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Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Troubleshooting

Sons of the Forest Guide • Updated Aug 29, 2026

Sons of the Forest Dedicated Server Troubleshooting

Work from the symptom and change one thing at a time. The official server uses a JSON dedicatedserver.cfg, an Endnight user-data directory, and UDP ports 8766, 27016, and 9700.

Players cannot see or join the server

  1. Confirm the process is running and the server is not LanOnly.
  2. Open UDP 8766, 27016, and 9700 in the host firewall and provider panel; home servers also need router forwarding.
  3. Check the public address and the external port shown by the provider.
  4. Test from outside the server network.
  5. Confirm client and server builds are compatible.

See the full port guide for the separate home-hosting and managed-host cases.

Server starts with the wrong settings

  • Confirm the service's -userdatapath and working directory.
  • Open the active dedicatedserver.cfg, not a copied ServerSettings.ini.
  • Validate JSON and preserve keys generated by the current build.
  • Check that command-line options or a control panel are not overriding the file.

Performance and disconnects

SymptomEvidence to collect
All players rubber-bandHost CPU, RAM, storage latency, packet loss, logs, and UDP reachability.
One player has low FPSThat client's graphics settings, drivers, and local hardware.
Lag near a large buildReproduce on a copy and compare host load with client FPS.
Issue began after a patch or modBuild numbers, plugin list, logs, and a clean-server reproduction.

Do not paste unsupported MaxAICount, DrawDistance, or TickRate keys. Use the supported performance guide and hardware sizing guide.

Save rollback or missing progress

  1. Stop the server and preserve the current data directory.
  2. Check the active user-data path, save slot, and SaveMode.
  3. Confirm the save interval elapsed before the session ended.
  4. Restore a dated backup to a copy and test it privately.

See save locations, backup management, and save-sync troubleshooting.

Startup or update failure

  • Check disk space and file permissions.
  • Validate the dedicated-server app through SteamCMD or the provider's supported updater.
  • Read the official patch note and update clients and server together.
  • Remove third-party plugins from a test copy before reporting a base-server crash.

Administration boundary

The official SOTF server documentation does not provide RCON. Use the generated JSON, ownerswhitelist.txt, the join password, the process/service manager, and supported panel controls. Do not use generic Minecraft or The Forest commands as a substitute.

Related guides

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