How to Host an Astroneer Dedicated Server (2026 Guide)

To host an Astroneer dedicated server, download app 728470 with SteamCMD, run AstroServer.exe once, then set PublicIP, ServerName, OwnerName and ServerPassword in AstroServerSettings.ini and Port=8777 under [URL] in Engine.ini. Open UDP 8777. Friends join with Add Dedicated Server and your IP:8777. A server holds up to 8 players, and if it runs with encryption off, every player must turn it off too.

What do you need to host an Astroneer server?

Astroneer's dedicated server is a Windows program. It is light at the start, but memory grows as bases expand, automation chains get longer and the terrain gets dug up.

World	RAM	Notes
A few friends on a new save	4 GB	Plenty for early game
Full crew of 8	6 GB	Comfortable for most groups
Long running save with big automated bases	8 GB	Old saves with lots of terrain changes weigh more

The cap is 8 players, set by the game. Everyone needs their own copy of Astroneer on PC. Xbox, PlayStation and Switch players cannot join a self hosted server: console crossplay only works on servers from Astroneer's approved hosting partner, so plan a self hosted server around PC players on Steam and the Microsoft Store.

Astroneer base with rovers and production modules on a dedicated server

How do I install the Astroneer dedicated server?

Install SteamCMD and download the server:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\AstroServer +login anonymous +app_update 728470 validate +quit

Run AstroServer.exe once and close it after it finishes starting. This creates the config folder:

Astro\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\

Edit AstroServerSettings.ini and Engine.ini in that folder (next sections).
Allow UDP 8777 through Windows Firewall and forward it on your router if you host at home.
Start the server again.

System Era's own dedicated server guide walks through the same steps with screenshots.

How do I set up AstroServerSettings.ini?

The important keys sit under the server settings section:

[/Script/Astro.AstroServerSettings]
PublicIP=203.0.113.10
ServerName=Crew Base Alpha
ServerPassword=change-me
OwnerName=YourSteamName
OwnerGuid=0
MaximumPlayerCount=8
AutoSaveGameInterval=900
BackupSaveGamesInterval=7200
DenyUnlistedPlayers=False
ActiveSaveFileDescriptiveName=SAVE_1

Key	What it does
`PublicIP`	Your public IP address. Required, the server will not register without it
`ServerName`	Name shown to players
`ServerPassword`	Join password
`OwnerName`	The exact Steam name of the owner
`OwnerGuid`	The owner's ID. Leave `0` and the first player who joins with `OwnerName` becomes owner
`MaximumPlayerCount`	Up to 8
`AutoSaveGameInterval`	Seconds between autosaves
`BackupSaveGamesInterval`	Seconds between backup saves
`DenyUnlistedPlayers`	`True` turns the player list into a whitelist
`ActiveSaveFileDescriptiveName`	Which save the server loads

Find your public IP with any "what is my IP" site. If your home IP changes, update PublicIP and restart, or friends will not be able to connect.

How do I set the port and the encryption flag in Engine.ini?

Add the port under [URL] in the server's Engine.ini:

[URL]
Port=8777

Encryption is the part that trips people up. A Windows server runs with network encryption on, and normal clients connect to it without changes. Linux hosts running the server through Wine or Proton have long had to turn encryption off:

[SystemSettings]
net.AllowEncryption=False

The rule is simple: if the server has encryption disabled, every client must disable it too. Players add the same two lines to their own Engine.ini at:

%LocalAppData%\Astro\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor\Engine.ini

The reverse also applies. A client with encryption turned off cannot join a server that has it on, so players who edited the file for one server must undo it for another. If your server runs on Windows, leave encryption on and nobody has to touch anything.

How do I become owner on my Astroneer server?

Set OwnerName to your exact Steam display name and either leave OwnerGuid=0 or set it to your SteamID64. Restart and join. The owner can kick, ban, whitelist and save from the in game server menu. If you change your Steam name later, update OwnerName and restart, or the server will not recognise you.

How do friends join an Astroneer dedicated server?

Launch Astroneer and open Server List from the main menu.
Click Add Dedicated Server.
Enter the address, for example 203.0.113.10:8777.
Pick the server and enter the password.

Dedicated servers do not show in a public browser, so each player adds it once and it stays in their list. If the server does not appear after adding it, start and quit a single player game, then open the server list again; the list sometimes only refreshes after that.

How do I move my existing save to the server?

Saves are in Astro\Saved\SaveGames\ on the server. Stop the server, upload your .savegame file there, set ActiveSaveFileDescriptiveName to match that save's name, and start the server. Keep a copy first: how to back up a game server covers a simple routine.

FAQ

How many players can join an Astroneer dedicated server?

Eight. MaximumPlayerCount cannot go above the game's cap of 8.

What port does an Astroneer server use?

UDP 8777 by default, set under [URL] in Engine.ini. Open it in your firewall and forward it on your router if you host at home.

Why does my Astroneer server say encryption mismatch or refuse my friends?

The server and client encryption settings do not match. If the server has net.AllowEncryption=False, each player must add the same line to their own Engine.ini, and if it does not, players must remove it.

Can Xbox or PlayStation players join my Astroneer server?

Not a self hosted one. Console crossplay only works on servers from Astroneer's approved hosting partner, so a self hosted server is for PC players.

Do I need to set PublicIP?

Yes. The server uses it to register and accept players. Use your public address, not a local 192.168 address.

The easy option: host it with us

If you would rather not deal with public IPs, firewall rules and Engine.ini, you can rent an Astroneer server from us. The panel sets the server name, password, automatic updates and the owner by Steam name, and we fill in the public IP for you. It is ready minutes after you pay, with DDoS protection, full file access over SFTP for your saves and backups before game updates. Our server template runs with encryption turned off, so players add net.AllowEncryption=False to their own Engine.ini as described above. New customers get 50% off the first month, and the crew can split the bill. Plans start at 4 GB, see choosing a plan.