Satisfactory dedicated server: Setup and requirements

Looking to enhance your Satisfactory gaming experience? Then running a dedicated Satisfactory server has probably crossed your mind. Creating a dedicated gaming server allows you to host your own game that stays active 24/7, and set an admin password to improve security.

The Satisfactory dedicated server setup process isn’t complex, but it does require several tools and steps to be done correctly. Below, we’re going to walk you through those steps and tools as well as help ensure you have the proper system requirements to run your Satisfactory dedicated server commands.

Why use a dedicated server for Satisfactory?

A dedicated server gets its name because the server’s resources are dedicated to one platform. This could be a gaming platform, website, or software application. The primary reason you would want a dedicated server for Satisfactory is to host private games. Spinning up your own server protected by an admin password allows for faster gameplay, less latency, and fewer disconnection issues. 

Creating a dedicated gaming server for Satisfactory has other additional benefits, such as 24/7 access to the dedicated Satisfactory server. In traditional private games, the game ends as soon as the host logs off, but when you create your own cloud dedicated server to play Satisfactory, all users can access that server with a password, even without the host present. This makes it much easier to create a custom Satisfactory map and play with your friends, regardless of everyone’s location.

Satisfactory dedicated server system requirements

Before we get into how to make a Satisfactory server, we need to ensure you’re set up for success. Not having the proper system requirements will doom your Satisfactory server project before it even begins. The Satisfactory dedicated server requirements to bring your server online are the following:

• Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit or later or a supported Linux distribution like Ubuntu or Debian. Windows Server editions (like Windows Server 2019) are also compatible.
• Processor: The minimum required processor for running a Satisfactory dedicated server should realistically be the Intel i5-3570 (3.4 GHz, 4 cores). This processor provides the baseline performance necessary to run the server with a small number of players and a modest factory setup. To ensure smoother performance, especially with larger factories and more players, a more modern and powerful CPU like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or similar would be preferable. These newer CPUs offer better multi-threading and efficiency, which can handle the more demanding aspects of Satisfactory’s gameplay and server load.
• Memory: 12 GB RAM minimum.16 GB is recommended for larger saves or hosting more than four players. Larger factories or more players can demand even more than 16 GB of RAM for optimal performance.
• Storage: 15 GB is the minimum for server files. Additional space is required to save files, logs, and potential mods. It’s recommended to allocate at least 50 GB of free space to ensure smooth operation over time.
• Graphics: 2 GB dedicated graphics card (for local testing), but in general, a graphics card is not required to run a dedicated Satisfactory server since it operates headlessly (without graphical output).

You will also want to ensure your internet connection can handle the Satisfactory gameplay. A weak connection could result in lagging or complete disconnection from the gaming platform. 

8 steps to setting up a private dedicated Satisfactory server

Once you’ve set up your system to meet or exceed the minimum requirements, you can build your Satisfactory dedicated server. Steam or Epic Games provides an easy way to download and update the Satisfactory dedicated server software. Once installed, the server operates independently and manages all communication with connected players. The player’s Satisfactory game is the “client,” and the dedicated server software is the “server. 

If you’re setting up a Satisfactory dedicated server locally on your own machine or a local network, you will not need a remote connection. However, if you’re hosting on a remote machine (such as a cloud-based server), you’ll need to choose a hosting provider like Liquid Web, AWS, or Google Cloud. You’ll also need to have a remote desktop connection. 

For this guide, we’ll go through the steps of hosting the dedicated server and establishing a remote connection.

Step 1: Establishing a remote connection

For a Windows server:

1. Use Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to access the server:
2. Open Remote Desktop Connection on your local computer.
3. Enter the IP address of your server and login credentials.

For a Linux server, use SSH to connect. Open the terminal and type:

username@<server-ip-address>

Step 2: Install the Satisfactory server software

If you’re on a Windows server, here’s how to do that using Steam:

1. Install Steam on your Liquid Web server.
2. Log in to the Steam account used to purchase Satisfactory.
3. Go to the Library, then select Tools.
4. Search for Satisfactory Dedicated Server and install it.

If you’re on a Linux server:

1. Open the Terminal.
2. Install SteamCMD:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd

3. Download the Satisfactory server:

steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir
/path/to/server +app_update 1690800 validate +

Step 3: Open ports and configure the firewall

To allow players to connect to your Satisfactory dedicated server, you need to ensure the required ports are open and accessible. The required ports are:

• Game port (UDP 7777): This port handles player connections to the game world. It’s the primary port for gameplay data. For example, when a player moves or builds something, this data is transmitted over the Game port.
• Query port (UDP 15777): The Query port allows players to see the server’s details (e.g., server name, player count, and session status) in the game’s Server Manager. When a player searches for your server in the game, the Query port delivers server information.

Optionally, you can open the Beacon Port (UDP 15000). This is used for server discovery when hosting multiple servers on the same machine. If you’re running only one server, this port is not mandatory but recommended for broader compatibility.

Next, you’ll need to open your server’s firewall settings to allow inbound traffic for the ports to enable players to connect.

