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Password Best Practices

Keeping your account secure goes beyond just picking a password. Here are a few habits that make a real difference:

| Practice                                 | Why It Matters                                                                                                 |
| ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Use a unique password for the Game Panel | If another site you use gets breached, your game servers are not affected                                      |
| Make it at least 12 characters           | Longer passwords are exponentially harder to crack, even beyond the 8-character minimum                        |
| Enable two-factor authentication         | Adds a second layer of security beyond your password (see the two-factor authentication article)               |
| Never share your password                | Not with friends, not with server admins, not in Discord DMs                                                   |
| Change it if you suspect a compromise    | If anything feels off -- unexpected logins, settings changing on their own -- change your password immediately |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I changed my password but now I cannot log in?">
    Make sure you are entering the **new** password, not the old one. If you used a password manager, verify it saved the updated entry. If all else fails, use the **Forgot Password?** link on the login page to reset it via email.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does changing my email log me out?">
    No. Updating your email does not end your current session. You will stay logged in, but the next time you sign in, you will need to use the new email address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same password as my billing panel?">
    Technically yes, but we strongly recommend against it. Using unique passwords for each service means a compromise on one does not affect the other.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is the 8-character minimum really enough?">
    It is the minimum the panel enforces, but longer is always better. Aim for 12 or more characters with a mix of character types. A password manager makes this effortless.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does changing my password here affect my billing panel login?">
    No. The Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** and the billing panel at **freakhosting.com/clientarea** are completely separate systems with independent credentials.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Account security simplified.
</div>


# How to Configure Schedules and Tasks
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-schedules-and-tasks

Learn how to set up automated schedules and tasks on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to auto-restart your server, create backups on a timer, run commands, and more.

## Automate Your Game Server with Schedules

Nobody wants to wake up at 4 AM to restart their Minecraft server or manually trigger a backup every single day. That is where schedules come in. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel lets you create automated tasks that run on a timer — restart your server every 6 hours, back up your world at dawn, or broadcast a warning message to players before maintenance kicks in.

You will find schedules under **Configuration > Schedules** in your server's sidebar. When you first arrive, the page shows a clean table with columns for **Name**, **Last run at**, **Status**, and **Notifications**, along with a **"0 of 0 Selected"** counter with a checkbox at the top. Two buttons sit at the top-right: a dark **Use Premade** button and a green **Create schedule** button. If you have not created any schedules yet, the table simply reads: *"There are no schedules configured for this server."*

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Creating a New Schedule

Setting up a schedule takes less than a minute once you understand the timing fields.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Schedules Page">
    In your server's sidebar, navigate to **Configuration > Schedules**. You will land on the schedules overview table.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Schedule">
    Hit the green **Create schedule** button in the top-right corner. A form will appear asking you to define when the schedule should run.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your Schedule">
    Give it a clear, descriptive name — something like "6-Hour Restart" or "Daily 4am Backup." This name shows up in the schedules table so you can tell them apart at a glance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Cron Timing">
    The schedule uses **cron syntax** to define exactly when it fires. You will see five fields:

    * **Minute** — Which minute of the hour (0-59)
    * **Hour** — Which hour of the day (0-23, using 24-hour time)
    * **Day of Month** — Which day of the month (1-31)
    * **Month** — Which month (1-12)
    * **Day of Week** — Which day of the week (0-7, where 0 and 7 are both Sunday)

    Use `*` to mean "every" — so `*` in the Month field means "every month."

    <Info>
      You do not need to memorize cron syntax. A quick cheat sheet: `0 */6 * * *` means "every 6 hours on the hour." `0 4 * * *` means "every day at 4:00 AM." `*/30 * * * *` means "every 30 minutes."
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable or Disable the Schedule">
    A toggle lets you set whether the schedule is **active** right away. You can always come back and flip this on or off later without deleting the schedule.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Schedule">
    Click the save or create button to finalize. Your new schedule now appears in the table — but it does not do anything yet. You need to add **tasks** to it, which we will cover next.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Using Premade Schedules

Not sure how to set up cron timing? The **Use Premade** button (the dark button next to "Create schedule") offers pre-configured schedule templates for common scenarios. Click it, pick a premade option, and the timing fields are filled in automatically. You can still customize the name and tweak the timing after selecting a premade template.

<Tip>
  Premade schedules are perfect for beginners. Start with one, see how it works, and then build your own custom schedules once you are comfortable with the cron fields.
</Tip>

***

## Adding Tasks to a Schedule

A schedule without tasks is like an alarm clock with no alarm — it fires on time but nothing happens. Here is how to attach tasks that actually do something.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Schedule">
    Click on the schedule name in the table to open its detail view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New Task">
    Inside the schedule detail view, you will see a section for tasks. Click the button to add a new task.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Task Type">
    The panel gives you three types of tasks:

    * **Send command** — Executes a console command on your server (like `say Server restarting in 5 minutes!` for Minecraft or any other game-specific command).
    * **Send power action** — Triggers a power state change: **start**, **stop**, **restart**, or **kill** the server.
    * **Create backup** — Initiates an automatic backup of your server files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Task">
    Depending on the task type, you will fill in different details:

    * For **Send command**, type the exact command you want executed in the console.
    * For **Send power action**, select the power action from the dropdown.
    * For **Create backup**, the panel will create a backup using your server's backup settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a Time Offset (Optional)">
    Each task can have a **time offset** in seconds. This lets you chain tasks together with delays. For example, you might send a warning message at 0 seconds, then restart the server at 300 seconds (5 minutes later). This gives players time to save their progress.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Task">
    Click save, and the task is now attached to your schedule. You can add multiple tasks to a single schedule — they run in order based on their time offsets.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Real-World Schedule Examples

Here are two practical schedules you can set up right now:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Auto-restart your Minecraft server every 6 hours">
    This keeps your server fresh and clears memory leaks that build up over long sessions.

    1. **Create a schedule** named "6-Hour Restart" with cron timing `0 */6 * * *` (fires at midnight, 6 AM, noon, and 6 PM).
    2. **Add Task 1:** Send command — `say Server restarting in 5 minutes! Save your progress.` with a time offset of **0 seconds**.
    3. **Add Task 2:** Send command — `say Server restarting in 1 minute!` with a time offset of **240 seconds** (4 minutes later).
    4. **Add Task 3:** Send power action — **Restart** with a time offset of **300 seconds** (5 minutes after the first warning).

    Players get two warnings, and the server gracefully restarts on schedule.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Create an automatic daily backup at 4 AM">
    Protect your world data without lifting a finger.

    1. **Create a schedule** named "Daily 4am Backup" with cron timing `0 4 * * *` (fires every day at 4:00 AM).
    2. **Add Task 1:** Send command — `say Backup starting in 1 minute...` with a time offset of **0 seconds**.
    3. **Add Task 2:** Create backup — with a time offset of **60 seconds** (1 minute after the warning).

    Your server creates a fresh backup every morning while most players are offline.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Weekend-only restart for a casual server">
    If your server only gets heavy traffic on weekends, schedule restarts for Saturday and Sunday mornings.

    1. **Create a schedule** named "Weekend Morning Restart" with cron timing `0 8 * * 6,0` (fires at 8:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday).
    2. **Add Task 1:** Send power action — **Restart** with a time offset of **0 seconds**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Managing Existing Schedules

Once you have schedules running, here is how to keep them organized:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Enable or Disable" icon="toggle-on">
    Click into any schedule and toggle it on or off. Disabling a schedule keeps all its tasks intact but stops it from firing. Useful when you are doing manual maintenance and do not want an auto-restart interrupting you.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edit Timing or Tasks" icon="pen-to-square">
    Open a schedule to change its cron timing, rename it, or add, edit, and remove individual tasks. Changes take effect immediately — the next run will use the updated configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notifications" icon="bell">
    The **Notifications** column in the schedule table tells you whether you will receive alerts when a schedule runs. Enable notifications to stay informed about automated actions, especially for backup schedules where you want confirmation that the backup completed.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delete a Schedule" icon="trash">
    If you no longer need a schedule, open it and delete it. This removes the schedule and all its tasks permanently. If you think you might need it again, consider disabling it instead.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  Be careful with power action tasks — especially **Kill**. Unlike **Stop** or **Restart**, the kill action does not give your server a chance to save data or shut down gracefully. Only use kill as a last resort for unresponsive servers, and never put it on a regular schedule.
</Warning>

***

## Quick Cron Reference

Here is a handy reference for common cron expressions you can use:

| Cron Expression | What It Does                         |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| `*/30 * * * *`  | Every 30 minutes                     |
| `0 */6 * * *`   | Every 6 hours                        |
| `0 4 * * *`     | Every day at 4:00 AM                 |
| `0 0 * * 1`     | Every Monday at midnight             |
| `0 8 * * 6,0`   | Every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 AM |
| `0 */12 * * *`  | Every 12 hours                       |
| `0 3 1 * *`     | First day of every month at 3:00 AM  |

<Tip>
  All schedule times use the timezone configured on the server. If your restarts seem to fire at the wrong time, double-check what timezone your Game Panel server is set to.
</Tip>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple tasks in one schedule?">
    Yes. A single schedule can contain as many tasks as you need. They execute in order based on their time offsets. This is how you chain warnings before a restart — set the warning at 0 seconds, another warning at 240 seconds, and the restart at 300 seconds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if my server is offline when a schedule fires?">
    If the server is offline and the schedule tries to run a console command, the task will fail because there is no running server to receive it. Power actions like **Start** will work as expected since they do not require the server to already be running.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I run a schedule manually?">
    Yes. Open any schedule and look for the option to trigger it immediately. This is useful for testing your task chain before relying on the automated timing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a limit to how many schedules I can create?">
    The number of schedules you can create depends on your server's configuration and plan. Most FREAKHOSTING game server plans allow multiple schedules, which is more than enough for restarts, backups, and custom commands.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Schedules and automation made simple.
</div>


# How to Configure Startup Variables
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables

Learn how to view and edit startup variables on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to customize your game server's launch behavior, ports, memory, and Docker image.

## Customize How Your Server Starts

Every game server has a set of variables that control how it launches — things like which ports to use, how much memory to allocate, which server version to run, and other game-specific settings. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel lets you view and edit these **startup variables** so you can fine-tune your server without digging through config files manually.

You will find startup variables under **Configuration > Startup** in your server's sidebar. The page is divided into a few clear sections:

* **Startup Command** — A read-only field at the top showing the exact command used to launch your server (for example, `./update.sh`). You cannot edit this directly — it is generated from your variables and egg configuration.
* **Docker Image** — A greyed-out field showing the container image your server runs inside (for example, `quay.io/parkervcp/pterodactyl-images:base_debian`). This is set by FREAKHOSTING and typically cannot be changed by users.
* **Variables** — Below those two fields, you will see a list of editable variables. Each one has a **label**, an **input field** with the current value, and a **description** explaining what it does.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding the Startup Command

The **Startup Command** field at the top of the page shows you the full command that the panel executes when your server starts. This might look something like:

* `./update.sh` for a TeamSpeak server
* `java -Xms128M -Xmx{{SERVER_MEMORY}}M -jar server.jar` for a Minecraft server
* `./srcds_run -game csgo` for a CS:GO server

The `{{VARIABLE_NAME}}` placeholders get replaced with your actual variable values at launch time. You cannot edit the startup command directly — it is defined by the server's **egg** (the template FREAKHOSTING uses to configure your game type). If you need the startup command changed, contact support.

<Info>
  The startup command is read-only for a good reason. Changing it incorrectly could prevent your server from starting at all. The panel protects you from accidental misconfiguration here.
</Info>

***

## Understanding Docker Images

The **Docker Image** field shows which container image your server runs inside. For a TeamSpeak server, you might see something like `quay.io/parkervcp/pterodactyl-images:base_debian`. For a Minecraft server, it could be a Java-based image.

Docker images are pre-configured environments that include all the software your game server needs to run — the right version of Java, the correct system libraries, and so on. This field is typically greyed out and managed by FREAKHOSTING.

<Warning>
  Do not attempt to change the Docker image unless you have been specifically instructed to do so by FREAKHOSTING support. Using the wrong image can prevent your server from starting or cause unexpected behavior.
</Warning>

***

## Viewing and Editing Startup Variables

The real power of this page lives in the **Variables** section. Here is how to work with them.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Startup Page">
    In your server's sidebar, navigate to **Configuration > Startup**. Scroll down past the Startup Command and Docker Image fields to reach the Variables section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Your Variables">
    Each variable is displayed as a card with three parts:

    * **Label** — The variable name (like "FILETRANSFER PORT" or "SERVER VERSION").
    * **Input field** — The current value, which you can edit.
    * **Description** — A brief explanation of what the variable controls (like "TCP Port for file transfers" or "You can set your teamspeak server to a static version using this variable").

    Read the description carefully before changing anything — it tells you exactly what the variable does and what values are acceptable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit a Variable">
    Click into the input field for the variable you want to change and type the new value. The field will accept the value immediately.

    <Tip>
      Some variables have default values that work perfectly for most users. If you are not sure what a variable does, it is usually best to leave it at the default. Only change variables when you have a specific reason to.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Changes">
    After editing one or more variables, click the save button to apply your changes. The new values will be used the next time your server starts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Most startup variable changes only take effect when the server starts up. After saving, **restart your server** from the console page to apply the new configuration.

    <Info>
      Changing a variable does not automatically restart your server. You need to manually restart it (or wait for your next scheduled restart) for the changes to take effect.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Variables by Game Type

Different games expose different variables. Here are some real examples to give you a sense of what you will find:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="TeamSpeak Server Variables">
    A TeamSpeak server typically shows these variables on the Startup page:

    | Variable            | Default             | Description                                                               |
    | ------------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | FILETRANSFER PORT   | 30033               | TCP Port for file transfers                                               |
    | QUERY PORT          | 10011               | TCP Port for Server Query                                                 |
    | LOG QUERY COMMANDS? | 0                   | Log server query commands for audit reasons                               |
    | QUERY SSH PORT      | 10022               | TCP Port for SSH Server Query                                             |
    | QUERY PROTOCOLS     | raw,ssh             | Server Query protocols                                                    |
    | QUERY SSH KEY       | ssh\_host\_rsa\_key | Path to SSH key for SSH Server Query                                      |
    | QUERY TIMEOUT       | 300                 | Timeout for Server Query Connections                                      |
    | SERVER VERSION      | *(empty)*           | You can set your TeamSpeak server to a static version using this variable |

    **Example:** To change the query port from the default 10011 to 10012, edit the QUERY PORT field and type `10012`, then save and restart.

    **Example:** To lock your TeamSpeak server to a specific version instead of auto-updating, enter the version number in the SERVER VERSION field (like `3.13.7`). Leave it empty to always use the latest version.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Minecraft Server Variables">
    Minecraft servers commonly expose variables like:

    | Variable          | Example Value       | What It Controls                       |
    | ----------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
    | SERVER JAR FILE   | server.jar          | The main server JAR file to launch     |
    | MINECRAFT VERSION | latest              | Which Minecraft version to install     |
    | SERVER MEMORY     | *(from allocation)* | Maximum RAM allocation in MB           |
    | BUILD NUMBER      | latest              | For modded servers, which build to use |

    **Example:** To change your Minecraft server's RAM allocation, look for the memory-related variable. If the startup command includes `{{SERVER_MEMORY}}`, this value is pulled from your server's resource allocation set by FREAKHOSTING. To increase it, you would need to upgrade your plan. However, some eggs allow you to set a specific value in the variables.

    **Example:** To pin your server to Minecraft version 1.20.4 instead of "latest," change the MINECRAFT VERSION variable to `1.20.4`, save, and restart.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Source Engine Servers (CS:GO, Garry's Mod, etc.)">
    Source engine games often expose:

    | Variable    | Example Value | What It Controls     |
    | ----------- | ------------- | -------------------- |
    | GAME MODE   | competitive   | Server game mode     |
    | MAP         | de\_dust2     | Default starting map |
    | MAX PLAYERS | 24            | Maximum player slots |
    | TICKRATE    | 64            | Server tick rate     |

    **Example:** To change your CS:GO server's default map to Mirage, edit the MAP variable to `de_mirage`, save, and restart.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Which Variables Are Safe to Change?

Not all variables are created equal. Here is a general guide:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Generally Safe" icon="circle-check">
    * Server version or build number
    * Default map or game mode
    * Server name or MOTD
    * Query timeout values
    * Logging toggles (like LOG QUERY COMMANDS)
    * Empty optional fields (like SERVER VERSION for TeamSpeak)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Change with Caution" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    * Port numbers (must match your allocated ports or the server will not be reachable)
    * Protocol settings (like QUERY PROTOCOLS)
    * SSH key paths
    * JAR file names (must match the actual file on disk)
    * Memory values (if editable — often tied to your plan allocation)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  **Never change port variables to random values.** Your server is allocated specific ports by FREAKHOSTING. If you change a port variable to a port that is not allocated to your server, the service will not be accessible. If you are unsure which ports are available to you, check your server's **Network** allocation page or contact support.
</Warning>

***

## Troubleshooting Variable Changes

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I changed a variable and now my server will not start">
    Revert the variable to its previous value (or the default) and restart. If you do not remember the original value, check the variable's description for the default, or contact support to have it reset. The most common cause is an incorrect port number or an invalid version string.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A variable field is greyed out and I cannot edit it">
    Some variables are locked by the server's egg configuration or by FREAKHOSTING. These are typically variables that should not be changed by users — like the Docker image or certain system-level paths. If you believe you need to change a locked variable, contact support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My changes do not seem to take effect">
    Startup variables only apply when the server starts. Make sure you **saved** your changes and then **restarted** (not just stopped and started) the server. If the variable still has no effect, it may be overridden by an in-game config file that takes priority after launch.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I do not see the variable I need">
    The variables shown on the Startup page are defined by your server's egg (game template). Not every possible configuration option is exposed as a startup variable. For settings not listed here, check the server's config files through the **File Manager** instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I add custom startup variables?">
    No. The available variables are determined by the server egg configured by FREAKHOSTING. You cannot add new variables yourself. If you need a variable that is not available, contact support to discuss your requirements — it may be possible to update the egg configuration.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## A Quick Summary

Here is the key takeaway for working with startup variables:

1. **Read the description** of every variable before you change it.
2. **Only change what you understand** — if you are not sure what a variable does, leave it alone.
3. **Save and restart** — variable changes require a server restart to take effect.
4. **Ports must match your allocation** — do not set ports to values that are not assigned to your server.
5. **When in doubt, ask support** — FREAKHOSTING support can help you configure variables correctly for your specific setup.

<Tip>
  If you are migrating settings from another host, the Startup page is the first place to check. Many common configuration options (ports, versions, game modes) are controlled through these variables rather than through config files.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Startup configuration demystified.
</div>


# How to Connect via SFTP
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp

Connect to your FREAKHOSTING game server via SFTP using FileZilla, WinSCP, or the built-in Launch SFTP button for fast and reliable file uploads and management.

## Fast, Reliable File Transfers with SFTP

The built-in File Manager is perfect for quick edits and small uploads, but when you need to transfer an entire modpack, download a full world backup, or manage hundreds of files at once, **SFTP** (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the way to go.

SFTP works like a direct pipeline between your computer and your game server. It is encrypted, fast, supports resuming interrupted transfers, and can handle files of any size. Think of it as the difference between carrying groceries one bag at a time (File Manager) versus loading up the whole car at once (SFTP).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What Is SFTP and Why Use It?

**SFTP** stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It is a secure method of transferring files between your local computer and a remote server over an encrypted connection. Every file you send or receive is protected in transit -- nobody can intercept or tamper with your data.

### When to Use SFTP Instead of the File Manager

| Scenario                              | Best Tool    |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------ |
| Quick edit to a config file           | File Manager |
| Upload a single plugin JAR            | File Manager |
| Upload an entire modpack (100+ files) | **SFTP**     |
| Download a full world backup          | **SFTP**     |
| Transfer files larger than 100 MB     | **SFTP**     |
| Manage files across multiple folders  | **SFTP**     |
| Resume an interrupted upload          | **SFTP**     |

**Bottom line:** Use the File Manager for small, quick tasks. Use SFTP when you are moving lots of data or large files.

***

## Finding Your SFTP Credentials

Your SFTP connection details are displayed in two places within the Game Panel: the **Dashboard** page of your server and the **Settings** tab. Both show the same information.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and log in with your account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    Click on the server you want to connect to from the server list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the SFTP Details">
    On the server **Dashboard** (or under the **Settings** tab), look for the **SFTP Details** section. You will see:

    * **Server Address:** `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com:2022` (your node and port)
    * **Username:** `freak0705.41298f70` (your account username plus server ID)

    Below the credentials, a note confirms: **"Your SFTP password is the same as the password you use to access this panel."**
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Your SFTP password is the same password you use to log into the Game Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). There is no separate SFTP password to remember.
</Info>

Let us break down what each piece of information means so you know exactly what to enter in your SFTP client:

| Field        | Example Value           | What It Is                                               |
| ------------ | ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Host**     | `n20.freakhosting.com`  | The server node your game server runs on                 |
| **Port**     | `2022`                  | The SFTP port (not the default 22)                       |
| **Username** | `freak0705.41298f70`    | Your panel username, a dot, then your server's unique ID |
| **Password** | *(your panel password)* | The same password you log into the Game Panel with       |

<Warning>
  Note the port is **2022**, not the standard SSH port 22. If you leave the port blank or use 22, the connection will fail. Always double-check this field.
</Warning>

***

## Connecting with FileZilla

FileZilla is the most popular free SFTP client. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you do not have it yet, download it from [filezilla-project.org](https://filezilla-project.org/).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open FileZilla">
    Launch FileZilla on your computer. You will see the main window with a **Quickconnect bar** at the top containing four fields: Host, Username, Password, and Port.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Connection Details">
    Fill in the Quickconnect bar with your SFTP credentials:

    | Field        | Value                         |
    | ------------ | ----------------------------- |
    | **Host**     | `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com` |
    | **Username** | `freak0705.41298f70`          |
    | **Password** | Your Game Panel password      |
    | **Port**     | `2022`                        |

    You can enter the host as either `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com` (with the protocol prefix) or just `n20.freakhosting.com` -- FileZilla accepts both. If you omit the `sftp://` prefix, FileZilla will auto-detect the protocol based on the port.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Quickconnect">
    Click the **Quickconnect** button. FileZilla attempts to connect to your game server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Accept the Host Key (First Time Only)">
    On your first connection, FileZilla will display a dialog about an **unknown host key**. This is normal -- it is verifying the server's identity. Check **"Always trust this host"** if you want to skip this prompt in the future, then click **OK**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="You Are Connected">
    Once connected, the right side of FileZilla shows your **game server's files** and the left side shows your **local computer's files**. You can now drag and drop files between the two sides to upload or download.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Saving Your Connection in FileZilla

Tired of typing your credentials every time? Save them in the **Site Manager**:

1. Go to **File > Site Manager** (or press `Ctrl + S`).
2. Click **New Site** and give it a name like "FREAKHOSTING - Minecraft."
3. Set **Protocol** to **SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol**.
4. Enter the **Host** (`n20.freakhosting.com`), **Port** (`2022`), **User**, and **Password**.
5. Set **Logon Type** to **Normal**.
6. Click **Connect** to save and connect immediately, or **OK** to save for later.

Next time, just open the Site Manager and double-click your saved server.

***

## Connecting with WinSCP

WinSCP is another popular SFTP client for Windows with a familiar two-panel file explorer interface. Download it from [winscp.net](https://winscp.net/).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open WinSCP">
    Launch WinSCP. The **Login** dialog appears automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Connection Details">
    Fill in the login form:

    | Field             | Value                    |
    | ----------------- | ------------------------ |
    | **File protocol** | SFTP                     |
    | **Host name**     | `n20.freakhosting.com`   |
    | **Port number**   | `2022`                   |
    | **User name**     | `freak0705.41298f70`     |
    | **Password**      | Your Game Panel password |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Session (Optional)">
    Click **Save** to store the connection for future use. Give it a memorable name like "FREAKHOSTING Game Server." Check **Save password** if you do not want to type it each time (WinSCP encrypts stored passwords).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Login">
    Click **Login** to connect. On the first connection, WinSCP will ask you to verify the server's host key -- click **Yes** to accept.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transfer Files">
    WinSCP opens a two-panel view: your local files on the left, your server files on the right. Drag files between the panels to upload or download, or use the **Upload** and **Download** buttons in the toolbar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Using the Launch SFTP Button

The Game Panel includes a convenient **Launch SFTP** button in the SFTP Details section. Clicking this button attempts to open your default SFTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP, or another installed application) and automatically pre-fills the connection details for you.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Launch SFTP Button">
    On your server's **Dashboard** or **Settings** tab, look for the **Launch SFTP** button in the SFTP Details section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Button">
    Click **Launch SFTP**. Your operating system will try to open the `sftp://` link with your default SFTP application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Password">
    Your SFTP client opens with the host, port, and username already filled in. You only need to enter your password (the same one you use for the Game Panel) and click Connect.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  For the Launch SFTP button to work, you need an SFTP client installed on your computer that is registered as the handler for `sftp://` links. FileZilla and WinSCP both register themselves during installation. If clicking the button does nothing, manually copy the connection details and connect using the steps above.
</Info>

***

## Practical SFTP Tasks

### Upload an Entire Modpack Folder

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect via SFTP">
    Open FileZilla or WinSCP and connect to your server using the credentials above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to the Server Root">
    On the server side (right panel in FileZilla), make sure you are in the root directory of your game server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate Locally to the Modpack">
    On the local side (left panel), browse to the folder on your computer where the modpack files are stored.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag and Drop">
    Select all the modpack files and folders on the left, then drag them to the server side on the right. FileZilla queues all the files and transfers them in order. You can see the progress in the transfer queue at the bottom.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Your Server">
    Once the transfer is complete, go back to the Game Panel and restart your server. The modpack loads on the next boot.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Download a Backup of Your World

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect via SFTP">
    Open your SFTP client and connect to the server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the World Folder">
    On the server side, find the world folder -- typically named `world` for Minecraft, or whatever your server's world directory is called.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Local Destination">
    On the local side, navigate to where you want to save the backup (for example, a `Backups` folder on your desktop).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Folder">
    Drag the entire `world` folder from the server side to the local side. Your SFTP client downloads every file and subfolder, preserving the directory structure.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  For large world folders, SFTP's ability to resume interrupted transfers is invaluable. If your internet connection drops mid-transfer, just reconnect and resume -- FileZilla will pick up right where it left off.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection timed out or refused">
    The most common causes are:

    * **Wrong port:** Make sure you are using port **2022**, not 22. This is the most frequent mistake.
    * **Wrong host:** Double-check the server address from your SFTP Details section. It should match your server's node (for example, `n20.freakhosting.com`).
    * **Server is offline:** If your game server is stopped, SFTP may not be available. Start the server from the Game Panel first.
    * **Firewall blocking the connection:** Some corporate or school networks block non-standard ports. Try from a different network or ask your network administrator.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Authentication failed or wrong password">
    Remember, your SFTP password is the same as your Game Panel login password. Common fixes:

    * **Check for typos:** Copy-paste the username from the SFTP Details section to avoid mistakes.
    * **Username format:** Make sure you are using the full username including the dot and server ID (for example, `freak0705.41298f70`), not just your panel username.
    * **Recently changed your password?** Use your new Game Panel password -- SFTP credentials update automatically when you change your panel password.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="FileZilla shows 'Could not connect to server'">
    Try these steps in order:

    1. Verify the host, port (2022), username, and password are correct.
    2. In FileZilla, go to **Edit > Settings > Connection > FTP** and make sure **Active mode** is not forced -- SFTP does not use FTP modes.
    3. Try connecting with the protocol prefix: enter the host as `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com`.
    4. Temporarily disable your local firewall or antivirus to test if they are blocking the connection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Transfers are very slow">
    SFTP transfer speed depends on your internet connection and the server's current load. A few things to try:

    * In FileZilla, go to **Edit > Settings > Transfers** and increase the **Maximum simultaneous transfers** from 2 to 5 or 10. This downloads multiple files in parallel.
    * For very large transfers, compress the files into a single archive first, upload the archive, then extract it on the server using the File Manager.
    * If you are on WiFi, try a wired Ethernet connection for more stable speeds.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Launch SFTP button does nothing">
    Your computer needs an SFTP client installed that handles `sftp://` links. Install FileZilla or WinSCP, and during installation, make sure the option to register as the default SFTP handler is checked. If the client is already installed but the button still does not work, manually copy the connection details and connect from within your SFTP client.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** SFTP file transfers simplified.
</div>


# How to Create and Restore Game Server Backups
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups

Learn how to create, download, and restore backups for your FREAKHOSTING game server to protect your world data, configurations, and plugins.

## Protecting Your Game Server with Backups

Backups are the safety net every game server needs. They capture your server files — worlds, configurations, plugins, mods, player data — and package them into a downloadable snapshot you can restore at any time. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** makes this easy through the **Management > Backups** section, where you can create manual backups, set retention policies, schedule automatic backups, and restore from any previous backup with a few clicks.

Whether you are running a Minecraft survival world, a modded Garry's Mod server, or a Terraria adventure map, backups are what stand between you and disaster.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Real-World Scenario: Why Backups Matter

Here is a situation that happens more often than you might think:

> You are running a Minecraft survival server with a thriving community. A player suggests a new economy plugin, so you install it and restart the server. Instead of loading cleanly, the server crashes on startup — and when you check, the world files are corrupted. Weeks of builds, redstone contraptions, and player progress are at risk.

With a recent backup in place, recovery takes less than two minutes. Without one, you are looking at a very difficult conversation with your players.

**The lesson:** Create backups before every major change — plugin installs, mod updates, configuration edits, version upgrades. It takes seconds and can save you hours of heartache.

***

## Understanding the Backups Page

To access backups, log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), select your server, then navigate to **Management > Backups** in the left sidebar.

The Backups page is split into two sections:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="File Backups" icon="file-zipper">
    The main backup area where your server file backups are listed. Each backup row shows the **Name**, **Size**, **Creation date**, and **Checksum**. At the top you will find the **File Backup Retention** dropdown and a green **Create Schedule** button.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Database Backups" icon="database">
    A separate section for database backups. If your server does not use databases (most game servers do not), you will see the message: **"No databases available for this server."** This is completely normal for the majority of game server types.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  If your backup limit is set to **0**, you will see the message: **"Backups cannot be created for this server because the backup limit is set to 0."** This means your current plan does not include backup slots. Contact support or upgrade your plan to enable backups.
</Info>

***

## Creating a Manual Backup

Manual backups let you take a snapshot of your server files whenever you want — before a big update, after finishing a build, or just as a regular safety measure.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Backups">
    Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), select your server, and click **Management > Backups** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Your Backup Limit">
    Before creating a backup, make sure your plan includes backup slots. If you see the message about the backup limit being set to 0, you will need to contact support or upgrade your service to enable backups.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Backup">
    Click the backup creation button in the File Backups section. You may be prompted to enter a **name** for the backup — use something descriptive like "Before plugin update" or "Weekly backup March 2026" so you can easily identify it later.

    <Tip>
      Get into the habit of naming your backups with the date and reason. "Pre-1.20.4-update-March25" is far more useful than "backup1" when you are scrolling through a list trying to figure out which one to restore.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    The backup will begin processing. Depending on the size of your server files, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Once complete, the backup appears in the File Backups table with its **Name**, **Size**, **Creation date**, and **Checksum**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Creating a backup while your server is running is generally safe, but for the most consistent results — especially on servers with active world saves like Minecraft — consider stopping the server briefly or running a save command (`save-all` in Minecraft) before creating the backup. This ensures all world data is flushed to disk.
</Warning>

***

## Setting Backup Retention

The **File Backup Retention** dropdown at the top of the Backups page controls how long your backups are kept before being automatically cleaned up. This helps you manage storage without manually deleting old backups.

Available retention options include:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Forever" icon="infinity">
    Backups are never automatically deleted. They stay until you remove them manually or hit your backup slot limit.
  </Card>

  <Card title="1 Week" icon="calendar-week">
    Backups older than 7 days are automatically removed. Good for servers with frequent changes where you only need recent snapshots.
  </Card>

  <Card title="1 Month" icon="calendar">
    Backups older than 30 days are cleaned up. A balanced option for most game servers that do not change drastically day to day.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  If you are not sure which retention to pick, start with **Forever** and manage backups manually. Once you have a feel for how often you create backups and how many slots your plan includes, you can switch to a timed retention to automate cleanup.
</Tip>

***

## Scheduling Automatic Backups

Instead of remembering to create backups manually, you can set up a schedule that runs them automatically. This is done through the green **Create Schedule** button on the Backups page.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Create Schedule">
    On the Backups page, click the green **Create Schedule** button. This takes you to the schedule creation interface where you can define when and how often backups should run.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Schedule">
    Set up your preferred schedule — daily, weekly, or at custom intervals. Choose a time when your server is least active for the best results. For example, a Minecraft server that is busiest in the evenings might benefit from a 4:00 AM backup schedule.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Activate">
    Save the schedule and it will begin running automatically at the configured times. Each scheduled run creates a new backup entry in your File Backups table, subject to your retention settings and backup slot limits.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Scheduled backups follow the same retention policy you set in the **File Backup Retention** dropdown. If you have limited backup slots and your retention is set to Forever, older backups may need to be manually deleted to make room for new scheduled ones.
</Info>

***

## Downloading a Backup

Every backup in the File Backups table can be downloaded to your local computer. This is useful for keeping an off-panel copy of important server states, archiving milestone builds, or transferring server data to a different host.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Backup">
    In the File Backups table, locate the backup you want to download. Each row shows the backup **Name**, **Size**, **Creation date**, and **Checksum**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Download Action">
    On the right side of the backup row, click the **download** action. Your browser will begin downloading the backup archive file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Store It Safely">
    Save the downloaded file somewhere safe — an external drive, cloud storage, or a dedicated backups folder on your computer. Label it clearly so you know which server and date it corresponds to.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The **Checksum** shown in the backup table is a unique fingerprint for each backup file. If you ever need to verify that a downloaded backup was not corrupted during transfer, compare the checksum shown in the panel against the checksum of the file on your computer using a tool like `sha256sum` (Linux/Mac) or CertUtil (Windows).
</Tip>

***

## Restoring from a Backup

Restoring a backup replaces your current server files with the contents of the selected backup. This is the recovery tool you reach for when something goes wrong — a bad plugin, a corrupted world, an accidental file deletion, or any situation where you need to roll back.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop Your Server">
    Before restoring, stop your game server from the console or power controls. Restoring while the server is running can cause conflicts or data corruption.

    <Warning>
      Restoring a backup **overwrites your current server files**. Any changes made after the backup was created will be lost. If there is anything on your current server you want to keep, create a new backup first before restoring an older one.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Backup to Restore">
    In the File Backups table, find the backup you want to restore. Check the **Name** and **Creation date** to make sure you are picking the right one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Restore">
    Click the **restore** action on the backup row. Confirm the restoration when prompted. The panel will begin replacing your server files with the backup contents.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Your Server">
    Once the restore completes, start your server back up. Check the console output to confirm everything loaded correctly — worlds, plugins, configurations, and player data should all be back to the state they were in when the backup was created.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Deleting a Backup

If you need to free up a backup slot or remove an outdated backup, each row in the File Backups table includes a **delete** action. Click it, confirm the deletion, and the backup is permanently removed. This cannot be undone — if you think you might need the backup later, download it to your computer first.

***

## Backup Best Practices for Game Servers

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Before every major change">
    Installing a new plugin, updating your server version, changing world settings, or modifying configuration files? Create a backup first. This gives you a clean rollback point if the change causes problems.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use descriptive backup names">
    Name your backups with the date and context: "Pre-1.20.4-update", "After-spawn-rebuild", "Before-modpack-change". When you have multiple backups, descriptive names save you from guessing which one to restore.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Download important backups locally">
    The panel stores backups on the server infrastructure, but keeping a local copy of critical backups (major milestones, end-of-season saves) gives you an extra layer of protection.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Set up scheduled backups for active servers">
    If your server has active players making progress daily, a scheduled backup ensures you always have a recent restore point — even if you forget to create one manually.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Test your backups occasionally">
    A backup you have never tested is a backup you are only hoping works. Every few weeks, try restoring a backup to confirm the process works and your data is intact. You can always create a fresh backup of the current state before testing.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Backup management simplified.
</div>


# How to Enable 2FA on the Game Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication

Learn how to set up and manage two-factor authentication (2FA) on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to add an extra layer of security to your account.

## Double-Lock Your Account

A password alone is not always enough. If someone guesses it, finds it in a data breach, or watches you type it over your shoulder, they are in. Two-factor authentication (2FA) fixes that by requiring a second piece of proof -- a time-based code from an app on your phone -- every time you log in. Even if your password is compromised, your account stays locked without that code.

The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel supports **TOTP-based two-factor authentication** (Time-based One-Time Password), which works with any standard authenticator app. Setting it up takes about two minutes and is one of the single best things you can do for your account security.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What You Need Before Starting

Before enabling 2FA, make sure you have an authenticator app installed on your phone. Any TOTP-compatible app works. Here are the most popular options:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Google Authenticator" icon="shield-check">
    Free, simple, and available on iOS and Android. A solid default choice.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authy" icon="shield-check">
    Supports cloud backup and multi-device sync, so you do not lose your codes if you switch phones.
  </Card>

  <Card title="1Password / Bitwarden" icon="shield-check">
    If you already use a password manager, most of them can handle TOTP codes too -- keeping everything in one place.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

The **Two Factor Authentication** section is on the Account page at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). When 2FA is not yet enabled, you will see a button to start the setup process.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Page">
    Log in to the Game Panel and click your **Account** link (with your avatar icon) in the **top-right corner** of the navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Two Factor Authentication Section">
    Scroll down to the **Two Factor Authentication** section on the Account page. If 2FA is not currently enabled, you will see an option to enable it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Enable Two-Step">
    Click the button to begin the 2FA setup. The panel will generate a **QR code** and display it on screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR Code">
    Open your authenticator app on your phone and scan the QR code displayed on screen. Your app will add a new entry for the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel and immediately start generating 6-digit codes that refresh every 30 seconds.

    <Tip>
      If you cannot scan the QR code (for example, you are setting up 2FA on the same device), look for a **manual entry key** -- a text string you can type into your authenticator app instead. Copy it carefully, character by character.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Verification Code">
    Type the **6-digit code** currently displayed in your authenticator app into the verification field on the panel. This confirms that your app is correctly synced with the panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm and Save">
    Submit the code. If it matches, two-factor authentication is now **active** on your account. You will see the section update to reflect its enabled status.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Save your recovery codes or backup the QR code.** If you lose access to your authenticator app (lost phone, factory reset, deleted app) without a backup, you will be locked out of your account and will need to contact FREAKHOSTING support for manual recovery. Screenshot the QR code or copy the manual entry key and store it somewhere safe.
</Warning>

***

## What the Panel Looks Like with 2FA Enabled

Once two-factor authentication is active, the **Two Factor Authentication** section on your Account page changes to show its enabled status:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Green Checkmark" icon="circle-check">
    A green checkmark icon appears next to the section, giving you an immediate visual confirmation that 2FA is active and protecting your account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Status Message" icon="shield-check">
    The panel displays the message: **"Two-step verification is currently enabled on your account."** This confirms everything is set up and working.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

You will also see a red outlined **Disable Two-Step** button, which you can use if you ever need to turn 2FA off (more on that below).

***

## Logging In with 2FA Enabled

With two-factor authentication active, your login process adds one extra step:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enter Your Email and Password">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and enter your credentials as usual.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your 2FA Code">
    After your password is accepted, the panel will prompt you for a **6-digit authentication code**. Open your authenticator app, find the FREAKHOSTING entry, and type the current code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Granted">
    If the code is valid, you are logged in. The entire process adds maybe 10 seconds to your login -- a small price for significantly better security.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  TOTP codes refresh every 30 seconds. If a code is about to expire (the timer in your app is almost at zero), wait for the next one rather than rushing to type it in. Expired codes will be rejected.
</Info>

***

## Disabling Two-Factor Authentication

If you need to disable 2FA -- perhaps you are switching authenticator apps or troubleshooting a login issue -- you can do so from the Account page.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the Account Page">
    Log in to the Game Panel and navigate to your **Account** page using the avatar link in the top-right corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Two Factor Authentication Section">
    Look for the green checkmark and the status message confirming 2FA is enabled.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Disable Two-Step">
    Click the red outlined **Disable Two-Step** button. The panel may ask you to confirm with your current 2FA code or password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the Action">
    Complete the confirmation. Two-factor authentication is now disabled, and your account will only require a password to log in.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Only disable 2FA if you have a specific reason. Your account is significantly more vulnerable with just a password. If you are switching authenticator apps, set up the new app **before** disabling 2FA on the old one, or re-enable it immediately after.
</Warning>

***

## Troubleshooting 2FA Issues

| Problem                                         | Solution                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| My authenticator codes are being rejected       | Check that the time on your phone is set to **automatic**. TOTP codes depend on accurate time sync -- even a minute of drift can cause rejections.                                                           |
| I lost my phone and cannot generate codes       | Contact FREAKHOSTING support with your account email and any verification details they request. Support can manually disable 2FA to restore access.                                                          |
| I switched phones and forgot to transfer my 2FA | If you use Authy or a password manager with cloud backup, install the app on your new phone and your codes will sync. If you used Google Authenticator without a transfer, you will need support assistance. |
| The QR code is not scanning                     | Make sure your camera is focused and the QR code is fully visible. Alternatively, look for a manual entry key and type it into your authenticator app directly.                                              |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which authenticator apps work with the Game Panel?">
    Any app that supports **TOTP** (Time-based One-Time Passwords) will work. This includes Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, Bitwarden, and many others. The Game Panel uses standard TOTP, so there is no proprietary lock-in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use SMS-based 2FA instead?">
    No. The Game Panel only supports TOTP-based two-factor authentication through an authenticator app. SMS-based 2FA is less secure (vulnerable to SIM swapping attacks) and is not offered as an option.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does 2FA affect API key access?">
    No. API keys authenticate separately and are not affected by two-factor authentication on your account login. However, you should still treat your API keys as sensitive credentials and restrict them by IP where possible.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same authenticator entry for the billing panel?">
    No. The Game Panel and the billing panel are separate systems. If both support 2FA, they require separate authenticator entries. Each one has its own QR code and secret key.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if my authenticator app's time is out of sync?">
    TOTP codes are time-based, so if your device clock is off by more than about 30 seconds, codes will be rejected. Set your phone's clock to **automatic** (synced with your carrier or network time) and the issue should resolve immediately.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to level up your game servers? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Two-factor authentication simplified.
</div>


# How to Login and Access the Game Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel

Learn how to securely log in to the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel to manage your game servers, monitor performance, and configure settings.

## Accessing Your Game Panel

The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** is your dedicated management hub for every game server on your account. Built on the powerful Pterodactyl platform, it gives you complete control over your servers — power management, file access, console, backups, scheduling, and more — all from a single browser tab.

Whether you are running a Minecraft survival world, a TeamSpeak voice server, or a modded ARK cluster, this is where you manage it all.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Signing In to the Game Panel

Follow these steps to get from the login page to your server list.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Game Panel">
    Launch your preferred web browser and navigate to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com). You will land on a clean login screen with fields for your email address and password, along with the FREAKHOSTING logo at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Credentials">
    Type the **email address** and **password** associated with your FREAKHOSTING game server account. These are the same credentials you received when your game server service was first activated.

    <Tip>
      If you manage multiple FREAKHOSTING services, double-check that you are using the email tied to your **game server order** specifically — it may differ from a VPS, web hosting, or billing panel account.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Login">
    Hit the **Login** button to authenticate. If your credentials are correct, you will be taken directly to your server list.

    <Info>
      The Game Panel does not currently support two-factor authentication through the panel itself. Keep your password strong and unique to protect your account.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrive at Your Server List">
    Once authenticated, you land on the **Server List** page. You will see all game servers associated with your account listed out, along with a **server selector dropdown** at the top of the page that lets you quickly jump between servers. The top-right corner features a **Discord** link and your **Account** link with an avatar icon.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What You Will See After Logging In

The moment you are in, the Game Panel gives you an instant overview of all your game servers. Here is what each part of the interface tells you at a glance:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Server Selector Dropdown" icon="chevron-down">
    Located in the top navigation bar, this dropdown shows the currently selected server (for example, "Server Ts test"). Click it to switch between your servers instantly without returning to the main list. If you only have one server, it will already be selected for you.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Top Navigation Bar" icon="bars">
    The navigation bar runs across the top of every page and features the **FREAKHOSTING** logo on the left, the server selector dropdown in the center area, and two key links on the right — a **Discord** icon that takes you to the FREAKHOSTING community server and your **Account** link with your avatar.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server List" icon="server">
    All your game servers are displayed on the main page after login. Each server entry shows its name, current status, IP address and port, and resource allocation. Click on any server to open its full dashboard with console, files, settings, and power controls.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account Settings" icon="user">
    Click the **Account** link (with your avatar) in the top-right corner to access your profile settings, change your password, or manage your account details. This is separate from the billing panel account page.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  The **Discord** link in the top-right corner of the panel takes you straight to the FREAKHOSTING community server. It is a great place to get quick tips from other users, ask questions, and stay updated on announcements. Bookmark it if you have not joined already.
</Tip>

***

## Navigating Between Servers

If you manage more than one game server, the **server selector dropdown** in the top navigation bar is the fastest way to switch between them. Instead of navigating back to the main server list, simply click the dropdown, select the server you want, and you are taken directly to that server's dashboard.

The dropdown displays the server name you have set for each server, making it easy to identify which is which — especially if you run different game types or environments on separate servers.

***

## Your First Look: A Practical Example

Here is what a typical first login experience looks like:

1. **The top bar** — The FREAKHOSTING logo sits on the left, your server selector dropdown is in the center, and the Discord and Account links are on the right.
2. **The server list** — Below the top bar, you see your game servers listed out. Each one shows its name, the game it is running, its IP address and port, and its current status.
3. **Click any server** — Clicking a server opens the full dashboard where you will find the console, file manager, backups, schedules, and power controls. This is where all the real management happens.

That is it — you are ready to manage your game server.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Forgot your password?">
    Click the **Forgot Password?** link on the login page at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). Enter your registered email address, and you will receive a password reset link. Follow the instructions in the email to set a new password and log back in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="First time logging in?">
    Your login credentials were emailed to you when your game server service was first activated. Check your inbox for a welcome email from FREAKHOSTING — it contains your email and password for the Game Panel. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder if you cannot find it.

    Once you are in, we strongly recommend changing your password right away from the **Account** page accessible via the avatar link in the top-right corner.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cannot receive the reset email?">
    If password reset emails are not arriving, check your spam or junk folder first. Some email providers may also filter automated emails into a "Promotions" or "Updates" tab. If the issue persists after checking all folders, contact our support team for manual account verification and a password reset.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the panel on my phone?">
    Yes. The Game Panel is fully responsive and works in any modern mobile browser. The layout adjusts to fit smaller screens, so you can check server status, view the console, and even restart your server on the go. For the best experience with file management or console interaction, a desktop or tablet is recommended.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My credentials from the billing panel are not working?">
    The Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** uses separate credentials from the billing panel at **freakhosting.com/clientarea**. Your game panel password was set when the service was provisioned. If you have never logged into the Game Panel before, check your welcome email for the correct credentials, or use the **Forgot Password?** link to reset it.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Panel access simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage API and SSH Keys
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-api-and-ssh-keys

Learn how to create, manage, and secure API keys and SSH keys on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel for automation and remote server access.

## Automate and Connect Securely

API keys let you interact with the Game Panel programmatically -- start servers, query status, manage files, and more -- all without logging in through a browser. SSH keys let you authenticate for SFTP file transfers without a password. Both are powerful tools for anyone who wants to automate their server management or connect external tools to their game servers.

You will find both options in the **API Key** section at the bottom of the **Account** page at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). The section has two sub-tabs: **API Key** and **SSH Key**.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-min">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding API Keys vs SSH Keys

Before diving in, here is a quick breakdown of what each key type does:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="API Keys" icon="key">
    Used to interact with the **Pterodactyl API** -- the same API that powers the Game Panel interface. With an API key, scripts and external applications can start/stop servers, read console output, manage files, and more. Think of it as a login credential for machines instead of humans.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SSH Keys" icon="terminal">
    Used for **SFTP authentication**. Instead of entering a password every time you connect via SFTP to upload or download files, an SSH key pair lets your SFTP client authenticate automatically. It is both more convenient and more secure than password-based SFTP access.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Creating an API Key

The **API Key** sub-tab is selected by default when you open the API Key section. On a fresh account, the right side of the section will show **"No API keys exist for this account."** -- so let us create one.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Account Page">
    Log in to the Game Panel and click your **Account** link (with your avatar icon) in the **top-right corner** of the navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scroll to the API Key Section">
    Scroll down to the bottom of the Account page. You will find the **API Key** section with two sub-tabs: **API Key** (selected by default) and **SSH Key**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Description">
    In the **Description** field, type a short label for this API key. This helps you remember what the key is for later -- something like "Discord bot integration" or "Automated restart script" works well.

    <Tip>
      Be specific with your descriptions. If you create multiple API keys for different tools, clear labels like "Pterodactyl backup script" or "Server status website" make it easy to identify and revoke the right key if needed.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Allowed IPs (Optional but Recommended)">
    The **Allowed IPs** textarea lets you restrict which IP addresses can use this API key. Each IP address goes on its own line. If you leave this blank, **any IP address** can use the key.

    For example, if your automation script runs on a VPS with IP `203.0.113.50`, you would enter that IP to ensure the key only works from that machine.

    <Warning>
      Leaving the Allowed IPs field blank means the API key can be used from anywhere in the world. If the key is ever leaked, anyone can use it. **Always restrict by IP** when you know where the key will be used from.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create">
    Hit the teal **Create** button. The panel generates your API key and displays it. **Copy it immediately** -- this is the only time you will see the full key. It will not be shown again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Store the Key Securely">
    Save the API key in a password manager, encrypted note, or a secure environment variable in your application. Do not paste it into Discord messages, public code repositories, or plain text files on shared machines.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **The API key is only shown once at creation time.** If you close the page or navigate away without copying it, you will need to delete the key and create a new one. There is no way to view the full key again after initial creation.
</Warning>

***

## Managing Existing API Keys

Once you have created one or more API keys, they appear in a list on the right side of the API Key section (replacing the "No API keys exist" message). Each entry shows:

* **Description** -- The label you gave the key
* **Last Used** -- When the key was last used to make an API request
* **Created** -- When the key was created

You can **delete** an API key at any time if it is no longer needed or you suspect it has been compromised. Deleting a key immediately revokes all access -- any script or tool using that key will stop working.

***

## Adding an SSH Key

Switch to the **SSH Key** sub-tab in the API Key section to manage your SSH keys for SFTP authentication.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Switch to the SSH Key Tab">
    Click the **SSH Key** sub-tab next to the API Key tab at the top of the section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Your Public Key">
    Paste your **public SSH key** into the provided field. This is typically the contents of your `~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub` or `~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub` file. It starts with `ssh-rsa` or `ssh-ed25519` followed by a long string of characters.

    <Info>
      Only paste your **public** key (the file ending in `.pub`). Never share or upload your **private** key -- that stays on your local machine and should never leave it.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give It a Name">
    Enter a descriptive name for the key so you can identify it later -- for example, "Work laptop" or "Home desktop".
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Key">
    Click the save or create button to add the SSH key to your account. Your SFTP client can now authenticate using this key pair instead of a password.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Generating an SSH Key Pair (If You Do Not Have One)

If you have never created an SSH key pair before, here is how to generate one:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="On Windows (PowerShell or Windows Terminal)">
    Open **PowerShell** or **Windows Terminal** and run:

    ```
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
    ```

    Press Enter to accept the default file location, then optionally set a passphrase. Your public key will be saved to `C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub`. Open that file with Notepad and copy the contents.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="On macOS or Linux (Terminal)">
    Open **Terminal** and run:

    ```
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
    ```

    Press Enter to accept the default location (`~/.ssh/id_ed25519`), then optionally set a passphrase. Copy your public key with:

    ```
    cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
    ```
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  The `ed25519` key type is recommended over `rsa` for new keys -- it is faster, more secure, and produces shorter keys. If you need RSA for compatibility, use `ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096` instead.
</Tip>

***

## Using Your API Key

Once you have an API key, you can use it to interact with the Pterodactyl API that powers the Game Panel. Here are some practical examples of what you can do:

| Use Case             | What the API Lets You Do                                                        |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Discord bot          | Query server status and player counts, then display them in your Discord server |
| Automated restarts   | Schedule a script to restart your server at specific times using API calls      |
| Monitoring dashboard | Pull CPU, memory, and network stats to display on a custom web dashboard        |
| Backup automation    | Trigger server backups on a schedule without logging into the panel             |
| File management      | Upload, download, or modify server files programmatically                       |

API requests are made to the panel's API endpoint and require your API key in the `Authorization` header using the `Bearer` format:

```
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY_HERE
```

<Info>
  The full Pterodactyl API documentation covers all available endpoints, request formats, and response structures. Search for "Pterodactyl API documentation" for the complete reference. The API key you create here works with the **client API** endpoints.
</Info>

***

## Security Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Restrict API Keys by IP" icon="shield-check">
    Always enter the specific IP addresses that will use the key in the Allowed IPs field. A key with no IP restriction can be used from anywhere if it leaks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Separate Keys for Each Tool" icon="key">
    Create a different API key for each script, bot, or integration. That way, if one key is compromised, you can revoke it without breaking everything else.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Never Commit Keys to Git" icon="code-branch">
    Store API keys in environment variables or config files excluded from version control. A key in a public GitHub repo can be scraped by bots within minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rotate Keys Periodically" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Delete and recreate API keys every few months, especially for keys with broad permissions or no IP restriction. Rotating keys limits the damage window if a key is silently compromised.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I lost my API key -- can I view it again?">
    No. API keys are only displayed once at creation time. If you have lost the key, delete the old entry and create a new one. Update any scripts or tools that used the old key with the new one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How many API keys can I create?">
    The panel allows multiple API keys per account. Create as many as you need -- one per tool or integration is the recommended approach.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I edit an API key's allowed IPs after creation?">
    You will need to check the panel's interface -- some versions of Pterodactyl allow editing, while others require you to delete and recreate the key with the correct IP restrictions. If in doubt, delete and recreate.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What permissions does an API key have?">
    Client API keys created from the Account page have the same permissions as your user account -- they can manage your servers, files, and settings. They cannot access admin functions. Treat them with the same care as your password.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My SSH key is not working for SFTP -- what should I check?">
    Verify that you pasted the **public** key (not the private key), that the key format is correct (starts with `ssh-rsa` or `ssh-ed25519`), and that your SFTP client is configured to use the corresponding private key. Also confirm that your SFTP client is connecting to the correct server address and port shown in the Game Panel.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to automate more servers? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** API and SSH key management simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage Databases
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-databases

Create and manage MySQL databases for your FREAKHOSTING game server to support plugins, mods, and applications that require persistent structured data storage.

## Databases for Your Game Server

Some game server plugins and mods need more than flat files to store their data — they need a proper database. Economy systems, web-based maps, permissions managers, logging plugins, and many other tools rely on MySQL databases to store and retrieve data efficiently. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** lets you create and manage databases directly from the **Management > Databases** section, giving your plugins the storage backend they need without any external setup.

Not every game server needs a database, and not every plan supports them. This guide covers when you need one, how to create one, and how to connect your plugins to it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When Does a Game Server Need a Database?

Most game servers run perfectly fine without a database — world data, player inventories, and server configs are stored as files on disk. But the moment you start adding plugins or mods that need to store structured data, search through records quickly, or share data between multiple servers, a database becomes essential.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="You Need a Database For" icon="check">
    Economy plugins (EssentialsX Economy, CMI). Web-based live maps (DynMap, BlueMap with MySQL storage). Permissions plugins (LuckPerms with MySQL backend). Logging and anti-grief tools (CoreProtect). Cross-server data sharing (BungeeCord networks). Player statistics and leaderboard plugins.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You Don't Need a Database For" icon="xmark">
    Basic Minecraft survival or creative servers with no plugins. Vanilla game servers (Terraria, Valheim, Factorio). Simple plugin setups that use file-based storage (YAML, JSON). Voice servers like TeamSpeak or Mumble.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Not all game server types support databases on the FREAKHOSTING platform. If your server does not support databases, you will see the message: **"Databases cannot be created for this server."** This is expected for game types that do not typically require database access. If you believe your server should have database support, contact our support team.
</Info>

***

## Real-World Example: Setting Up DynMap with a Database

Here is a practical scenario:

> You are running a Minecraft server and want to add DynMap — a plugin that generates a live, interactive web map of your world. DynMap can use flat files, but on a large world with hundreds of players, that approach gets slow. Switching DynMap to a MySQL database dramatically improves map rendering performance and tile storage.

To make this work, you need to: create a database in the Game Panel, copy the connection details (host, port, database name, username, password), and paste them into DynMap's configuration file. That is exactly what this guide walks you through.

***

## Accessing the Databases Section

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Navigate to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and sign in with your credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    From the server list or the server selector dropdown, choose the game server you want to manage databases for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Management > Databases">
    In the left sidebar, click **Management**, then select **Databases**. You will see the **Manage databases** heading with a table showing your existing databases (or an empty state if none exist yet).
  </Step>
</Steps>

The Databases table displays the following columns for each database:

| Column       | What It Shows                                                                                     |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**     | The database name you chose during creation. This is what you enter in your plugin configs.       |
| **Server**   | The database server/host your database is running on.                                             |
| **Endpoint** | The full connection endpoint (host and port) for external connections.                            |
| **Size**     | The current storage size of the database. Starts at 0 bytes and grows as your plugins write data. |

***

## Creating a New Database

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click New Database">
    On the Databases page, click the **New Database** button. A creation form will appear.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Database Name">
    Choose a descriptive name for your database. Keep it relevant to its purpose — something like "dynmap", "luckperms", "coreprotect", or "economy". This name is what your plugins will reference in their configuration files.

    <Tip>
      If you plan to use multiple plugins that each need their own database, create separate databases for each one rather than sharing a single database. This keeps things organized and makes troubleshooting easier if a plugin misbehaves.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Creation">
    Submit the form to create the database. It will appear immediately in the Databases table with its **Name**, **Server**, **Endpoint**, and initial **Size**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Viewing Connection Details

Once your database is created, you need its connection details to configure your plugins. Each database entry in the table provides everything you need:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Host and Port" icon="server">
    Found in the **Server** and **Endpoint** columns. The endpoint gives you the full host:port combination. This is what you enter as the "host" or "address" in your plugin configuration files.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Database Name and Credentials" icon="key">
    Click on a database entry to reveal the full connection details, including the **database name**, **username**, and **password**. Copy these values exactly as shown — they are case-sensitive.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Here is how those details map to a typical plugin configuration:

```yaml theme={null}
# Example: LuckPerms MySQL configuration
storage-method: MySQL
data:
  address: "your-endpoint-here"
  database: "your-database-name"
  username: "your-username"
  password: "your-password"
```

<Warning>
  Never share your database credentials publicly — in screenshots, forum posts, or Discord messages. Anyone with these details can connect to and modify your database. If you accidentally expose them, rotate your password immediately using the steps below.
</Warning>

***

## Rotating Your Database Password

If your database password has been compromised, shared accidentally, or you simply want to refresh it for security, each database includes a **rotate password** button.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Database">
    In the Databases table, locate the database whose password you want to change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Rotate Password">
    Click the **rotate password** button for that database. A new password is generated immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Your Plugin Configurations">
    After rotating the password, every plugin that connects to this database needs to be updated with the new password. Open each plugin's configuration file, replace the old password with the new one, and restart your server for the changes to take effect.

    <Warning>
      Rotating the password immediately invalidates the old one. If you rotate the password without updating your plugin configs first, those plugins will fail to connect to the database on the next server restart. Have your config files ready to edit before clicking rotate.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Deleting a Database

If a database is no longer needed — maybe you removed the plugin that used it, or you are cleaning up after testing — each database entry has a **delete** button.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm You No Longer Need It">
    Before deleting, make sure no active plugins or mods are using this database. Check your server's plugin configuration files to be certain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Delete">
    Click the **delete** button on the database row and confirm the deletion when prompted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Deleting a database is **permanent and irreversible**. All data stored in that database — player balances, map tiles, permission groups, block logs, everything — is gone forever. If there is any chance you might need the data later, export it first using a tool like phpMyAdmin or a plugin's built-in export command before deleting.
</Warning>

***

## Common Database Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="LuckPerms (Permissions)">
    LuckPerms is one of the most popular permissions plugins for Minecraft. While it works with flat files, using a MySQL backend lets you sync permissions across multiple servers in a BungeeCord or Velocity network. Create a database, enter the connection details in LuckPerms' `config.yml` under the `storage-method: MySQL` section, and restart.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="DynMap / BlueMap (Web Maps)">
    Web-based map plugins can use MySQL to store rendered map tiles instead of thousands of individual image files. This significantly improves performance on large worlds. Create a dedicated database, configure the map plugin's storage settings to point to it, and re-render the map.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="CoreProtect (Block Logging)">
    CoreProtect logs every block placement, break, and interaction for anti-grief rollbacks. On active servers, this generates a lot of data — MySQL handles it far better than flat-file SQLite. Create a database, update CoreProtect's `config.yml` with the connection details, and restart.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Economy Plugins">
    Plugins like EssentialsX Economy or CMI can store player balances in a database. This is especially useful for multi-server networks where you want a shared economy across all connected servers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cross-Server Data (BungeeCord / Velocity Networks)">
    If you run a network of game servers connected through BungeeCord or Velocity, databases are essential for sharing data between them — synchronized inventories, shared permissions, cross-server chat, and unified player stats all require a common database that every server can read and write to.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Troubleshooting Database Connections

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Plugin shows 'Connection refused' or 'Cannot connect to database'">
    Double-check the **endpoint** (host and port) in your plugin config. Make sure you are using the exact values from the Game Panel — not `localhost` or `127.0.0.1`, as the database server is not on the same machine as your game server. Also verify the username, password, and database name are correct and have no extra spaces.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'Access denied' error after password rotation">
    You rotated the database password but forgot to update the plugin configuration. Open the plugin's config file, enter the new password, save, and restart the server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Database size keeps growing">
    This is normal for logging plugins like CoreProtect that record every action. Most plugins have a purge or cleanup setting that lets you automatically delete records older than a certain number of days. Check your plugin's documentation for data retention settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'Databases cannot be created for this server' message">
    Your server type or plan does not include database support. This is common for voice servers (TeamSpeak, Mumble), vanilla servers that do not use plugins, and certain game types that have no database integration. If you need database access, contact support to discuss your options.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Database management simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage Network Allocations and Subdomains
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-network-and-subdomains

Manage port allocations, set primary ports, add notes, and configure custom subdomains for your FREAKHOSTING game server in the network settings panel.

## Managing Your Server's Network Settings

Every game server needs at least one IP address and port to accept connections from players. Some servers need multiple ports — one for the main game connection, another for file transfers, a third for remote administration. The FREAKHOSTING Game Panel at **games.freakhosting.com** gives you full control over these network allocations through the **Management > Network** section, and lets you set up friendly subdomains through **Management > Subdomains** so players can connect with a memorable name instead of a raw IP and port number.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding Port Allocations

When your game server is provisioned, it is assigned one or more **port allocations** — combinations of an IP address and a port number that the server listens on for incoming connections. Think of the IP address as your building's street address and the port as a specific door number within that building. Different services use different doors.

Here is a practical example using a TeamSpeak voice server:

| IP Address    | Port  | Purpose                                                                                                                    |
| ------------- | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 191.96.94.103 | 9987  | **Main voice connection** — This is the port players connect to with their TeamSpeak client. It is the Primary allocation. |
| 191.96.94.103 | 30033 | **File transfer** — Used when uploading icons, avatars, or files to channels within TeamSpeak.                             |
| 191.96.94.103 | 10011 | **ServerQuery** — A remote administration interface for bots, management tools, and automated scripts.                     |

All three ports share the same IP address but serve completely different purposes. The **Primary** allocation is the one players use to connect, while the additional ports handle supporting functions behind the scenes.

<Info>
  Not all game servers need multiple ports. A standard Minecraft server, for example, typically uses a single port for all player connections. TeamSpeak, multi-service game servers, and some modded setups are the most common cases where multiple allocations matter.
</Info>

***

## Accessing the Network Section

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Navigate to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and sign in with your credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    From the server list or the server selector dropdown, choose the game server you want to manage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Management > Network">
    In the left sidebar, click **Management**, then select **Network**. You will see the **Manage allocation** table listing all port allocations assigned to your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The Manage allocation table shows the following columns for each allocation:

| Column      | What It Shows                                                                                                                                                 |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **IP**      | The IP address assigned to this allocation. All your allocations may share the same IP, or you may have allocations on different IPs depending on your setup. |
| **Port**    | The specific port number for this allocation.                                                                                                                 |
| **Notes**   | An editable text field where you can add a description for this allocation (e.g., "Voice port", "File transfer", "Query port").                               |
| **Actions** | Shows a green **Primary** badge for the primary allocation, or a **Make Primary** button and a red **delete** trash icon for secondary allocations.           |

***

## What Is the Primary Allocation?

The **Primary** allocation is the main port your server uses — it is the IP:port combination that players type into their game client to connect. It is marked with a green **Primary** badge in the Manage allocation table.

