Watch the video:
0:00 - Intro/Explanation
0:10 - Issues with hosting a FS25
2:05 - Play/Host Multiplayer (Without Dedicated Server)
3:22 - Create Dedicated Server config
4:00 - Configure Admin panel
4:30 - Configure Server
6:07 - Start Farming Simulator 25 Dedicated Server
6:30 - Firewall
8:01 - Port Forwarding/UPnP
10:20 - Joining your Dedicated Server
11:40 - TroubleshootingWhere do I get the server?
The Farming Simulator 25 Dedicated is included in your game files when you download it from Steam, Epic Games or any other platform.
Is this free?
Yes, and no.
Yes, it’s free to host a dedicated server with as high a player limit as you want for as long as you want.
However, hosting a dedicated server for Farming Simulator 25 counts as “playing” the game. If you wish to (actually) play on your server yourself - you will need another account with Farming Simulator 25 on it (And all the DLCs the server account has as well)!
Farming Simulator has worked this way for a long time. However, we work with what we have. Assuming you don’t want to purchase another copy of the game: Consider using a server host, such as Apex Hosting.
Preparing to launch server
Navigate into SteamApps\common\Farming Simulator 25.
In here you will find dedicatedServer.exe. This is the web config host. You will start this, configure your server, then eventually the server itself.
The configuration for your server can be found as dedicatedServer.xml, in the same folder.
Server Configuration Files
Under <initial_admin> make sure to change the <username> and <passphrase> to something secure.
This is your login to your self-hosted admin panel where you can configure your server.
This is hosted on ports 8080 and 8443. If you don’t want this admin panel accessible on the internet: Don’t forward these ports later.
Once you’ve set a username and passphrase, save, close and start dedicatedServer.exe.
Admin panel
Once the program starts you’ll see 2 web addresses. This is the locally hosted admin panel. Highlight one of them with Left-click, and use Right-click to copy.
Paste and open one of these in a browser.
Once you’re on the Admin page you can configure your servers name, starting money and more.
When you’re happy use the Save button. Later we’ll use the Start button next to it to host our server.
When you want to adjust settings you need to Stop your server, Save your new changes, then Start your server once more.
Letting others join your new Farming Simulator 25 server
This is simpler said than done. There are 2 sections and both need to be done to let friends over the internet play.
Open the server to LAN (Others on your local network)
To let someone on the same local network (router) as you play: You need to allow the Farming Simulator 25 server through your firewall.
We need to open port 10823. If you set a custom port above, then forward that.
If you want to allow access to the admin panel over your local network, or later the internet if you port forward these too - then allow 8080 and 8443 as well.
If you’re using a third-party antivirus with a firewall; you’ll need to look into how to open the ports.
If you’re using Windows Firewall (by default) then run the following commands in an Administrator Powershell window.
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If you want to allow network access to the admin panel, use the following instead:
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If you ever wish to remove your Firewall rules for this, run the command: Remove-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Farming Simulator 25 Server"
This will open all of the ports and allow people on the same local network as you to connect to your server while it’s running.
All you need is your local IP address.
To get your local IP:
- Run the following in a terminal/CMD/powershell window:
ipconfig - Find the way you’re connected to the internet, for example
Ethernet adapter Ethernet - Find the
IPv4address and copy it - For example, your local IP is
192.168.1.10
Other devices can use this local IP address to connect to your server. Note: This is a LOCAL IP, and your server is not yet accessible over the internet or even routers outside of your own… That’s where we need to
Port Forward
Using your Local IP address we found above (and allowed ports through to) - We need to send traffic from these two ports to our computer.
If you’re using multiple routers in a chain before your computer reaches your fiber box/access box: You’ll need to port forward each router to the next until you finally port forward to your computer.
Port forwarding varies wildly from router to router, and you can look up guides specifically for your router. Essentially you’ll need to forward port 10823 for both TCP and UDP. If you have an option to choose both TCP/UDP it may be a good idea. If you want network access to your admin panel forward 8080 and 8443 via TCP as well (not recommended).
On some routers you can enter ports comma-separated such as 8080,8443,10823, and even select TCP/UDP instead of needing to create a rule for each type.
Let’s say you have just ONE router between you and the internet (Example: You’re connected directly to the fiber box), you’ll port forward as follows:
- Ports:
10823 - Type:
TCP/UDP - Destination:
192.168.1.10
Keep in mind if you want the admin panel via the network/internet, then you’ll also need to forward 8080 and 8443 as well.
Now you’re done port forwarding.
Letting others join
At this point you’ve allowed local traffic and over the internet to reach your Farming Simulator 25 server. All you need to do is let others join by checking the Server Browser in-game, or by getting your external IP address by Google searching “What is my IP”.
Usually it’ll take 5 to 25 minutes for it to show in the public server list, but to join immediately you’ll need to connect using the Direct Connect button on the Join Game page. You will need to do this anyway if you told the server not to show on the public list in the configuration files (It doesn’t show on the list by default).
In the Address area you’ll be typing in 127.0.0.1 and 10823 in the port area, if you’re connecting on the same computer, you’re hosting the server on.
Otherwise you can enter in the local ip address if it’s on the same network, or the external ip address, if you connect into someone over the Internet.
It all depends on your current setup. When you click OK, it should be added to your list and you can select it followed by connect to launch up your game.
Now you can join and play as you like.
Have fun!
