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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchTo run a public Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) or American Truck Simulator (ATS) server, install SCS Software’s dedicated-server tool, generate server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat from a normal game installation, then edit server_config.sii. Forward the configured connection and query ports to the server and add trusted moderators by SteamID64. The server can run on a home PC or a rented VPS; a public IP or port forwarding is required for normal session-browser visibility.
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What the ETS2 and ATS dedicated server requires
ETS2 and ATS use separate official dedicated-server applications. They are distributed through Steam and SteamCMD, and ownership of the complete retail game is not required merely to launch the dedicated server. You must, however, provide package files generated from a normal game configuration so the server knows which map, DLC and mod setup to load.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Game | Dedicated-server application ID | SteamCMD update target |
|---|---|---|
| Euro Truck Simulator 2 | 1948160 |
+app_update 1948160 |
| American Truck Simulator | 2239530 |
+app_update 2239530 |
A working installation therefore has three essential configuration assets:
server_packages.sii, which describes the map, DLC and mod configuration.server_packages.dat, which contains the internal map data referenced by the package definition.server_config.sii, which controls the lobby, limits, ports, logon token, damage setting and moderator entries.
The dedicated server itself does not download Steam Workshop content. Generate the package files with the normal game and keep the client versions, DLC selection and enabled mods consistent with the players who will connect.
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Install the dedicated-server application
Using the Steam client
In the Steam client, open the Library, change the library filter to show tools, and install the ETS2 Dedicated Server or ATS Dedicated Server application. Choose a dedicated directory such as C:GameServerETS2 or C:GameServerATS rather than mixing the files with a personal profile.
Using SteamCMD
SteamCMD is useful on a headless Windows machine or VPS. Create a separate installation directory and run the command for the game you want. This ATS example installs application ID 2239530:
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir "C:GameServer" +login anonymous +app_update 2239530 +quitReplace 2239530 with 1948160 for ETS2. The anonymous login is sufficient for the dedicated-server application. SteamCMD does not update the installation automatically, so run the update command deliberately after checking release notes or schedule it as part of your own maintenance routine. Stop the server before updating and retain a backup of the configuration and package files.
Generate the package files from a normal game
The executable alone cannot start a usable server. Generate the package set once for every map, DLC and mod combination you intend to host.
- Start the normal ETS2 or ATS game installation that contains the desired map and DLC selection.
- Enable the developer console. In a typical profile this means enabling the developer and console settings in the game’s
config.cfg; preserve the existing syntax and quotation marks. - Load the game to a point where the console is available and run
export_server_packages. - Allow the command to finish, then locate
server_packages.siiandserver_packages.datin the game’s profile or home directory. - Copy both files into the dedicated server’s home directory. If you will launch with
-homedir, copy them into that selected directory rather than leaving them only in the interactive game profile.
Repeat the export whenever you change the map, DLC selection or enabled mod set. The package files are the server’s description of that content; changing a client’s mod list without regenerating them can produce missing-content or version-mismatch errors.
What the server does not need to install
The dedicated-server installation does not need separate copies of every DLC or mod data file. The generated package files carry the map, DLC and mod configuration needed by the server. This does not make arbitrary client modifications compatible: every participant still needs a matching, supported content set, and the server operator must validate the exported package set. Because the dedicated server cannot access Steam Workshop, do not expect it to subscribe to or update Workshop items on its own.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsChoose a home directory and launch the first time
Keep the server’s executable, package files, configuration and logs together in a dedicated home directory. On its first launch, the server creates server_config.sii if that file does not already exist.
The executable can be started directly. These parameters determine which files and operating mode it uses:
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| Parameter | Purpose | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
-homedir "<server home>" |
Selects the directory for configuration, package files and server data. | Use a separate directory for each installation or instance. |
-server "<server packages file>" |
Points the process to the exported package definition. | Use it when the package file is not at the default path. |
-server_cfg "<server config file>" |
Specifies the lobby and runtime configuration. | Useful when maintaining named configurations or instances. |
-nosingle |
Disables single-instance behavior. | Use it in a deliberate multi-instance setup. |
Substitute the actual executable name installed for your game and quote paths containing spaces. A typical command pattern is:
<dedicated-server-executable> -homedir "C:GameServerATS" -server "C:GameServerATSserver_packages.sii" -server_cfg "C:GameServerATSserver_config.sii"Start once, let the process create its configuration, stop it cleanly, and then edit server_config.sii. Do not edit the file while the server is running because the process can overwrite changes when it exits.