Every server must have exactly one Primary allocation. You can change which allocation is Primary, but you cannot have zero or multiple Primary allocations at the same time.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Primary Allocation" icon="star">
    The main connection point for your server. This is the IP:port players use to join. Marked with a green **Primary** badge. Cannot be deleted while it is the Primary.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secondary Allocations" icon="circle-nodes">
    Additional ports for supporting services — file transfers, query interfaces, RCON, plugins that need their own port. Each has a **Make Primary** button and a red **delete** trash icon.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Adding Notes to Your Allocations

The **Notes** column in the Manage allocation table provides an editable input field for each allocation. This is where you can label what each port is used for — incredibly helpful when your server has multiple allocations and you need to remember which port does what.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Allocation">
    In the Manage allocation table, locate the row for the port you want to label.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Notes Field">
    Click on the **Notes** input field next to the allocation. It becomes editable.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type Your Note">
    Enter a short, descriptive label. For example:

    * `Voice connection` for the main TeamSpeak port
    * `File transfer` for port 30033
    * `ServerQuery` for port 10011
    * `RCON` for a remote console port
    * `Dynmap web` for a web map plugin port
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Press Enter or click outside the field to save the note. It will persist across page reloads and sessions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Notes are visible only to you in the Game Panel — players cannot see them. Use them as a personal reference so you do not have to memorize which port number serves which purpose. This is especially valuable months later when you have forgotten the original setup.
</Tip>

***

## Changing the Primary Allocation

If you need to switch which port is your server's main connection point — for example, after migrating to a different IP or if your server configuration changed — you can promote any secondary allocation to Primary.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop Your Server">
    Before changing the Primary allocation, stop your game server. Changing the primary port while the server is running may cause connection issues.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the New Primary">
    In the Manage allocation table, locate the secondary allocation you want to make Primary. It will have a **Make Primary** button next to it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Make Primary">
    Click the **Make Primary** button. The green **Primary** badge moves from the old allocation to the new one. The previously primary allocation becomes a secondary allocation with its own **Make Primary** button and delete icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Connection Details">
    After changing the Primary, update any connection details you have shared with players — server list entries, website connection info, Discord bot configurations, and anywhere else you have listed the old IP:port.

    <Warning>
      Changing the Primary allocation changes the IP:port that players use to connect. If you do not notify your players of the new connection details, they will not be able to find your server. Update your server listings, community Discord, and website immediately after making the change.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Your Server">
    Start the server back up and verify it is listening on the new Primary port by connecting to it with your game client.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Deleting a Secondary Allocation

If a secondary allocation is no longer needed, you can remove it. Each secondary allocation has a red **delete** trash icon in the Actions column.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Ensure Nothing Uses the Port">
    Before deleting, confirm that no plugin, mod, or service on your server is configured to use this port. Deleting an allocation that is actively in use will break that service.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Delete Icon">
    Click the red trash icon next to the secondary allocation you want to remove. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  You cannot delete the **Primary** allocation. If you need to remove it, first make a different allocation Primary, and then the old primary becomes a secondary that can be deleted.
</Info>

***

## Managing Subdomains

The **Management > Subdomains** section lets you create friendly, memorable subdomains that point to your game server. Instead of asking players to connect using a raw IP address and port like `191.96.94.103:9987`, you can give them something like `myserver.example.com` — much easier to remember and share.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Management > Subdomains">
    In the left sidebar, click **Management**, then select **Subdomains**. This opens the subdomain management interface.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Subdomain">
    Follow the prompts to create a new subdomain for your game server. Choose a name that is short, memorable, and relevant to your server or community.

    <Tip>
      Pick a subdomain name that reflects your server identity. If your Minecraft server is called "PixelCraft", something like `pixelcraft.example.com` is far more professional and memorable than asking players to memorize `191.96.94.103:25565`.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share with Players">
    Once the subdomain is created and active, share it with your players. They can use the subdomain in their game client's server address field instead of the raw IP and port.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Subdomain availability and configuration options depend on your plan and the game server type. If you do not see the Subdomains option in the sidebar, your server type may not support this feature. Contact support if you need subdomain functionality.
</Info>

***

## Common Network Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I get a different IP address for my server?">
    IP addresses are assigned based on the server location and available pool. If you need a specific IP or a change, contact our support team — they can check availability and assist with reassignment if possible.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I request additional port allocations?">
    If your server needs more ports than currently allocated (for example, adding a DynMap web interface on a separate port), contact support. Additional allocations can often be added depending on availability.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Players cannot connect after I changed the Primary allocation">
    Make sure players are using the new IP:port combination. The old Primary is no longer the main connection point. Update your server listings, Discord, and website with the new details. Also verify that your server's configuration file references the correct port — some games require the port to be set in the server config as well as in the panel.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I delete a port that a plugin is using?">
    The plugin or service that was listening on that port will stop working. For example, if DynMap was running a web server on port 8123 and you delete that allocation, the web map becomes inaccessible. Always check your server configuration and plugin settings before removing any allocation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do subdomains work with all games?">
    Most games that support connecting via hostname (rather than requiring a raw IP) will work with subdomains. Minecraft, for example, supports SRV records and hostname connections natively. Some older games or specific game clients may only accept IP addresses. Check your game's documentation for hostname support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a subdomain take to start working?">
    DNS propagation typically takes a few minutes, but can occasionally take up to 24-48 hours depending on your players' DNS providers. If a subdomain is not resolving immediately, give it some time and try clearing your local DNS cache.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Network and subdomain management simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage Server Settings and Reinstall
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-server-settings-and-reinstall

Customize your FREAKHOSTING game server name, view debug information, and safely perform a fresh reinstall from the Server Settings page in the control panel.

## Personalizing and Maintaining Your Server

The **Settings** tab in the FREAKHOSTING Game Server Control Panel is where you go to customize how your server appears in the panel, view technical details about your server's infrastructure, and -- when absolutely necessary -- reinstall your server from scratch.

Think of it as your server's identity card and maintenance toolkit, all in one place.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Server Settings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and log in with your account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    Click on the server you want to manage from the server list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Settings Tab">
    Click the **Settings** tab in the server's navigation bar. The Settings page opens with four distinct sections stacked vertically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Settings Page Overview

The Settings page is divided into four clearly labeled sections. Here is what each one does and when you would use it:

| Section                   | Purpose                                                |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **SFTP Details**          | Shows your SFTP connection credentials                 |
| **Change Server Details** | Customize your server's display name and description   |
| **Debug Information**     | View your server's node, location, and unique ID       |
| **Reinstall Server**      | Wipe and reinstall your server's software from scratch |

Let us walk through each one.

***

## SFTP Details

The top section of the Settings page displays your **SFTP connection credentials** -- the same information shown on the Dashboard. This gives you quick access without having to navigate back.

You will see:

* **Server Address:** `sftp://n20.freakhosting.com:2022`
* **Username:** `freak0705.41298f70`
* A note: **"Your SFTP password is the same as the password you use to access this panel."**
* A **Launch SFTP** button

For a full guide on connecting to your server via SFTP -- including step-by-step instructions for FileZilla and WinSCP -- see [How to Connect via SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp).

***

## Changing Server Details

The **Change Server Details** section lets you customize how your server appears in the Game Panel. This is purely cosmetic -- it does not affect your server's functionality or performance. But if you manage multiple servers, giving each one a clear name and description makes life much easier.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Change Server Details Section">
    Scroll down on the Settings page to the **Change Server Details** section. You will see two fields:

    * **Server Name** -- A text field with your server's current display name
    * **Server Description** -- A larger text area for a description of your server
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Server Name">
    Click the **Server Name** field and type a name that helps you identify this server at a glance. For example:

    * `Minecraft SMP - Season 4`
    * `TeamSpeak - Community Voice`
    * `Rust - Vanilla PvP`
    * `ARK - Ragnarok Cluster`

    This name appears in your server list and at the top of the server management page, so make it descriptive.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a Server Description (Optional)">
    Click the **Server Description** text area and add any details that help you or your team. For example:

    * `Main survival server for the community. Paper 1.20.4 with 30 plugins.`
    * `Development testing server - OK to reset.`
    * `Production voice server - DO NOT restart during events.`

    The description is visible on the server's management page, serving as a handy note for anyone who has access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Save">
    Click the green **Save** button to apply your changes. The new name and description take effect immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If you manage multiple servers, use the description field to note important details like the game version, installed mods, or any special configurations. Your future self will thank you when you cannot remember which server is which three months from now.
</Tip>

***

## Debug Information

The **Debug Information** section displays technical details about your server's infrastructure. This is read-only -- you cannot change any of these values, but they are useful for troubleshooting and support tickets.

| Field         | Example Value                          | What It Means                                        |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Node**      | N20                                    | The physical or virtual node your server runs on     |
| **Location**  | Frankfurt, Germany                     | The data center location where your server is hosted |
| **Server ID** | `41298f70-f0d7-4b1e-b018-617a0ba9c07e` | Your server's unique identifier (UUID)               |

### When You Need Debug Information

* **Opening a support ticket:** Include your **Server ID** so our team can locate your server instantly. Saying "my Minecraft server" when you have three of them is not helpful -- the UUID removes all ambiguity.
* **Checking your server's location:** Useful if you want to confirm which data center your server is in, especially if you ordered a specific location for latency reasons.
* **Troubleshooting network issues:** Knowing which **Node** your server is on helps our support team diagnose infrastructure-level issues quickly.

<Info>
  The Server ID (UUID) is the unique fingerprint of your server. No two servers share the same ID across the entire FREAKHOSTING platform. When contacting support, providing this ID helps us find your server in seconds.
</Info>

***

## Reinstalling Your Server

The **Reinstall Server** section is at the bottom of the Settings page, and for good reason -- it is the most destructive action available. Reinstalling your server stops it, wipes certain files, and re-runs the original installation script that set it up when you first received it.

### What Reinstallation Does

When you reinstall:

1. **Your server is stopped** immediately.
2. **The original installation script runs again** -- the same one that set up your server when it was first created.
3. **Some files may be deleted or modified** during this process -- the exact behavior depends on your server type and its installation script.
4. **Your server starts fresh** as if it were newly provisioned.

### Before You Reinstall

The panel displays an important notice in the Reinstall Server section:

> *Please go to the 'Files' tab and select all files and folders. Before reinstalling the server, please ensure that all content has been removed. Reinstalling your server will stop it, and then re-run the installation script that initially set it up. Some files may be deleted or modified during this process, please back up your data before continuing.*

**Translation:** The reinstall process works best when you start with a clean slate. Before clicking the button, go to the **Files** tab, select all files and folders, and delete them. Then come back and reinstall.

<Warning>
  **Back up everything before reinstalling.** Download any files you want to keep -- world saves, configurations, plugin data, databases, logs, anything you care about. Once the reinstall runs, affected files are gone permanently. Use the [File Manager](/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager) to archive and download your data, or [connect via SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) to download folders in bulk.
</Warning>

### Performing the Reinstall

<Steps>
  <Step title="Back Up Your Data">
    This is not optional. Download everything you want to keep:

    * **World saves** (`world`, `world_nether`, `world_the_end` for Minecraft)
    * **Configuration files** (`server.properties`, `.yml` files, etc.)
    * **Plugin/mod data** (the `plugins` or `mods` folder)
    * **Any custom scripts or files** you have added

    Use the File Manager's archive feature to compress folders, then download the archives. Or connect via SFTP and download entire directories to your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clean Out Your Files (Recommended)">
    Go to the **Files** tab. Select all files and folders, then delete them. This ensures the reinstall script has a completely clean environment to work with, preventing conflicts between old files and the fresh installation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Settings">
    Go back to the **Settings** tab and scroll down to the **Reinstall Server** section at the bottom.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Reinstall Server">
    Click the **Reinstall Server** button. A confirmation dialog appears to make sure you understand the consequences.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the Reinstallation">
    Confirm that you want to proceed. The panel stops your server and begins running the installation script. This typically takes between 1 and 5 minutes depending on your server type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    The server reinstalls and starts up with a fresh configuration. Once it is back online, you can begin setting it up again -- uploading your configurations, installing plugins or mods, and restoring any data from your backups.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## When to Reinstall

Reinstalling is a significant step. Here are the scenarios where it genuinely makes sense:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Switch Game or Server Type" icon="arrows-rotate">
    If your service plan supports multiple games, reinstalling lets you switch from one server type to another -- for example, moving from a Vanilla Minecraft server to a Paper server, or from Minecraft to a Terraria server.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Corrupted Installation" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    If your server will not start and troubleshooting has not helped, a reinstall gives you a clean slate. Core files may have been corrupted by a bad plugin, a failed update, or a crashed process.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fresh Start" icon="broom">
    After months of adding and removing plugins, testing configurations, and accumulating leftover files, sometimes it is faster to start completely fresh than to untangle the mess. Reinstall, then restore only the files you actually need.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clean Up After Experiments" icon="flask">
    Ran a bunch of tests or experiments that left your server in a weird state? A reinstall resets everything back to the default configuration without needing to track down every change you made.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### What NOT to Use Reinstall For

| Problem                         | Better Solution                                                |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Server crashed once             | **Restart** the server from the Console or power controls      |
| A single plugin is broken       | Remove or replace that specific plugin in the File Manager     |
| Configuration mistake           | Edit the config file directly -- no need to wipe everything    |
| Want to update the game version | Use the panel's version settings or Startup tab, not reinstall |
| Ran out of disk space           | Clean up old logs, backups, and unused files                   |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Will reinstalling delete all my files?">
    The reinstall process re-runs the original installation script, which may delete or overwrite files. The exact behavior depends on your server type and its installation script. Some scripts overwrite only core server files while leaving custom data intact; others wipe everything. To be safe, **always assume everything will be deleted** and back up your data before reinstalling.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does reinstalling change my server's IP address or port?">
    No. Your server's IP address, port, and all network settings remain the same after a reinstall. Players can reconnect using the same address they always have. No DNS changes or firewall updates are needed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a reinstall take?">
    Most reinstalls complete in **1 to 5 minutes**. The time varies depending on your server type -- a lightweight server like TeamSpeak reinstalls in under a minute, while a modded Minecraft server with a larger installation script may take a few minutes longer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I undo a reinstall?">
    No. Once the reinstall process begins, there is no way to reverse it. The only way to recover your previous setup is from a **backup created before the reinstall**. This is why we stress backing up so heavily.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I have to delete all files before reinstalling?">
    The panel recommends it for the cleanest result. Leftover files from a previous installation can sometimes conflict with the fresh install script, causing unexpected behavior. Deleting everything first ensures a smooth reinstall.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change my server name back after saving?">
    Yes. The server name and description can be changed as many times as you like. Just go to Settings, update the fields, and click **Save** again. There is no limit on how often you can rename your server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Server settings and reinstall simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage Sub-Users
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-sub-users

Learn how to add sub-users to your FREAKHOSTING Game Panel server so friends, admins, and staff can access your server without sharing your password.

## Give Others Access Without Sharing Your Password

Running a game server with a team? Maybe you have a few admins who help moderate your Minecraft server, a friend who handles backups, or a staff member who just needs console access. Instead of handing out your login credentials (please never do that), the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel lets you create **sub-users** — separate accounts with their own email and password that can only access the specific permissions you grant them.

You will find sub-users under **Configuration > Users** in your server's sidebar. The page shows a **"Manage subusers"** heading at the top, a green **New user** button, and a table with columns for **Name**, **Email**, **2FA Enabled**, and **Creation date**. If you have not added anyone yet, the page simply reads: *"It looks like you don't have any subusers."*

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Why Use Sub-Users?

Think of sub-users as controlled access passes. Instead of one master key that opens everything, each sub-user gets a custom keycard that only unlocks the doors you choose.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Security" icon="shield-halved">
    Your main account password stays private. If a sub-user's account is compromised, you can revoke their access instantly without changing your own credentials.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Accountability" icon="clipboard-list">
    Each sub-user has their own login. You can see who did what, and the **2FA Enabled** column in the table tells you which users have secured their accounts with two-factor authentication.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Granular Control" icon="sliders">
    Give a builder full file access but no power controls. Let an admin restart the server but not touch the database. The permission system is detailed enough to match any team structure.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Easy Management" icon="users-gear">
    Add or remove sub-users at any time. Permissions can be updated on the fly — no server restart required, no downtime involved.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Creating a Sub-User

Here is how to invite someone to your server with exactly the permissions they need.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Users Page">
    In your server's sidebar, navigate to **Configuration > Users**. You will see the "Manage subusers" heading and the table of existing sub-users (or the empty state if you have not added any yet).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New User">
    Hit the green **New user** button. A form will appear asking for the sub-user's details and permissions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Their Email Address">
    Type in the email address of the person you want to invite. This is the email they will use to log into the Game Panel. If they do not already have a Pterodactyl account, one will be created for them automatically, and they will receive an email to set their password.

    <Info>
      The sub-user logs in at the same **games.freakhosting.com** panel you use. They will only see the server(s) you have granted them access to — nothing else on your account.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Permissions">
    This is the important part. You will see a list of permission categories, each with individual checkboxes. Go through each category and check only the permissions this person actually needs.

    We will cover all available permissions in the next section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Sub-User">
    Click save to create the sub-user. They will appear in the table with their name, email, 2FA status, and creation date. If they are a new user, they will receive an account setup email.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Be thoughtful about which permissions you grant. A sub-user with **all permissions** has effectively the same power as you do over that server. Only grant what is truly needed for their role.
</Warning>

***

## Available Permissions

The Game Panel organizes permissions into clear categories. Here is what each one controls:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Control (Console)">
    * **Console access** — View the live server console output and send commands directly to the server. This is one of the most common permissions to grant to admins and moderators who need to interact with the server in real time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Power">
    * **Start** — Start the server if it is stopped.
    * **Stop** — Stop the server gracefully.
    * **Restart** — Restart the server.
    * **Kill** — Force-kill the server process (use with caution — does not allow a graceful shutdown).

    Grant restart and stop to trusted admins. Be very cautious with kill — it can cause data loss if the server does not get a chance to save.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Files">
    * **List files** — Browse the file manager and see the server's directory structure.
    * **Read file contents** — Open and view file contents.
    * **Write/Edit files** — Modify existing files (like server configs, whitelists, or plugin settings).
    * **Create files** — Create new files and folders.
    * **Delete files** — Remove files and folders.
    * **Download files** — Download files from the file manager.
    * **Upload files** — Upload files to the server.
    * **Archive/Unarchive** — Compress and extract file archives.

    For someone who only needs to edit configuration files, grant read and write but skip delete and archive permissions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Backups">
    * **Create backups** — Initiate a new server backup.
    * **List backups** — View existing backups.
    * **Download backups** — Download backup files.
    * **Delete backups** — Remove backup files.
    * **Restore backups** — Restore the server from a backup.

    Backup permissions are great for a trusted co-owner who helps maintain the server. Be careful with restore and delete — restoring overwrites current data, and deleting removes your safety net.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Databases">
    * **Create databases** — Set up new MySQL databases for the server.
    * **List databases** — View existing databases and connection details.
    * **Delete databases** — Remove databases.
    * **View password** — See the database password (hidden by default).
    * **Rotate password** — Generate a new database password.

    Only grant database permissions to people who genuinely need database access — like a developer configuring a plugin that requires its own database.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Schedules">
    * **Create schedules** — Set up new automated schedules.
    * **List schedules** — View existing schedules and their tasks.
    * **Update schedules** — Modify schedule timing and tasks.
    * **Delete schedules** — Remove schedules.

    If you have an admin who manages your auto-restart and backup schedules, grant them schedule permissions so they can adjust timing without bothering you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Settings">
    * **Rename server** — Change the server's display name.
    * **Reinstall server** — Trigger a full server reinstall (this wipes data — extremely dangerous).

    The reinstall permission should almost never be granted to sub-users. A single accidental click can wipe your entire server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## A Practical Example

Here is a real-world scenario: You are running a Minecraft server with 3 admins — give each their own login with only the permissions they need.

| Admin      | Role       | Permissions                                                                                     |
| ---------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Alex**   | Head Admin | Console, all power actions, files (full access), backups (full access), schedules (full access) |
| **Jordan** | Moderator  | Console, restart only, files (read and write only — no delete)                                  |
| **Sam**    | Builder    | Files (full access) — no console, no power, no backups                                          |

Alex can do almost everything. Jordan can watch the console and restart the server when it lags, plus edit config files. Sam can upload and manage build files but cannot touch the console, restart the server, or mess with backups. Everyone logs in with their own email and password, and you never share yours.

***

## Editing a Sub-User's Permissions

Need to change what someone can do? No problem.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Users Page">
    Navigate to **Configuration > Users** from the server sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Sub-User">
    Find the sub-user in the table and click on their entry to open their permission settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Permissions">
    Check or uncheck permission boxes as needed. You can expand or restrict their access at any time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Changes">
    Click save to apply the updated permissions immediately. The sub-user does not need to log out and back in — the changes take effect right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Removing a Sub-User

If someone no longer needs access — maybe they left the team, or you just want to tighten security — you can remove them entirely.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Users Page">
    Navigate to **Configuration > Users**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Sub-User">
    Click on the sub-user you want to remove.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Delete the Sub-User">
    Look for the delete or remove option. Confirm the action, and their access to your server is revoked immediately. They will no longer see your server in their panel.

    <Info>
      Removing a sub-user from your server does not delete their Pterodactyl account. They can still log into the panel — they just will not have access to your server anymore. If they are a sub-user on other servers, those are unaffected.
    </Info>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can a sub-user access multiple servers?">
    Yes, but you need to add them as a sub-user on each server separately. Adding someone to one server does not automatically give them access to your other servers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if the person already has a panel account?">
    If they already have an account on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel (because they have their own server or are a sub-user on someone else's server), the invitation links to their existing account. They will see your server appear in their server list the next time they log in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can sub-users add other sub-users?">
    No. Only the server owner (you) can manage sub-users. Sub-users cannot add, edit, or remove other sub-users regardless of their permissions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I encourage sub-users to enable 2FA?">
    Absolutely. The **2FA Enabled** column in the sub-users table shows you who has two-factor authentication turned on. A compromised sub-user account could be used to damage your server, so encourage everyone with access to enable 2FA from their account settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I temporarily revoke access without deleting the sub-user?">
    There is no built-in "pause" feature for sub-users. If you need to temporarily restrict someone, you can edit their permissions and uncheck everything, then re-enable what they need later. Alternatively, you can remove and re-add them.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to spin up a new game server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Sub-user management simplified.
</div>


# How to Start, Stop, and Restart Your Game Server
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server

Learn how to control your FREAKHOSTING game server's power state — start, stop, and restart — using the Game Panel at games.freakhosting.com.

## Taking Control of Your Server's Power

Every game server needs to be started, stopped, and restarted. Whether you are booting up for game night, shutting down for maintenance, or restarting to apply a new plugin, the three power buttons on the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) give you instant control. They are always visible at the top of every server page, so you are never more than one click away from any power action.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    1 Minute
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Three Power Buttons

At the top of your server page, three buttons sit in the header area, always visible no matter which tab you are on:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Start" icon="play">
    A **green button with a play icon**. Clicking it boots your server from an offline state. The server process starts, loads your configuration and world files, and begins accepting player connections. This is how you bring your server to life.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restart" icon="rotate-right">
    A **dark/grey button with a refresh icon**. Clicking it performs a graceful restart -- the server shuts down cleanly, then immediately boots back up. Players will be briefly disconnected but can rejoin as soon as the server finishes starting. This is the most common power action you will use.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stop" icon="stop">
    A **red outlined button with a stop icon**. Clicking it sends a graceful stop signal to the server. The server saves its data, disconnects all players, and shuts down. The server remains offline until you manually start it again.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  The buttons are context-aware. When your server is **offline**, the Start button is active while Stop is dimmed. When the server is **running**, Stop becomes active while Start is dimmed. Restart is available whenever the server is running.
</Info>

***

## Server Status Badge

Next to your server name in the header, a colored **status badge** tells you the current state at a glance:

| Status          | Badge Color | What It Means                                                  |
| --------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Running**     | Green       | Your server is online and accepting player connections         |
| **Offline**     | Red         | Your server is stopped -- no players can connect               |
| **Starting...** | Yellow      | The server is in the process of booting up -- give it a moment |

The badge updates in real time, so you will see it change from **Offline** to **Starting...** to **Running** as your server boots, or from **Running** to **Offline** when you stop it.

***

## How to Start Your Server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Server">
    Log into the Game Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click on the server you want to start. You will land on the Console tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the Status">
    Look at the status badge next to your server name. It should show **Offline** (red). If it already shows **Running** (green), your server is already online and you do not need to do anything.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Start">
    Click the green **Start** button in the header area. The status badge will change to **Starting...** (yellow) and the console will begin showing boot messages.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Startup to Complete">
    Watch the console output. Your server is loading its configuration, world data, plugins, and mods. When you see a message like "Done" or "Server started," your server is fully online and ready for players.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Startup times vary depending on your server type and configuration. A vanilla Minecraft server might boot in 10-15 seconds, while a heavily modded server with large worlds could take 1-3 minutes. The console will tell you when it is ready.
</Tip>

***

## How to Stop Your Server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Server">
    Navigate to your server on the Game Panel. The status badge should show **Running** (green).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Stop">
    Click the red **Stop** button in the header area. The server will begin its shutdown process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Shutdown">
    The server will save all data (world files, player data, configurations), gracefully disconnect all connected players, and then shut down the server process. The status badge will change to **Offline** (red) when complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### What Happens to Connected Players?

When you stop the server, all connected players are **immediately disconnected**. Most game clients will show a "Connection lost" or "Server closed" message. Players will not lose progress -- the server saves everything before shutting down. They can reconnect as soon as you start the server again.

<Warning>
  If a graceful stop takes too long (more than a minute or two), the panel may forcefully terminate the server process. This is called a **kill** and works like pulling the power cord -- it is safe in most cases since the graceful stop already saved data, but if the server was mid-save, there is a small risk of data loss. If your server regularly takes a long time to stop, it may be overloaded.
</Warning>

***

## How to Restart Your Server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Server">
    Navigate to your server on the Game Panel. The status badge should show **Running** (green).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Restart">
    Click the dark/grey **Restart** button in the header area. The server will begin its restart sequence.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the Restart Cycle">
    The server first shuts down gracefully (saving all data and disconnecting players), then immediately boots back up. You will see shutdown messages followed by startup messages in the console. The status badge will briefly show the transition, then return to **Running** (green) once the server is back online.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Players will be disconnected during the restart but can rejoin as soon as the server finishes booting. A typical restart cycle takes between 15 seconds and a few minutes depending on your server size and configuration.

***

## When to Use Each Button

Knowing which button to press and when is the key to smooth server management. Here are the most common scenarios:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="You just installed or updated a plugin" icon="puzzle-piece">
    **Use: Restart.** Most plugins need a server restart to load. Your Minecraft server just got a new plugin dropped into the `plugins` folder -- restart to activate it. The restart saves the current world, shuts down, and boots back up with the new plugin loaded.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You changed a configuration file" icon="file-pen">
    **Use: Restart.** Edits to files like `server.properties`, `spigot.yml`, or any mod/plugin config typically require a restart to take effect. Restart and watch the console to confirm your changes loaded correctly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Your server is frozen or unresponsive" icon="snowflake">
    **Use: Stop, then Start.** If your server is not responding to commands or players cannot connect but the status still shows Running, stop it first. Wait for it to fully shut down (status changes to Offline), then start it again. This gives you a clean slate.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You are done playing for the night" icon="moon">
    **Use: Stop.** If nobody will be using the server and you want to free resources, simply stop it. You can start it again whenever you are ready.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Players report lag or TPS drops" icon="gauge-high">
    **Use: Restart.** A restart clears memory leaks, reloads chunks, and gives the server a fresh start. This is often the quickest fix for performance issues. If lag returns quickly after restarting, you may need to investigate plugins, world size, or upgrade your plan.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You updated your server's game version" icon="arrow-up">
    **Use: Stop, then Start.** After changing the game version (e.g., updating from Minecraft 1.20 to 1.21), stop the server fully, then start it. This ensures the new version loads cleanly without any leftover state from the old version.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Graceful Stop vs. Kill

When you click **Stop**, the panel sends a graceful shutdown command to your server. The server process receives the signal, saves all game data, disconnects players, and exits cleanly. This is the safe, normal way to stop a server.

However, if the graceful stop does not complete within a reasonable time, the panel will **kill** the server process -- an immediate forced termination. Think of it as the difference between asking someone to close a door versus slamming it shut.

|                       | Graceful Stop                                              | Kill                                            |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **What happens**      | Server saves data, disconnects players, shuts down cleanly | Server process is terminated immediately        |
| **Data safety**       | All data saved properly                                    | Small risk of unsaved data loss                 |
| **When it occurs**    | Every time you click Stop (first attempt)                  | Automatically after the graceful stop times out |
| **Player experience** | Players see a "Server closed" message                      | Players see a "Connection lost" message         |

<Info>
  In most cases, you will never notice the difference -- the graceful stop completes within seconds. The kill is a safety net for situations where the server hangs during shutdown. If you frequently see kills happening, your server may be overloaded or a plugin may be preventing clean shutdowns.
</Info>

***

## Real-World Scenarios

| Scenario                                                  | Action                                                            | Why                                                |
| --------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Your Minecraft server just installed a new plugin         | **Restart**                                                       | Plugins load during server startup                 |
| Changing the server's game mode from Survival to Creative | **Restart** after editing `server.properties`                     | Config changes require a restart                   |
| A player reports they cannot connect                      | Check if status is **Running** -- if **Offline**, click **Start** | Server may have crashed or been stopped            |
| Server crashed overnight                                  | Click **Start**                                                   | Crashed servers go offline automatically           |
| Applying a modpack update                                 | **Stop**, update files, then **Start**                            | Clean stop ensures no file conflicts during update |
| Server is eating 100% CPU and not responding              | **Stop** (wait for it), then **Start**                            | Fresh start clears runaway processes               |
| Moving to a different game or server type                 | **Stop**, change egg/configuration, then **Start**                | Major changes need a full stop-start cycle         |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What happens if I close the browser while the server is running?">
    Nothing changes. Your game server runs independently of the web panel. Closing your browser, logging out, or shutting down your computer does not affect the server. It will keep running until you (or an automated process) tells it to stop. You can come back hours later, log in, and the server will still be humming along.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will my server automatically restart if it crashes?">
    It depends on your configuration. Many server setups include crash detection that automatically restarts the server after a crash. Check your server's startup settings in the panel. If auto-restart is not enabled and your server crashes, you will need to manually click **Start** to bring it back online.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I schedule automatic restarts?">
    The Game Panel does not have a built-in restart scheduler, but many game servers support scheduled restarts through plugins or configuration. For example, Minecraft servers can use plugins that trigger restarts at set intervals. You can also configure the startup command or use task schedulers depending on your server type.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a difference between stopping and restarting vs. just restarting?">
    A **Restart** is essentially a stop followed by an immediate start, handled as one seamless operation. A manual **Stop** then **Start** achieves the same result but gives you time between the two actions -- useful if you want to make file changes while the server is offline, or if you want to verify the server fully stopped before starting it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long should I wait before starting my server after stopping it?">
    You can click **Start** immediately after the server finishes stopping (status badge shows Offline). There is no mandatory wait time. However, if you are making file changes (uploading plugins, editing configs), finish those changes before starting the server so it loads the updated files.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My server keeps crashing right after starting — what should I do?">
    Watch the console output carefully during startup. The crash cause is almost always visible in the log -- look for lines containing **ERROR**, **FATAL**, or **Exception**. Common causes include incompatible plugins or mods, corrupted world data, or running out of memory. Try removing recently added plugins or mods, or check if you need more RAM for your server. If you are stuck, copy the console output using the copy button and open a support ticket.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Server power management simplified.
</div>


# How to Use the Game Panel File Manager
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager

Learn how to navigate, upload, edit, and manage your game server files using the built-in File Manager in the FREAKHOSTING Game Server Control Panel.

## Your Server's Filing Cabinet

The FREAKHOSTING Game Server Control Panel at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) includes a fully-featured File Manager that lets you browse, upload, edit, and organize every file on your game server -- right from your browser. No SFTP client needed for quick tasks.

Need to drop a plugin JAR into your Minecraft server? Edit your `server.properties` to change the game mode? Create a new configuration file from scratch? The File Manager handles all of it without leaving your browser tab.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the File Manager

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and log in with your account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Server">
    From the server list, click on the server you want to manage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Files Tab">
    In the top navigation bar, click **Management**, then select **Files**. The File Manager opens and displays the root of your server's container directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interface Overview

The File Manager is built around a clean, single-panel layout. Here is what you see when you open it:

### Breadcrumb Navigation

At the top of the file listing, a **breadcrumb path** shows your current location within the server's file structure. It starts with **home** (the container root) and adds each folder you navigate into. Click any part of the breadcrumb to jump back to that level instantly.

For example, if you are browsing `home > plugins > Essentials`, clicking **plugins** takes you back up one level, and clicking **home** returns you to the root.

### Search Bar

A **search bar** sits at the top of the file listing. Type a filename (or part of one) to filter the current directory. This is incredibly useful when your server has hundreds of files -- type `.yml` to see only YAML configuration files, or type `server` to quickly find `server.properties`.

### Action Buttons

A row of action buttons spans the top of the File Manager:

| Button         | Color | What It Does                                        |
| -------------- | ----- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **New File**   | Dark  | Creates a blank new file in the current directory   |
| **Delete**     | Red   | Deletes all selected (checked) files and folders    |
| **Rename**     | Dark  | Renames the selected file or folder                 |
| **Move**       | Dark  | Moves selected items to a different directory       |
| **Archive**    | Dark  | Compresses selected items into a `.tar.gz` archive  |
| **Upload**     | Green | Opens a dialog to upload files from your computer   |
| **New Folder** | Blue  | Creates a new empty folder in the current directory |

On the far right, a **Trash Bin** button (dark, with a trash icon) opens your server's trash, where recently deleted files can be recovered.

### File List

The main area displays your files and folders in a table with these columns:

| Column       | Description                                                      |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Checkbox** | Select individual items for bulk actions (delete, move, archive) |
| **Name**     | File or folder name (click to open folders, click to edit files) |
| **Size**     | File size on disk (folders show as `--`)                         |
| **Date**     | Last modified timestamp                                          |

Both the **Name** and **Size** columns are sortable -- click the column header to toggle between ascending and descending order.

### Three-Dot Context Menu

Every file and folder row has a **"..."** button on the right side. Clicking it opens a context menu with these actions:

* **Rename** -- Change the file or folder name
* **Move** -- Move it to a different directory
* **Copy** -- Create a duplicate
* **Compress** -- Archive the item into `.tar.gz`
* **Delete** -- Remove the item (sends it to the Trash Bin)
* **Download** -- Save a copy to your local computer

***

## Navigating Your Server Files

When you first open the File Manager, you land in the **container root** -- the top-level directory of your game server. The exact contents depend on your server type, but here is a typical example for a TeamSpeak server:

| Type   | Name                                                                                                                               |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Folder | `default`, `doc`, `files`, `logs`, `redist`, `serverquerydocs`, `sql`, `teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64`, `tsdns`                    |
| File   | `.ts3server_license_accepted`, `3RD_PARTY_LICENSES`, `CHANGELOG`, `LICENSE`, `query_ip_allowlist.txt`, various `.so` library files |

For a **Minecraft** server, you would typically see folders like `plugins`, `world`, `world_nether`, `world_the_end`, `logs`, and files like `server.properties`, `bukkit.yml`, `spigot.yml`, and `eula.txt`.

**To navigate into a folder**, simply click its name. The breadcrumb updates, and the file list shows the folder's contents. To go back, click a parent folder in the breadcrumb or use your browser's back button.

***

## Creating New Files

Sometimes you need to create a configuration file from scratch -- maybe a whitelist, a custom script, or a fresh config.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Browse to the folder where you want the new file. For example, navigate into the `plugins` folder if you need to create a plugin configuration file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New File">
    Click the dark **New File** button in the action bar at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your File and Add Content">
    The panel opens a new file editor. Enter your filename at the top (for example, `whitelist.json`) and type or paste the file contents into the editor below. The editor supports syntax highlighting for common file types like JSON, YAML, and properties files.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the File">
    Click **Save** (or press `Ctrl + S`) to create the file. It appears in the directory listing immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Real-world example:** Need to accept the Minecraft EULA? Create or open `eula.txt` in your server root and change `eula=false` to `eula=true`. Save, restart the server, and you are good to go.
</Tip>

***

## Creating New Folders

Keeping your files organized makes server management much easier down the road.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Parent Directory">
    Go to the location where you want the new folder to live.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New Folder">
    Click the blue **New Folder** button in the action bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a name for your folder -- for example, `backups`, `configs`, or `custom-maps`. Press Enter or click the confirm button.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Uploading Files

Whether it is a single plugin JAR or an entire modpack, the File Manager makes uploading straightforward.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Open the folder where you want the files to end up. For a Minecraft plugin, navigate to the `plugins` folder. For a custom map, navigate to your world folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Upload Button or Drag and Drop">
    You have two options:

    * **Click the green Upload button** to open a file picker dialog. Select one or more files from your computer and confirm.
    * **Drag and drop** files directly from your computer's file explorer into the File Manager window. The panel highlights the drop zone when files are detected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the Upload to Complete">
    A progress indicator shows the upload status. Once finished, your files appear in the directory listing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Real-world example:** To upload a plugin to your Minecraft server, navigate to the `plugins` folder, drag your `EssentialsX.jar` file into the File Manager, wait for the upload to finish, then restart the server. The plugin loads on next boot.
</Info>

<Warning>
  Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file will **overwrite** the original without asking. If you are replacing an important file like `server.properties`, download a backup copy first using the three-dot menu.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  Uploading dozens of individual files? **Compress them into a `.tar.gz` or `.zip` archive first**, upload the single archive file, then use the File Manager to extract it on the server. This is significantly faster, especially for large modpacks.
</Tip>

***

## Renaming Files and Folders

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the Item">
    Check the checkbox next to the file or folder you want to rename, then click the dark **Rename** button in the action bar. Alternatively, click the **"..."** menu on the item's row and select **Rename**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the New Name">
    Type the new name and confirm. The item is renamed instantly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Be careful renaming files that your server depends on. Renaming `server.properties` to anything else means your Minecraft server will not find its configuration on the next start. The same goes for critical files like `bukkit.yml`, `spigot.yml`, or `paper.yml`.
</Warning>

***

## Moving Files and Folders

Need to reorganize? The move action lets you relocate files without downloading and re-uploading.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Items to Move">
    Check the checkboxes next to one or more files or folders, then click the dark **Move** button. Or use the **"..."** context menu on a single item and select **Move**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Destination Path">
    A dialog asks for the destination path. Type the path relative to the container root -- for example, `/plugins/old` to move a plugin JAR into an `old` subfolder inside plugins.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Click **Move** to complete the operation. The files disappear from the current directory and appear in the destination.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Compressing and Extracting Archives

Archives are your best friend for backups, bulk transfers, and modpack installations.

### Compressing Files

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Items">
    Check the checkboxes next to the files and folders you want to compress. You can select multiple items.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Archive">
    Click the dark **Archive** button in the action bar. Alternatively, use the **"..."** menu on a single item and select **Compress**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Name">
    Enter a name for the archive file. The system creates a `.tar.gz` compressed archive in the current directory.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Practical example:** Select your `world`, `world_nether`, and `world_the_end` folders, click **Archive**, and name it `world-backup-2026-03-25.tar.gz`. You now have a compressed backup of all your Minecraft worlds that you can download for safekeeping.

### Extracting Archives

To extract an uploaded archive (`.tar.gz`, `.zip`, etc.), click on the archive file's **"..."** menu and select the extract or uncompress option. The contents are extracted into the current directory.

This is the fastest way to install modpacks -- upload the archive, extract it, and your server has all the files it needs.

***

## Downloading Files

To download any file to your local computer, click the **"..."** button on the file's row and select **Download**. Your browser downloads the file immediately.

**When to use it:**

* Download a backup of `server.properties` before making changes
* Grab a log file from the `logs` folder to share with support or review offline
* Save your world data locally before a major update

<Info>
  The download option works for individual files. To download an entire folder, first compress it into an archive, then download the archive file.
</Info>

***

## Using the Trash Bin

Unlike a permanent delete, files you remove through the File Manager go to the **Trash Bin** first. This gives you a safety net in case you accidentally delete something important.

Click the dark **Trash Bin** button (with the trash icon) on the far right of the action bar to view deleted files. From the Trash Bin, you can:

* **Restore** files back to their original location
* **Permanently delete** files you no longer need

<Tip>
  Accidentally deleted your server configuration? Check the Trash Bin before panicking. If the file is still there, restore it with a single click.
</Tip>

***

## Editing Files Inline

One of the File Manager's most powerful features is the built-in code editor. Click on any text-based file to open it directly in the browser.

The editor supports:

* **Syntax highlighting** for JSON, YAML, properties files, shell scripts, and more
* **Line numbers** for easy reference
* **Search and replace** within the file
* **Save with `Ctrl + S`** (or `Cmd + S` on Mac)

**Real-world example:** Need to change your Minecraft server's game mode? Click on `server.properties`, find the line `gamemode=survival`, change it to `gamemode=creative`, press `Ctrl + S` to save, then restart your server. The change takes effect immediately on the next boot.

<Info>
  The inline editor works with text-based files only -- things like `.properties`, `.yml`, `.yaml`, `.json`, `.cfg`, `.txt`, `.conf`, `.sh`, and `.xml`. Binary files like `.jar` or `.so` cannot be edited this way.
</Info>

***

## Searching for Files

The **search bar** at the top of the File Manager filters the current directory in real time as you type. This searches by filename only within the folder you are currently viewing.

**Practical examples:**

* Type `server` to quickly find `server.properties` among dozens of files
* Type `.yml` to see all YAML configuration files in the current folder
* Type `log` to locate log files

<Tip>
  Search only filters the current directory, not subfolders. If you cannot find a file, make sure you are in the right folder first, or navigate to the container root and check common locations.
</Tip>

***

## Common Tasks: Quick Reference

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Install a Minecraft Plugin" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Navigate to the `plugins` folder, click the green **Upload** button (or drag and drop), select your `.jar` file, wait for the upload, then restart the server. The plugin loads automatically on the next boot.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Edit server.properties" icon="pen-to-square">
    Click on `server.properties` in the root directory. The inline editor opens. Make your changes (game mode, difficulty, max players, MOTD, etc.), press `Ctrl + S` to save, and restart your server.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Back Up Your World" icon="cloud-arrow-down">
    Select your world folders (`world`, `world_nether`, `world_the_end`), click **Archive** to compress them into a `.tar.gz`, then download the archive using the **"..."** menu. Store it somewhere safe.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Install a Modpack" icon="boxes-stacked">
    Upload the modpack archive (`.zip` or `.tar.gz`) to your server root, then extract it. The modpack's files and folders are placed where they need to be. Restart the server to load everything.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What file types can I edit in the browser?">
    The inline editor works with any text-based file format. This includes `.properties`, `.yml`, `.yaml`, `.json`, `.cfg`, `.conf`, `.txt`, `.xml`, `.sh`, `.bat`, `.log`, and many others. Binary files like `.jar`, `.so`, `.zip`, and `.tar.gz` cannot be opened in the editor -- use the download option instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a file size limit for uploads?">
    The File Manager supports uploads up to the limit configured for your server plan. For very large files (like full modpacks over 100 MB), consider using SFTP instead -- it handles large transfers more reliably and can resume interrupted uploads. See [How to Connect via SFTP](/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I accidentally deleted an important file. Can I get it back?">
    Check the **Trash Bin** first by clicking the trash icon button on the right side of the action bar. If the file is there, you can restore it to its original location. If the Trash Bin has been emptied, your best option is to restore from a backup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why do I see folders like 'default', 'doc', 'logs', and 'sql' in my server root?">
    The exact folder structure depends on your game server type. Each game engine creates its own directories. For example, a TeamSpeak server has folders like `default`, `doc`, `files`, `logs`, `redist`, `serverquerydocs`, `sql`, `teamspeak3-server_linux_amd64`, and `tsdns`. A Minecraft server will have `plugins` (or `mods`), `world`, `logs`, and other game-specific folders.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I upload folders, or only individual files?">
    The drag-and-drop upload supports both files and folders in most modern browsers. You can drag an entire folder from your computer into the File Manager window. For complex folder structures like modpacks, it is usually easier to compress everything into an archive first, upload the archive, and extract it on the server.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** File management made simple.
</div>


# How to Use the Server Console
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console

Learn how to use the Game Panel console to read server output, send commands, monitor resources, and troubleshoot your FREAKHOSTING game server in real time.

## Your Server's Live Command Center

The console is the beating heart of your game server. It is a live, scrolling window into everything your server is doing right now -- every player connection, every plugin loading, every warning, and every error. Think of it as standing in the server room watching the monitor, except you can do it from anywhere with a browser.

Whether you need to give a player operator permissions in Minecraft, broadcast a message to everyone online, or check why your server just crashed, the console is where it all happens. You will find it on the **Console** tab at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) -- and it is the first thing you see when you open your server.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What You See on the Console Tab

When you open your server and land on the **Console** tab, here is what you are looking at:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Terminal Output" icon="terminal">
    The large **black terminal area** dominates the page. This is where your server's live output scrolls in real time -- startup messages, player joins, plugin output, errors, and everything else the server process writes to the log. New messages appear at the bottom and the view auto-scrolls to keep up.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Command Input" icon="keyboard">
    At the very bottom of the terminal, you will see a text field with a **">"** prompt and placeholder text that reads **"Type a command..."**. This is where you type commands that get sent directly to your server, just as if you were typing into the server's own terminal.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Copy and Fullscreen" icon="expand">
    In the **top-right corner** of the terminal area, there are two small icons. The **copy icon** copies the entire visible log output to your clipboard (great for sharing with support). The **fullscreen (expand) icon** opens the terminal in a larger view so you can see more log lines at once.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Resource Cards" icon="chart-line">
    Below the terminal, three resource monitoring cards are displayed side by side: **CPU Usage**, **Memory Usage**, and **Inbound/Outbound** network traffic. Each card shows a teal-colored icon and displays real-time values when the server is running. When the server is offline, they show **Offline** with an infinity symbol for the limit.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Reading Server Output

The terminal output is your server talking to you. Learning to read it quickly will save you hours of troubleshooting. Here is what to look for:

### Startup Messages

When your server boots, you will see a flood of messages. This is normal. The server is loading its configuration, plugins, mods, maps, and network bindings. Look for lines that say things like "Done" or "Server started" near the end -- that means everything loaded successfully.

### Player Activity

Most game servers log player connections and disconnections. You will see messages like a player joining, leaving, or being kicked. This is useful for verifying that people can actually connect to your server.

### Errors and Warnings

Lines containing **WARN**, **ERROR**, or **SEVERE** deserve your attention. A single warning is usually fine (plugins occasionally complain about non-critical things). But repeated errors or a stack trace (a wall of technical lines starting with "at ...") usually means something needs fixing -- a misconfigured plugin, a missing file, or a version mismatch.

<Tip>
  If you see an error you do not understand, use the **copy icon** in the top-right of the terminal to copy the log output, then paste it into a support ticket or search for the error message online. Most game server errors have well-documented solutions.
</Tip>

***

## Sending Commands

The command input field at the bottom of the terminal is your direct line to the server. You type a command, press **Enter**, and it executes immediately on the server -- no prefix, no slash needed (unlike in-game chat where you type `/command`, in the console you just type `command`).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the Command Field">
    Click on the input field at the bottom of the terminal where it says **"Type a command..."**. The field will activate and the cursor will appear.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type Your Command">
    Enter the command you want to run. Remember -- console commands do **not** use a leading slash. For example, type `say Hello everyone!` not `/say Hello everyone!`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Press Enter">
    Hit **Enter** on your keyboard. The command is sent to the server instantly and you will see the result (or any output) appear in the terminal above.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Commands execute immediately with no confirmation dialog. Double-check what you are typing before pressing Enter, especially for destructive commands like `stop`, `ban`, or `whitelist clear`. There is no undo button.
</Warning>

***

## Game-Specific Command Examples

Different game servers accept different commands. Here are practical examples for the most popular games:

### Minecraft (Java & Bedrock)

| Command                       | What It Does                                                             |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `op playername`               | Gives a player operator (admin) permissions                              |
| `deop playername`             | Removes operator permissions from a player                               |
| `say Hello everyone!`         | Broadcasts a yellow message to all online players                        |
| `kick playername Reason here` | Kicks a player with an optional reason                                   |
| `ban playername`              | Permanently bans a player from the server                                |
| `whitelist add playername`    | Adds a player to the server whitelist                                    |
| `stop`                        | Gracefully stops the server (it will restart if auto-restart is enabled) |
| `gamerule keepInventory true` | Changes a game rule                                                      |
| `tp player1 player2`          | Teleports player1 to player2                                             |

### TeamSpeak 3

| Command                                           | What It Does                          |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `clientlist`                                      | Lists all currently connected clients |
| `serverinfo`                                      | Shows detailed server information     |
| `clientkick clid=5 reasonid=5 reasonmsg=Bye`      | Kicks a specific client               |
| `sendtextmessage targetmode=3 target=1 msg=Hello` | Sends a message to the server chat    |

### Garry's Mod

| Command                    | What It Does                            |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `status`                   | Shows connected players and server info |
| `changelevel gm_flatgrass` | Changes the map                         |
| `kick playername`          | Kicks a player                          |
| `sv_password mypassword`   | Sets a server password                  |

### Rust

| Command                    | What It Does                        |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `status`                   | Shows connected players             |
| `say Hello everyone`       | Broadcasts a message to all players |
| `kick playername "reason"` | Kicks a player                      |
| `server.save`              | Forces a server save                |
| `server.writecfg`          | Saves current configuration         |

<Info>
  Each game server has its own unique set of commands. Check your game's official documentation or community wiki for a complete command reference. The console accepts whatever commands the underlying game server software supports.
</Info>

***

## Using the Copy Button

The **copy icon** in the top-right corner of the terminal area copies all currently visible log output to your clipboard. This is incredibly useful in several situations:

* **Sharing with support** -- Paste the log into a support ticket so our team can see exactly what happened.
* **Debugging errors** -- Copy an error message and search for it online to find community solutions.
* **Record keeping** -- Save a snapshot of the log before restarting your server if you want to preserve the output.

Simply click the copy icon, open a text editor or your support ticket, and paste with **Ctrl+V** (or **Cmd+V** on Mac).

***

## Fullscreen Mode

The **expand icon** (next to the copy icon, top-right of the terminal) switches the console into fullscreen mode. This is helpful when:

* You are reading through a long startup log and want to see more lines at once
* You are actively troubleshooting and need maximum screen real estate
* You want a cleaner, distraction-free view of the server output

Click the expand icon again (or press **Escape**) to exit fullscreen and return to the normal view.

***

## Resource Monitoring Cards

Below the terminal, three cards give you a real-time snapshot of your server's resource usage:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="CPU Usage" icon="microchip">
    Shows current CPU consumption as a percentage. The limit is based on your plan's allocated CPU. A teal CPU icon sits to the left. When the server is offline, this reads **Offline** with an infinity symbol (**∞**) for the limit. When running, a small real-time graph appears showing CPU usage over time.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Memory Usage" icon="memory">
    Displays current RAM consumption against your plan's memory limit. Same teal icon style with a live graph when active. If your server is consistently hitting its memory limit, you may need to upgrade your plan or reduce the number of plugins and mods loaded.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Network Traffic" icon="network-wired">
    Shows **Inbound** and **Outbound** data transfer in real time. This tells you how much data is flowing to and from your server. High inbound traffic with many players is normal. Unexplained spikes could indicate an issue worth investigating.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Keep an eye on the resource cards while your server is running. If CPU sits at 100% constantly or memory hits the limit, your server may lag or crash. Consider optimizing your configuration, reducing loaded plugins, or upgrading to a higher plan.
</Tip>

***

## Common Console Scenarios

Here are everyday situations and how the console helps you handle them:

| Scenario                                                | What to Do                                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You just installed a new Minecraft plugin               | Restart the server (or type `reload confirm` if the plugin supports hot-reloading), then watch the console for the plugin's startup messages |
| A player is cheating or griefing                        | Type `ban playername` in the command input and press Enter                                                                                   |
| Your server crashed and you want to know why            | Scroll up in the terminal output and look for **ERROR** or **SEVERE** lines just before the crash                                            |
| You want to change a game setting without editing files | Use the appropriate in-console command (e.g., `gamerule` for Minecraft, `server.writecfg` for Rust)                                          |
| Players report lag and you want to check resources      | Look at the CPU and Memory cards below the terminal -- high usage is the most common cause                                                   |
| You need to share your server log with support          | Click the **copy icon** in the top-right of the terminal and paste it into your support ticket                                               |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need to type a slash before console commands?">
    No. Unlike in-game chat (where commands start with `/`), the server console accepts commands without any prefix. Just type the command name directly. For example, type `op Steve` not `/op Steve`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I scroll up to see older log messages?">
    Yes. Scroll up in the terminal to see previous output from the current server session. However, the console only shows log output since the server was last started. For older logs, use the **File Manager** to view the full log files stored on disk.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does the console show 'Offline' for resource usage?">
    The resource monitoring cards only display data when the server is actively running. If your server is stopped, they will show **Offline** with an infinity symbol. Start your server and the cards will populate with real-time graphs and values.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a command history in the console?">
    Yes. Press the **Up Arrow** key in the command input field to cycle through your previously entered commands, just like a terminal. This saves you from retyping frequently used commands.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I paste commands into the console?">
    Yes. Click on the command input field and use **Ctrl+V** (or **Cmd+V** on Mac) to paste a command. This is especially useful for long commands or ones you have prepared in a text editor.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My console is flooded with repeated messages — what should I do?">
    Repeated messages usually come from a misconfigured plugin, a rapid error loop, or excessive debug logging. Identify the source of the spam from the message content, then either fix the plugin configuration, reduce the log verbosity in your server settings, or remove the problematic plugin entirely.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Console management simplified.
</div>


# How to View the Activity Log
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-view-the-activity-log

Track every action on your FREAKHOSTING Game Panel account and servers using the activity log. Monitor file changes, power events, and admin operations.

## Know Exactly What Happened and When

The Activity Log is your account's complete audit trail. Every action you (or anyone with access to your account) take on the Game Panel is recorded here -- server starts and stops, file reads and writes, configuration changes, and more. It is the first place to check when something looks off, when you need to trace what happened before a crash, or when you want to verify that a teammate made the changes they said they did.

You will find it on the **Activity** tab at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com), accessible from the navigation bar on your Account page.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    1 Minute
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Getting to the Activity Log

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Game Panel">
    Open your browser and go to [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com). Enter your email and password, then click **Login**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Activity Tab">
    Click your **Account** link (with your avatar icon) in the **top-right corner**, then navigate to the **Activity** tab. This opens the full chronological activity log for your account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Reading the Activity Log

The Activity Log displays a chronological list of events, with the most recent actions at the top. Each entry contains several pieces of information that tell you exactly what happened, who did it, and when.

Here is what each part of an activity entry means:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="User Avatar and Name" icon="user">
    Each entry starts with a **purple avatar circle** showing the user's initials (for example, **FR**) followed by the **username** (for example, **freak0705**). This identifies who performed the action. If you are the only person with access, this will always be your account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Event Type" icon="tag">
    Next to the username, you will see the **event type** in a structured format like `server:power.start`, `server:power.stop`, `server:file.read`, or `server:file.write`. This tells you the category and specific action that was logged.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Description" icon="align-left">
    Each entry includes a **human-readable description** of what happened. Instead of deciphering event codes, you can read plain text like "Started the server", "Killed the server process", or "Viewed the contents of /config.yml".
  </Card>

  <Card title="Location and Timestamp" icon="clock">
    On the right side of each entry, you will see a **country flag icon** indicating the geographic origin of the action, a **blurred IP address** for privacy, and a **relative timestamp** (for example, "29 days ago" or "1 month ago") showing when the event occurred.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Common Event Types

The activity log tracks a wide range of actions. Here are the event types you will see most frequently:

### Power Events

| Event Type             | Description               | What It Means                                                                 |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `server:power.start`   | Started the server        | Someone clicked Start or triggered a start via the API                        |
| `server:power.stop`    | Stopped the server        | A graceful shutdown was initiated                                             |
| `server:power.kill`    | Killed the server process | The server process was force-killed (used when a graceful stop does not work) |
| `server:power.restart` | Restarted the server      | A restart was triggered from the panel or API                                 |

### File Events

| Event Type           | Description                   | What It Means                                                                                                      |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `server:file.read`   | Viewed the contents of a file | Someone opened a file in the File Manager -- for example, "Viewed the contents of //.ts3server\_license\_accepted" |
| `server:file.write`  | Wrote new content to a file   | A file was edited and saved -- for example, "Wrote new content to /.ts3server\_license\_accepted"                  |
| `server:file.delete` | Deleted a file                | A file was removed from the server                                                                                 |
| `server:file.upload` | Uploaded a file               | A file was uploaded through the File Manager                                                                       |

### Other Events

| Event Type                | Description               | What It Means                                           |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `server:backup.start`     | Started a backup          | A backup was initiated either manually or by a schedule |
| `server:schedule.execute` | Executed a scheduled task | An automated task ran on schedule                       |
| `server:settings.rename`  | Renamed the server        | The server's display name was changed                   |
| `auth:login`              | Logged in                 | Someone successfully authenticated with your account    |

<Info>
  The activity log captures actions from both the web interface and API calls. If you use automation scripts with API keys, those actions will appear in the log too -- making it easy to verify your automations are running as expected.
</Info>

***

## Practical Uses for the Activity Log

The activity log is not just a record -- it is a troubleshooting and security tool. Here are real scenarios where it comes in handy:

| Scenario                                                       | How the Activity Log Helps                                                                                 |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Your server crashed and you want to know what led up to it     | Check for `server:file.write` events right before the crash -- a bad config edit is often the culprit      |
| You suspect unauthorized access to your account                | Look for `auth:login` events from unfamiliar IP addresses or countries                                     |
| A teammate says they restarted the server but it is still down | Verify whether a `server:power.start` or `server:power.restart` event actually occurred                    |
| You cannot remember which config file you edited yesterday     | Filter through `server:file.write` events to find the exact file path and timestamp                        |
| Your server settings changed and you did not change them       | Check for `server:settings.rename` or other settings events to see when and from where the change was made |
| An automated backup did not run                                | Look for the absence of `server:backup.start` events at the scheduled time                                 |

***

## Understanding the Location Data

Each activity entry includes geographic information about where the action originated:

* **Country flag icon** -- A small flag next to the entry indicates the country from which the action was performed. This is derived from the IP address.
* **Blurred IP address** -- The IP address is partially obscured in the interface for privacy. You can see enough to recognize whether it is your usual IP or something unfamiliar.

<Tip>
  If you see login events or power actions originating from a country you have never been to, that is a red flag. Change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication if you have not already. Then check your email account for signs of compromise as well.
</Tip>

***

## Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Activity Log

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Check After Every Crash" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    The first thing to do after an unexpected crash is check the activity log. Look at the last few events before the server went offline -- a file edit, a plugin upload, or a forced restart can explain what went wrong.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review After Shared Access" icon="users">
    If you have given subuser access to someone else, periodically review the activity log to see what actions they have performed. Trust but verify.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Verify Automation Runs" icon="robot">
    If you use schedules or API-driven automation, the activity log confirms that tasks actually executed. No guessing whether your 3 AM backup script ran or not.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spot Patterns" icon="magnifying-glass-chart">
    If your server keeps crashing at the same time every day, cross-reference the activity log with the crash times. A scheduled task, automated restart, or recurring file write might be the cause.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How far back does the activity log go?">
    The activity log retains events for a significant period, but the exact retention window depends on the panel configuration. For most FREAKHOSTING accounts, you can expect several months of history. If you need logs beyond the available window, contact support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I export or download the activity log?">
    The panel interface does not currently offer a direct export button for the activity log. However, if you need a copy of your activity history for security review or record-keeping, contact FREAKHOSTING support and they can assist.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is the IP address blurred?">
    IP addresses are partially masked in the activity log as a privacy measure. You can still see enough of the address to recognize your own IP or spot an unfamiliar one. If you need full IP details for a security investigation, contact support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do API key actions show up in the activity log?">
    Yes. Actions performed via API keys are logged just like actions performed through the web interface. This includes power commands, file operations, and any other API-driven changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can subusers see the activity log?">
    Activity log visibility depends on the permissions assigned to the subuser. If they have access to the Account or Activity section, they can see the log. Check your subuser permission settings if you want to restrict this.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I see a login from an unfamiliar location -- what should I do?">
    Change your password immediately. Enable two-factor authentication if it is not already active. Check your email account for signs of compromise (password reset emails you did not request). Then open a support ticket with FREAKHOSTING so the team can investigate and help secure your account.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to manage more game servers? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Game Panel Support:** Activity tracking simplified.
</div>


# How to Connect to a Database Using HeidiSQL
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-database-using-heidisql

Master remote database management with HeidiSQL. Learn how to securely connect to your FREAKHOSTING MySQL or MariaDB databases from your local machine.

## Remote Database Management

HeidiSQL is a powerful, open-source, and lightweight management tool specifically designed for MySQL and MariaDB databases. While our Game and Web panels provide integrated web-based database management, HeidiSQL offers a more strong environment for developers who need to perform complex SQL queries, manage large-scale data migrations, or synchronize local and remote tables. This guide will walk you through the secure connection process from your local workstation.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Technical Prerequisites

Before initializing a connection, ensure you have prepared the following components.

* **Acquire HeidiSQL:** Download and install the latest stable version from the [official HeidiSQL website](https://www.heidisql.com/download.php).
* **Initialize Your Database:** Ensure you have already [Created a Database](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-mysql-databases) within your management panel.

***

## Step 1: Retrieve Connection Credentials

Your connection details vary based on the hosting platform you are using.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Game Panel (Pterodactyl)">
    1. Log in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and select your server.
    2. Navigate to the **Databases** tab in the sidebar.
    3. Click the **Eye Icon** or the **three dots** next to your database entry to reveal the hidden credentials.
    4. Note down the **Endpoint (Host)**, **Port**, **Username**, and **Password**.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Web Control Panel">
    1. Log in to the [Web Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com) and go to the **Databases** section.
    2. Locate your database and copy the remote access host provided.
    3. Ensure you have authorized your local IP address for remote access within the database settings.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Step 2: Configuring the Session

Follow these steps to link HeidiSQL to your remote database instance.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Initialize New Session">
    Launch **HeidiSQL** and click the **New** button in the bottom-left corner of the session manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Network Type">
    Set the **Network type** to `MariaDB or MySQL (TCP/IP)`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Input Server Data">
    * **Hostname / IP:** Enter your copied Endpoint address.
    * **User:** Input your unique database Username.
    * **Password:** Paste your secure database Password.
    * **Port:** use the default `3306` unless specified otherwise in your panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Link">
    Click **Open** to establish the connection. The system will prompt you to save the session for future use.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Troubleshooting Connectivity

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection Refused / Timeout">
    * **Access Control:** Verify that your database user is permitted to connect from your local IP. In the Game Panel, use `%` in the "Connections From" field to allow access from any IP address temporarily.
    * **ISP Blocking:** Some local networks or ISP firewalls may block port `3306`. Try using a VPN or contacting your network administrator.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Access Denied Errors">
    Ensure there are no leading or trailing spaces in your username or password. We recommend clicking the "Copy" icon in our panel rather than manually highlighting the text.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Database Security

  Remote database access provides full control over your data. Never use weak passwords or share your connection details with unauthorized individuals. Always use a secure, encrypted connection (SSL/TLS) if your project handles sensitive user information.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Pro Tip:** Keep your database credentials secure and never share them.
</div>


# How to Diagnose Network & Latency Issues
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-diagnose-network-latency-issues

Use MTR and Traceroute to diagnose lag and packet loss between your computer and your FREAKHOSTING server. Pinpoint the source of connectivity issues.

## Mastering Network Diagnostics

In a networked environment, your connection quality depends on dozens of intermediate "hops" between your local router and our data center nodes. If you are experiencing high ping, disconnected sessions, or jitter, it is essential to determine whether the issue resides within your local network, your ISP's backbone, or our infrastructure. Tools like MTR and Traceroute provide technical visibility into this path, allowing you to identify the exact point where latency or packet loss occurs.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    8 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Using MTR for Deep Analysis

MTR (My Traceroute) is the industry-standard tool for diagnostic reporting because it combines the functionality of Traceroute and Ping into a single, continuous test.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows (WinMTR)">
    1. **Install:** Download WinMTR from the [official repository](https://github.com/White-Tiger/WinMTR/releases).
    2. **Configure:** Enter your server's numerical IP address into the **Host** field.
    3. **Execute:** Click **Start**. Let the test run for at least **100 packets** (approximately 2 minutes) to ensure a statistically significant sample.
    4. **Export:** Click **Copy Text to clipboard** to provide the data to our support team.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux (Terminal)">
    1. **Install:** `sudo apt install mtr` (Ubuntu/Debian) or `sudo yum install mtr` (CentOS/AlmaLinux).
    2. **Execute:** Run a report towards your server:
       ```bash theme={null}
       mtr -rw -c 100 <SERVER_IP>
       ```
    3. **Analysis:** The `-rw` flag ensures a wide format with full hostnames, and `-c 100` sends exactly 100 pings before finishing.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Interpreting Your Results

When reviewing an MTR report, focus on these critical metrics to identify the source of your connection issues.

| Metric         | Technical Meaning                                      | What Indicates an Issue?                                                                  |
| :------------- | :----------------------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Loss %**     | The percentage of packets that failed to return.       | Consistent loss that starts at a specific hop and persists through all subsequent hops.   |
| **Last / Avg** | The most recent and average round-trip time (latency). | A sudden, massive jump in latency between two specific hops indicates a congested link.   |
| **Worst**      | The highest latency recorded during the test window.   | Frequent spikes in the "Worst" column indicate intermittent network instability (jitter). |

***

## Standard Traceroute (tracert)

If you cannot install MTR, every operating system includes a basic Traceroute utility. While less complete, it provides a quick snapshot of your network path.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Command Interface">
    Open **Command Prompt** (Windows) or **Terminal** (macOS/Linux).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute the Command">
    Type the following and press Enter:

    ```bash theme={null}
    tracert <YOUR_SERVER_IP>
    ```

    *(Note: Use `traceroute` on Linux/macOS).*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Monitor the Hops">
    Wait for the trace to reach 30 hops or conclude. Each line represents an intermediate router.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Identifying False Positives

  It is common to see `Request timed out` or `100% Loss` on specific intermediate hops. This frequently indicates that the router is configured to ignore ICMP diagnostic packets for security reasons and does **not** necessarily mean the network is failing, provided subsequent hops respond normally.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Expert Tip:** Always run diagnostics during the peak time of your lag.
</div>


# How to Enable ICMP (Ping) on Windows
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-enable-icmp-on-windows

Enable ICMP Echo Requests on your Windows server or PC to improve network visibility. Learn how to allow ping responses via CMD or the Windows Firewall GUI.

