ThisCalculator

Everyday

Change Max Players on a Satisfactory Server

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Change Max Players on a Satisfactory Server

This guide explains how to change the maximum number of players allowed on a dedicated Satisfactory server. You’ll need access to the server’s configuration files, either through a hosting provider’s control panel or directly on the machine running the server. The process involves editing a single file and restarting the server.

What You’ll Need

  • Administrative access to the server (file manager or FTP/SFTP credentials).
  • The server must be stopped while editing the configuration file.
  • A text editor (like Notepad++ or VS Code) to modify the file.

Step-by-Step

  1. Stop the server. If you’re using a hosting panel, click the “Stop” button. If you’re on a dedicated machine, use the console command or kill the process. This prevents the server from overwriting your changes.
  2. Locate the configuration file. The file is named Game.ini and is located in the Saved/Config/LinuxServer (or WindowsServer) folder within the server’s installation directory. On most hosting panels, you can find this via the “File Manager” or “Config Files” section.
  3. Open the file. Download it or edit it directly in the panel’s text editor.
  4. Find the relevant section. Look for a section called [/Script/Engine.GameSession]. If it doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it at the end of the file.
  5. Add or modify the setting. Inside that section, add a line: MaxPlayers=8 (replace 8 with your desired number). If the line already exists, change the number to your preferred maximum.
  6. Save the file. Ensure you save it with the same name and encoding (UTF-8).
  7. Restart the server. Start the server again. The new player limit will take effect after the server loads.
  8. Verify the change. Join the server and check the player count in the server browser or the in-game session info. Some hosting panels also display the max players on their dashboard.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing while the server is running. The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown, so always stop it first.
  • Using the wrong file. There are multiple .ini files (e.g., Engine.ini, GameUserSettings.ini). The player limit goes in Game.ini only.
  • Incorrect section name. If you put MaxPlayers outside the [/Script/Engine.GameSession] section, it won’t be recognized.
  • Typos in the key. The setting is case-sensitive: MaxPlayers (capital M, P).
  • Not restarting. The change only applies after a full server restart.

Tips

  • Set the max players to a number that your server hardware can handle. Each player increases CPU and memory usage.
  • If you want to temporarily allow more players for an event, you can edit the file and restart again later.
  • Keep a backup of the original Game.ini before making changes.
  • Some hosting panels have a “Max Players” field in their settings UI that writes to this file automatically. If so, use that instead.

Troubleshooting

Change doesn’t take effect. Double-check that the file was saved correctly and that the server was fully stopped before editing. Some panels have a “Restart” button that only reloads the world, not the config. Try a full stop and start.

Server won’t start after editing. This usually means a syntax error in the .ini file. Remove any extra blank lines or characters. Verify the section header is exactly [/Script/Engine.GameSession] with no spaces.

Players still see the old limit. If you’re using a client-side mod or the game’s server browser cache, it may display stale info. Refresh the browser or restart the game client.

Hosting panel overwrites changes. Some panels regenerate config files on every start. Look for a “custom config” option or contact your host’s support for the correct way to persist changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default max players on a Satisfactory server?

The default is 4 players. You can change it to any number, but performance may degrade with too many.

Can I set max players to 100?

Technically yes, but the game engine and server hardware will likely struggle. It’s recommended to stay within 4-8 for stable gameplay.

Does this setting affect the game’s difficulty?

No, it only controls the player capacity. Difficulty is set separately in the world settings.

Do I need to edit the file for each save game?

No, the max players setting is global to the server, not per save.

Will changing this reset my world?

No, editing the config file does not affect your save data.

Can I change it while players are online?

No, you must stop the server, edit, and restart. Players will be disconnected.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.