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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To host Factorio: Space Age for friends, install a Factorio 2.0-or-newer headless server, enable the Space Age content, create or copy a save, configure server-settings.json, start it with --start-server, and allow UDP port 34197 through your firewall and router. Every connecting player must use the same game version and exactly the same mod set.
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What you need before starting
A dedicated server is a Factorio process without a graphical interface or playable character. It loads a save, simulates the factory, accepts network connections, and writes autosaves even when no one is connected. The server itself must be Factorio 2.0 or newer for Space Age. A vanilla 1.1 server cannot load a Space Age world.
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- A computer or virtual machine that can run Factorio 2.0 or later.
- The Factorio headless files, or a normal Factorio installation started in headless mode.
- The Space Age content and its matching 2.0-era dependencies.
- A save file in
.zipformat. - Permission to open UDP port 34197 on the host firewall and, if necessary, forward it on your router.
- Matching game versions and mods on the server and every client.
No authoritative general CPU or RAM benchmark establishes one universal Space Age requirement. Capacity depends on concurrent players, factory size, simulation complexity, and mods. Start with the resources available on your machine, then watch UPS and memory use as the world grows rather than relying on an invented minimum specification.
Choose a deployment model
Native headless installation
Native installation gives you direct control over executable files, saves, configuration, logs, updates, and backups. The official Linux headless package omits graphics and sound files and avoids libraries such as Xlib, libGL, and libasound, making it a good fit for a GUI-less machine or third-party server. On Linux, run the service as a separate unprivileged user such as factorio, not as root.
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A normal desktop installation can also run the same command-line server. Use this when the host already has Factorio installed or when you want to administer the machine locally. Keep the server directory and its save, configuration, and mod directories together so upgrades and backups are predictable.
Docker
Docker packages the server process and exposes a repeatable set of environment variables. It is useful when you already operate containers or want to replace the application image without changing the host installation. It does not remove the need to manage networking, credentials, updates, and backups.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe container must have persistent storage. Mounting a host directory at /factorio preserves configuration, mods, and saves when a container is recreated. Without that mount, deleting the container can delete the only copy of your world.
Managed hosting
A managed host can take responsibility for the operating system and network, but features, mod support, backup policy, and Space Age availability vary by provider. Verify those details before committing. The native and Docker procedures below are the reproducible paths covered here.
Install Factorio 2.0 and enable Space Age
Use the correct server files
Install a Factorio release at version 2.0 or later. The headless executable is normally at bin/x64/factorio on Linux and as binx64factorio.exe on Windows. If you use the separate Linux headless package, extract it into a directory owned by the dedicated service account.
Do not mix files from different releases. The executable, base data, expansion data, and mods must describe the same game version. Upgrade the server before asking clients to join an upgraded save.
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Space Age is delivered as the official space-age mod alongside the base game and related official mods. A typical enabled list includes:
{
"base": true,
"space-age": true,
"quality": true,
"elevated-rails": true
}The exact file is mod-list.json in the server’s user data. Keep the server’s complete mod directory and mod-list.json together. If you intentionally disable one of the official components, every client must use the same choice, but a normal Space Age world should be generated with the Space Age content enabled.
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For a new planetary progression, generate a fresh Space Age save rather than assuming an older vanilla world will provide the intended campaign and planet progression. Existing saves may be useful for testing, but make a backup before attempting a conversion.
Create or copy the server save
Create a new world
A dedicated server needs a save before it can start. From the Factorio installation directory, create one with:
./bin/x64/factorio --create ./saves/my-save.zipThe command writes my-save.zip into the saves directory. You can supply map-generation and map-settings JSON files when creating the world. Those settings control such things as resource placement, pollution, biter expansion, and evolution. Decide these values at creation time because they shape the generated map.
For a Space Age playthrough, make sure the Space Age mods are enabled before creating the save. A newly generated world is the least ambiguous way to obtain the intended planetary progression.
Copy an existing save
To host a world made in single-player or another server, copy its .zip file into the server’s saves directory. Preserve the original as a backup. If the world was created with a different Factorio version or mod set, first make a separate test copy and resolve compatibility issues there.
The filename is part of the command. For example:
./bin/x64/factorio --start-server ./saves/my-save.zipIf the path is wrong, the process cannot load the world and will exit or report a missing save. A settings file cannot substitute for a save; --start-server always needs a specific .zip file.
Configure server-settings.json
Make a server-specific copy
Copy data/server-settings.example.json to a writable location such as data/server-settings.json. Edit the copy rather than the example so future updates do not overwrite your choices.
Set the values that define how the server appears and who can join:
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- Name: the title shown in server listings.
- Description and tags: useful for explaining the map, play style, or mod policy.
- Player limit: the maximum number of simultaneous players you want to allow.
- Password: optional protection for a private group.
- Visibility: public, LAN, or hidden, depending on how you intend to distribute the address.
