Short answers to the questions Sons of the Forest server owners ask most on PlayNHost. Each links to the full guide.
Getting started
How do I know the server is ready? The Console shows #DSL Dedicated server loaded. and the badge turns Online. A new island takes a few minutes the first time. Full guide
How do my friends join? In the game's multiplayer menu, they connect directly with the Server Address (IP:port) from the Overview page and type the Server Password. Full guide
Where is the password? Settings, Game Settings, Server Password. Every new server has its own. Full guide
How many players can join? Up to 8 at once, the game's own limit. Your plan sets Player Slots. Full guide
Does the server need its own copy of the game? No. The dedicated server is a free download from Steam that your server installs itself. Each player needs their own copy of Sons of the Forest. Full guide
Which ports does it use? Three UDP ports, assigned to your server. Players only type the game port, which is part of the Server Address. Full guide
Why is my server not in the server list? It may still be loading, or the list has not refreshed. Join directly with the address. Full guide
Worlds and saves
Does the server save when I stop it? Count on the automatic save every 10 minutes instead. In PlayNHost's tests a stop or restart from the panel did not save first, so wait 10 minutes after the last change before you stop. Full guide
Does time pass when nobody is online? Not on a new server: the clock stops while nobody is connected. You can change that in serverconfig/dedicatedserver.cfg. Full guide
Can I keep more than one island? Yes, up to 30, one per Save Slot. Change the slot and restart to switch. Full guide
Can I bring my own world? Open a ticket with the zipped save and support helps you move it into a free save slot. Endnight documents no way to move a save, so this is done together rather than by a fixed set of steps. Full guide
How do I start over? Pick an unused Save Slot to keep the old island, or run World Reset on Quick Tasks to delete every save. Full guide
Why did changing Difficulty do nothing? It only applies when a new world is created. Full guide
How do I back up the island? Backups, Start backup. A backup holds every save slot, your settings, the owner list and mods. Full guide
Admins and players
How do I become admin? Add your SteamID64 to serverconfig/ownerswhitelist.txt and restart. Owners manage players from the game's pause menu, under Players. Full guide
Can I kick or ban from the panel? No. Owners kick and ban from the pause menu in the game. The Console takes no commands for this game. Full guide
Can a friend help run the server? Make them an owner in ownerswhitelist.txt, or invite them to the panel with Invite people. Full guide
Mods and updates
Can I run mods? Yes, RedLoader mods. Switch RedLoader mod loader on in the Modding tab and upload each .dll to Mods. Full guide
Does the server update itself? Yes, at every start while Auto Update is on. Restart after a game patch so it installs it. Full guide
Does it restart by itself? No. Add a daily Send Restart schedule on Quick Tasks if you want one. Full guide
How much RAM does it need? Endnight gives no figure. On PlayNHost, 4 GB was not enough to generate an island. Full guide
Something not working? Sons of the Forest server problems and fixes. More about the game on PlayNHost: Sons of the Forest server hosting.
