Nitrox server administration is split between the dedicated server console, server.cfg, and synchronized in-game commands. Use the console for player management, saves, permissions, and shutdowns; use the configuration file for passwords, default permissions, autosave, and world naming. Nitrox 1.8.0.0 requires the final Subnautica 2025 Patch, uses UDP port 11000, and needs a legitimate Steam-owned PC copy of Subnautica on the host and every player’s computer.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Subnautica (Nitrox) servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
This guide covers installation, port forwarding, VPN alternatives, every documented console command, admin authentication, permission levels, backups, and the limitations that can look like server errors.
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Nitrox 1.8 compatibility and what changed
Check the Nitrox release before troubleshooting anything else. Nitrox 1.8.0.0 supports the final Subnautica 2025 Patch and drops support for older Subnautica versions. The server and all clients should run the same compatible Nitrox build; mixing versions is a common cause of failed connections and desynchronization.
| Release detail | What it means for an administrator |
|---|---|
| Nitrox 1.8.0.0 | Supports the final Subnautica 2025 Patch, includes a rewritten launcher and server architecture, allows multiple-server management in the launcher, and adds world-backup restoration. |
| Nitrox 1.8.0.0 status | The project describes this release as alpha. Linux support is experimental, so operating-system-specific behavior may differ from Windows. |
| Nitrox 1.8.0.1 administration change | Player permissions are demoted on disconnect to reduce admin spoofing. An option can disable automatic admin permissions for local players when proxies are involved. |
Synchronization limitations you should explain to players
Not every Subnautica system is synchronized in the current release. These are product limitations rather than settings you can repair in the console:
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- Story PDA entries and terminals are not synchronized.
- Creatures other than leviathans are not fully synchronized.
- Oxygen tanks may be empty after a relog.
- Cyclops health is not synchronized correctly.
- Player animations and Exosuits are not fully synchronized.
- Scanner rooms and fires are not synchronized.
- Sleeping does not work.
When a discrepancy matches one of these cases, reconnecting or restoring a backup will not add the missing synchronization feature. Check the official known-issues information before treating it as a corrupt world.
Requirements before you host
- A legitimate Steam account that owns the Subnautica PC game is required for installation. Every player also needs a compatible PC installation.
- Nitrox 1.8.0.0 or another single, compatible release must be installed consistently across the server and clients.
- A machine that can remain online while players are connected. A dedicated server window must stay running unless you use a managed service.
- Control of the network router for UDP port forwarding, or a VPN path when forwarding is not possible.
- Permission to create firewall exceptions for the game and server executables.
- A safe place to store downloaded save files and
server.cfgbackups.
Install and launch a Nitrox server
- Install Subnautica through Steam on the host machine and confirm that the account owns the PC version.
- Install the compatible Nitrox release. Do not let the host and clients drift onto different Nitrox versions after an update.
- Open NitroxLauncher and use its server-start option. The 1.8 launcher can manage more than one server, so select the intended server profile before starting it.
- Read the server window when it opens. It displays the selected game mode, server password, administrator password, and local and public IP information. Record the address information privately; do not publish an administrator password in a screenshot or chat.
- Leave the server process running while players connect. Use the console’s
stopcommand or the hosting panel’s Stop button for an orderly shutdown rather than closing the process forcibly.
The rewritten launcher and server architecture also support restoring a world backup. Keep that feature for recovery rather than experimenting on the only copy of a live world.
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Port and protocol
| Setting | Value | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrox game traffic | UDP port 11000 | Forward UDP 11000 from the router to the computer running NitroxServer, or provide an equivalent VPN route. |
Port forwarding maps incoming traffic on the router’s public address to the host’s private LAN address. Give the server computer a stable local address first, then create a UDP rule for port 11000 that points to that address. Tell players the public IP shown by the launcher together with port 11000, not the host’s private address.
When forwarding is not practical
A VPN such as Hamachi can provide a shared virtual network when the router is inaccessible or the internet connection uses carrier-grade NAT. Every participant must join the same VPN network and use the host’s VPN address. A VPN changes the connection path; it does not remove the need to run the server or use matching Nitrox versions.
Windows firewall exceptions
Create inbound and outbound exceptions for both Subnautica.exe and NitroxServer-Subnautica.exe when the operating-system firewall blocks traffic. Allow the correct network profile and confirm that the exception applies to UDP traffic. Security software can create a second blocking layer, so check it if the router rule appears correct but the server remains unreachable.
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What a player needs to enter
Players need the host’s reachable IP address, UDP port 11000, and the server password configured for that world. The administrator password is separate and should never be distributed as the ordinary join password.