## Enabling Ping Responses on Windows

By default, the Windows Defender Firewall is configured to block incoming ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) Echo Requests. This security measure prevents your device from responding to standard "ping" commands, which can make network troubleshooting and automated uptime monitoring difficult. Enabling ICMP is a important step for administrators who need to verify connectivity or monitor the responsiveness of their virtual machines.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Method 1: Administrative Command Line (Fastest)

Using the `netsh` utility is the most efficient method for updating your firewall rules across all network profiles.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Launch Command Prompt">
    Click your Start menu, search for **CMD**, right-click it, and select **Run as Administrator**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable IPv4 ICMP">
    Execute the following command to allow standard IPv4 ping responses:

    ```cmd theme={null}
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Allow ICMPv4-In" protocol=ICMPv4:8,Any dir=in action=allow
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable IPv6 ICMP (Optional)">
    If your network uses IPv6, run this command to ensure full visibility:

    ```cmd theme={null}
    netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Allow ICMPv6-In" protocol=ICMPv6:128,Any dir=in action=allow
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Method 2: Graphical Interface (GUI)

If you prefer to manage your security through the Windows visual console, follow these instructions.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Advanced Security">
    Open your Control Panel and navigate to **System and Security** -> **Windows Defender Firewall** -> **Advanced Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate Inbound Rules">
    Select **Inbound Rules** in the left-hand navigation pane.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Identify the Echo Rule">
    Scroll through the list to find the rule labeled **File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate the Rule">
    Right-click the rule and select **Enable Rule**. Ensure you repeat this for the **ICMPv6-In** entry if applicable to your environment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Technical Implications

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connectivity Monitoring">
    Enabling ICMP allows professional monitoring tools (such as UptimeRobot or StatusCake) to verify that your Windows server is online and responding. This is essential for maintaining high availability for your web services or game nodes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Network Diagnostics">
    Allowing pings enables the use of `tracert` and `MTR` from external sources towards your machine. This is the primary method used by our support team to identify network congestion between your local ISP and our data centers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  ### Security Consideration

  While enabling ICMP is generally safe, it does make your IP address more visible to automated network scanners. If you are operating in a high-security environment, consider restricting the ICMP rule to only allow pings from specific trusted IP addresses or management subnets.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Security:** Only enable services required for your environment.
</div>


# How to Enable Notifications for Service Updates
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-enable-notifications-for-service-updates

Stay informed about maintenance, network status, and platform improvements. Learn how to subscribe to real-time alerts from the FREAKHOSTING status page.

## Staying Informed with Service Updates

At FREAKHOSTING, maintaining transparency regarding our network health and infrastructure stability is a core commitment. To ensure you are always aware of scheduled maintenance windows, unexpected outages, or significant platform improvements, we provide a centralized status monitoring system. By subscribing to these notifications, you receive real-time intelligence directly from our network engineers, allowing you to proactively manage your community or business operations.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Subscription Workflow

Follow these steps to link your preferred communication method to our status updates.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Visit the Status Portal">
    Navigate to our official monitoring dashboard at [status.freakhosting.com](https://status.freakhosting.com/).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Subscription">
    Locate and click the **Subscribe** icon (represented by an bell or envelope) situated in the top-right corner of the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Channel">
    Choose the notification method that best fits your workflow:

    * **Email:** Direct inbox alerts for all major events.
    * **Webhooks:** Formatted messages for **Discord** or **Slack** staff channels.
    * **RSS Feed:** Integration with custom monitoring dashboards.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm & Validate">
    Follow the verification link sent to your selected channel to activate your subscription.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What to Expect

Once your subscription is active, you will automatically receive technical briefs regarding the following scenarios.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Scheduled Maintenance">
    Proactive notifications regarding planned hardware upgrades, kernel updates, or network optimizations. We typically provide 24 to 48 hours of advance notice for scheduled events.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Incident Response">
    Immediate alerts if a service disruption is detected. These updates include the estimated time of resolution (ETR) and technical details regarding the mitigation process.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

<Note>
  ### Commitment to Transparency

  Our status page tracks uptime for individual regional clusters (e.g., London, Frankfurt, Dallas) and specialized services like the Game Panel and Billing Portal. This granular view helps you quickly determine if a connectivity issue is localized or platform-wide.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Proactive:** We keep you informed so you can focus on your server.
</div>


# How to Link Your Discord Account
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-link-your-discord-account-to-your-freakhosting-account

Unlock exclusive roles and community features by linking your Discord account to your FREAKHOSTING profile with our secure OAuth2 integration.

## Enhancing Your Community Experience

Linking your Discord account to your FREAKHOSTING profile is a important step for fully integrating into our community ecosystem. This secure connection uses the industry-standard OAuth2 protocol to synchronize your hosting status with our official Discord server. By linking your accounts, you unlock specialized rank badges, gain access to exclusive support channels, and ensure that our staff can verify your identity instantly when you require technical assistance.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Authorization Workflow

Follow these steps to establish the secure link between your profiles.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access the Client Area">
    Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Billing Panel](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Security Settings">
    Click on your **Profile Name** in the top-right corner and select **Account Settings** or **Security Settings** from the dropdown menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initialize Discord Link">
    Locate the **Discord Integration** module and click the **Link Account** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize via Discord">
    You will be redirected to the secure Discord authorization portal. Review the requested permissions (which only include basic profile identification) and click **Authorize**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Benefits of Integration

Linking your account provides several immediate advantages within our community.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Automated Roles">
    Our Discord bot will automatically assign roles to your profile based on your active services (e.g., "Customer" or "VPS Owner"). These roles grant you specialized permissions and visual recognition within the server.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Streamlined Support">
    When requesting assistance on Discord, our team can immediately see your linked account status. This eliminates the need for manual verification steps and significantly reduces response times for critical issues.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  ### Privacy & Data Safety

  FREAKHOSTING only retrieves your Discord User ID and Username. We do not gain access to your private messages, friend lists, or server management capabilities. You can revoke this link at any time through either your FREAKHOSTING account settings or your Discord authorized apps menu.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Community:** Join over 10,000 members on our Discord!
</div>


# How to Set Up Fail2Ban for SSH on Ubuntu
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-set-up-fail2ban-for-ssh-on-ubuntu

Hardened your Ubuntu server against brute-force attacks. Learn how to install and configure Fail2Ban to automatically block malicious IP addresses.

## Hardening Your Server Security

Protecting your Virtual Private Server (VPS) from unauthorized access is a fundamental responsibility for every system administrator. Brute-force attacks, where malicious bots attempt to guess your SSH password thousands of times per minute, are a constant threat on the open internet. **Fail2Ban** is a strong security application that mitigates this risk by monitoring your server logs for failed login attempts and automatically updating your firewall to block the offending IP addresses. This guide will walk you through the professional configuration of Fail2Ban on an Ubuntu environment.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Step 1: Installation & Initialization

Follow these commands to deploy the service from the official Ubuntu repositories.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Update Package Index">
    Ensure your server is using the latest metadata:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt update
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the Service">
    Deploy the Fail2Ban package:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo apt install fail2ban -y
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Boot Persistence">
    Instruct the system to automatically start Fail2Ban during the boot sequence:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo systemctl enable --now fail2ban
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Strategic Configuration

To maintain a secure and update-resistant environment, we recommend creating a localized configuration file. This prevents your custom rules from being overwritten during future software updates.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the Local Jail File">
    Open a new configuration file with administrative privileges:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo nano /etc/fail2ban/jail.local
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define Security Parameters">
    Copy and paste the following baseline configuration into the editor:

    ```ini theme={null}
    [DEFAULT]
    bantime = 1h
    findtime = 10m
    maxretry = 5
    banaction = iptables-multiport

    [sshd]
    enabled = true
    port = ssh
    filter = sshd
    logpath = /var/log/auth.log
    maxretry = 5
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Apply">
    Press `CTRL + X`, then `Y`, then `Enter` to save. Restart the service to initialize the new ruleset:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo systemctl restart fail2ban
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Administrative Management

Once active, you can use the `fail2ban-client` utility to monitor and manage your security status.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Monitoring Status">
    View a summary of blocked addresses and active jails:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo fail2ban-client status sshd
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Unblocking an IP">
    If a legitimate user is accidentally restricted, use the following command to restore their access:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sudo fail2ban-client set sshd unbanip [IP_ADDRESS]
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  ### Accidental Self-Lockout

  If you inadvertently block your own IP address and lose SSH access, do not panic. Log in to the [VPS Control Panel](https://cloud.freakhosting.com) and use the **[VNC Console](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access)** to access your server out-of-band and execute the unban command.
</Warning>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Security Note:** Always use SSH keys for maximum protection.
</div>


# What is a Dedicated IP?
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/what-is-a-dedicated-ip

Discover the professional advantages of a unique IP address for your game server. Learn how a Dedicated IP improves branding, security, and accessibility.

## Enhancing Your Server Identity

At FREAKHOSTING, we offer a **Dedicated IP** option for our high-performance shared game hosting clusters. This feature provides your server with a unique, exclusive numeric identifier on the public internet, distinguishing your service from the standard shared environments. While shared hosting is highly efficient, a Dedicated IP is an essential upgrade for community owners who prioritize professional branding and absolute network isolation.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    4 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Shared vs. Dedicated Infrastructure

Understanding the technical difference between these two configurations is important for choosing the right path for your community.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Shared IP (Standard)">
    In a standard configuration, dozens of customers may share a single IP address. To distinguish between different game servers, each instance is assigned a unique **Port Number**.

    * *Example:* `127.0.0.1:25565` (Minecraft) vs. `127.0.0.1:25566` (Another Minecraft Server).
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Dedicated IP (Premium)">
    When you upgrade to a Dedicated IP, your server is the only service responding to traffic on that specific address. This allows you to use the **Default Port** for your game engine.

    * *Example:* `191.96.94.100` (Directly connects to your Minecraft server without requiring a port suffix).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Strategic Advantages

Implementing a Dedicated IP provides several tangible benefits for your community's growth and stability.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Professional Branding & Simplicity">
    A Dedicated IP allows for a much cleaner server address. When combined with a [Custom Subdomain](/portals/game-panel/how-to-manage-network-and-subdomains), your players can join using a simple, professional URL like `play.yourbrand.com` without needing to remember or input a five-digit port number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Network Isolation & Security">
    A Dedicated IP isolates your server's traffic from other users on the same node. In the rare event that another customer on a shared IP is targeted by a massive DDoS attack, your server remains unaffected by the "collateral damage" of that network stress, as your traffic is routed through a separate logical path.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Improved Firewall Reputation">
    Dedicated IPs often maintain a superior "reputation" with automated security systems and ISP firewalls. This reduces the probability of your server being flagged as a suspicious source and ensures consistent connectivity for international players.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  ### How to Upgrade

  You can select the Dedicated IP option as an addon during your initial checkout. If you already have an active server, navigate to the **Upgrade/Downgrade Options** within your [Billing Panel](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea) to add this feature to your existing plan immediately.
</Tip>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** February 2026 | **Performance:** Dedicated resources for dedicated owners.
</div>


# How to Change IPv4 Public DNS Resolvers
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-change-ipv4-public-dns-resolvers

Learn how to change the DNS resolvers used by your FREAKHOSTING VPS to providers like Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9 for improved speed and privacy.

## Customizing Your DNS Resolvers

Every time your server needs to connect to a domain name — whether it is downloading a software update from `ubuntu.com`, fetching an API response from `api.stripe.com`, or resolving any hostname at all — it asks a **DNS resolver** to translate that human-readable name into a numeric IP address.

Think of DNS resolvers as the internet's phone book. Your server knows it wants to call "google.com," but it needs the resolver to look up the actual number (IP address) before it can place the call. The resolver you use affects how fast that lookup happens, how private it is, and whether it includes any built-in security filtering.

The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel lets you swap between popular public DNS resolver providers with a couple of clicks — no SSH required, no config files to edit.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Changing DNS Resolvers

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log in at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com), click **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to configure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Network Tab">
    Click on the **Network** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the DNS Resolvers Section">
    Scroll down past the IPv4 Addresses table to the **IPv4 Public DNS Resolvers** section. You will see a note that reads: *"A server requires two DNS resolvers. You may swap the system defaults for a preferred set of public resolvers."*

    Below that are two dropdown menus — **Primary** and **Secondary** — each showing the currently selected resolver with a globe icon and its IP address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Preferred Resolvers">
    Click on each dropdown and choose from the available DNS providers. The default configuration ships with **System Default** resolvers (Cloudflare `1.1.1.1` as primary and Google `8.8.8.8` as secondary). Your changes take effect immediately — no reboot required.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  For maximum reliability, consider choosing resolvers from **two different providers** — for example, Cloudflare as your primary and Google as your secondary. That way, if one provider ever has an outage, your server seamlessly falls back to the other without any interruption in DNS resolution.
</Tip>

***

## Popular DNS Providers Compared

Here is a detailed look at the most common options available in the dropdown menus, along with their strengths and trade-offs:

| Provider       | IP Addresses                  | Speed            | Privacy                                                        | Security                                         | Best For                       |
| -------------- | ----------------------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| **Cloudflare** | `1.1.1.1` / `1.0.0.1`         | Fastest globally | Commits to purging logs within 24 hours; independently audited | DNSSEC validation                                | Raw speed and privacy          |
| **Google**     | `8.8.8.8` / `8.8.4.4`         | Very fast        | Logs queries but anonymizes after 48 hours                     | DNSSEC validation                                | Maximum reliability and uptime |
| **Quad9**      | `9.9.9.9` / `149.112.112.112` | Fast             | No personally identifiable data logged                         | **Blocks known malicious domains** automatically | Built-in threat protection     |

### Which Should You Choose?

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Speed Priority" icon="bolt">
    **Go with Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)**. It consistently ranks as the fastest public DNS resolver in independent benchmarks worldwide. If your server makes a lot of DNS queries (think API-heavy applications, web crawlers, or busy web servers), faster resolution translates directly into lower latency for your users.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reliability Priority" icon="shield">
    **Go with Google DNS (8.8.8.8)**. Backed by Google's global infrastructure, it offers exceptional uptime and has handled enormous query volumes for over a decade. It is the safe, boring, rock-solid choice — and sometimes boring is exactly what you want for critical infrastructure.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security Priority" icon="lock">
    **Go with Quad9 (9.9.9.9)**. It automatically blocks access to known malicious domains — phishing sites, malware distribution servers, and command-and-control infrastructure. This gives your server an extra layer of protection without installing any additional software or configuring blocklists.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Maximum Redundancy" icon="arrows-rotate">
    **Mix providers**. Set your primary to one provider and your secondary to another (e.g., Cloudflare primary + Google secondary, or Quad9 primary + Cloudflare secondary). This ensures DNS resolution continues even if one provider has a rare outage.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The System Default Configuration

Out of the box, FREAKHOSTING configures your server with the **System Default** resolvers:

* **Primary:** `1.1.1.1` (Cloudflare) — shown with a globe icon in the dropdown
* **Secondary:** `8.8.8.8` (Google) — shown with a globe icon in the dropdown

This is already a strong default — you get Cloudflare's speed as the primary lookup and Google's reliability as a fallback. Many users will never need to change this. But if you want Quad9's malware blocking, or prefer a different combination, swapping is just two clicks away.

***

## Practical Scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My server makes a lot of API calls and I want the lowest latency">
    Set both resolvers to Cloudflare (`1.1.1.1` as primary, `1.0.0.1` as secondary). Cloudflare's globally distributed network means DNS queries resolve as quickly as possible, which reduces the time your server spends waiting before it can actually connect to the API endpoint.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want to block malicious domains without installing anything">
    Set Quad9 (`9.9.9.9`) as your primary resolver. Quad9 maintains a constantly updated threat intelligence database and will refuse to resolve domains known to be associated with malware, phishing, or botnets. It is like having a basic firewall for DNS lookups at zero cost and zero configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I changed resolvers and something broke">
    DNS resolver changes take effect immediately but should not break anything — all major public resolvers handle the same domain lookups. If you experience issues, switch back to the System Default and check whether the problem persists. If a specific domain is not resolving, it may be blocked by Quad9's threat filter (by design) or experiencing a temporary issue unrelated to your resolver choice.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my server need two resolvers?">
    Redundancy. If the primary resolver is temporarily unreachable (due to a network blip or rare provider outage), your server automatically falls back to the secondary resolver. Without a secondary, a primary resolver outage would mean your server cannot resolve any domain names — effectively cutting it off from the internet until the resolver comes back online.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will changing DNS resolvers affect my running services?">
    Changing DNS resolvers is a safe, non-disruptive operation. Your server simply starts using a different DNS service for new lookups. All running services and applications continue to work normally — active connections are not affected. The only difference is that future domain name lookups may be slightly faster, slightly slower, or filtered differently depending on which provider you chose.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What about DNS resolvers configured inside my OS?">
    The panel-level resolvers set the initial configuration for your server's network. If you have manually edited `/etc/resolv.conf` or configured DNS settings within your operating system, those OS-level settings may take precedence. For most users, managing resolvers through the panel is the simplest and recommended approach.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** DNS configuration simplified.
</div>


# How to Change Your VPS Panel Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-change-your-account-password

Change your FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel password to maintain security. Follow the step-by-step process to update your credentials from the settings page.

## Keeping Your Account Secure

Your VPS control panel password is the front door to your servers. If someone guesses it, they get access to your virtual machines, your data, and your configurations. Changing your password regularly — and making sure it is a strong one — is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect yourself. Let's walk through the process.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Changing Your Password

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Account Settings">
    Click on **Account** in the top navigation bar of the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Password Tab">
    Click on the **Password** tab in the account settings navigation. You will see the **Change Password** form with three fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Current Password">
    In the **Current Password** field, type your existing password. This step verifies that it is really you making the change — not someone who found your laptop unlocked.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Strong New Password">
    In the **New Password** field, enter your desired new password. A strong password should be:

    * **At least 12 characters long** — the longer, the better
    * **A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters** — `T` and `t` count as different characters
    * **Include numbers and special characters** — things like `!@#$%^&*`
    * **Not a common word or phrase** — `password123` and `admin2026` are the first things attackers try

    **Example of a weak password:** `MyServer1`
    **Example of a strong password:** `Kx$9vL!mQ2#nBw4p`

    Can't come up with something that complex? That is exactly what password managers are for (more on that below).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Your New Password">
    Re-enter the exact same new password in the **Confirm New Password** field. This catches typos before they lock you out.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Change">
    Click the **Update Account Password** button. Your password will be updated immediately. You may be logged out of the current session and prompted to log in again with your new credentials.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  After changing your password, you will need to log in again on any other devices or browsers where you were previously signed in. Make sure you have your new password saved or memorized before logging out.
</Important>

***

## What Makes a Password Strong?

Think of your password like a combination lock. A 3-digit lock has 1,000 possible combinations — easy to crack. A 12-character password mixing letters, numbers, and symbols? That has trillions of combinations, making brute-force attacks effectively impossible.

Here is a quick comparison:

| Password                       | Strength  | Why                                   |
| ------------------------------ | --------- | ------------------------------------- |
| `server`                       | Terrible  | Dictionary word, only 6 characters    |
| `Server2026!`                  | Okay      | Common pattern (word + year + symbol) |
| `Kx$9vL!mQ2#nBw4p`             | Excellent | Random, 16 characters, mixed types    |
| `correct-horse-battery-staple` | Very Good | Long passphrase, easy to remember     |

**The passphrase approach** is worth calling out: stringing together four or five random, unrelated words creates a password that is both very long (great for security) and easy to remember (great for you). Just make sure the words are truly random — not a song lyric or a famous quote.

***

## Password Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Use a Password Manager" icon="vault">
    Tools like **Bitwarden** (free), **1Password**, or **KeePass** generate random, unique passwords and remember them for you. You only need to memorize one master password. This is the single best thing you can do for your online security.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Never Reuse Passwords" icon="fingerprint">
    If you use the same password for your email, your VPS panel, and your social media, a breach on any one of those services compromises all of them. Your FREAKHOSTING password should be unique to FREAKHOSTING.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enable Two-Factor Authentication" icon="shield-check">
    Even the best password can be phished or leaked. Combine it with two-factor authentication so that a stolen password alone is not enough to get in. See our [2FA guide](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication) to set it up in five minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Change It When Needed" icon="rotate">
    Change your password immediately if you suspect it may have been compromised, if you shared it with someone temporarily, or if you have been notified of a data breach on another service where you used a similar password.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What if I forgot my current password?">
    If you cannot remember your current password, you will need to use the **Forgot Password** option on the login page at cloud.freakhosting.com. This sends a password reset link to your registered email address. You cannot change your password from within the panel without first proving you know the current one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will changing my password log me out of other sessions?">
    Yes. Changing your password invalidates other active sessions for security reasons. You will need to log in again on any other devices or browsers where you were previously authenticated. This is actually a good thing — if someone else had access to your session, they are now kicked out.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a minimum password length requirement?">
    Yes, your new password must meet the minimum security requirements set by the system. We recommend going well beyond the minimum — aim for at least 12 characters. The longer your password, the exponentially harder it is to crack.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How often should I change my password?">
    Modern security guidance says you do not need to change passwords on a rigid schedule as long as you use a strong, unique password with 2FA enabled. However, change it immediately if you suspect any compromise, if you shared it temporarily, or if a service you use reports a data breach.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Account security simplified.
</div>


# How to Configure Boot Type (BIOS vs UEFI)
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-boot-type-bios-vs-uefi

Learn the differences between BIOS and UEFI boot modes on your FREAKHOSTING VPS and how to switch between them for OS compatibility and secure boot.

## How Your Server Starts Up

Every time your VPS boots, something has to happen before the operating system loads. The server's firmware needs to initialize the virtual hardware, find the disk, locate the bootloader, and hand off control to the OS. The **boot type** setting controls which firmware style handles this process: the older **BIOS** method or the modern **UEFI** method.

For most people using FREAKHOSTING's standard OS templates, you never need to touch this setting — the default works out of the box. But if you are installing a custom operating system from an ISO, troubleshooting boot issues, or working with large disks, understanding the difference can save you hours of frustration.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## BIOS vs UEFI: What is the Difference?

Here is the simplest way to think about it: **BIOS** is the old way of starting a computer, and **UEFI** is the new way. Both do the same job — get the hardware ready and boot the operating system — but they do it differently, and the difference matters when it comes to disk layout and OS compatibility.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="BIOS (Legacy Mode)">
    **BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)** has been around since the early days of personal computers. It is simple, battle-tested, and compatible with almost everything.

    **How it works:** BIOS looks for a bootloader in the first sector of the disk (called the Master Boot Record). It reads 512 bytes, finds the bootloader code, and hands off control.

    **Key characteristics:**

    * Uses **MBR (Master Boot Record)** disk partitioning
    * Supports disks up to **2 TB** in size
    * Maximum of **4 primary partitions** (you can work around this with extended partitions, but it adds complexity)
    * Compatible with virtually every operating system ever made
    * Simpler boot process — fewer things can go wrong

    **Choose BIOS when:**

    * You are installing an older Linux distribution that does not support UEFI well
    * You need maximum compatibility with a custom or niche operating system
    * Your disk is 2 TB or smaller and you do not need advanced partitioning
    * You are following an installation guide that assumes BIOS/MBR
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="UEFI (Modern Mode)">
    **UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)** is the modern replacement for BIOS. It was designed to overcome BIOS's limitations and is now the standard for all current operating systems.

    **How it works:** UEFI reads the GUID Partition Table (GPT) on the disk, looks for a special EFI System Partition (ESP), and loads the bootloader from there. It is more flexible and feature-rich than the BIOS approach.

    **Key characteristics:**

    * Uses **GPT (GUID Partition Table)** disk partitioning
    * Supports disks **larger than 2 TB** (up to 9.4 ZB theoretically)
    * Supports **128 or more partitions** without workarounds
    * Faster boot times thanks to a more efficient initialization process
    * Supports **Secure Boot** for added security
    * Required by some modern operating systems

    **Choose UEFI when:**

    * You are installing a modern Linux distribution (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, AlmaLinux 9+, etc.)
    * You are installing Windows Server 2016 or later
    * Your disk is larger than 2 TB
    * You want the most current, well-supported boot method
    * The OS installer specifically asks for or recommends UEFI
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Quick Decision Guide

Not sure which to pick? Here is a simple rule of thumb:

| Situation                                 | Recommended Boot Type                             |
| ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Using a FREAKHOSTING OS template          | Leave the default (Auto Configuration handles it) |
| Installing a modern Linux distro from ISO | **UEFI**                                          |
| Installing Windows Server from ISO        | **UEFI**                                          |
| Installing an older or niche OS           | **BIOS**                                          |
| Disk larger than 2 TB                     | **UEFI** (required)                               |
| Not sure / no special requirements        | **UEFI**                                          |

***

## Changing the Boot Type

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log into the VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to configure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Options Tab">
    Click on the **Options** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Settings Sub-Tab">
    Click on the **Settings** sub-tab to see the boot type and other configuration options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Boot Type">
    Under the **Boot Type** section, you will see two buttons: **BIOS** and **UEFI**. The currently active boot type is highlighted. Click the one you want to switch to.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Do not change the boot type on a running, installed operating system unless you know what you are doing.** The boot type must match the disk's partition scheme: MBR partitions expect BIOS, and GPT partitions expect UEFI. Switching to the wrong one will prevent your server from booting. The safest time to change this is **before rebuilding your server** or **before installing a new OS from an ISO**.
</Warning>

***

## What Happens If You Pick the Wrong Boot Type?

If you switch to a boot type that does not match your disk layout, your server will fail to boot. Here is what that looks like and how to recover:

* **Switched from BIOS to UEFI on an MBR disk:** The server will not find a bootloader (there is no EFI System Partition). You will likely see a "No bootable device" error or an EFI shell.
* **Switched from UEFI to BIOS on a GPT disk:** BIOS cannot properly read the GPT partition table's boot code, so the server may hang or show a GRUB rescue prompt.

**To fix it:** Go back to the **Options** > **Settings** tab and switch the boot type back to what it was. Then restart the server. If you cannot remember the original setting, try both — one of them will work. You can also boot into [Rescue Mode](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode) to inspect the disk partition scheme:

```bash theme={null}
# In the rescue environment, check the partition table type
fdisk -l /dev/vda

# Look for "Disklabel type: gpt" (means UEFI) or "Disklabel type: dos" (means BIOS/MBR)
```

***

## The Auto Configuration Toggle

Below the Boot Type setting, you will also find the **Auto Configuration** toggle. This is a separate feature that controls whether FREAKHOSTING automatically applies system settings during the OS build process.

* **Enabled (green, default)** — When you build or rebuild your server using one of FREAKHOSTING's pre-built OS templates, Auto Configuration automatically sets up networking (IP address, gateway, DNS), hostname, and other essential settings. **For most users, leave this on.** It means your server is ready to connect to immediately after a build with zero manual configuration.

* **Disabled** — Turn this off only if you are installing a completely custom operating system from an ISO and want to handle all configuration manually. With Auto Configuration disabled, you will need to set up networking, DNS, and other settings yourself after installation.

<Tip>
  If you are using FREAKHOSTING's standard OS templates, there is almost never a reason to disable Auto Configuration. It just ensures your server comes online with working network settings every time you build or rebuild.
</Tip>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which boot type should I use for my OS?">
    For all modern operating systems (Ubuntu 20.04+, Debian 11+, CentOS Stream 9+, AlmaLinux 9+, Rocky Linux 9+, Windows Server 2016+), **UEFI** is recommended. It provides better performance, supports larger disks, and is the standard going forward. Use **BIOS** only if your operating system specifically requires it or does not support UEFI.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I switch the boot type without rebuilding my server?">
    Technically yes, but it is risky. The boot type must match the partition scheme on the disk. If your disk uses MBR (common with BIOS), switching to UEFI without converting the partition table to GPT will prevent booting. Converting MBR to GPT on a live system is possible but advanced and error-prone. The safest approach is to set the correct boot type **before** building or rebuilding the server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I changed the boot type and now my server will not boot. What do I do?">
    Switch it back. Go to **Options** > **Settings** and click the other boot type button, then restart the server. If you are not sure which one was correct, try BIOS first, then UEFI — one of them will match your disk layout. You can also use [Rescue Mode](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode) to check with `fdisk -l /dev/vda` — look for "Disklabel type: gpt" (UEFI) or "Disklabel type: dos" (BIOS).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is Auto Configuration and should I turn it off?">
    Auto Configuration is a convenience feature that automatically applies network settings (IP address, gateway, DNS) and other essential configuration when your server is built from a FREAKHOSTING template image. It eliminates the need to manually configure networking after a fresh install. Keep it enabled unless you are installing a custom OS from an ISO and want full manual control over the setup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does changing the boot type affect my data?">
    Changing the boot type setting itself does not erase or modify any data on your disk. It only changes how the firmware attempts to boot. However, if the new boot type does not match your disk's partition scheme, the server will not boot — but your data is still intact on the disk. Switching back to the correct boot type will restore normal booting.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Boot configuration simplified.
</div>


# How to Configure Reverse DNS (rDNS)
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-reverse-dns

Set up reverse DNS records for your FREAKHOSTING VPS IP to improve email deliverability, server identity verification, and anti-spam compliance.

## Setting Up Reverse DNS for Your VPS

Here is a quick way to think about Reverse DNS: normal DNS is like looking up a person's phone number in a contacts list — you know the name, and you find the number. **Reverse DNS (rDNS) works the other way around** — you have the phone number (your IP address), and you want to find out whose name is attached to it.

When another server on the internet sees traffic coming from your IP address, it can perform a reverse lookup to check whether your IP has a legitimate hostname associated with it. If it does, your server looks trustworthy. If it does not, alarm bells start ringing — especially for email servers.

This is why configuring rDNS is one of the most important things you can do after setting up a new VPS, particularly if you plan to send any email at all.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How Reverse DNS Affects Email Deliverability

This deserves its own section because it catches so many people off guard. Here is what happens behind the scenes every time your server sends an email:

1. Your server connects to the recipient's mail server and says "I have a message from `you@yourdomain.com`."
2. The recipient's mail server looks at your IP address and performs a **reverse DNS lookup** — it asks "what hostname is associated with this IP?"
3. If your IP resolves to something like `mail.yourdomain.com`, the mail server then does a **forward lookup** on `mail.yourdomain.com` to confirm it points back to your IP.
4. If both directions match (**Forward-Confirmed Reverse DNS**), your email passes this check. If they do not match, or if no rDNS record exists at all, your email is far more likely to land in the spam folder — or be rejected outright.

Major email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all perform this check. Without proper rDNS, you are essentially sending mail from an unverified source, and most providers will treat it accordingly.

***

## Configuring Reverse DNS

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log in at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com), click **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to configure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Network Tab">
    Click on the **Network** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Reverse DNS">
    In the **IPv4 Addresses** table, find the IP address you want to configure. You will see a blue **Reverse DNS** button in the **RDNS** column — click it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Hostname">
    In the dialog that appears, enter the **fully qualified domain name (FQDN)** you want to associate with this IP address. Choose a hostname that reflects your server's purpose:

    * `mail.yourdomain.com` — for a mail server (the most common use case)
    * `server.yourdomain.com` — for a general-purpose server
    * `vps.yourdomain.com` — a simple, descriptive option
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Record">
    Click **Save** or **Update** to apply the Reverse DNS record. The change typically takes effect within a few minutes on FREAKHOSTING's side, though full DNS propagation across the entire internet can take up to 24-48 hours.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  For Reverse DNS to work correctly, the hostname you enter **must also have a forward DNS record (A record)** pointing to the same IP address. If you set your rDNS to `mail.yourdomain.com`, then `mail.yourdomain.com` must resolve to your server's IP address via an A record in your domain's DNS settings. Without this bidirectional match, rDNS verification checks will fail.
</Important>

***

## Why Reverse DNS Matters

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Email Deliverability" icon="envelope">
    The number one reason to configure rDNS. Email servers at Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and virtually every corporate mail system perform reverse lookups on incoming connections. Without a valid rDNS record, your emails are far more likely to be flagged as spam or rejected entirely — even if your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are perfect.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server Identification" icon="id-card">
    When other systems perform a reverse lookup on your IP, a configured rDNS record shows a meaningful hostname like `server.yourdomain.com` instead of a generic ISP-assigned address like `31-59-58-152.static.provider.net`. This makes your server look professional and intentionally configured.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security & Trust" icon="shield-check">
    Many security tools, intrusion detection systems, and monitoring services use rDNS as part of their verification process. A properly configured rDNS record signals that your server is legitimate and well-maintained — not a throwaway machine being used for spam or attacks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Service Requirements" icon="clipboard-check">
    Some third-party services, payment gateways, and APIs require a valid rDNS record before allowing your server to connect. If you have ever been mysteriously blocked from an API and cannot figure out why, a missing rDNS record is a surprisingly common culprit.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Best Practices for Reverse DNS

* **Match forward and reverse** — Ensure your rDNS hostname has a corresponding A record pointing back to your IP address. This bidirectional match is called **Forward-Confirmed Reverse DNS (FCrDNS)** and is the gold standard that email providers look for.
* **Use a real domain you own** — Set the rDNS to a hostname under a domain you control. Made-up or generic names will not pass verification checks and defeat the purpose of setting rDNS in the first place.
* **Use a descriptive hostname** — Choose something that reflects the server's role. `mail.yourdomain.com` for a mail server, `web.yourdomain.com` for a web server, or `vps1.yourdomain.com` if you have multiple servers.
* **One hostname per IP** — Each IP address can have exactly one rDNS record. If your server has multiple IPs, you can (and should) set rDNS on each one individually.
* **Verify after setting** — After saving your rDNS record, confirm it is working by running `dig -x YOUR_IP` from a terminal or using an online reverse DNS lookup tool. You should see your chosen hostname in the response.

***

## Practical Scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I am setting up a mail server">
    This is the most critical scenario for rDNS. Set your rDNS to the hostname your mail server identifies itself as (the value in your SMTP HELO/EHLO). Typically this is `mail.yourdomain.com`. Then make sure `mail.yourdomain.com` has an A record pointing to your server's IP. Also configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain — rDNS is just one piece of the email authentication puzzle, but it is the piece that trips people up first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I am running a web server only — do I still need rDNS?">
    Strictly speaking, web servers do not require rDNS to function. However, it is still good practice to configure it. Some security scanners flag servers without rDNS, and if your web application ever sends transactional emails (password resets, order confirmations), those emails will benefit from having rDNS properly set.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I set rDNS but my emails still go to spam">
    rDNS is necessary but not sufficient for good email deliverability. Make sure you also have: an **SPF record** listing your server's IP as an authorized sender, **DKIM signing** enabled on your mail server, a **DMARC policy** published in your DNS, and a clean IP reputation (check your IP against common blacklists at tools like MXToolbox).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does Reverse DNS take to propagate?">
    Changes typically take effect within a few minutes on FREAKHOSTING's infrastructure. However, remote servers may cache the old record for a while — full DNS propagation across the internet can take up to 24-48 hours. You can verify the record using `dig -x YOUR_IP` or online DNS lookup services.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I set Reverse DNS to any hostname?">
    You can enter any hostname, but for it to work properly, that hostname must have a forward A record pointing to your IP address. Without the matching forward record, rDNS verification checks (like those performed by email servers) will fail, making the rDNS record effectively useless.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Reverse DNS simplified.
</div>


# How to Enable and Use VNC Console Access
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access

Enable VNC console access on your FREAKHOSTING VPS to connect through the web browser for OS installation, troubleshooting, and emergency recovery.

## Your Server's Emergency Monitor

Think of VNC as plugging a monitor and keyboard directly into your server. Normally, you connect to your VPS over the network using SSH or Remote Desktop. But what happens when the network itself is the problem? Maybe you accidentally blocked SSH with a firewall rule, or the server is stuck at a boot prompt, or you need to watch the operating system install from scratch. That is exactly where VNC saves the day.

Virtual Network Computing (VNC) gives you raw, direct access to your server's console — the same screen you would see if you were standing in front of a physical machine. It works through your web browser, requires no extra software, and does not depend on your server's network being functional. If the server is powered on, VNC can reach it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When You Need VNC

Before we walk through the steps, here are the real-world situations where VNC becomes your best friend:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Locked Out of SSH" icon="lock">
    You accidentally set a firewall rule that blocks port 22, changed the SSH port and forgot the new one, or disabled the SSH service entirely. SSH is dead, but VNC does not use the network stack inside your server — so you can log in, fix the mistake, and restore SSH access.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Watching the Boot Process" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Your server is stuck and will not come up. With VNC, you can see exactly what is happening during boot — kernel panics, GRUB errors, filesystem check prompts, or services failing to start. Instead of guessing, you are looking at the actual error messages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installing a Custom OS" icon="compact-disc">
    When you mount a custom ISO and need to walk through an installation wizard (selecting partitions, setting a hostname, configuring users), VNC is how you interact with that installer. There is no other way to click through a graphical setup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Network Misconfiguration" icon="plug-circle-xmark">
    You edited `/etc/network/interfaces` or `netplan` and now the server has no network at all. The server is running fine — you just cannot reach it over the internet. VNC connects through the hypervisor, completely bypassing your server's networking, so you can log in and fix the configuration.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Enabling VNC Access

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log into the VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Options Tab">
    Click on the **Options** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the VNC Sub-Tab">
    You will land on the **VNC** sub-tab by default. You will see the message: "Virtual Network Computing (VNC) allows you to connect to the server as if you were in front of it. You should only enable this option if you are having issues or need to install using CD/DVD media."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable VNC Access">
    Click the blue **Enable VNC Access** button. The system will initialize a VNC session and open a web-based console directly in your browser. No additional software or downloads required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the Console">
    Once the console opens, you are looking at your server's actual screen output. You can see the boot process, log in at the terminal prompt, interact with graphical installers, and even enter BIOS/UEFI settings. Type directly into the browser window just as you would on a physical keyboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Real-World Emergency Scenarios

Here are step-by-step walkthroughs for the most common VNC rescue situations:

### Scenario 1: You Blocked SSH with a Firewall Rule

You ran `ufw deny 22` or added an `iptables` rule that locked you out. SSH connections time out. Here is how to fix it:

1. Enable VNC from the **Options** > **VNC** tab
2. Log in at the console with your root credentials
3. Fix the firewall:

```bash theme={null}
# If using UFW
ufw allow 22/tcp
ufw reload

# If using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 22 -j ACCEPT
```

4. Test SSH from your local machine to confirm it works
5. Disable VNC when finished

### Scenario 2: Server Stuck at Boot

Your server will not come up after a reboot. You need to see what is happening:

1. Enable VNC from the **Options** > **VNC** tab
2. Watch the boot output — look for error messages, filesystem check prompts, or services that hang
3. If you see a filesystem check prompt (`Press F to force fsck`), follow the on-screen instructions
4. If GRUB is showing an error, you may need to boot into [Rescue Mode](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode) to repair the bootloader

### Scenario 3: Broken Network Configuration

You edited network config files and lost connectivity:

1. Enable VNC from the **Options** > **VNC** tab
2. Log in at the console
3. Check and fix your network configuration:

```bash theme={null}
# View current network state
ip addr show

# For Debian/Ubuntu with netplan
nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml
netplan apply

# For older Debian/Ubuntu
nano /etc/network/interfaces
systemctl restart networking
```

4. Once your network is back, confirm SSH works, then disable VNC

***

## VNC Tips and Best Practices

* **Keyboard Input** — Some special key combinations (like Ctrl+Alt+Del) may be intercepted by your local computer instead of being sent to the server. Look for on-screen buttons in the VNC toolbar to send these special key sequences.
* **Performance** — VNC streams a graphical view of your console over the web. A stable internet connection and a modern browser give the best experience. Expect a slight delay compared to SSH — this is normal.
* **Security** — Disable VNC access as soon as you are done using it. It creates an additional access point to your server. SSH is faster, more secure, and better suited for everyday use. Think of VNC as an emergency tool, not your daily driver.
* **Clipboard** — Copy and paste between your local machine and the VNC console can be limited. Many web-based VNC clients include a clipboard tool in the toolbar — look for a clipboard or paste icon to transfer text.
* **Credentials** — VNC gives you a login prompt just like a physical monitor would. You still need your root/administrator password. If you have forgotten it, use the [Password Reset](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-reset-your-vps-root-password) feature first, then connect via VNC.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Is VNC access always available?">
    VNC access needs to be manually enabled from the **Options** > **VNC** tab. It is not active by default and should be treated as an on-demand troubleshooting tool. Enable it when you need it, disable it when you are done.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does VNC use a separate port on my server?">
    No. The web-based VNC console is provided through the control panel's infrastructure, not through your server's network. You do not need to open any ports, configure any firewall rules, or install any software on your server for VNC to work. This is exactly why it works even when your server's network is completely broken.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use an external VNC client instead of the browser?">
    The control panel provides a built-in web-based VNC client that works in any modern browser. External VNC client support depends on your specific configuration and may not be available. The built-in client is the recommended and most reliable option.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I leave VNC enabled permanently?">
    No. VNC is designed as a troubleshooting and recovery tool, not a replacement for SSH or Remote Desktop. Leaving it enabled creates an unnecessary access point. Enable it when you hit a problem, fix the problem, then disable it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The VNC console is showing a blank screen — what do I do?">
    A blank screen usually means the server is powered off, is still booting, or is waiting for input. Try pressing Enter or a key to wake the console. If the screen stays blank, check the server's power state on the Overview page and boot it if necessary. You can also try disabling and re-enabling VNC to refresh the session.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** VNC console access simplified.
</div>


# How to Enable 2FA on the VPS Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-two-factor-authentication

Protect your FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel account with TOTP-based two-factor authentication, backup codes, and trusted device management.

## Securing Your Account with Two-Factor Authentication

Passwords can be guessed, phished, or leaked in data breaches. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) solves this by requiring a second proof of identity — a time-based code from your phone — every time you log in. Even if someone steals your password, they still cannot get into your account without that code.

Think of it like this: your password is the key to your front door, and 2FA is the deadbolt. Both need to be unlocked to get in.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What You Will Need

Before you start, download an authenticator app on your phone. Any **TOTP** (Time-based One-Time Password) app will work. Here are the most popular options:

| App                         | Platform              | Notes                                       |
| --------------------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Google Authenticator**    | iOS, Android          | Simple, no account needed, free             |
| **Authy**                   | iOS, Android, Desktop | Supports cloud backup and multi-device sync |
| **Microsoft Authenticator** | iOS, Android          | Good if you already use Microsoft services  |
| **1Password**               | iOS, Android, Desktop | Built into the password manager             |
| **Bitwarden**               | iOS, Android, Desktop | Built into the free password manager        |

If you are not sure which to pick: **Google Authenticator** is the simplest choice, while **Authy** is the safest if you worry about losing your phone since it can back up your codes to the cloud.

***

## Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Account Settings">
    Click on **Account** in the top navigation bar of the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Two-Factor Authentication Tab">
    Click on the **Two-factor Authentication** tab in the account settings navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Begin Activation">
    If 2FA is not yet enabled, you will see an option to activate it. Click the **Activate** button to begin the setup process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan the QR Code with Your Authenticator App">
    A QR code will appear on screen. Open your authenticator app and scan it:

    * **Google Authenticator:** Tap the **+** button, then **Scan a QR code**
    * **Authy:** Tap **Add Account**, then **Scan QR Code**
    * **Microsoft Authenticator:** Tap **+**, choose **Other account**, then scan
    * **1Password / Bitwarden:** Edit the login entry for FREAKHOSTING and add a one-time password field, then scan

    Once scanned, your app will show an entry labeled something like **FREAKHOSTING** or **cloud.freakhosting.com** with a 6-digit code that refreshes every 30 seconds.

    **Can't scan the QR code?** Most setup screens also provide a manual entry key — a long text string you can type into your authenticator app instead of scanning.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Verification Code">
    Your authenticator app is now generating 6-digit codes that change every 30 seconds. Type the **current code** into the verification field on screen and confirm. This proves the link between your account and your app is working correctly.

    **Tip:** If the code does not work, wait for the next one. Codes expire quickly, and if you type one right as it is about to change, it may be rejected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Backup Codes Immediately">
    After activation, you will be given a set of **one-time backup codes**. These are your emergency access method if you ever lose your phone or cannot open your authenticator app.

    **Do this right now:**

    * Copy them to your password manager
    * Print them and store the paper in a safe place
    * Save them in an encrypted file

    Do **not** store them in an unprotected note on your phone (the same device with your authenticator app — if you lose the phone, you lose both).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Your backup codes are shown **only once** during the setup process. If you lose both your authenticator device and your backup codes, you will need to contact FREAKHOSTING support for manual identity verification and account recovery. Save them now — future you will thank present you.
</Important>

***

## Managing Backup Codes

Backup codes are one-time-use codes that let you log in when your authenticator app is unavailable — dead phone, lost device, factory reset, you name it. Here is how they work after 2FA is enabled:

* Click the **Backup codes** button on the Two-factor Authentication page to view or regenerate your codes.
* Each backup code can only be used **once**. After you use one, it is permanently crossed off the list.
* If you are running low on codes (or if you suspect someone else has seen them), regenerate a new set immediately. This invalidates all previous codes.

**Pro tip:** Keep a count of how many backup codes you have left. If you are down to your last one or two, regenerate a fresh batch before you actually need them in an emergency.

***

## Managing Trusted Devices

Typing a 2FA code every single time you log in from your home computer can get tedious. When you log in with 2FA, you may have the option to **trust the device** so that particular browser skips the 2FA prompt for a set number of days.

The Two-factor Authentication page shows a **Trusted Devices** table with details about each device you have marked as trusted:

| Column         | Description                                                                 |
| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Device**     | The type of device (e.g., Apple Mac, Apple iPhone, Windows PC)              |
| **OS**         | The operating system and version                                            |
| **Browser**    | The browser name and version used                                           |
| **IP Address** | The IP address from which the device last connected                         |
| **Last Used**  | How recently the trusted device was used to log in                          |
| **Expires**    | The number of days remaining before trust expires and 2FA is required again |

### Reviewing and Removing Trusted Devices

* To remove a **single** trusted device, click the **Remove** button next to that specific device entry.
* To remove **all** trusted devices at once, click the **Remove All** button. This forces 2FA verification on the next login from every device.

<Tip>
  Make it a habit to glance at your trusted devices list every few weeks. If you spot a device you do not recognize — an unfamiliar IP address, browser, or operating system — remove it immediately, change your password, and regenerate your backup codes as a precaution.
</Tip>

***

## Deactivating Two-Factor Authentication

If you need to disable 2FA temporarily (for example, when switching to a new phone or a different authenticator app):

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Two-Factor Authentication Tab">
    Go to **Account** > **Two-factor Authentication**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Deactivate">
    Click the **Deactivate** button. You may be prompted to confirm your decision.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Re-Enable on Your New Device">
    After deactivating, set up 2FA again immediately by following the activation steps above with your new authenticator app. The window where 2FA is disabled is a window of reduced security — keep it as short as possible.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Some FREAKHOSTING accounts may require two-factor authentication to remain active at all times based on your plan or administrative policy. If this applies to your account, you will need to re-activate 2FA immediately after deactivating it.
</Important>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which authenticator apps are supported?">
    Any app that supports the **TOTP** (Time-based One-Time Password) standard will work. This includes Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, Bitwarden, and many others. Hardware keys like YubiKey with TOTP support also work.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I lose my phone?">
    Use one of your saved **backup codes** to log in. Each backup code works once. If you have no backup codes remaining, contact FREAKHOSTING support — they will verify your identity through alternative means and help you regain access.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same authenticator app for multiple accounts?">
    Absolutely. Most authenticator apps support unlimited accounts. Each one shows as a separate entry with its own 6-digit code. Just make sure you label them clearly so you do not mix up which code goes where.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my code being rejected?">
    TOTP codes are time-sensitive — they change every 30 seconds. If your phone's clock is off by even a minute, the codes will not match. Make sure your phone's time is set to **automatic** (synced with network time). On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Set Automatically. On Android, go to Settings > System > Date & Time > Set time automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I switched phones — how do I move my 2FA?">
    The cleanest approach is to deactivate 2FA on your account, then re-activate it and scan the new QR code with your new phone. If you use **Authy**, it has built-in multi-device support that can sync your tokens to a new device automatically. Google Authenticator also supports account transfers between devices through its export feature.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Two-factor authentication simplified.
</div>


# How to Login and Access the VPS Control Panel
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-vps-control-panel

Learn how to securely log in to the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel to manage your virtual private servers, monitor performance, and configure settings.

## Accessing Your VPS Control Panel

The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel at **cloud.freakhosting.com** is your dedicated management hub for every virtual private server on your account. Built on enterprise-grade VirtFusion technology, it puts you in full control — power management, network configuration, backups, monitoring, and more — all from a single browser window.

Whether you have one server or twenty, this is where you manage them all.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Signing In to the Control Panel

Follow these steps to get from the login page to your dashboard.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the VPS Control Panel">
    Launch your preferred web browser and navigate to the [VPS Control Panel](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). You will land on a clean login screen with fields for your email and password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Credentials">
    Type the **email address** and **password** associated with your FREAKHOSTING account. These are the same credentials you received when you first purchased your VPS service.

    <Tip>
      If you manage multiple FREAKHOSTING services, double-check that you are using the email tied to your **VPS order** specifically — it may differ from a web hosting or domain account.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Two-Factor Authentication (If Enabled)">
    If you have **Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)** enabled, the panel will ask for a 6-digit verification code. Open your authenticator app (such as Google Authenticator, Authy, or 1Password), find the entry for **FREAKHOSTING** or **VirtFusion**, and type the code shown.

    The code refreshes every 30 seconds, so enter it promptly. If it expires before you submit, just wait for the next code and try again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrive at Your Dashboard">
    Once authenticated, you land on the **Dashboard**. You will see a greeting at the top — something like **"Greetings, Alex"** — along with your account summary, notifications, traffic stats, and a list of your servers. Everything you need is right here on one page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## What You Will See After Logging In

The moment you are in, the dashboard gives you an instant snapshot of your entire VPS world. Here is what each section tells you at a glance:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Account Summary" icon="user">
    Your email, two-factor authentication status (look for the green **ACTIVE** badge), last login date, and your configured timezone displayed as a badge like **EUROPE/LONDON**. This is your quick identity check — you can confirm you are in the right account immediately.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Notifications" icon="bell">
    A count badge shows how many unread alerts you have. When everything is running smoothly, you will see a checkmark icon and **"No unread notifications"** — which is exactly what you want. If something needs attention, the badge lights up so you never miss it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Traffic Consumption" icon="chart-bar">
    A visual card showing your bandwidth usage broken down by **Weekly (Wk)** and **Monthly (Mo)** rows. Each row displays **IN** (green bar), **OUT** (orange bar), and **TOTAL** (blue bar) values. For example, you might see weekly traffic of **5.5 TB in / 2 TB out / 7.5 TB total**. This helps you spot unusual spikes before they become problems.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server List" icon="server">
    All your virtual servers listed below the cards. Each one shows its name, location (with a country flag), hardware specs, status, IP address, and a blue **Manage** button. You can jump into any server's controls with a single click.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Your First Look: A Real Example

Here is what a typical dashboard experience looks like the first time you log in:

1. **The greeting** — At the top of the page, you see **"Greetings, \[Your Name]"** with links to your **Account** settings and **Logout** in the upper-right corner.
2. **Three info cards** appear in a row — your Account details on the left, Notifications in the center, and Traffic Consumption on the right.
3. **Below the cards**, your servers are listed under the **Recent Servers** tab (highlighted in blue). If you have just one VPS, you will see a single row with its name, a flag showing its data center location (for example, a UK flag with "London - United Kingdom"), orange spec badges for its architecture, memory, CPU, and storage, a green **ACTIVE** status badge, and a blue **Manage** button to dive in.
4. **The top navigation bar** runs across the top of the page: **Dashboard**, **Servers**, **SSH Keys**, **Account**, and (if you are an admin) an orange **Admin** link.

That is it — you are ready to manage your server.

***

## Quick Navigation Guide

The top navigation bar is always visible no matter where you are in the panel. Here is where each link takes you:

| Section       | What It Does                                                                                            |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dashboard** | Returns you to this main overview page — your home base                                                 |
| **Servers**   | Opens the complete server list with filtering, searching, and bulk views                                |
| **SSH Keys**  | Manage SSH public keys for secure, passwordless authentication to your servers                          |
| **Account**   | Profile settings, password changes, two-factor authentication, API tokens, and shared access management |

<Tip>
  You can always click **Dashboard** in the top navigation to get back to this overview page from anywhere in the panel. Think of it as your "home" button.
</Tip>

***

## What Can You Do From Here?

Once you are logged in, here are the most common next steps:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Manage a Server" icon="server" href="/portals/vps-panel/vps-control-panel-dashboard-overview">
    Click the blue **Manage** button on any server row to open its full control interface — power controls, console, networking, backups, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Check Your Traffic" icon="chart-line">
    Glance at the Traffic Consumption card to see if your bandwidth usage is normal. The colored bars make it easy to spot if outbound traffic is unusually high.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review Notifications" icon="bell">
    Click the Notifications card to see any alerts about server events, maintenance windows, or account changes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Secure Your Account" icon="shield-check">
    Head to **Account** in the top nav to enable two-factor authentication if you have not already. Look for the green **ACTIVE** badge on your dashboard to confirm it is on.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Forgot your password?">
    Click the **Forgot Password** link on the login page at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Enter your registered email address, and you will receive a password reset link. Follow the instructions in the email to set a new password and log back in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="First time logging in?">
    Your login credentials were emailed to you when your VPS service was first activated. Check your inbox for a welcome email from FREAKHOSTING — it contains your email and password for the VPS Control Panel. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder if you cannot find it.

    Once you are in, we strongly recommend changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication right away from the **Account** page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cannot receive the reset email?">
    If password reset emails are not arriving, check your spam or junk folder first. Some email providers may also filter automated emails into a "Promotions" or "Updates" tab. If the issue persists after checking all folders, contact our support team for manual account verification and a password reset.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the panel on my phone?">
    Yes. The VPS Control Panel is fully responsive and works in any modern mobile browser. The layout adjusts to fit smaller screens, so you can check server status, view notifications, and even perform quick management tasks on the go. For the best experience with complex tasks like console access, a desktop or tablet is recommended.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Panel access simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage API Tokens
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-manage-api-tokens

Learn how to generate and manage API tokens in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel to automate server operations and integrate with external systems.

## Automating Your VPS with API Tokens

The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel has a REST API that lets you do everything the web interface can do — but through code. Want to automatically restart a server every night? Build a monitoring dashboard that pulls live stats? Spin up a new server from a deployment script? The API makes all of that possible.

To use the API, you need an **API token** — a long string of characters that acts as your identity and password rolled into one. You include it with every API request, and the system knows it is you.

**Who needs this?** If you are a developer writing scripts, a DevOps engineer building automation pipelines, or a system administrator who wants to integrate FREAKHOSTING with tools like Ansible, Terraform, or custom monitoring systems — API tokens are for you. If you just manage your servers through the web panel, you can skip this feature entirely.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-high">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Generating an API Token

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Account Settings">
    Click on **Account** in the top navigation bar of the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the API Tab">
    Click on the **API** tab in the account settings navigation. You will see a description of the API along with a link to the full **API Documentation**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate a New Token">
    Click the **Generate Token** button. A new API token will be created and displayed on screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy and Save Your Token Immediately">
    **This is critical.** Copy your token right now and store it in a secure location — a password manager is ideal. The full token may only be displayed once. If you navigate away without saving it, you may need to delete it and generate a new one.

    Treat your API token like a password. Anyone with this token can manage your servers, view your data, and take actions on your behalf.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Never share API tokens in public repositories, forum posts, Discord messages, or unencrypted emails. If your token appears in a public GitHub commit, consider it compromised — delete it immediately and generate a new one.
</Important>

***

## Using Your API Token

Include the token in the `Authorization` header of your HTTP requests. Here is a quick example that lists all your servers:

```bash theme={null}
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN" \
     https://cloud.freakhosting.com/api/v1/servers
```

### A Practical Automation Example

Let's say you want a simple script that checks if your server is running and restarts it if it is not. Here is a basic Bash example:

```bash theme={null}
#!/bin/bash
TOKEN="YOUR_API_TOKEN"
SERVER_ID="your-server-id"
API_URL="https://cloud.freakhosting.com/api/v1"

# Get server status
STATUS=$(curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
  "$API_URL/servers/$SERVER_ID" | jq -r '.status')

if [ "$STATUS" != "running" ]; then
  echo "Server is $STATUS — restarting..."
  curl -s -X POST -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" \
    "$API_URL/servers/$SERVER_ID/restart"
  echo "Restart command sent."
else
  echo "Server is running normally."
fi
```

You could run this on a cron job every five minutes for basic self-healing automation. For comprehensive API documentation — including all available endpoints, request parameters, and response formats — click the **API Documentation** link on the API page within the control panel.

***

## Managing Existing Tokens

The API page displays all your active tokens. For each token, you can:

* **View** the token name and when it was created
* **Delete** a token that is no longer needed or that may have been compromised

<Tip>
  Create **separate tokens for each application or script**. Name them descriptively — "Monitoring Cron Job," "Deploy Script," "Grafana Dashboard." This way, if one token is compromised, you can revoke just that one without breaking every integration you have.
</Tip>

***

## API Token Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Use Descriptive Names" icon="tag">
    Name your tokens based on what they do: "Nightly Backup Script," "Uptime Monitor," "CI/CD Pipeline." When you have five tokens in the list, you will be glad you can tell them apart at a glance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rotate Tokens Periodically" icon="rotate">
    Even if nothing seems wrong, generating a fresh token every few months and deleting the old one limits the damage if a token was silently exposed. Update your scripts with the new token, then delete the old one.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Never Hardcode Tokens" icon="eye-slash">
    Storing tokens directly in your source code is a recipe for accidental exposure (especially if that code ends up on GitHub). Use **environment variables** or a secrets manager instead:

    ```bash theme={null}
    export FREAKHOSTING_TOKEN="your-token-here"
    ```

    Then reference `$FREAKHOSTING_TOKEN` in your scripts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Revoke Compromised Tokens Instantly" icon="ban">
    If you suspect a token has been exposed — found it in a log file, pasted it in a chat accidentally, committed it to a repo — delete it from the API page immediately and generate a new one. Do not wait.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How many API tokens can I create?">
    You can create multiple API tokens on your account. There is no strict limit, but we recommend keeping it manageable — one token per application or integration. This gives you granular control over what to revoke if something goes wrong.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where can I find the API documentation?">
    The full API documentation is linked directly from the **API** tab in your account settings. It includes all available endpoints, authentication details, request/response formats, and code examples for common operations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I delete an API token?">
    Any application, script, or integration using that token will immediately lose access to the API and start getting authentication errors. Before deleting a token, make sure you have already updated any systems that depend on it with a replacement token.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I restrict what a token can do?">
    Currently, API tokens have the same level of access as your account. If you need different permission levels, the best approach is to use separate FREAKHOSTING accounts with shared server access (see our [sharing guide](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-share-vps-access)) and generate tokens on those accounts instead.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** API management simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage SSH Keys
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-manage-ssh-keys

Learn how to add, generate, and manage SSH keys in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel for secure, passwordless server authentication.

## Secure Authentication with SSH Keys

Every time you log into a server with a password, that password travels over the network. SSH keys eliminate this risk entirely by using a pair of cryptographic files to prove your identity instead.

**Think of it like a key and a lock.** You keep the key (your private key) on your computer. You put the lock (your public key) on your server. When you connect, the server checks whether your key fits its lock. If it does, you are in — no password needed, nothing sent over the wire that could be intercepted.

The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel lets you store up to **50 public keys** on your account and inject them into any server during the build process. That means passwordless login from the moment your server is ready.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Viewing Your SSH Keys

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to SSH Keys">
    Click on **SSH Keys** in the top navigation bar of the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Your Keys">
    The SSH Keys page shows a heading like **"0 slots used, 50 remaining"** along with a list of all your stored public keys. Each account can hold up to **50 SSH keys** — more than enough for separate keys on your work laptop, home desktop, tablet, and any CI/CD pipelines you run.

    If you have not added any keys yet, you will see a **"No SSH Keys found"** message with an **Add Key** button ready to go.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Generating an SSH Key on Your Computer

If you do not have an SSH key yet, here is how to create one on your local machine. We recommend generating keys locally rather than in the panel, because it means your private key never leaves your computer.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Windows 10/11">
    Open **PowerShell** or **Windows Terminal** and run:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
    ```

    When prompted:

    * **File location:** Press Enter to accept the default (`C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519`)
    * **Passphrase:** Type a passphrase for extra security (recommended) or press Enter for none

    Your key pair is created. The public key is at:

    ```
    C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub
    ```

    Copy the public key to your clipboard:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    Get-Content $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub | Set-Clipboard
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="macOS">
    Open **Terminal** and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
    ```

    When prompted:

    * **File location:** Press Enter to accept the default (`~/.ssh/id_ed25519`)
    * **Passphrase:** Type a passphrase for extra security (recommended) or press Enter for none

    Your key pair is created. Copy the public key to your clipboard:

    ```bash theme={null}
    pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Linux">
    Open your terminal and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your-email@example.com"
    ```

    When prompted:

    * **File location:** Press Enter to accept the default (`~/.ssh/id_ed25519`)
    * **Passphrase:** Type a passphrase for extra security (recommended) or press Enter for none

    Your key pair is created. Copy the public key to your clipboard:

    ```bash theme={null}
    cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
    ```

    Select and copy the output. If you have `xclip` installed, you can also use:

    ```bash theme={null}
    xclip -sel clipboard < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  **Why Ed25519?** It is the modern standard — shorter keys, faster authentication, and stronger security than the older RSA format. If your system does not support Ed25519 (very rare), fall back to `ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096` instead.
</Tip>

***

## Adding Your SSH Key to the Control Panel

Now that you have a public key on your clipboard, upload it to FREAKHOSTING:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Key">
    On the SSH Keys page, click the blue **Add Key** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a descriptive **Name** for your key so you can identify it later — something like "Work Laptop" or "Home Desktop." You can also click **Random Name?** to auto-generate a name if you prefer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste Your Public Key">
    In the **Public Key** field, paste the contents of your public key file. It should look something like:

    ```
    ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAA... your-email@example.com
    ```

    or if you are using RSA:

    ```
    ssh-rsa AAAAB3NzaC1yc2EAAA... user@hostname
    ```

    **Important:** Make sure you paste the **public** key (the `.pub` file), not the private key. The private key should never be uploaded anywhere.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Key">
    Click the **Save** button. Your key now appears in the list, and the slot counter updates (for example, "1 slots used, 49 remaining").
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Generating a Key Pair in the Control Panel

If you prefer not to use the command line, the control panel can generate a key pair for you:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Key">
    On the SSH Keys page, click the **Add Key** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a name for your new key or click **Random Name?** to auto-generate one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate the Key Pair">
    Click the **Generate Key Pair** button. The system will create a new **2048-bit RSA** key pair.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download Your Private Key Immediately">
    A dialog will appear containing your **private key**. **Download and save this right now** — it is only displayed once and cannot be recovered later.

    Save it to a secure location on your computer:

    * **macOS / Linux:** `~/.ssh/` directory
    * **Windows:** `C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\` directory

    Set the correct permissions (macOS/Linux):

    ```bash theme={null}
    chmod 600 ~/.ssh/your_downloaded_key
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    The public key portion is automatically saved to your account. Click **Save** to finish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Your private key is shown **only once** when generated. If you lose it, you will need to generate a new key pair entirely. Never share your private key with anyone — only the **public** key gets uploaded to servers and services. The private key stays on your machine, period.
</Important>

***

## Using SSH Keys with Your VPS

SSH keys stored in the control panel can be selected during the VPS build (or rebuild) process. When you build or rebuild a server, you will see an option to inject one or more of your stored SSH keys. This enables passwordless SSH login from the moment your server finishes building.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux / macOS">
    Connect using the private key:

    ```bash theme={null}
    ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```

    **Tip:** Add this to your `~/.ssh/config` to avoid typing the key path every time:

    ```
    Host myserver
        HostName YOUR_SERVER_IP
        User root
        IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
    ```

    Then simply run: `ssh myserver`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows (PowerShell)">
    Connect using the private key:

    ```powershell theme={null}
    ssh -i C:\Users\YourName\.ssh\id_ed25519 root@YOUR_SERVER_IP
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="PuTTY (Windows)">
    PuTTY uses its own key format (`.ppk`), so you will need to convert your private key first:

    1. Open **PuTTYgen**
    2. Click **Load** and select your private key file
    3. Click **Save private key** to save it as a `.ppk` file
    4. In PuTTY, go to **Connection > SSH > Auth > Credentials** and browse to your `.ppk` file
    5. Enter your server IP in the **Host Name** field and click **Open**
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Removing an SSH Key

To remove a stored SSH key from your account, locate the key in your SSH Keys list and click the **Delete** button next to it.

**Important to understand:** Removing a key from the control panel does **not** remove it from servers where it has already been installed. It only prevents the key from being injected into future builds. If you want to revoke access to an existing server, you will need to manually remove the key from the server's `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` file as well.