- Authentication: credentials or an authentication token when the server should appear publicly.
A public listing requires non-empty Factorio authentication credentials or a token. Treat the token as a password: the settings file is plain text, so restrict file permissions, avoid posting it in screenshots, and do not commit it to a public repository. If you only need a private server, use LAN or hidden visibility and share the address directly.
Optional command-line settings
The command reference supports options for the port, whitelist and admin lists, RCON, the settings file, and the save to load. Keep stable choices in the JSON file and use command-line flags for deployment-specific overrides. Common examples include:
--server-settings FILE
--port N
--start-server SAVE
--start-server-load-latestValidate the JSON syntax before starting. A missing comma, unmatched brace, or invalid value can prevent the server from launching even when the save itself is healthy.
Start the native server
Linux or other Unix-like systems
To load the latest save and apply your settings:
./bin/x64/factorio --start-server-load-latest
--server-settings ./data/server-settings.jsonTo select a particular save instead:
./bin/x64/factorio --start-server ./saves/my-save.zip
--server-settings ./data/server-settings.jsonRun the command from the Factorio installation directory, or use absolute paths. For a long-running machine, place the command under your service manager or a terminal multiplexer so it can restart after maintenance. The process has no GUI and no in-game avatar. It loads the world, accepts connections, pauses when nobody is connected unless automatic pausing has been disabled, and continues normal autosaves.
Windows
You can place the launch command in a batch file:
start /wait .binx64factorio.exe --start-server-load-latest --server-settings .dataserver-settings.jsonKeep the console window available while testing. The first successful start should show the save loading and network initialization messages. Stop the process through its normal shutdown path so the latest state is written before the machine is rebooted.
Check the first launch
- Confirm that the selected save is loaded rather than a newly generated world.
- Check that the Space Age and other expected mods are enabled.
- Look for a listening network message and the configured port.
- Connect locally before troubleshooting internet routing.
- Stop once and verify that a recent autosave or shutdown save appears in the saves directory.
Open UDP 34197 to players
Host firewall
Factorio uses UDP, not TCP, and the default server port is 34197/UDP. Allow that inbound UDP port in the operating system firewall and permit the Factorio executable to receive traffic. Opening only TCP 34197 will not make the game reachable.
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Router port forwarding
If the server is behind a home router, forward UDP 34197 from the router’s external interface to the server’s private IP address. Give the server a DHCP reservation or static local address so the rule does not point to a different machine after a reboot.
Some routers randomize outbound source ports. Combined with a restrictive firewall or antivirus product, that behavior can prevent connections even when a forwarding rule appears correct. Test from a different network, such as a friend’s connection or a phone hotspot, rather than testing only from inside the same LAN.
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How players connect
Players may find the server through the public browser, a LAN browser, Steam services, or a direct IP address and port. For a direct connection, provide the public address and UDP port when it is not the default. Do not publish your authentication token with the connection details.
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Keep every client identical
Factorio checks the complete game state before allowing a player to join. Every instance must use exactly the same game version and mods. For Space Age, compare at least space-age, quality, and elevated-rails, plus every additional mod in the server’s directory.
Understanding a red mod-mismatch message
A red mismatch normally means that a client has a different version, a missing mod, an extra mod, or a different enabled state. Download the server’s exact mod files, update the client to the server’s Factorio release, and compare mod-list.json. Do not fix the problem by randomly removing official Space Age files; first identify which entry differs.
Coordinate upgrades
Back up the save before changing Factorio versions or mods. Upgrade the server and clients as one planned change, start a test copy of the save, and only then replace the production process. A world saved after a migration may not be safely usable by an older executable or an earlier mod version.
Run Space Age in Docker
Prepare persistent storage
The documented container layout mounts a host directory at /factorio. Create it and assign it to the non-root container user:
sudo mkdir -p /opt/factorio
sudo chown 845:845 /opt/factorioThis directory stores configuration, mods, and saves. Back it up before replacing or upgrading the container.
Start the container
sudo docker run -d
-p 34197:34197/udp
-v /opt/factorio:/factorio
--name factorio
--restart=unless-stopped
factoriotools/factorioThe port mapping is explicitly UDP. The volume mapping is the part that protects your progress. The container runs as a non-root factorio user, so the host directory ownership must permit that user to write saves and configuration.
Useful container controls
The image documents environment variables for common deployment choices:
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PORTchanges the server port when you also change the Docker mapping and firewall rule.SAVE_NAMEselects a particular save.LOAD_LATEST_SAVEloads the newest save automatically.GENERATE_NEW_SAVEcreates a world when no existing save is available.TOKENsupplies authentication for public listing.UPDATE_MODS_ON_STARTcontrols mod updates at startup.DLC_SPACE_AGEenables the Space Age mods in the documented 2.0.8-and-newer configuration.