Server console commands
Run these commands in the Nitrox server console. Square-bracket values are arguments, not characters to type literally. Use help on the running server to display the command set available in that build.
| Command | Purpose | Operational note |
|---|---|---|
help |
Lists available server commands. | Use this first when a release changes syntax or adds a command. |
say [message] |
Broadcasts a message to connected players. | Useful for maintenance warnings, restart notices, and rule reminders. |
list |
Shows connected players. | Use the displayed player name when another command requires [name]. |
kick [name] |
Removes a player from the server. | The player can reconnect unless another restriction applies. |
ban [name] |
Bans a player. | Use only for the intended account or name; verify the target with list. |
unban [name] |
Removes a ban. | Run it with the same player identifier used by the ban. |
save |
Forces an immediate world save. | Run it before maintenance, version changes, or downloading a backup. |
op [name] |
Grants operator or administrator permissions. | Grant it only after confirming the player identity. |
deop [name] |
Removes operator or administrator permissions. | Use it when an administrator should return to ordinary player access. |
stop |
Shuts the server down cleanly. | The documented safe shutdown method saves the world before the process exits. |
Console privileges are stronger than ordinary player permissions. Keep access to the server window or host panel limited to trusted operators, and avoid sharing the administrator password in public channels.
In-game commands and gameplay administration
Nitrox 1.8 release notes document synchronized Subnautica commands for spawning and movement, world rules, growth, hatching, and major events. The exact syntax and permission requirement can vary by build, so enter help in the server console and use the command form shown there rather than copying syntax from an older guide.
| Capability | Documented command or setting | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Item and creature spawning | Spawning commands | Creates supported Subnautica entities in the shared world. Verify the current argument order and permission level with help. |
| Vehicle or player movement | teleport, goto, and warp |
Moves a player or vehicle using the destination format accepted by the current release. |
| Persistent game mode | Gamemode command | Changes the server’s game mode persistently rather than only for one temporary action. |
| Inventory retention | Keep-inventory setting and command | Controls whether a player keeps inventory after the relevant death or loss event. |
| Player combat | PvP setting and toggle command | Enables or disables player-versus-player damage for the world. |
| Plant growth | fastGrow |
Accelerates supported plant growth for administration or testing. |
| Egg hatching | fastHatch |
Accelerates supported creature hatching. |
| Story events | Sunbeam and Aurora event chat commands | Triggers the supported event controls from chat when the player has sufficient permissions. |
Because these controls affect the shared world, announce changes with say first and use them deliberately on a survival server. A command can be synchronized correctly while the underlying game system still has one of the known limitations listed earlier.
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Set the administrator password
Nitrox reads the administrator credential from server.cfg. Depending on the build, the key is exposed as SUBNAUTICA_ADMIN_PASSWORD or AdminPassword. The administration guide identifies PleaseChangeMe as the default. Replace it immediately with a unique, private password before opening the server to anyone else.
SUBNAUTICA_ADMIN_PASSWORD=replace-with-a-private-passwordIf your generated configuration uses AdminPassword instead, edit that existing key rather than adding a second competing entry. Stop the server before editing the file, save the change, and start the server again so the new credential is loaded.
Assign default permissions
DefaultPlayerPerm determines the permission assigned to new players. The documented hierarchy is:
| Level | Access | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
NONE |
No world interaction. | Use for a restricted connection or a player who should not interact until approved. |
PLAYER |
Normal gameplay access. | The ordinary setting for trusted friends. |
MODERATOR |
Basic moderation, such as kicking players. | For a helper who needs moderation but not configuration control. |
ADMIN |
Full administrative permissions, including banning, granting operator status, and configuration access. | Reserve for the server owner or a highly trusted administrator. |
CONSOLE |
Highest level, available through the server console. | Keep this with the host process or secured management panel. |
Use the console’s op [name] command for an individual promotion and deop [name] for removal. A broad DefaultPlayerPerm=ADMIN setting gives every new player powerful access, so it is safer to leave ordinary players at PLAYER and promote specific people.
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Disconnect demotion and local proxies
Nitrox 1.8.0.1 demotes player permissions when a player disconnects, reducing the chance that a stale or spoofed identity retains administrator access. If you run local players through proxies, review the option that disables automatic admin permissions for local players and choose the safer behavior for your topology.
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Saving, autosave, and world backups
Configure autosave and world naming
| Configuration key | Documented behavior | Default or value |
|---|---|---|
SAVE_INTERVAL |
Interval between automatic saves, measured in milliseconds. | 120000 milliseconds, which is two minutes. |
SAVE_DISABLE |
Disables autosave when enabled. | Do not disable it unless you have a deliberate manual-save procedure. |
SAVE_NAME |
Sets the world/save name. | world by default. |
The two-minute value is a documented default, not a guarantee that every operation finishes within two minutes. Large worlds, storage speed, and server load can affect how quickly a save completes.
Force a save before maintenance
- Tell players that maintenance is starting with
say. - Run
savein the server console and wait for the save operation to finish. - For a full shutdown, run
stopor press the host panel’s Stop button. This performs the clean shutdown path that saves the world.
