How to Make a Unturned Server: Step-by-Step Setup Guide (Windows and Linux)

The quickest way to make an Unturned server is to install Unturned Dedicated Server (U3DS), create a named server instance, configure its files, and then choose either a private Server Code or public internet access. U3DS is separate from the normal Unturned game client and officially supports Windows and Linux; macOS is not supported for hosting. A small private group can be running in minutes with the Steam Library version and a Server Code. A public, always-on server needs a Game Server Login Token (GSLT), plus either Fake IP or correctly configured router and firewall rules.

This guide covers installation with Steam or SteamCMD, Windows and Linux launch commands, configuration, port forwarding, Workshop mods, plugins, backups, saves, and the common reasons players cannot connect.

What do I need before creating an Unturned server?

Prepare the host computer, network, and administrator account before installing anything. The dedicated server is its own application, so the host does not need to run the regular game client at the same time, although an administrator can use the client on another computer to join and manage the server.

• Supported operating system: Windows or Linux. Official setup documentation does not support macOS hosting.
• U3DS installation: Install the Unturned Dedicated Server through Steam for a simple setup, or SteamCMD for Linux, automation, repeatable updates, and multiple instances.
• Steam account details: You need your Steam64 ID for the Owner command. A public listed server also needs a GSLT created for Steam app ID 304930.
• Network access: For a private group, friends can use a 17-digit Server Code. Public hosting requires Fake IP or router port forwarding and firewall access.
• Administrative access: You must be able to edit the U3DS folder and, for direct hosting, change the router and host firewall.
• Backups: Keep a copy of the server’s Servers/<ServerID> folder before changing maps, Workshop content, or plugins.

A wired connection from the host to the router can reduce wireless instability, but a cable does not replace port-forwarding or firewall configuration.

Should I install U3DS through Steam or SteamCMD?

Use the Steam Library app when you want the least complicated private setup. Use SteamCMD when you need a scriptable installation, Linux support, unattended updates, several instances, or service-manager automation.

Method	Best for	Trade-offs
Steam Library U3DS	One private server on Windows	Easy graphical installation and launching; less convenient for repeatable or headless administration.
SteamCMD	Linux, multiple servers, scripted updates, or a dedicated machine	Requires a shell and manual launch scripts, but gives predictable paths and automation.

How do I install U3DS with SteamCMD?

SteamCMD installs U3DS with Steam application ID 1110390. The following commands work from a SteamCMD prompt or a script that launches SteamCMD.

1. Install SteamCMD for your operating system and open its command prompt.
2. Sign in anonymously by entering login anonymous.
3. Install or update the dedicated server with app_update 1110390.
4. Exit with quit.

SteamCMD places the files in its steamapps/common/U3DS directory. On Windows, the same files can be managed through the Steam Library U3DS app. Do not install only the ordinary Unturned client and expect it to provide the server executable; U3DS is a separate tool.

How do I create my first server instance?

Each named instance gets its own folder and settings. Replace MyServer below with a short name that contains no accidental spacing or punctuation.

1. Windows: open the U3DS directory and run ServerHelper.bat +InternetServer/MyServer for an internet server or ServerHelper.bat +LanServer/MyServer for a LAN-only server.
2. Linux: from the U3DS directory run ./ServerHelper.sh +InternetServer/MyServer or ./ServerHelper.sh +LanServer/MyServer. Ensure the script has execute permission if Linux reports a permission error.
3. Wait for the first launch to finish. U3DS creates U3DS/Servers/MyServer and its configuration files.
4. Stop the process before editing settings. Most configuration changes are not applied safely while the server is running.

You can create additional instances by using different names, such as Events and Survival. Give each instance its own port and resource plan when running them simultaneously.

Which files control an Unturned server?

The instance folder is the main administration area. Most day-to-day work happens in U3DS/Servers/<ServerID>/.

• Server/Commands.dat: one command per line for the name, map, player limit, owner, password, perspective, port, and other startup settings.
• Config.txt or Config.json: detailed gameplay and server configuration exposed by the current U3DS build.
• WorkshopDownloadConfig.json: Workshop map, mod, and dependency download declarations.
• Save and world data: the files U3DS writes for player and map progress. Include the entire instance directory in backups.

Use a plain-text editor. Keep one setting per line in Commands.dat, preserve the spelling shown by U3DS, and make a backup before large edits.

What should I put in Commands.dat?

A practical starter configuration is shown below. Replace the owner value and password before anyone connects.

