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To update a FiveM server, replace its FXServer server artifacts—the server runtime files—while keeping your configuration, resources, database, and txAdmin data in place. Stop the server, make a complete backup, download the current Latest recommended artifact from Cfx.re, extract it separately, replace the old binaries, then restart and test. You will need a maintenance window: do not replace artifact files while the server is running.
This guide covers standard Windows and Linux installations, txAdmin and hosting-panel setups, GTAV Enhanced differences, verification, and rollback. Cfx.re’s official server setup guide explains artifacts and points to the download channels; use its current recommendation rather than relying on a fixed artifact number.
What a FiveM server update changes
“Updating FiveM” can mean several different things. For a server owner, it usually means updating the FXServer artifact: the executable and supporting runtime files required to run the server. It does not automatically update your scripts, framework, GTA V game build, or database.
- FXServer artifact: The server runtime—such as
FXServer.exeand supporting files on Windows, orrun.shand supporting files on Linux. Updating this is the main procedure below. See Cfx.re’s server download instructions. - Resources and scripts: Frameworks, maps, vehicles, and other resources have their own releases and dependencies. Updating the artifact does not update them. Follow each resource’s compatibility notes; updates may involve replacing or merging files, editing
server.cfg, or applying database migrations. - GTA V game build: A setting such as
sv_enforceGameBuildselects a game build for clients. It is separate from the server artifact; do not change it just because you updated FXServer. See the example server configuration. - txAdmin: txAdmin is bundled with qualifying FXServer builds (above artifact 2524), rather than normally being installed as a separate download. Updating the artifact is the usual way to get its bundled version. See Cfx.re’s txAdmin documentation.
For a production server, choose the official Latest recommended artifact as the default. That is Cfx.re’s recommended channel—not a guarantee that every third-party resource will be compatible. Test on a staging copy first if you can. A canary or experimental build may help with a specific issue, but carries more risk; keep an older artifact for rollback rather than treating it as a permanent update strategy.
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Before you update: protect the working server
- Schedule downtime and notify players. Replacing runtime files requires the server to be stopped.
- Stop it cleanly through txAdmin, your hosting panel, systemd, Docker, or the terminal session that launched it. Confirm no server process is still running before replacing files.
- Record the current artifact version and save the existing launch command, service definition, container configuration, environment variables, and any custom paths or arguments.
- Make a timestamped backup. Include the complete server-data directory,
server.cfgand included configuration files, resources, the txAdmintxDatadirectory, database files or a database dump, and custom startup or deployment files. Also preserve the current artifact directory so you can restore it quickly. txAdmin’s internal backup feature is useful for its player-related data, but it is not a replacement for a full server and database backup. - Identify the correct artifact. Choose Windows or Linux and confirm whether the server is for standard GTA V or GTAV Enhanced; Enhanced uses different artifact filenames.
Keep the files in separate locations where possible. For example, put runtime files in C:FXServerserver and configuration and resources in C:FXServerserver-data on Windows, or use ~/FXServer/server and ~/FXServer/server-data on Linux. This separation makes it easier to replace the runtime without touching your data. Cfx.re uses this general separation in its vanilla server guide.
Update a standard Windows server
- Stop the server and complete the backups above. Do not overwrite the live directory while FXServer is running.
- Download the current recommended Windows artifact from Cfx.re’s Windows artifact channel. For standard GTA V, choose the current Latest recommended build. If you run GTAV Enhanced, follow the separate filename and setup guidance in the official txAdmin server setup guide.
- Extract the archive into a temporary directory, such as
C:FXServerincomingartifact-new. Do not extract directly over the live server. - Swap the runtime directory. With the server stopped, rename
C:FXServerserverto a dated name such asC:FXServerserver-old-2026-09-24, then move the extracted artifact intoC:FXServerserver. Alternatively, copy the new files over the old binary directory after making a complete backup. - Leave server data in place. Do not replace
C:FXServerserver-data, includingserver.cfgandresources. - Start it using your existing launch method. For the standard vanilla layout, Cfx.re’s example is:
cd /d C:FXServerserver-data
C:FXServerserverFXServer.exe +exec server.cfgIf you use txAdmin, a service manager, a container, or a host panel, use the existing configured launch method instead of switching to a new one. A changed working directory or binary path can make the server appear to have lost its configuration.