***

## Understanding the 50-Key Limit

Your account can store up to **50 SSH keys**. This limit is per account, not per server. In practice, 50 slots is generous — you might use a handful for your personal devices and a few more for CI/CD systems or deployment scripts. If you find yourself approaching the limit, remove old keys from devices you no longer use.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between a public key and a private key?">
    An SSH key pair has two parts. The **public key** is like a lock — you put it on every server you want to access. The **private key** is the only key that opens that lock, and it stays on your computer. When you connect, the server tests whether your private key matches the public key it has on file. If it does, you are authenticated — no password involved. The private key never leaves your machine during this process.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same SSH key for multiple servers?">
    Yes, and this is the most common approach. You use one key pair across all your servers, so you only need to manage a single private key on your device. Each server simply gets a copy of your public key.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What key types are supported?">
    The control panel generates **RSA 2048-bit** keys when you use the built-in generator. When uploading your own keys, **RSA**, **Ed25519**, and **ECDSA** key types are all supported. We recommend **Ed25519** for new keys — it is faster, more secure, and produces shorter keys.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I add a passphrase to my SSH key?">
    Yes, adding a passphrase is recommended. A passphrase encrypts your private key file so that even if someone copies it from your computer, they cannot use it without knowing the passphrase. It is a second layer of defense, just like 2FA for your passwords.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** SSH key management simplified.
</div>


# How to Monitor VPS Resource Usage and Statistics
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-monitor-vps-resource-usage

Learn how to monitor your FREAKHOSTING VPS performance including CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network traffic using the built-in statistics dashboard.

## Keeping an Eye on Server Performance

Your server is always working — but is it working *too* hard? The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel at **cloud.freakhosting.com** gives you real-time monitoring tools so you can see exactly how your server is performing at any moment. Whether you are running a game server, a website, or a development environment, regularly checking your resource usage helps you catch problems before they turn into downtime.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Real-Time Resource Cards

When you open your server's **Overview** tab, two resource cards sit near the top of the page giving you an instant health check of your server.

### Memory Usage

The **Memory** card displays a percentage with a progress bar, followed by a detailed breakdown. For example, you might see:

* **26.4%** — shown as a prominent percentage with a colored progress bar
* **1 GB of 3.79 GB Used** — how much RAM your applications and operating system are actively consuming
* **2.79 GB Free** — how much headroom you have left

**What the percentage actually means in practice:**

| Memory Usage | What It Means                                                                                        | Action Needed                                                                                                     |
| ------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **0-40%**    | Your server is comfortable. Plenty of room to breathe.                                               | None — you are in great shape.                                                                                    |
| **40-70%**   | Healthy load. Your server is working but has capacity to spare.                                      | Monitor occasionally.                                                                                             |
| **70-85%**   | Getting busy. Your applications are consuming most of your available RAM.                            | Keep a closer eye on things. Consider whether a growing trend means you will need more soon.                      |
| **85-95%**   | Under pressure. Your server may start using swap (disk-based memory), which is significantly slower. | Investigate which process is using the most memory. Consider upgrading your plan or optimizing your applications. |
| **95-100%**  | Critical. Applications may crash, connections may drop, and your server could become unresponsive.   | Take action immediately — restart heavy services, kill runaway processes, or upgrade your VPS plan.               |

<Tip>
  **Real-world example:** Your Minecraft server starts lagging and players are complaining about rubber-banding. You check the Overview tab and see memory at **94%**. The server has run out of breathing room. Restarting the Minecraft process or reducing the allocated world render distance can bring usage back down.
</Tip>

### CPU Usage

The **CPU** card shows a percentage alongside your processor details. For example:

* **3.6%** — current CPU utilization shown as a small indicator dot
* **AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D** — the processor model powering your VPS
* **2 Cores** — the number of virtual CPU cores assigned to your server

**What the percentage actually means in practice:**

| CPU Usage   | What It Means                                                                        | Action Needed                                                                                                          |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **0-30%**   | Idle or light load. Your server is barely breaking a sweat.                          | None — everything is running smoothly.                                                                                 |
| **30-60%**  | Moderate load. Normal for servers handling active requests or background processing. | No concern, but worth checking during peak traffic times.                                                              |
| **60-80%**  | Heavy load. Your CPU cores are being actively utilized.                              | Identify what is driving usage. If sustained, you may be approaching your limit.                                       |
| **80-100%** | Maxed out. Requests queue up, response times increase, and things feel slow.         | Check for runaway processes, poorly optimized scripts, or unexpected traffic spikes. Consider upgrading to more cores. |

<Tip>
  **Real-world example:** Your website loads slowly during peak hours. You check the Overview and see CPU stuck at **98%** for several minutes. This tells you the server cannot keep up with incoming requests. You might need to optimize your code, add caching, or upgrade to a plan with more CPU cores.
</Tip>

***

## Network Traffic Donut Chart

Below the resource cards on the Overview tab, a **donut chart** provides a visual summary of your network bandwidth consumption for the current billing cycle.

The chart shows a ring with your usage percentages displayed in the center (for example, **10/90 %** meaning 10% inbound and 90% outbound of total traffic consumed). Surrounding the chart, you will find detailed statistics:

| Metric             | What It Shows                                                                    | Example                                          |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| **Inbound**        | Total data received by your server (downloads to your VPS, incoming connections) | 64.76 GB                                         |
| **Outbound**       | Total data sent from your server (responses to visitors, file transfers out)     | 7.58 GB                                          |
| **Total**          | Combined inbound and outbound traffic                                            | 72.33 GB                                         |
| **Inbound Speed**  | Maximum inbound bandwidth speed allowed                                          | Shown as a value or infinity symbol if unlimited |
| **Outbound Speed** | Maximum outbound bandwidth speed allowed                                         | Shown as a value or infinity symbol if unlimited |
| **Allowance**      | Your total bandwidth allocation for the billing period                           | Shown as a value or infinity symbol if unlimited |

### The Date Range

Below the donut chart, a date range is displayed (for example, **Fri Mar 13 - Sun Apr 12**). This represents the current billing cycle for your bandwidth measurement. All the traffic numbers shown in the chart are accumulated during this window. When the billing cycle resets, the counters start fresh at zero.

<Warning>
  If your plan has a bandwidth allowance (not unlimited), keep an eye on the **Total** value as it approaches your **Allowance**. Exceeding your bandwidth limit may result in throttled speeds or additional charges depending on your plan. Most FREAKHOSTING plans include generous or unlimited bandwidth, but it is always good to be aware.
</Warning>

***

## Detailed Statistics Charts

For deeper performance analysis, look for the **Statistics** section on the Overview tab. It has a dropdown arrow — click it to expand and reveal detailed time-series charts that show your server's performance over time.

This section is incredibly useful when something feels "off" but the real-time gauges look fine. The charts let you look *back in time* to see what happened an hour ago, six hours ago, or over the past week.

### Available Charts

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Network Traffic (Primary)" icon="network-wired">
    Shows your network bandwidth usage over time, measured in **Mbps** (megabits per second). The chart displays both inbound and outbound traffic as separate lines, making it easy to spot peak usage times, unusual traffic patterns, or sudden surges that could indicate a problem.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CPU" icon="microchip">
    Displays CPU utilization as a **percentage over time**. This is where you catch patterns — maybe your server spikes every day at 3 AM (a cron job?), or maybe CPU climbs steadily during business hours. The historical view reveals things the real-time gauge cannot.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Disk (Primary)" icon="hard-drive">
    Shows disk I/O (input/output) activity measured in **MB/s**, with separate lines for **Read** and **Write** operations. High disk I/O often points to heavy database activity, large file operations, or your server swapping memory to disk because RAM is running low.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Time Range Filters

All statistics charts support multiple time ranges. Click any button to switch the view instantly:

| Time Range | Best For                                                              |
| ---------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **30m**    | Watching what is happening right now — real-time debugging            |
| **1hr**    | Investigating a recent performance spike or outage                    |
| **12hrs**  | Seeing if a problem is recurring throughout the day                   |
| **1d**     | Reviewing a full day of usage patterns (great for finding peak hours) |
| **1wk**    | Understanding weekly trends and planning whether you need to upgrade  |

<Tip>
  **Pro tip:** If a user reports that your website was slow "about two hours ago," switch to the **12hrs** view and look for a CPU or disk I/O spike around that time. The charts act as a time machine for troubleshooting.
</Tip>

***

## What to Watch For

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="High Memory Usage" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Consistently above 85-90%? Your server is struggling. Applications may slow down or crash as the OS resorts to using slower disk-based swap memory. Consider upgrading your VPS plan or identifying memory-hungry processes with `htop` or `top` via SSH.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CPU Spikes" icon="bolt">
    Brief spikes are normal — a page load, a backup, a script execution. But if CPU stays above 80% for extended periods, something is eating your processing power. Common culprlar: runaway PHP scripts, unoptimized database queries, or a DDoS attack flooding your server with requests.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Unusual Network Traffic" icon="chart-line">
    A sudden jump in inbound traffic could mean a DDoS attack or an unauthorized service accepting connections. A spike in outbound traffic might indicate your server is sending spam or has been compromised. Investigate anomalies promptly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="High Disk I/O" icon="hard-drive">
    Sustained high disk read/write activity slows everything down. Common causes include aggressive database logging, excessive swap usage (a sign you need more RAM), or large file transfers. Check your memory usage first — often high disk I/O is a symptom of low RAM.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Troubleshooting High Resource Usage

If you notice your server resources are consistently elevated, here are practical steps to diagnose and resolve the issue:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check which process is the culprit">
    Connect to your server via SSH and run `htop` (or `top` if htop is not installed). This shows you a live list of every running process sorted by CPU or memory usage. The offending process is usually right at the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Look at the Statistics charts for patterns">
    Expand the Statistics section and check the 1-day or 1-week view. If usage spikes at the same time every day, a scheduled task (cron job) is likely responsible. If usage climbed gradually and never came back down, a process may have a memory leak.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the heavy service">
    Once you identify the culprit (for example, MySQL, Apache, or a game server), restarting that service often brings usage back to normal. Use `systemctl restart servicename` via SSH.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Consider upgrading your plan">
    If your server is genuinely outgrowing its resources — more visitors, more plugins, bigger worlds — it may be time for a plan upgrade. FREAKHOSTING makes this easy through the client area with no data loss.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How often are the statistics updated?">
    The real-time resource cards (Memory and CPU) update every few seconds automatically. The detailed time-series charts in the Statistics section update at intervals appropriate to the selected time range — shorter ranges like 30 minutes show more granular data points, while the 1-week view aggregates data into broader intervals.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I set up alerts for resource usage?">
    The built-in monitoring provides visual charts and real-time gauges but does not send automated alerts. For proactive notifications, consider installing a monitoring tool like **Netdata**, **Prometheus + Grafana**, or **Zabbix** on your server. These can send email, Discord, or Slack alerts when CPU, memory, or disk usage exceeds thresholds you define.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My memory usage seems high even with no applications running — why?">
    This is completely normal on Linux. The operating system intentionally uses available RAM for **disk caching** to speed up file access. This cached memory is reported as "used" in some views, but it is immediately released to applications whenever they need it. Your actual available memory is almost always higher than the "free" number suggests. To see the real breakdown, connect via SSH and run `free -h` — look at the "available" column for a true picture.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does the infinity symbol mean for bandwidth speeds?">
    When Inbound Speed, Outbound Speed, or Allowance shows the infinity symbol, it means your plan has **no cap** on that metric. Your network speed is unrestricted and your bandwidth allowance is unlimited for the billing cycle. This is common on most FREAKHOSTING plans.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my network chart show more inbound than outbound traffic?">
    This depends on your workload. A server that downloads large updates, pulls Docker images, or receives backups will show more inbound traffic. A web server responding to many visitor requests or streaming content will typically show more outbound. Neither pattern is inherently concerning — it simply reflects what your server does.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Performance monitoring simplified.
</div>


# How to Mount Custom ISOs and Configure Boot Order
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-mount-custom-isos-and-configure-boot-order

Learn how to mount custom ISO images and configure the boot order on your FREAKHOSTING VPS for custom OS installations and recovery operations.

## Mounting Custom ISOs and Configuring Boot Priority

The Media tab in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel lets you mount custom ISO images to a virtual CD/DVD drive and control which device your server boots from. This is how you install operating systems that are not in our standard template library, boot into recovery environments, or run diagnostic tools — essentially anything that requires booting from an image file.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<Warning>
  ### Custom ISO Mounting Is Disabled by Default

  The ability to mount custom ISO images is **disabled by default** on all VPS accounts. If you need this feature enabled, please **open a support ticket** and our team will activate it for your server.

  **[Open a Support Ticket →](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)**
</Warning>

***

## Why Would I Need a Custom ISO?

Most users never need this feature — the standard OS templates available during VPS setup cover the common cases. But there are situations where mounting your own ISO is the only way to get what you need:

* **Proxmox VE** — You want to run a virtualization platform on your VPS for nested VM management.
* **pfSense / OPNsense** — You are building a virtual firewall or router appliance.
* **Windows Server** — You need a specific Windows Server version or edition that is not available as a standard template.
* **Custom Linux distributions** — Alpine, Arch, NixOS, or any distribution not in our template library.
* **Network appliances** — VyOS, MikroTik RouterOS, or other specialized networking software.
* **Recovery tools** — SystemRescue, Hiren's Boot CD, or GParted Live for disk repair and data recovery.
* **Diagnostics** — Memtest86+ or other hardware testing tools.

If your use case involves any of these, request custom ISO access through a support ticket and you will be up and running in no time.

***

## Accessing the Media Tab

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to configure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Media Tab">
    Click on the **Media** tab in the server management navigation. You will see power controls at the top, the CD/DVD-ROM section in the middle, and the Boot Order section below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## CD/DVD-ROM — Custom ISO Section

The CD/DVD-ROM section shows the current status of your virtual optical drive:

* **DRIVE ACTIVE** — An ISO image is currently mounted and ready.
* **DRIVE INACTIVE** — No media is loaded. The virtual CD/DVD drive is empty.

There are two ways to mount an ISO to your server: inserting a **remote ISO via URL** or selecting a **preset CD/DVD** image provided by FREAKHOSTING.

### Option 1: Mount a Remote Custom ISO via URL

You can mount any publicly accessible ISO image by providing its direct download URL. This is the most flexible option — you control exactly which image gets loaded.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Custom CD/DVD">
    Click the **Custom CD/DVD** button to reveal the URL input field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the ISO URL">
    In the URL input field (prefixed with `https://`), enter the **direct link** to your remote ISO file. For example: `releases.ubuntu.com/24.04/ubuntu-24.04-live-server-amd64.iso`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Insert the ISO">
    Click the **Insert** button to mount the remote ISO to your server's virtual CD/DVD drive. The drive status badge will change from **DRIVE INACTIVE** to **DRIVE ACTIVE**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  ### Remote ISO URL Requirements

  * The URL **must be HTTPS** — do **not** include the `https://` prefix in the input field (it is already added automatically).
  * The URL **must end in `.iso`** — other file extensions are not accepted.
  * The URL **must not contain any redirects** — it must be a direct download link.
  * **Inserting an invalid ISO may render your server un-bootable** and would need to be ejected with the server powered off.
</Warning>

### Option 2: Mount a Preset CD/DVD Image

FREAKHOSTING may provide preset CD/DVD images (such as recovery tools or popular installation media) that are ready to use without needing a URL.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Preset List">
    Click the **Preset CD/DVD** button to view the available preset images.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select and Mount">
    Choose the preset image you want to use. It will be mounted to the virtual CD/DVD drive automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The panel may display **"No Media Available"** if no preset images are currently configured. This is normal — you can still mount your own ISO using the Custom CD/DVD option above (once the feature is enabled on your account).
</Info>

### Unmounting / Ejecting a Custom ISO

To release the virtual drive, click the **Eject** button next to the currently mounted ISO. The drive status will return to **DRIVE INACTIVE**.

<Info>
  If the custom ISO section is not visible or the controls are greyed out, the feature has not been enabled on your account yet. Please [open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and request that custom ISO mounting be activated for your server.
</Info>

***

## Boot Order Configuration

The **Boot Order** section controls which device your server attempts to boot from first. You will see two icons representing the available boot devices:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="HDD (Hard Disk Drive)" icon="hard-drive">
    Boot from the server's primary disk drive. This is the **default setting** — your server boots the operating system installed on its main storage. The HDD icon appears highlighted when selected.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CD/DVD (Custom ISO)" icon="compact-disc">
    Boot from the virtual CD/DVD drive. Select this when you need to boot from a mounted ISO image — for example, to install a new operating system or run a recovery tool.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Changing the Boot Order

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the Boot Device">
    Click on either the **HDD** icon or the **CD/DVD** icon to select your preferred boot device. The selected option will appear highlighted.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply the Change">
    Click the **Apply** button to save the new boot order.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the Server">
    For the boot order change to take effect, **restart your server** using the power controls at the top of the Media tab (Boot, Shutdown, Restart, or Power Off).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Remember to switch the boot order back to **HDD** after completing your ISO-based installation or recovery operation. Leaving the boot order set to CD/DVD with a mounted installer image will cause the server to boot into the installer again instead of your operating system — every single time it restarts.
</Important>

***

## Full Walkthrough: Installing a Custom OS

Here is the complete process from start to finish, using Proxmox VE as an example:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Request Custom ISO Access">
    [Open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and ask for custom ISO mounting to be enabled on your server. Wait for confirmation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Mount the ISO">
    Go to the **Media** tab, click **Custom CD/DVD**, paste the direct URL to the Proxmox VE ISO (e.g., `enterprise.proxmox.com/iso/proxmox-ve_8.3-1.iso`), and click **Insert**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Boot Order to CD/DVD">
    In the Boot Order section, click the **CD/DVD** icon, then click **Apply**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and Open VNC">
    Restart the server using the power controls at the top. Then open the **VNC Console** to interact with the installer as it boots from your ISO.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Installation">
    Follow the on-screen installer prompts in VNC to install the operating system to the server's primary disk.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clean Up">
    After installation completes, switch the boot order back to **HDD**, click **Apply**, and **Eject** the ISO. Restart the server — it will now boot into your newly installed OS.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Installing a custom operating system from an ISO">
    To install a custom OS: (1) Mount the ISO image in the CD/DVD section, (2) Set the boot order to **CD/DVD**, (3) Restart the server, (4) Use VNC to interact with the installer, (5) After installation, set the boot order back to **HDD** and unmount the ISO.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Running a recovery or diagnostic tool">
    If your server is unbootable or you need to repair a filesystem, mount a rescue ISO image (such as SystemRescue), set the boot order to CD/DVD, and restart. You can then use the recovery tools through VNC to repair your server's disk. This is similar to booting from a USB recovery drive on a physical computer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I don't see any media or ISO options">
    Custom ISO mounting is **disabled by default** on all accounts. If no ISO images are listed and the Custom CD/DVD button is not functional, you need to request activation. Please [open a support ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) and let our team know you would like the custom ISO feature enabled for your server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My server is stuck booting into the installer">
    You likely forgot to switch the boot order back to HDD after installation. Go to the Media tab, set the boot order to **HDD**, click **Apply**, eject the ISO, and restart the server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I upload my own ISO?">
    You do not upload ISOs directly to FREAKHOSTING. Instead, you provide a public HTTPS URL that points directly to the ISO file. If you have a custom ISO, host it on a web server or cloud storage service with a direct download link ending in `.iso`, then use the Custom CD/DVD option to mount it.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Custom ISO management simplified.
</div>


# How to Protect Your Server from Accidental Rebuilds
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-protect-your-server-from-accidental-rebuilds

Learn how to enable rebuild protection on your FREAKHOSTING VPS to prevent accidental operating system reinstallation and data loss.

## Preventing Accidental Data Loss

A server rebuild is the nuclear option -- it completely wipes your server and reinstalls the operating system from scratch, erasing every file, database, configuration, and piece of software you have ever installed. One wrong click and hours (or weeks) of work can vanish instantly.

That is exactly why the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com) includes a **Protect Server** feature. With protection enabled, the Rebuild button is disabled entirely, making it impossible to accidentally wipe your server. Think of it as a safety lock on a weapon -- it does not stop you from using it when you actually need to, but it prevents a catastrophic accident.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    1 Minute
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The Lock Icon -- Your Server's Safety Net

On the server's **Overview** page, look at the top-left area where your server name is displayed. Directly below the name, you will see **three small icons** arranged in a row:

1. **Circular arrow** (restart shortcut)
2. **Lock icon** (rebuild protection -- this is what you want)
3. **Gear icon** (settings/rename)

The **lock icon** is the middle one. When protection is **off**, the icon appears in its default state. When protection is **on**, the icon will appear active or highlighted, giving you a visual confirmation that your server is safeguarded.

***

## Enabling Server Protection

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to protect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Lock Icon">
    On the server's **Overview** page, click the **lock icon** (the second of the three small icons below the server name, between the restart shortcut and the gear icon).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Protection">
    A confirmation dialog will appear explaining that enabling protection prevents the server from being rebuilt accidentally. Click the **Protect** button to confirm.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once protection is enabled, two things happen:

* The **Rebuild** button (the red one in the power controls row) becomes **disabled and unclickable**.
* The **lock icon** below the server name appears active/highlighted as a visual indicator.

Your server is now protected. Nobody -- including you -- can accidentally trigger a rebuild until protection is explicitly removed.

***

## Disabling Server Protection

If you intentionally need to perform a rebuild (for example, to switch to a different operating system), you must first remove the protection:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click the Lock Icon Again">
    On the server's Overview page, click the **lock icon** one more time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Removal">
    A confirmation dialog will appear. Click **Unprotect** to remove the rebuild protection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Proceed with Your Rebuild">
    The Rebuild button is now accessible again (it will turn red and become clickable). You can proceed with the reinstallation if needed. Once done, we strongly recommend re-enabling protection immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  After completing a rebuild and setting up your new server, **re-enable protection right away**. It takes one click and could save you from a future disaster.
</Tip>

***

## Why You Should Always Enable Protection

Here is a real-world scenario that happens more often than you might think:

> You manage three servers. It is late at night, you are tired, and you meant to rebuild your test server. You click Manage on the wrong server in the list, hit the red Rebuild button, confirm without fully reading the dialog, and suddenly your **production server** -- the one running your live website with your database, your client files, and weeks of configuration -- is being wiped clean.

With **Protect Server** enabled, this cannot happen. The Rebuild button is completely disabled, so even if you click it by mistake on the wrong server, nothing happens.

***

## When to Use Server Protection

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Production Servers" icon="shield-check">
    **Always** enable protection on production servers. These contain your live websites, applications, databases, and customer data. An accidental rebuild here could mean real downtime and real data loss.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shared Access Servers" icon="users">
    If multiple people on your team have access to manage a server, protection prevents anyone from accidentally triggering a rebuild. It is an extra layer of safety in collaborative environments.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configured Servers" icon="gears">
    You just spent two days configuring Nginx, setting up SSL certificates, installing dependencies, and fine-tuning your firewall rules. Enable protection to make sure all that work cannot be wiped out by a single misclick.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Client Servers" icon="handshake">
    Managing servers on behalf of clients? Protection provides an essential safety net. Accidentally wiping a client's server is not just a technical problem -- it is a business problem.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Important>
  Server protection only prevents rebuilds initiated through the control panel. It does **not** protect against data loss from within the server itself -- for example, accidental file deletion via SSH, a misconfigured script, or disk failure. Always maintain **regular backups** regardless of whether protection is enabled. Backups and protection work together: protection prevents accidental wipes, backups let you recover from everything else.
</Important>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Does protection affect other operations?">
    No. Enabling protection **only** disables the Rebuild button. Every other operation continues to work normally -- power controls (boot, shutdown, restart, power off), backups, network settings, console access, and all other features remain fully functional.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I still use the server normally with protection enabled?">
    Absolutely. Protection is purely a safety mechanism on the Rebuild action. Your server continues to run exactly as before. You can SSH in, manage services, deploy code, transfer files -- everything works the same.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is protection enabled by default?">
    No, protection is **not** enabled by default on new servers. We strongly recommend enabling it as soon as you have finished your initial server setup and configuration. It takes one click and could save you from a catastrophic accident.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I enable protection on all my servers at once?">
    Currently, protection must be enabled individually on each server. It is a quick process though -- just navigate to each server's Overview page and click the lock icon. We recommend doing this as part of your initial server setup routine.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Server protection simplified.
</div>


# How to Rebuild and Reinstall Your VPS Operating System
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rebuild-and-reinstall-your-vps

Learn how to rebuild your FREAKHOSTING VPS with a fresh operating system installation, including important warnings and best practices.

## Starting Fresh with a Server Rebuild

The Rebuild feature lets you completely wipe your virtual server and reinstall the operating system from scratch. Think of it as **formatting your entire computer and reinstalling Windows or Linux** -- everything on the drive is erased and you start with a blank slate.

This is a powerful tool when you genuinely need it. But it is also the most destructive action available in the control panel, which is why the Rebuild button is the only one colored **red**.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5-10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  **A rebuild permanently deletes EVERYTHING on your server.** Every file, every database, every configuration, every piece of installed software, every user account -- all of it is gone the moment the rebuild begins. This action is **completely irreversible**. There is no undo button. There is no "are you sure you're really sure?" second chance after confirmation. Once it starts, your previous server environment is gone forever.

  **Always create a backup before rebuilding.** If you have anything on the server you want to keep -- even a single configuration file -- back it up first.
</Warning>

***

## What Exactly Happens During a Rebuild?

To understand the severity, here is exactly what a rebuild does:

1. **Your current operating system is destroyed** -- the virtual disk is wiped clean.
2. **A fresh OS image is written** -- the new operating system is installed from a clean template.
3. **A new root password is generated** -- your old credentials no longer exist.
4. **Your selected SSH keys are injected** -- if you chose any during the rebuild.
5. **The server boots into the new OS** -- as if it were a brand-new server.

Everything from before the rebuild -- your websites, applications, databases, configuration files, cron jobs, firewall rules, SSL certificates, uploaded files, custom software, user accounts -- is permanently erased. The only thing that survives is your server's **IP address**, which remains the same.

***

## Before You Rebuild

This checklist is not optional. Run through every item before you click that red button.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a Backup">
    This is the most important step. If you have **any** data you care about, back it up now.

    * Use the **Backups** tab in the control panel to create a full server backup.
    * Or manually download important files via SFTP or SSH.
    * Export your databases using `mysqldump`, `pg_dump`, or your database's export tool.
    * Save copies of configuration files (`/etc/nginx/`, `/etc/apache2/`, `.env` files, etc.).

    Do not assume you can recover anything after a rebuild. You cannot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Document Your Configuration">
    Make a note of everything you will need to recreate your server environment:

    * Installed software and versions
    * Custom firewall rules and iptables configurations
    * SSH keys and authorized users
    * Cron jobs (`crontab -l` to list them)
    * DNS records that point to this server
    * Any services or daemons you configured
  </Step>

  <Step title="Disable Server Protection">
    If you have **Rebuild Protection** enabled (and you should on any server you care about), you must disable it before the Rebuild button becomes clickable. Click the **lock icon** below the server name on the Overview page to remove protection. See [How to Protect Your Server from Accidental Rebuilds](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-protect-your-server-from-accidental-rebuilds) for details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Notify Anyone Who Uses This Server">
    If other team members, clients, or users have access to this server, let them know. Everything they have on the server will be destroyed. Give them time to save their own data and prepare for the downtime.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Performing the Rebuild

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to rebuild.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Rebuild Button">
    On the server's **Overview** page, locate the row of power control buttons at the top. The **Rebuild** button is on the far right, colored **red** to distinguish it from the blue power controls (Boot, Shutdown, Restart, Power Off). Click it.

    If the Rebuild button appears greyed out or disabled, you have Server Protection enabled. Disable it first by clicking the lock icon below the server name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select an Operating System">
    Choose the operating system you want to install. Available options typically include:

    * **Debian** (various versions)
    * **Ubuntu** (LTS and current releases)
    * **AlmaLinux** / **Rocky Linux** (RHEL-based)
    * **CentOS**
    * **Windows Server** (depending on your plan)

    You can choose the same OS you had before (for a clean reset) or switch to a completely different one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose SSH Keys (Optional)">
    If you have SSH keys stored in your account, select which keys to inject into the new installation. This allows you to log in via SSH immediately after the rebuild without needing a password -- a best practice for security.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the Rebuild">
    Review your selection carefully. You will be asked to confirm that you understand **all data will be permanently erased**. This is your last chance to back out. If you are certain, confirm to begin the rebuild process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    The rebuild typically takes between **1 and 5 minutes**. You can monitor progress in the **Task Log** at the bottom of the server page. Once complete, the task will show **100% COMPLETE** and your server will be running the new operating system.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## After the Rebuild

Once the rebuild is finished, you are working with a completely fresh server:

* Your server is running the newly installed operating system.
* A **new root password** has been generated -- check your email or the panel for the credentials.
* Any **SSH keys** you selected during the rebuild are installed and ready.
* Your server's **IP address is unchanged** -- no DNS updates needed.
* Connect via **SSH** (Linux) or **RDP** (Windows) to begin setting up your new server environment.
* **Re-enable Rebuild Protection** immediately. Click the lock icon below the server name to safeguard your freshly configured server.

<Tip>
  After rebuilding, your very first action should be to **re-enable Rebuild Protection**. You just went through the trouble of setting up a new server -- protect it from being accidentally wiped again.
</Tip>

***

## When to Use Rebuild

Rebuilding is a big step. Here are the scenarios where it makes sense:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Switch Operating System" icon="arrows-rotate">
    You want to move from one Linux distribution to another (say, Ubuntu to Debian), or switch between Linux and Windows. A rebuild is the only way to change the OS on your VPS.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clean Slate" icon="broom">
    Your server has accumulated layers of old software, conflicting configurations, and leftover files from experiments. Sometimes it is faster to start fresh than to untangle the mess.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Recovery from Severe Misconfiguration" icon="life-ring">
    You have broken something fundamental -- the SSH daemon will not start, the file system is corrupted, or the bootloader is damaged. When a server is so broken that Rescue Mode cannot save it, a rebuild gets you back to a working state.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security Incident" icon="shield-exclamation">
    If your server has been compromised by an attacker, a complete rebuild is the safest response. It ensures that all malicious software, backdoors, rootkits, and unauthorized modifications are completely removed. Change all passwords and SSH keys afterward.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What NOT to Use Rebuild For

A rebuild is not the answer to every problem. Before you reach for the red button, consider these alternatives:

| Problem                                 | Better Solution                                                     |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| A service crashed and will not restart  | **Restart** the server first, or troubleshoot via SSH / Rescue Mode |
| You want to update the operating system | Use `apt upgrade` or `dnf update` via SSH -- no rebuild needed      |
| Your disk is full                       | Clean up old files, logs, and caches via SSH                        |
| You forgot your root password           | Use the **Password Reset** feature in the control panel             |
| One application is misbehaving          | Reinstall just that application, not the entire OS                  |

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I undo a rebuild?">
    **No.** A rebuild is permanent and irreversible. Once the process begins, all previous data is erased and cannot be recovered by any means. The only way to get your data back is from a **backup created before the rebuild**. This is why we emphasize backing up so strongly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will my IP address change?">
    No, your server's IP address remains the same after a rebuild. You do not need to update DNS records, firewall rules, or any external configurations that reference your server's IP.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is the Rebuild button disabled or greyed out?">
    You have **Server Protection** enabled -- which is a good thing. It means your server is safeguarded against accidental rebuilds. To proceed, click the **lock icon** below the server name on the Overview page to temporarily disable protection. See [How to Protect Your Server from Accidental Rebuilds](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-protect-your-server-from-accidental-rebuilds) for the full guide.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a rebuild take?">
    A typical rebuild completes in **1 to 5 minutes**. You can track real-time progress in the **Task Log** section at the bottom of the server management page. If it seems stuck, give it up to 10 minutes before contacting support.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I rebuild to the same operating system?">
    Yes. Rebuilding with the same OS gives you a completely fresh installation -- as if the server were brand new. This is useful when you want a clean slate without switching distributions.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Server rebuilds simplified.
</div>


# How to Rename Your VPS and Set a Hostname
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rename-your-vps-and-set-a-hostname

Change your VPS display name and hostname in the FREAKHOSTING Control Panel for easier identification across multiple servers and proper network setup.

## Personalizing Your Server Identity

When you manage multiple servers, telling them apart at a glance is essential. The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com) lets you customize two things: the **display name** (the label you see in the panel) and the **hostname** (your server's identity on the network). Both are configured from the same settings dialog, and it takes less than a minute.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Finding the Settings Icon

On the server's **Overview** page, look at the top-left area where your server name is displayed. Directly below the name, you will see **three small icons** arranged in a row:

1. **Circular arrow** (restart shortcut)
2. **Lock icon** (rebuild protection)
3. **Gear icon** (settings -- this is what you want)

The **gear icon** is the rightmost of the three. Clicking it opens the settings dialog where you can change both the server name and hostname.

***

## Changing Your Server Name and Hostname

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to rename.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Settings Dialog">
    On the server's **Overview** page, click the **gear icon** (the third small icon below the server name, on the right side of the icon row). A settings dialog will appear.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update the Server Name">
    In the **Server Name** field, type the new display name for your server. This name is what you see throughout the control panel -- on the server list, the Overview page, and in navigation.

    Pick a name that instantly tells you what the server is for. Some examples:

    * `production-web` -- your live website server
    * `dev-environment` -- a development and testing box
    * `minecraft-server` -- a game server
    * `client-projectname` -- a server managed for a client
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Hostname (Optional)">
    In the **Hostname** field, enter the desired hostname for your server. The hostname is the system-level identity that your server uses on the network -- it shows up in your terminal prompt, log files, and network communications.

    Common hostname formats include:

    * `server.yourdomain.com` (fully qualified domain name -- best practice)
    * `vps-01.example.com`
    * `web-prod-us`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Changes">
    Click the **Save** button to apply your changes. The dialog will close and you will see the updated server name immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding the Difference

The server name and hostname serve very different purposes. Here is how they compare:

| Setting         | What It Is                                       | Where It Appears                                   | When It Takes Effect                 |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| **Server Name** | A display label in the control panel             | Server list, Overview page, navigation             | Immediately after saving             |
| **Hostname**    | The system-level network identity of your server | Terminal prompt, log files, network communications | On next rebuild, or manually via SSH |

<Info>
  The **Server Name** change takes effect instantly -- you will see it update across the control panel right away. The **Hostname**, however, is a system-level setting. It is stored and will be applied the next time the server is rebuilt. If you need the hostname to take effect immediately without rebuilding, you can change it manually from within the operating system via SSH (see the FAQ below).
</Info>

***

## Real-World Scenarios

| Scenario                                                                     | What to Change                                                                                                              |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You manage 5 servers and keep mixing them up                                 | Update the **Server Name** on each to something descriptive like `web-prod`, `web-staging`, `db-primary`, etc.              |
| You are setting up a mail server and need a proper FQDN                      | Set the **Hostname** to `mail.yourdomain.com` -- mail servers rely heavily on hostname for authentication (SPF, DKIM, rDNS) |
| A client project is done and you are repurposing the server                  | Change the **Server Name** to reflect its new purpose so you do not accidentally work on the wrong server                   |
| You just deployed a fresh server and want to personalize the terminal prompt | Set the **Hostname** and apply it via SSH so your terminal shows `root@myserver` instead of a random default                |

***

## Pro Tip: Naming Conventions

If you manage more than a couple of servers, establishing a consistent naming convention saves headaches down the road. A good format includes the role, environment, and optionally a number:

* `web-prod-01` -- first production web server
* `db-staging-01` -- staging database server
* `app-dev` -- development application server
* `vpn-gateway` -- VPN gateway server

This way, you can tell exactly what a server does just by glancing at its name in the server list.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I change the server name at any time?">
    Yes, you can update the display name as often as you like. It is purely a label within the control panel and has zero effect on your server's operation, uptime, or connectivity.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I set the hostname without rebuilding?">
    You can change the hostname directly within your server's operating system via SSH. On Linux, run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    hostnamectl set-hostname your-new-hostname
    ```

    On Windows, go to **System Properties > Computer Name > Change**. The change takes effect immediately (or after a reboot on Windows).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the hostname need to be a valid domain?">
    No, the hostname does not need to be a registered domain name. However, using a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) like `server.yourdomain.com` is considered best practice -- especially for mail servers and services that rely on hostname resolution, reverse DNS, and SSL certificates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if two servers have the same name?">
    The control panel will allow it, since the display name is just a label. However, it defeats the purpose of renaming. Each server has a unique internal ID regardless, but giving two servers the same name will make your life harder when managing them. Use distinct names.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Server naming simplified.
</div>


# How to Reset Your VPS Root or Administrator Password
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-reset-your-vps-root-password

Reset the root or administrator password on your FREAKHOSTING VPS from the control panel when locked out or rotating credentials for security purposes.

## Regaining Access When You Forget Your Password

It happens to everyone. You set up your server weeks ago, stored the password somewhere safe, and now you cannot find it. Or maybe you changed the password and cannot remember what you changed it to. The good news is that the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel has a built-in password reset feature that lets you set a new root (Linux) or Administrator (Windows) password in about 30 seconds — without needing to log into the server first.

There is one important catch: this feature depends on a small service called the **QEMU Guest Agent** running inside your server. We will explain exactly what that means, how to check if you have it, and what to do if you do not.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Before You Start: Two Requirements

The password reset feature needs two things to work. If either of these is missing, the reset will fail:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Your Server Must Be Running" icon="circle-check">
    The password reset communicates with your server in real time — it sends the new password to the operating system while it is running. If your server is powered off, the message has nowhere to go. **Boot your server first** using the **Boot** button on the Overview page, wait for it to fully start up, then come back and reset the password.
  </Card>

  <Card title="The QEMU Guest Agent Must Be Installed and Running" icon="microchip">
    The **QEMU Guest Agent** is a tiny background service that acts as a communication channel between the hosting platform and the operating system inside your VPS. When you click "Reset Password," the control panel sends the new password through this channel, and the agent applies it inside the OS.

    **If you built your server using one of FREAKHOSTING's standard OS templates**, the QEMU Guest Agent is already installed and running. You do not need to do anything.

    **If you installed a custom operating system from an ISO**, or if you removed or disabled the agent, the password reset will fail. See the troubleshooting section below for how to fix this.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Resetting the Password

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log into the VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server whose password you need to reset.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Options Tab">
    Click on the **Options** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Password Sub-Tab">
    Click on the **Password** sub-tab. You will see the message: "Set a new root or administrator password. If you removed or don't have the QEMU guest agent installed on your server, this operation will fail. The server must be running to perform this action."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Reset Password">
    Click the blue **Reset Password** button. The system will generate a new, strong, random password and push it to your server's operating system through the QEMU Guest Agent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the New Password Immediately">
    The new password will be displayed on screen. **Copy it right now** and store it in a secure location — a password manager is ideal. This is the only time the password is shown, and you will need it to log in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In with Your New Password">
    Use the new password to connect to your server:

    * **Linux:** Connect via SSH — `ssh root@your-server-ip`
    * **Windows:** Connect via Remote Desktop (RDP) using the Administrator account
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## After Resetting: Recommended Next Steps

Once you are back inside your server, take a few minutes to secure your access for the future:

* **Set a memorable but strong password** — The auto-generated password is random and hard to remember. Log in and change it to something you can recall: `passwd` on Linux, or use Computer Management on Windows.
* **Update saved credentials everywhere** — If you have the server password saved in SSH clients (PuTTY, Termius), deployment scripts, cron jobs, or configuration management tools, update them with the new password.
* **Switch to SSH key authentication (Linux)** — This is the single best thing you can do. SSH keys eliminate password-based login entirely, which means you cannot be locked out by a forgotten password and your server is more secure against brute-force attacks. See [How to Manage SSH Keys](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-manage-ssh-keys) for a step-by-step guide.

***

## What If the Password Reset Fails?

If you click **Reset Password** and get an error, the problem is almost always the QEMU Guest Agent. Here is a decision tree to get you back on track:

### Step 1: Check if the Server is Running

Go to the **Overview** page for your server. If the status shows anything other than **Running**, boot the server first and wait for it to fully start.

### Step 2: Can You Access the Server Through VNC?

If you have any way to get into the server (even though you forgot the password — maybe you have SSH keys set up, or another user account), you can check and install the QEMU Guest Agent manually:

```bash theme={null}
# Check if the QEMU Guest Agent is running
systemctl status qemu-guest-agent

# If it is not installed, install it:

# Debian / Ubuntu
apt update && apt install -y qemu-guest-agent
systemctl enable --now qemu-guest-agent

# CentOS / AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux
yum install -y qemu-guest-agent
systemctl enable --now qemu-guest-agent

# Verify it is running
systemctl status qemu-guest-agent
```

After confirming the agent is running, go back to the control panel and try the password reset again.

### Step 3: Use Rescue Mode as a Last Resort

If you cannot log into the server at all (no password, no SSH keys, no VNC access), you can use [Rescue Mode](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode) to reset the password manually:

1. Boot into Rescue Mode from **Options** > **Rescue**
2. Mount your server's disk and chroot into it
3. Reset the password from inside the chroot:

```bash theme={null}
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt

# Set a new root password
passwd root

# Also install the QEMU Guest Agent while you are here
apt update && apt install -y qemu-guest-agent
systemctl enable qemu-guest-agent

exit
umount /mnt/sys /mnt/proc /mnt/dev /mnt
```

4. Exit Rescue Mode and boot normally — you can now log in with the password you just set

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What if the password reset says it succeeded but the new password does not work?">
    This can happen if the QEMU Guest Agent is installed but not functioning correctly. Try rebooting the server from the control panel (Power Controls > Restart), wait for it to fully boot, and try the password reset again. If it still does not work, use VNC to log in and check that the agent is running: `systemctl status qemu-guest-agent`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I reset the password if my server is powered off?">
    No. The password reset requires the server to be running because it uses the QEMU Guest Agent to communicate the new password to the operating system in real time. The agent can only receive the new password while the OS is booted and the agent service is active. Boot your server first, then perform the reset.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does this reset my VPS Control Panel password?">
    No. This feature resets the **operating system** root/administrator password — the one you use to SSH into your Linux server or RDP into your Windows server. Your control panel login credentials at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com) are completely separate.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What exactly is the QEMU Guest Agent?">
    The QEMU Guest Agent is a small, lightweight service that runs inside your VPS and provides a communication channel between the hosting platform (the hypervisor) and your server's operating system. It enables several features: password resets, clean shutdown signaling (so the host can tell the OS to shut down gracefully), and filesystem freezing for consistent backups. It uses very minimal resources and has no impact on your server's performance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does this work on Windows servers?">
    Yes. The password reset feature works on both Linux and Windows servers. On Windows, it resets the **Administrator** account password. The same QEMU Guest Agent requirement applies — FREAKHOSTING's Windows templates include the agent pre-installed.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Password reset simplified.
</div>


# How to Schedule and Restore VPS Backups
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups

Create, schedule, and restore backups for your FREAKHOSTING VPS to protect data. Configure automatic intervals and learn how to recover from snapshots.

## Protecting Your Data with Backups

Backups are complete snapshots of your server's primary disk — a full copy of everything on it, from the operating system to your applications and data. If something goes wrong (a bad update, a corrupted database, an accidental `rm -rf`), a backup lets you rewind your server to the exact state it was in when the backup was taken. The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel makes this straightforward with built-in backup tools and flexible scheduling.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Understanding Backups

Before you create your first backup, here is what you need to know:

### What Gets Backed Up

Backups capture your server's **primary disk only** — that is Drive A, the one marked PRIMARY in the Storage tab. If you have additional storage volumes attached (Drive B, Drive C, etc.), those are **not** included in the backup. For secondary drives, you will need to use server-level backup tools like `rsync` or `borgbackup`.

### Backup Slots — How Many Can I Keep?

Your VPS plan includes a set number of **backup slots**. Each slot holds one backup. With **1 backup slot** (the most common configuration), you can keep exactly **one backup at a time**. When a new backup is created — whether manually or on schedule — it **replaces** the previous one.

Think of it like a single save slot in a video game. You can save your progress whenever you want, but saving again overwrites your last save. If you need your current backup preserved before creating a new one, that is not possible with a single slot — the new backup always takes over.

<Info>
  Check your Backups tab to see how many slots your plan includes. The panel displays this as: **"There are X slots for backups."** If you need more backup retention, contact support about plan upgrades that include additional slots.
</Info>

### Why Power Down Before a Backup?

The panel recommends shutting down your server before creating a backup, and for good reason. Imagine photocopying a document while someone is still writing on it — you might capture half-written sentences or miss content that was being added mid-copy. The same thing happens with a running server: databases might have transactions in progress, files might be partially written, and data held in memory has not been flushed to disk yet.

Powering down ensures that **all data is cleanly written to disk** before the backup captures it. The result is a perfectly consistent snapshot that you can restore with confidence.

<Tip>
  For production servers that cannot afford downtime, running backups while the server is on usually works fine for most workloads. The risk of inconsistency is small but real — particularly for busy databases. If you are running a database server, consider using the database's own dump tool (like `mysqldump` or `pg_dump`) before the backup runs, so the database export is already safely on disk.
</Tip>

***

## Real-World Scenario: Recovering from Disaster

Here is a situation that happens more often than you might think:

> You are running a Minecraft server for your community. After a plugin update, the world database gets corrupted and the server will not start. Players are messaging you, and every minute of downtime feels like an hour.

With a backup in place, recovery takes minutes:

1. Go to the **Backups** tab.
2. Click **Restore** on your most recent backup (taken before the bad update).
3. Confirm the restore, wait for it to complete.
4. Your server reboots with everything exactly as it was before the plugin update — world data intact, players happy.

Without a backup? You are looking at hours of troubleshooting, potential data loss, and possibly rebuilding from scratch. **Backups are your insurance policy.** Set them up before you need them.

***

## Scheduling Automatic Backups

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to back up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Backups Tab">
    Click on the **Backups** tab in the server management navigation. You will see the backup heading, the slot information, and the recommendation to power down before backing up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Schedule Button">
    Click the **Schedule** button (with the calendar icon) to open the Backup Schedule configuration dialog. This is where you choose how often automatic backups run.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Schedule">
    Select your preferred backup frequency from the available options:

    | Schedule   | What It Does                                                                                     |
    | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **None**   | No automatic backups. You handle everything manually.                                            |
    | **Daily**  | A backup is created automatically every day. Best for servers with data that changes frequently. |
    | **Weekly** | A backup is created automatically once per week. Good for servers with relatively stable data.   |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Update">
    Click the **Update** button to save your backup schedule. The system will now automatically create backups according to your chosen frequency. With a single backup slot, each scheduled backup will replace the previous one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  We strongly recommend setting your schedule to at least **Weekly**. Leaving it on **None** means you are flying without a safety net — one bad update, one accidental deletion, and you have no way to recover.
</Important>

***

## Creating a Manual Backup

If you need a backup right now — for example, before making a risky configuration change — you do not have to wait for the schedule:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Power Down (Recommended)">
    For the cleanest possible backup, shut down your server first using the power controls. This is optional but recommended for data-heavy workloads.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Backups Tab">
    Navigate to your server and click the **Backups** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Backup">
    Click the **Backup** button to start a backup immediately. The process will begin and you can monitor its progress in the Task Log at the bottom of the page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Managing Existing Backups

Once backups have been created (either manually or automatically), they appear as entries on the Backups page. For each backup, you can:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Restore" icon="rotate-left">
    Restore your server to the state captured in this backup. This overwrites the **entire** current contents of your server's primary disk with the backup data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delete" icon="trash">
    Remove a backup to free up the backup slot. This is permanent — the backup data cannot be recovered once deleted. Useful if you want to manually trigger a fresh backup.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Restoring from a Backup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the Backup">
    On the Backups tab, find the backup you want to restore from. Each backup shows when it was created and its current status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initiate the Restore">
    Click the **Restore** button for the desired backup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the Restore">
    A confirmation dialog will warn you that restoring will overwrite your current server data. Read the warning carefully and confirm to proceed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    The restore process will begin. You can monitor progress in the **Task Log** at the bottom of the page. Your server may be automatically restarted during this process. Depending on the size of your disk, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Restoring a backup **overwrites all current data** on your server's primary disk. Every file, every configuration change, every database entry made after the backup was created will be gone. If there is anything on the current server you want to keep, download or export it **before** restoring.
</Important>

***

## Backup Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Enable Automatic Backups" icon="calendar-check">
    Set up at least **weekly** automatic backups so you always have a recovery point. Daily backups are strongly recommended for servers running databases, game servers, or any application with frequently changing data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Power Down Before Backup" icon="power-off">
    For maximum data integrity, shut down your server before a backup runs. While not always practical for production servers, it is the safest approach — especially for database-heavy workloads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enable Failure Notifications" icon="bell">
    Turn on **Server Backup Failure** notifications in your Account Profile settings. If a scheduled backup fails to complete, you want to know about it immediately — not discover it weeks later when you actually need that backup.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backup Before Big Changes" icon="shield-check">
    About to update your OS, install a new application, or change a major configuration? Create a manual backup first. It takes a few minutes and gives you a guaranteed rollback point if something goes wrong.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How many backups can I keep?">
    The number of backup slots depends on your VPS plan. With **1 slot** (the most common), only the most recent backup is retained — each new backup replaces the previous one. There is no way to keep multiple backups with a single slot. If you need more backup retention, contact support about plan upgrades with additional slots.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a backup take?">
    Backup duration depends on the size of your server's disk and how much data it contains. A typical backup for a 50-100 GB disk completes within a few minutes to 30 minutes. You can continue using your server during the backup (though powering down first is recommended for consistency).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I backup additional drives?">
    The built-in backup system covers your server's **primary disk only** (Drive A). For additional drives or more granular backup needs, use server-level backup tools like `rsync`, `borgbackup`, or `restic` to back up specific directories to an external location.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I download my backup?">
    The built-in backup system stores backups on FREAKHOSTING infrastructure for quick restoration. Backups are not available for direct download. For downloadable backups, use server-level tools to create archives (like `tar` or `zip`) and transfer them to your local machine or external cloud storage.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I restore and my current data is newer?">
    The restore process does not merge data — it is a complete overwrite. Your server's primary disk will be replaced entirely with the backup contents. Any data created or modified after the backup was taken will be lost. If you need to preserve specific files, copy them off the server before restoring.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Backup management simplified.
</div>


# How to Share VPS Access with Other Users
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-share-vps-access

Learn how to share access to your virtual servers with team members or collaborators using the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel sharing feature.

## Collaborating Through Shared VPS Access

Sometimes you need another person to help manage your server — a developer troubleshooting an issue, a system administrator setting up your stack, or a teammate who needs to monitor things while you are away. The FREAKHOSTING sharing system lets you grant them access to your server through the control panel **without giving them your login credentials**.

This means they get their own view of your server, with their own account and their own login. You stay in full control and can revoke their access at any time with a single click.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## How Sharing Works

The sharing system uses **access tokens** as a secure bridge between two accounts. Here is the flow:

1. **The other person** (the one who needs access) generates a sharing token from their own FREAKHOSTING account.
2. **They send you the token** — for example, by pasting it in a secure message.
3. **You paste their token** into the Sharing page on your server and click Grant Access.
4. **They can now see and manage your server** from their own control panel.

**Why does the recipient generate the token, not the owner?** This design means you never need to share your own credentials. The token links their existing account to your server. They log in with their own username and password, and your server simply appears in their panel alongside their own servers.

**Real-world example:** You hired a freelance developer to set up Nginx on your VPS. You tell them, "Create an account at cloud.freakhosting.com, go to Account > Sharing, generate a token, and send it to me." They send you a token like `a3f8c1d2-9e7b-4a6f-b5c3-1234567890ab`. You paste it on your server's Sharing page, click Grant Access, and they are in. When the job is done, you click Remove and they are out.

***

## Generating an Access Token (For the Recipient)

If someone wants to receive access to your server, they first need to generate a token from their own account. Share these steps with them:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the VPS Control Panel">
    The recipient logs into their own account at **cloud.freakhosting.com**. If they do not have an account yet, they will need to create one first.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Account Settings">
    Click **Account** in the top navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Sharing Tab">
    Click on the **Sharing** tab in the account settings navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate a Token">
    Click the **Generate Token** button. A unique access token will be created and displayed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send the Token to the Server Owner">
    The recipient copies the generated token and sends it to you (the server owner) through a **secure channel** — a private message, encrypted email, or password-sharing tool. Avoid posting it in public chats or forums.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Granting Access to Your Server (For the Server Owner)

Once you have the other person's access token in hand:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Server">
    Go to **Servers**, find the VPS you want to share, and click **Manage**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Sharing Tab">
    Click on the **Sharing** tab within the server management page. If no one has been granted access yet, you will see the message: **"You're not sharing this server with others."**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Token">
    In the **Token** input field under **Shared Access**, paste the access token that the other person gave you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Grant Access">
    Click the blue **Grant Access** button. The other user will now see this server appear in their own control panel and can begin managing it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  After granting access, send the other person a quick message letting them know. The server should appear in their panel immediately, but it never hurts to confirm.
</Tip>

***

## Managing Shared Access

The **Sharing** tab on the server management page shows everyone who currently has shared access to that server. From here you can:

* **View** all users who have been granted access, along with their account details.
* **Revoke** access at any time by clicking the remove button next to a user.

When you revoke access, the server disappears from the other person's control panel immediately. They will not be able to see it, manage it, or perform any operations on it. No notification is sent automatically, so consider letting them know if it is a planned change.

***

## What Shared Users Can and Cannot Do

It is important to understand the boundaries of shared access:

| Action                                  | Shared User Can? |
| --------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| View server status and resource usage   | Yes              |
| Start, stop, restart the server         | Yes              |
| Access the console                      | Yes              |
| View backups and monitoring             | Yes              |
| Rebuild the server                      | Yes              |
| Delete the server                       | **No**           |
| Change your account settings            | **No**           |
| Share the server with additional people | **No**           |
| Access your billing or payment info     | **No**           |

The server remains under **your** ownership at all times. Shared users are collaborators, not co-owners.

***

## Sharing Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Transmit Tokens Securely" icon="lock">
    Access tokens are sensitive. Send them through private, encrypted channels — not in public Discord servers, open Slack channels, or plain-text emails. A password manager's sharing feature or an encrypted messaging app works well.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Review Access Regularly" icon="clipboard-check">
    Make it a habit to check the Sharing tab on your servers periodically. If a developer finished their project two months ago but still has access, it is time to revoke it. Fewer people with access means fewer potential points of compromise.
  </Card>

  <Card title="One Token Per Person" icon="users">
    Each collaborator should generate their own unique token. This way, you can revoke access for one person without affecting anyone else. Never have two people share the same token.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Communicate Before Major Changes" icon="comments">
    If you are about to rebuild the server, change its IP address, or power it off, give your shared users a heads-up first. These actions affect everyone with access, and a surprise server rebuild can ruin someone's afternoon.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Account-Level vs. Server-Level Sharing

There are **two Sharing tabs** in the control panel, and it is easy to mix them up:

* **Account > Sharing tab** — This is where the **recipient** generates their sharing token. It is an account-level setting.
* **Server > Sharing tab** — This is where the **server owner** pastes the token to grant access to a specific server. It is a per-server setting.

Each token grants access to one server at a time. If you want someone to access three of your servers, you will enter their token on each server's Sharing tab separately.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I share a server with multiple users?">
    Yes. You can grant access to as many users as you need by entering each of their individual tokens on the server's Sharing page. Each person will have their own independent access through their own account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the other person need a FREAKHOSTING account?">
    Yes. The sharing system links two existing accounts together through a token. The recipient must have their own account at cloud.freakhosting.com before they can generate a sharing token. Creating an account is free and only takes a minute.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same token for multiple servers?">
    Yes. The recipient generates one token from their account, and you (the server owner) can use that same token on multiple servers to grant them access to each one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if the recipient changes their token?">
    Generating a new token does not revoke existing shared access. Once access is granted, it persists until you explicitly remove it from the server's Sharing tab.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can shared users see my other servers?">
    No. Shared users can only see and manage the specific servers you have granted them access to. They cannot see your other servers, your account settings, or your billing information.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Server sharing simplified.
</div>


# How to Start, Stop, Restart and Power Off Your VPS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-start-stop-restart-and-power-off-your-vps

Learn how to control your virtual server's power state using the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel — including boot, shutdown, restart, and power off operations.

## Controlling Your Server's Power State

Your VPS is a full virtual machine, and just like a physical computer, you have complete control over its power state. Whether you need to reboot after a system update, gracefully shut down for maintenance, or force-stop a frozen server, the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com) puts every power action one click away.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    1 Minute
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Power Controls

Power controls live on the **Overview** tab of your server's management page.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to control.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Power Controls">
    On the Overview page, you will see a row of power control buttons across the top of the page: **Boot** (blue), **Shutdown** (blue), **Restart** (blue), **Power Off** (blue), and **Rebuild** (red).

    Just below the server name in the top-left corner, you will also notice three small icons:

    * **Restart icon** (circular arrow) -- quick-restart shortcut
    * **Lock icon** -- toggle rebuild protection
    * **Gear icon** -- open server settings (rename, hostname)
  </Step>
</Steps>

The server's current status is displayed as a badge in the top-right corner -- for example, a green **RUNNING** badge when your server is online.

***

## Understanding Each Power Action

Think of your VPS like a desktop computer sitting on your desk. Each power button maps to something you would do with that physical machine:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Boot" icon="play">
    **Starts your server** when it is currently powered off. This is the equivalent of pressing the power button on a computer that is turned off. Use this after a shutdown or power off to bring your server back online.

    **When to use it:** Your server is stopped and you need it running again -- for example, after scheduled maintenance or a planned shutdown.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Shutdown" icon="power-off">
    Sends a **graceful shutdown** signal to the operating system. The OS will cleanly close all running services, flush disk writes, and save its state before powering down. This is like clicking **Start > Shut Down** on a Windows PC or running `shutdown now` on Linux.

    **When to use it:** You want to stop your server safely -- for example, before performing a backup snapshot or when you will not need the server for a while.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restart" icon="rotate-right">
    Performs a **graceful reboot** -- the operating system shuts down cleanly and then boots back up automatically. Think of it as clicking **Restart** in your OS menu.

    **When to use it:** You have applied kernel updates, changed system configurations, or just want a clean reboot to clear temporary issues.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Power Off" icon="bolt-slash">
    Performs an **immediate forced power cut** -- the virtual machine is stopped instantly without giving the operating system any time to shut down. This is like **pulling the power cord out of the wall** on a physical computer.

    **When to use it:** Your server is completely frozen or unresponsive and a normal Shutdown is not working. This is a last resort.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Shutdown vs. Power Off -- Know the Difference

This is the single most important distinction in server power management. Getting it wrong can cost you data.

|                        | Shutdown                                                             | Power Off                                                    |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Real-world analogy** | Clicking **Start > Shut Down** on your PC                            | Yanking the power cable from the wall                        |
| **What happens**       | OS closes programs, saves data, flushes disk writes, then powers off | Power is cut instantly -- no warning, no cleanup             |
| **Data safety**        | Safe -- data is preserved                                            | Risky -- unsaved data may be lost or corrupted               |
| **File system**        | Clean unmount                                                        | Risk of file system inconsistencies                          |
| **When to use**        | Normal day-to-day shutdowns                                          | Only when the server is frozen and Shutdown does not respond |

<Warning>
  **Power Off should only be used as a last resort.** Forcing power off while the operating system is writing data to disk can cause file system corruption, database inconsistencies, or loss of unsaved work. Always try **Shutdown** first and give it a few minutes to complete before resorting to Power Off.
</Warning>

***

## Quick Restart Shortcut

You do not always need to scroll to the main power buttons. There is a faster way:

On the Overview page, look at the **three small icons** directly below your server name (top-left area). The first icon -- a **circular arrow** -- is a quick-restart shortcut.

Clicking it opens a simple confirmation dialog:

* **Cancel** -- closes the dialog without taking any action.
* **Restart** -- confirms and initiates the graceful reboot.

This is perfect for quick reboots after applying updates or tweaking configurations.

***

## Real-World Scenarios

Here are some common situations and which power action to reach for:

| Scenario                                                              | Recommended Action                                                                      |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You just installed kernel updates via SSH                             | **Restart** -- apply updates with a clean reboot                                        |
| You are going on vacation and want to stop billing on an hourly VPS   | **Shutdown** -- gracefully power down                                                   |
| Your server is completely frozen and SSH is not connecting            | **Power Off** followed by **Boot** -- force-stop and restart                            |
| Server was shut down overnight and you need it running for the day    | **Boot** -- bring it back online                                                        |
| A runaway process is consuming all RAM and the server is unresponsive | Try **Shutdown** first, wait 2 minutes; if no response, use **Power Off** then **Boot** |
| You want to take a clean backup snapshot                              | **Shutdown** first, create the snapshot, then **Boot**                                  |

***

## Confirmation Dialogs

For your protection, every power action displays a **confirmation dialog** before executing. You will always be asked to confirm before any power state change is applied. This prevents accidental shutdowns, restarts, or forced power offs -- especially handy if you manage multiple servers and want to make sure you are clicking the right one.

***

## Understanding Server Status

After performing a power action, the status badge in the top-right corner of the management page updates to reflect the current state:

| Status      | Color  | Description                                                              |
| ----------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Running** | Green  | The server is powered on and operating normally                          |
| **Stopped** | Red    | The server is powered off                                                |
| **Busy**    | Orange | A power action is in progress (booting, shutting down, restarting, etc.) |

If you see **Busy** for more than a few minutes, the action may be taking longer than expected. Give it up to 5 minutes before trying a different approach.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between Shutdown and Power Off?">
    **Shutdown** sends a graceful signal to the operating system, allowing it to close processes, flush disk writes, and save data before powering down -- just like clicking "Shut Down" in Windows or running `shutdown now` in Linux. **Power Off** immediately cuts power without any warning -- like pulling the plug on a physical computer. Always use Shutdown unless the server is completely unresponsive.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long does a restart take?">
    A typical restart completes within 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the operating system and any services that need to start. If your server has not come back online after 5 minutes, try using **Power Off** followed by **Boot** to force a fresh start.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My server is not responding to Shutdown — what should I do?">
    If a graceful shutdown does not complete after 2-3 minutes, the operating system may be frozen. In this case, use **Power Off** to force the server to stop, then use **Boot** to start it again. If the issue persists across reboots, consider using **Rescue Mode** to investigate the underlying problem from a recovery environment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What about the Rebuild button?">
    The **Rebuild** button (shown in red, separate from the blue power buttons) completely wipes your server and reinstalls the operating system from scratch. This is a destructive action that erases all data and is covered in a separate guide: [How to Rebuild and Reinstall Your VPS Operating System](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rebuild-and-reinstall-your-vps).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will I lose data if I use Restart?">
    A graceful **Restart** is safe for your data. The operating system will properly close all running processes and flush disk writes before rebooting. However, any unsaved work in running applications (such as a file open in an editor but not saved) will be lost, just like restarting your home computer.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Power management simplified.
</div>


# How to Update Your Profile and Notification Settings
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-update-your-profile-and-notification-settings

Learn how to update your personal details, timezone, language preferences, and configure email notification settings in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel.

## Managing Your Profile and Notifications

Your profile is the control center for how the VPS panel looks, feels, and communicates with you. Getting your timezone right means backup schedules make sense at a glance. Turning on the right notifications means you hear about problems before they become disasters. Let's walk through everything on the **Profile** tab so your account works exactly the way you need it to.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Updating Your Personal Details

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Account Settings">
    Click on **Account** in the top navigation bar of the control panel. You will land on the **Profile** tab by default, where you will see two sections: **Personal Details** on the left and **Notifications** on the right.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Your Name">
    Modify the **Name** field to update the display name associated with your account. This is the name that appears in greetings, email notifications, and anywhere the panel addresses you personally.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Your Email Address">
    Review the **Email Address** field. This is the primary email used for all account communications, login credentials, password resets, and notifications. If you need to change it, update the field with your new email address and make absolutely sure the new address is one you can access — losing access to this email means losing your primary recovery method.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Your Timezone">
    Click the **Timezone** dropdown and select the timezone that matches your local time. You will see options formatted like **(UTC+00:00) Europe/London** or **(UTC-05:00) America/New\_York**.

    **Why this matters:** Every timestamp in the control panel — backup completion times, task logs, login history, scheduled events — displays in your chosen timezone. If you are in New York but your timezone is set to London, a backup that ran at 2:00 AM your time will show as 7:00 AM, which gets confusing fast.

    **Quick tip:** If you travel frequently, set it to your "home base" timezone so your schedules stay consistent regardless of where you are.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Language">
    Select your preferred language from the **Language** dropdown. You will see options with country flags next to them (for example, **English** with a UK flag). The control panel interface will switch to your chosen language after you save.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Changes">
    Click the **Update Profile Settings** button (the full-width blue button at the bottom of the Personal Details section) to apply all your changes at once.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuring Email Notifications

On the right side of the Profile page, you will find the **Notifications** section with three toggle switches. Each one controls a specific type of email alert. Let's break down what they do and when you would want them on.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Account Login" icon="right-to-bracket">
    **Default: Off**

    When enabled, you receive an email every time someone (including you) logs into your account. This is your early-warning system for unauthorized access.

    **Real scenario:** You are at home on a Saturday and get a login notification you did not trigger. That is your cue to immediately change your password and check for suspicious activity. Without this notification, you might not notice the breach for days.

    **Who should enable this:** Anyone who wants an extra layer of security awareness, especially if you manage production servers or handle sensitive data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server Backup Complete" icon="check-circle">
    **Default: Off**

    When enabled, you receive an email each time a scheduled or manual backup of any of your servers completes successfully.

    **Real scenario:** You kicked off a manual backup before making a risky configuration change. An hour later, the "backup complete" email hits your inbox — now you know it is safe to proceed. Without the notification, you would need to keep checking the panel.

    **Who should enable this:** Users who want confirmation that their backups are actually running. Particularly useful if you have daily backup schedules and want a paper trail in your inbox.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Server Backup Failure" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    **Default: On (green)**

    When enabled, you receive an email if a backup fails to complete or encounters an error during the process. This is the one notification we strongly recommend you never turn off.

    **Real scenario:** Your server's disk filled up overnight and the nightly backup failed silently. Without this notification, you could go days — or weeks — thinking your data is protected when it is not. One hardware failure later, and that data is gone for good.