Download a usable backup
- Save or stop the server before copying files. Do not download a changing save directory as your only backup.
- Use SFTP to download the complete save directory.
- Download
server.cfgas well, so the world name, permissions, and operational settings can be reconstructed. - Store the copy outside the server machine and label it with the Nitrox version and date.
- Make another backup before changing Nitrox versions. Updates generally preserve saves, but the administration guidance recommends a backup in case a conversion or rollback is needed.
Nitrox 1.8’s launcher supports world-backup restoration. Keep at least one untouched copy so you can restore the pre-update state instead of overwriting every backup with a damaged save.
Troubleshooting connection and server problems
Players cannot connect
Work through the path in order rather than changing several settings at once:
- Confirm that the host is running the server from NitroxLauncher and that the server window is still open.
- Use the public IP shown by the launcher and UDP port 11000. A private address works only for players on the same LAN or an equivalent VPN.
- Check that the router forwards UDP 11000 to the correct local address. If you use a VPN, confirm that every player joined the same virtual network and is using the host’s VPN address.
- Verify firewall exceptions for
Subnautica.exeandNitroxServer-Subnautica.exe. - Check the server password separately from the administrator password.
- Compare the exact Nitrox release and Subnautica patch on every client and the server.
If the router is behind carrier-grade NAT, ordinary forwarding may never receive an inbound connection; use a VPN path or a managed server with a reachable endpoint.
Players connect but the world desynchronizes
- Have every player disconnect completely.
- Confirm that everyone is running the same Nitrox version.
- Restart the server cleanly with
stop, then launch it again. - Reconnect players and test one affected action.
If the discrepancy continues and matches a documented limitation—such as unsynchronized fires, scanner rooms, sleep, or incomplete creature synchronization—it is expected behavior rather than a network fault.
The save appears corrupt
Stop the server before attempting repairs. Restore the most recent known-good save directory and matching server.cfg through your backup workflow. If no backup exists, create a new world by changing SAVE_NAME and test whether a fresh save runs normally; keep the original files untouched so a later recovery attempt remains possible.
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Subnautica updates can invalidate an older Nitrox build. Check the official Nitrox GitHub releases for a version compatible with the installed Subnautica patch, then back up the world before changing versions. Do not repeatedly launch a server against an unsupported game build while using the only copy of the save.
Gameplay remains inconsistent after reconnecting
Review the official known-issues list and compare the symptom with Nitrox’s documented limitations. Oxygen tanks emptying after relog, incorrect Cyclops health, incomplete Exosuit or animation synchronization, and nonfunctional sleep are examples that configuration changes cannot eliminate.
Self-hosting versus managed Nitrox hosting
The choice is mainly about control versus operational effort. Provider-specific pricing, uptime, and referral terms are not established here, so compare offers using the technical criteria below rather than assuming that a listed plan supports the current release.
| Decision axis | Self-hosting | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Networking | You configure UDP 11000 forwarding or a VPN and maintain firewall rules. | The provider may supply a reachable endpoint and handle much of the network setup. |
| Console and files | Direct access to the server process, console, server.cfg, and save directory. |
Access depends on the provider’s panel, file manager, or SFTP offering. |
| Backups and restore | You schedule saves, download files, and test restoration yourself. | Backups may be integrated, but verify retention, download access, and restore support. |
| Version control | You decide when to update Nitrox and Subnautica and can hold a known-good build. | Check how quickly the service supports the current Nitrox release and whether you can select a version. |
| Operating systems | Windows is the least experimental path; Linux support in Nitrox 1.8 is experimental. | Confirm the host operating system and whether the provider supports the experimental Linux path. |
| Passwords and permissions | You control AdminPassword, DefaultPlayerPerm, operators, and firewall access. |
You must verify that the panel exposes equivalent controls without forcing broad administrator access. |
| Cost | Uses your existing hardware, connection, electricity, and administration time. | Requires a service fee; exact prices and service levels vary and are not specified here. |
Self-hosting is appropriate when you want complete file and process control and can manage networking. Managed hosting is useful when port forwarding, continuous uptime, or routine backups are more important than direct access to the machine.
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Quick Recap
Practical administrator checklist
- Install the final Subnautica 2025 Patch and a matching Nitrox 1.8 build on the server and clients.
- Change the default administrator password before inviting players.
- Leave ordinary players at
PLAYER; grantMODERATORorADMINonly to named, trusted people. - Forward UDP 11000 or establish a tested VPN route.
- Allow both required executables through the firewall.
- Run
savebefore maintenance andstopbefore shutting down or copying files. - Back up the save directory and
server.cfgbefore every Nitrox version change. - Use
helpto confirm syntax for release-sensitive in-game commands. - Tell players which behaviors are known Nitrox limitations so they do not mistake them for lost progress.
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