- Watch the startup console until FXServer is ready. Check that the license key is accepted, resources start, the expected port is listening, and txAdmin loads.
- Test the server before ending maintenance. Connect directly if needed using
connect IP:Portin the FiveM client console (open it with F8). Confirm a player can join and data persists.
If Windows startup is unusually slow, Cfx.re notes that Microsoft Defender scanning can be a factor. Its documented example adds an exclusion for the server directory:
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath 'C:FXServer'Use an exclusion only when needed, substitute your actual server path, and understand that excluded files receive less antivirus scanning. Keep the exclusion limited to the required server directory; do not disable antivirus globally. See Cfx.re’s server troubleshooting guide.
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Update a standard Linux server
- Stop the server cleanly through its panel, systemd, Docker, txAdmin, or the terminal session that launched it. Confirm the process is no longer running.
- Back up server data and runtime. For example:
mkdir -p ~/FXServer/backups
cp -a ~/FXServer/server-data
~/FXServer/backups/server-data-2026-09-24Back up a separate txData directory and database separately if they are not included in server-data. Preserve the old artifact directory as well.
- Open the official Linux artifact channel and copy the download URL for the current Latest recommended build. Do not hard-code an old artifact URL. For GTAV Enhanced, use the corresponding setup instructions and artifact names in Cfx.re’s server guide.
- Download the artifact to a temporary or staging location. Replace the placeholder below with the current URL copied from the official page:
cd ~/FXServer
wget -O fx.tar.xz "<CURRENT_RECOMMENDED_LINUX_ARTIFACT_URL>"- Extract to a new directory, not over the live one. The official guide uses
tarto unpack the archive; the host may needxzorxz-utils.
mkdir -p ~/FXServer/incoming/artifact-new
tar -xf ~/FXServer/fx.tar.xz
-C ~/FXServer/incoming/artifact-new- Replace only the binary directory. Once extraction is complete and the server is stopped, move the old directory aside and move the new artifact into place:
mv ~/FXServer/server ~/FXServer/server-old-2026-09-24
mv ~/FXServer/incoming/artifact-new ~/FXServer/serverDo not move or overwrite ~/FXServer/server-data. If needed, restore the execute bit:
chmod +x ~/FXServer/server/run.sh- Start with your existing service or launch configuration. Cfx.re’s vanilla example is:
cd ~/FXServer/server-data
bash ~/FXServer/server/run.sh +exec server.cfgIf you use screen, the documented launch form includes screen ./run.sh. txAdmin must be initialized by launching FXServer in monitor mode; do not add +exec arguments when initializing txAdmin. See the txAdmin documentation. With systemd, Docker, or a panel, keep the established service, container, or panel settings and ensure they point to the new binary path.
- Check the console and test access: verify startup, license, resources, listening port, txAdmin, and a real player connection before reopening the server.
Using txAdmin or a hosting panel
txAdmin is a management panel that runs with FXServer, not a separate server-data resource to replace. Its default port is 40120; if the panel does not open automatically, try http://localhost:40120 from the server machine. Profiles are stored under txData. A profile can be selected with +set serverProfile dev_server; a custom port can be set with +set txAdminPort 40121. Examples:
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FXServer.exe +set serverProfile dev_server +set txAdminPort 40121
./run.sh +set serverProfile dev_server +set txAdminPort 40121These settings and launch examples are documented by Cfx.re in its txAdmin guide. Hosts may expose txAdmin through a custom port, reverse proxy, or web panel, so the default address will not fit every installation.
If your host offers an update workflow, first confirm what it replaces and whether its backup includes resources, txData, and databases. Provider controls and labels vary; there is no single update button or path that applies to every panel. Take your own backup and know how to restore the previous artifact before using a one-click update.
GTAV Enhanced: choose the matching artifact
Do not mix standard and Enhanced runtime files. Cfx.re’s current server setup documentation identifies cfx-server_win_x64 for Windows Enhanced setups and cfx-server-linux_x64 for Linux Enhanced setups, rather than the standard archive names such as server.7z and fx.tar.xz. Follow the current Enhanced setup instructions to select and launch the correct artifact. The rest of the safety rule still applies: stop the server, back up, extract separately, preserve server data, then test.
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Post-update verification checklist
A server process starting is only the first check. Work through these before declaring the update complete:
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- Console: FXServer reaches its ready state; the license key is accepted; no missing runtime-library errors, crash loop, or new dependency failures appear; expected resources start.
