Satisfactory is a co-op factory-building game, and a dedicated server keeps your factory running for the whole group, even when the original host is offline. The server has a native Linux build, and is managed mostly from inside the game through the Server Manager.

Requirements

  • 4 vCPU and 12–16 GB RAM are recommended. Small early-game worlds use less, but RAM grows a lot as factories expand.
  • Strong single-thread CPU performance. Large factories are CPU-bound.
  • About 25 GB disk.
  • Port 7777 (UDP and TCP). Recent versions also use 8888/tcp for the server’s reliable messaging. Check the current docs for your version.
  • A location near your players. See game server VPS.

Add swap as a safety net against out-of-memory crashes late in the game. See swap.

Install with SteamCMD

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1
sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" satisfactory
sudo -iu satisfactory
/usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir ~/sfserver +login anonymous +app_update 1690800 validate +quit

The dedicated server’s app ID is 1690800. Use -beta experimental only if your group plays the experimental branch.

systemd service

# /etc/systemd/system/satisfactory.service
[Unit]
Description=Satisfactory Dedicated Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
User=satisfactory
WorkingDirectory=/home/satisfactory/sfserver
ExecStartPre=/usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/satisfactory/sfserver +login anonymous +app_update 1690800 validate +quit
ExecStart=/home/satisfactory/sfserver/FactoryServer.sh -log -unattended
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now satisfactory
journalctl -u satisfactory -f

See systemd unit files.

Firewall

sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7777/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8888/tcp     # newer versions

See UFW.

Claim the server in-game

  1. In Satisfactory, open Server Manager → Add Server, and enter your server’s IP (and port 7777).
  2. The first person to connect claims the server: set a server name and an admin password.
  3. Optionally set a player password for joining.
  4. Create a game (choose a starting area and session name), or upload a save from your PC (Server Manager → Manage Saves → Upload).

The admin password controls server settings, saves and the console, so keep it secret.

Server settings

In Server Manager → Server Settings:

  • Auto-pause when no players are online (saves resources, and stops the factory when nobody’s there).
  • Autosave on disconnect, and the autosave interval.
  • Network quality settings.

Advanced options live in the server’s Engine.ini and Game.ini under FactoryGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/, for example to adjust autosave count, or the tick rate for large factories. Change these only when you know what each option does.

Backups

Saves are stored in the server user’s home:

~/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/
tar czf /backups/satisfactory-$(date +%F-%H%M).tgz -C /home/satisfactory/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved SaveGames

Autosaves rotate, so keep your own timestamped backups, and copy them off the server. You can also download saves through the Server Manager. See backup strategy.

Updates

Clients and the server must run the same version. The ExecStartPre line updates the server on every restart. After a game update, restart the service. Back up first, especially for major updates.

Troubleshooting

  • Can’t find the server: check the firewall (7777 UDP and TCP), and that the service is running. Add the server by IP in the Server Manager.
  • Server crashes late game: usually RAM. Check journalctl for out-of-memory kills, and add RAM or swap. See htop.
  • Lag in huge factories: CPU-bound. Faster cores help more than extra cores.

Quick reference

Item Value
SteamCMD app ID 1690800
Start script FactoryServer.sh -log -unattended
Ports 7777 UDP+TCP (+8888/tcp in newer versions)
Saves ~/.config/Epic/FactoryGame/Saved/SaveGames/server/
Management in-game Server Manager

Related: Factorio headless server and Valheim dedicated server.

  • Game Server
  • SteamCMD
  • Linux