Change DST Server Player Limit: Step-by-Step

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide shows you how to raise or lower the maximum number of players on a Don’t Starve Together (DST) dedicated server. You’ll edit a configuration file, restart the server, and verify the new limit. You’ll need access to the server’s file system—either through a hosting panel, SSH, or a local install—and a text editor.

What You’ll Need

Access to the DST server’s Master folder (usually inside DoNotStarveTogether or your hosting file manager).
A text editor (Notepad, VS Code, or the hosting panel’s built-in editor).
The ability to restart the server (via command line, control panel, or game client).

Step-by-Step

Stop the server. Before editing any files, shut down the server cleanly. Use your hosting panel’s “Stop” button, or send a shutdown command in the console (e.g., c_shutdown()). This prevents file corruption and ensures changes are picked up.
Locate the configuration file. Navigate to the Master folder. The file you need is named settings.ini. If you don’t see it, look for settings.ini.example—copy it and rename the copy to settings.ini.
Open settings.ini with a text editor. Do not use Word or rich-text editors; use a plain text editor to avoid adding hidden formatting.
Find the [NETWORK] section. Scroll down until you see a line that starts with [NETWORK]. If it’s not there, add it at the end of the file.
Locate or add the max_players line. Within [NETWORK], look for a line like max_players = 6. If it exists, edit the number. If it doesn’t, add a new line: max_players = 10 (replace 10 with your desired limit).
Save the file. Ensure the file is saved with the .ini extension. If your editor adds a .txt extension, remove it—otherwise the server won’t read it.
Restart the server. Start the server again. On a dedicated server, the new limit takes effect immediately after boot. On a hosted server, use the “Restart” button in your panel.
Verify the change. In the server console, type c_listallplayers() or check the game’s server browser. The player count should now show the new maximum. You can also join and invite friends until you hit the limit.

Common Mistakes

Editing the wrong file. There are two settings.ini files—one in Master and one in Caves. The player limit is controlled by the Master one. Editing the Caves file will not change the server’s cap.
Using the wrong section. Putting max_players under [GAMEPLAY] or [MISC] will be ignored. It must be under [NETWORK].
Forgetting to stop the server. Editing while the server is running can cause the file to be overwritten on shutdown, losing your changes.
Setting an unrealistically high number. DST servers have performance limits. A high cap (e.g., 100) can cause lag or crashes, especially with mods. Start with a modest increase.
Not saving as .ini. Some editors save as settings.ini.txt by default. The server won’t recognize it.

Tips

Back up the file. Copy settings.ini to settings.ini.bak before editing. If something goes wrong, you can restore it.
Use a hosting panel’s file editor. Most DST hosting panels (like Apex, BisectHosting, or GTXGaming) have a built-in editor that auto-saves in the correct format. This avoids encoding issues.
Check your server’s RAM. Each player consumes memory. If you raise the cap, ensure your server has enough RAM (at least 1GB per 10 players, plus overhead).
Test with a dummy account. After changing the limit, join with a second Steam account to confirm the new cap works before announcing it to your community.
Combine with a whitelist. If you’re raising the limit for friends, consider adding a password or whitelist to avoid random players joining.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start after the edit. Check the console for errors. The most common cause is a typo in the max_players line or the file being saved with the wrong encoding (use UTF-8 without BOM). Restore your backup and re-edit carefully.

Player limit still shows the old number. The server may have cached the old settings. Restart the server completely—not just a world reset. If you’re using a hosting panel, wait 30 seconds after stopping before starting again.

Players get kicked when the limit is reached. This is normal. If it happens before the cap, your server may have a separate “reserved slots” setting in some hosting panels—check your panel’s configuration for that.

Changes don’t apply to the Caves world. The player limit is global, but the Caves world has its own settings.ini. If you want to limit players in caves separately (not recommended), you can set max_players there too, but the Master world’s cap is what counts for the server.

Mods are causing issues. Some mods override the player limit. Disable mods temporarily to test. If the limit works without mods, check each mod’s configuration for a player cap setting.

Server lags with more players. Lower the cap back down or upgrade your server’s CPU/RAM. DST is CPU-intensive; the number of entities (trees, mobs) matters more than raw player count.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default player limit in DST?

The default is 6 players. This is set in the game’s code, but you can override it with max_players in settings.ini.

Can I set the player limit to 100?

Technically yes, but the game will likely crash or become unplayable due to performance. The engine can handle about 10-15 players on a high-end server; beyond that, expect severe lag.

Does the player limit apply to the Caves world?

Yes, the limit is global. Players can move between the surface and caves, but the total number of connected players cannot exceed the Master world’s max_players value.

Why can’t I find `max_players` in my settings.ini?

If the line doesn’t exist, the server uses the default of 6. You can add the line manually under [NETWORK]. Some hosting panels generate a minimal file—that’s normal.

Will changing the player limit affect my world’s save data?

No, it only changes the connection cap. Your world, characters, and progress are unaffected.

How do I change the limit on a LAN server (not dedicated)?

For a LAN server hosted from the game client, you can’t edit settings.ini directly. Instead, use the “Player Limit” slider in the game’s server setup screen before starting the world. The slider goes up to 6 by default, but you can type a higher number in the box.

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