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Configure server_config.sii
Edit the generated configuration with a plain-text editor that preserves the file’s SII syntax. The official example identifies the following settings. Limits and example ports are stated exactly where they are documented; they are not a promise that every future build will retain the same defaults.
| Setting | What it controls | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
lobby_name |
Name shown for the lobby. | Maximum 63 characters. |
description |
Longer lobby description. | Maximum 63 characters. |
welcome_message |
Message presented to connecting players. | Maximum 127 characters. |
password |
Restricts entry to players who know the password. | Use a different value from administrative credentials and share it privately. |
max_players |
Maximum simultaneous players. | The documented limit is 8. |
max_vehicles_total |
Overall vehicle limit for the session. | Set it in relation to your player count and traffic goals. |
max_ai_vehicles_player |
AI-vehicle allowance associated with each player. | Higher values increase simulation work. |
max_ai_vehicles_player_spawn |
AI vehicles that may be spawned for a player. | Keep it consistent with the total vehicle limit. |
connection_virtual_port |
Logical connection port used by the server configuration. | Keep it distinct when running multiple instances. |
query_virtual_port |
Logical query port used by the server configuration. | Keep it distinct when running multiple instances. |
connection_dedicated_port |
Physical connection endpoint used for network traffic. | The official example uses 27015; verify the current documentation after updates. |
query_dedicated_port |
Physical query endpoint used for discovery and status queries. | The official example uses 27016; verify the current documentation after updates. |
server_logon_token |
Token used when the server logs on to the service. | Use a valid token and a different token for every simultaneous instance. |
player_damage |
Enables or controls player-vehicle damage behavior. | Choose the value that matches your community’s rules. |
| Moderator and known-player entries | Grants listed Steam accounts administrative controls. | Use SteamID64 values and limit the list to trusted people. |
Ports and tokens
The example physical ports are connection 27015 and query 27016. Treat those as documented examples, not immutable requirements. If another application already uses either port, choose unused values and use the same values consistently in the server configuration, router forwarding rule and host firewall. Every instance needs its own port set and its own logon token.
Player and traffic limits
max_players is documented with a limit of 8. The vehicle and AI settings are separate controls: increasing the player count does not automatically increase vehicle capacity. Set max_vehicles_total, max_ai_vehicles_player and max_ai_vehicles_player_spawn together so the requested traffic cannot exceed the total you intend to simulate.
Editing safely
- Stop the server and make a dated backup of
server_config.sii. - Change one group of settings at a time, keeping the generated field names and SII punctuation intact.
- Save the file as plain text in the same encoding and directory.
- Start the server and read the log for syntax, port or token errors before inviting players.
Make the server reachable from the internet
The dedicated server does not perform NAT punching. SCS states that a public IP or router port forwarding is required for the server to appear in the normal session browser. A server behind NAT can still be reachable through the game’s direct-search function, but browser visibility is not guaranteed without forwarding.
Router forwarding procedure
- Give the host computer a stable address on the local network, preferably through a DHCP reservation.
- In the router’s port-forwarding page, create rules for the configured connection and query dedicated ports. Forward them to the server host’s local address using the protocol options offered by your router.
- If you changed the example values, forward the new values rather than
27015and27016. - Save the router rules and restart the server after confirming the configuration.
Host firewall procedure
Allow the dedicated-server executable through the operating system firewall, or create inbound rules for the same connection and query ports. A router rule alone is insufficient if the host firewall drops the packets. Test from a different network where possible; a test made from inside the same LAN may not reflect outside reachability.
Virtual versus dedicated ports
The configuration contains both virtual and dedicated port fields. Keep each pair internally consistent and unique per instance. The dedicated ports are the physical endpoints you map through the router and firewall; the virtual values are part of the server’s logical configuration. Do not reuse a port or token across simultaneous instances.
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Add moderators with SteamID64
The known-player or moderator list in server_config.sii grants the listed accounts administrative controls for moderating the session. The official setup guidance specifically recommends creating this list when configuring an ETS2 or ATS server.
- Collect the SteamID64 value for each administrator. Confirm every digit before adding it.
- Insert the values into the moderator or known-player entries in the generated configuration, following the structure of the official example already present in the file.
- Keep the list limited to trusted administrators; a moderator entry is an administrative permission, not merely a display name.
- Save the file while the server is stopped, restart the server, and have each moderator reconnect before testing a moderation action.
Use SteamID64 rather than a player’s current nickname because names can change. If a moderator has no controls after reconnecting, check the identifier for transcription errors and confirm that the edited configuration is the one selected by -server_cfg and -homedir.
Operate and update the server
Start and stop cleanly
Launch the server from a script or service wrapper that records the working directory and the full command line. Keep the console or log output available during the first startup. Stop the process through its normal shutdown path so configuration and logs are flushed before maintenance.
Apply updates deliberately
SteamCMD does not auto-update this application. Before an update, stop the process, back up server_config.sii, server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat, run the appropriate app_update command, then start the server and inspect the log. Re-export package files if you changed the normal game’s map, DLC or mod configuration.