    **Who should enable this:** Everyone. Seriously, everyone.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Important>
  We recommend keeping **Server Backup Failure** notifications enabled at all times. A failed backup you do not know about is worse than no backup at all — it gives you a false sense of security while your data sits unprotected.
</Important>

To toggle any notification on or off, simply click its **switch**. The toggle turns green when active. Changes are saved automatically — there is no need to click an additional save button for notification preferences.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What timezone should I select?">
    Choose the timezone that corresponds to your physical location or the timezone you prefer for interpreting server events. For example, if you live in Berlin, select **(UTC+01:00) Europe/Berlin**. If you are in Los Angeles, pick **(UTC-08:00) America/Los\_Angeles**. All timestamps in the control panel — including task logs, backup times, and login history — will display in your selected timezone. If you are unsure, search for the nearest major city to your location in the dropdown.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change my email address?">
    Yes, you can update your email address directly from the Profile tab. After changing it, make sure you can still receive emails at the new address, as it will be used for all future communications, password resets, and notifications. If you lose access to the new email, you will need to contact support to regain account access.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which language options are available?">
    The control panel supports multiple languages. Click the Language dropdown to see all available options with their country flags. The interface will switch to your chosen language immediately after saving your profile settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do notification changes require saving?">
    No. Notification toggles save automatically as soon as you click them. The **Update Profile Settings** button only applies to changes in the Personal Details section (name, email, timezone, language).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Profile management simplified.
</div>


# How to Use Rescue Mode for Troubleshooting
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode

Boot your FREAKHOSTING VPS into Rescue Mode to troubleshoot boot failures, fix misconfigurations, and recover data from a minimal Linux rescue environment.

## Your Server's Emergency Recovery Drive

Imagine your laptop will not boot. What do you do? You grab a USB recovery drive, boot from it, and fix things from the outside. Rescue Mode works exactly the same way for your VPS. It boots your server from a completely separate, minimal operating system — one that lives independently from your server's main disk. Your actual disk just sits there, unmounted and untouched, waiting for you to mount it, inspect it, and repair whatever went wrong.

This means Rescue Mode works even when your server's operating system is completely destroyed. Corrupted bootloader? Broken kernel? Filesystem so damaged it will not mount? None of that matters — the rescue system boots from its own image and gives you a clean environment to work from.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-high">
    Advanced
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10-30 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When You Need Rescue Mode

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Server Will Not Boot" icon="power-off">
    The most common reason to use Rescue Mode. Your server is stuck in a boot loop, showing kernel panics, GRUB errors, or just a blank screen. Rescue Mode lets you boot independently, mount the disk, and fix whatever is broken.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Broken Configuration Files" icon="file-pen">
    A typo in `/etc/fstab` can prevent your server from ever booting again. A bad network config means no SSH access. A misconfigured SSH daemon means you are locked out. Rescue Mode lets you edit these files from the outside and fix them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Filesystem Corruption" icon="hard-drive">
    If your disk has filesystem errors (maybe from a sudden power loss or a failed update), you need to run repair tools on an unmounted filesystem. Rescue Mode gives you that — your disk is not mounted, so you can safely run `fsck` to check and repair it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Recovery Before Rebuild" icon="database">
    Sometimes the best option is to rebuild your server from scratch. But first, you need to grab important files — configuration backups, database dumps, website files. Rescue Mode lets you mount the old disk and copy everything you need before wiping it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Entering Rescue Mode

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log into the VPS Control Panel at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you need to troubleshoot.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Options Tab">
    Click on the **Options** tab in the server management navigation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Rescue Sub-Tab">
    Click on the **Rescue** sub-tab. You will see the rescue mode description explaining that it boots a minimal operating system independent of the server's main disk.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Rescue System">
    Select a rescue system from the dropdown. The available option is **Linux (Debian Live) Rescue v1**, which provides a full Debian-based recovery environment with all the standard repair tools pre-installed (fsck, mount, nano, chroot, and more).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Rescue Session">
    Click the blue **Create Rescue Session** button. The system will automatically:

    * Shut down your server
    * Boot it from the rescue image (not your main disk)
    * Provide you with temporary login credentials for the rescue environment

    Save the credentials that are displayed — you will need them to log in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect to the Rescue Environment">
    Connect to your server using SSH with the temporary credentials provided. If SSH is not available (for example, if network issues are part of the problem), enable [VNC access](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access) and log in through the web console instead. You now have full root access to the rescue system.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  The rescue environment is temporary. Any files you create or software you install inside the rescue system itself (not on your mounted disk) will be lost when you exit Rescue Mode. Make your repairs on the mounted disk, not in the rescue system.
</Warning>

***

## Essential Rescue Mode Commands

Before diving into specific scenarios, here are the foundational commands you will use in almost every rescue session:

### Finding and Mounting Your Server's Disk

Your server's main disk is not mounted automatically in Rescue Mode — that is the whole point. You need to find it and mount it yourself:

```bash theme={null}
# List all available disks and partitions
lsblk

# You will see something like:
# NAME   MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
# vda      254:0    0   50G  0 disk
# ├─vda1   254:1    0   49G  0 part
# └─vda2   254:2    0    1G  0 part

# Mount the main partition
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt

# Verify it worked — you should see your server's files
ls /mnt
# bin  boot  dev  etc  home  lib  media  mnt  opt  proc  root  run  sbin  srv  sys  tmp  usr  var
```

<Tip>
  Your main partition is almost always `/dev/vda1` or `/dev/sda1`. If you see multiple partitions, the largest one is typically your root filesystem. Use `lsblk -f` to see filesystem types and labels for more clarity.
</Tip>

### Running Filesystem Repairs

If you suspect disk corruption (common after unexpected shutdowns or failed updates):

```bash theme={null}
# IMPORTANT: The partition must NOT be mounted for fsck to work safely
# If you already mounted it, unmount first: umount /mnt

# Check and repair the filesystem (-y automatically answers "yes" to repair prompts)
fsck -y /dev/vda1

# For ext4 filesystems specifically
e2fsck -fy /dev/vda1
```

***

## Real-World Rescue Scenarios

### Scenario 1: Fixing a Broken /etc/fstab

A bad entry in `/etc/fstab` is one of the most common reasons a Linux server refuses to boot. Maybe you added a mount point with the wrong UUID, or referenced a disk that no longer exists. Here is how to fix it:

```bash theme={null}
# Mount your server's disk
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt

# Look at the current fstab
cat /mnt/etc/fstab

# Edit the file and fix or comment out the broken entry
nano /mnt/etc/fstab

# To comment out a problematic line, add a # at the beginning:
# # /dev/sdb1  /data  ext4  defaults  0  2

# Save and exit (Ctrl+O, Enter, Ctrl+X in nano)

# Unmount cleanly
umount /mnt
```

After exiting Rescue Mode, your server should boot normally with the corrected fstab.

### Scenario 2: Recovering Files Before a Rebuild

Your server is beyond repair and you have decided to rebuild from scratch. But you need your data first:

```bash theme={null}
# Mount your server's disk
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt

# Browse and identify what you need
ls /mnt/home/
ls /mnt/var/www/
ls /mnt/etc/

# Option A: Copy files to a remote server via SCP
scp -r /mnt/var/www/html user@backup-server:/backups/

# Option B: Create a compressed archive and transfer it
tar czf /tmp/backup.tar.gz -C /mnt/var/www html
scp /tmp/backup.tar.gz user@backup-server:/backups/

# Option C: Copy database files
cp /mnt/var/lib/mysql /tmp/mysql-backup -r
scp -r /tmp/mysql-backup user@backup-server:/backups/

# Unmount when done
umount /mnt
```

### Scenario 3: Resetting the Root Password Manually

If the control panel password reset is not working (QEMU Guest Agent not installed), you can reset the password from Rescue Mode:

```bash theme={null}
# Mount your server's disk
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt

# Chroot into your server's filesystem
# This makes the rescue system "pretend" it is your server's OS
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt

# Now you are "inside" your server's OS — change the password
passwd root
# Enter and confirm your new password

# Exit the chroot
exit

# Clean up mounts
umount /mnt/sys
umount /mnt/proc
umount /mnt/dev
umount /mnt
```

### Scenario 4: Fixing a Broken SSH Configuration

You edited `sshd_config` and now SSH will not start:

```bash theme={null}
# Mount your server's disk
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt

# Check the SSH config for syntax errors
# Common mistakes: typos, duplicate directives, setting PermitRootLogin to "no" without another user
cat /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Fix the configuration
nano /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config

# If you are not sure what is wrong, you can restore the default config:
# cp /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config.broken
# apt-get download openssh-server  (to get a fresh default config)

# Unmount
umount /mnt
```

### Scenario 5: Repairing the GRUB Bootloader

If GRUB is broken and your server will not boot past the bootloader:

```bash theme={null}
# Mount your server's disk and set up chroot
mount /dev/vda1 /mnt
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt

# Reinstall GRUB (for BIOS/MBR systems)
grub-install /dev/vda
update-grub

# For UEFI systems, you may also need to mount the EFI partition first:
# mount /dev/vda15 /boot/efi  (partition number may vary)
# grub-install --target=x86_64-efi /dev/vda
# update-grub

# Exit chroot and clean up
exit
umount /mnt/sys
umount /mnt/proc
umount /mnt/dev
umount /mnt
```

***

## Exiting Rescue Mode

When you have finished your repairs:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Unmount Everything">
    Make sure you unmount all partitions you mounted during the rescue session. Leaving them mounted can cause data corruption:

    ```bash theme={null}
    umount /mnt
    ```

    If you used chroot, unmount the bind mounts first (`/mnt/sys`, `/mnt/proc`, `/mnt/dev`) before unmounting `/mnt`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Return to the Rescue Tab">
    Go back to the server's **Options** > **Rescue** tab in the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="End the Rescue Session">
    Click the button to disable or end the rescue session. Your server will restart and boot from its normal primary disk with your repairs applied.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Alternatively, you can restart the server from the **Power Controls** on the Overview page. Restarting will automatically exit Rescue Mode and boot from the primary disk.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Will Rescue Mode affect my data?">
    No. Rescue Mode boots from a completely separate image and does not touch your server's main disk at all. Your data remains exactly as it was unless you explicitly mount the disk and make changes yourself. Think of it like booting a laptop from a USB drive — the hard drive is just sitting there, inactive.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use Rescue Mode if my server will not start at all?">
    Yes, that is the primary use case. Since Rescue Mode boots from an independent image provided by the hypervisor, it works even when your server's operating system is completely destroyed, the bootloader is missing, or the filesystem is corrupted beyond automatic repair.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I find the correct disk to mount?">
    Run `lsblk` to see all available disks and partitions. Your main disk is typically `/dev/vda` (virtio) or `/dev/sda` (SCSI), with the primary partition being `/dev/vda1` or `/dev/sda1`. You can also run `lsblk -f` to see filesystem types and labels, or `fdisk -l` for detailed partition information.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a time limit on Rescue Mode sessions?">
    There is no strict time limit, but rescue sessions are meant to be temporary. Complete your troubleshooting, make the necessary repairs, and then exit Rescue Mode to return to normal operation. Do not run production workloads in the rescue environment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I install software in the rescue environment?">
    Yes, the Debian Live rescue environment includes a package manager. You can install additional tools with `apt update && apt install <package>` if needed. However, remember that anything installed in the rescue environment itself is temporary and will be lost when you exit. To install software permanently, chroot into your mounted disk first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I cannot connect to the rescue environment via SSH?">
    If SSH to the rescue environment is not working, enable [VNC console access](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access) from the **Options** > **VNC** tab. VNC connects through the hypervisor and does not depend on network configuration inside the rescue system.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Rescue Mode simplified.
</div>


# How to View and Manage Network Settings
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-view-and-manage-network-settings

View and manage VPS network configuration in the FREAKHOSTING Control Panel including IP addresses, network interfaces, speed limits, and firewalls.

## Understanding Your VPS Network Configuration

Every server needs a network connection to do its job, and the **Network** tab in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel is your window into exactly how that connection is set up. Whether you are configuring a web server, setting up a firewall, troubleshooting a connectivity hiccup, or just satisfying your curiosity about what is under the hood, this is where you will find every detail you need.

Think of this page as your server's networking passport — it shows its identity, its address, and how it connects to the wider internet.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Network Settings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Log in at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com), click **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Network Tab">
    Click on the **Network** tab in the server management navigation. You will land on the **Primary Network** section with all of your networking details laid out in front of you.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Primary Network Information

At the top of the Network tab, under the **Primary Network** heading, you will see a summary table containing your server's core network identity. A blue **Statistics** dropdown button sits in the top-right corner for accessing traffic graphs.

Here is what each field means in plain English:

| Field                | Example Value       | What It Means                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| -------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **ID**               | `9193037049`        | A unique numeric identifier for this network interface — think of it as a serial number that the hosting platform uses internally to track your connection.                                                                                                    |
| **MAC**              | `00:04:38:46:24:0F` | The **Media Access Control** address — a hardware-level identifier for your virtual network adapter. It is like a fingerprint for your network card. You rarely need to change this, but some software licensing systems use it for activation.                |
| **Interface**        | `eth0`              | The name your operating system uses to refer to this network adapter. On Linux, `eth0` is the classic name for the first Ethernet interface. If you are writing firewall rules or configuring network services, this is the interface name you will reference. |
| **Type**             | `Public`            | Indicates this interface is directly accessible from the internet. A public interface means anyone on the internet can reach your server's IP address (subject to any firewall rules you have in place).                                                       |
| **Speed (Inbound)**  | ∞ (infinity icon)   | The maximum download speed of your network connection. An infinity symbol means your inbound speed is **unlimited** — there is no artificial cap on how fast data can flow into your server.                                                                   |
| **Speed (Outbound)** | ∞ (infinity icon)   | The maximum upload speed. Again, an infinity symbol means **unlimited** — your server can push data out as fast as the physical network allows.                                                                                                                |

<Tip>
  Seeing infinity symbols for both speeds is a great sign — it means FREAKHOSTING is not throttling your connection. Your server gets the full speed of the underlying network hardware.
</Tip>

***

## IPv4 Addresses

The **IPv4 Addresses** section lists every IP address assigned to your server in a clean table format. Here is a breakdown of each column:

| Column        | Example Value               | What It Means                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Address**   | `31.59.58.152`              | Your server's public IPv4 address. This is the address you type into an SSH client, paste into a browser, or point your domain's DNS records at. It is your server's home on the internet.                                                                                                       |
| **RDNS**      | Blue **Reverse DNS** button | Click this button to configure the hostname that resolves back to your IP address. This is especially important for email servers — more on this in the [Reverse DNS guide](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-configure-reverse-dns).                                                                    |
| **Gateway**   | `31.58.58.1`                | The network router that your server sends traffic through to reach the rest of the internet. When your server needs to communicate with any external address, the data passes through this gateway first. You will never need to change this — it is configured automatically.                   |
| **Netmask**   | `255.255.255.0`             | Defines the size of your local network segment. A netmask of `255.255.255.0` (also written as `/24`) means your server shares a network block with up to 254 other addresses. The netmask tells your server which addresses are "local neighbors" and which require routing through the gateway. |
| **Resolvers** | `1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8`          | The DNS resolver addresses your server uses to translate domain names into IP addresses. You can customize these in the [DNS Resolvers section](/portals/vps-panel/how-to-change-ipv4-public-dns-resolvers) further down the page.                                                               |

***

## Network Statistics

Click the blue **Statistics** dropdown button at the top of the Network page to access detailed traffic analytics. This opens the same interactive chart views available on the Overview page, but filtered specifically to network traffic for the selected interface. You can view bandwidth usage across different time ranges — from the last 30 minutes to the last full week.

This is particularly useful when you need to investigate a traffic spike, confirm that a backup completed, or verify that a new application is not consuming more bandwidth than expected.

***

## Practical Scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Setting up a web server">
    You have just installed Nginx and need to tell your domain where to point. Head to the Network tab, grab your **Address** from the IPv4 table (for example, `31.59.58.152`), and create an A record in your domain's DNS pointing to that IP. Your **Interface** name (`eth0`) is what you will reference if you need to bind Nginx to a specific network adapter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Configuring a firewall">
    When writing iptables or UFW rules, you need to know your interface name and gateway. The Network tab gives you both at a glance. For example, you might allow inbound SSH only on `eth0` and route outbound traffic through the gateway at `31.58.58.1`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Troubleshooting connectivity issues">
    If your server cannot reach the internet, the Network tab is your first stop. Verify that your **Address**, **Gateway**, and **Resolvers** are all populated. If the resolvers look wrong or missing, you can update them from the DNS Resolvers section without touching any config files.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Software licensing with MAC addresses">
    Some software licenses are tied to a specific MAC address. If a vendor asks for your server's MAC, you will find it right in the Primary Network table — no need to SSH in and run `ip link show`.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Key Networking Concepts

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is an IP address?">
    An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to your server that allows it to communicate over the internet. Think of it as your server's phone number — other devices use it to find and connect to your server. Your IPv4 address is displayed prominently in the IPv4 Addresses table on the Network page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is a MAC address?">
    A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a hardware-level identifier for your virtual network adapter. It is automatically assigned and looks like six pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g., `00:04:38:46:24:0F`). While you generally do not need to change it, some software licensing systems and network policies reference MAC addresses for identification.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is a gateway?">
    The gateway is the network device that routes traffic between your server and the rest of the internet. Picture a post office — your server drops off outgoing mail (data packets) at the gateway, and the gateway figures out how to deliver it to the destination. This is configured automatically and does not need to be modified.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is a netmask?">
    The netmask defines which portion of an IP address refers to the network and which portion refers to individual devices. A common netmask of `255.255.255.0` means the first three groups of numbers identify the network, and the last group identifies individual devices within that network. It is how your server knows whether to send traffic directly to a neighbor or route it through the gateway.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does the infinity symbol mean for speed?">
    The infinity symbol (∞) next to your inbound and outbound speeds means **unlimited** — FREAKHOSTING is not imposing any artificial speed cap on your connection. Your server can transfer data as fast as the underlying network infrastructure allows, which is ideal for bandwidth-intensive workloads like media streaming, large file transfers, or high-traffic websites.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Network management simplified.
</div>


# How to View and Manage VPS Storage
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-view-and-manage-vps-storage

Learn how to view your VPS disk drives, understand storage allocation, and manage primary storage in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel.

## Managing Your Server's Storage

The Storage tab in the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel gives you a complete view of every disk drive attached to your virtual server — including its capacity, role, and current status. Whether you are running a single-drive setup or managing additional storage volumes, this is where you keep tabs on your server's disk resources.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    2 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Viewing Your Storage Configuration

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Server">
    Click on **Servers** in the top navigation bar, then click **Manage** next to the server you want to view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Storage Tab">
    Click on the **Storage** tab in the server management navigation. You will see a card for each disk drive attached to your server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding the Storage Display

Each disk drive is displayed as a card showing the following details:

| Detail              | Description                                                                                                     |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Drive Letter**    | The drive identifier — for example, **Drive: A** is your first drive, **Drive: B** would be a second, and so on |
| **Type Badge**      | An orange **PRIMARY** badge marks the main boot drive where your operating system lives                         |
| **Capacity**        | The total storage space allocated to this drive (e.g., 100 GB)                                                  |
| **Toggle Switch**   | A green toggle indicating whether the drive is currently enabled or disabled                                    |
| **Hard Drive Icon** | A visual indicator representing the disk                                                                        |

### Drive A — Your Primary Drive

Every VPS ships with at least one drive: **Drive A**, marked with the orange **PRIMARY** badge. This is the disk your operating system is installed on and the one your server boots from. The primary drive is always enabled — you will see its toggle switch set to green (on) by default, and it cannot be disabled while your server is active.

Think of Drive A as the main hard drive in a desktop computer. Everything your server needs to start up lives here: the operating system, your applications, your databases, your configuration files.

### When Would I See Multiple Drives?

Some VPS plans or custom configurations include additional storage volumes. If your server has extra drives attached, they appear as separate cards — **Drive: B**, **Drive: C**, and so on. These secondary drives do **not** have the PRIMARY badge because they are used for data storage only, not booting.

Common reasons you might see multiple drives:

* **Additional storage add-on** — You purchased extra disk space that is mounted as a separate volume.
* **Dedicated data drive** — Your plan includes a second drive specifically for databases, media files, or backups.
* **Custom configuration** — Our team attached an extra volume at your request.

<Info>
  Secondary drives can be toggled on or off using their toggle switch. Disabling a secondary drive detaches it from your server — the data is preserved, but the drive will not be accessible until you re-enable it. **The primary drive toggle cannot be turned off** while the server is running.
</Info>

***

## Checking Disk Usage from Inside Your Server

The Storage tab shows you how much space is **allocated** to each drive, but to see how much space is actually **used**, you need to check from within your operating system.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Linux" icon="linux">
    Connect via SSH and run `df -h` to see disk usage for all mounted volumes. The output shows total size, used space, available space, and the mount point for each drive.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Windows" icon="windows">
    Open **Disk Management** (right-click the Start menu and select it) or run `Get-PSDrive` in PowerShell to view drive capacity and free space.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Storage Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Monitor Disk Usage" icon="chart-pie">
    Regularly check your disk usage from within the operating system. Running out of disk space can cause services to crash, databases to corrupt, and log files to stop writing — often with no obvious warning until things break.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clean Up Regularly" icon="broom">
    Remove unnecessary files, old logs, and temporary data. On Linux, use `apt autoremove` (Debian/Ubuntu) or `yum autoremove` (CentOS) to clean up unused packages. Check `/var/log` for oversized log files.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plan for Growth" icon="arrow-trend-up">
    If your data is growing rapidly, consider upgrading your VPS plan to a larger storage allocation before your disk fills up. Running at 90%+ capacity is a warning sign — give yourself breathing room.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Regular Backups" icon="database">
    Even with ample storage, always maintain regular backups. Storage hardware can fail and accidental deletions happen. Head over to the **Backups** tab to schedule automated backups of your primary drive.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I add more storage to my VPS?">
    Storage capacity is determined by your VPS plan. To increase storage, you may need to upgrade to a higher plan or request an additional storage volume. Contact FREAKHOSTING support for available upgrade options and pricing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if my disk fills up?">
    When a disk reaches 100% capacity, services will start failing. Databases crash, log files cannot be written, and your operating system may become unstable or unresponsive. Some services (like MySQL) will refuse to start entirely until space is freed. Monitor disk usage regularly and take action when usage exceeds 85%.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I resize my primary drive without upgrading my plan?">
    The primary drive size is tied to your VPS plan. Resizing it requires a plan upgrade. If you only need extra space for data (not the OS), ask about adding a secondary storage volume instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple drives?">
    Yes. Depending on your VPS plan and configuration, you may have one or more drives attached. The primary drive (Drive A) contains your operating system, while additional drives can be used for data storage. Each drive appears as its own card in the Storage tab with its own toggle switch and capacity display.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Storage management simplified.
</div>


# Understanding the VPS Task Log
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/understanding-the-vps-task-log

Learn how to read and interpret the VPS Task Log in the FREAKHOSTING Control Panel to track server operations, monitor progress, and troubleshoot issues.

## Tracking Server Operations with the Task Log

Every time something happens to your server — a build, a rebuild, a backup, a restore — it gets recorded in the Task Log. Think of it as your server's activity diary. It sits at the bottom of **every single page** in your server's management interface at **cloud.freakhosting.com**, so no matter which tab you are on, you can always glance down to see what your server has been up to.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Finding the Task Log

The Task Log appears at the **bottom of every tab** within your server's management interface — Overview, Media, Options, Network, Storage, Backups, Sharing — it is always there. You do not need to navigate anywhere special. Just scroll down past the main content of whatever page you are on, and there it is.

***

## Reading the Task Log

The Task Log is a table with four columns. Here is what each one tells you:

| Column        | What It Shows                                       | Example                                         |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Task**      | The type of operation that was performed            | Build, Rebuild, Backup, Restore, Password Reset |
| **Requested** | The exact date and time the operation was initiated | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 11:33 PM            |
| **Duration**  | How long the operation took from start to finish    | 16 sec, 35 sec, 2 min                           |
| **Progress**  | A percentage bar followed by a colored status badge | 100% with a green **COMPLETE** badge            |

### Status Badges Explained

The Progress column is the one you will look at most. It combines a progress percentage with a colored status badge:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="COMPLETE" icon="circle-check">
    **Green badge.** The operation finished successfully with no errors. This is what you want to see. For example: "100% COMPLETE" means your build, backup, or rebuild went through without a hitch.
  </Card>

  <Card title="IN PROGRESS" icon="spinner">
    **Animated/active indicator.** The operation is currently running. The percentage shows how far along it is (for example, 45%). Wait for it to reach 100% COMPLETE before using your server or starting another operation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FAILED" icon="circle-xmark">
    **Red badge.** Something went wrong and the operation did not complete. This needs your attention — see the troubleshooting section below for what to do.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Common Task Types and What They Mean

Not sure what "Build" or "Restore" means when you see it in the log? Here is a breakdown of every task type you might encounter:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Build" icon="hammer">
    **Your server was created.** This is the very first task you will ever see in the log. It records the initial provisioning of your VPS — installing the operating system, setting up networking, configuring SSH keys, and applying your selected settings. You will also see a new Build entry if you ordered a fresh server. A typical build takes around 15-20 seconds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Rebuild" icon="rotate">
    **Your server's OS was reinstalled from scratch.** This appears when you (or support) used the Rebuild feature to wipe the server and install a fresh operating system. All data on the server is erased and replaced with a clean OS install. Rebuild times are similar to initial builds — usually under 30 seconds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backup" icon="database">
    **A snapshot of your server's disk was saved.** This can be a scheduled automatic backup or one you triggered manually. The Duration column tells you how long the backup took — useful for knowing if your backups are getting slower as your data grows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restore" icon="rotate-left">
    **Your server was rolled back to a previous backup.** This replaces everything on your server's disk with the contents of a saved backup. You will typically see this after choosing to restore from the Backups tab. The server reboots as part of this process.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Password Reset" icon="key">
    **The root/admin password was changed.** This appears when you used the password reset feature in the panel. The operation is nearly instant — usually completing in just a few seconds.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Power Operations" icon="power-off">
    **Your server was started, stopped, or rebooted.** These entries record power state changes initiated through the panel. They typically show very short durations since they are simple commands sent to the hypervisor.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What to Do When a Task Shows FAILED

A **FAILED** status means something went wrong during the operation. Do not panic — here is a step-by-step approach:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Note the details">
    Write down (or screenshot) the **task type**, the **date and time** it was requested, and the **duration** before it failed. This information is essential for troubleshooting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Try the operation again">
    Many failures are temporary — a brief resource contention on the host, a network hiccup, or a timeout. Wait a minute, then try the same operation again. Rebuilds, backups, and password resets can all be safely retried.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check your server status">
    Make sure your server is in the expected power state. If a rebuild failed, your server might still be running the old OS, or it might be stopped. Check the power controls on the Overview tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Contact support with the details">
    If the operation fails a second time, reach out to FREAKHOSTING support. Provide the task type, timestamp, and any error details you noted. This helps the team diagnose the issue quickly without back-and-forth questions.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Real-world example:** You trigger a rebuild to switch from Ubuntu to Debian, but the Task Log shows **FAILED** after 5 seconds. You try again — same result. You open a support ticket and include: "Rebuild task failed twice, requested at Wednesday Jan 14 11:33 PM, duration 5 sec each time." The support team can look up exactly what happened on the backend and resolve it quickly.
</Tip>

***

## Using the Task Log Effectively

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Monitoring active operations">
    When you kick off an operation like a rebuild or backup, keep an eye on the Task Log at the bottom of the page. The progress bar fills up in real time. **Wait for the green COMPLETE badge** before trying to use your server or starting another operation. Running multiple operations simultaneously can cause conflicts or failures.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verifying backup success">
    Get in the habit of checking the Task Log after your scheduled backup window to confirm it completed with a green **COMPLETE** badge. If you notice a backup showing FAILED, investigate promptly — your data protection depends on successful backups. You can also enable **Backup Failure notifications** in your profile settings so you get an email alert automatically whenever a backup does not complete.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Spotting performance trends in operation durations">
    The Duration column is more useful than it looks at first glance. If your backups used to take 30 seconds but now take 3 minutes, your server's disk usage has grown significantly. If a rebuild that normally takes 15 seconds suddenly takes 2 minutes, there may be host-level congestion. Tracking these patterns helps you stay ahead of issues.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Understanding why you see multiple Build entries">
    If your Task Log shows several Build entries, do not worry — this is normal. Each one represents either a new server provisioning or a rebuild (which is technically a fresh build). The most recent entry at the top is the one that matters. Older entries are simply historical records.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Viewing Full Task History

The Task Log on the server page shows your most recent operations. If you have a longer history and want to see older entries, look for the **"..."** pagination dots at the bottom of the task table. Click them to load additional pages of historical entries.

This is especially useful when you need to check something that happened weeks ago — for example, verifying when the last successful backup occurred before making changes to your server.

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Task tracking simplified.
</div>


# Understanding VPS Traffic and Bandwidth
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/understanding-vps-traffic-and-bandwidth

Monitor VPS bandwidth usage, understand monthly traffic allowances, and track network consumption on your FREAKHOSTING VPS to prevent overages.

## Monitoring Your Network Usage

Bandwidth is one of those things you never think about until you run out of it — or until you get an unexpected bill. The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel gives you clear, real-time visibility into exactly how much data your server is transferring, in which direction, and how that compares to your plan's allowance.

Whether you are running a personal blog that barely sips bandwidth or a busy media server that guzzles gigabytes by the hour, understanding your traffic patterns helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Where to Find Traffic Information

Traffic data appears in several places throughout the control panel, each offering a different level of detail.

### Dashboard Traffic Summary

On the main **Dashboard**, the **Traffic Consumption** card provides a bird's-eye view:

* **Weekly (Wk)** — Inbound, Outbound, and Total traffic for the current week.
* **Monthly (Mo)** — Inbound, Outbound, and Total traffic for the current billing month.
* A visual bar chart displays traffic patterns over recent days, making it easy to spot trends or unusual spikes at a glance.

### Server Overview — Network Section

On each server's **Overview** page, the **Network** section provides the most detailed snapshot:

* A **donut chart** that visually shows your bandwidth usage as a percentage of your total allowance. For example, if you have used 10% of your allowance, you will see a small filled segment and a large empty segment — giving you an instant sense of how much runway you have left.
* **IP Address** — Your server's primary IP displayed for quick reference.
* **Inbound** — Total data received by your server during the current billing period.
* **Outbound** — Total data sent from your server during the current billing period.
* **Total** — Combined inbound and outbound traffic.
* **Inbound Speed / Outbound Speed** — Your connection speed limits. An **infinity symbol (∞)** here means **unlimited** — FREAKHOSTING is not imposing any speed cap on your connection.
* **Allowance** — Your total monthly bandwidth allocation. If this also shows an infinity symbol, congratulations — your plan includes **unlimited bandwidth**, and the donut chart is essentially decorative.
* **Billing period** — The date range for the current cycle (e.g., "Sun Mar 8 - Tue Apr 7"), so you know exactly when your allowance resets.

<Tip>
  If both your speed and allowance show infinity symbols, you are on an unlimited plan — your server can transfer as much data as it needs at full network speed without any overage concerns. This is the case for most FREAKHOSTING VPS plans.
</Tip>

***

## Reading the Donut Chart

The donut chart on the Overview page is designed to give you an at-a-glance understanding of your bandwidth consumption:

* **Filled portion** — Represents the percentage of your allowance you have used so far this billing period.
* **Empty portion** — Represents remaining bandwidth.
* **Percentage label** — The center of the donut shows your exact usage percentage.

For example, a donut showing **10%** filled means you have used 10% of your monthly allowance with the remaining 90% still available. If your plan has unlimited bandwidth, the chart will show very low percentages since the "total" is effectively infinite.

***

## Understanding Traffic Metrics

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Inbound Traffic" icon="arrow-down">
    Data flowing **into** your server from the internet. This includes incoming web requests from visitors, file downloads to your server, SSH session data, software and OS updates, and data received from external APIs. For most web servers, inbound traffic is significantly lower than outbound since incoming requests are small but the responses (web pages, images, files) are large.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Outbound Traffic" icon="arrow-up">
    Data flowing **out** from your server to the internet. This includes web pages and assets served to visitors, files uploaded or delivered from your server, emails sent, backup transfers to external storage, and API responses. Outbound traffic is typically the larger portion — this is where your bandwidth gets consumed the fastest.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Bandwidth Allowance" icon="gauge">
    The total amount of data transfer included with your VPS plan per billing cycle. Plans may show a specific monthly cap (e.g., 1 TB, 5 TB) or an **infinity symbol (∞)** indicating **unlimited traffic**. Unlimited means exactly what it sounds like — transfer as much as you need without worrying about caps or overages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Billing Period" icon="calendar">
    Your traffic allowance resets at the start of each billing period. The exact date range is displayed beneath the donut chart on the Overview page (e.g., "Sun Mar 8 - Tue Apr 7"). Keep an eye on how far into the period you are versus how much bandwidth you have used to gauge your pace.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Real-World Bandwidth Usage Examples

To help you understand what different bandwidth amounts actually look like in practice:

| Activity                                                 | Approximate Bandwidth per Month |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| A personal blog with 1,000 daily visitors                | 5-15 GB                         |
| A small business website with moderate traffic           | 20-50 GB                        |
| A web application serving 10,000 daily users             | 50-200 GB                       |
| A game server with 50 concurrent players                 | 100-500 GB                      |
| A file hosting or media streaming service                | 500 GB - 5 TB+                  |
| A busy CDN origin server or software mirror              | 1 TB - 10 TB+                   |
| An email server handling a few thousand messages per day | 5-20 GB                         |
| OS updates and package downloads (server maintenance)    | 1-5 GB                          |

These are rough estimates and will vary based on your specific content, compression settings, caching strategy, and traffic patterns. The control panel's real-time monitoring gives you the exact numbers for your server.

***

## Viewing Detailed Traffic Statistics

For more granular traffic data, open the **Statistics** section on the server's Overview page by clicking the expand arrow. The **Network Traffic (Primary)** chart shows real-time bandwidth usage in Mbps over your selected time period.

Available time ranges:

| Period    | Best For                                                                                                |
| --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **30m**   | Monitoring current activity in real time — useful during deployments or when investigating a live issue |
| **1hr**   | Identifying recent traffic spikes — did that marketing email just go out?                               |
| **12hrs** | Understanding daily patterns — when are your peak hours?                                                |
| **1d**    | Full 24-hour view — great for comparing today's traffic to normal levels                                |
| **1wk**   | Weekly overview — identifying trends, comparing weekdays to weekends                                    |

You can also access network statistics from the **Network** tab by clicking the blue **Statistics** dropdown button. This provides the same chart views but focused specifically on network traffic for the selected interface.

***

## Tips for Managing Bandwidth

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What uses the most bandwidth?">
    The biggest bandwidth consumers are typically: large file downloads or media streaming, high-resolution images served without compression, database replication across servers, backups transferred to external storage, and high-traffic websites without CDN caching. If you notice unexpectedly high bandwidth usage, check for misconfigured services, open proxies, or unauthorized access — a compromised server can churn through bandwidth surprisingly fast.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does the infinity symbol mean for my allowance?">
    The infinity symbol (∞) means your plan includes **unlimited bandwidth**. You can transfer as much data as you need without hitting a cap or incurring overage charges. Most FREAKHOSTING VPS plans include unlimited bandwidth, so the donut chart is primarily useful for monitoring your traffic patterns rather than worrying about limits.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I have a plan with a bandwidth limit and exceed it?">
    If your plan has a specific bandwidth cap and you approach it, monitor your usage closely via the donut chart and statistics. Exceeding your allowance may result in reduced speeds or additional charges depending on your plan terms. If you consistently need more bandwidth, contact support to discuss upgrading to a higher tier or unlimited plan.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How can I reduce bandwidth usage?">
    Several strategies can dramatically reduce your bandwidth consumption: enable **gzip or Brotli compression** for web traffic, put a **CDN** (like Cloudflare) in front of your server to cache static content at edge locations worldwide, **optimize images** (use WebP format, compress appropriately), implement **browser caching headers** so returning visitors do not re-download unchanged assets, and audit your server for any unauthorized services consuming bandwidth in the background.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my outbound traffic much higher than inbound?">
    This is completely normal for web servers. Inbound requests (someone asking for a web page) are tiny — just a few kilobytes. But the response your server sends back (the HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and other assets) can be hundreds of kilobytes or megabytes. Multiply that by thousands of requests, and outbound traffic adds up fast. It is like how asking a question takes one sentence, but the answer might fill a whole page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I identify what is consuming my bandwidth?">
    Use the **Statistics** charts to identify when spikes occur, then correlate with your server logs. Tools like `iftop` (real-time bandwidth by connection), `vnstat` (historical traffic tracking), and `nethogs` (bandwidth per process) can help you pinpoint exactly which service or connection is responsible. On the panel side, the 30-minute and 1-hour chart views are great for catching spikes as they happen.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Traffic monitoring simplified.
</div>


# VPS Control Panel Dashboard Overview
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/vps-control-panel-dashboard-overview

Navigate the FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel dashboard including account details, notifications, traffic monitoring, and server management actions.

## Your VPS Command Center

The FREAKHOSTING VPS Control Panel Dashboard is the first screen you see after logging in at [cloud.freakhosting.com](https://cloud.freakhosting.com). Think of it as mission control for all your virtual servers — a single page that shows your account health, alerts, bandwidth usage, and every server you own, all updated in real time.

Let us walk through exactly what you will find here and how to make the most of it.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What You See When You Land

When the dashboard loads, you are greeted with a **"Greetings, \[Your Name]"** heading at the top. In the upper-right corner, you will find quick links to your **Account** settings and a **Logout** button.

Below the greeting, three information cards sit side by side, giving you an instant health check on your account. Below those cards, your server list takes up the rest of the page. That is the entire layout — clean, focused, and designed so you can find what you need in seconds.

***

## Dashboard Cards Explained

The three cards across the top of the dashboard each serve a specific purpose. Here is what each one tells you and why it matters.

### Account Information Card

The **Account** card is your identity snapshot. It confirms you are logged into the right account and shows your security status at a glance.

* **Email Address** — The email linked to your control panel account. Useful for confirming which account you are in if you manage multiple.
* **Two-Factor Authentication** — Displays a green **ACTIVE** badge when 2FA is enabled, or a warning when it is not. If you see anything other than that green badge, head to **Account** in the top nav to turn it on — it is one of the best things you can do to protect your servers.
* **Last Login** — The exact date and time of your most recent successful login. If this ever shows a time you do not recognize, change your password immediately and contact support.
* **Timezone** — Your configured timezone shown as a badge (for example, **EUROPE/LONDON**). This affects how all dates and times appear throughout the panel. You can change it in your Account settings if it does not match your local time.

### Notifications Center

The **Notifications** card is your alert system. A count badge in the corner tells you how many unread notifications are waiting.

* **When everything is fine**, you will see a checkmark icon and the message **"No unread notifications"** with a **0** badge. This is the ideal state — it means all your servers are running normally and nothing needs your attention.
* **When something needs attention**, the badge updates with the number of unread alerts. Notifications can include server status changes (a VPS stopping unexpectedly), backup completions, scheduled maintenance windows, and system-wide announcements.
* **Click the card** to expand and read your full notification history. Staying on top of these alerts helps you catch small issues before they become big problems.

### Traffic Consumption Overview

The **Traffic Consumption** card gives you a visual breakdown of your total bandwidth usage across all servers on your account.

The card is organized into a simple table with three columns — **IN**, **OUT**, and **TOTAL** — and two rows:

* **Wk (Weekly)** — Your bandwidth consumption for the current week. For example, you might see values like **5.5 TB** inbound (green bar), **2 TB** outbound (orange bar), and **7.5 TB** total (blue bar).
* **Mo (Monthly)** — The same breakdown aggregated over the entire current calendar month. Monthly figures naturally run higher — something like **16.7 TB / 18.2 TB / 34.9 TB** is perfectly normal for active servers.

A small **bar chart visualization** behind the numbers gives you a quick visual sense of the proportions. The colored bars make it easy to see at a glance whether inbound or outbound traffic dominates your usage.

<Tip>
  **Why this matters:** If you notice outbound traffic suddenly spiking much higher than usual, it could indicate a misconfiguration, a DDoS reflection, or unexpected load. Checking this card regularly takes just a few seconds and can save you from surprises.
</Tip>

***

## Server List

Below the three dashboard cards is the main event — your server list. This is where you see every VPS on your account and jump into managing any one of them.

### Server List Tabs

The server list offers different views to help you find what you need quickly:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Recent Servers">
    The **Recent Servers** tab (highlighted in blue by default) shows the servers you have most recently accessed or interacted with. If you have just one or two servers, this is all you need — your VPS is right there every time you log in.

    This is the default view and is designed so you can get back to the server you were working on as fast as possible.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Bookmarked Servers">
    The **Bookmarked Servers** tab (outlined button next to Recent Servers) shows only the servers you have pinned as favorites. This becomes invaluable when you manage many servers — instead of scrolling through a long list, you bookmark the three or four VPS instances you work with most and they are always one click away.

    **How to bookmark a server:** Look for the bookmark icon on the right side of any server row. Click it once to pin that server, and it will appear in this tab. Click it again to remove the bookmark.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

You will also notice a blue **All Servers** button on the right side of the tab bar. Click it to jump to the full **Servers** page where you can see every VPS on your account, use search and filtering, and manage them in bulk.

### Understanding Each Server Row

Every server listed on your dashboard packs a lot of information into a single row. Here is what each element means:

| Element                | What It Tells You                                                                                                               |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Server Name**        | The custom name assigned to your VPS (for example, "Production Web Server" or "dev-01")                                         |
| **Power Indicator**    | A small colored dot next to the server name — **green** means powered on and running, **red** means powered off                 |
| **Location**           | A country flag icon followed by the city and country of the data center (for example, a UK flag with "London - United Kingdom") |
| **Architecture Badge** | An orange **X86 32/64 BIT** badge showing the processor architecture                                                            |
| **Memory Badge**       | The amount of RAM allocated to your server (for example, "8 GB")                                                                |
| **CPU Cores Badge**    | The number of virtual CPU cores assigned (for example, "4 Cores")                                                               |
| **Storage Badge**      | Total disk space available (for example, "100 GB SSD")                                                                          |
| **Traffic Badge**      | Your bandwidth allowance — many FREAKHOSTING plans show an infinity symbol (**TRAFFIC**) meaning unlimited bandwidth            |
| **Status**             | A colored badge showing the current state — green **ACTIVE** means everything is running normally                               |
| **Created**            | The date your server was originally provisioned                                                                                 |
| **IP Address**         | Your server's primary public IPv4 address, displayed alongside a small terminal icon you can click for quick access             |
| **Manage Button**      | A blue **Manage** button that takes you to the server's full management interface                                               |
| **Bookmark Icon**      | Click to pin or unpin this server from your Bookmarked Servers tab                                                              |

### Server Status Indicators

The **Status** badge on each server tells you its current state at a glance:

* **ACTIVE** (green) — Your server is provisioned and running normally. This is the status you want to see.
* **Stopped** — The server exists but is currently powered off. You can start it from the management page.
* **Suspended** — The server has been suspended, usually due to a billing issue or policy matter. Contact support if you see this unexpectedly.

The **power indicator dot** next to the server name gives you an additional quick signal — a green dot means the VPS is currently powered on, while a red dot means it is off.

### Managing a Server

To access the full management interface for any server, click the blue **Manage** button on its row. This takes you to the server's dedicated page where you can:

* Control power state (start, stop, restart, force stop)
* Access the VNC or noVNC console
* Configure network settings and additional IPs
* Manage backups and snapshots
* Reinstall or rebuild the operating system
* View real-time resource graphs and usage history
* And much more

***

## Top Navigation Bar

The navigation bar runs across the top of every page in the panel. No matter where you are, these links are always one click away:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Dashboard" icon="house">
    Your home base. Click here from anywhere to return to the main overview with your account cards, notifications, and server list.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Servers" icon="server">
    The full server list page with **All Servers** and **Bookmarked Servers** tabs, plus search and filtering tools for finding specific VPS instances.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SSH Keys" icon="key">
    Manage your SSH public keys in one place. Keys stored here can be injected into new server builds or reinstalls for secure, passwordless authentication.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account" icon="user-gear">
    Your profile settings hub — change your password, enable or manage two-factor authentication, generate API tokens for automation, and configure shared access to let trusted users manage specific servers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  If you have administrative privileges, you will also see an orange **Admin** link in the top navigation. This leads to the administration backend and is only visible to accounts with admin access.
</Note>

***

## Quick Actions from the Dashboard

You do not always need to open a server's full management page. Several useful actions are available right from the dashboard:

* **Copy a server IP** — Each server's public IPv4 address is displayed directly in the list. Hover over it or click the terminal icon next to it for quick access. This is handy when you need to SSH in or update a DNS record.
* **Check all server statuses at once** — The green **ACTIVE** badges and power indicator dots let you instantly confirm that all your servers are healthy without clicking into each one.
* **Bookmark your key servers** — If you manage five or more VPS instances, bookmark the ones you access daily. Next time you log in, switch to the **Bookmarked Servers** tab and they are right there — no scrolling, no searching.
* **Jump to the full server list** — Click the blue **All Servers** button to see every VPS on your account in one place, with search and sorting options for larger collections.
* **Monitor bandwidth trends** — A quick glance at the Traffic Consumption card tells you whether your usage is normal. The weekly row is especially useful for spotting sudden changes.

***

## Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Dashboard

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Organize with bookmarks when you have many servers">
    If your account has more than a few servers, bookmarks are your best friend. Click the bookmark icon on the servers you manage most often, then use the **Bookmarked Servers** tab as your daily starting point. It saves time and keeps your workflow focused.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check your last login time regularly">
    The **Last Login** field on your Account card shows exactly when your account was last accessed. Make a habit of glancing at it each time you log in — if the date and time do not match your last session, it could indicate unauthorized access. Change your password and enable 2FA immediately if something looks off.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use traffic data to catch problems early">
    Sudden spikes in outbound traffic can indicate a compromised server, a misconfigured application, or an unexpected surge in legitimate traffic. By checking the Traffic Consumption card regularly, you can catch these issues early. If outbound traffic jumps significantly compared to your usual baseline, investigate the cause by checking your server logs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep two-factor authentication enabled">
    The Account card makes it easy to verify your 2FA status — look for the green **ACTIVE** badge. If it is not there, navigate to **Account** in the top nav and enable it. Two-factor authentication is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent unauthorized access to your servers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **VPS Support:** Dashboard navigation simplified.
</div>


# How to Change PHP Version
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-change-php-version

Learn how to view and change your website's PHP version in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel, including version compatibility and upgrade guidance.

## PHP Version Management

Your website's PHP version plays an important role in both performance and compatibility. Newer PHP versions generally offer faster execution speeds, better memory handling, and improved security. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) makes it simple to view your current PHP version and switch to a different one whenever you need to.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## A Real-World Example

Here is a scenario you might run into. You have just installed a new WordPress plugin, and instead of working, it throws an error saying it requires **PHP 8.2 or higher**. You check your dashboard and see you are running **PHP 8.1**. No problem — you can upgrade your PHP version in under a minute, right from the control panel. This guide will show you exactly how.

***

## Viewing Your Current PHP Version

Your current PHP version is displayed on the main dashboard of your website in the **At a glance** section.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your FREAKHOSTING credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website you want to check.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the At a Glance Panel">
    On the website dashboard, look at the **At a glance** section. You will see the PHP version number (for example, **PHP 8.1**) along with an **LTS** badge if the version is a Long Term Support release. The PHP version entry has a small arrow icon, which tells you it is clickable.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **What does the LTS badge mean?** LTS stands for **Long Term Support**. It means that PHP version is a stable, well-tested release that will continue to receive security updates and bug fixes for years to come. Think of it as the "tried and true" option — the version the community has thoroughly battle-tested. When you see the LTS badge next to a PHP version, it is the safest and most recommended choice for production websites.
</Info>

***

## Changing Your PHP Version

Switching PHP versions is a straightforward process that takes effect immediately. Let's walk through it step by step.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Your Website Dashboard">
    Log in to the control panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and select your website.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the PHP Version in At a Glance">
    On the dashboard, look at the **At a glance** section. You will see the current PHP version displayed (for example, **PHP 8.1 LTS**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click on the PHP Version">
    The PHP version is clickable — you will notice a small arrow icon next to it. Click on it to open the PHP version selection settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a New Version">
    Choose the PHP version you want to use from the available options. The control panel will clearly indicate which versions are available and which have the **LTS** badge.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Changes">
    Confirm your selection and save. The new PHP version will take effect for your website immediately — no server restart needed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Back up before you change PHP versions.** While switching versions is quick and easy, some older plugins, themes, or custom code may not be compatible with newer PHP versions. A plugin that worked perfectly on PHP 8.1 might throw errors on PHP 8.2 if it uses deprecated functions. Always make sure you have a recent backup before making the change, and test your website thoroughly afterwards. If something breaks, you can switch back to the previous version using the same process.
</Warning>

***

## Understanding PHP Version Compatibility

Not all PHP versions work equally well with every website. Here is what to consider when choosing a version.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Newer Is Generally Better" icon="rocket">
    Each new PHP version brings performance improvements, security patches, and modern language features. PHP 8.x is significantly faster than PHP 7.x for most workloads. If your site and plugins support it, going newer is almost always the right call.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plugin & Theme Support" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Some older plugins or themes may not yet support the latest PHP version. Before upgrading, check your CMS, plugins, and themes for compatibility — most plugin authors list supported PHP versions on their download page or documentation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="LTS for Stability" icon="shield-check">
    LTS versions are the safest choice for production websites. They receive security patches and bug fixes for longer, giving you a stable foundation that will not suddenly lose support.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Legacy Code Considerations" icon="clock-rotate-left">
    If your website uses custom PHP code written for an older version, functions that have been deprecated or removed in newer versions may cause errors. For example, some older WordPress themes used functions that were removed in PHP 8.0. If you see errors after upgrading, this is often the cause.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When to Upgrade Your PHP Version

Consider upgrading your PHP version in the following situations:

* **Your current version is approaching end of life** — Unsupported PHP versions no longer receive security patches, leaving your site vulnerable to known exploits.
* **You want better performance** — Newer PHP versions execute code faster and use less memory. Upgrading from PHP 7.4 to 8.1 can give you a noticeable speed boost without changing a single line of code.
* **Your CMS recommends it** — WordPress, Joomla, and other platforms regularly update their minimum PHP version requirements. WordPress, for example, has recommended PHP 8.0 or higher for some time now.
* **A plugin or theme requires it** — Like our example at the top of this guide, sometimes a new plugin simply will not work until you upgrade.
* **A new LTS version is available** — When a new LTS release becomes available, it is a good time to plan an upgrade.

## When to Downgrade Your PHP Version

There are fewer reasons to downgrade, but it may be necessary if:

* **A plugin or theme is incompatible** — If a critical plugin does not support the newer version and no update is available, you may need to temporarily use an older version while you wait for the developer to release a fix.
* **Your custom code uses deprecated functions** — If upgrading causes errors in custom PHP code, you can downgrade while you update the code to use modern alternatives.
* **Your website breaks after an upgrade** — If something stops working after switching versions, switch back to the previous version immediately and investigate the cause. This is exactly why we recommended backing up first.

<Tip>
  **Use the latest LTS version when possible.** LTS releases offer the best combination of speed, security, and long-term stability. Unless your website specifically requires an older version for compatibility, the latest LTS release is the recommended choice. It is the sweet spot between cutting-edge features and proven reliability.
</Tip>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I check my current PHP version?">
    Log in to the control panel, select your website, and look at the **At a glance** section on the dashboard. The PHP version is displayed there along with an LTS badge if applicable. You can click on it to see the available versions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What PHP version should I use?">
    Use the latest version with the **LTS** badge for the best balance of performance, security, and stability. Only use an older version if your website specifically requires it for compatibility. If you are unsure, the version with the LTS badge is always a safe bet.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will changing PHP version break my website?">
    It can, depending on your website's code and plugins. Older plugins or custom code may use functions that have been removed in newer PHP versions. This is why we recommend backing up before making a change and testing thoroughly afterwards. If anything breaks, switching back takes just a few clicks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How quickly does the PHP version change take effect?">
    The change takes effect immediately after you save your selection. There is no waiting period or server restart required.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I switch back to a previous PHP version?">
    Yes. You can switch between available PHP versions at any time using the same process. Simply click on the PHP version in the At a glance panel and select the version you want to revert to.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does changing PHP version affect my website's caching?">
    Changing PHP version may clear the opcode cache, which means your website might be slightly slower on the first few requests while the cache rebuilds. See our [Website Performance Optimisation guide](/portals/web-panel/how-to-optimize-website-performance) for more details on opcode caching.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does LTS actually mean for me?">
    LTS (Long Term Support) means that PHP version will receive security updates and critical bug fixes for an extended period — typically several years. It means you can rely on that version without worrying about it suddenly becoming unsupported. For most websites, the LTS version is the ideal choice.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** PHP version management made simple.
</div>


# How to Configure Email Authentication and Routing
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-authentication-and-routing

Enable DKIM authentication, configure local or remote mail routing, and set up Cloudflare DNS integration in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel.

## Configuring Email Authentication and Routing

Ever send an email from your domain and wonder why it ended up in someone's spam folder? Or maybe you use Google Workspace for email but your hosting keeps trying to handle incoming mail? This guide covers exactly how to fix both of those problems.

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) gives you control over three important email settings: **DKIM authentication** (so your emails actually reach the inbox), **mail routing** (so incoming mail goes where you want it), and **Cloudflare integration** (so your DNS stays in sync).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Before configuring email settings, make sure your domain is added to your hosting account and pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. See [How to Manage Domains](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-domains-and-dns-records) for setup instructions.
</Info>

***

## Email Authentication (DKIM)

Think of DKIM as a digital signature that proves your email actually came from your domain -- not from someone pretending to be you. When you send an email, DKIM attaches a cryptographic signature that receiving mail servers (like Gmail or Outlook) can verify. If the signature checks out, your email is trusted. If not, it is far more likely to land in spam.

**Here is a real-world example:** Say you are sending invoices from `billing@yourbusiness.com`. Without DKIM, Gmail has no way to confirm those emails genuinely came from your domain. Your invoices might end up in your clients' spam folders, and they never see them. Enable DKIM, and Gmail can verify the signature -- your invoices land right in the inbox where they belong.

### How to Enable DKIM

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Email Authentication">
    Log in to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), select your website, click the **Domains** tab, then click on the domain you want to configure. Select **Email authentication** from the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable DKIM">
    You will see a toggle switch labeled **DKIM** with the description "DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) verifies that an email is from a legitimate sender." Flip the toggle to the **on** position. The control panel automatically generates and publishes the necessary DKIM DNS records for your domain -- there is nothing else you need to do.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Turn DKIM on for every domain that sends email.** It does not matter if you are sending newsletters, contact form notifications from WordPress, password reset emails from your app, or just regular business emails -- DKIM helps all of them reach the inbox. It is a single toggle and there is no reason to leave it off.
</Tip>

### Why DKIM Matters

Without DKIM, receiving mail servers have no way to verify that an email claiming to be from your domain was actually sent by your server. This means your emails are more likely to be:

* **Flagged as spam** by providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo -- even when the email is completely legitimate.
* **Rejected outright** by mail servers with strict authentication policies (and more servers are getting strict every year).
* **Spoofed** by bad actors who send fraudulent emails pretending to be from your domain, potentially damaging your reputation.

Major email providers like Gmail and Yahoo now require DKIM (along with SPF) for bulk senders. Even if you only send a handful of emails per day, enabling DKIM signals to every receiving server that you take email security seriously.

***

## Mail Routing Settings

Mail routing tells the control panel what to do with incoming email for your domain. Should emails to `hello@yourdomain.com` be delivered to mailboxes on your FREAKHOSTING account, or should they be forwarded to an external service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?

You will find two options in the **Mail routing settings** section of your domain settings:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Local Mail (Default)">
    **"I'm using this hosting package to receive inbound emails."**

    When set to **Local mail**, all incoming emails addressed to your domain (for example, `info@yourdomain.com`) are delivered to email accounts on your FREAKHOSTING hosting package. This is the default setting and the right choice if you create and manage your email accounts directly through the control panel.

    **Choose Local mail if:**

    * You set up email addresses like `hello@yourdomain.com` in the FREAKHOSTING control panel
    * You access your email through webmail or connect it to an email client using IMAP/POP3 settings from your hosting account
    * You do not pay for a separate email service
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Remote Mail">
    **"I'm using a third party email server to receive inbound emails (Gmail etc.)"**

    When set to **Remote mail**, incoming emails are routed to a third-party email provider instead of your hosting account. The control panel updates the necessary records to direct mail away from the local server so your external provider can handle delivery.

    **Choose Remote mail if:**

    * You use **Google Workspace** and manage email through Gmail with your custom domain
    * You use **Microsoft 365** and manage email through Outlook or Exchange Online
    * You use **Zoho Mail**, **ProtonMail for Business**, or any other external email service
    * You already have MX records pointing to a provider outside FREAKHOSTING
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Which Should I Choose?

Not sure? Here is a quick way to figure it out:

| Question                                               | Answer                                                 | You should use  |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ | --------------- |
| Where did you create your email accounts?              | In the FREAKHOSTING control panel                      | **Local mail**  |
| Where did you create your email accounts?              | In Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another service | **Remote mail** |
| Do you log into Gmail/Outlook with your custom domain? | Yes, through Google Workspace or Microsoft 365         | **Remote mail** |
| Did you set up email through webmail at your hosting?  | Yes                                                    | **Local mail**  |
| Are you paying a separate company for email?           | Yes                                                    | **Remote mail** |
| Are you paying a separate company for email?           | No, just using what came with hosting                  | **Local mail**  |

**Still not sure?** If you did not specifically sign up for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another email service, you are almost certainly using local mail -- which is the default.

### How to Change Mail Routing

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Mail Routing Settings">
    From your domain settings page, select **Mail routing settings** from the left sidebar. You will see the heading "Configure how the system treats the incoming mail for this domain name."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Your Routing Option">
    Select the radio button for either **Local mail** or **Remote mail** depending on where you want your incoming emails delivered.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Your External Provider (Remote Only)">
    If you switched to remote mail, make sure you have already configured the correct MX records from your third-party email provider. See [How to Manage DNS Records and DNSSEC](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec) for instructions on adding MX records.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Switching from local to remote mail routing means emails will **no longer be delivered** to mailboxes on your hosting account. Make sure your third-party email provider is fully configured and working **before** you make this change. Otherwise, incoming emails could bounce or get lost during the transition.
</Warning>

***

## Cloudflare Integration

If you use **Cloudflare** for DNS management, CDN, or security features, the control panel lets you connect your Cloudflare account directly. This means you can keep managing DNS records from the FREAKHOSTING control panel while Cloudflare actually serves them -- the two systems stay in sync automatically.

**Here is why this matters:** Without the integration, you would need to log into Cloudflare separately every time you want to add or change a DNS record. With the integration, you make changes in the FREAKHOSTING control panel and they get pushed to Cloudflare behind the scenes. One place to manage everything.

### How to Connect Cloudflare

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Your Domain Settings">
    On the domain settings page, look for the **Cloudflare** dropdown at the top of the page (it displays the Cloudflare logo). Click the **Select API token** dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Your Cloudflare API Token">
    If you have not added a token yet, you will need to create one in Cloudflare first. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard, go to **My Profile > API Tokens**, and create a token with **DNS Edit** permissions for the zone (domain) you want to manage. Copy the token and paste it into the FREAKHOSTING control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Sync">
    Once connected, the control panel manages DNS records through Cloudflare on your behalf. Any DNS changes you make in the panel -- adding email records, pointing subdomains, enabling DKIM -- will be pushed to Cloudflare automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  When using Cloudflare integration, your DNS provider column on the Domains tab will display **Cloudflare** instead of the default provider. This confirms the connection is active and DNS changes are being synced.
</Note>

### Cloudflare and FREAKHOSTING Nameservers

When you use Cloudflare, your domain's nameservers point to Cloudflare instead of the FREAKHOSTING nameservers -- you cannot use both simultaneously. However, the API token integration bridges that gap: you manage DNS records from the FREAKHOSTING control panel, and those changes are automatically pushed to Cloudflare. You get the convenience of managing everything in one place while still benefiting from Cloudflare's CDN and security features.

**Practical example:** You host your website on FREAKHOSTING and use Cloudflare for its CDN and DDoS protection. You want to add a new email account and need the right DNS records. Instead of logging into Cloudflare to add MX and DKIM records manually, you just enable DKIM and configure mail routing in the FREAKHOSTING control panel -- the records are pushed to Cloudflare automatically.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need to enable DKIM?">
    Yes -- there is really no reason not to. DKIM adds a digital signature to your outgoing emails that proves they came from your domain. Without it, your emails are more likely to end up in spam or get rejected entirely. It is a single toggle switch and takes about two seconds to enable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the difference between local mail and remote mail?">
    **Local mail** delivers incoming emails to mailboxes on your FREAKHOSTING hosting account. **Remote mail** routes incoming emails to an external provider like Google Workspace (Gmail) or Microsoft 365 (Outlook). If you created your email accounts in the FREAKHOSTING control panel, use local mail. If you pay for a separate email service, use remote mail.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I use Google Workspace -- what settings do I need?">
    Set your mail routing to **Remote mail** so incoming emails go to Google's servers instead of your hosting account. You will also need to add Google's MX records to your DNS -- see [How to Manage DNS Records and DNSSEC](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec). You should still enable DKIM for outgoing emails sent from your hosting (like contact form notifications).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use Cloudflare and FREAKHOSTING nameservers at the same time?">
    No. If you use Cloudflare, your domain's nameservers will point to Cloudflare instead of FREAKHOSTING. You can still manage DNS from the FREAKHOSTING control panel using the Cloudflare API token integration, which syncs records between both platforms automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will switching to remote mail delete my existing email accounts?">
    No. Switching to remote mail only changes where new incoming messages are delivered. Your existing email accounts on the FREAKHOSTING hosting package remain intact, but new incoming messages will be routed to your external email provider instead of those local mailboxes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where do I generate a Cloudflare API token?">
    Log in to your Cloudflare account, navigate to **My Profile > API Tokens**, and create a new token with **DNS Edit** permissions for the relevant zone. Copy the token and paste it into the Cloudflare dropdown on your domain settings page in the FREAKHOSTING control panel.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My emails are going to spam even with DKIM enabled -- what else can I do?">
    DKIM is one part of the puzzle. Make sure you also have valid **SPF** and **DMARC** records in your DNS. Check that your sending IP is not on any blocklists, and avoid spam-trigger words in your subject lines. You can test your email authentication setup using free tools like [Mail Tester](https://www.mail-tester.com/) to see exactly what might be causing issues.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Email authentication and routing made simple.
</div>


# How to Configure Email Spam and Forwarding
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-spam-and-forwarding

Set up email forwarding, catch-all addresses, spam filters, allow and block lists, and auto-replies in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel.

## Spam Filters, Forwarding & Auto-Replies

Once you have created an email account in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel, you can fine-tune how incoming messages are handled. This guide covers email forwarding rules, catch-all configuration, spam filtering thresholds, allow/block lists, and out-of-office auto-replies -- everything you need to keep your inbox clean and your workflow smooth.

If you have not yet created an email account, start with the [How to Create and Manage Email Accounts](/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts) guide first.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Email Settings

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Web Hosting Control Panel">
    Open your browser and navigate to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Enter your login credentials to access the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard, click on the website (domain) you want to manage email for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Emails Tab">
    In the top navigation bar, click the **Emails** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Email Account">
    Click on the **email address** you want to configure. This opens the detailed settings page with a left sidebar containing all configuration sections: **Forwarders**, **Catch-all**, **Spam settings**, and **Out of office**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Forwarders

The **Forwarders** section lets you automatically store and then forward all emails sent to your email account to one or more forwarding addresses. The original message stays in your hosted mailbox, and a copy goes out to every address in your forwarder list.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Forwarders Section">
    Click **Forwarders** in the left sidebar of your email account settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a Forwarding Address">
    Enter the email address you want to forward messages to in the **Forwarding address** input field and click **Add**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add More Addresses (Optional)">
    Repeat for as many addresses as you need. Every incoming email will be forwarded to **all** addresses in the forwarder list simultaneously.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Real-World Forwarding Examples

Here are some common scenarios where forwarding shines:

* **Small business owner:** Forward `sales@yourbusiness.com` to your personal Gmail so you never miss an inquiry while you are on the go. The original stays in your hosted mailbox for record-keeping, and you get a copy right in your phone's Gmail app.
* **Team monitoring:** Forward `support@yourbusiness.com` to three team members at once -- `alice@gmail.com`, `bob@outlook.com`, and `carol@yahoo.com` -- so everyone sees every ticket as it arrives.
* **Migration helper:** Moving to a new email provider? Set up forwarding to your new address so you catch any stragglers still sending to the old one.

<Tip>
  Forwarding is perfect if you want to monitor a domain-branded address but prefer reading email in your personal Gmail, Outlook.com, or other inbox. You get the professional look of `you@yourbusiness.com` with the convenience of your favorite email app.
</Tip>

<Info>
  If you want to forward emails **without** keeping a mailbox, you can convert the account to a forwarder-only address. See the [Convert to Forwarder-Only](/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts#convert-to-forwarder-only) section in the email accounts guide.
</Info>

***

## Catch-All

The **Catch-all** feature routes emails sent to **any address that does not exist** at your domain to a designated mailbox. You will find a simple toggle switch in the Catch-all section of the sidebar.

**How it works:** If someone accidentally sends an email to `suport@yourdomain.com` (misspelled), or to `marketing@yourdomain.com` (an address you never created), the catch-all setting ensures you still receive that message instead of it bouncing back to the sender.

