How to Host a Squad Dedicated Server (2026 Setup Guide)

To host a Squad dedicated server, download it with SteamCMD (app ID 403240, anonymous login works), configure the files in SquadGame/ServerConfig/ (mainly Server.cfg, Admins.cfg and the layer rotation), open the game, query and beacon ports, and start SquadGameServer with Port=7787 QueryPort=27165. Without an Offworld license the server appears under Custom Servers in the browser, not the main list, which is fine for clan training, events and modded play.

Squad is one of the heavier servers to run: two teams of up to 50, big maps, vehicles and deployables. Budget around 8 GB of RAM for private training, 12 GB for a public server with 80 to 100 players and 16 GB for heavy mods.

What you need

• SteamCMD and plenty of free disk. The server install runs to tens of gigabytes and grows with updates and mods.
• A machine with a strong CPU and enough RAM. Squad's server simulates a lot every tick, and single core speed matters.
• Open ports (table below).
• Your SteamID64 for admin rights.

Step 1: Download the server

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\servers\squad +login anonymous +app_update 403240 validate +quit

The same command updates the server. Run it after every Squad patch, because clients cannot join an outdated server.

Step 2: The start command

Windows:

SquadGameServer.exe Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 FIXEDMAXTICKRATE=50 RANDOM=ALWAYS -log

Linux:

./SquadGameServer.sh Port=7787 QueryPort=27165 FIXEDMAXTICKRATE=50 RANDOM=ALWAYS -log

The beacon port (15000 by default, set with beaconport=) is used for LAN discovery.

Step 3: Edit Server.cfg

SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg holds the core settings. The ones you set first:

ServerName="[TAG] Clan Training | Friendly"
ShouldAdvertise=true
IsLANMatch=false
MaxPlayers=80
NumReservedSlots=2
PublicQueueLimit=25
AllowTeamChanges=true
PreventTeamChangeIfUnbalanced=true
EnforceTeamBalance=true
TKAutoKickEnabled=true
RecordDemos=false

ShouldAdvertise must be true for the server to be listed at all. NumReservedSlots holds slots for admins and members with the reserve permission. MaxPlayers tops out at 100.

Step 4: Add yourself as admin

Open SquadGame/ServerConfig/Admins.cfg and add a group and yourself:

Group=Owner:changemap,pause,cheat,private,balance,chat,kick,ban,config,cameraman,immune,manageserver,featuretest,reserve,demos,clientdemos,debug,teamchange,forceteamchange,canseeadminchat
Admin=76561198000000000:Owner // you

Restart, join, and the admin commands work from the console. Our guide on adding admins to a Squad server covers every permission, sensible staff groups and the commands themselves.

Step 5: Set the rotation

Squad plays layers, a map plus a game mode and factions, such as Narva_AAS_v1. Put the layers you want, one per line, in LayerRotation.cfg, and set the rotation mode in Server.cfg. Layer names change between game versions, so copy them from the current game rather than an old list, or the server skips them. A shorter rotation of layers your group enjoys beats a long list nobody votes for.

Other files in the same folder worth knowing: MOTD.cfg for the message of the day, ServerMessages.cfg for rotating broadcast messages, Bans.cfg for bans and Rcon.cfg for remote admin tools.

Step 6: Open the ports

Forward them to the server machine and allow them through the firewall. If you change Port, forward that number and the one after it. Our port forwarding guide covers routers.

Step 7: Find it in the browser

Players open Server Browser, switch to Custom Servers (unlicensed servers live there), tick Show Empty Servers, and search the name. Squad has no simple join by IP in game, so the browser or Steam's server favorites is how everyone gets in. If it is missing, see our Squad server list fix guide.

Mods and licensing

Workshop mods download with SteamCMD against the game's app ID (393380) and go in SquadGame/Plugins/Mods/. Players missing a mod get a Download All prompt when they join. Big total conversions pause for engine updates now and then, so confirm a mod is current before you plan an event around it.

Licensing is Offworld's program for servers in the main browser tab. It comes with requirements for admin teams and rules. Most private and modded servers never apply and run happily under Custom Servers.

Hosted instead

Squad's size is exactly why many communities rent rather than run it at home. A GamezServers Squad server installs app 403240 for you with the ports assigned. The panel sets the server name, max players, reserved slots, team change rules, team balance, teamkill auto kick, demo recording and whether the server is advertised, and takes Workshop item IDs as a comma separated list (reinstall to download them). Admins.cfg, the rotation and messages are in the file manager, and plans change as your population grows. A clan can split the bill, up to 10 people each paying their share.

FAQ

What is the Squad dedicated server app ID?

403240. Download it with SteamCMD using anonymous login.

What ports does a Squad server need?

UDP 7787 and 7788 for the game, UDP 27165 for the query and UDP 15000 for the beacon. TCP 21114 only if you use RCON.

Why is my Squad server only under Custom Servers?

Unlicensed servers are listed there. The main tab is for servers licensed by Offworld.

How many players can a Squad server hold?

Up to 100, as two teams of 50, set with MaxPlayers in Server.cfg.

Can players join a Squad server by IP?

Not from the game menu. They find it in the server browser or add it to favorites in Steam's server list.