The Complete Unturned Server Hosting Guide for 2025

Unturned has one of the most active multiplayer communities in the survival genre, and running your own dedicated server is the best way to control the experience. Whether you want a tight PvE survival group or an open PvP battleground, this guide covers everything from installation to ongoing maintenance.

Server Types in Unturned

Before you begin, it helps to understand the two main ways Unturned servers connect to players:

• LAN servers are the default. Players can only join through your Steam friends list or by entering a randomly generated Server Code. LAN servers are not visible in the public server browser.
• Internet servers appear in the server browser and are accessible to anyone. They require a Game Server Login Token (GSLT) and either Fake IP or port forwarding to be reachable.

Most communities want an Internet server for discoverability, but LAN mode works well for small private groups.

System Requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
OS	Windows or Linux	Linux (lower overhead)
CPU	Dual-core	Quad-core
RAM	2 GB	4 GB+
Storage	10 GB	20 GB (mods and curated maps add up)
Network	Stable broadband	Dedicated connection with port forwarding

Self-Hosting: Step by Step

1. Install the Dedicated Server

The Unturned Dedicated Server tool (U3DS) is available through Steam. Open your Steam Library, switch to the Tools category, and install “Unturned Dedicated Server.” For headless Linux machines, use SteamCMD:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 1110390 +quit

2. Choose Your Map

Unturned ships with several official maps and supports community curated maps. Popular choices include:

• PEI: A small, fast-paced map ideal for PvP.
• Washington: The classic medium-sized survival map.
• Russia: A large map with military zones and extensive progression.
• Germany: One of the biggest maps with diverse biomes.
• Limestone (2025): A Mediterranean-themed curated map with tight resource distribution.

Set the map in your server launch configuration with the /Map parameter.

3. Configure Server Settings

Edit Commands.dat in your server directory. Key settings include:

Name YourServerName
Port 27015
MaxPlayers 24
Map Washington
PvP
Owner YOUR_STEAM_ID_64

Replace YOUR_STEAM_ID_64 with your steamID64 to grant yourself admin privileges.

4. Set Up Internet Access

For an Internet-visible server, you need a Game Server Login Token. Generate one through the Steam GSLT page using Unturned’s App ID (304930).

Next, choose a networking method:

• Fake IP (recommended): Easier to enable and works for most servers. Add Fake_IP to your Commands.dat.
• Port forwarding: Forward UDP ports 27015 and 27016 on your router. More control but requires router configuration.

You do not need both; pick whichever is simpler for your setup.

5. Start the Server

On Windows, run Unturned.exe with the -batchmode -nographics +secureserver/YourServerID parameters. On Linux, use the corresponding launch script. The server will load the map, apply your configuration, and begin accepting connections.

Managed Hosting with Reactor

Self-hosting requires a dedicated machine, port forwarding, and manual updates. If you prefer to skip the infrastructure work, Reactor’s Unturned hosting handles everything:

• Instant deployment: Your server is online in minutes.
• Automatic updates: Game patches are applied without manual intervention.
• Custom map support: Run official maps, curated maps, or Workshop maps.
• SFTP access: Full file system access for advanced configuration.
• Automatic backups: Scheduled backups with one-click restore.
• DDoS protection: Cloudflare-backed infrastructure keeps your server reachable.

This is the recommended path for communities that want a reliable server without the maintenance burden.

Essential Configuration Tips

Admin Management

Grant admin privileges to trusted players by adding their steamID64 to the admin list. Admins can kick, ban, teleport, and spawn items. Keep the admin list small to prevent abuse.

Workshop Mods

Unturned has a massive Workshop library. To add mods to your server, subscribe to them through the Workshop and reference their IDs in your server configuration. Verify mod compatibility after every game update, especially after the Unity 2022 LTS engine migration.

Performance Optimization

• Reduce zombie count on smaller hardware. The Zombies setting in difficulty options controls spawn density.
• Limit vehicle count to prevent physics-related lag spikes.
• Restart the server on a schedule (every 6-12 hours) to clear memory. Most hosting providers, including Reactor, support scheduled restarts.
• Monitor player count relative to RAM. Each connected player adds roughly 100-200 MB of memory usage depending on the map and mods.

Security

• Enable BattlEye anti-cheat for public servers. It is the standard for Unturned and most players expect it.
• Set a server password for private communities.
• Use the whitelist feature to restrict access to approved Steam IDs.
• Review server logs regularly for suspicious activity.

Keeping Your Server Populated

A great server needs players. To grow your community:

• List your server on Unturned server listing sites.
• Post on the Unturned subreddit and Discord communities.
• Choose a popular map (Washington and PEI consistently attract players).
• Maintain uptime. Players will not return to a server that is frequently offline.
• Update promptly. Outdated servers disappear from the browser.

Unturned’s combination of free-to-play accessibility and deep modding support makes it one of the best games for community-run servers. Whether you go the self-hosting route or use Reactor to handle the infrastructure, the goal is the same: create a reliable, well-configured server that players want to come back to.