To enable it, toggle the **Catch-all** switch to **On**.

### When Catch-All Makes Sense

* You are a freelancer with a personal domain and want to catch emails sent to *any* variation of your name.
* You printed business cards with `info@yourdomain.com` but only created `hello@yourdomain.com` -- catch-all saves the day.
* You run a small business and want to make sure *nothing* slips through the cracks, even if a customer guesses the wrong address.

<Warning>
  **Heads up -- catch-all is a spam magnet.** Enabling catch-all can **significantly increase the amount of spam** you receive, because spammers often send to random address combinations like `a1b2c3@yourdomain.com`. Only enable this feature if you have a genuine need to capture emails sent to non-existent addresses, and make sure your spam filters are configured tightly (more on that next).
</Warning>

***

## Spam Settings

The **Spam settings** section gives you granular control over how the server handles suspected spam. You will find three slider controls, each with a scale ranging from **Strict** (lower number, catches more) to **Permissive** (higher number, lets more through).

Every incoming email gets a **spam score** -- a number assigned by the server based on hundreds of checks (suspicious links, sketchy headers, known spam patterns, and more). The higher the score, the spammier the message looks. Your thresholds tell the server what to do with messages at different score levels.

### Recommended Settings at a Glance

For most users, the defaults work great. Here is a quick reference:

| Setting      | Default | Plain English                                                                                           | Our Recommendation                                                                        |
| ------------ | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Spambox**  | 4       | Fairly strict -- most spam goes to your Spam folder, but the occasional newsletter might get caught too | Keep at **4** for good protection. Raise to **5-6** if you are missing legitimate emails. |
| **Reject**   | 8       | Only the worst offenders get bounced -- this is a high bar that almost never hits real email            | Keep at **8** or higher. Lowering this risks bouncing real messages permanently.          |
| **Greylist** | 6       | Middle ground -- suspicious messages get a "come back later" challenge that most spam bots fail         | Keep at **6** for a solid balance of protection and speed.                                |

### Understanding Each Threshold

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Spambox Threshold (Default: 4)">
    This controls when an incoming message is automatically moved to your **Spam** (Junk) folder instead of your Inbox. You can view your Spam folder using any IMAP email client or through webmail.

    **What the numbers actually mean:**

    * **Score 2 (very strict):** Catches almost everything, but you will probably find legitimate emails in your Spam folder regularly. Check it often.
    * **Score 4 (default):** The sweet spot for most people. Catches the vast majority of spam while letting most real emails through. You might see the occasional false positive -- maybe a marketing email or an automated notification.
    * **Score 6-7 (permissive):** Only the more obvious spam gets flagged. If you are getting a lot of spam in your Inbox, this is probably too high.

    **Recommended:** Leave at **4** unless you notice a problem. Lower it if too much spam reaches your Inbox. Raise it if you keep fishing legitimate emails out of your Spam folder.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reject Threshold (Default: 8)">
    This is the nuclear option. Messages with a spam score higher than this threshold get **outright rejected** by the mail server. The sender usually receives a non-delivery receipt (bounce message) from their email provider telling them delivery failed.

    **Why this matters:** Unlike the Spambox (where you can rescue a false positive), rejected messages are *gone*. The sender gets a bounce, but you never see the message at all. That is why the default is set high at **8** -- it only catches messages that are almost certainly spam.

    **What the numbers mean in practice:**

    * **Score 8 (default):** Only the most blatant spam gets rejected -- messages riddled with phishing links, known spam content, and forged headers. Very safe.
    * **Score 5-6 (aggressive):** Risky territory. You might permanently bounce a legitimate email from a sender with a poorly configured mail server.
    * **Score 10+ (very permissive):** Almost nothing gets rejected. All spam handling falls to the Spambox and Greylist instead.

    **Recommended:** Keep at **8** or above. It is much better to let a suspicious email land in your Spam folder (where you can review it) than to reject it outright and never know it existed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Greylist Threshold (Default: 6)">
    Greylisting is a clever trick that **temporarily defers** suspicious incoming messages. Think of it like a bouncer at a club checking IDs: the first time someone shows up, the bouncer says "come back in 5 minutes." A real guest (legitimate mail server) will patiently wait and come back. A troublemaker (spam bot) will shrug and move on to the next target.

    **How it works technically:** When a message hits the greylist threshold, your mail server responds with a temporary "try again later" code. Legitimate mail servers are designed to retry automatically after about **5 minutes**, and the message gets accepted on the second attempt. Most spam servers, on the other hand, are fire-and-forget -- they do not bother retrying, so the spam simply disappears.

    **The trade-off:** First-time emails from brand-new senders may be delayed by a few minutes. Once a sender has been "verified" through this process, their future emails arrive instantly.

    **What the numbers mean:**

    * **Score 4 (strict):** More messages get the "come back later" treatment. Very effective against spam, but new senders will experience a short delay more often.
    * **Score 6 (default):** A good balance. Only moderately suspicious messages get greylisted, keeping delays to a minimum.
    * **Score 8+ (permissive):** Very few messages are greylisted. Fast delivery, but you miss out on this layer of spam protection.

    **Recommended:** Leave at **6**. Greylisting is one of the most effective spam-fighting tools with minimal impact on legitimate mail.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
  **How the three thresholds work together:** Think of your spam filtering as three layers of defense. A message arrives, gets scored, and then:

  1. **Greylist check** -- If the score is above your greylist threshold, the message is temporarily deferred (legitimate servers retry and get through).
  2. **Spambox check** -- If the score is above your spambox threshold, the message lands in your Spam folder instead of your Inbox.
  3. **Reject check** -- If the score is above your reject threshold, the message is bounced back to the sender entirely.

  Adjusting all three gives you fine-tuned control over your entire spam filtering pipeline.
</Info>

### Tuning Tips for Common Situations

| Situation                              | What to Adjust                                                                                                                                 |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Too much spam in my Inbox              | Lower the **Spambox** threshold from 4 to **3** or **2**                                                                                       |
| Legitimate emails landing in Spam      | Raise the **Spambox** threshold to **5** or **6**, or add the sender to your Allow list                                                        |
| Want maximum spam protection           | Lower **Spambox** to **3**, keep **Greylist** at **6**, keep **Reject** at **8**                                                               |
| Getting bounced emails I should not be | Raise the **Reject** threshold to **9** or **10**                                                                                              |
| New sender emails are delayed          | This is greylisting working as intended -- first-time senders experience a short delay. Raise **Greylist** to **7-8** if the delays bother you |

***

## Allow / Block List

Below the spam threshold sliders, you will find the **Allow list** and **Block list** sections. These let you override the automatic spam filters for specific senders, giving you the final word on who gets through and who does not.

* **Allow list** (green checkmark) -- Add email addresses here to **bypass all spam filters**. Messages from allowed senders will always be delivered straight to your Inbox, regardless of their spam score. Enter the email address and click **Allow**.
* **Block list** (red X) -- Add email addresses here to **always reject** messages from those senders. Blocked senders will never be able to deliver email to your account. Enter the email address and click **Block**.

### Real-World Allow/Block Scenarios

**When to use the Allow list:**

* Your bank's notification emails keep landing in spam -- add `alerts@yourbank.com` to the Allow list.
* An important client uses a marketing platform that triggers spam filters -- add `*@clientcompany.com` to allow everything from their domain.
* Automated invoices from your accounting software are getting flagged -- add the sender to guarantee delivery.

**When to use the Block list:**

* An ex-employee's personal email keeps sending unwanted messages -- block their address.
* You keep receiving spam from a specific domain -- block `*@spamdomain.com` to stop all of it.
* A persistent sales cold-emailer will not take no for an answer -- add them to the block list and move on with your life.

<Tip>
  You can add **entire domains** to the allow or block list by using the wildcard format `*@domain.com`. This matches every email address from that domain -- handy when a company sends from multiple addresses like `noreply@`, `billing@`, and `support@`.
</Tip>

<Warning>
  Be careful with the allow list. Adding a domain like `*@gmail.com` would bypass spam filters for every Gmail user on Earth -- probably not what you want. Stick to specific addresses or domains you trust.
</Warning>

***

## Out of Office

The **Out of office** feature lets you set an automatic reply that is sent to anyone who emails you while you are unavailable -- perfect for vacations, holidays, parental leave, or extended absences. When no auto-reply is active, you will see a "No out of office" empty state with an **Add** button.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Out of Office Settings">
    Click **Out of office** in the left sidebar of your email account settings, then click the **Add** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write Your Message">
    Compose the automatic reply message that senders will receive. Keep it friendly, informative, and concise. Include when you will be back and who to contact for urgent matters.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Your Settings">
    Click **Save** to activate the auto-reply. Remember to turn it **off** when you return!
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Example Out-of-Office Messages

Here are a few templates to get you started -- copy, customize, and go:

**Simple vacation reply:**

> Thank you for your email! I am currently out of the office on vacation from March 25th through April 4th with limited access to email. I will respond to your message when I return on Monday, April 7th. If you need immediate assistance, please contact my colleague Sarah at [sarah@yourbusiness.com](mailto:sarah@yourbusiness.com). Thanks for your patience!

**Professional business reply:**

> Thank you for reaching out. I am currently unavailable and will return on Monday, April 7th. During my absence, please direct any urgent inquiries to our support team at [support@yourbusiness.com](mailto:support@yourbusiness.com) or call us at (555) 123-4567. I will reply to your message as soon as possible upon my return.

**Casual freelancer reply:**

> Hey there! Thanks for your email. I am taking some time off and will be back at my desk on April 7th. I will get back to you as soon as I can after that. If it is truly urgent, shoot me a text at (555) 987-6543 and I will do my best to help. Cheers!

<Note>
  The out-of-office reply is typically sent **once** to each unique sender during the active period, so the same person will not receive your auto-reply multiple times if they email you again. This prevents annoying back-and-forth loops.
</Note>

<Tip>
  **Pro tip:** Set a calendar reminder on your return date to disable the auto-reply. Nothing says "I forgot" quite like an out-of-office message still running two weeks after you got back.
</Tip>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My emails are being delayed by a few minutes. Why?">
    That is almost certainly **greylisting** at work (enabled by default with a threshold of 6). First-time emails from new senders are temporarily deferred for about 5 minutes while the server waits for the sending server to retry. This is normal and by design -- it is one of the most effective spam-fighting techniques. Subsequent emails from the same sender will arrive without delay. If the delays bother you, you can raise the greylist threshold or add trusted senders to your Allow list.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm getting too much spam in my Inbox. What should I do?">
    Start with these steps, in order:

    1. **Lower the Spambox threshold** from 4 to **3** (or even **2** if spam is really bad).
    2. **Add known spam senders** to your **Block list** -- especially repeat offenders.
    3. **Check that greylisting is active** at **6** or lower -- this catches a lot of automated spam.
    4. If you are still drowning in spam, consider enabling **catch-all only if you need it** -- turn it off if you do not.

    Always check your Spam folder periodically for any legitimate emails that may have been caught in the crossfire.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Legitimate emails are landing in my Spam folder. How do I fix this?">
    You have a few options:

    1. **Add the sender** to your **Allow list** (quickest fix for a specific sender).
    2. **Add their entire domain** using `*@theirdomain.com` if the company sends from multiple addresses.
    3. **Raise the Spambox threshold** to **5** or **6** if this is happening with many different senders.

    If a particular sender consistently gets flagged, the Allow list is your best friend -- it guarantees their messages bypass all spam checks.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I forward to multiple addresses at once?">
    Absolutely. In the **Forwarders** section, you can add as many forwarding addresses as you need. Every incoming email will be forwarded to all addresses in the list simultaneously. There is no practical limit -- add your whole team if you want.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the out-of-office reply go to every single email?">
    No. The auto-reply is sent **once** per unique sender during the active period. If the same person emails you five times, they will only receive your out-of-office message after the first email. This prevents annoying reply loops and inbox clutter for the sender.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I enable catch-all AND have spam filters?">
    They work together. Catch-all routes undeliverable addresses to your mailbox, and then the spam filters process those messages just like any other incoming email. However, catch-all addresses tend to attract a *lot* of spam, so your Spam folder will likely get busier. Make sure your spam thresholds are tuned tightly if you use catch-all.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use forwarding and catch-all together?">
    Yes. If you enable both, any email sent to a non-existent address at your domain gets caught by catch-all and delivered to your mailbox, and *then* your forwarding rules kick in and send a copy to your forwarding addresses. It is a belt-and-suspenders approach -- just be ready for more volume.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related Guides

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Create & Manage Email Accounts" icon="envelope" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts">
    Create email accounts, manage mailbox settings, reset passwords, access webmail, and delete accounts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Client & Device Setup" icon="laptop-mobile" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-setup-email-clients-and-devices">
    Connect your email to Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone, Android, and macOS with step-by-step instructions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Email spam and forwarding configuration made simple.
</div>


# How to Create and Manage Email Accounts
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts

Create email accounts, manage mailbox settings, reset passwords, and access webmail in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel for domain email hosting.

## Professional Email with Your Domain

One of the biggest perks of web hosting with FREAKHOSTING is the ability to create professional email addresses using your own domain name. Instead of handing out a generic `yourname@gmail.com` on your business card, imagine giving people `hello@yourbusiness.com` or `sarah@yourbusiness.com` — it instantly says "we mean business."

Let's say you just launched your bakery website at **sweetcrumbs.com**. With FREAKHOSTING, you can create emails like `orders@sweetcrumbs.com`, `hello@sweetcrumbs.com`, or `sarah@sweetcrumbs.com` in just a few clicks. No technical wizardry required.

The **Web Hosting Control Panel** at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) (powered by Enhance) makes it easy to create and manage email accounts for your domain.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Choosing the Right Email Address

Before you create your first account, it helps to think about what email addresses you actually need. Here are some popular choices and when to use them:

| Address     | Best For                             | Example                                            |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| `hello@`    | Friendly first point of contact      | A freelancer or small shop welcoming new inquiries |
| `info@`     | General information requests         | A company website with a "Contact Us" page         |
| `support@`  | Customer help and troubleshooting    | An online store handling order issues              |
| `sales@`    | Purchase and pricing inquiries       | A B2B company fielding quote requests              |
| `admin@`    | Administrative and technical matters | Internal system notifications                      |
| `yourname@` | Personal professional email          | Individuals wanting a branded address              |

<Tip>
  Starting out? You really only need one or two addresses. Many small businesses begin with just `hello@` for everything and add more as they grow. You can always create additional accounts later.
</Tip>

***

## Accessing Email Management

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Web Hosting Control Panel">
    Open your browser and navigate to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Enter your login credentials to access the control panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard, click on the website (domain) you want to manage email for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Emails Tab">
    In the top navigation bar, click the **Emails** tab. This opens the **Email accounts** page where you can view, create, and configure all email accounts for this domain.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Email Accounts List

When you open the Emails tab, you will see the **Email accounts** page with a table listing all existing email accounts for the selected domain. The table displays the following columns:

* **Email Address** — The full email address (e.g., `info@yourdomain.com`). Click the column header to sort alphabetically.
* **Mailbox Usage** — A progress bar showing how much storage space the mailbox is currently using relative to its limit.
* **DKIM** — A lock icon indicating whether DomainKeys Identified Mail is enabled for this account (helps prevent email spoofing).

At the top-right of the page, you will find:

* A **Webmail** link (with an external link icon) to open the browser-based email client in a new tab
* A cyan **Add account** button to create a new email address

You can also use the **search icon** to quickly filter and find a specific email account when you have many accounts set up.

Each email account row has a **three-dot menu** on the right side for quick actions.

<Tip>
  **What is DKIM?** Think of DKIM as a digital signature stamped on every email you send. It proves to the recipient's email provider that the message genuinely came from your domain and was not tampered with along the way. When DKIM is enabled, your emails are far less likely to land in spam folders. You can copy your DKIM record by clicking the copy icon next to it on the email detail page.
</Tip>

***

## Creating a New Email Account

Let's walk through creating a professional email. We will use the example of setting up `hello@sweetcrumbs.com` for a bakery business.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Account">
    On the Email accounts page, click the cyan **Add account** button in the top-right corner.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Email Prefix">
    Type the part of the email address that comes **before** the `@` symbol. For our bakery example, you would type `hello` to create `hello@sweetcrumbs.com`.

    Keep it simple, professional, and easy to spell. Avoid numbers or hyphens unless absolutely necessary — you will be reading this address out loud to customers, printing it on packaging, and typing it into forms.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a Password">
    Enter a strong password for the email account. This password will be used to log in to webmail and to authenticate in email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird.

    A good password should be at least 12 characters and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a password manager to generate and store it securely.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Account">
    Click the **Save** or **Create** button to finish. Your new email account is now active and ready to use.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  New email accounts are available almost instantly. You can begin sending and receiving emails right away after creation — no waiting for DNS propagation or server restarts.
</Info>

***

## Email Account Settings

To configure an existing email account, click on its **email address** in the list. This opens a detailed settings page with your **DKIM** status displayed at the top (with a copy icon to grab the record) and a left sidebar containing the following sections:

* **Mailbox** — Sender name, storage usage, and password management
* **Forwarders** — Automatic forwarding rules
* **Catch-all** — Route messages for non-existent addresses
* **Spam settings** — Spam filtering thresholds and allow/block lists
* **Out of office** — Automatic reply configuration
* **Email client settings** — Server details for connecting Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone, etc.

<Info>
  For details on **Forwarders**, **Catch-all**, **Spam settings**, and **Out of office**, see the dedicated guide: [How to Configure Email Spam and Forwarding](/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-spam-and-forwarding).

  For **Email client settings** and device setup instructions, see: [How to Set Up Email Clients and Devices](/portals/web-panel/how-to-setup-email-clients-and-devices).
</Info>

***

### Mailbox Settings

The **Mailbox** section is your home base for the email account's core settings:

* **Sender's name** — This is the display name that recipients see in their inbox when they receive your emails. For example, if you set this to "Sarah from Sweet Crumbs," that is exactly what your customers will see next to the subject line — rather than just a raw email address. You can change this at any time to match your branding or role.

* **Mailbox size** — A visual progress bar showing how much of your allocated storage is in use (for example, "245 MB of 1 GB"). Click the **edit icon** next to the size bar to adjust the storage limit if your plan allows it. This helps you keep an eye on whether you are running low on space.

* **Password** — Your current email password is hidden for security. Use the **Reset** button to set a new password whenever needed (see the step-by-step instructions below).

<Tip>
  Make your Sender's name count. Instead of just "Sarah," try "Sarah | Sweet Crumbs Bakery" or "Sweet Crumbs Support." Recipients are more likely to open your email when they instantly recognize who it is from.
</Tip>

***

### Resetting an Email Password

Forgot the password, or just want to update it for security? Here is exactly how to do it:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Email Account">
    In the **Emails** tab, click on the email address whose password you need to reset.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to the Mailbox Section">
    In the left sidebar, make sure **Mailbox** is selected (it is usually the default view when you open an account).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Reset">
    Find the **Password** field and click the **Reset** button next to it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a New Password">
    Type your new password. Make it strong — at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Update Your Devices">
    Save the new password. Then update it in every email client or app where this account is configured (Outlook, Thunderbird, your phone's mail app, etc.), because the old password will stop working immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Resetting your email password will immediately disconnect any email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, phone apps) that are currently signed in with the old password. You will need to update the password in each client after resetting. Plan to do this when you have a few minutes to update all your devices.
</Warning>

***

## Convert to Forwarder-Only

Sometimes you need an email address to exist, but you do not actually need a full mailbox behind it. That is where **Convert to forwarder-only** comes in.

**Here is a real-world example:** Let's say your bakery originally had `orders@sweetcrumbs.com` as a full mailbox. But now Sarah handles all orders from her main `sarah@sweetcrumbs.com` inbox. Instead of checking two mailboxes every day, you can convert `orders@sweetcrumbs.com` to a forwarder-only address. Customers can still email `orders@sweetcrumbs.com`, but every message automatically lands in Sarah's inbox instead. No second mailbox to manage, no messages slipping through the cracks.

To convert an account, open the email account settings and look for the **Convert to forwarder-only** option in the top-right area of the page. You will then be prompted to set up the forwarding destination.

<Warning>
  Converting to forwarder-only **permanently deletes** all emails stored in that mailbox. Make sure you have backed up or downloaded any important messages before converting. Once converted, you can no longer log in to webmail or an email client with that account — it simply forwards everything to the address you specify.
</Warning>

***

## Accessing Webmail

If you want to check your email directly in a web browser without setting up a desktop or mobile client, you can use the built-in **Webmail** interface. It is perfect for quick checks on the go.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Webmail">
    From the Emails tab in the control panel, click the **Webmail** link (with the external link icon) at the top-right of the email accounts list. This opens the webmail login page in a new browser tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In">
    Enter your **full email address** (for example, `hello@sweetcrumbs.com`) and your **password** to sign in.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Using Webmail">
    Once logged in, you can read, compose, and organize your emails directly from the browser — no additional software required.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Webmail is especially handy when you are traveling or using a shared computer where you cannot install an email client. Your emails remain safely on the server, accessible from anywhere with a browser.
</Tip>

***

## Deleting an Email Account

If you need to permanently remove an email account:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Email Account">
    In the Emails tab, click on the email address you want to delete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scroll to the Bottom">
    On the email account settings page, scroll all the way down to find the red **Delete** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Deletion">
    Click **Delete** and confirm when prompted. This will permanently remove the email account, including all emails, folders, and settings associated with it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Deleting an email account is **irreversible**. All emails, contacts, and configurations for that account are permanently lost. Make absolutely sure you have saved any important data before proceeding. If you just want to stop using the mailbox but keep the address active, consider **converting to forwarder-only** instead.
</Warning>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why are my emails going to spam when I send them?">
    Make sure **DKIM** is enabled for your domain (check the DKIM column in your email accounts list — look for the lock icon). Also ensure your domain has proper **SPF** and **DMARC** DNS records configured. These authentication methods tell receiving mail servers that your emails are legitimate. You can copy your DKIM record from the email detail page using the copy icon next to it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I forgot my email password. How do I reset it?">
    Log in to the Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), go to the **Emails** tab, click on the email account, and use the **Reset** button in the Mailbox section to set a new password. You do not need to know the old password. Just remember to update the password on all your devices and email apps afterward.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How many email accounts can I create?">
    The number of email accounts depends on your hosting plan. Check your plan details in the billing panel or contact support if you need additional accounts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens when I convert to forwarder-only?">
    The mailbox and all stored emails are permanently deleted. The address continues to exist, but incoming messages are only forwarded to the external address(es) you specify. You can no longer log in to webmail or an email client with that account. It is a great option when you want to consolidate multiple addresses into one inbox without losing the public-facing email.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What should I set as my Sender's name?">
    Use something that your recipients will immediately recognize. For a business, try your company name or a combination like "Sarah from Sweet Crumbs." For personal professional use, your full name works great. Avoid leaving it blank — recipients are more likely to open emails when they can see who sent them at a glance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change my email address after creating it?">
    Email addresses cannot be renamed once created. If you need a different address, create the new one first, migrate any important emails, update your contacts, and then delete the old account. Alternatively, set up the old address as a forwarder-only to redirect messages to your new address during the transition.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related Guides

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Spam, Forwarding & Auto-Reply" icon="shield-halved" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-spam-and-forwarding">
    Configure spam filters, set up email forwarding, catch-all, allow/block lists, and out-of-office auto-replies.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Client & Device Setup" icon="laptop-mobile" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-setup-email-clients-and-devices">
    Connect your email to Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone, Android, and macOS with step-by-step instructions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Email account management made simple.
</div>


# How to Create and Manage FTP Accounts
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-ftp-accounts

Create and manage FTP accounts in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel to upload website files using external clients like FileZilla with SFTP support.

## Transferring Files with FTP

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) allows you to upload, download, and manage your website files using a dedicated application on your computer — known as an FTP client — rather than relying solely on the built-in file manager in your hosting panel. Popular FTP clients like FileZilla, Cyberduck, and WinSCP give you a familiar drag-and-drop experience for moving files between your computer and your hosting account, which is especially useful for large uploads or managing many files at once.

This guide walks you through creating FTP accounts, connecting with an FTP client, and managing your accounts — all from the [FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com).

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## What is FTP and Why Use It?

FTP is a standard method for transferring files between your local computer and your web server. While the Web Hosting Control Panel includes a built-in file manager for quick edits, FTP is the preferred method when you need to:

* **Upload an entire website** — Transfer all your HTML, CSS, image, and script files in one batch.
* **Move large files** — FTP handles large file transfers more reliably than a browser-based file manager.
* **Work offline** — Prepare your files locally and upload them when ready.
* **Use professional tools** — FTP clients offer advanced features like folder synchronization, transfer queues, and resume support for interrupted uploads.

<Info>
  Each FTP account you create can be restricted to a specific folder on your hosting account. This means you can give a developer or designer access to only the files they need — without exposing your entire hosting directory.
</Info>

***

## SFTP vs FTP: Which Should You Use?

Before setting up your connection, it is worth understanding the difference between FTP and SFTP — and why one is significantly better than the other.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="FTP (Port 21)" icon="unlock">
    Standard FTP sends your username, password, and file data in **plain text**. Anyone on the same network could theoretically intercept your credentials. It works, but it is the equivalent of mailing a postcard — anyone handling it can read it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SFTP (Port 22)" icon="lock">
    SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) encrypts **everything** — your login credentials, commands, and file data. It is the equivalent of mailing a sealed, locked package. Same functionality, vastly better security.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  **Always use SFTP when available.** There is no downside — it is just as easy to set up, works with all major FTP clients, and protects your credentials from being intercepted. The only difference is changing the port from `21` to `22` and selecting SFTP as the protocol.
</Warning>

***

## Accessing FTP Settings

You can reach the FTP management area in two ways from the [Web Hosting Control Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com).

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Option A: Using the Navigation Menu">
    1. Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com).
    2. Select the website you want to manage.
    3. In the top navigation, look for the **Advanced** dropdown menu.
    4. Click **FTP** to open the FTP accounts page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Option B: Using the Dashboard Shortcut">
    1. Log in to the [FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel](https://web.freakhosting.com).
    2. Select the website you want to manage.
    3. On the main dashboard, locate the **FTP** shortcut button.
    4. Click it to jump directly to the FTP management page.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

If you have not created any FTP accounts yet, you will see an empty state with an FTP icon and the message "No FTP accounts" along with the description: "Add an FTP account to manage your files through an external FTP client such as FileZilla."

***

## Creating an FTP Account

Once you are on the FTP management page, follow these steps to set up a new account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Account">
    On the FTP accounts page, click the **Add account** button to open the new account form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Username">
    Type a **username** for the FTP account. Choose something descriptive — for example, `developer` or `designer` — so you can easily identify the account later. The full FTP username will typically include your domain (e.g., `developer@yourdomain.com`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a Password">
    Enter a strong **password** for the account. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This password will be used when connecting from an FTP client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Directory Path">
    Specify the **directory path** that this FTP account should have access to. Common choices include:

    * `/` — Full access to the entire website directory.
    * `/public_html` — Access only to the public web root.
    * `/public_html/uploads` — Restricted access to a specific subfolder.

    Leaving the path as `/` grants access to all files under that website.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Account">
    Click **Save** or **Add** to create the FTP account. It will appear in your list of FTP accounts and is ready to use immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Real-World Example: Setting Up FTP for Your Web Developer

Let's say you hired a freelance developer named Alex to update your WordPress theme. You want Alex to have FTP access, but only to the themes folder — not your entire site. Here is exactly how to set that up.

### Step 1: Create a Restricted FTP Account

In the FTP management page, click **Add account** and fill in the fields:

| Field              | Value                                              |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Username**       | `alex`                                             |
| **Password**       | `T!m3toC0d3#2026` (use something strong like this) |
| **Directory path** | `/public_html/wp-content/themes`                   |

Click **Save**. Alex now has an FTP account that can only see and modify files inside the themes folder. They cannot access your database configurations, other plugins, uploads, or anything else outside that directory.

### Step 2: Send Alex the Connection Details

Share the following information with your developer (preferably through a secure channel — not plain email):

| Detail       | Value                             |
| ------------ | --------------------------------- |
| **Host**     | `yourdomain.com`                  |
| **Port**     | `22` (SFTP)                       |
| **Protocol** | SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol |
| **Username** | `alex@yourdomain.com`             |
| **Password** | (the password you created)        |

<Tip>
  Use a password manager's secure sharing feature to send FTP credentials. If you must use email, consider sending the username and password in separate messages, or better yet, tell Alex the password over a quick phone call.
</Tip>

### Step 3: When the Project is Done

Once Alex finishes the work, go back to the FTP management page and **delete the account**. This immediately revokes access. No loose credentials floating around, no risk of unauthorized changes later.

***

## Connecting via FileZilla (Step by Step)

FileZilla is the most popular free FTP client. Here is exactly how to connect it to your FREAKHOSTING account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download and Install FileZilla">
    If you do not already have FileZilla, download it for free from [filezilla-project.org](https://filezilla-project.org). Install it on your computer following the on-screen instructions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Site Manager">
    Launch FileZilla and go to **File** then **Site Manager** (or press **Ctrl+S** on Windows / **Cmd+S** on macOS).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a New Site Entry">
    Click **New Site** and give it a name (e.g., "FREAKHOSTING - My Website").
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Connection Details">
    Fill in the fields exactly like this:

    | FileZilla Field | What to Enter                                        |
    | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Protocol**    | `SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol`                  |
    | **Host**        | `yourdomain.com` (or the server IP from your panel)  |
    | **Port**        | `22`                                                 |
    | **Logon Type**  | `Normal`                                             |
    | **User**        | `developer@yourdomain.com` (your full FTP username)  |
    | **Password**    | (the password you set when creating the FTP account) |

    <Info>
      If you are using standard FTP instead of SFTP, set the Protocol to **FTP - File Transfer Protocol** and change the Port to **21**. But seriously — use SFTP. There is no good reason not to.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect to Your Server">
    Click **Connect**. FileZilla will establish a connection, and you will see your server files on the right-hand side and your local files on the left-hand side. You can now drag and drop files between the two.

    If this is your first time connecting via SFTP, FileZilla may show a dialog asking you to trust the server's host key. This is normal — click **OK** or **Always trust this host** to proceed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If your connection fails, double-check your hostname, username, and password. Also make sure your FTP port (21 or 22) is not being blocked by a local firewall or antivirus program. Switching from FTP to SFTP (or vice versa) can also resolve connection issues.
</Note>

***

## Managing FTP Accounts

The FTP management page in the control panel lets you view and manage all of your existing FTP accounts.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Viewing Your FTP Accounts">
    All FTP accounts are listed on the FTP management page. Each entry shows the username, the directory path it has access to, and available actions. Use this list to keep track of who has access to your hosting files.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Editing an FTP Account">
    To change the password or directory path of an existing account, click the **Edit** button (or the pencil/settings icon) next to the account. Update the desired fields and click **Save** to apply your changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Deleting an FTP Account">
    To remove an FTP account you no longer need, click the **Delete** button (or the trash icon) next to the account. Confirm the deletion when prompted. The account will be removed immediately, and the associated credentials will no longer work.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  Deleting an FTP account does **not** delete the files on your server. It only removes the login credentials. However, anyone who was using that account will lose access immediately — so make sure to inform any collaborators before removing their account.
</Warning>

***

## Security Best Practices

Keeping your FTP accounts secure is essential to protecting your website and data.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Always Use SFTP">
    SFTP encrypts your entire connection — login credentials, commands, and file data. In FileZilla, select **SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol** and use port **22**. Standard FTP on port 21 sends everything in plain text, including your password.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Strong, Unique Passwords">
    Every FTP account should have a strong password that is not reused from other services. A good password includes at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restrict Directory Access">
    Only give FTP accounts access to the folders they actually need. A developer working on your theme? Restrict them to `/public_html/wp-content/themes`. A content editor uploading images? Restrict them to `/public_html/uploads`. Never grant root-level access unless absolutely necessary.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Remove Accounts When Projects End">
    Finished working with a freelancer? Delete their FTP account immediately. The fewer active credentials that exist, the smaller your attack surface. Make it a habit to audit your FTP accounts monthly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Never Share Credentials Insecurely">
    Do not send FTP passwords over unencrypted email or chat. Use a password manager's sharing feature, send credentials through separate channels, or communicate the password verbally.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Common Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Uploading a New Website">
    After building your website locally, use FTP to upload all of your files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images) to the `/public_html` directory on your hosting account. This is the fastest way to deploy a complete site.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Bulk File Transfers">
    Need to upload hundreds of images or a large media library? FTP clients handle bulk transfers far more efficiently than a browser-based file manager, with support for transfer queues and automatic retries.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Giving Restricted Access to a Developer">
    Create a separate FTP account for your web developer with access limited to only the folder they need — like `/public_html/wp-content/themes` for theme work or `/public_html/wp-content/plugins` for plugin development. They can upload and modify files in that folder without seeing anything else on your hosting account.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Downloading Backups">
    Use FTP to download a copy of your website files to your local computer as a manual backup. This is a great way to keep an offline copy of your site alongside any automated backups.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Updating Website Content">
    When you need to replace images, update CSS files, or swap out pages, FTP makes it easy to overwrite specific files without touching the rest of your site.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Letting a Content Editor Upload Media">
    Create an FTP account restricted to `/public_html/uploads` or `/public_html/media`. Your content person can upload images and documents without being able to accidentally modify your theme files, configuration, or anything else.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between FTP and the built-in file manager?">
    The built-in file manager in the Web Hosting Control Panel works through your browser and is great for quick edits to individual files. FTP is better for bulk operations — uploading entire folders, syncing large numbers of files, or working with files that are too large for browser-based upload. Think of the file manager as a quick notepad and FTP as a full toolkit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple FTP accounts for the same website?">
    Yes. You can create as many FTP accounts as you need. This is useful when different people need access to different folders — one account for your developer, another for your designer, another for your content team.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will deleting an FTP account delete my files?">
    No. Deleting an FTP account only removes the login credentials. Your files remain exactly where they are on the server. The person who was using that account simply will not be able to connect anymore.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I cannot connect — what should I check?">
    The most common issues are: incorrect hostname (try your domain name or server IP), wrong port (21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP), mistyped username (remember it usually includes your domain, like `user@yourdomain.com`), or a firewall blocking the connection. Try switching between FTP and SFTP to see if one works when the other does not.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Panel:** FTP Management
</div>


# How to Create and Restore Website Backups
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups

Create manual backups, manage automatic snapshots, upload external files, and restore website or email data using the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel.

## Protecting Your Website with Backups

Backups are your safety net. Whether you are making design changes, updating plugins, or simply want peace of mind, having a recent backup means you can always roll back to a working version of your website and email data. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel makes it easy to create, manage, and restore backups — all from a single page.

FREAKHOSTING provides both **automatic backups** (created for you twice daily) and **manual backups** (created on demand whenever you need them). You can also **upload an external backup file** if you are migrating from another host or restoring from a local copy.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Backups Page

There are two quick ways to reach the Backups page in your control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to Your Control Panel">
    Navigate to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your FREAKHOSTING web hosting credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Backups Page">
    Use **either** of these methods:

    * Click the **Backups** tab in the **top navigation bar**.
    * Click the **Backups** quick-access button on your **Home dashboard** (located alongside the Clone button near the top of the page).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Both methods take you to the same Backups page. The dashboard shortcut is handy if you are already on the Home screen and want to jump straight in.
</Tip>

***

## Viewing Available Backups

Once you are on the Backups page, you will see a list of all available backups for your website. Each backup entry displays the following information at a glance:

| Column            | What It Shows                                                                                                         |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Date and Time** | The exact date and time the backup was created (for example, "25/03/2026 at 17:30").                                  |
| **Type Badge**    | Automatic backups display an orange **AUTOMATIC** badge. Manual backups do not have this badge.                       |
| **File Size**     | The total size of the backup file, shown with a disk icon (for example, **2.39 MB**).                                 |
| **Email Count**   | An envelope icon with a number showing how many email accounts are included in the backup (for example, **1** email). |
| **Restore**       | A dropdown button that lets you choose how to restore from that backup.                                               |

<Info>
  Backups are listed with the most recent at the top, so you can always find your latest backup quickly.
</Info>

***

## Automatic Backups

FREAKHOSTING creates automatic backups of your website and email data **twice daily** — typically at **05:30** and **17:30**. You do not need to do anything — these backups happen in the background and are always available on the Backups page.

Automatic backups are clearly marked with an orange **AUTOMATIC** badge next to the date and time, making them easy to distinguish from manual backups you create yourself.

<Info>
  With two automatic backups per day, you are never more than about 12 hours away from a restore point. If something goes wrong at 10:00 in the morning, the 05:30 backup from that same morning has your data from just a few hours earlier.
</Info>

<Note>
  Automatic backups are included with your hosting plan at no extra cost. The retention period (how many days of backups are kept) depends on your specific plan. Contact support if you have questions about your backup retention.
</Note>

***

## Creating a Manual Backup

A manual backup captures the current state of your website and email data right now. This is especially useful before making significant changes such as updating themes, installing new software, or editing configuration files.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the Backups Page">
    Navigate to the **Backups** page using the top navigation bar or the dashboard shortcut.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Backup">
    Click the cyan **Create backup** button in the top-right corner of the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the Backup to Complete">
    The panel will begin creating your backup. Depending on the size of your website and email data, this may take a few moments. Once complete, the new backup will appear at the top of your backup list without a badge (since it is a manual backup, not automatic).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Always create a manual backup **before** making major changes to your website. If something goes wrong, you can restore to this exact point in time.
</Warning>

***

## Uploading a Backup

If you have a backup file from another hosting provider, a local copy, or a backup you previously downloaded, you can upload it directly through the control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to the Backups Page">
    Navigate to the **Backups** page from the top navigation bar or the dashboard shortcut.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Upload Backup">
    Click the **Upload backup** button on the page. This opens a file picker where you can select a backup file from your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Backup File">
    Choose the backup file you want to upload. The panel will process the file and add it to your list of available backups once the upload is complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The upload feature is particularly useful when migrating a website from another hosting provider to FREAKHOSTING. Simply export a backup from your old host, then upload it here.
</Info>

***

## Restoring from a Backup

When you need to roll back your website or email data, the restore process is straightforward. Each backup in the list has a **Restore** dropdown button that gives you three options to choose from.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Backup You Want to Restore">
    On the Backups page, locate the backup you want to restore from. Check the date, time, and size to make sure it is the correct one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Restore Dropdown">
    Click the **Restore** dropdown button on the right side of that backup entry. A menu will appear with three options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Restore Option">
    Select one of the three restore options: **Email**, **Website**, or **Custom**. Each one is explained in detail below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Restore Options Explained

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Email — Restore Only Your Emails">
    Selecting **Email** will restore only your email accounts and email messages from the backup. Your website files, databases, and other settings will remain exactly as they are now. Nothing on your website changes.

    **When to use this:** You accidentally deleted important emails or an email account, and you want to get them back without touching your website at all.

    **Example scenario:** You accidentally emptied your inbox and lost critical client correspondence from this week. You find the automatic backup from this morning (05:30) in the list, click **Restore > Email**, and your emails are back. Your website stays exactly as it is — nothing else is affected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Website — Restore Only Your Website">
    Selecting **Website** will restore your website files (HTML, CSS, images, databases, and other site data) from the backup. Your email accounts and messages will remain completely untouched.

    **When to use this:** A website update or change broke your site, and you want to roll it back to a previous working version without affecting your emails.

    **Example scenario:** You installed a new WordPress plugin this afternoon and it completely broke your site — visitors see a white screen of death. You find the automatic backup from this morning (05:30), click **Restore > Website**, and within moments your site is back to how it looked this morning, fully functional. All your emails remain untouched.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom — Pick and Choose What to Restore">
    Selecting **Custom** gives you granular control over exactly what gets restored. You can pick and choose individual components — such as a specific database, specific website files, or specific email accounts — rather than restoring everything in a category at once.

    **When to use this:** You only need to restore one specific thing. Maybe a single database got corrupted, or you need to recover files from one subdirectory, but the rest of your site is fine and you do not want to overwrite it.

    **Example scenario:** You have three databases — one for your main site, one for your blog, and one for your online store. Only the blog database got corrupted. You click **Restore > Custom**, select just the blog database from the list, and restore only that. Your main site and store databases remain exactly as they are.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Important>
  Restoring a backup will **overwrite** the current data for the components you choose to restore. Before restoring, create a fresh manual backup first — that way, if the restore does not give you the result you expected, you can undo it by restoring your manual backup.
</Important>

***

## Real-World Restore Walkthrough

Here is a complete, start-to-finish example of restoring a hacked website.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Discover the Problem">
    You log in on Wednesday morning and discover your website has been defaced — someone has replaced your homepage with spam content. You are not sure exactly when it happened, but your site looked normal on Monday evening.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Backup of the Current State">
    Before doing anything else, go to the **Backups** page and click the cyan **Create backup** button. Yes, even though your site is hacked — this preserves the current state in case you need to examine it later or if the restore does not go as planned.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find a Clean Backup">
    Look through your backup list for a backup from **before** the hack. Since your site was fine on Monday evening, the automatic backup from Monday at 17:30 should be clean. Check the date and the orange **AUTOMATIC** badge to confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restore the Website">
    Click the **Restore** dropdown on the Monday 17:30 backup and select **Website**. This restores only your website files and databases — your emails are left alone. Within a few moments, your site is back to its Monday state, clean and functional.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Secure Your Site">
    Now that your site is restored, take steps to prevent it from happening again: change all passwords, update your CMS and plugins, and review your security settings. If you need help, contact FREAKHOSTING support.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The key takeaway: always create a manual backup **before** you restore, even if your current site is broken. It costs nothing, takes seconds, and gives you an extra safety net if you need to undo the restore.
</Tip>

***

## Best Practices for Backups

Follow these recommendations to keep your website safe and make the most of the backup system.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Backup Before Changes" icon="shield-check">
    Always create a manual backup before installing updates, changing themes, editing code, or making any significant changes to your website. It takes seconds and could save you hours.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Know Your Restore Options" icon="list-check">
    Remember: **Email** restores only emails. **Website** restores only your site files and databases. **Custom** lets you pick individual items. Using the right option means you only restore what you need without overwriting unrelated data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Check Backup Dates" icon="calendar-check">
    Before restoring, double-check the date and time of the backup to make sure you are restoring the version you actually want. With automatic backups running at 05:30 and 17:30, pick the one closest to when things were last working correctly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Keep External Copies" icon="cloud-arrow-down">
    For critical websites, consider periodically downloading or exporting a backup to keep an off-site copy in case you ever need it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  If you are about to make a big change and want extra safety, create a manual backup **and** make a note of the most recent automatic backup time. That way, you have two restore points to fall back on.
</Tip>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How often are automatic backups created?">
    FREAKHOSTING creates automatic backups **twice daily**, typically at **05:30** and **17:30**. This means you always have a restore point from within the last 12 hours. These backups are marked with the orange **AUTOMATIC** badge on the Backups page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a limit to how many manual backups I can create?">
    You can create manual backups as needed. However, storage space for backups may be subject to your hosting plan limits. If you are unsure, contact FREAKHOSTING support for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I download a backup to my computer?">
    The Backups page is focused on creating, uploading, and restoring backups within the panel. If you need to export or download a copy, check for download options on the backup entry or contact support for assistance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will restoring a backup cause downtime?">
    Restoring a backup is typically very fast and causes minimal or no noticeable downtime. However, for larger websites, there may be a brief period where the site is being updated. Your visitors are unlikely to notice.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I restore the wrong backup?">
    That is exactly why we recommend creating a manual backup before every restore. If you restore and the result is not what you expected, simply go back to the Backups page and restore from the manual backup you created just before the first restore. You are essentially undoing the undo.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do backups include both my website and emails?">
    Yes. Each backup contains both your website data (files, databases) and your email data (accounts, messages). When you restore, you choose whether to restore emails, website, or both using the three restore options. The backup itself always contains everything.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  Our support team is always here for you. Reach out through any of these channels:

  * **Live Chat:** Available on 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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Backup creation, management, and restoration.
</div>


# How to Deploy Node.js Applications
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-deploy-nodejs-applications

Learn how to deploy, configure, and manage Node.js applications on your FREAKHOSTING web hosting using the Web Hosting Control Panel.

## Deploying Node.js Applications on Your Hosting

<Info>
  **NEW Feature** — Node.js application hosting is now available on FREAKHOSTING web hosting accounts. You can deploy, manage, and monitor Node.js applications directly from the Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), alongside your existing websites and domains.
</Info>

Node.js allows you to run server-side JavaScript applications on your hosting account. Whether you are building an API, a real-time chat application, a custom web app, or a backend service, you can now deploy and manage it all from your control panel without needing a separate server or VPS.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## A Practical Example

Let's say you have built a simple Node.js application — maybe a contact form handler that receives form submissions from your website and sends email notifications. Your app has an `app.js` file, a `package.json`, and a `node_modules` folder. Right now it only runs on your local machine. Here is what deploying it to FREAKHOSTING looks like in plain terms:

1. You upload your app files to a folder on your hosting account.
2. You tell the control panel which file starts your app (`app.js`).
3. You choose a URL path where the app will be reachable (like `/contact-api`).
4. You click deploy, and the system starts your app, keeps it running, and makes it accessible to the world.

That is it. No command line, no SSH, no server configuration files. The rest of this guide walks you through each step in detail.

***

## Accessing the Node.js Manager

The Node.js application manager is located inside the Advanced section of your website's control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your FREAKHOSTING credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website where you want to deploy a Node.js application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Advanced Dropdown">
    In the navigation area for your website, click on the **Advanced** dropdown to expand additional options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Node.js">
    Select **Node.js** from the dropdown menu. You will notice it has a green **NEW** badge, highlighting that this is a recently added feature. This opens the Node.js application manager for your website.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  If you have not deployed any Node.js applications yet, you will see an empty state with a server icon, the message **No applications defined**, and a cyan **Deploy app** button. This is completely normal and simply means you are ready to deploy your first application.
</Note>

***

## Deploying a Node.js Application

Once you have uploaded your Node.js application files to your hosting account (via File Manager or FTP), you can deploy it through the control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Node.js Manager">
    Navigate to **Advanced** dropdown and select **Node.js** as described above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Deploy App">
    Click the cyan **Deploy app** button. This opens the application configuration form where you will set up all the details for your Node.js application.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Start File">
    In the **Start file** field, enter the filename that starts your application. This is the main entry point of your Node.js app, typically something like `app.js`, `server.js`, or `index.js`. This is the file that Node.js will execute when your application starts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Application Path">
    In the **Path** field, enter the directory path where your Node.js application files are located on the server. This tells the control panel where to find your application code.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Auto-Start">
    The **Auto-start** option determines whether your Node.js application starts automatically when the server restarts. Enable this if you want your application to always be running without manual intervention — which you almost certainly do for anything beyond testing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Monitoring">
    The **Monitoring** option enables automatic monitoring of your application. When turned on, the system will watch your application and automatically restart it if it crashes or stops unexpectedly. This is your safety net — if your app hits an unexpected error and goes down at 3am, the system will bring it right back up.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Web Server Proxy Path">
    This is where you decide how visitors will reach your Node.js application. The **proxy path** is the URL path on your domain that will route traffic to your Node.js app.

    **In plain English:** Your Node.js app runs on its own internal port that is not directly accessible from the internet. The web server acts as a middleman — when a visitor goes to `yourdomain.com/api`, the web server intercepts that request and passes it along to your Node.js app behind the scenes. This is called "proxying." Your visitors never know the difference; they just see a normal URL.

    For example, setting the proxy path to `/api` means your application will be available at `yourdomain.com/api`. Setting it to `/` makes your Node.js app the primary application for your entire domain. Choose a path that makes sense for your use case.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy the Application">
    Review all of your settings and click the button to deploy. Your Node.js application will be started and made accessible at the configured path.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Make sure your start file exists.** If the start file you specified does not exist at the application path, the deployment will fail and your application will not start. Double-check that your application files are uploaded to the correct directory before deploying.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  **Enable both Auto-start and Monitoring for production applications.** Auto-start ensures your app comes back online after server maintenance or restarts, while Monitoring ensures it is automatically restarted if it crashes during normal operation. Together, they keep your application running reliably around the clock — even if something goes wrong at 3am when you are fast asleep.
</Tip>

***

## Managing Your Node.js Applications

Once you have deployed one or more Node.js applications, they will appear in a list on the Node.js manager page. From here you can perform several management actions.

### Starting, Stopping, and Restarting

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Start" icon="play">
    Launches your Node.js application if it is currently stopped. Use this after making changes or after manually stopping the app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stop" icon="stop">
    Gracefully shuts down your running Node.js application. Use this when you need to make changes to your code or configuration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Restart" icon="rotate">
    Stops and immediately restarts your application. This is the quickest way to apply code changes without manually stopping and starting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Node.js Manager">
    Go to **Advanced** dropdown and select **Node.js**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find Your Application">
    Locate the application you want to manage in the list of deployed applications.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the Action Buttons">
    Click the **Start**, **Stop**, or **Restart** button for the application you want to control. The action takes effect immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  After making code changes to your Node.js application, you will need to **Restart** the application for those changes to take effect. Unlike PHP (which re-reads files on every request), Node.js applications run as persistent processes and do not automatically pick up file changes. Think of it like restarting a desktop app after an update — you need to close and reopen it to get the new version.
</Info>

### Viewing Application Logs

Logs are essential for understanding what your Node.js application is doing, diagnosing errors, and troubleshooting issues.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Node.js Manager">
    Navigate to **Advanced** dropdown and select **Node.js**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Logs for Your Application">
    Find your application in the list and click on the **Logs** option. This will display the recent output from your Node.js application, including any messages your app writes to the console and any error messages.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Check your logs first when something goes wrong.** If your application is not starting, is crashing, or is behaving unexpectedly, the logs will almost always contain error messages that explain what happened. Common things you will see include missing module errors (meaning you need to run `npm install`), syntax errors, or port conflict messages. Review the log output before reaching out to support — it will save you time and often points you straight to the fix.
</Tip>

***

## The Empty State — No Applications Defined

When you first visit the Node.js manager, before deploying any applications, you will see a screen showing a server icon graphic and the message **No applications defined**. This is not an error. It simply means your account is ready and waiting for you to deploy your first Node.js application.

To get started, click the cyan **Deploy app** button and follow the deployment steps described above.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I upload my Node.js application files?">
    You can upload your application files using the **File Manager** in the control panel or by connecting via **FTP/SFTP**. Upload all of your application files (including `package.json` and your start file) to the directory you plan to specify as the application path during deployment.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to run npm install?">
    The control panel may handle dependency installation automatically depending on your configuration. If your application is not starting because of missing modules, check whether a `node_modules` folder exists in your application directory. You may need to install dependencies before deploying. Check your application logs for any "Cannot find module" errors — that is a telltale sign.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I run multiple Node.js applications on one website?">
    Yes. You can deploy multiple Node.js applications and proxy each one from a different URL path. For example, one application at `/api` and another at `/dashboard`. Each application runs as a separate process with its own start file and configuration.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if my application crashes?">
    If you have **Monitoring** enabled, the system will automatically detect the crash and restart your application — usually within seconds. If Monitoring is not enabled, your application will remain stopped until you manually start it again from the Node.js manager. This is why we strongly recommend enabling Monitoring for any production application.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I update my application code?">
    Upload the updated files to your application directory (replacing the old files), then go to the Node.js manager and click **Restart** on your application. The restart will load the new code. Remember, Node.js apps are persistent processes, so just uploading new files is not enough — you need to restart for changes to take effect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I choose a specific Node.js version?">
    The available Node.js version options depend on your hosting account configuration. Check the deployment form for any version selection options when deploying your application.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my application showing an error page?">
    Check the application **Logs** in the Node.js manager for error messages. Common causes include a missing start file, missing dependencies (run `npm install`), syntax errors in your code, or the application listening on the wrong port.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does 'proxied from the web server' mean?">
    Your Node.js app runs on an internal port that is not directly accessible from the internet. The web server (OpenLiteSpeed) sits in front of it and forwards incoming requests to your app based on the URL path you configured. So when someone visits `yourdomain.com/api`, the web server grabs that request and passes it to your Node.js app. This is called "reverse proxying" and it means your visitors just use a normal URL — they never need to know about internal ports or how things work behind the scenes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Node.js application deployment made simple.
</div>


# How to Install Custom SSL & Troubleshoot Issues
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-custom-ssl-and-troubleshoot

Install third-party SSL certificates and troubleshoot common HTTPS issues like mixed content and chain errors in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel.

## Custom SSL Certificates and Troubleshooting

While FREAKHOSTING provides **free SSL certificates** through Let's Encrypt for every website, some organizations require a certificate from a specific certificate authority for compliance, extended validation (EV), organization validation (OV), or wildcard coverage. The Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) allows you to install these custom certificates and manage them alongside your free certificates.

This guide walks you through installing custom SSL certificates step by step (with real examples of what goes in each field), renewing them manually, and troubleshooting the most common SSL issues you are likely to run into.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  If you are looking for general SSL management, Force HTTPS settings, or information about the free Let's Encrypt certificates, see our core guide: [How to Manage SSL Certificates and HTTPS](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-ssl-certificates-and-https).
</Info>

***

## When You Need a Custom SSL Certificate

The free Let's Encrypt certificates are ideal for most websites, but there are situations where a custom certificate from a third-party authority is the better choice:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Extended Validation (EV)" icon="building">
    EV certificates display your organization's verified name in browser security indicators. This is often required by financial institutions, e-commerce platforms, and enterprise businesses to build maximum visitor trust.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Organization Validation (OV)" icon="id-badge">
    OV certificates verify your organization's identity and are commonly required for corporate websites, government portals, and applications that handle sensitive business data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Wildcard Certificates" icon="asterisk">
    A wildcard certificate secures your main domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate (for example, `*.yourdomain.com` covers `shop.yourdomain.com`, `blog.yourdomain.com`, `api.yourdomain.com`, and any other subdomain). This is useful when you manage many subdomains and want simplified certificate management.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance Requirements" icon="clipboard-check">
    Some industries, auditors, or payment processors require certificates from specific certificate authorities (such as DigiCert, Comodo, or Sectigo) rather than free automated providers. If your auditor says "you need a certificate from an approved CA," this is the path to take.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Installing a Custom SSL Certificate

<Steps>
  <Step title="Obtain Your Certificate Files">
    Purchase or generate an SSL certificate from your preferred certificate authority. After they validate your domain (and optionally your organization), you will receive three pieces of information that you need to install the certificate:

    | File                              | What It Is                                                                                                                                                  | What It Looks Like                                                                                                              |
    | --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Certificate (CRT)**             | The main SSL certificate issued for your domain. Your CA provides this as a `.crt` or `.pem` file.                                                          | Starts with `-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----` and ends with `-----END CERTIFICATE-----`. A block of base64-encoded text in between. |
    | **Private Key (KEY)**             | The secret key generated when you created your Certificate Signing Request (CSR). This must match the certificate exactly.                                  | Starts with `-----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----` (or `-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----`) and ends with the corresponding `END` line.    |
    | **Certificate Chain / CA Bundle** | The intermediate and root certificates from your CA. This lets browsers verify the full trust chain from your certificate back to a trusted root authority. | One or more certificate blocks stacked together, each with their own `BEGIN` and `END` lines.                                   |

    <Warning>
      Keep your private key file secure and never share it publicly. Anyone with access to your private key can impersonate your website's SSL certificate. If you think your private key has been compromised, revoke the certificate with your CA immediately and generate a new one.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Open your browser and go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Log in with your credentials to access the Web Hosting Control Panel dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website and Open the Security Tab">
    From the dashboard, click on the website you want to install the custom certificate on. Then click the **Security** tab in the top navigation bar. You will see the SSL certificates page with the heading "Security" and the **SSL certificates** section in the left sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Install Custom SSL">
    Click the **Install custom SSL** button located near the top of the SSL certificates section. This opens the custom certificate installation form with fields for each piece of your certificate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Paste Your Certificate Details Into Each Field">
    The installation form has three fields. Here is exactly what to paste into each one:

    **Certificate (CRT) field** -- Open your `.crt` file in a text editor and copy everything, including the header and footer lines:

    ```
    -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
    MIIFjTCCA3WgAwIBAgIRANOxciY0IzLc9AUoUSrsnGowDQYJKoZIhvcNAQEL
    BQAwTzELMAkGA1UEBhMCVVMxKTAnBgNVBAoTIEludGVybmV0IFNlY3VyaXR5
    ... (your certificate data) ...
    -----END CERTIFICATE-----
    ```

    **Private Key (KEY) field** -- Open your `.key` file and copy everything:

    ```
    -----BEGIN PRIVATE KEY-----
    MIIEvgIBADANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAASCBKgwggSkAgEAAoIBAQC7o4qne60TB3pq
    ... (your private key data) ...
    -----END PRIVATE KEY-----
    ```

    **Certificate Chain / CA Bundle field** -- Open your CA bundle file and copy all certificate blocks. If your provider gave you separate intermediate and root files, paste them in order with the intermediate first and the root last:

    ```
    -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
    (intermediate certificate data)
    -----END CERTIFICATE-----
    -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
    (root certificate data)
    -----END CERTIFICATE-----
    ```

    <Tip>
      Make sure you copy the **entire** contents of each file, including the `-----BEGIN` and `-----END` lines. A common mistake is accidentally leaving out the first or last line when copying. If any of those header/footer lines are missing, the installation will fail.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Install">
    Review the information you entered, then click the button to install the certificate. The control panel will validate that the private key matches the certificate and that the chain is complete. If everything checks out, your custom certificate is applied to your domain immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Make sure the private key matches the certificate you are installing. If the private key does not correspond to the certificate (for example, if you generated a new CSR but are using an old key), the installation will fail with a validation error. Your certificate authority's documentation will explain how to correctly generate and pair these files.
</Note>

<Info>
  Custom SSL certificates will appear in the SSL certificates table alongside your Let's Encrypt certificates. The **Certificate** column will show the name of the issuing authority (such as DigiCert or Sectigo) instead of Let's Encrypt, making it easy to tell them apart.
</Info>

***

## Manual Renewal for Custom Certificates

Custom SSL certificates from third-party providers are **not renewed automatically** by the hosting system. You are responsible for renewing them before they expire. The expiry date is displayed on the **Security** tab in the SSL certificates table. When a custom certificate expires, the status badge changes from green **Active** to red **Expired**, and your visitors will start seeing browser security warnings.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Renew with Your Certificate Authority">
    Log in to your certificate provider's website (DigiCert, Comodo, Sectigo, etc.) and renew or reissue your SSL certificate. Do this **before** the expiry date shown on the Security tab. Most providers allow you to renew up to 30 days early without losing any remaining time.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the New Certificate Files">
    After renewal, download the new certificate file (CRT), private key (if you regenerated the CSR), and certificate chain (CA bundle) from your provider.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the Renewed Certificate">
    Go to the **Security** tab in the control panel and click **Install custom SSL**. Paste the new certificate details into the same three fields (CRT, KEY, CA Bundle) and save. The new certificate replaces the expiring one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Set a calendar reminder for **two weeks before** your custom certificate's expiry date. This gives you plenty of time to complete the renewal process and avoid any interruption to your website's HTTPS connection. Waiting until the last day is risky because CA validation can sometimes take a few business days.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting Common SSL Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Visitors see 'Your connection is not private' in Chrome">
    This is the most alarming SSL error your visitors can encounter. Chrome displays a full-page warning with a red triangle and the message "Your connection is not private," along with the error code `NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID` or similar. Here is what causes it and what to do:

    * **Expired certificate:** Check the Security tab. If you see a red **Expired** badge, your certificate has passed its expiry date. For Let's Encrypt, verify your DNS is still pointed at FREAKHOSTING and wait for automatic re-issuance. For custom certificates, renew with your CA and reinstall.
    * **Certificate not yet issued:** If you just added a domain, the Let's Encrypt certificate may still be provisioning. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and check again.
    * **Wrong domain:** The certificate might cover `yourdomain.com` but not `www.yourdomain.com` (or vice versa). Make sure both domain variations are added under the Domains tab so each gets its own certificate.
    * **Clock issues:** Rarely, a visitor's computer clock is set to the wrong date, which makes valid certificates appear expired. This is on the visitor's end, not yours.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SSL certificate was not issued automatically">
    The most common reason for this is that your domain's DNS is not pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. Let's Encrypt needs to verify domain ownership through DNS, and this only works when your domain is using the correct nameservers.

    **What to check:**

    1. Log in to your domain registrar (where you bought the domain) and verify that your nameservers are set to the ones provided by FREAKHOSTING.
    2. Make sure there are no conflicting DNS records (like a CNAME or A record pointing elsewhere).
    3. After updating your DNS, allow up to 24 hours for propagation.
    4. Check the Security tab again. The certificate should appear with a green Active badge once DNS resolves correctly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My SSL certificate shows as Expired (red badge)">
    If a **Let's Encrypt** certificate shows the red Expired badge, automatic renewal has failed. This typically happens when:

    * DNS records have been changed and the domain is no longer pointing to your FREAKHOSTING hosting.
    * The domain was temporarily pointed to another service (like a staging server or CDN) and was not pointed back in time.
    * There was a temporary DNS resolution issue.

    **Fix:** Verify your DNS settings and make sure your domain resolves to your FREAKHOSTING server. Once DNS is correct, the system will automatically attempt to issue a new certificate. If the issue persists after 24 hours, contact our support team.

    If a **custom certificate** shows as Expired, you need to renew with your certificate authority and reinstall the new certificate using the installation steps above. There is no automatic renewal for custom certificates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Browser shows 'Not Secure' warning despite having an Active SSL">
    This usually indicates a **mixed content** issue. Your website loads over HTTPS, but some resources on the page (like images, scripts, or stylesheets) are still being pulled over plain HTTP. Browsers downgrade the security indicator because the page is not fully encrypted.

    **How to find and fix mixed content:**

    1. Open your website in Chrome and press `F12` to open Developer Tools.
    2. Click the **Console** tab. Mixed content warnings will appear as yellow or red messages showing exactly which URLs are loading over HTTP.
    3. Update those resource URLs in your website's code or CMS settings to use `https://` instead of `http://`. Often it is as simple as changing `http://yourdomain.com/images/logo.png` to `https://yourdomain.com/images/logo.png`.
    4. In WordPress, you can use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to automatically detect and fix mixed content issues across your entire site.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Force HTTPS is enabled but site still loads over HTTP">
    Try these steps in order:

    1. **Clear your browser cache** and try again. Browsers aggressively cache redirects, and you might be seeing a stale response.
    2. **Test in a private/incognito window** to rule out caching entirely.
    3. **Check the certificate status** on the Security tab. The Force HTTPS redirect cannot work properly without a valid, active certificate. If the badge is red, fix the certificate first.
    4. **Verify you enabled Force HTTPS for the correct domain.** If you have both `yourdomain.com` and `www.yourdomain.com` in the table, make sure the toggle is enabled on the specific domain your visitors are accessing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom SSL installation fails with a validation error">
    Double-check the following common causes:

    * **Private key mismatch:** The private key must be the exact one that was generated along with the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for that specific certificate. If you generated a new CSR during renewal, you need the new private key that came with it, not the old one.
    * **Missing certificate chain:** Make sure you are pasting the full CA bundle (intermediate certificates) from your certificate authority into the Certificate Chain field. Missing chain certificates will cause a validation error. Your CA's download page usually provides the bundle as a separate file.
    * **Incomplete copy/paste:** A very common mistake is accidentally cutting off the `-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----` or `-----END CERTIFICATE-----` lines when copying. Make sure each field includes the full contents with all header and footer lines.
    * **Wrong file format:** The control panel expects PEM-encoded certificates (the text-based format with BEGIN/END headers). If your CA provided a binary DER format (`.der` or `.cer`), you will need to convert it to PEM first. Your CA's documentation will have conversion instructions, or you can use an online PEM converter.
    * **Expired certificate:** Double-check that the certificate you are trying to install has not already expired. Check the validity dates in your certificate files before pasting them in.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SSL works on the main domain but not on www (or vice versa)">
    This happens because `yourdomain.com` and `www.yourdomain.com` are treated as separate domains, and each needs its own SSL certificate entry.

    **For Let's Encrypt (free) certificates:**

    1. Go to the **Domains** tab for your website in the control panel.
    2. Make sure both `yourdomain.com` and `www.yourdomain.com` are listed as domains.
    3. If one is missing, add it. A Let's Encrypt certificate will be automatically provisioned for the new domain within a few minutes.
    4. Check the Security tab to confirm both domains show a green Active badge.

    **For custom certificates:**
    Make sure your certificate covers both domain variations. If you purchased a certificate only for `yourdomain.com`, it will not work for `www.yourdomain.com`. You can either purchase a certificate that includes both names as Subject Alternative Names (SANs), or use a wildcard certificate (`*.yourdomain.com`) which covers all subdomains including `www`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I see 'ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR' or 'SSL handshake failed'">
    This error usually means the browser and server could not agree on how to establish a secure connection. Common causes include:

    * **Certificate not yet fully installed:** If you just installed or renewed a certificate, wait a few minutes for the change to propagate across the server.
    * **Incorrect certificate chain order:** Some servers are particular about the order of certificates in the CA bundle. Try arranging them with your domain certificate first, intermediate certificates next, and root certificate last.
    * **Browser or network issue:** Try a different browser or device. Corporate firewalls and antivirus programs sometimes interfere with SSL connections.

    If the error persists after checking these items, contact our support team with the exact error message and the domain affected.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Custom SSL certificates and troubleshooting made simple.
</div>


# How to Install WordPress and Web Applications
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-wordpress-and-web-apps

Install WordPress, WooCommerce, and other web applications on your FREAKHOSTING hosting with the one-click installer. Configure databases and app settings.

