How to Make a Sons of the Forest Server with SteamCMD

Prepare the installation

This guide targets the Windows dedicated server documented by Endnight. Create an unprivileged service account, separate SteamCMD and server directories, and a stable LAN address. For an existing instance, stop and copy its user-data directory, especially Saves, dedicatedserver.cfg and ownerswhitelist.txt.

The default user-data path is:

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

Override it with -userdatapath "D:\SOTF-data" if needed. Back up this path, not only binaries installed by SteamCMD.

Install and perform the first launch

Configure dedicatedserver.cfg

Adapt this minimal example:

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

JSON permits no comments or comma after the last field. Strings stay quoted; numbers and booleans do not. The server refuses invalid JSON and normally reports the offending setting.

Open ports and pass the self-test

Allow all three over UDP in Windows Firewall and forward them to the host when behind a router. On startup, self-test checks configuration, public IPv4 and reachability. Fix its reported cause before enabling SkipNetworkAccessibilityTest.

That option may be needed when a router lacks NAT loopback/hairpin support, but bypassing does not open a port. Test immediately from an external network. For a private LAN, enable LanOnly and retain local firewall rules.

Validate, back up and update

Before updating, stop and archive user data. Run the same SteamCMD command, start privately and verify the save. Direct edits to StartSOTFDedicated.bat may be replaced by validation; keep custom arguments in a separate wrapper.

Frequently asked questions