Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Setup (SteamCMD)

Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Setup

This is the clean first-boot path for a Sons of the Forest dedicated server. The official server guide uses SteamCMD app 2465200, starts the server with StartSOTFDedicated.bat, and stores the server configuration and saves in the Endnight user-data directory. Use the server configuration reference for the JSON settings after the first launch.

1. Install the dedicated server

Install SteamCMD from Valve, create a directory for the server, and download the dedicated-server app anonymously. On Windows, run the following from the SteamCMD directory:

steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\sotf-server +login anonymous +app_update 2465200 validate +quit

The exact install path can differ on a managed host. The important parts are the dedicated-server app ID and a repeatable update command. Do not copy a Java, Linux, or ServerSettings.ini recipe from another game into this installation.

2. Start it once

From the installed server directory, run StartSOTFDedicated.bat. A first launch creates the user-data directory and configuration files. Stop the process after it has created them, then edit the generated configuration instead of creating an unrelated INI file.

3. Find the server data

By default, the official guide places data under:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS

That directory contains dedicatedserver.cfg, ownerswhitelist.txt, saves, and the SonsGameSettings data. If you want the data somewhere else, use the documented -userdatapath launch option and back up the new location consistently.

4. Configure a private first test

Open dedicatedserver.cfg as JSON. This small example changes only identity, access, and the save slot:

{
  "IpAddress": "0.0.0.0",
  "GamePort": 8766,
  "QueryPort": 27016,
  "BlobSyncPort": 9700,
  "ServerName": "My Sons of the Forest Server",
  "MaxPlayers": 8,
  "Password": "change-this",
  "LanOnly": false,
  "SaveSlot": 1,
  "SaveMode": "Continue",
  "GameMode": "Normal",
  "SaveInterval": 600,
  "LogFilesEnabled": true
}

Keep the JSON valid, preserve keys generated by the current server build, and restart after edits. MaxPlayers is an integer from 1 through 8; a provider's marketing page cannot raise the game's documented limit.

5. Open the required ports

Allow all three documented UDP ports through the host firewall, router (for a home server), and provider panel:

# Windows PowerShell, run as Administrator
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SOTF Game" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 8766 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SOTF Query" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 27016 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SOTF Blob Sync" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 9700 -Action Allow

See Sons of the Forest port forwarding for router and hosted-server checks. A hosted server normally needs provider-side firewall rules, not port forwarding on your home router.

6. Give owners access

ownerswhitelist.txt is an owner list: put one Steam ID per line and keep the file private. It is not a normal player whitelist. For a private group, use the JSON Password; see owners, passwords, and server access for the distinction.

There is no official RCON interface

Do not add an invented RconPort, RconPassword, or EnableRcon section. The official dedicated-server configuration guide does not document RCON for Sons of the Forest. Use the server process, the config file, the owners list, and your hosting panel's supported controls.

First-boot checklist

1. Start the server with the same data path you intend to back up.
2. Join with one test account and confirm the name, password, and player limit.
3. Save, stop, and restart the server; confirm the world and player progress remain.
4. Back up the complete SonsOfTheForestDS data directory before updating.
5. Invite the rest of the group only after the external join test succeeds.

Official reference

The official Sons of the Forest dedicated-server configuration guide is the source of truth for the current file names, ports, JSON keys, and launch options. It can change with a server update, so check it again before copying a new recipe.

Prefer a managed setup? Launch a Sons of the Forest server with Supercraft and keep updates, backups, and the data path in one panel.