Name My Unturned Server
Map PEI
MaxPlayers 24
Owner YOUR_STEAM64_ID
Password ChangeThisPassword
PvE
Perspective Both
Port 27015

• Name: the display name players see.
• Map: the initial map, such as PEI. Confirm that any custom map is installed before selecting it.
• MaxPlayers: the connection limit. A higher value increases CPU, memory, and upload demand as more players and objects are active.
• Owner: your 64-bit Steam ID, which grants owner-level administration.
• Password: a private-server password. Use a new, non-reused password rather than the example.
• PvE: enables player-versus-environment rules. Omit it when you want the normal player-versus-player experience.
• Perspective: Both permits first- and third-person views. Choose the policy your group wants.
• Port: the primary game port. The default is 27015.

Add Cheats only when administrators intentionally want cheat commands. Leaving it out is safer for a normal survival server. After editing, save the file and restart U3DS so the process reads the new values.

How can friends join without port forwarding?

For a small private group, use the Server Code method. U3DS generates a 17-digit Server Code that friends can enter or use through the game’s invite flow. It does not require router port forwarding, which makes it useful when the host is behind a restrictive router or carrier-grade NAT.

The code normally changes after every restart. Send the current code again whenever you stop and start the server, and do not treat it as a permanent address. Server Code access is intended for invited players rather than public discovery.

How do I make an Unturned server visible on the internet?

A public listed server needs a valid Game Server Login Token (GSLT). The hosting reference requires a GSLT for server-list visibility beginning with Unturned version 3.21.31.0; create the token for Steam app ID 304930 and keep it private. A token identifies the server to Steam; it does not open ports by itself.

After adding the token according to the current U3DS configuration labels, choose one of two network paths:

Access method	How it works	When to choose it
Fake IP	Uses a relay-style address so players can reach the server without exposing a home router’s direct address.	Useful when direct forwarding is unavailable or you prefer not to publish the host’s public IP.
Router port forwarding	Maps the router’s public ports to the host computer’s private LAN address and allows the traffic through the firewall.	Best when you control the router and want direct IP networking.

Follow the current U3DS labels for enabling Fake IP, because the exact placement can change with game updates. For direct hosting, reserve the host’s LAN address in the router if possible; otherwise a DHCP change can silently break the rule.

How do I forward Unturned’s ports?

The default port is 27015, and the query traffic uses the next consecutive port, 27016. If you change the Port command, the query port moves to the next number as well.

1. Find the host computer’s private LAN address, such as 192.168.1.25, in the operating system’s network information.
2. Log in to the router and create forwarding rules from the public interface to that LAN address.
3. Forward both 27015 and 27016.
4. Enable both TCP and UDP for each rule when the router offers protocol selection; the hosting instructions recommend allowing both.
5. Allow U3DS or the selected ports through the host firewall on the relevant private and public profiles.
6. Restart U3DS and test from a different network, such as a phone hotspot. Testing from inside the same LAN can produce misleading results because some routers do not support NAT loopback.

Carrier-grade NAT, an ISP-blocked inbound connection, double NAT, or a managed apartment network can make forwarding impossible even when the router rules look correct. In those cases, use Server Code, Fake IP, or a managed host that supplies a reachable address.

How do I add Unturned Workshop maps and mods?

Place Workshop file IDs in WorkshopDownloadConfig.json inside the correct server instance. U3DS downloads the listed items and their dependencies during startup; joining players then download the required content automatically through Steam.

1. Stop the server and back up the instance folder.
2. Open WorkshopDownloadConfig.json with a text editor.
3. Add each Workshop item’s numeric file ID using the JSON structure supplied by the current U3DS template. Keep valid commas, quotation marks, and brackets.
4. Save the file and start U3DS. Watch the console for download or dependency errors.
5. Wait for downloads to complete before inviting players. A client missing a required item may be unable to join or may load the map incorrectly.

Workshop updates can alter gameplay or break dependencies. Change one item at a time when troubleshooting, and record the IDs and versions used by your group. A map change is a high-risk operation: back up the existing world before switching and verify that the new map is compatible with the installed content.

Do I need plugins, and which plugin framework is maintained?

No plugin is required for a vanilla server. Plugins add administration or gameplay features but introduce another compatibility layer that must be checked after every Unturned update.

The maintained Rocket fork is Legally Distinct Missile (LDM). To install it, copy the Rocket.Unturned folder from the game’s Extras directory into the U3DS Modules directory, then restart and inspect the console for load errors. Confirm that each plugin supports the current game build; an outdated plugin can cause startup failures, exceptions, or exploit exposure. Remove the newest plugin first when a previously stable server breaks after an update.

How do I save, shut down, and back up the server?

U3DS has no built-in autosave. Always save explicitly before stopping the process.