Keep package and configuration files together
When using -homedir, treat that directory as the authoritative instance. A common mistake is to edit a file in one profile while the process reads a second copy from the selected home directory. Keep a short record of the executable version, package export date, ports, token assignment and moderator list for each instance.
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Run more than one server instance
Multiple ETS2 or ATS sessions can coexist when every instance is isolated. For each instance, provide:
- A separate home directory.
- A separate
server_packages.siiandserver_packages.datpair when the content sets differ. - A separate
server_config.siior explicitly named configuration file. - Unique virtual and dedicated connection/query ports.
- A unique
server_logon_token. - A launch command that identifies the intended files with
-homedir,-serverand-server_cfg.
Use -nosingle when your multi-instance arrangement requires non-single-instance operation. Test each instance independently before opening both to the public; a single duplicated port or token can prevent one process from registering.
Home hosting versus a rented VPS or game-server machine
Self-hosting is practical when you control the router and can leave the host online. A rented VPS or game-server machine is a reasonable alternative when residential networking, power interruptions or uptime requirements make home hosting unreliable. The choice is operational rather than a special ETS2/ATS feature.
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| Consideration | Home computer | Rented VPS or game-server machine |
|---|---|---|
| Public reachability | You control router forwarding and the local firewall, but must maintain them. | The provider usually supplies a public address and provider-side network controls. |
| Uptime | Depends on your power, internet connection and willingness to leave the machine running. | Typically easier to keep online and restart automatically, subject to the provider’s service. |
| Administration | No rental administration layer, but you maintain the operating system, SteamCMD and backups. | You still administer SteamCMD and the server unless the provider manages those tasks. |
| Backups and monitoring | You must build them yourself or use existing household infrastructure. | Some plans offer snapshots, monitoring or scheduled restarts; verify what is included. |
| Multiple instances | Requires enough local resources and unique ports and tokens. | Separate directories and ports are straightforward, but capacity depends on the machine you rent. |
| Cost | No hosting charge, but electricity and an existing computer are your responsibility. | Recurring cost varies by provider, location, capacity and number of instances; no universal figure is established here. |
Whichever option you choose, keep package files, configurations and backups under your control. A managed control panel can simplify restarts, but it does not remove the need to understand the SCS configuration files or content compatibility.
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Troubleshoot the most common failures
The process exits because files are missing
Confirm that both server_packages.sii and server_packages.dat exist in the selected home directory and that the -server path points to the correct file. Re-run export_server_packages in the normal game if either file is stale or was copied from a different profile.
The server starts but is absent from the browser
Check the public address, router forwarding and host-firewall rules for both configured dedicated ports, especially the query port. Verify that the router forwards to the current local address of the host. Direct search may still work behind NAT, but browser visibility requires the public reachability described by SCS.
One of two instances will not register
Compare both configurations for duplicate virtual ports, dedicated ports or logon tokens. Give each instance its own home directory and start it with explicit file paths. A copied configuration that retained the first instance’s values is a common cause.
Players report missing or incompatible content
Regenerate the package files after changing maps, DLC or mods and make sure clients use the corresponding content versions. The dedicated server cannot fetch Workshop items, so installing or subscribing on a client does not update the server package set.
A moderator has no administrative controls
Check that the account’s SteamID64, not a nickname, is present in the moderator or known-player entries. Confirm that the running process reads the edited file, restart it, and have the moderator reconnect.
The server stops working after an update
Restore the last known-good configuration and package backups, check the update completed for the correct application ID, and review the startup log for changed syntax, port conflicts or invalid package references. Re-export packages from the current normal-game installation when content changed at the same time.
Pre-launch checklist
- Install the correct application ID:
1948160for ETS2 or2239530for ATS. - Generate and copy both package files from a normal game configuration.
- Launch once to create
server_config.sii, then edit it while stopped. - Set the lobby identity, password, player and traffic limits, damage behavior, ports and logon token.
- Use a unique port pair and token for every instance.
- Forward the connection and query dedicated ports and allow them through the host firewall.
- Add only trusted SteamID64 values to the moderator list.
- Back up configuration and package files before updates or content changes.
- Test direct search and, from an external network, normal browser visibility.
Which hosting approach fits?
Use a home host when you can provide stable internet access, configure forwarding and accept responsibility for restarts and updates. Choose a VPS or game-server machine when public reachability, continuous uptime, isolation between instances and automated operations matter more than avoiding a recurring hosting charge. In both cases, the reliable configuration sequence is the same: install the official tool, export the two package files, configure server_config.sii, expose the dedicated ports and verify the moderator and content setup before inviting players.
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