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How to Change Max Players on an Arma Reforger Server

A complete guide to changing Arma Reforger’s global player cap, including the case-sensitive JSON syntax, -config startup parameter, restart procedure, legacy-key fix, faction-limit distinction, and troubleshooting.
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Change the server-wide player capacity in the dedicated server’s case-sensitive JSON configuration. Set game.maxPlayers to a whole number from 1 to 128, start the server with the -config parameter pointing to that file, and restart the process. The documented default is 64 players.

What controls the player count?

Arma Reforger uses the maxPlayers property inside the top-level game object for the total number of players allowed on the server. It is a global connection limit: every faction and role draws from this same number.

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The current parameter is case-sensitive and belongs in the JSON file loaded when the dedicated server starts. A minimal configuration looks like this:

{
  "game": {
    "maxPlayers": 48
  }
}

The documented range is 1–128 players. If you omit the property, the documented default is 64. Values outside that range are not valid for the documented setting.

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Change the value in the JSON configuration

1. Stop the dedicated server cleanly

Stop the server process before editing its configuration. A running process normally continues using the settings it loaded at startup, so changing the file while the process is active does not by itself change the live capacity. Stopping first also prevents the host or a control panel from overwriting your edit during a restart.

2. Identify the file passed with -config

The dedicated server is associated with a JSON configuration file through the official -config startup parameter. Inspect the command, service definition, launch script, or hosting-panel startup field used to start your server. The file path following -config is the file you need to edit.

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For a self-hosted installation, the relationship has this form:

your-dedicated-server-executable -config "/path/to/serverconfig.json"

Do not assume that a similarly named JSON file is active. If the process is launched by a service manager or script, use the path in that actual launch definition.

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3. Make a backup

Copy the current JSON file before changing it. Keep the backup outside any panel-generated temporary directory and give it a date or descriptive name. If the edited file fails validation or another setting is accidentally removed, restoring the backup is faster than reconstructing the entire configuration.

4. Edit the case-sensitive key

Inside the game object, add or change maxPlayers. The spelling and capitalization must match exactly. JSON property names are case-sensitive, so maxplayers, MaxPlayers, and MAXPLAYERS are different names and will not substitute for the documented key.

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For example, to allow 48 total players:

{
  "game": {
    "maxPlayers": 48
  }
}

If the file already contains other members of game, retain them and add the property with a comma separating it from the preceding member:

{
  "game": {
    "scenarioId": "your-existing-scenario-id",
    "maxPlayers": 48
  }
}

The number must be an unquoted JSON number. Use 48, not "48". Quoting it changes the data type to a string and can cause the server to reject or ignore the value.

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5. Validate the JSON before saving

Check the file with a JSON-aware editor or validator. Common syntax errors include a missing comma, an extra comma before a closing brace, mismatched braces, and smart quotation marks inserted by a word processor. A valid file must contain one complete JSON object and use standard double quotes around property names and string values.

Do not add comments such as // max players; comments are not part of standard JSON. Remove them before starting the server.

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6. Start the server with the same file

Launch the dedicated server with -config pointing to the edited file. If your startup command references a different file, the server will read that other file and your change will appear not to work.

When using a script, place the parameter in the command that actually starts the server process, for example:

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your-dedicated-server-executable -config "/srv/arma-reforger/serverconfig.json"

The executable name and path vary by installation; the important part for this setting is the official -config relationship.

7. Restart and verify

Restart the process after saving the file. The new startup configuration is loaded at restart, not merely when the file is edited. Watch the startup output for JSON parsing errors or a message indicating that the configuration file could not be opened. Then check the server from the client browser or administration interface and confirm that the advertised capacity matches the value you set.

maxPlayers versus -playerLimits

These settings solve different problems and can be used together:

Setting Where it is configured What it limits Example use
game.maxPlayers JSON server configuration loaded with -config Total players connected to the server across all factions Set the server-wide capacity to 48
-playerLimits Dedicated-server startup parameters Maximum players assigned to each faction Constrain faction sizes for team balance while retaining the global cap

Changing a faction limit does not increase the number of connections the server accepts. Conversely, raising maxPlayers does not automatically create equal faction limits. If you need both a larger lobby and balanced teams, configure the global capacity in JSON and set faction limits separately with the startup parameter.