## One-Click Web Application Installation

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) makes it simple to install popular web applications like WordPress with just a few clicks. No manual file uploads, no database setup, and no complicated configuration required. The built-in app installer handles everything for you automatically.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Available Applications

The Web Hosting Control Panel currently supports the following applications for one-click installation:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="WordPress" icon="wordpress">
    The world's most popular content management system. Perfect for blogs, business websites, portfolios, and more. Powers over 40% of all websites on the internet.
  </Card>

  <Card title="WooCommerce + WordPress" icon="cart-shopping">
    WordPress bundled with the WooCommerce plugin pre-installed. Ideal for building online stores with product listings, shopping carts, checkout, and payment processing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Both applications are installed with the latest stable version by default. The installer will show you the exact version number (for example, **6.9.4**) along with a green **LATEST** badge so you always know you are getting the most up-to-date release.
</Info>

***

## Installing WordPress Step by Step

Follow these steps to install a fresh WordPress site on your hosting account. We will walk through a real example so you can see exactly what to expect.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Your Website">
    Log in to the Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). From the dashboard or the website list, click on the website where you want to install WordPress.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Apps Tab">
    Once you are viewing your website, click on the **Apps** tab in the top navigation bar. This is where all application installations are managed.

    If you have not installed anything yet, you will see an empty state that reads **"No applications"** along with the message *"Install popular applications directly onto your website - with only a few clicks."* Two buttons will be available: **Install app** and **Discover existing**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Install App">
    Click the teal **Install app** button to open the application installer form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Application">
    In the **Application** dropdown, select **WordPress** (you will see the WordPress logo next to the name). If you are building an online store instead, select **WooCommerce + WordPress** (shown with the WooCommerce logo).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the WordPress Version">
    The **Version** dropdown will show the latest available release, for example **6.9.4 LATEST** with a green badge. The latest version is selected by default and is recommended for all new installations. Simply leave this as-is.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Domain">
    From the **Domain** dropdown, choose the domain name where WordPress should be installed. If you have multiple domains or subdomains attached to your website, make sure you pick the correct one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the Installation Path">
    The **Path** field determines where WordPress lives on your domain. It starts with a **/** prefix that is already filled in for you. Here is how it works:

    | Path    | Result                               | When to Use                                                  |
    | ------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | `/`     | WordPress loads at `myblog.com`      | You want WordPress to be your entire website                 |
    | `/blog` | WordPress loads at `myblog.com/blog` | You want WordPress in a subdirectory alongside other content |
    | `/shop` | WordPress loads at `myblog.com/shop` | You want a store section separate from your main site        |

    For most people, leaving the path as **/** is the right choice. This means when someone visits your domain, they land directly on your WordPress site.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure WordPress Admin Account">
    Below the path field, you will see the **WordPress admin account** section with the note: *"You will use these credentials to log in and manage your application."*

    Fill in the following fields:

    * **Username** — Choose a username for your WordPress administrator account. This is what you will type every time you log in.
    * **Email address** — Enter a valid email address. WordPress uses this for admin notifications and password recovery.
    * **Password** — Create a strong password. You can click the **generate** button next to the field to have a secure password created for you, or type your own. Click the **eye icon** to reveal what you have typed.
    * **Confirm password** — Re-enter the same password to make sure it matches.

    Your password must meet **all five** of these requirements:

    | Requirement             | Example           |
    | ----------------------- | ----------------- |
    | One lowercase character | a, b, c           |
    | One uppercase character | A, B, C           |
    | One number              | 1, 2, 3           |
    | One special character   | !, @, #, \$       |
    | 10 characters minimum   | At least 10 total |

    The form will check these in real time. All five must show as satisfied before you can proceed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Install">
    Review all of your settings, then click the teal **Install** button at the bottom of the form. The installer will automatically create your database, upload all WordPress files, and configure everything. This typically takes less than a minute.

    Once the installation completes, your new WordPress site will appear in the **Apps** list on the same page. You are ready to go.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Real-World Example Walkthrough

Let's say you just bought the domain **myblog.com** and you want to set up a personal blog. Here is exactly what you would fill in:

| Field                | What You Enter                              |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Application**      | WordPress                                   |
| **Version**          | 6.9.4 LATEST (leave as default)             |
| **Domain**           | myblog.com                                  |
| **Path**             | /                                           |
| **Username**         | sarah2026                                   |
| **Email address**    | [sarah@myblog.com](mailto:sarah@myblog.com) |
| **Password**         | Tr0pic\@lSunrise!                           |
| **Confirm password** | Tr0pic\@lSunrise!                           |

After clicking **Install**, your blog will be live at `myblog.com` within a minute, and you can log in to the WordPress dashboard at `myblog.com/wp-admin` using the username `sarah2026` and the password you set.

<Tip>
  If you wanted the blog at `myblog.com/blog` instead (maybe you plan to build a custom homepage later), you would simply change the **Path** to `/blog`. Everything else stays the same.
</Tip>

***

## What Happens After You Click Install

Wondering what to expect after you hit that Install button? Here is the process:

1. **The installer runs automatically** — It creates a database, uploads WordPress files, and configures your site. You will see the progress on screen. This usually takes under a minute.
2. **Your app appears in the Apps list** — Once finished, the Apps tab will show your new WordPress installation with the domain, path, and version details.
3. **Your site is live immediately** — Visit your domain (for example, `myblog.com`) in a new browser tab and you will see the default WordPress site.
4. **Log in to your WordPress dashboard** — Go to `yourdomain.com/wp-admin` and sign in with the username and password you created during installation. From the dashboard you can pick a theme, write your first post, install plugins, and customize everything.

<Warning>
  **Remember your admin credentials.** Write down or securely save the username, email, and password you entered during installation. You will need these to log in to your WordPress dashboard at `yourdomain.com/wp-admin`. If you used the generate button for your password, make sure you copied it before clicking Install.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  **Use a unique username.** Avoid using common usernames like "admin" or "administrator" for your WordPress admin account. A unique username adds an extra layer of security against brute-force login attempts.
</Tip>

***

## Installing WooCommerce + WordPress

If you want to build an online store, the **WooCommerce + WordPress** option installs WordPress with the WooCommerce e-commerce plugin already included and activated.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Follow the Same Process">
    The installation steps are identical to a standard WordPress installation. Navigate to your website, open the **Apps** tab, and click **Install app**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select WooCommerce + WordPress">
    In the **Application** dropdown, select **WooCommerce + WordPress** instead of the standard WordPress option. You will see the WooCommerce logo next to the name so it is easy to tell apart.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Remaining Fields">
    Choose your WordPress version, select your domain, set the installation path, and fill in the WordPress admin account details exactly as described in the WordPress installation steps above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Install">
    Click **Install** to begin the installation. WordPress and WooCommerce will both be set up automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  After installation, log in to your WordPress dashboard at `yourdomain.com/wp-admin`. WooCommerce will greet you with a setup wizard that walks you through configuring your store details, payment methods, shipping options, and more. You will have an online store ready to accept orders in no time.
</Info>

***

## Discovering Existing Applications

Already uploaded WordPress files manually through FTP or a file manager? The **Discover existing** button is designed for exactly this situation. It scans your website's file structure to detect any applications that were installed outside of the control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Apps Tab">
    Navigate to your website in the control panel and click on the **Apps** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Discover Existing">
    Click the outlined **Discover existing** button (next to the teal Install app button). The control panel will scan through your website's files and look for recognizable application structures like WordPress's `wp-config.php` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Detected Applications">
    If an existing application is found, it will be added to your Apps list so you can manage it alongside any apps installed through the one-click installer. You will be able to see the detected version and installation path.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  The **Discover existing** feature is only needed for applications that were installed manually outside of the control panel. Applications installed through the built-in **Install app** button are tracked automatically and will already appear in your Apps list.
</Note>

***

## Managing Installed Applications

After you install an application, it will appear in the **Apps** list on the Apps tab of your website. From here you can:

* **View installation details** — See the application name, version, domain, and installation path at a glance.
* **Access your site** — Click through to visit your live website or go directly to the WordPress admin dashboard.
* **Manage or remove** — Perform management actions on your installed applications as needed.

<Tip>
  Keep your WordPress installation up to date by regularly checking for updates in the WordPress dashboard under **Dashboard > Updates**. Running the latest version ensures you have the newest features and security patches.
</Tip>

***

## Quick Access from the Dashboard

For even faster access, look for the app installation shortcut directly on your main website dashboard. A quick-access button allows you to jump straight to the app installer without navigating through multiple tabs, making it easy to add new applications whenever you need them.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I log in to WordPress after installation?">
    Visit `yourdomain.com/wp-admin` in your web browser (replace `yourdomain.com` with your actual domain). Enter the username and password you set during installation to access the WordPress admin dashboard. If you installed WordPress at a subdirectory like `/blog`, your login URL would be `yourdomain.com/blog/wp-admin`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I install WordPress in a subdirectory?">
    Yes. During installation, change the **Path** field from `/` to your desired subdirectory, such as `/blog` or `/shop`. WordPress will then be accessible at `yourdomain.com/blog` or `yourdomain.com/shop`. Your main domain root will remain unaffected.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I forgot my WordPress admin password?">
    On the WordPress login page at `yourdomain.com/wp-admin`, click the **Lost your password?** link. Enter your admin email address and WordPress will send you a password reset link. Make sure the email address you used during installation is one you can access.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I install multiple WordPress sites?">
    Yes, you can install WordPress on different domains or in different subdirectories. Each installation is independent with its own database, files, and admin dashboard. For example, you could have one WordPress at `myblog.com` and another at `myblog.com/shop`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the difference between WordPress and WooCommerce + WordPress?">
    The standard **WordPress** option installs a clean WordPress site suitable for blogs, business sites, and general websites. The **WooCommerce + WordPress** option installs WordPress with the WooCommerce e-commerce plugin pre-installed and ready for you to set up an online store with products, a shopping cart, and checkout.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my password not meet the requirements?">
    Your WordPress admin password must satisfy all five rules: at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, one number, one special character (such as !, @, #, \$), and be a minimum of 10 characters long. The form checks each requirement in real time. Make sure every single one is marked as satisfied before clicking Install.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does the Discover Existing button do?">
    The **Discover existing** button scans your website's files to find applications that were uploaded manually (for example, through FTP). It does not install anything new. Instead, it detects what is already there and adds it to your Apps list so the control panel can track and manage it. You only need this if you installed an application outside of the one-click installer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the password generate button?">
    Yes. Next to the password field there is a **generate** button that creates a strong, random password meeting all requirements. If you use it, make sure to copy and save the generated password before clicking Install, since it will not be shown again after installation.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** WordPress installation made simple.
</div>


# How to Manage DNS Records and DNSSEC
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec

Add, edit, and delete DNS records including A, CNAME, MX, and TXT types. Enable DNSSEC for your domain in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel.

## Managing DNS Records and DNSSEC

Think of DNS records as the address book of the internet. When someone types your domain name into their browser, DNS records are the instructions that tell the internet exactly where to go -- which server hosts your website, which server handles your email, and how to verify that you actually own the domain. Without them, nobody could find your site.

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) gives you full control over all DNS records associated with your domains, along with the ability to enable DNSSEC for added security.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    10 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  Before managing DNS records, make sure your domain is added to your hosting account and pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. See [How to Manage Domains](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-domains-and-dns-records) for setup instructions.
</Info>

***

## Navigating DNS Records

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open DNS Records">
    Log in to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), select your website, click the **Domains** tab, then click on the domain you want to manage. Select **DNS records** from the left sidebar. You will see a table listing all existing DNS records for the domain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the Search Bar">
    If you have many records, click the **search icon** at the top of the table to quickly filter and find specific records by type, host, or value. This is especially handy once you have a dozen or more records and need to find that one TXT record you added last month.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sort Your Records">
    Click the **Type** or **Host** column headers to sort your records. This makes it easy to group all your A records together, or find every record that applies to a specific subdomain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle Advanced Records">
    Click the **Advanced records** toggle to show or hide system-generated records. By default, only the records you have added or can edit are displayed. Enabling advanced records reveals everything the control panel manages behind the scenes -- more on this below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding the DNS Table

Each DNS record is displayed in a table with four columns:

| Column    | Description                                                                                                      | Example            |
| --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ |
| **Type**  | The kind of DNS record (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV, and more). Click to sort.                                  | `A`                |
| **Host**  | The hostname or subdomain the record applies to. Use `@` for the root domain itself.                             | `@`, `www`, `mail` |
| **Value** | The data the record points to -- an IP address, hostname, or text string depending on the type.                  | `191.96.94.5`      |
| **TTL**   | Time To Live in seconds -- how long other servers will cache (remember) this record before checking for updates. | `21600`            |

### Understanding TTL (Time To Live)

TTL is expressed in seconds, which can look confusing at first glance. Here is a quick reference:

| TTL Value | Human-Readable | Best For                                                |
| --------- | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `300`     | 5 minutes      | Records you are actively testing or changing frequently |
| `3600`    | 1 hour         | Records that might change occasionally                  |
| `21600`   | 6 hours        | Standard default -- good for most records               |
| `86400`   | 24 hours       | Records that rarely or never change                     |

A TTL of `21600` (the default you will see on most FREAKHOSTING records) means that once another server looks up your record, it will remember the answer for 6 hours before checking again. Lower TTL values mean changes take effect faster, but they also increase the number of DNS lookups for your domain. For most situations, the default is perfectly fine.

<Tip>
  **Planning a server migration?** A few days before the switch, lower your TTL to `300` (5 minutes). That way, when you update the IP address, the change will propagate quickly. After everything is settled, set it back to `21600`.
</Tip>

***

## Common DNS Record Types Explained

Every record type has a different job. Here is what each one does, explained in plain English with real-world examples.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="A Record -- Points your domain to a server">
    An **A record** maps a domain or subdomain to an **IPv4 address**. This is the most fundamental DNS record -- it is what tells the internet "when someone visits this domain, send them to this server."

    **Real example from your panel:**

    * An A record with host `@` pointing to `191.96.94.5` means: "When someone visits **mybusiness.com**, send them to the server at IP address 191.96.94.5."
    * An A record with host `mail` pointing to `191.96.94.5` means: "When something needs to reach **mail.mybusiness.com**, send it to 191.96.94.5."

    **When you need this:** Almost always -- every domain needs at least one A record for the root domain (`@`). If you create subdomains like `blog.yourdomain.com` or `shop.yourdomain.com`, each one needs its own A record (or a CNAME pointing to something that has an A record).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="AAAA Record -- The IPv6 version of an A record">
    An **AAAA record** (pronounced "quad-A") does the same thing as an A record, but uses an **IPv6 address** instead of IPv4. IPv6 addresses are the newer, longer format that looks like `2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334`.

    **Real example:**

    * An AAAA record with host `@` pointing to `2001:0db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334` means: "When someone visits mybusiness.com and their connection supports IPv6, send them to this IPv6 address."

    **When you need this:** If your server supports IPv6 (and you want to take advantage of the faster routing it can sometimes offer), add AAAA records alongside your A records. If you are not sure, you probably do not need to worry about this one yet.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="CNAME Record -- An alias that points to another domain name">
    A **CNAME record** (Canonical Name) creates an **alias** -- it points one domain name to another domain name instead of directly to an IP address. Think of it as a forwarding address.

    **Real example:**

    * A CNAME record with host `www` pointing to `yourdomain.com` means: "When someone visits **[www.yourdomain.com](http://www.yourdomain.com)**, look up where yourdomain.com points and send them there too." This way, you only need to update the A record in one place if your server IP changes.

    **Other common uses:**

    * `shop` pointing to `shops.myshopify.com` -- connects your subdomain to a Shopify store
    * `blog` pointing to `your-site.ghost.io` -- connects your subdomain to a Ghost blog
    * `links` pointing to `your-page.linktr.ee` -- connects a subdomain to Linktree

    **Important limitation:** You cannot create a CNAME record for the root domain (`@`). The root domain must use an A record (or AAAA record). CNAME records are only for subdomains.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="MX Record -- Tells email where to go">
    **MX (Mail Exchange) records** tell the internet which mail servers handle email for your domain. Without MX records, nobody can send email to any `@yourdomain.com` address.

    **Real example -- using FREAKHOSTING's built-in email:**

    * MX record with host `@`, value `mail.yourdomain.com`, priority `10`

    **Real example -- using Google Workspace:**

    * MX record: host `@`, value `aspmx.l.google.com`, priority `1`
    * MX record: host `@`, value `alt1.aspmx.l.google.com`, priority `5`
    * MX record: host `@`, value `alt2.aspmx.l.google.com`, priority `5`

    **What is priority?** The priority number (sometimes called "preference") tells email servers which mail server to try first. Lower numbers are tried first. So with Google Workspace, email tries `aspmx.l.google.com` (priority 1) first, and only falls back to the alternates (priority 5) if the primary is unavailable.

    **When you need this:** Whenever you set up email for your domain -- whether using FREAKHOSTING's built-in email, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, or any other provider. Your email provider will give you the exact MX records to add.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="TXT Record -- Stores text information for verification and security">
    **TXT records** store text-based information that other services can read. They do not affect how your website loads or how email is delivered directly -- instead, they are used for verification and authentication.

    **Common uses with real examples:**

    **Google Search Console verification:**

    * Host: `@`
    * Value: `google-site-verification=abc123xyz456...`
    * This proves to Google that you own the domain.

    **SPF record (email authentication):**

    * Host: `@`
    * Value: `v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all`
    * This tells receiving mail servers "only Google's servers are authorized to send email from my domain." This helps prevent spam and phishing.

    **DMARC policy (email security):**

    * Host: `_dmarc`
    * Value: `v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com`
    * This tells receiving mail servers what to do with emails that fail authentication checks.

    **Domain verification for other services:**

    * Microsoft 365, Mailchimp, Stripe, Facebook, and many other services ask you to add a TXT record to prove you own the domain.

    **When you need this:** Frequently. You will add TXT records whenever a service asks you to "verify your domain" or when setting up email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). See [How to Configure Email Authentication and Routing](/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-authentication-and-routing) for detailed email setup instructions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SRV Record -- Directs traffic to specific services and ports">
    **SRV (Service) records** are more specialized. They define the location of specific services by specifying a hostname, port number, priority, and weight. Most website owners will never need to touch these, but they are important for certain applications.

    **Real example -- Microsoft Teams / Skype for Business:**

    * Service: `_sip`, Protocol: `_tls`, Host: `@`
    * Value: `sipdir.online.lync.com`, Port: `443`, Priority: `100`, Weight: `1`

    **Other uses:**

    * VoIP phone systems
    * XMPP chat servers
    * Game servers that need to advertise their port
    * CalDAV / CardDAV (calendar and contact syncing)

    **When you need this:** Only when a specific service or application tells you to add an SRV record. The service provider will give you the exact values. If nobody has asked you to add one, you do not need one.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Adding a DNS Record

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Record">
    At the top-right of the DNS records table, click the **Add record** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Record Type">
    Choose the type of DNS record you want to create (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV, and so on) from the dropdown.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill In the Details">
    Enter the required fields based on the record type:

    * **Host** -- The subdomain or `@` for the root domain.
    * **Value** -- The target IP address, hostname, or text value.
    * **TTL** -- The time to live in seconds (the default of 21600 is fine for most situations).
    * Additional fields may appear depending on the record type (for example, **Priority** for MX records, **Port** for SRV records).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Record">
    Click **Save** or **Add** to create the record. The new record will appear in the DNS table immediately, though it may take some time for DNS propagation to complete globally (anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours, depending on TTL values and caching).
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Practical Walkthroughs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Scenario: Verifying your domain with Google Search Console">
    Google gives you a TXT record value that looks something like `google-site-verification=dBw5CkLmou...`.

    1. Click **Add record**
    2. Select **TXT** as the type
    3. Set the host to `@`
    4. Paste the full `google-site-verification=...` string as the value
    5. Leave TTL at the default
    6. Click **Save**
    7. Go back to Google Search Console and click **Verify** -- it may take a few minutes for Google to detect the record
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scenario: Setting up MX records for Google Workspace">
    Google Workspace requires five MX records. For each one:

    1. Click **Add record**
    2. Select **MX** as the type
    3. Set the host to `@`
    4. Enter the mail server address as the value (for example, `aspmx.l.google.com`)
    5. Enter the priority number Google specifies (1, 5, 5, 10, 10)
    6. Click **Save**

    Repeat for all five MX records. If you had any existing MX records from a previous email provider, delete them first to avoid conflicts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Scenario: Pointing a subdomain to an external service">
    Say you want `shop.yourdomain.com` to go to your Shopify store. Shopify tells you to create a CNAME record pointing to `shops.myshopify.com`.

    1. Click **Add record**
    2. Select **CNAME** as the type
    3. Set the host to `shop`
    4. Set the value to `shops.myshopify.com`
    5. Leave TTL at the default
    6. Click **Save**

    Your subdomain will start pointing to Shopify after DNS propagation completes.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Editing or Deleting a DNS Record

To modify or remove an existing record:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Locate the Record">
    Find the record you want to change in the DNS records table. Use the search bar or sort by column headers if needed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Action Menu">
    Click the **three-dot menu** (⋮) on the right side of the record row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an Action">
    Select **Edit** to modify the record's details (type, host, value, TTL), or **Delete** to permanently remove the record from your domain.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Be careful when deleting DNS records.** Removing essential records can break things fast:

  * **Delete your A record?** Your website goes offline -- visitors will see a DNS error.
  * **Delete your MX records?** Email to your domain will stop being delivered.
  * **Delete your TXT records?** Email authentication may fail, causing your outgoing emails to land in spam folders.

  If you are unsure about a record's purpose, leave it alone and contact our support team for guidance.
</Warning>

***

## Advanced Records Toggle

The **Advanced records** toggle at the top of the DNS records table controls the visibility of system-generated records. These are records that the control panel creates and manages automatically behind the scenes to keep your hosting working properly.

* **Toggle off (default):** Only the records you have created and can edit are shown. This is the cleanest view for day-to-day management, and what most users should stick with.
* **Toggle on:** Everything is visible, including system records such as:

  * **SOA (Start of Authority)** -- Contains metadata about the DNS zone, like the primary nameserver and the zone serial number.
  * **NS (Nameserver)** records -- Define which nameservers are authoritative for your domain.
  * **Default A records** -- System-generated records that point to your hosting server.

  System records are typically greyed out or marked as non-editable so you can tell them apart from your own records.

<Note>
  System-generated records should not be modified or deleted unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing. Changing them can break your website, email, or the entire DNS zone for your domain. The toggle exists so you can inspect these records, not so you can edit them.
</Note>

***

## DNSSEC

### What Is DNSSEC?

**DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC)** adds a layer of cryptographic security to your domain's DNS records. Here is an analogy: regular DNS is like mailing a letter with just an address on it -- anyone along the way could theoretically swap the letter for a different one, and the recipient would have no way to know. DNSSEC is like adding a tamper-evident seal to every letter. If someone intercepts and changes the contents, the seal breaks, and the recipient knows not to trust it.

Without DNSSEC, an attacker could potentially intercept DNS responses and redirect your visitors to a fake version of your website (an attack known as **DNS spoofing** or **cache poisoning**). With DNSSEC enabled, every DNS response is digitally signed, so browsers and mail servers can verify that the response actually came from your authoritative nameserver and was not tampered with.

### Enabling DNSSEC

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to DNSSEC">
    In the domain settings sidebar (the same place you found DNS records), click **DNSSEC**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable DNSSEC">
    Follow the on-screen instructions to enable DNSSEC for your domain. The control panel will generate the required **DS (Delegation Signer) records** -- these are the cryptographic keys that link your domain's DNS zone to the parent zone.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add DS Records at Your Registrar">
    Depending on where you registered your domain, you may need to add the DS records to your **domain registrar's** dashboard to complete the DNSSEC chain of trust. The control panel will display the exact values you need to copy:

    * **Key Tag** -- A short numeric identifier
    * **Algorithm** -- The signing algorithm used
    * **Digest Type** -- The hash algorithm
    * **Digest** -- The actual hash value

    Paste these into your registrar's DNSSEC settings. If your domain is also registered through FREAKHOSTING, this step may be handled automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  DNSSEC is recommended for all domains, but it is especially important for websites that handle sensitive information -- online stores, login portals, banking, healthcare, or anything where a visitor being sent to a fake site could cause real harm.
</Info>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?">
    Most DNS changes propagate within **15 minutes to a few hours**, but full worldwide propagation can take up to **24-48 hours**. The actual time depends on the TTL values of your records and how aggressively different internet service providers cache DNS data. If you need changes to take effect quickly, lower the TTL on the record *before* you make the change, wait for the old TTL to expire, and then update the value.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I delete my A record?">
    Deleting the A record for your root domain (`@`) will cause your website to stop loading. Visitors will see a DNS resolution error because there is no longer a record telling browsers which server to connect to. If this happens by mistake, add a new A record with host `@` pointing to your server's IP address (you can find this in your hosting account details or by contacting support).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple records of the same type?">
    Yes, and it is quite common. For example, you will often have multiple MX records (primary and backup mail servers), multiple TXT records (one for SPF, one for domain verification, one for DMARC), and multiple A records (one for `@`, one for `mail`, one for other subdomains). Each record just needs a unique combination of type and host, or a different value.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I enable DNSSEC?">
    DNSSEC is optional but recommended, especially for websites that handle sensitive data. It adds cryptographic verification to your DNS records, preventing attackers from redirecting your visitors to malicious websites through DNS spoofing. The main downside is a small amount of added complexity, but the security benefit is well worth it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are the system-generated records shown in advanced mode?">
    These include **SOA** (Start of Authority), **NS** (Nameserver), and default **A** records that the control panel creates automatically when you add a domain. They ensure your hosting account functions correctly and should not be modified unless you have a specific, well-understood reason. Accidentally changing an NS record, for example, could make your entire domain unreachable.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I added a record but it is not working -- what should I check?">
    A few common things to verify:

    * **Did you wait long enough?** Check the TTL of any existing record you changed -- that is the minimum time before the change can take effect everywhere.
    * **Is the host value correct?** Remember that `@` means the root domain. If you typed your full domain name in the host field, you may have accidentally created a record for `yourdomain.com.yourdomain.com`.
    * **Is there a conflicting record?** Two A records for the same host, or a CNAME and an A record on the same host, can cause unexpected behavior.
    * **Are you checking from a cached location?** Try using a DNS lookup tool like `dig` or an online checker to see what the rest of the world sees, rather than relying on your own browser (which may have cached the old result).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I set up email-related DNS records?">
    For email authentication (DKIM), mail routing configuration, and Cloudflare integration, see [How to Configure Email Authentication and Routing](/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-authentication-and-routing).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** DNS records and DNSSEC management made simple.
</div>


# How to Manage Domains
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-domains-and-dns-records

Learn how to add domains, configure document roots, understand DNS status, and point your domain to FREAKHOSTING nameservers in the Web Hosting Control Panel.

## Managing Your Domains

Every website needs a domain name to be accessible on the internet. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) gives you full control over all domains connected to your hosting account. You can add new domains, configure document roots, and monitor DNS status -- all from a single, easy-to-use interface.

Here is a real-world example to follow along with: let's say you just bought `mybusiness.com` from Namecheap and you want to connect it to your FREAKHOSTING hosting account so people can visit your website. This guide walks you through every step of that process.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes (plus up to 24-48 hours for DNS propagation)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Pointing Your Domain to FREAKHOSTING

Before your domain will work with your hosting account, you need to tell the internet where to find it. You do this by updating the **nameservers** at your domain registrar (that is the company where you purchased your domain -- Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare, etc.).

Think of nameservers like a mailing address for your website. Right now, your domain might be pointing nowhere or to your registrar's default parking page. You need to change that so it points to FREAKHOSTING's servers instead.

Point your domain to the following FREAKHOSTING nameservers:

| Nameserver | Address                    |
| ---------- | -------------------------- |
| Primary    | `alpha.freakhosting.com`   |
| Secondary  | `beta.freakhosting.com`    |
| Tertiary   | `charlie.freakhosting.com` |
| Quaternary | `delta.freakhosting.com`   |

### How to Update Nameservers at Popular Registrars

Below are step-by-step instructions for the three most common domain registrars. The process is similar everywhere: find the nameserver settings for your domain and replace whatever is there with the four FREAKHOSTING nameservers listed above.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Namecheap">
    1. Log in to your Namecheap account at [namecheap.com](https://www.namecheap.com).
    2. Go to **Domain List** in the left sidebar and find your domain (e.g., `mybusiness.com`).
    3. Click **Manage** next to the domain.
    4. Scroll down to the **Nameservers** section.
    5. Change the dropdown from **Namecheap BasicDNS** (or whatever it says) to **Custom DNS**.
    6. Enter the four FREAKHOSTING nameservers, one per line:
       * `alpha.freakhosting.com`
       * `beta.freakhosting.com`
       * `charlie.freakhosting.com`
       * `delta.freakhosting.com`
    7. Click the **green checkmark** to save.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="GoDaddy">
    1. Log in to your GoDaddy account at [godaddy.com](https://www.godaddy.com).
    2. Go to **My Products** and find your domain.
    3. Click on the domain name to open its settings.
    4. Scroll down to **Nameservers** and click **Change**.
    5. Select **Enter my own nameservers (advanced)**.
    6. Enter the four FREAKHOSTING nameservers:
       * `alpha.freakhosting.com`
       * `beta.freakhosting.com`
       * `charlie.freakhosting.com`
       * `delta.freakhosting.com`
    7. Click **Save**, then confirm the change when prompted.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cloudflare (as registrar)">
    If you purchased your domain through Cloudflare Registrar (not just using Cloudflare as a DNS proxy), the process is slightly different because Cloudflare locks nameservers to their own by default.

    1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard at [dash.cloudflare.com](https://dash.cloudflare.com).
    2. Select your domain.
    3. Instead of changing nameservers away from Cloudflare, you can use the **Cloudflare integration** built into the FREAKHOSTING control panel. This lets you manage DNS through Cloudflare while still hosting with FREAKHOSTING.
    4. In your FREAKHOSTING control panel, look for the **Cloudflare API token** selector at the top of your domain settings. Connect your Cloudflare account there and your DNS records will sync automatically.

    Alternatively, if you want FREAKHOSTING to handle DNS directly, you would need to transfer your domain to a different registrar that allows custom nameservers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Important>
  **Nameserver changes can take up to 24-48 hours to propagate worldwide.** During this time, your website may intermittently load or appear unavailable. This is completely normal. DNS propagation depends on your domain registrar and internet service providers caching the old records. Most changes take effect within a few hours, but patience is key here.
</Important>

<Tip>
  You only need to set these nameservers once per domain. After propagation completes, all DNS management happens directly inside the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel -- you will not need to go back to your registrar for DNS changes.
</Tip>

***

## Accessing the Domains Tab

To manage your domains, follow these steps:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Open your browser and navigate to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Log in with your FREAKHOSTING credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website you want to manage domains for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Domains Tab">
    In the top navigation bar, click on the **Domains** tab. You will see the page title **"Domains"** at the top with a cyan **Add domain** button in the top-right corner. This is where all domain management takes place for the selected website.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding the Domains List

The Domains tab displays a table of all domains connected to your website. Here is what each column means and what the icons tell you:

### Table Columns

* **Domain** -- The domain name itself, shown with a lock icon. Your main domain will have a blue **PRIMARY** badge next to it (more on that below). You can click the column header to sort domains alphabetically.
* **DNS Status** -- Shows whether the domain's DNS is correctly pointed to FREAKHOSTING. If everything is working, you will see a green status. If you see a **yellow warning triangle icon**, it means your domain is not pointed to FREAKHOSTING nameservers yet (or the nameserver change has not finished propagating). This is the most common issue new users encounter and it is easy to fix -- just follow the nameserver instructions above.
* **DNS Provider** -- Displays who is currently handling your domain's DNS records. This will typically show **FREAKHOSTING** if you are using the built-in nameservers, or **Cloudflare** if you have connected a Cloudflare API token.
* **Document Root** -- Shows the folder on your hosting account that serves the web pages for this domain (for example, `/public_html`).

Each domain row also has a **three-dot menu** on the right side for quick actions like removing the domain.

### The PRIMARY Badge

Your main domain displays a **PRIMARY** badge next to its name in the domain list. This badge tells you which domain is the "default" domain for your hosting account -- the one that was assigned when your website was first created.

<Info>
  The **PRIMARY** badge cannot be removed or transferred to another domain. This is the default domain for your website. Any additional domains you add will work alongside it, but this one remains the primary identity of your hosting account. Think of it as your website's "home" domain.
</Info>

### The DNS Status Warning Icon

If you see a **yellow triangle warning icon** in the DNS Status column, do not worry -- this simply means one of two things:

1. **You have not updated your nameservers yet.** Go to your domain registrar and point the nameservers to FREAKHOSTING (see the instructions above).
2. **DNS propagation is still in progress.** If you just changed your nameservers, give it a few hours. The warning icon will disappear automatically once propagation completes and the domain resolves to FREAKHOSTING servers.

<Tip>
  You can check propagation progress using a free tool like [whatsmydns.net](https://www.whatsmydns.net). Enter your domain name, select **NS** (nameserver) as the record type, and see how many locations worldwide have picked up the new nameservers.
</Tip>

***

## Adding a New Domain

Going back to our example: you have `mybusiness.com` registered at Namecheap and you want to connect it to your FREAKHOSTING hosting account. Here is exactly how to do it:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Domain">
    On the Domains tab, click the cyan **Add domain** button located at the top-right of the page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Domain Name">
    Type in the domain name you want to add -- for example, `mybusiness.com`. Do not include `http://` or `https://` -- just the bare domain name itself.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the Setup">
    Follow the on-screen prompts to finish adding the domain. The control panel will automatically create the necessary DNS records for your new domain.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Your Nameservers">
    If you have not already done so, log in to Namecheap (or wherever you bought the domain) and update the nameservers to point to the four FREAKHOSTING nameservers listed earlier in this guide. Your domain will not load your website until the nameservers are correctly configured and propagation is complete.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Propagation and Verify">
    After updating nameservers, come back to the Domains tab in a few hours. The yellow warning triangle next to your domain should disappear once propagation finishes, confirming that everything is working.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Make sure you own the domain you are adding. You must have access to the domain registrar account to update nameservers. Domains that are not pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers will continue to show a DNS warning on the Domains tab until the nameservers are corrected and propagation completes.
</Warning>

***

## Domain Settings Overview

Clicking on any domain in the domains list opens the **Domain Settings** page. You will see a sidebar on the left with several configuration sections. At the top of the settings page, you may also see a **Cloudflare API token** selector (with the Cloudflare logo) if you have Cloudflare integration available.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Document Root" icon="folder">
    Set the folder that serves your domain's web pages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="DNS Records & DNSSEC" icon="globe" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec">
    Full DNS record management and DNSSEC security for your domain.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email & Mail Routing" icon="envelope" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-authentication-and-routing">
    Configure DKIM authentication, mail routing, and Cloudflare integration.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The sidebar sections include:

* **Document root** -- Change where your domain's files are served from.
* **Email authentication** -- Set up DKIM and other email security records.
* **Mail routing settings** -- Control how email is handled for this domain.
* **DNS records** -- Add, edit, or delete individual DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.).
* **DNSSEC** -- Enable DNS Security Extensions for added protection.

<Info>
  For detailed instructions on managing DNS records, enabling DNSSEC, configuring email authentication, setting up mail routing, or connecting Cloudflare, see the dedicated guides linked above.
</Info>

***

## Document Root

The **Document Root** setting determines which folder on your hosting account serves the web pages for a specific domain. By default, this is set to `/public_html`, and the settings page will show a message like: *"This will update the directory (folder) that is designated to hold your domain's web pages."*

Here is when and why you might change it:

* **Single website (most users):** Keep the default `/public_html` -- that is all you need. Upload your website files there and you are good to go.
* **Multiple domains with different content:** If you are hosting `mybusiness.com` and also `myblog.com` on the same account, you can point each domain to a different folder. For example, set `mybusiness.com` to `/public_html` and `myblog.com` to `/public_html/blog`.
* **Subdirectory for a specific purpose:** If you change the document root to `/store`, then visitors going to `mybusiness.com` will see the files from the `/store` folder instead of `/public_html`. This is useful if you have an online shop in a separate directory.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Document Root Settings">
    Click on the domain you want to configure, then select **Document root** from the left sidebar. You will see the current path displayed (e.g., `/public_html`) with a **pencil (edit) icon** next to it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the Path">
    Click the pencil icon to edit the document root. Change the path to the desired folder -- for example, `/store` or `/public_html/myblog`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Change">
    Confirm your changes. The domain will immediately begin serving files from the new folder.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Make sure the folder you specify as the document root actually exists on your hosting account and contains the files you want to serve. If the folder is empty or does not exist, visitors will see an error page. You can create folders using the File Manager in your control panel.
</Note>

***

## Real-World Example: Connecting mybusiness.com

Here is the complete process from start to finish, putting everything together:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Buy Your Domain">
    You purchase `mybusiness.com` from Namecheap (or any registrar).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add It to FREAKHOSTING">
    Log in to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), go to the **Domains** tab, click **Add domain**, and type `mybusiness.com`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Nameservers at Namecheap">
    Log in to Namecheap, go to your domain's management page, change nameservers to **Custom DNS**, and enter:

    * `alpha.freakhosting.com`
    * `beta.freakhosting.com`
    * `charlie.freakhosting.com`
    * `delta.freakhosting.com`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for DNS Propagation">
    Give it a few hours (up to 24-48 hours in rare cases). You can check progress at [whatsmydns.net](https://www.whatsmydns.net).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify in Your Control Panel">
    Go back to the **Domains** tab. The yellow warning triangle should be gone, and your DNS Status should show as healthy. Your domain is now live and serving files from your hosting account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload Your Website Files">
    Use the File Manager or FTP to upload your website files to the document root folder (by default, `/public_html`). Visitors to `mybusiness.com` will now see your website.
  </Step>
</Steps>

That is it. Your domain is connected, your website is live, and everything is managed from one place.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How long does it take for nameserver changes to take effect?">
    Nameserver changes typically propagate within **a few hours**, but full worldwide propagation can take up to **24-48 hours**. The actual time depends on your domain registrar and how aggressively different internet providers cache DNS data. You can monitor propagation progress using [whatsmydns.net](https://www.whatsmydns.net).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my domain show a yellow warning triangle?">
    A yellow triangle icon in the DNS Status column means your domain is not currently pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. Either you have not updated the nameservers yet, or the change is still propagating. Update your nameservers at your domain registrar to `alpha.freakhosting.com`, `beta.freakhosting.com`, `charlie.freakhosting.com`, and `delta.freakhosting.com`, then allow time for propagation. The warning will disappear on its own once DNS resolves correctly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does the PRIMARY badge mean?">
    The **PRIMARY** badge appears next to your main domain in the domain list. This is the default domain that was assigned when your hosting account was created. It cannot be removed or transferred to a different domain. Think of it as your website's primary identity -- additional domains you add will work alongside it, but this one is the anchor.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I host multiple domains on one account?">
    Yes. You can add multiple domains to your hosting account and configure each one with its own document root folder to serve different website content. For example, `mybusiness.com` could serve from `/public_html` while `myblog.com` serves from `/public_html/blog`. All domains are managed from the same Domains tab.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if I use Cloudflare for DNS?">
    FREAKHOSTING has built-in Cloudflare integration. When you click on a domain in your settings, you will see a **Cloudflare API token** selector at the top of the page. You can connect your Cloudflare account there so that DNS records sync between FREAKHOSTING and Cloudflare automatically. This lets you enjoy Cloudflare's CDN and security features while hosting with FREAKHOSTING.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I change the document root to the wrong folder?">
    If you set the document root to a folder that does not exist or is empty, visitors will see an error page when they try to load your site. The fix is simple -- just go back to the Document Root setting, click the pencil icon, and change it back to the correct folder (usually `/public_html`). The change takes effect immediately.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I manage DNS records for my domain?">
    DNS record management is covered in a dedicated guide. See [How to Manage DNS Records and DNSSEC](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec) for full instructions on adding, editing, and deleting DNS records.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I set up email authentication or mail routing?">
    Email settings including DKIM, mail routing, and Cloudflare integration are covered in [How to Configure Email Authentication and Routing](/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-authentication-and-routing).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Domain management made simple.
</div>


# How to Manage MySQL Databases
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-mysql-databases

Learn how to create, manage, and connect to MySQL databases in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel for your websites and applications.

## Managing MySQL Databases for Your Website

MySQL databases are the backbone of most modern websites. They store all of the dynamic content your site relies on — blog posts, user accounts, product listings, form submissions, settings, and more. Nearly every popular web application, including WordPress, Joomla, and WooCommerce, requires at least one MySQL database to function. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel makes it easy to create and manage databases directly from your browser.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When Do You Need a Database?

If you are new to web hosting, you might be wondering whether you actually need a database. Here is a simple way to think about it:

**You need a database if your website stores or displays content that changes.** A plain HTML page with static text and images does not need one. But the moment your site needs to remember things — like user logins, blog posts, product inventory, or form submissions — a database is required.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="You Need a Database For" icon="check">
    WordPress, Joomla, or any CMS. Online stores (WooCommerce, PrestaShop). Forums, membership sites, or booking systems. Any app with a login system or search feature.
  </Card>

  <Card title="You Don't Need a Database For" icon="xmark">
    A simple HTML/CSS portfolio page. A static landing page with no forms. A site built entirely with static files and no backend logic.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

If you are installing WordPress or any similar application, the installer will ask you for database details. That is your cue — you need to set one up here first.

***

## Accessing the Databases Section

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Web Hosting Control Panel">
    Navigate to [https://web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and sign in with the credentials provided in your welcome email.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Databases Tab">
    Click on **Databases** in the top navigation bar. This section is where you create and manage all MySQL databases and database users associated with your hosting account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

If this is your first time here, you will see an empty state with a database icon and the message **"No databases or users"** along with the text: *"Add MySQL databases with users that have different levels of access."* Two buttons are available: a teal **Add database** button and an outlined **Add user** button.

<Info>
  If you do not see the **Databases** tab, your hosting plan may not include MySQL database access. Please check your plan details or contact support for assistance.
</Info>

***

## Real-World Example: Setting Up a Database for WordPress

Before diving into the individual steps, let's walk through a complete, real scenario. Say you just purchased hosting and you want to install WordPress. Here is exactly what you would do:

1. Go to the **Databases** tab and click **Add database**. Name it something like `wordpress` (the panel may prefix it with your account name, making it something like `fh_wordpress`).
2. Click **Add user**. Create a user called `wpadmin` with a strong password like `G7$kLm9!pQx2`. The panel may prefix this too, giving you `fh_wpadmin`.
3. Assign the `fh_wpadmin` user to the `fh_wordpress` database with **All Privileges**.
4. Head to your dashboard and find the **MySQL IPv4 Address** in the **At a Glance** panel (for example, `191.96.94.5`) — click the copy button next to it.
5. When the WordPress installer asks for your database details, enter:
   * **Database Name:** `fh_wordpress`
   * **Username:** `fh_wpadmin`
   * **Password:** `G7$kLm9!pQx2`
   * **Database Host:** `191.96.94.5`

That is it. WordPress connects, creates its tables, and you are up and running. The steps below break down each part in more detail.

<Tip>
  Write down your database name, username, and password somewhere safe before starting your app installation. You will need all three, and there is nothing worse than having to reset credentials mid-setup.
</Tip>

***

## Creating a New Database

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Database">
    On the Databases page, click the teal **Add database** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Database Name">
    Type a name for your new database. Choose something descriptive that helps you identify what the database is used for (e.g., `wordpress`, `shop`, or `blog`). The system will automatically add a prefix based on your account name, so `wordpress` might become `fh_wordpress`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Creation">
    Click **Save** or **Create** to finish. Your new database will appear in the list immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Use short, lowercase names without spaces or special characters for your databases. This makes them easier to type when configuring applications and avoids compatibility issues. Good examples: `wordpress`, `store`, `myapp`. Bad examples: `My Website DB!`, `test 123`.
</Tip>

***

## Creating Database Users

A database on its own is like a locked room with no key. You need to create a **database user** and assign it to the database before anything can actually read or write data inside it.

### What Are Database Users and Privileges?

Think of it this way: the **database** is a filing cabinet, and a **database user** is a person with a key. **Privileges** determine what that person is allowed to do — just read the files, add new ones, edit existing ones, or throw everything away and start over.

Here are the common privilege levels you will encounter:

| Privilege          | What It Means                                                                                                                                         |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **All Privileges** | Full access — read, write, create tables, delete data, everything. Use this for apps like WordPress that need to manage their own database structure. |
| **Read Only**      | Can view data but cannot change anything. Useful for reporting tools or backup scripts.                                                               |
| **Read/Write**     | Can view and modify data, but cannot change the database structure itself.                                                                            |

For the vast majority of web applications (WordPress, WooCommerce, Joomla, etc.), you want **All Privileges**. When in doubt, grant all privileges to the user for its own dedicated database.

### Creating a User Step by Step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add User">
    On the Databases page, click the outlined **Add user** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a Username">
    Enter a username for the new database user. Keep it short and descriptive, like `wpadmin` or `shopuser`. The system may add a prefix automatically (e.g., `fh_wpadmin`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set a Strong Password">
    Create a strong password for the user. Use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like `G7$kLm9!pQx2`. Many applications will require you to enter this password later during setup, so save it somewhere secure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign Access and Privileges">
    Select which database(s) this user should have access to, and choose the appropriate privilege level. For most website applications like WordPress, granting **All Privileges** to the user on its designated database is the correct choice.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the User">
    Click **Save** or **Create** to finalize the new database user. Make a note of the username and password — you will need them when configuring your website or application.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Keep your database passwords stored securely. If someone gains access to your database credentials, they can read, modify, or delete all of the data in your database. Never share credentials over unencrypted channels like plain-text email.
</Warning>

***

## Managing Existing Databases

Once you have created databases and users, you can manage them at any time from the **Databases** page.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="View Databases" icon="database">
    All of your databases are listed on the Databases page with their names and associated users.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Users" icon="users">
    Click on a database or user to update passwords, change privilege levels, or reassign users to different databases.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Delete" icon="trash">
    Remove databases or users you no longer need. Deleting a database permanently erases all data stored inside it.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Important>
  Deleting a database is **permanent and irreversible**. Always create a backup of your data before removing any database. There is no way to recover a deleted database once it has been removed.
</Important>

***

## Connecting Your App to the Database

When configuring a website or application, you will need to provide your database connection details. Here is where to find each piece of information:

| Detail                            | Where to Find It                                                                                                                                              |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Database Host / MySQL Address** | Shown on the control panel dashboard under the **At a Glance** section as the **MySQL IPv4 Address** (e.g., `191.96.94.5`). Click the copy button next to it. |
| **Database Name**                 | The name you chose when creating the database, visible on the Databases page (including the prefix).                                                          |
| **Database Username**             | The username you created for the database user (including the prefix).                                                                                        |
| **Database Password**             | The password you set when creating the database user.                                                                                                         |

<Note>
  Use the **MySQL IPv4 Address** shown on your dashboard — not `localhost`. Because your database server may be hosted separately from your web server, using the correct IP address ensures a successful connection.
</Note>

### Example: WordPress wp-config.php

If you are configuring WordPress manually (rather than using the web installer), you would edit the `wp-config.php` file with your database details. The relevant section looks like this conceptually:

```php theme={null}
// ** Database settings - You can get this info from your web host ** //

/** The name of the database for WordPress */
define( 'DB_NAME', 'fh_wordpress' );

/** Database username */
define( 'DB_USER', 'fh_wpadmin' );

/** Database password */
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'G7$kLm9!pQx2' );

/** Database hostname — use the MySQL IPv4 Address from your dashboard */
define( 'DB_HOST', '191.96.94.5' );
```

Replace the example values with your actual database name, username, password, and MySQL IPv4 address. That is all WordPress needs to connect.

<Info>
  Most web applications ask for these details during installation. WordPress, for example, prompts you to enter the database host, name, username, and password in its setup wizard — you do not usually need to edit config files by hand.
</Info>

### Example: General PHP Connection

For a custom PHP application, connecting to your database would look something like this:

```php theme={null}
$connection = new mysqli('191.96.94.5', 'fh_wpadmin', 'G7$kLm9!pQx2', 'fh_wordpress');

if ($connection->connect_error) {
    die('Connection failed: ' . $connection->connect_error);
}
echo 'Connected successfully!';
```

The key takeaway is the same for any application: you need four pieces of information — host, username, password, and database name.

***

## Using phpMyAdmin

phpMyAdmin is a web-based tool that lets you browse, search, edit, and manage your MySQL databases through a visual interface. Think of it as a spreadsheet viewer for your database — you can see all your tables, click through rows of data, run searches, and even edit individual records. No command-line knowledge required.

**What can you do with phpMyAdmin?**

* Browse your database tables and see what is stored inside them
* Run SQL queries if you need to fix something specific
* Import a database backup (`.sql` file) when migrating from another host
* Export your entire database as a backup file
* Search across all tables for a specific value (handy for debugging)
* Optimize or repair tables that have become slow or corrupted

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check for phpMyAdmin Access">
    Look for a **phpMyAdmin** link or button on the Databases page or in your control panel dashboard. If available, click it to launch the tool in a new browser tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In">
    Enter your **database username** and **password** when prompted. You will be connected directly to the databases that user has access to.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse and Manage Data">
    From here you can view tables, run SQL queries, import or export data, and perform administrative tasks like optimizing or repairing tables.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  phpMyAdmin is especially useful for importing large SQL files (such as database backups) or quickly searching through your data without needing to install any software on your computer.
</Tip>

***

## Common Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="WordPress and CMS Installations">
    WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and other content management systems all require a MySQL database. During installation, you will be asked to enter your database host, name, username, and password. Create a **dedicated database and user** for each CMS installation to keep your data organized and secure.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="E-Commerce Applications">
    Online stores built with WooCommerce, PrestaShop, or OpenCart rely on a database to store products, orders, customer information, and inventory. Performance matters here — keep your database clean and consider regular optimization.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Custom Web Applications">
    If you are building a custom PHP, Python, or Node.js application, you can connect to your MySQL database using the connection details from your control panel. Use the MySQL IPv4 Address as the host, and reference your database name, username, and password in your application's configuration file.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Migrating a Database from Another Host">
    To move a database from another hosting provider, export it as an `.sql` file from your old host (using phpMyAdmin or a command-line tool), create a new database and user in the FREAKHOSTING panel, then import the `.sql` file through phpMyAdmin.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="One Database Per Application" icon="box">
    Avoid sharing a single database between multiple websites or applications. Keeping them separate improves security and makes troubleshooting much easier.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Strong Passwords" icon="lock">
    Always use complex, unique passwords for each database user. Never reuse passwords from other accounts or services.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Back Up Regularly" icon="cloud-arrow-up">
    Export your databases on a regular schedule using phpMyAdmin or an automated backup plugin. This ensures you can recover your data if something goes wrong.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Limit User Privileges" icon="shield-check">
    Only grant the permissions each user actually needs. If an application only reads data, do not give its database user full write or admin privileges.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  If you are using WordPress, consider installing a backup plugin that automatically saves your database on a schedule. This way you always have a recent copy of your data without having to remember to export it manually.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

Having trouble connecting? Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Error: Access denied for user">
    This means your username or password is wrong. Double-check that you are using the **full prefixed username** (e.g., `fh_wpadmin`, not just `wpadmin`) and that the password matches exactly, including capitalization and special characters. If unsure, reset the password from the Databases page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error: Can't connect to MySQL server">
    You are probably using `localhost` instead of the actual MySQL IPv4 address. Go to your dashboard, find the **MySQL IPv4 Address** in the **At a Glance** panel, and use that IP address as your database host.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Error: Unknown database">
    The database name you entered does not match any database on your account. Check the Databases page for the exact name, including the prefix. Remember, `wordpress` and `fh_wordpress` are different names.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My app installed but the site shows a database connection error">
    This usually happens when database credentials were entered correctly during installation but have since changed, or when the database server is temporarily unreachable. Verify your credentials in your app's configuration file and confirm the MySQL IPv4 address has not changed.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** MySQL database management simplified.
</div>


# How to Manage SSL Certificates and HTTPS
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-ssl-certificates-and-https

Learn how to manage SSL certificates, enable HTTPS, configure Force HTTPS, and monitor certificate status in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel.

## SSL Certificates and HTTPS for Your Website

You know that little padlock icon next to a website address in your browser? That padlock means the site is using an SSL certificate to encrypt everything between your visitors and your server. Without it, anyone on the same network could potentially intercept passwords, form submissions, and personal data sent to your site.

Here is the difference your visitors actually see:

* **With SSL (HTTPS):** A padlock icon appears in the address bar, the URL starts with `https://`, and browsers confirm the connection is secure. Your visitors feel confident browsing, filling out forms, and making purchases.
* **Without SSL (HTTP):** Browsers display a bold **"Not Secure"** warning right next to your domain name. In Chrome, clicking that warning tells your visitor that anything they send to your site could be visible to others. Most people will leave immediately.

The good news? Every website hosted with FREAKHOSTING gets a **free SSL certificate** through Let's Encrypt, so your site is protected from day one. The Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) gives you full visibility and control over your SSL certificates, HTTPS settings, and certificate status.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Why HTTPS Matters

Enabling HTTPS on your website is no longer optional. Here is why it is essential for every website:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Visitor Trust" icon="shield-check">
    Browsers display a padlock icon for HTTPS sites and show "Not Secure" warnings for HTTP sites. Visitors are far more likely to trust and stay on a secure website. Imagine a customer landing on your online store and seeing "Not Secure" before they even browse your products. That sale is gone.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Protection" icon="lock">
    HTTPS encrypts all data transmitted between your server and your visitors. This protects login credentials, form submissions, and personal information from being intercepted on public Wi-Fi networks, coffee shops, airports, and everywhere else.
  </Card>

  <Card title="SEO Rankings" icon="chart-line">
    Search engines like Google use HTTPS as a ranking signal. Websites with SSL certificates tend to rank higher in search results compared to insecure HTTP sites. Google has been penalizing HTTP-only sites since 2018.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance" icon="clipboard-check">
    Many regulations and payment processors require HTTPS. If you accept payments or collect personal data, SSL is a requirement to stay compliant with PCI DSS, GDPR, and similar standards.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing Security Settings

All SSL and HTTPS settings are managed from the **Security** tab within your website's control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Open your browser and go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Log in with your credentials to access the Web Hosting Control Panel dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website you want to manage SSL certificates for.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Security Tab">
    In the top navigation bar of your website view, click on the **Security** tab. You will land on the Security page with a left sidebar showing **SSL certificates**. This is where all SSL certificate management and HTTPS settings live.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The **Security** tab is only visible when you are viewing an individual website. Make sure you have selected a website first before looking for the tab in the navigation.
</Info>

***

## SSL Certificates Overview

The Security page displays the message "An SSL certificate ensures a safe connection between you and your site visitors" along with an **Install custom SSL** button and a table listing all certificates for your website. Each row in the table shows:

| Column          | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Status**      | A green **Active** badge means the certificate is valid and protecting your visitors right now. A red **Expired** badge means the certificate has passed its expiry date and browsers are actively warning your visitors away. |
| **Domain**      | The domain name the SSL certificate covers (for example, `yourbusiness.com` or `www.yourbusiness.com`).                                                                                                                        |
| **Certificate** | The certificate authority that issued it. For free certificates this shows **Let's Encrypt**. Custom certificates show the issuing authority name (such as DigiCert or Sectigo).                                               |
| **Force HTTPS** | A toggle switch that controls whether all HTTP traffic is automatically redirected to HTTPS for that domain.                                                                                                                   |
| **Expiry Date** | The date when the certificate expires (shown in DD/MM/YYYY format, for example `06/07/2024`).                                                                                                                                  |

Each row also has a **three-dot menu** on the right side for additional actions on that certificate.

<Tip>
  Check the Security tab periodically to make sure all your domains show a green **Active** badge. If you see even one red **Expired** badge, address it immediately because browsers are already showing scary warnings to anyone visiting that domain.
</Tip>

***

## Understanding Status Badges

The status badges on the Security tab tell you at a glance whether your certificates are working or need attention.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Active (Green Badge)" icon="circle-check">
    Everything is working perfectly. Your certificate is valid, properly installed, and actively encrypting connections. Visitors see the padlock icon and can browse your site with confidence. **No action needed** -- just keep your DNS pointed at FREAKHOSTING so automatic renewals keep working.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Expired (Red Badge)" icon="circle-xmark">
    This needs your immediate attention. An expired certificate means browsers are showing your visitors a full-page warning that says something like "Your connection is not private" with a big red triangle. Most visitors will hit the back button and never return.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

**What to do if you see a red Expired badge:**

1. **For Let's Encrypt certificates:** The automatic renewal likely failed because your DNS records changed or the domain is no longer pointing to FREAKHOSTING. Verify your nameservers are correct, wait a few hours, and the system will re-issue the certificate automatically. If it does not resolve within 24 hours, contact our support team.
2. **For custom certificates:** You need to renew with your certificate authority and reinstall the new certificate. See our [custom SSL guide](/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-custom-ssl-and-troubleshoot) for step-by-step instructions.

<Warning>
  An expired SSL certificate does not just show a small warning. Browsers display a **full-page interstitial** that blocks access to your site entirely. Visitors have to deliberately click through multiple warnings to reach your content. In practice, almost nobody does. Treat an expired certificate as an emergency.
</Warning>

***

## Free Let's Encrypt SSL

FREAKHOSTING automatically provisions a **free SSL certificate** from Let's Encrypt for every website and domain you add to your hosting account. You do not need to purchase, request, or manually install anything.

Here is how the automatic SSL provisioning works:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a Domain">
    When you add a new domain or subdomain to your website in the control panel, the system detects the new domain automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="DNS Verification">
    The system verifies that your domain's DNS records are correctly pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. This step is required for Let's Encrypt to issue a certificate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Certificate Issued">
    Once DNS is verified, a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate is automatically generated and installed for your domain. This usually happens within a few minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Certificate Appears in Security Tab">
    The new certificate will appear in the SSL certificates table on the Security tab with a green **Active** badge, showing **Let's Encrypt** in the Certificate column.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Important>
  Your domain's DNS must be pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers for the free SSL certificate to be issued. If your domain is using third-party DNS, the automatic provisioning will not work until the DNS is correctly configured. Check with our support team if you need help with DNS settings.
</Important>

***

## Force HTTPS

The **Force HTTPS** toggle is one of the most important settings on the Security tab. When you enable it, anyone who visits the plain HTTP version of your site gets automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS version.

**Here is a real example:** Say your business website is `yourbusiness.com`. Without Force HTTPS, someone typing `http://yourbusiness.com` in their browser would land on an unencrypted page with a "Not Secure" warning. With Force HTTPS enabled, that same visitor is silently and instantly redirected to `https://yourbusiness.com` where they see the padlock and a fully encrypted connection. They never even see the insecure version.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Security Tab">
    Navigate to your website in the control panel and click on the **Security** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Force HTTPS Toggle">
    In the SSL certificates table, locate the row for the domain you want to secure. You will see a **Force HTTPS** toggle switch in that row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Force HTTPS">
    Click the toggle to turn it **on**. Once enabled, all HTTP requests for that domain will be automatically redirected to HTTPS. The change takes effect immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Only enable Force HTTPS after you have confirmed that your SSL certificate is showing a green **Active** badge. If you force HTTPS without a valid certificate, your visitors will see a browser security warning and will not be able to access your website at all.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  It is strongly recommended to enable Force HTTPS on **all** of your domains. This ensures every visitor has a secure, encrypted connection and prevents search engines from indexing both HTTP and HTTPS versions of your pages, which can cause duplicate content issues and dilute your SEO rankings.
</Tip>

***

## Renewing SSL Certificates

### Automatic Renewal for Let's Encrypt

Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days, but you do not need to worry about manual renewals. FREAKHOSTING automatically renews your Let's Encrypt certificates before they expire. The renewal process runs in the background without any downtime or action required on your part.

<Info>
  Automatic renewal requires that your domain's DNS records remain pointed to the FREAKHOSTING nameservers. If you change your DNS settings, the renewal may fail and your certificate could expire. If that happens, you will see the status badge change from green Active to red Expired on the Security tab.
</Info>

### Custom Certificate Renewals

If you are using a custom SSL certificate from a third-party certificate authority, you are responsible for renewing it before it expires. The expiry date is clearly shown in the SSL certificates table. For full instructions on installing and renewing custom certificates, as well as troubleshooting common SSL issues, see our dedicated guide:

<Card title="Custom SSL Installation and Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-custom-ssl-and-troubleshoot">
  Learn how to install custom SSL certificates, renew third-party certificates, and troubleshoot common SSL issues like mixed content warnings and DNS problems.
</Card>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** SSL certificates and HTTPS made simple.
</div>


# How to Optimise Website Performance
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-optimize-website-performance

Speed up your website using opcode caching and the OpenLiteSpeed web server in the FREAKHOSTING Control Panel to reduce load times and improve performance.

## Optimising Your Website's Performance

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) includes built-in performance optimisation tools that help your website load faster and handle more visitors. This guide covers opcode caching and the OpenLiteSpeed web server — the two core technologies that power every FREAKHOSTING hosting account.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Optimisation Settings

The optimisation settings are located inside the Advanced section of your website's control panel.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your FREAKHOSTING credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website you want to optimise.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Advanced Dropdown">
    In the navigation area for your website, click on the **Advanced** dropdown to expand additional options.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Optimisation">
    Select **Optimisation** from the dropdown menu. This opens the performance optimisation settings for your website.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The Optimisation page gives you direct control over PHP caching behaviour. Any changes you make here take effect immediately and apply to all PHP files on the selected website.
</Info>

***

## Opcode Caching

Opcode caching is the primary performance feature available on the Optimisation page. It is **enabled by default** on all FREAKHOSTING hosting accounts — you will see the toggle switch turned on (shown in cyan) when you first visit the page.

### What Is Opcode Caching?

Every time a visitor loads a page on your website, PHP normally has to read your script files, compile them into machine-readable instructions called **opcodes**, and then execute those opcodes to generate the page. This compilation step happens on every single request, even if the PHP files have not changed at all.

Opcode caching eliminates this repeated work. When enabled, the compiled opcodes are stored in memory after the first request. On all subsequent requests, PHP serves the cached opcodes directly instead of recompiling the scripts from scratch. This means your website responds faster and your server uses fewer resources.

**Think of it like this:** imagine you run a restaurant, and every time a customer orders the same dish, your chef has to look up the recipe from scratch, re-read every step, and start from zero. That is what PHP does without opcode caching. Now imagine instead that your chef memorises the most popular recipes after making them once — they can prepare the dish much faster because they already know the steps by heart. That is opcode caching. Your website memorises the answers to common requests instead of looking them up every time.

### How to Toggle Opcode Caching

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Optimisation">
    Go to **Advanced** dropdown and select **Optimisation** as described above.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Opcode Cache Toggle">
    On the left sidebar you will see **Opcode caching**. In the main content area, there is a toggle switch for the opcode cache. When the toggle is turned on (the default state, shown in cyan), opcode caching is active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Toggle On or Off">
    Click the toggle to enable or disable opcode caching. The change takes effect immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Leave opcode caching enabled for the best performance.** The vast majority of websites benefit from having this turned on at all times. It significantly reduces page load times and server resource usage, especially on content management systems like WordPress where PHP processes dozens of files on every single page load.
</Tip>

***

## When to Temporarily Disable Opcode Caching

While opcode caching should generally stay enabled, there are a couple of situations where you may need to temporarily disable it.

### PHP File Changes Not Reflecting

If you have updated PHP files on your website (for example, by uploading a new plugin, editing a theme file, or applying a manual code change) and the changes do not appear when you visit your site, the opcode cache may be serving the old compiled version of those files. The cache does not always realise that the underlying files have changed.

This is a common gotcha during development or when you are actively making changes to your site. Here is how to handle it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Disable Opcode Caching">
    Go to **Advanced** dropdown, then select **Optimisation**. Turn **off** the Opcode Cache toggle.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Your Changes">
    Visit your website in a browser (try a hard refresh with Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R) and confirm that the updated content or code changes are now visible.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Re-Enable Opcode Caching">
    Once you have confirmed the changes are working correctly, go back to the Optimisation page and turn the Opcode Cache toggle back **on**. This ensures your website continues to benefit from the performance improvement.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### During Active Development

If you are in the middle of a development session where you are making frequent changes to PHP files, it can be helpful to disable opcode caching temporarily so you see your changes immediately without toggling back and forth. Just remember to turn it back on when you are done.

<Warning>
  **Do not leave opcode caching disabled permanently.** Disabling it means PHP must recompile every script file on every single page load, which significantly slows down your website and increases server resource usage. Only disable it temporarily while troubleshooting or developing, then re-enable it straight away. Your visitors will thank you.
</Warning>

<Note>
  In most cases, opcode caching will pick up file changes automatically after a short period. Manually toggling the cache is only necessary if you need changes to appear immediately and they are not showing up.
</Note>

***

## OpenLiteSpeed Web Server

FREAKHOSTING uses the **OpenLiteSpeed** web server across all hosting accounts. You can see this displayed in the **At a glance** section of your website dashboard, confirming that your site is running on OpenLiteSpeed.

### What Is OpenLiteSpeed?

OpenLiteSpeed is a high-performance, lightweight web server that is specifically optimised for speed. It is the open-source edition of the LiteSpeed Web Server and is designed to serve websites faster than traditional web servers like Apache or Nginx.

