Arma 3 Server Name Change: Step-by-Step Guide
Changing the name of your Arma 3 server is a simple but important task—it’s the first thing players see when they browse the server list, and it can set the tone for your community. This guide walks you through the process for both dedicated servers and those hosted through a provider, covering the configuration file, command-line options, and in-game effects. You’ll need access to your server’s files or hosting control panel, and a basic text editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code.
What You’ll Need
- Access to your Arma 3 server’s root directory (usually where the server executable or config files are located).
- If you rent a server, the hosting provider’s control panel or file manager.
- A text editor that supports UTF-8 encoding (Notepad++ or VS Code recommended).
- Basic familiarity with editing .cfg files.
Step-by-Step
- Stop your server – Before editing any configuration files, shut down the server to avoid conflicts or overwritten changes. If you’re using a control panel, use the “Stop� button. For a local dedicated server, close the process or use the console command
#shutdown. - Locate the server configuration file – The main file is usually named
server.cfgand sits in the server’s root folder. If you don’t see it, look for aconfig.cfgor a sample file likeserver.cfg.example. Some hosting panels have a “Config Files� section where you can edit it directly. - Open the configuration file – Right-click the file and choose “Edit� with your preferred text editor. If you’re using a hosting panel, use its built-in file editor.
- Find the hostname line – Look for a line that starts with
hostname. It might look like:hostname = "My Arma 3 Server";. If it doesn’t exist, you can add it anywhere in the file (usually near the top). - Change the name – Replace the text between the quotation marks with your desired server name. For example:
hostname = "My Awesome Arma 3 Community";. Keep the semicolon at the end. - Save the file – Save the changes, ensuring the file remains in UTF-8 without BOM encoding (most editors default to this). If you’re using Notepad, choose “Save As� and select UTF-8 encoding.
- Restart your server – Start the server again. The new name should appear in the server browser after a few seconds. If you’re using a control panel, click “Start� or “Restart�.
- Verify the change – Open Arma 3, go to the server browser, and search for your server. You should see the new name. Alternatively, use an external tool like BattleMetrics or GameTracker to check.
Common Mistakes
- Editing the wrong file – Some servers have multiple config files. Make sure you’re editing
server.cfg, notmission.sqmorbasic.cfg. - Forgetting the semicolon – Arma 3 config files require a semicolon at the end of each line. Missing it will cause the server to fail to start or ignore the setting.
- Using special characters incorrectly – While you can use most characters, avoid using unescaped quotes inside the name. If you need a quote, escape it with a backslash:
\". - Not stopping the server first – If the server is running, it may overwrite your changes on shutdown, or the change won’t take effect until restart.
- Changing the wrong instance – If you run multiple servers, ensure you’re editing the config for the correct one.
Tips
- Use a descriptive name – Include keywords like the game mode (e.g., “King of the Hill�, “Invade & Annex�) and your community’s name to attract the right players.
- Keep it under 64 characters – The server browser may truncate longer names, so keep it concise.
- Test with a local server – If you’re unsure, set up a temporary local server to test the config syntax before applying it to your live server.
- Backup your config – Always make a copy of the original
server.cfgbefore editing, so you can revert if something goes wrong. - Use the command line option – If you’re comfortable with command-line arguments, you can also set the server name when launching:
arma3server -name="My Server"(this overrides the config file).
Troubleshooting
Server won’t start after editing – This usually indicates a syntax error. Double-check that the line ends with a semicolon and that all quotes are balanced. Look for any other accidental changes. If you can’t find the issue, revert to your backup and try again.
Name doesn’t change in the browser – First, ensure you restarted the server completely. If it still shows the old name, the server might be cached in the browser; wait a few minutes or refresh the list. Also verify that you edited the correct config file—some hosts use a different file for the server name (e.g., server.cfg vs. config.cfg). If you’re using a command-line parameter, remove it, as it overrides the config.
Name appears with weird characters – This is likely an encoding issue. Save the file as UTF-8 without BOM. Avoid using characters like emojis unless you’re sure they’re supported.
Changes revert after restart – Some hosting panels have a “server name� field in their control panel that generates the config on each restart. If so, change the name there instead of editing the file directly.
Server name shows but not updated for players – Players may need to clear their Arma 3 cache or restart the game to see the new name. It’s also possible that the server browser is showing a cached result from a third-party service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the server name without restarting? – No, the name is read at startup. You must restart the server for changes to take effect.
What is the maximum length for a server name? – Arma 3 doesn’t have a strict limit, but the server browser may truncate names longer than about 64 characters, so it’s best to stay under that.
Can I use colors or formatting in the server name? – No, the server name is plain text. You can use standard ASCII characters, but not color codes or rich text.
Will changing the server name affect my player data or settings? – No, the name is purely cosmetic. Your player database, missions, and other settings remain unchanged.
My hosting provider uses a control panel. Where do I change the name? – Look for a “Server Settings� or “Config Files� section in your panel. There is often a dedicated field for the server name. If not, you can edit the server.cfg file through the panel’s file manager.
Can I change the name while the server is running via the console? – No, the hostname variable is read-only at runtime. You must edit the config and restart.
Related
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