1. From the server console or an authorized administration interface, run Save.
2. Wait for the save operation to finish and confirm that the console has returned to an idle state.
3. Run Shutdown rather than closing the terminal or killing the process.
4. Copy U3DS/Servers/<ServerID> to a separate drive or backup location.

Keep dated backups before map changes, Workshop changes, plugin installation, and major configuration edits. A backup is useful only if it is stored outside the live instance and can be restored; periodically test a restore on a spare instance.

Why can nobody connect to my Unturned server?

Check the failure in the order below, starting with the simplest causes.

• Server not running: confirm the U3DS console remains open and has finished startup without an error.
• Wrong access method: a Server Code is temporary and usually changes after restart; send the current code.
• Incorrect address: for forwarding, use the public IP and the configured game port, not the host’s private address.
• Port mismatch: verify Port in Commands.dat and forward that port plus the next consecutive query port.
• Firewall block: allow U3DS and both TCP and UDP traffic on the selected ports.
• Double NAT or carrier-grade NAT: inspect whether the router itself has a private WAN address. Ask the ISP for a public address or use Fake IP/Server Code.
• GSLT or listing problem: check that the token was created for app ID 304930, is entered correctly, and that the server build meets the version-3.21.31.0 listing requirement.
• Workshop mismatch: compare the server’s file IDs with the player’s downloads and remove the newest item to isolate a dependency failure.
• Plugin crash: temporarily move the latest plugin out of Modules, restart, and confirm whether vanilla U3DS starts.

What Windows and Linux administration differences matter?

Windows is usually simpler for a first server because ServerHelper.bat can be launched from File Explorer or a command prompt and the firewall has a graphical interface. Linux is preferable for a headless machine or automated service: use ServerHelper.sh, shell scripts, log rotation, and a service manager to restart the process after maintenance. In either system, use absolute paths in automation, keep the server account separate from unrelated services, and never expose administrative credentials in a public script.

What hosting approach should I choose?

Goal	Recommended setup	Reason
Weekend group with friends	Steam U3DS plus Server Code	Fastest setup and no router changes; resend the code after restarts.
Public community server from home	U3DS, GSLT, and Fake IP or forwarding	Supports listing and persistent access, but requires network and firewall administration.
Linux dedicated machine	SteamCMD, scripted launch, GSLT, and automated backups	Repeatable updates and headless operation.
Several worlds or event servers	Separate U3DS instances with distinct names and ports	Each instance has isolated settings and saves.
Custom administration or gameplay	Vanilla first, then LDM and compatible plugins	Start with fewer failure points and add features one at a time.

What rules apply if I monetize a server?

Review Unturned’s current Server Hosting Rules before accepting donations, selling access, or offering perks. Set the server’s monetization filter accurately: choose None when there is no monetization or when you accept donations only. Choose NonGameplay only when the server meets the permitted-form requirements. Do not advertise a monetization category that does not match what players can buy.

What is a reliable first-day operating checklist?

• Launch once with no mods and confirm that the selected map loads.
• Join locally or with a Server Code before configuring public access.
• Grant ownership only to trusted Steam64 IDs.
• Set a strong password while the server is private.
• Save, shut down cleanly, and verify that the world persists after a restart.
• Back up the entire instance folder.
• Add Workshop items one at a time and test a client connection after each group.
• Add plugins only after the vanilla server is stable.
• For public listing, configure the GSLT, test from outside the home network, and record the forwarding and firewall rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host an Unturned server from the same PC I use to play?

Yes. U3DS is separate from the game client, so the same computer can run both if it has enough CPU, memory, and upload capacity. Test with a low player limit first and watch for bandwidth or frame-time problems when many entities are active.

Does an Unturned Server Code stay the same forever?

No. The 17-digit code normally changes whenever the server restarts. Treat it as a temporary invitation method and send the newly displayed code to friends after maintenance.

Why is my server running but missing from the public list?

A public listing requires a valid GSLT, and the requirement applies beginning with version 3.21.31.0. Verify the token’s Steam app ID is 304930, then check that the server can reach Steam and that its listing and network settings are not limited to LAN mode.

Can players join a modded server without manually installing every mod?

U3DS downloads Workshop items declared in WorkshopDownloadConfig.json during startup, and joining players normally receive the required content through Steam. Broken IDs, missing dependencies, or a client that has stale Workshop files can still prevent a connection.

What should I do before changing the server map?

Run Save, shut down with Shutdown, and copy the complete Servers/ folder to a separate backup location. Test the new map with the existing Workshop and plugin set before opening the server to the whole community.