What to Do After Renting a Game Server: The First Hour Checklist

In the first hour after renting a game server, do four things before inviting anyone: lock it down with a password or whitelist, make yourself admin, join once to prove it works, and take a backup you can restore. Then set the settings your group cares about, test file access, and send friends the address with clear join steps. Doing this while the server is empty is much easier than fixing a griefed or misconfigured world later.

1. Find your address and join it yourself

Copy the server address from the control panel, including the port if it has one, and join from your own game. Do this before changing anything, so you know the server works as delivered.

If you cannot connect, check:

• The game version. Your game and the server must match. Most "can't connect" reports in the first hour are version mismatches.
• The server finished starting. Big games like ARK: Survival Ascended take several minutes on first start while files download and the map loads. Watch the console until it says the server is ready.
• The address format. Some games want IP:port, some want them in separate boxes. See how to invite friends to your game server.

2. Lock it down

A new server is often public in the server browser. Before inviting anyone:

• Set a server password, or
• Turn on a whitelist and add your friends, or
• Turn off server listing if the game supports it.

Do this now, not after someone finds it. Our guide on making a game server private and setting a password on any game has the exact setting names.

3. Make yourself admin

Every game does this differently:

Write down any admin password somewhere safe. You will need it the first time someone misbehaves.

4. Set the basics

Change the settings your group will notice on day one:

• Server name and description, so friends can find it. See how to change a server name and description.
• Max players.
• Difficulty, PvP, and game specific rates like XP or gather rates.
• World seed or map, before the world is generated. Changing a seed later usually means a new world.

Restart after saving so the changes take effect, and check they stuck. Some games overwrite config files on shutdown, so edit them while the server is stopped.

5. Take your first backup

Once the settings are right and before anyone builds, take a backup. This is your clean starting point. Then download one copy to your PC, so you know the download works and you have a copy that does not depend on the host. How to back up a game server covers what to save for each game.

6. Test a restore

This step gets skipped and then regretted. Restore the backup you just took. If it works on an empty world, you know it will work when you need it. Read how to restore a backup if you have not done it before.

7. Check file access and SFTP

Open the file manager, find the world folder and the main config file. Then connect once with an SFTP app like FileZilla or WinSCP. If you plan to add mods or upload an existing world, you will need this, and it is better to find any login trouble now. See what SFTP is for game servers.

8. Bring your old world over, if you have one

If your group played on someone's PC or another host, upload the world now, before anyone starts a new one on the server. How to move your world to a hosted server has the folder for each game.

9. Write a short join message

Send your friends one message with everything they need:

Server: Friday Survival
Address: 203.0.113.10:2456
Password: (sent privately)
Game version: latest
Mods: none (or link to the modpack)
How to join: Join game, Add server, paste the address

Pin it in your group chat or Discord. Our guide on running a game server for a Discord server has more on channels and roles.

10. Decide who pays and who has access

If friends are chipping in, set that up now, while everyone is excited. How to split the cost of a game server with friends covers the options.

Quick checklist

1. Join the server yourself.
2. Password or whitelist.
3. Make yourself admin.
4. Set name, rules and world options.
5. First backup.
6. Test a restore.
7. Test SFTP.
8. Upload your old world.
9. Send the join message.
10. Sort out who pays.

On GamezServers

Your server goes live within about a minute of paying (big games take longer to install), with its own address at the top of the control panel. Every setting from the game's server template is in the panel, alongside a live console, file manager, SFTP and one click backups. To share the cost, choose Split with friends at checkout and send each friend their link; up to 10 people can each pay their share. New customers get 50% off the first month. Get started or pick a game.

FAQ

How long does a new game server take to be ready?

Small games are usually ready in about a minute. Large games like ARK or DayZ download more files and take longer on the first start. Watch the console for the line saying the server is ready.

Should I change settings before or after friends join?

Before. Some settings, like the world seed or map, only apply when the world is first created, and changing others mid game can confuse players.

Why can't I join my new server?

The most common reasons are a version mismatch between your game and the server, the server still starting up, or the wrong address format. Check the console first.

Do I need to back up a brand new server?

Yes. A backup with your settings and a fresh world gives you a clean point to return to, and testing the restore now proves your backups work.