- Files and configuration: the expected
server.cfg, server name, launch arguments, and configured ports remain in use. - txAdmin: the intended profile loads; the panel is reachable; permissions, scheduled restarts, logs, and player list are intact.
- Connectivity: test with
connect IP:Portfrom a FiveM client. A server can start but remain unreachable because of firewall or port-forwarding problems. Cfx.re’s troubleshooting guide recommends direct connection testing. - Gameplay and persistence: join, complete framework login or spawn, and check character data, database-backed features, voice, maps, vehicles, UI, and other important resources.
- Public listing: check the server browser separately. Listing may take time; a running process and a reachable port do not guarantee immediate public visibility.
If you use the default port, the example configuration includes endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120" and endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120". Check that the matching firewall and router rules allow the configured TCP and UDP traffic; your server may use a different port. The vanilla setup guide shows the endpoint settings.
Rollback if the new artifact fails
If the server crashes, resources stop working, or players cannot connect after the update, restore the last working artifact before changing player data or configuration:
- Stop the failed server.
- Rename or move the new artifact directory out of the way.
- Restore the previous artifact directory from your saved copy (or rename the dated old directory back to
server). - Leave
server-data,txData, and the database unchanged unless you deliberately changed them and need to restore a backup. - Restart with the original launch configuration and verify service is restored.
On Windows, for example, rename C:FXServerserver to C:FXServerserver-failed and rename C:FXServerserver-old-2026-09-24 back to C:FXServerserver. On Linux, use the equivalent directory renames under ~/FXServer. Keep the failed artifact and its logs for diagnosis; check its release notes and relevant support information before retrying.
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FXServer will not start
Check that you downloaded the right operating-system and server type, extraction completed, Linux run.sh is executable, the command uses the expected working directory, and startup arguments still include +exec server.cfg where appropriate. Confirm the license key and required system libraries are present. A service manager, container, or host panel may still point at an old binary path. Cfx.re specifically calls out a wrong working directory and missing +exec as setup problems in its vanilla guide. If the cause is not obvious, roll back first and investigate from a working state.
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Resources fail after the artifact update
Find the first meaningful error in the console; later errors may only be consequences. The new runtime can expose deprecated natives or APIs, invalid manifests, dependency-order issues, script errors, database-driver problems, or incompatible custom binaries. Test recently changed resources separately, check the resource author’s compatibility notes, and update the affected resource as its own change. If production service is urgent, roll back the artifact rather than updating multiple resources blindly.
txAdmin opens to an empty profile or seems to be missing
Check that FXServer launched from the expected working directory and that the existing txData path and profile are being used. A changed startup command, serverProfile, or txDataPath can make a valid profile appear missing; launching a fresh instance can also initialize a different profile. Cfx.re documents profile storage and the related settings in its txAdmin guide. Do not delete the old txData directory while investigating.
The server starts but cannot be reached or is not listed
Separate three questions: is the process running, is its configured port reachable, and is it visible in the public list? First try connect IP:Port. If direct access fails, check the configured endpoint, host firewall, router port forwarding, and NAT. If direct access works but listing does not, allow time and check the server-list guidance; visibility can be affected by NAT or gateway behavior. See Cfx.re’s server troubleshooting page.
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An artifact update does not grant more player slots. Cfx.re documents a default OneSync Infinity capacity of 48 players; going above 48 requires the relevant Element Club subscription, a supported sv_maxclients setting for that tier, and a restart. Check current requirements and benefits on the official FiveM hosting page before changing capacity.
Self-hosting or managed hosting?
A manual Windows or Linux installation makes sense if you want filesystem access, custom systemd or Docker management, staging, automated rollback, and direct control over databases and monitoring. The trade-off is that you are responsible for updates, backups, security, ports, and troubleshooting. Cfx.re describes Linux FXServer as a courtesy port and notes that some issues may be more likely to be fixed on Windows; that is not a universal reason to choose Windows. Use the platform you can administer reliably and that fits your workload.
A managed FiveM host may be more convenient if you want a web panel, provider-assisted updates, backups, or support. Before choosing one, check whether backups include your database and txData, whether you can download them, how artifact updates and rollback work, whether you have file access, and whether the plan supports your game version and required resources. Provider procedures and control differ; a panel can simplify operations but does not remove the need to verify backups or resource compatibility.
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