For Windows servers (using Windows Defender Firewall):

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall and click on Advanced Settings in the left sidebar to open the firewall configuration tool.
2. In the left sidebar, click Inbound Rules.
3. On the right, select New Rule, then in the wizard, choose Port and click Next.
4. Select UDP as the protocol, choose Specific local ports, enter 7777, 15777, 15000, and click Next.
5. Choose Allow the connection and click Next.
6. Select all options (Domain, Private, and Public) to ensure the server is accessible in any network environment then click Next.
7. Give the rule a descriptive name, e.g., Satisfactory Server Ports, then click Finish.
8. Repeat for Outbound rules (if required) to ensure data can be sent out through these ports.

For Linux servers (using UFW):

1. On Linux, the firewall is often managed with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall). You’ll need to enable UFW (if not already enabled):

sudo ufw enable

2. Allow UDP Ports:

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 15777/udp
sudo ufw allow 15000/udp

3. Verify UFW status:

sudo ufw status

You should see the allowed ports listed.

Step 4: Launch the Satisfactory server

For Windows, launch the Satisfactory Dedicated Server application and wait for the server console to initialize.

For Linux, navigate to the server installation directory (cd /path/to/server) then run the server (./FactoryServer.sh).

Step 4: Configure the server in Satisfactory 

Satisfactory’s Dedicated Server is currently fully supported only in the Experimental version of the game. This version includes the latest server management features, bug fixes, and compatibility improvements.

To enable experimental mode on Steam:

1. Open your Steam library.
2. Right-click Satisfactory and select Properties.
3. In the Betas tab, select Experimental from the dropdown.
4. Wait for the game to update to the Experimental version.

If you’re using the Epic Games Launcher:

1. Open the Epic Games Launcher.
2. Locate Satisfactory in your library.
3. Click the three dots next to the game and select Manage Versions.
4. Enable the Experimental version and apply changes.
5. Allow the game to update.

To link your dedicated server to your game client, you must manually add it in the Server Manager by entering its IP address and Query port.

In the Server Manager, click Add Server. Enter the following:

• Public IP address of your cloud server (e.g., from Liquid Web). You can find this in the dashboard of your hosting provider.
• Enter 15777 (the default Query Port for Satisfactory).

After that, set a server name and admin password. And now, just share the IP address and password with your players so they can join.

Advanced server configuration and optimization

Security setup

Security should be your first priority when setting up a dedicated server. Here’s how to keep your Satisfactory server safe:

• Set up a firewall to control incoming connections
• Enable DDoS protection to prevent malicious attacks (especially important for public servers)
• Create an IP whitelist if you’re running a private server with friends
• Use strong passwords for admin access and share them securely with trusted players

Port forwarding setup

If you want to make your game server accessible to players outside your local network, you need to set up port forwarding for the necessary Satisfactory ports (Game Port, Query Port, or Beacon Port):

• Access your hosting provider’s firewall settings
• Navigate to the incoming connections section
• Add rules to allow traffic through each required port
• Verify the rules are active
• Remember to update port forwarding if you change your local IP address

It’s important to remember that each open port creates direct pathways through your network’s firewall to allow outside connections to reach your server. Only forward the ports you absolutely need and remove any unused port forwards to maintain security.

Internal & external IP setup

A proper IP setup ensures your server remains stable and accessible, and here are some ways to do that:

• Configure a static internal IP for your server to prevent local address changes
• Consider setting up a static external IP if your ISP provides dynamic IPs
• Use DNS services to create an easy-to-remember domain name for your server
• Keep your IP configuration documented for troubleshooting

Why choose Liquid Web for your dedicated Satisfactory server

Running a successful Satisfactory server requires more than just meeting minimum requirements – it needs a hosting partner that understands gaming infrastructure. At Liquid Web, we’ve optimized our hosting solutions specifically for gaming servers, delivering the performance and reliability your players deserve.

Our gaming-optimized hosting includes:

• High-performance hardware that exceeds Satisfactory’s requirements
• Reliable network infrastructure with minimal latency for smooth gameplay
• Advanced DDoS protection to keep your server secure
• Flexible scaling options to accommodate your growing player base
• 24/7/365 support from our Most Helpful Humans in Hosting

Need additional features like enhanced DDoS protection? Contact our support team, who will work with you to customize a solution that fits your specific requirements without unnecessary overhead costs.

FAQs

1. How much RAM does a Satisfactory dedicated server need?

According to Satisfactory’s minimum requirements, your system will need at least 8 GB of RAM to run the platform’s basic gameplay. However, the requirements differ if you want to create your own Satisfactory dedicated server. Users looking to establish their own server will need a minimum of 12 GB of RAM. If you’re looking to host more than four players on your server, or if you need to import larger Satisfactory save files, Epic Games recommends a system with 16 GB of RAM.

2. How much does a dedicated server for Satisfactory cost?

As gaming trends change and Satisfactory becomes more popular, you may want to add more capability to your server – to accommodate a larger party or larger file storage. Server costs typically start around $100 per month, varying based on resources needed. Liquid Web’s Intel Xeon 1230V6 hosting plan, starting at $199 per month, provides excellent performance for Satisfactory servers.

3. Can I install mods on my Satisfactory dedicated server?

Yes, you can install mods on your dedicated server. However, ensure all players have the same mods installed to maintain compatibility.

4. Can I upload an existing save?

Yes, you can transfer existing saved files to your dedicated server. Place the save file in the appropriate server directory and select it when creating your game world.

Related Resources

P2P vs Dedicated Server: Pros and Cons

What Are Dedicated Game Servers?

Guide To Starting a Gaming Server

DDoS Game Protection: How To Protect & How To Avoid Attacks