### Key Benefits for Your Website

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Faster Page Loads" icon="bolt">
    OpenLiteSpeed is built for speed and delivers static and dynamic content significantly faster, meaning your visitors experience quicker page loads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Built-in Caching" icon="memory">
    The server includes its own caching engine that works alongside opcode caching to further accelerate your website's performance. It is like having two layers of speed boost working together.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Lower Resource Usage" icon="leaf">
    OpenLiteSpeed uses fewer server resources compared to traditional web servers, which means your hosting account can handle more simultaneous visitors without slowing down.
  </Card>

  <Card title="PHP Optimisation" icon="code">
    It uses the LiteSpeed SAPI for PHP, which provides faster PHP processing than traditional methods like PHP-FPM used by other web servers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  OpenLiteSpeed is pre-configured on your account. You do not need to install, enable, or configure it. It works automatically behind the scenes to deliver the best possible performance for your website. This is one of those things that just works — no action needed from you.
</Info>

***

## Performance Tips

Beyond opcode caching and OpenLiteSpeed, consider these additional steps to maximise your website speed:

* **Optimise images** — Compress and resize images before uploading to reduce page weight. A 5MB hero image can be compressed to 200KB and look almost identical.
* **Minimise active plugins** — Each plugin adds processing overhead. Remove any you are not actively using. Even deactivated plugins can sometimes cause minor overhead.
* **Use a CDN** — A content delivery network serves static files from locations closer to your visitors, which can dramatically improve load times for international audiences.
* **Keep your PHP version up to date** — Newer PHP versions offer significant speed improvements. See our [PHP Version Management guide](/portals/web-panel/how-to-change-php-version) for details.
* **Enable browser caching** — Use cache headers to let returning visitors load pages faster by storing static assets locally in their browser.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I access the optimisation settings?">
    Go to your website in the control panel, click the **Advanced** dropdown, and select **Optimisation**. This is where you can toggle opcode caching on or off.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I leave opcode caching enabled?">
    Yes. Opcode caching should be enabled at all times for the best performance. Only disable it temporarily if you have made PHP file changes that are not appearing on your website, or during active development sessions. Re-enable it as soon as you are done.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to configure OpenLiteSpeed?">
    No. OpenLiteSpeed is automatically configured and running on your hosting account. There is nothing you need to set up or manage. It works behind the scenes to deliver fast performance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my website slow even with opcode caching enabled?">
    Website speed depends on many factors beyond caching, including the size of your pages, the number of plugins or scripts running, image sizes, and external resources. Consider optimising your images, reducing the number of active plugins, and using a content delivery network (CDN) for further improvements. Sometimes a single unoptimised image or a slow external script can undo all your caching gains.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I change my PHP version for better performance?">
    PHP version management is covered in a separate guide. See [How to Change PHP Version](/portals/web-panel/how-to-change-php-version) for step-by-step instructions on viewing and updating your PHP version.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I just updated a plugin but the old version is still showing. What do I do?">
    This is likely the opcode cache serving the old compiled files. Go to **Advanced** then **Optimisation**, toggle opcode caching off, refresh your site to confirm the update is visible, then toggle it back on. This clears the cached opcodes and forces PHP to recompile your updated files.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Website performance optimisation made simple.
</div>


# How to Set Up Email Clients and Devices
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-setup-email-clients-and-devices

Connect your FREAKHOSTING email to Outlook, Thunderbird, iPhone, Android, and macOS using the correct IMAP, SMTP, and POP server settings for each mail client.

## Connect Your Email to Any Device

Once you have created an email account in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel, you can connect it to any desktop or mobile email application. This guide provides the server settings you need and step-by-step instructions for the most popular email clients.

If you have not yet created an email account, start with the [How to Create and Manage Email Accounts](/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts) guide first.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Finding Your Email Client Settings

Every email account in the control panel has a dedicated **Email client settings** section that gives you exactly what you need. Here is how to find it:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your email account">
    Log in at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), navigate to the **Emails** tab, and click on the email account you want to configure.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Email client settings sidebar">
    In the left sidebar of the email account page, click **Email client settings**. You will see the message: *"An email client can be manually configured using the settings below."*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the settings">
    The panel displays a table with every setting you need. Each server address has a **copy icon** next to it -- click it to copy the value straight to your clipboard. No need to type anything by hand.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Here is what the settings table looks like:

| Protocol | Server                | Port  | Security | Username             |
| -------- | --------------------- | ----- | -------- | -------------------- |
| **IMAP** | `mail.yourdomain.com` | `993` | SSL/TLS  | `you@yourdomain.com` |
| **SMTP** | `mail.yourdomain.com` | `465` | SSL/TLS  | `you@yourdomain.com` |
| **SMTP** | `mail.yourdomain.com` | `587` | STARTTLS | `you@yourdomain.com` |
| **POP**  | `mail.yourdomain.com` | `995` | SSL/TLS  | `you@yourdomain.com` |

<Tip>
  The **copy buttons** in the control panel are your best friend here. Instead of manually typing `mail.yourdomain.com` into your email app (and risking a typo), just click the copy icon next to the server address and paste it directly into your email client. One less thing to go wrong.
</Tip>

**The server is always `mail.` followed by your domain.** For example, if your domain is `acmecorp.com`, your mail server is `mail.acmecorp.com`. If your domain is `5m.gg`, your mail server is `mail.5m.gg`.

<Important>
  Your **username** is always your **full email address** (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`), and your **password** is the one you set when creating the email account.
</Important>

***

## Which Protocol Should I Use?

Not sure what IMAP, POP, or SMTP mean? Here is a quick decision guide to help you pick the right settings in under 30 seconds.

### IMAP vs. POP -- Receiving Email

Think of it this way:

* **IMAP is like streaming a movie on Netflix.** Your emails live on the server and you access them from any device. Read something on your phone? It shows as read on your laptop too. Delete it on your tablet? Gone everywhere. Everything stays in sync.
* **POP is like downloading a movie to your hard drive.** Emails get pulled down to one device and (usually) removed from the server. Great if you only use one computer, but your phone will not see those messages.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="IMAP -- Recommended for Most Users" icon="cloud">
    **IMAP** (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps your email **synchronized** across all your devices. When you read, delete, or organize an email on your phone, those changes appear on your computer and vice versa. Your emails remain stored on the server.

    **Choose IMAP if you:**

    * Check email on multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet)
    * Want your inbox to look the same everywhere
    * Prefer emails stored safely on the server
    * Want the modern, standard email experience

    **Settings:** Server `mail.yourdomain.com`, Port `993`, Security `SSL/TLS`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="POP -- For Single-Device Use" icon="download">
    **POP** (Post Office Protocol) **downloads** emails from the server to your device and typically removes them from the server afterward. This means your emails exist only on the device where you downloaded them.

    **Choose POP if you:**

    * Only check email on one device
    * Want to free up server mailbox space
    * Prefer to store emails locally on your computer
    * Need offline access to all your messages

    **Settings:** Server `mail.yourdomain.com`, Port `995`, Security `SSL/TLS`
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Info>
  For the vast majority of users, **IMAP on port 993 with SSL/TLS** is the best choice. It keeps everything in sync and provides a modern email experience. When in doubt, go with IMAP.
</Info>

### Port 465 vs. 587 -- Sending Email (SMTP)

Both ports are for sending email, but they handle encryption differently:

| Port    | Security | How It Works                                                                                                   | When to Use It                                                                                                                                                           |
| ------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **465** | SSL/TLS  | Encrypted from the very first moment of connection. Your email app connects over a secure channel immediately. | **Use this first.** It is the modern standard and works with most current email clients.                                                                                 |
| **587** | STARTTLS | Starts as a plain connection, then upgrades to encryption before any data is sent.                             | **Use as a fallback** if port 465 does not work with your email client, or if your network blocks port 465. Some older clients and corporate firewalls prefer this port. |

Both are secure once the connection is established. The practical difference is that port 465 is encrypted the entire time, while port 587 upgrades to encryption after connecting. **Try port 465 first** -- if your email client has trouble connecting, switch to port 587 with STARTTLS.

***

## Setting Up Microsoft Outlook (Desktop)

These steps work for Outlook on Windows and Outlook for Mac (classic version). The exact wording may vary slightly between versions, but the fields are the same.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Outlook Account Settings">
    In Outlook, go to **File** > **Add Account**. If prompted, choose **Manual setup or additional server types** > **IMAP** (or **POP** if preferred).

    In newer versions of Outlook, you may need to click **Advanced options** and check **Let me set up my account manually** before clicking **Connect**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Email Address">
    Type your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`) and click **Connect** or **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Incoming Server Settings (IMAP)">
    When Outlook asks for manual configuration, fill in these exact fields:

    **Incoming Mail:**

    * **Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `993`
    * **Encryption method:** `SSL/TLS`
    * **Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA):** Leave **unchecked**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Outgoing Server Settings (SMTP)">
    **Outgoing Mail:**

    * **Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `465`
    * **Encryption method:** `SSL/TLS`
    * **Require logon using Secure Password Authentication (SPA):** Leave **unchecked**

    If port 465 does not connect, change the port to `587` and the encryption method to `STARTTLS`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Credentials">
    * **Username:** Your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`)
    * **Password:** The password you set for this email account
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Setup">
    Click **Next** or **Connect**. Outlook will test the connection and, once verified, your email account is ready to use. You should see a "Your account has been successfully configured" message.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Setting Up Mozilla Thunderbird

Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client and it does a great job of auto-detecting settings. But if auto-detection does not work, here is how to enter them manually.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a New Account">
    Open Thunderbird and go to **Account Settings** > **Account Actions** > **Add Mail Account** (or use the setup prompt on first launch).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Details">
    Fill in the three fields at the top:

    * **Your full name:** The display name recipients will see (e.g., "Jane Smith")
    * **Email address:** Your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`)
    * **Password:** Your email account password
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Server Settings Manually">
    Click **Configure manually** (the button at the bottom of the auto-detection screen) and fill in these exact fields:

    **Incoming (IMAP):**

    * **Protocol:** `IMAP`
    * **Server hostname:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `993`
    * **Connection security:** `SSL/TLS`
    * **Authentication method:** `Normal password`
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`

    **Outgoing (SMTP):**

    * **Server hostname:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `465`
    * **Connection security:** `SSL/TLS`
    * **Authentication method:** `Normal password`
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and Finish">
    Click **Re-test** to verify the settings, then click **Done**. Your emails will begin syncing immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Setting Up iPhone / iPad (iOS Mail App)

The built-in Mail app on iOS works perfectly with FREAKHOSTING email. Here is the exact process.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    On your iPhone or iPad, open the **Settings** app and tap **Mail** > **Accounts** (on older iOS versions, look for **Mail, Contacts, Calendars**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a New Account">
    Tap **Add Account** > **Other** > **Add Mail Account**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Information">
    Fill in these four fields exactly:

    * **Name:** Your display name (e.g., "Jane Smith")
    * **Email:** Your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`)
    * **Password:** Your email account password
    * **Description:** A label for this account (e.g., "Work Email" or "FREAKHOSTING")

    Tap **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select IMAP">
    At the top of the next screen, make sure the **IMAP** tab is selected (not POP).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Incoming Mail Server Details">
    Under **Incoming Mail Server**, fill in:

    * **Host Name:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`
    * **Password:** Your email password
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Outgoing Mail Server Details">
    Under **Outgoing Mail Server**, fill in:

    * **Host Name:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`
    * **Password:** Your email password
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Verify">
    Tap **Next**. iOS will verify the settings (this may take 10-30 seconds). Once verification completes, tap **Save**. Your email will now appear in the Mail app.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  iOS automatically detects SSL/TLS settings for port 993 (IMAP) and port 465 (SMTP) in most cases. If you experience connection issues, go to **Settings** > **Mail** > **Accounts** > your account > **Account** > **Advanced** and confirm that **Use SSL** is toggled on and the correct ports are set (993 for IMAP, 465 for SMTP).
</Tip>

***

## Setting Up Android (Gmail App)

The Gmail app on Android can handle any email account, not just Gmail. Here is how to add your FREAKHOSTING email.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Gmail App">
    Open the **Gmail** app on your Android device. Tap your **profile icon** (top right corner) and select **Add another account**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Other">
    From the list of email providers, choose **Other** (do not select Google, Outlook, or Yahoo).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Email Address">
    Type your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`) and tap **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Personal (IMAP)">
    When prompted to choose an account type, select **Personal (IMAP)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Password">
    Type the password for your email account and tap **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Incoming Server Settings">
    Fill in the incoming server fields:

    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com` (should be pre-filled)
    * **Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `993`
    * **Security type:** `SSL/TLS`

    Tap **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Outgoing Server Settings">
    Fill in the outgoing server fields:

    * **SMTP Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `465`
    * **Security type:** `SSL/TLS`
    * **Require sign-in:** Make sure this is **checked**
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`
    * **Password:** Your email password

    Tap **Next** and complete the setup. You can set a display name and account name on the final screen.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Setting Up Apple Mail (macOS)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Mail Settings">
    Open the **Mail** app on your Mac. Go to **Mail** > **Settings** (or **Preferences** on older macOS versions) > **Accounts** tab > click the **+** button at the bottom left to add a new account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Other Mail Account">
    Choose **Other Mail Account** and click **Continue**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Your Details">
    Fill in:

    * **Name:** Your display name (e.g., "Jane Smith")
    * **Email Address:** Your full email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`)
    * **Password:** Your email account password

    Click **Sign In**. Apple Mail will attempt to auto-configure. If it fails, you will be prompted for manual settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter Manual Settings If Prompted">
    If auto-configuration does not work, you will see additional fields:

    * **Account Type:** Select `IMAP`
    * **Incoming Mail Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Outgoing Mail Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`

    Click **Sign In** to complete the setup. Apple Mail will automatically use the correct ports (993 for IMAP, 465 for SMTP) and enable SSL.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  If Apple Mail connects but shows a certificate warning, make sure you entered `mail.yourdomain.com` as the server (not an IP address or just the bare domain). The SSL certificate is tied to the `mail.` subdomain.
</Tip>

***

## Using Gmail's "Send Mail As" Feature

Want to send email from your FREAKHOSTING domain address through the Gmail web interface? You can do that without leaving Gmail.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Gmail Settings">
    In Gmail (on the web), click the **gear icon** > **See all settings** > **Accounts and Import** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Your Email Address">
    Under **Send mail as**, click **Add another email address**. Enter your name and your FREAKHOSTING email address (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`). Uncheck **Treat as an alias** if you want replies to go to your domain mailbox. Click **Next Step**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter SMTP Settings">
    Fill in:

    * **SMTP Server:** `mail.yourdomain.com`
    * **Port:** `465`
    * **Security:** `SSL/TLS` (selected by default when you choose port 465)
    * **Username:** `hello@yourdomain.com`
    * **Password:** Your email account password

    Click **Add Account**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Ownership">
    Gmail will send a verification code to your FREAKHOSTING email address. Check your inbox (via webmail or another client), find the code, and enter it back in Gmail. Done -- you can now send emails from your domain address directly through Gmail.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Quick Reference -- All Email Client Settings

For easy reference, here is a complete summary of every setting you need. Bookmark this section or take a screenshot.

| Setting                       | Value                       |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Incoming server (IMAP)**    | `mail.yourdomain.com`       |
| **IMAP port**                 | `993`                       |
| **IMAP security**             | `SSL/TLS`                   |
| **Incoming server (POP)**     | `mail.yourdomain.com`       |
| **POP port**                  | `995`                       |
| **POP security**              | `SSL/TLS`                   |
| **Outgoing server (SMTP)**    | `mail.yourdomain.com`       |
| **SMTP port (preferred)**     | `465`                       |
| **SMTP security (preferred)** | `SSL/TLS`                   |
| **SMTP port (fallback)**      | `587`                       |
| **SMTP security (fallback)**  | `STARTTLS`                  |
| **Username**                  | Your full email address     |
| **Password**                  | Your email account password |
| **Authentication**            | Normal password / Login     |

<Important>
  Always replace `yourdomain.com` with your **actual domain name**. For example, if your domain is `mybusiness.com`, your mail server is `mail.mybusiness.com` and your username might be `info@mybusiness.com`.
</Important>

***

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connection timed out or refused">
    This usually means the wrong port or security setting. Double-check that you are using port **993** with **SSL/TLS** for IMAP and port **465** with **SSL/TLS** for SMTP. If port 465 is blocked by your network (common on some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks), try port **587** with **STARTTLS** for SMTP instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Authentication failed / wrong password">
    Make sure your username is your **full email address** (e.g., `hello@yourdomain.com`), not just the part before the @. Also confirm you are using the password set in the control panel -- if you are unsure, reset it at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) under **Emails** > your account > **Reset** in the Mailbox section.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Certificate warning or 'untrusted server'">
    This happens when your email client does not recognize the mail server certificate. Verify you are using `mail.yourdomain.com` as the server (not an IP address, not just `yourdomain.com`). The SSL certificate is issued for the `mail.` subdomain specifically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Emails send but are not received (or land in spam)">
    This is usually a DNS issue, not an email client issue. Make sure your domain's MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are properly configured. Check the [DNS & Domain Management](/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-dns-records-and-dnssec) guide for details.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between SSL/TLS and STARTTLS?">
    **SSL/TLS** establishes an encrypted connection from the very start of the communication -- your data is protected from the first byte. **STARTTLS** starts as an unencrypted connection and then upgrades to encryption before any sensitive data is sent. Both are secure once the encrypted connection is established. SSL/TLS on port 465 is the more modern standard, while STARTTLS on port 587 is widely supported by older email clients.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use the same email account on multiple devices?">
    Yes, as long as you use **IMAP** (not POP). IMAP keeps your emails synchronized across all devices. With POP, emails are downloaded to a single device and may be removed from the server, so your other devices will not see them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to set up both incoming and outgoing servers?">
    Yes. The **incoming server** (IMAP or POP) handles receiving email, and the **outgoing server** (SMTP) handles sending email. They are both `mail.yourdomain.com` but use different ports. Without the outgoing server configured, you can read emails but cannot send them.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I forgot my email password. How do I reset it?">
    Log in to the Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com), go to the **Emails** tab, click on the email account, and use the **Reset** button in the Mailbox section. See the [email accounts guide](/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My email client auto-detected the wrong settings. How do I fix it?">
    Some email clients try to auto-detect settings and get them wrong. Go into your account settings within the email client and manually update the server, port, and security values to match the settings in the Quick Reference table above. The most common mistake is using the wrong port or selecting the wrong encryption type.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related Guides

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Create & Manage Email Accounts" icon="envelope" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts">
    Create email accounts, manage mailbox settings, reset passwords, access webmail, and delete accounts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spam, Forwarding & Auto-Reply" icon="shield-halved" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-configure-email-spam-and-forwarding">
    Configure spam filters, set up email forwarding, catch-all, allow/block lists, and out-of-office auto-replies.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Email client setup made simple.
</div>


# How to Set Up URL Redirects
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-setup-url-redirects

Create 301 permanent and 302 temporary URL redirects in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel to forward visitors between pages, domains, and external URLs.

## Setting Up URL Redirects

URL redirects allow you to automatically send visitors from one web address to another. When someone visits the original URL, they are seamlessly forwarded to the new destination without needing to do anything. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) makes it easy to create, manage, and remove redirects for any of your websites.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge">
    Intermediate
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## When Would You Need a Redirect?

Redirects are useful in many everyday situations. Here are some common reasons you might want to set one up:

* **You moved a page to a new URL** and want visitors who bookmarked the old address to reach the new one automatically.
* **You changed your domain name** and need traffic from the old domain to arrive at the new one.
* **You want to forward www to non-www** (or the other way around) so your site works the same regardless of how people type your address.
* **You are running a temporary promotion** and want a short, memorable URL to point to a specific page on your site.
* **You deleted a page** and want to send visitors to a related page instead of showing them an error.

<Info>
  Redirects happen instantly and invisibly. Your visitors will not see the original URL at all — their browser will take them straight to the destination.
</Info>

***

## Understanding Redirect Types

Before creating a redirect, it helps to understand the two types available. Choosing the right one matters — not just technically, but for your business and your search rankings.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="301 — Permanent Redirect" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left">
    Use this when the move is **permanent**. A 301 tells search engines: "This page has moved for good — update your records." All the SEO value (ranking power, backlinks) from the old URL gets transferred to the new one. Think of it like filing a change-of-address form with the post office.
  </Card>

  <Card title="302 — Temporary Redirect" icon="clock-rotate-left">
    Use this when the move is **temporary**. A 302 tells search engines: "This page is just visiting somewhere else for a while — keep the original in your index." The old URL retains its search rankings because you plan to bring it back. Think of it like putting up a "temporarily relocated" sign.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### When Does This Actually Matter?

Here are some real business scenarios to help you decide:

| Scenario                                               | Use     | Why                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You rebranded and `/about-us` is now `/our-story`      | **301** | The old page name is gone forever. You want Google to index the new URL and pass along any ranking value.                                |
| Your shop moved from `oldstore.com` to `newstore.com`  | **301** | Permanent domain change. Every link, bookmark, and search result pointing to the old domain should lead to the new one.                  |
| You are running a Black Friday sale page for two weeks | **302** | The `/deals` URL will go back to your normal page after the sale. You do not want Google to replace your regular page in search results. |
| You are A/B testing a new homepage design              | **302** | The test is temporary. You want to preserve the original page's rankings while the experiment runs.                                      |
| A blog post URL had a typo and you fixed it            | **301** | The typo URL should never come back. Permanently send visitors to the corrected URL.                                                     |

<Tip>
  **Not sure which one to pick?** If the change is permanent and you do not plan to use the old URL again, go with **301**. If you are only redirecting temporarily (for example, during a site redesign or a seasonal promotion), choose **302**. When in doubt, 301 is almost always the right call.
</Tip>

***

## Accessing the Redirects Page

Follow these steps to find the redirects feature in your control panel:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Open your web browser and go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com). Sign in with your FREAKHOSTING account credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Website">
    From the dashboard or website list, click on the website where you want to set up a redirect.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the Advanced Dropdown">
    In the top navigation area of your website view, look for the **Advanced** dropdown menu. Click on it to expand the list of advanced features.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click on Redirects">
    From the Advanced dropdown, click **Redirects**. This opens the redirects management page. If you have not created any redirects yet, you will see an empty state with a redirect icon and the message "No redirects" along with a brief description: "Add a permanent (301) or temporary (302) redirect to forward website visitors to another domain."
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Creating a New Redirect

Once you are on the Redirects page, follow these steps to create a redirect:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Add Redirect">
    Click the **Add redirect** button to open the redirect creation form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Source Path">
    In the **Source path** field, enter the URL path you want to redirect **from**. This is the old or original address. For example, if you want to redirect `yourdomain.com/old-page`, you would enter `/old-page`.

    <Warning>
      The source path should start with a forward slash (`/`) and should only include the path portion of the URL, not the full domain name. For example, enter `/old-page` rather than `https://yourdomain.com/old-page`.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the Destination URL">
    In the **Destination URL** field, enter the full web address you want to redirect **to**. This is where visitors will be sent. For example, `https://yourdomain.com/new-page` or even an entirely different website like `https://example.com`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Redirect Type">
    Choose the type of redirect:

    * Select **301** for a permanent redirect (the old URL is gone for good).
    * Select **302** for a temporary redirect (you plan to use the old URL again later).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the Redirect">
    Click the **Save** or **Add** button to create your redirect. It will take effect immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Your new redirect will appear in the list on the Redirects page right away. Visitors who go to the source path will immediately be forwarded to the destination URL.
</Info>

***

## Real-World Examples: Step by Step

Let's walk through three common redirect scenarios so you can see exactly what to type.

### Example 1: Redirect an Old Page to a New Page (301 Permanent)

You redesigned your website and renamed your "Services" page. The old URL was `/services` and the new one is `/what-we-do`.

| Field               | Value                               |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| **Source path**     | `/services`                         |
| **Destination URL** | `https://yourdomain.com/what-we-do` |
| **Type**            | `301 (Permanent)`                   |

**Why 301?** The old page name is retired permanently. You want search engines to update their index and transfer all ranking value to the new URL. Anyone who bookmarked `/services` will land on `/what-we-do` automatically.

### Example 2: Redirect an Entire Old Domain to a New Domain (301 Permanent)

You rebranded from `oldcompanyname.com` to `shinynewhbrand.com`. You want every visitor landing on the old domain to end up on the new one.

| Field               | Value                       |
| ------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Source path**     | `/`                         |
| **Destination URL** | `https://shinynewbrand.com` |
| **Type**            | `301 (Permanent)`           |

**Why 301?** The old domain is gone for good. This tells search engines to transfer all authority to the new domain. Set this up on the old domain's website in the panel, and repeat for important subpages like `/about`, `/contact`, etc., pointing each to its equivalent on the new domain.

<Tip>
  For a full domain migration, create individual redirects for your most important pages (not just the homepage). Redirecting `/blog/my-popular-post` on the old domain to `https://shinynewbrand.com/blog/my-popular-post` preserves the SEO value of each specific page.
</Tip>

### Example 3: Temporary Redirect for a Seasonal Promotion (302 Temporary)

It is the holiday season and you want the easy-to-remember URL `/deals` to point to your actual promotion page buried deep in your site.

| Field               | Value                                                |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Source path**     | `/deals`                                             |
| **Destination URL** | `https://yourdomain.com/shop/holiday-2026-mega-sale` |
| **Type**            | `302 (Temporary)`                                    |

**Why 302?** The promotion ends in January. After the holidays, you will delete this redirect and either let `/deals` return to its normal state or repurpose it for the next sale. Using 302 ensures search engines do not permanently replace `/deals` in their index with the holiday page.

***

## Managing Existing Redirects

All of your active redirects are listed on the Redirects page. From this list, you can:

* **View your redirects** — See the source path, destination URL, and redirect type (301 or 302) for every redirect you have created.
* **Edit a redirect** — Click on an existing redirect to update the source path, destination URL, or redirect type. This is useful if the destination has changed or you need to switch between a 301 and 302.
* **Delete a redirect** — Remove a redirect that is no longer needed. Once deleted, visitors to the source path will no longer be forwarded and will see your website as normal (or receive a 404 error if no page exists at that path).

<Note>
  Changes to redirects take effect immediately. There is no delay or waiting period — as soon as you save an edit or delete a redirect, the change is live.
</Note>

***

## Common Use Cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Redirecting an Old Page to a New One">
    If you have renamed or moved a page on your site, create a **301 redirect** from the old path to the new one. For example, redirect `/about-us` to `/our-story`. This ensures visitors and search engines find the right page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Domain Migration (Moving to a New Domain)">
    When switching to a new domain, set up **301 redirects** for your most important pages so that anyone visiting the old domain is sent to the equivalent page on the new domain. For example, redirect `/contact` on the old domain to `https://newdomain.com/contact`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Forwarding www to non-www (or vice versa)">
    If you want your website to work the same whether someone types `www.yourdomain.com` or just `yourdomain.com`, a redirect ensures both versions lead to the same place. This is typically a **301 redirect** since the preference is permanent.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Redirecting HTTP to HTTPS">
    If your website uses an SSL certificate, you may want to redirect all `http://` traffic to `https://` so that every visitor gets the secure version of your site. This is best done as a **301 redirect** to tell search engines that the HTTPS version is the permanent address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Temporary Promotion or Campaign URL">
    If you are running a limited-time sale or event, you can create a short, easy-to-remember path like `/sale` and set up a **302 redirect** to point it at the actual promotion page. When the promotion ends, simply delete the redirect.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Cleaning Up Deleted Pages">
    If you removed a page and do not want visitors to see a 404 error, create a **301 redirect** to send them to a related page or your homepage instead. This keeps the visitor experience smooth and preserves any search engine value the old page had.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## SEO Considerations

Choosing the right redirect type has a direct impact on how search engines treat your pages. Here is what you need to know:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="When to Use a 301 (Permanent) Redirect" icon="magnifying-glass">
    * The original page has been **permanently moved** or **deleted**.
    * You want search engines to **update their index** to show the new URL.
    * You want to **pass SEO ranking value** (sometimes called "link juice") from the old URL to the new one.
    * You are migrating to a new domain and want Google to recognize the new domain as the replacement.
  </Card>

  <Card title="When to Use a 302 (Temporary) Redirect" icon="hourglass-half">
    * The redirect is **short-term** (for example, a seasonal sale or A/B test).
    * You plan to **bring back the original URL** in the future.
    * You do **not** want search engines to replace the original URL in their index.
    * You want the original page to **keep its search rankings** while the redirect is active.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  Using a 302 redirect when you actually mean for the change to be permanent can hurt your search rankings. Search engines may keep indexing the old URL and never pass ranking value to the new one. When in doubt, **301 is usually the safer choice** for any redirect you intend to keep long-term.
</Warning>

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How quickly does a redirect take effect?">
    Redirects take effect immediately after you save them. Visitors to the source path will be forwarded to the destination URL right away. However, it may take some time for search engines to re-crawl your pages and update their results.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I redirect to an external website?">
    Yes. The destination URL can be any valid web address, including pages on a completely different website. Just make sure to include the full URL with `https://` in the destination field.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will a redirect affect my email?">
    No. URL redirects only affect web traffic (visitors browsing your site). They have no impact on email delivery or any other services associated with your domain.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I create multiple redirects for the same website?">
    Yes. You can create as many redirects as you need. Each redirect works independently, forwarding its specific source path to its own destination URL.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I delete a redirect?">
    When you delete a redirect, visitors to the source path will no longer be forwarded. If a page exists at that path, they will see that page. If no page exists, they will receive a 404 (Page Not Found) error.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change a redirect from 302 to 301 later?">
    Yes. You can edit any existing redirect to change its type at any time. If you started with a temporary 302 redirect and decide the change is permanent, simply edit the redirect and switch it to 301.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I set up a redirect but my browser still shows the old page. What gives?">
    Your browser is likely serving a cached version of the old page. Try clearing your browser cache or opening the URL in a private/incognito window. The redirect is working on the server side — it is just your local cache that has not caught up yet.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to launch your website? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** URL redirects made simple.
</div>


# How to Use the Web Hosting File Manager
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager

Upload, edit, organize, and set file permissions using the built-in File Manager in the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Panel for website file management.

## Your Website's Command Center

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) includes a powerful, built-in File Manager that lets you manage all of your website files directly from your browser. No FTP clients, no extra software — just open your browser and go.

Want to upload your company logo? Edit a typo on your homepage? Change who can access a config file? The File Manager handles it all.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the File Manager

There are two quick ways to open the File Manager from within your hosting control panel:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log In to the Control Panel">
    Go to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and log in with your hosting account credentials. You will land on your dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the File Manager">
    Use either of these methods to launch the File Manager:

    * **From the navigation bar:** Click the **Files** tab in the top navigation menu.
    * **From the dashboard:** Click the **File manager** shortcut displayed on your dashboard overview.

    Both options open the exact same interface — pick whichever is faster for you.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Interface Overview

The File Manager uses a clean two-panel layout. Think of it like the file explorer on your computer — folders on the left, contents on the right.

### Left Panel — Directory Tree

The left side displays your **directory tree**. At the top you will see a **home icon** representing your account root, with folders nested below it:

* **public\_html** — Your website's web root (more on this below)
* **.mysql\_backup\_s3** — Automated MySQL backup storage

Click any folder in the tree to jump straight to it. The right panel updates instantly to show that folder's contents.

### Right Panel — File and Folder Listing

The right side shows the **contents of the currently selected folder** in a table with four columns:

| Column            | Description                    | Example                     |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------- |
| **Name**          | The file or folder name        | `index.html`, `public_html` |
| **Permissions**   | The CHMOD permission value     | `755`, `644`, `600`         |
| **Size**          | The file size on disk          | `306 b`, `4.2 KB`           |
| **Last Modified** | When the file was last changed | `Mar 15, 2026 2:30 PM`      |

For example, a fresh hosting account root typically shows something like:

| Name               | Permissions | Size  | Last Modified |
| ------------------ | ----------- | ----- | ------------- |
| .mysql\_backup\_s3 | 755         | —     | folder        |
| public\_html       | 750         | —     | folder        |
| .my.cnf            | 600         | 306 b | file          |

### Top Bar — Tools and Navigation

At the top of the File Manager you will find:

* **Home icon + domain name** — Shows your current location; click the home icon to jump back to root.
* **Refresh button** — Reload the current directory (handy after uploading files via FTP).
* **New** button — Create a new file or folder.
* **Upload** button — Upload files from your computer.

### View Options

Next to the toolbar you will find **view toggle icons** that let you switch between:

* **List view** — A detailed table layout showing all columns (the default). Best for managing files.
* **Grid view** — Larger icons for each file and folder. Great for quickly scanning through images or assets.

You will also see a **"Select all"** checkbox at the top of the listing. Check it to select every item in the current directory for bulk operations like deleting or compressing multiple files at once.

***

## Creating Files and Folders

Need a new page for your site? A folder to organize your images? You can create both right from the File Manager.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Desired Location">
    Use the directory tree or click through folders to get where you want to create your new item. For website files, that is usually inside **public\_html**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the New Button">
    Click the **New** button in the top toolbar. Choose between creating a **New File** or a **New Folder**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    Type a name for your new file or folder. For example:

    * **New file:** `contact.html`, `style.css`, `config.php`
    * **New folder:** `images`, `assets`, `downloads`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm Creation">
    Press **Enter** or click the confirmation button. Your new item appears in the listing immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  When creating website files, stick to lowercase names without spaces. Replace spaces with hyphens — for example, `my-page.html` instead of `My Page.html`. This avoids headaches with web servers and broken links.
</Tip>

***

## Uploading Files

Want to upload your website's logo, a new HTML page, or an entire theme package? Here is how.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Target Folder">
    Open the folder where you want the files to end up. For website assets, that is typically **public\_html** or a subfolder like `public_html/images`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Upload Button">
    Click the **Upload** button in the top toolbar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Files">
    A file picker dialog will open. Browse your computer, select one or more files, and confirm. The upload starts automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Completion">
    A progress indicator shows the upload status. Once finished, your files appear in the directory listing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Uploading a file with the same name as an existing file will **overwrite** the original without asking. Always download a backup of important files before uploading replacements.
</Warning>

<Tip>
  Uploading 50 individual files? That will take a while. Instead, **compress them into a `.zip` on your computer first**, upload the single `.zip`, then use the **Uncompress** action to extract everything on the server. Way faster.
</Tip>

***

## File and Folder Actions (Context Menu)

Every file and folder has a full set of actions. To access them, either **right-click** on the item or click the **three-dot icon** on its row.

Here is every action in the context menu and exactly when you would use each one:

### Edit

Opens the file in a **built-in code editor** right in your browser with syntax highlighting. Perfect for quick fixes.

**When to use it:** You spotted a typo on your homepage — right-click `index.html`, hit **Edit**, fix the text, save. Done in 30 seconds.

<Info>
  Edit only works with text-based files (HTML, CSS, PHP, JS, `.htaccess`, etc.). You cannot open images or archives in the editor.
</Info>

### Download

Saves a copy of the file to your local computer.

**When to use it:** You want a local backup of your `.htaccess` before making changes, or you need to grab a log file to send to support.

### Get Info

Shows detailed metadata — full file path, exact size, permissions, and modification date.

**When to use it:** You need to check a file's exact permissions or confirm when it was last modified.

### Cut

Marks the file for **moving**. Navigate to the destination folder and **paste** to complete the move.

**When to use it:** You accidentally uploaded `logo.png` to `public_html` but it belongs in `public_html/images`. Cut it, navigate to the `images` folder, paste.

### Copy

Marks the file for **copying**. Navigate to the destination and **paste** to create a duplicate.

**When to use it:** You want to create a variation of an existing page — copy `about.html`, paste it, then rename the copy to `about-v2.html` and edit it.

### Rename

Lets you change the name of a file or folder.

**When to use it:** You created `tset.html` instead of `test.html`. Quick rename fixes it.

<Warning>
  Renaming files that your website depends on (like `index.html`, `index.php`, or `.htaccess`) can break your site. Double-check before renaming critical files.
</Warning>

### Compress

Creates a `.zip` archive from the selected file or folder.

**When to use it:** You want to back up your entire website. Here is a practical example:

1. Right-click the **public\_html** folder.
2. Select **Compress**.
3. The system creates a `.zip` archive (e.g., `public_html.zip`).
4. Right-click the new `.zip` file and select **Download**.
5. You now have a full backup of your website on your local computer.

### Uncompress

Extracts the contents of an archive (`.zip`, `.tar.gz`, etc.) into the current directory.

**When to use it:** You downloaded a WordPress theme as a `.zip`, uploaded it to `public_html/wp-content/themes/`, and now you need to extract it. Right-click the `.zip`, select **Uncompress**, and the theme folder appears ready to use.

<Info>
  The Uncompress option is greyed out for files that are not archives. It only activates when you right-click a `.zip`, `.tar.gz`, or similar compressed file.
</Info>

### Permissions (CHMOD)

Opens a dialog to set the **file permissions** using the CHMOD system. This controls who can read, write, and execute a file.

Think of permissions as a three-digit lock code. Each digit controls access for a different group of people:

| Digit Position   | Controls | Who?                              |
| ---------------- | -------- | --------------------------------- |
| **First digit**  | Owner    | You (the account holder)          |
| **Second digit** | Group    | Other users in your hosting group |
| **Third digit**  | Others   | Everyone else (website visitors)  |

And each digit is a number that adds up the types of access:

| Value | Meaning                             |
| ----- | ----------------------------------- |
| **4** | Read (view the file)                |
| **2** | Write (modify the file)             |
| **1** | Execute (run the file as a program) |
| **0** | No access                           |

You add these together. So **7** = 4 + 2 + 1 = read + write + execute. **5** = 4 + 1 = read + execute. **4** = read only.

Here is what the most common permission values actually mean:

| Permission | Breakdown                                                              | Typical Use                                 |
| ---------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **644**    | Owner: read+write / Group: read / Others: read                         | Standard web files (HTML, CSS, PHP, images) |
| **755**    | Owner: read+write+execute / Group: read+execute / Others: read+execute | Folders and executable scripts              |
| **750**    | Owner: read+write+execute / Group: read+execute / Others: none         | Folders with restricted public access       |
| **600**    | Owner: read+write / Group: none / Others: none                         | Sensitive config files (like `.my.cnf`)     |

**Real-world example:** Your `public_html` folder has permission **750**. That means you (the owner) have full access, your hosting group can read and browse it, but random outsiders on the server cannot peek inside. Your web server is configured to serve files from it, so your website visitors still see your pages normally through the browser.

<Warning>
  Never set permissions to **777** (full access for everyone). This is a serious security risk — anyone on the server could read, modify, or delete your files. Stick to **644** for files and **755** for folders.
</Warning>

### Delete

Permanently removes the selected file or folder. This action is shown in **red** in the context menu as a warning — there is no recycle bin here.

**When to use it:** You are cleaning up old backups or removing files you no longer need. Always make sure you have a backup before deleting anything important.

***

## Understanding the Directory Structure

Think of your hosting account like a house. Each room has a purpose, and putting things in the right room keeps everything working.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="public_html — Your Website's Front Door">
    The **public\_html** folder is the most important directory in your account. Think of it as your website's front door — anything you put here is visible to the world through your domain name.

    For example, if you place a file at `public_html/logo.png`, your visitors can see it at `https://yourdomain.com/logo.png`. A file at `public_html/about/team.html` becomes `https://yourdomain.com/about/team.html`.

    All your HTML pages, CSS stylesheets, JavaScript files, images, and other web assets belong inside **public\_html** or its subfolders.

    **Quick test:** Upload any file to `public_html`, then type `https://yourdomain.com/filename` in your browser. If you can see it, everything is working.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title=".mysql_backup_s3 — Database Backups">
    This folder contains automated backups of your MySQL databases. These are managed by the hosting system and provide a safety net in case you need to restore a database to a previous state.

    You generally do not need to touch anything in here — just know it exists and has your back.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title=".my.cnf — MySQL Configuration">
    The **.my.cnf** file stores MySQL client configuration details for your hosting account. Notice its permission is **600** — that means only you (the owner) can read it. This is intentional because it contains database connection info.

    This file is managed by the system. Leave it alone unless you know exactly what you are doing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hidden Files and Folders (Dot Files)">
    Files and folders starting with a dot (`.`) are hidden system files. The most common one you will interact with is **.htaccess**, which controls URL redirects, access rules, caching headers, and other Apache web server settings.

    The File Manager displays hidden files automatically. Be cautious when editing them — a single wrong character in `.htaccess` can take your entire site offline.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Backing Up Your Website (Step by Step)

Here is a complete walkthrough for creating a downloadable backup of your entire website:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Go to Your Root Directory">
    Click the **home icon** in the File Manager to make sure you are at your account root.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compress public_html">
    Right-click the **public\_html** folder and select **Compress**. Wait for the system to create the archive — this may take a moment depending on your site's size.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download the Archive">
    Once the `.zip` file appears in the listing, right-click it and select **Download**. Save it somewhere safe on your computer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clean Up (Optional)">
    After downloading, you can delete the `.zip` from the server to free up disk space. Right-click it and select **Delete**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Make this a habit. Before any major change — installing a CMS, updating a theme, editing config files — take a quick backup first. Future you will be grateful.
</Tip>

***

## Best Practices

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Keep Regular Backups" icon="cloud-arrow-down">
    Always download copies of important files before making changes. Use **Compress** then **Download** to create quick backup archives. It takes 30 seconds and can save you hours of headaches.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use public_html for Web Files" icon="folder-open">
    Place all website-related files inside **public\_html** or its subfolders. Files stored outside this directory will not be accessible from the web — they are invisible to visitors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand Permissions" icon="lock">
    Use **644** for files and **755** for folders as your defaults. If something is not working, check permissions first — they are the most common cause of "permission denied" errors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use Meaningful Names" icon="tag">
    Name files and folders clearly with lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens. `company-logo.png` is much better than `IMG_20260315_001.png` when you are hunting for files six months later.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I edit PHP files in the File Manager?">
    Yes. The built-in code editor supports PHP along with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and many other text-based file types. Right-click the file, select **Edit**, and you are in. The editor even has syntax highlighting to make your code easier to read.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the maximum file upload size?">
    The maximum upload size depends on your hosting plan's configuration. If you need to upload very large files, consider using SFTP as an alternative, or upload a compressed archive and extract it on the server using the **Uncompress** action.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I undo a file deletion?">
    No. Once a file is deleted through the File Manager, it is gone — there is no recycle bin or undo button. Always download a backup of important files before deleting them. If you have automated backups enabled, you may be able to restore from a previous backup.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my website showing a blank page or error?">
    The most common causes are:

    * **Missing `index.html` or `index.php`** in your `public_html` folder.
    * **Wrong file permissions** — try setting files to **644** and folders to **755**.
    * **Syntax error in `.htaccess`** — if you recently edited this file, revert your changes.

    Check these three things first and you will solve the problem 90% of the time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I show hidden files in the File Manager?">
    Hidden files (those starting with a dot, like `.htaccess` and `.my.cnf`) are displayed automatically in the File Manager. If you do not see them, look for a **Show Hidden Files** toggle in the File Manager's settings or options menu.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I uploaded files but my website still shows the old version?">
    Try these quick fixes in order:

    1. **Hard refresh your browser** — press `Ctrl + Shift + R` (or `Cmd + Shift + R` on Mac).
    2. **Clear your browser cache** — cached files can persist for hours.
    3. **Click the refresh button** in the File Manager to confirm the files actually uploaded.
    4. **Check the file path** — make sure you uploaded to `public_html` and not the account root by accident.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** File management made simple.
</div>


# Understanding Website Analytics and Bandwidth
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/understanding-website-analytics-and-bandwidth

Learn how to monitor your website traffic, visitor statistics, and bandwidth usage using the Analytics section of the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel.

## Monitor Your Website Performance

The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel includes a built-in Analytics section that lets you track how much traffic your website receives and how much bandwidth it consumes. Whether you want to see how many people visited your site today or review your data transfer over the past month, the Analytics page gives you clear, visual charts to help you understand your website activity at a glance.

Think of it as the dashboard of your car — you do not need to be a mechanic to check how fast you are going or how much fuel you have left. Analytics works the same way for your website.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Analytics Page

There are two ways to reach the full Analytics view from within your control panel at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Option A: Use the Top Navigation Bar">
    Click the **Analytics** tab in the top navigation bar. This tab is always visible at the top of every page in the panel, so you can jump to your analytics from anywhere.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Option B: Use the Dashboard Shortcut">
    From the **Home** dashboard, scroll down to the **Visitors** chart section. Click the **See all analytics** link displayed near the chart heading. This will take you directly to the full Analytics page.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Both methods bring you to the same Analytics page. Use whichever is most convenient for you at the time.
</Tip>

***

## Analytics Page Layout

Once you open the Analytics page, you will see a clean layout with a **left sidebar** and a **main chart area** on the right.

The left sidebar contains two sections you can switch between:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Bandwidth" icon="gauge-high">
    View your total data transfer (bandwidth) usage over time, displayed in gigabytes (GB).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Visitors" icon="users">
    View visitor traffic to your website, including both total hits and unique hits over time.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Click either **Bandwidth** or **Visitors** in the left sidebar to switch between the two chart views. The main area on the right will update to show the corresponding chart.

***

## Bandwidth

When you select **Bandwidth** from the left sidebar, the main chart area displays a line chart titled **Total Bandwidth**. The chart uses a blue line to plot your data transfer over time, with the total value shown in GB at the top.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What does the Bandwidth chart show?">
    The chart plots your website's total data transfer over time, measured in **gigabytes (GB)**. Every time a visitor loads a page, downloads a file, or views an image on your site, data is transferred from the server to their browser. The Bandwidth chart tracks the cumulative amount of that data transfer.

    **Here is a simple way to think about it:** imagine your website is a restaurant, and bandwidth is the total amount of food served. Every time a customer (visitor) orders a meal (loads a page), the kitchen sends out dishes (images, files, code). The bandwidth chart tracks how much food left the kitchen in total.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How to read the chart">
    The horizontal axis (bottom) represents dates, while the vertical axis (left side) represents bandwidth in GB. A rising line indicates increasing data usage. Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact bandwidth figure for that date.

    **Practical example:** If your chart shows 2.5 GB for the past week and your homepage is roughly 3 MB, that means your site served the equivalent of about 830 full page loads during that period. If you have lots of large images or downloadable PDFs, each visit uses more bandwidth than a simple text page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What uses bandwidth?">
    Each time someone loads your website, their browser downloads everything on that page — the HTML, every image, every CSS stylesheet, every JavaScript file, and any fonts. All of that adds up. Here is what typically uses the most bandwidth:

    * **Images and photos** — A single high-resolution image can be 1-5 MB. If your homepage has ten images, that is 10-50 MB per visitor just for that one page.
    * **Downloadable files** — PDFs, ZIP files, or media files that visitors download.
    * **Videos** — Embedded videos hosted on your server (videos from YouTube or Vimeo do not count against your bandwidth since they are streamed from those platforms).
    * **Bots and crawlers** — Search engines and other automated systems visit your site regularly, and each visit uses bandwidth too.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why bandwidth matters">
    Every hosting plan includes a bandwidth allowance. Keeping an eye on this chart helps you ensure your site stays within its allocated data transfer limit. If your bandwidth usage is consistently high, it may be time to optimize your images and files or consider upgrading your plan.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Visitors

When you select **Visitors** from the left sidebar, the main chart area displays a chart with two metrics and two color-coded lines. At the top, you will see the numeric values for **Total Hits** (with an orange dot) and **Unique Hits** (with a blue dot), with the chart plotted below.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Total Hits (Orange)" icon="chart-line">
    Represents the total number of requests your website received. Every page load, image request, and file download counts as a hit. One visitor can generate many hits in a single session.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Unique Hits (Blue)" icon="user">
    Represents the number of individual (unique) visitors to your website. If the same person visits your site multiple times in one day, they are counted only once as a unique hit.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **Example:** Say your analytics show **Total Hits: 500** and **Unique Hits: 200** for today. That means 200 different people visited your site, but across all of those visitors, 500 pages were loaded in total. On average, each person viewed about 2-3 pages. That is a healthy sign — it means people are actually clicking around your site, not just landing on one page and leaving.
</Info>

<Tip>
  A large gap between the orange (Total Hits) and blue (Unique Hits) lines is generally a positive sign. It means each visitor is exploring multiple pages on your site, which suggests genuine interest and engagement. If the two lines are nearly on top of each other, most visitors may be viewing only one page before leaving — a signal you might want to improve your internal linking or content to encourage deeper browsing.
</Tip>

***

## Time Filters

At the top-right corner of the chart area, you will find three filter buttons that let you change the time range displayed on the chart. The currently selected filter is highlighted.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Today" icon="calendar-day">
    Shows data for the current day only. Useful for checking real-time traffic and bandwidth throughout the day.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Last Week" icon="calendar-week">
    Shows data for the past seven days. Great for spotting day-to-day patterns and short-term trends. This is the default view.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Last Month" icon="calendar">
    Shows data for the past thirty days. Ideal for understanding overall traffic trends and monthly bandwidth consumption.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Simply click any of the three buttons to update the chart. The selected time filter applies to both the Bandwidth and Visitors views.

<Tip>
  Start with **Last Month** to get the big picture, then drill down to **Last Week** or **Today** if you notice anything unusual. For example, if Last Month shows a sudden spike on a particular day, switch to Last Week or Today around that time frame to investigate further.
</Tip>

***

## Dashboard Quick View

You do not always need to visit the full Analytics page to check on your traffic. The **Home** dashboard includes a compact **Visitors** mini-chart that gives you a quick snapshot of recent visitor activity.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find the Visitors Section">
    From the Home dashboard, scroll down past the website preview and shortcut buttons. You will see a **Visitors** section with a small chart.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the Mini-Chart">
    This chart provides a simplified view of your visitor trends. It is designed for a quick glance so you can spot any major changes without leaving the dashboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Full Analytics">
    If you want more detail, click the **See all analytics** link next to the Visitors heading. This takes you to the full Analytics page where you can switch between Bandwidth and Visitors views and apply time filters.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The dashboard mini-chart is a summary view. For detailed data including bandwidth usage and time filter options, always navigate to the full Analytics page.
</Info>

***

## Understanding the Metrics

If you are new to website analytics, here is a plain-language breakdown of what each metric means and how to use it.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is Bandwidth?">
    Bandwidth is the total amount of data transferred between your web server and your visitors' browsers. Think of it like water flowing through a pipe. Every page load, image, video, download, and script on your website uses some bandwidth. It is measured in gigabytes (GB). Your hosting plan comes with a monthly bandwidth allowance, and the Bandwidth chart helps you track how much you have used.

    **Real-world comparison:** Streaming a one-hour TV show uses about 1-3 GB of data. A typical small business website might use 1-5 GB of bandwidth per month. A busy online store with lots of product images might use 20-50 GB or more.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are Total Hits?">
    A "hit" is any single request made to your web server. When someone loads your homepage, their browser might make dozens of hits: one for the HTML page, one for each image, one for each CSS file, one for each JavaScript file, and so on. Total Hits counts every single one of these requests. A high number of Total Hits does not necessarily mean you have a lot of visitors — it can also mean your pages contain many elements.

    **Example:** If your homepage has 15 images, 3 CSS files, 2 JavaScript files, and the HTML page itself, a single visitor loading your homepage generates about 21 hits. Multiply that by 100 visitors and you have 2,100 Total Hits — from just 100 people visiting one page.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are Unique Hits?">
    Unique Hits represent the number of distinct visitors to your website within the selected time period. If the same person visits your site five times in one day, they only count once. This metric gives you a more accurate picture of how many individual people are coming to your site.

    **When someone asks "how many visitors does your website get?" — Unique Hits is the number you want to look at.** It is the closest thing to counting actual humans rather than counting page loads.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I interpret trends?">
    Look at the overall direction of the lines on your charts. A steady upward trend means your traffic is growing. A sudden spike could indicate a popular blog post, a social media mention, or — in some cases — a bot attack. A sudden drop might mean a broken page or an issue with your domain settings. Regular monitoring helps you catch these patterns early.

    **What to look for:**

    * **Gradual increase** — Your SEO or marketing is working. Keep it up.
    * **Sudden spike** — Check what happened. Did you post on social media? Did a link go viral? Or is it suspicious bot traffic?
    * **Sudden drop** — Something might be wrong. Check that your domain is resolving, your site is loading, and there are no errors.
    * **Weekend dips** — Perfectly normal for business websites. Traffic often drops on weekends and picks back up on Monday.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is normal?">
    There is no single "normal" number for bandwidth or visitors. It depends entirely on the type and size of your website, the content you publish, and how you promote it. The most important thing is to establish your own baseline by checking your analytics regularly so you can spot changes relative to your usual traffic levels.

    A brand-new website might see 5-10 unique visitors per day. A well-established small business site might see 50-200. A popular blog could see thousands. The key is not the number itself, but whether it is going up, down, or staying steady compared to your normal pattern.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Tips for Monitoring Your Website

Follow these best practices to get the most out of your analytics and keep your website running smoothly.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Check Analytics Regularly">
    Make a habit of reviewing your analytics at least once a week. Regular checks help you understand your traffic patterns and catch issues early before they become problems.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch for Unusual Spikes">
    A sudden, unexpected spike in bandwidth or Total Hits could indicate a bot attack, a misconfigured script, or hotlinking (other sites embedding your images). If you see an unusual spike, review your site's access logs under the **Logs** section in the left sidebar for more details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Plan Your Bandwidth">
    If your bandwidth usage is approaching your plan's limit toward the end of the month, consider optimizing your website. Compressing images, enabling caching through the **Advanced > Optimisation** settings, and using a CDN can all reduce bandwidth consumption significantly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compare Time Periods">
    Use the **Last Week** and **Last Month** filters to compare traffic over different periods. This helps you identify whether your site is growing steadily, experiencing seasonal changes, or being affected by specific events.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Unique Hits for Audience Size">
    When someone asks you how many visitors your website gets, the **Unique Hits** number is the most meaningful metric to reference. Total Hits can be misleading because a single visitor can generate hundreds of hits in one session.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Visitor data may take a short time to populate for newly created websites. If your site was just set up, allow a day or two for analytics data to begin appearing on the charts.
</Note>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Website analytics and bandwidth monitoring.
</div>


# Web Hosting Control Panel Overview and Dashboard
Source: https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/web-panel/web-panel-overview-and-dashboard

Navigate the FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel dashboard including website management, visitor analytics, shortcuts, and feature navigation.

## Your Web Hosting Command Center

Welcome to the nerve center of your online presence. The FREAKHOSTING Web Hosting Control Panel is your all-in-one dashboard for managing websites, emails, databases, files, and everything in between. Powered by [Enhance](https://enhance.com), the panel lives at [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) and puts full control of your hosting at your fingertips.

Think of it like the cockpit of an airplane -- every dial, button, and screen you need is right here in one place. No jumping between tools or memorizing terminal commands.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    3 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Accessing the Control Panel

Getting in is quick and painless.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Panel">
    Navigate to [web.freakhosting.com](https://web.freakhosting.com) in your web browser. Any modern browser works -- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, you name it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log In">
    Enter the email address and password associated with your FREAKHOSTING web hosting account, then click **Log In**. For example, if you signed up with `jane@example.com`, use that email here.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrive at the Dashboard">
    After a successful login, you land on the **Home** dashboard for your website. This is your central hub -- everything branches out from here.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Forgot your password? No stress. Click the **Forgot Password** link on the login page and a reset email will be sent to your inbox within seconds.
</Tip>

***

## Nameserver Notification Banner

The first thing you might notice is a prominent banner across the top of your dashboard. This is your friendly reminder to point your domain to FREAKHOSTING by updating the nameservers at your domain registrar.

Think of nameservers like a postal address for the internet -- they tell browsers where to find your website. Without them set correctly, visitors typing your domain will get a dead end.

Here are the four nameservers you need:

| Nameserver     | Address                    |
| -------------- | -------------------------- |
| **Primary**    | `alpha.freakhosting.com`   |
| **Secondary**  | `beta.freakhosting.com`    |
| **Tertiary**   | `charlie.freakhosting.com` |
| **Quaternary** | `delta.freakhosting.com`   |

<Warning>
  Your website will not be reachable via your domain until your nameservers are correctly updated at your domain registrar. Nameserver changes can take up to **24 to 48 hours** to propagate worldwide, so be patient -- grab a coffee and let the internet do its thing.
</Warning>

<Info>
  If you purchased your domain through FREAKHOSTING, nameservers may already be configured for you. No banner showing? That means you are all set.
</Info>

***

## Website Preview and Actions

Right below the nameserver banner sits your **website preview area**. This is a visual snapshot of your site along with the action buttons you will use most.

### Domain Name Display

Your primary domain name is displayed prominently at the top of this card. Next to it, you will spot a **copy button** (clipboard icon) -- one click and your full domain is on your clipboard, ready to paste into a browser, email, or config file.

For example, if your domain is `mybakery.com`, clicking the copy button grabs the full URL so you can share it instantly.

### Three-Dot Menu

Notice the **three-dot menu** (vertical ellipsis) on the website preview card. This contains additional options for your website, including the ability to delete the website. Handle with care -- deleting is permanent.

### Clone and Upload Backup

Two key action buttons sit alongside the domain display:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Clone (Dropdown)" icon="clone">
    Click the **Clone** dropdown to create an exact copy of your website. This is perfect for spinning up a staging environment to test changes before going live, or for migrating your site to a different domain. The dropdown gives you options for how and where to clone.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Upload Backup" icon="upload">
    Click the **Upload backup** button to restore a previously downloaded backup file. Moving from another hosting provider? This is how you bring your old site into FREAKHOSTING -- just upload the backup archive and you are off to the races.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Quick-Access Shortcuts Bar

Below the website preview, you will find a row of **five shortcut icons** -- your fast lane to the features you will use day in and day out. One click, no hunting through menus.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Backups" icon="box-archive">
    Jump to backup management. Create a snapshot of your site, download it, or restore an older version. Your safety net lives here.
  </Card>

  <Card title="File Manager" icon="folder-open">
    Open the browser-based file manager. Browse, upload, edit, and organize your website files without ever opening an FTP client. Think of it like Finder or Windows Explorer, but for your web server.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webmail" icon="envelope">
    Launch the webmail client to read and send emails from any email account on your domain. For example, if you set up `hello@yourdomain.com`, you can access it right here.
  </Card>

  <Card title="New App" icon="plus">
    Install a new application like WordPress, Joomla, or another CMS with just a few clicks. No coding required -- the panel handles the heavy lifting.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FTP" icon="arrows-up-down">
    Manage FTP accounts for uploading and downloading files using clients like FileZilla or Cyberduck. Great for bulk file transfers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Visitors Chart

On the left side of your dashboard, the **Visitors** chart gives you a visual snapshot of traffic to your website over time. No need to leave the dashboard to check how things are going.

* The chart plots visitor counts along a timeline so you can spot traffic spikes (maybe that blog post went viral) and quiet periods at a glance.
* **Hover** over any data point to see the exact visitor count for that date.
* Want the full picture? Head to the **Analytics** tab in the top navigation bar for detailed breakdowns.

<Info>
  Just set up your site? Visitor data takes a little time to populate. Check back in a day or two and the numbers will start flowing in.
</Info>

***

## At a Glance Panel

Sitting to the right of the visitors chart, the **At a glance** panel is your quick-reference card for the technical details that matter. No digging through settings required -- it is all right here.

| Detail                   | What It Tells You                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Webserver**            | Your site runs on **OpenLiteSpeed** (you will see its logo here) -- a high-performance, lightweight web server built for speed. It is like having a sports car engine under the hood.                                                                                        |
| **PHP Version**          | Shows your current PHP version with an **LTS** badge when applicable. For example, if you see **PHP 8.1 LTS**, that means you are on a stable, long-term-supported release -- the safe and smart choice for most sites. **Click the version number** to switch PHP versions. |
| **Collaborators**        | The number of other users you have granted access to help manage this website. Handy for teams and developers.                                                                                                                                                               |
| **Website IPv4 Address** | The public IP address assigned to your website, with a **copy button** next to it. You will need this when configuring DNS records at an external registrar or for direct server access.                                                                                     |
| **MySQL IPv4 Address**   | The IP address for your MySQL database server, also with a **copy button**. Use this when setting up remote database connections in tools like MySQL Workbench or DBeaver.                                                                                                   |
| **Mail IP**              | The IP address used for your email services, with a **copy button**. This is useful when configuring SPF records or troubleshooting email delivery issues.                                                                                                                   |
| **Created At**           | The date your hosting account was originally created. A nice little timestamp for the record books.                                                                                                                                                                          |

<Tip>
  Want to change your PHP version? Just click the version number shown in the At a glance panel. A dropdown appears with all available versions. Always choose a version compatible with your CMS -- for example, WordPress recommends PHP 8.0 or higher.
</Tip>

***

## Top Navigation Bar

The top navigation bar runs across the top of the panel and stays visible on every page. Think of these tabs as the chapters of your hosting management book -- each one takes you to a dedicated section.

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Home" icon="house">
    Returns you to the main dashboard overview at any time. Lost? Click the **Home icon** and you are back to base.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Apps" icon="grid-2">
    Manage installed applications (like WordPress) and install new ones from the app library.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Files" icon="folder">
    Open the file manager to browse, upload, edit, and manage all files on your hosting account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Databases" icon="database">
    Create and manage MySQL databases and database users for your applications.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Emails" icon="envelope">
    Set up email accounts, forwarders, autoresponders, and manage email settings for your domains.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Domains" icon="globe">
    Add, remove, and manage domains and subdomains associated with your hosting account.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics" icon="chart-line">
    View detailed website traffic analytics, visitor statistics, and performance metrics.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backups" icon="box-archive">
    Create, schedule, download, and restore website backups to keep your data safe.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security" icon="shield-halved">
    Configure SSL certificates, firewall rules, and other security settings to protect your website.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Advanced Dropdown

The **Advanced** tab in the navigation bar opens a dropdown menu with power-user tools. You might not need these on day one, but they are there when you are ready.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Redirects">
    Set up URL redirects (301 permanent, 302 temporary) to forward visitors from one URL to another. For example, redirect `yourdomain.com/old-page` to `yourdomain.com/new-page` after a site restructure.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Optimisation">
    Access performance settings including caching, GZIP compression, and other speed tweaks. A faster site means happier visitors and better SEO.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="FTP">
    Create and manage FTP accounts for uploading and downloading files using an FTP client like FileZilla.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Developer Tools">
    Tools for developers: Cron jobs (scheduled tasks), custom error pages, and environment configuration. This is where the tinkering happens.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Node.js (NEW)">
    Set up and manage Node.js applications on your hosting account. Select your Node version, define entry points, and get your JavaScript backend running. Look for the **NEW** badge -- this feature is freshly available.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Left Sidebar Navigation

While the top navigation bar focuses on the currently selected website, the left sidebar gives you **global navigation** across your entire FREAKHOSTING account. Think of the top bar as "this website" and the sidebar as "my whole account."

<Steps>
  <Step title="Home">
    The main account home page where you can see all your websites and account-level information at a glance.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Servers">
    View and manage the hosting servers associated with your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customers">
    If you are a reseller, this is where you manage your customers and their hosting accounts. Not a reseller? You can skip this one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Websites">
    Lists all of your websites. Click any site name to jump directly to its dashboard. This is the fastest way to switch between multiple sites if you manage more than one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Emails">
    Access global email management across all your domains from a single location.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Logs">
    View account activity logs, error logs, and access logs. Your first stop when troubleshooting anything unexpected.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Users">
    Manage user accounts that have access to your control panel, including adding collaborators and setting permissions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Integrations">
    Connect third-party services and APIs to extend your hosting capabilities.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Settings">
    Configure account-level settings including default preferences, regional options, and account details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Billing (bottom)">
    View invoices, payment history, and manage your billing information and subscription plans. Located at the bottom of the sidebar for easy access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Help (bottom)">
    Access the FREAKHOSTING help center, documentation, and support resources directly from the panel. Also located at the bottom of the sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  The left sidebar is collapsible. Need more screen real estate? Click the collapse icon to tuck it away. Click again to bring it back.
</Info>

***

## What Can You Do From Here?

Now that you know your way around the dashboard, here is where to go next depending on what you want to accomplish:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Install WordPress or a Web App" icon="rocket" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-install-wordpress-and-web-apps">
    Get your site up and running with a CMS in just a few clicks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Your Files" icon="folder-open" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager">
    Upload, edit, and organize your website files right in the browser.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set Up Email Accounts" icon="envelope" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-email-accounts">
    Create professional email addresses like `you@yourdomain.com`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create and Restore Backups" icon="box-archive" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups">
    Protect your work with regular backups and learn how to restore them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage Domains and DNS" icon="globe" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-domains-and-dns-records">
    Add domains, subdomains, and configure DNS records.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set Up SSL and HTTPS" icon="lock" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-ssl-certificates-and-https">
    Secure your site with a free SSL certificate and force HTTPS.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Manage MySQL Databases" icon="database" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-manage-mysql-databases">
    Create databases and database users for your applications.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Change Your PHP Version" icon="code" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-change-php-version">
    Switch PHP versions to match your site's requirements.
  </Card>

  <Card title="View Analytics and Bandwidth" icon="chart-line" href="/portals/web-panel/understanding-website-analytics-and-bandwidth">
    Dive deep into your traffic data and bandwidth usage.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Optimize Performance" icon="gauge-high" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-optimize-website-performance">
    Speed up your site with caching, compression, and other tweaks.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Create FTP Accounts" icon="arrows-up-down" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-create-and-manage-ftp-accounts">
    Set up FTP access for file transfers using external clients.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deploy Node.js Apps" icon="node-js" href="/portals/web-panel/how-to-deploy-nodejs-applications">
    Run JavaScript backends and Node.js applications on your hosting.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Tips for Getting Started

Just signed up? Here is your quick-start checklist to go from zero to live website.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Update Your Nameservers">
    Go to your domain registrar (like Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare) and set the nameservers to `alpha.freakhosting.com`, `beta.freakhosting.com`, `charlie.freakhosting.com`, and `delta.freakhosting.com`. This tells the internet where your site lives.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install an Application">
    Use the **New App** shortcut on your dashboard (or the **Apps** tab) to install WordPress or another CMS. Most installations finish in under a minute.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up Email">
    Navigate to the **Emails** tab to create email accounts for your domain. For example, `info@yourdomain.com` or `hello@yourdomain.com` -- whatever fits your brand.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a Backup">
    Head to the **Backups** section and create your first backup before making any major changes. Think of it as saving your game before the boss fight.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Security Settings">
    Visit the **Security** tab to ensure your SSL certificate is active and HTTPS is enforced. A padlock icon in your visitors' browsers means trust.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

<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)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!
</Tip>

***

<div>
  **Last Updated:** March 2026 | **Web Hosting Support:** Dashboard navigation and panel overview.
</div>