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Why playerCountLimit no longer works

Older guides and configuration examples may use playerCountLimit. Bohemia Interactive renamed that parameter to maxPlayers in update 0.9.8.73. New configuration files should use the current name:

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{
  "game": {
    "maxPlayers": 48
  }
}

Do not include both names in an attempt to support old instructions. The current key is maxPlayers; remove the legacy key from a file you are updating and make sure the active JSON contains the current spelling. If a server still behaves as though the old value is active, first confirm that the process is loading the file you edited and that it was restarted afterward.

Managed hosting panels

A managed host may expose the same setting through a web form instead of giving you direct access to the JSON file. Look for a server-configuration or advanced-game-settings area containing maxPlayers. If the panel provides a raw JSON editor, apply the same case-sensitive structure shown above.

  • Save or apply the setting in the panel.
  • Use the panel’s restart action so the dedicated server starts again with the updated configuration.
  • Check whether the provider imposes its own slot ceiling. The official documented range is 1–128, but a provider can offer a narrower limit for a particular plan or machine.
  • If the panel regenerates serverconfig.json, make the change in the panel’s persistent settings rather than editing a generated copy that will be replaced.

No provider-specific maximum, pricing, or panel label is established here, so treat a host’s published limit as an additional constraint rather than as a change to the game’s documented parameter range.

Choosing a practical capacity

The valid range tells you what the parameter accepts; it does not guarantee that every machine, scenario, or network connection will deliver the same experience at every value. Set the capacity you intend to support, then observe the server after a restart and during a representative session.

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  • Use the lower value when testing. A small number makes it easier to verify that the setting was loaded before inviting a full community.
  • Match the advertised capacity to the configured value. If a server browser or community post promises more slots than maxPlayers, players may see full-server errors or assume the server is malfunctioning.
  • Account for faction rules separately. A global value of 48 still permits up to 48 total connections; faction limits may reduce how many can join a particular side.
  • Increase in deliberate steps. Change the value, restart, verify the result, and monitor performance before making another increase. This creates a clear rollback point if the server becomes unstable.

Troubleshooting: the capacity did not change

The server still shows 64 slots

  1. Open the startup command or service definition and copy the exact path after -config.
  2. Open that file, not a similarly named template or backup.
  3. Confirm the property is nested under game and spelled maxPlayers.
  4. Confirm the value is a number between 1 and 128.
  5. Stop and restart the dedicated server process.
  6. Refresh the client server list or reconnect after the restart; a previously cached listing may show the old capacity temporarily.

The server will not start after editing

  • Restore the backup to determine whether the problem is the edit rather than the installation.
  • Run the file through a JSON validator and correct missing commas, unmatched braces, invalid quotation marks, or comments.
  • Check that the file is saved as plain text JSON and that the startup account has permission to read it.
  • Verify that the path in -config still exists and was not changed during a move or reinstall.

The value is ignored even though the JSON is valid

  • Look for a second startup script, service, or panel task that launches another server instance with a different -config path.
  • Search the active file for the legacy playerCountLimit key and replace it with maxPlayers.
  • Check capitalization exactly; JSON accepts different names as separate properties.
  • Make sure the process was fully stopped before restarting. A control panel that reports “restart” but leaves the old process running can leave the old capacity in effect.

Players can connect, but a faction fills early

This indicates a team-allocation limit rather than the global capacity. Review the separate -playerLimits startup parameter. Raising maxPlayers will not override a per-faction maximum.

Safe-change checklist

  • Server process stopped before editing.
  • Active JSON path confirmed from the command, service, or panel.
  • Backup created.
  • maxPlayers placed inside game.
  • Capitalization matches exactly.
  • Value is an unquoted number from 1 through 128.
  • No comments or trailing commas remain.
  • Startup command still uses -config with the edited file.
  • Dedicated server restarted and the advertised capacity checked.
  • -playerLimits reviewed separately if the issue concerns faction balance.

Key takeaway

For a current Arma Reforger dedicated server, the authoritative global capacity setting is game.maxPlayers in the case-sensitive JSON file loaded through -config. Set a value from 1 to 128, restart the server, and use -playerLimits only when you need per-faction limits. Replace obsolete playerCountLimit examples with maxPlayers, which has been the current name since update 0.9.8.73.

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