How to Set Up Your Own Dedicated Server in The Forest: Lag-Free, Mod-Friendly, and Fully Customizable

If you want to play The Forest with friends without lag or crashes, forget public servers — host your own! It’s easier than you think, and much more stable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything: from setup and configuration to mods and backups.

Why host your own server?

In The Forest, stability is key. Nobody wants the game to crash in the middle of a night raid. Hosting your own server gives you:
— Full control over settings
— Support for mods
— No lag (if set up properly)
— Privacy

What you'll need

Before you start, make sure your computer or hosting provider can handle it.

Minimum requirements:
— For 2 players: CPU 2.4GHz (2 cores), 3 GB RAM
— For 3+ players: CPU 3.0GHz (4 cores), 4 GB RAM
— Disk space: At least 10 GB, more if using mods or planning for lots of players

Also required:
— Static IP (or use DynDNS if your ISP doesn’t offer one)
— Open ports on your router
— Windows or Linux with direct system access

Installing via SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool by Valve that we’ll use to install the server.

Step 1: Download and unpack SteamCMD

Download the archive from Valve’s official page, and extract it somewhere convenient. For example:

 C:\SteamCMD\

Then, create a folder for the server itself:

 C:\TheForestServer\

Step 2: Launch SteamCMD and set install path

Open SteamCMD and run the following commands:

force_install_dir C:\TheForestServer\
login anonymous
app_update 556450 validate

Wait while SteamCMD downloads all necessary server files.

Server Configuration

After installation, locate the file Server.cfg:

 C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForestDedicatedServer\ds

Key settings you can customize:
— serverName – your server’s name
— serverPlayers – max number of players
— serverGamePort (default: 27021), serverQueryPort (default: 27016)
— serverPassword, serverPasswordAdmin – for private access
— enableVAC – enable anti-cheat
— serverAutoSaveInterval – how often to auto-save (in minutes)
— Game settings: difficulty, initType, slot
— Enemy modes: veganMode, vegetarianMode
— Behavior: allowBuildingDestruction, treeRegrowMode, allowEnemiesCreativeMode
— Cheats: allowCheats
— Admin contact: serverContact
— Show logs: showLogs
— Custom save folder: saveFolderPath

Launching the Server

Create a .bat file (not a .txt) with the following contents:

"D:\SteamServers\steamcmd\TheForestServer\TheForestDedicatedServer.exe" -batchmode -nosteamclient

If your PC is on the weaker side, add -nographics to save resources.
Save the file as start_server.bat, for example. Double-click it — and your server should launch.

Connecting to the Server

If you're the host:
1. Find your external IP address (e.g., using 2ip.ru)
2. In Steam: go to View → Servers → Favorites → Add a Server
3. Enter your IP and game port (e.g. 123.45.67.89:27021)

Test Before Inviting Friends

Join your server and check:
— Does the password work?
— Are cheats enabled (if needed)?
— Is progress saved correctly?
— Is everything stable?

Keeping the Server Updated

Check for updates every few weeks using SteamCMD:

force_install_dir C:\TheForestServer\
login anonymous
app_update 556450

Backups: Don’t Skip Them

To avoid losing everything due to a crash:
1. Locate your saves folder (either saveFolderPath or the default location)
2. Copy it to a safe place (cloud storage or external drive)
3. To restore, just replace the files with your backup

Using Mods (Carefully)

While The Forest doesn’t support Steam Workshop, mods can be installed via ModAPI.
1. Download and install ModAPI from modapi.survivetheforest.net
2. Download mods, extract them to the Mods folder inside ModAPI
3. Activate the desired mods, then copy modified files to your server
4. If a mod doesn’t require ModAPI, just extract it into:
 TheForestDedicatedServer/Mods/

Important: Always backup your server before adding new mods.

Troubleshooting

— Crashes? Disable all mods, then re-enable one by one
— Check logs: TheForestDedicatedServer/logs/
— Keep mods updated: Some may break with new game versions

Final Thoughts

Running your own dedicated server in The Forest isn’t just possible — it’s one of the best ways to play. You get full control over settings, mods, and gameplay experience, all while avoiding lag and crashes.
We hope this guide helps you set up your server confidently and gather your survival crew. Good luck out there in the woods!