Use only the variables you understand, and record them alongside your deployment notes. Automatic mod updates can change the server’s mod set; schedule them with a backup and coordinate the client update.
Upgrade without losing the world
- Stop the running container cleanly.
- Copy the saves and configuration from
/opt/factorioto backup storage. - Pull or select the new image version.
- Recreate the container with the same volume and UDP port mapping.
- Start it and inspect the logs before allowing players to join.
- Restore the previous image and volume backup if the new version cannot load the save.
Backups, permissions, and administration
Back up the right files
At minimum, back up the entire saves directory, not just the latest filename. Include server-settings.json, mod-list.json, the installed mod files, and the Docker environment or service definition needed to recreate the host. Keep at least one copy away from the server machine.
Protect credentials
Limit read access to the settings file when it contains a token or other credentials. Use a dedicated operating-system account, avoid running Factorio as root, and do not expose RCON to the public internet without a deliberate firewall policy and strong authentication.
Plan maintenance
Announce planned restarts, stop the server cleanly, and verify a fresh save after every significant update. Keep the previous executable or container image until the new release has loaded a backup successfully.
Troubleshoot the common failures
The server exits immediately
- Confirm the save path exists and ends in
.zip. - Check that
--start-serveror--start-server-load-latestpoints to a real save. - Validate
server-settings.jsonas JSON and confirm the process can read it. - Verify that the executable, base data, Space Age files, and mods are all from a compatible 2.0-or-newer release.
Nobody can connect
- Confirm the process is running and listening on UDP 34197, or on the custom port you selected.
- Allow that UDP port through the host firewall.
- Forward the same UDP port from the router to the server’s current private IP.
- Test from outside the LAN and check for router source-port rewriting or antivirus filtering.
The server is absent from the public browser
- Set visibility to public rather than LAN or hidden.
- Provide valid, non-empty Factorio authentication credentials or a token.
- Check that the token is readable by the server process but not blocked by file permissions.
- Use a direct address temporarily to separate listing problems from network problems.
Space Age will not load
- Confirm the server is Factorio 2.0 or newer.
- Enable
space-ageand the other mods required by the save. - Check that the save was created for the intended Space Age setup.
- Compare the complete mod list and exact versions with a known-good client.
A container lost progress
- Check that
/opt/factoriowas mounted at/factoriowhen the container was created. - Inspect the mounted directory for the saves and configuration.
- Restore the latest verified backup before starting a replacement container.
- Do not delete the old container or volume until the new instance has loaded the world successfully.
Capacity and performance checks
The documented hard player limit is 65,535, but practical limits are much lower and depend on simulation workload. Treat that number as a protocol ceiling, not a sensible target. Concurrent players, large factories, train networks, enemy evolution, map activity, and mod code all affect performance.
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Native headless or Docker: which should you use?
| Decision factor | Native headless | Docker |
|---|---|---|
| File and update control | Direct access to executable, data, saves, and service manager. | Image versions and environment variables provide a repeatable deployment. |
| Rollback | Keep the previous installation and restore files manually. | Keep the previous image and persistent volume, then recreate the container. |
| Persistence | Back up the installation’s saves and configuration directly. | Requires a persistent host mount such as /opt/factorio:/factorio. |
| Networking | Open and forward UDP 34197 on the host and router. | Do the same, plus publish the container’s UDP port. |
| Mod synchronization | Manage mod files and mod-list.json yourself. |
Manage them in the mounted volume; optional startup updates can change them. |
| Security maintenance | Patch and restrict the host operating system and service account. | Patch the host, Docker engine, image, and mounted-file permissions. |
| Recurring cost | No special software fee; you provide the hardware or virtual machine. | No special software fee; you provide the Docker host and storage. |
Choose native headless when you want the fewest layers and already manage Linux or Windows services. Choose Docker when image-based deployment, repeatable recreation, and container operations are more valuable than a direct installation.
A practical launch checklist
- Install Factorio 2.0 or newer and select a dedicated, non-root service account.
- Enable the Space Age content and confirm the server’s
mod-list.json. - Create a fresh Space Age save with
--create, or copy a backed-up.zipsave intosaves. - Copy
data/server-settings.example.jsonand set name, description, tags, player cap, visibility, password, and authentication as appropriate. - Start with
--start-serveror--start-server-load-latestand--server-settings. - Allow and forward UDP 34197, or the custom port you configured.
- Test a local connection, then test from outside the LAN.
- Give clients the exact Factorio version and complete mod set.
- Back up saves and credentials before updates, mod changes, or container replacement.
- Monitor UPS and save behavior as the factory and player count grow.
Once those checks pass, the server can run continuously with automatic pausing when empty, normal autosaves, and controlled maintenance. The critical details are not a special Space Age command: they are the 2.0-or-newer executable, a valid save, matching mods, correct JSON settings, and an open UDP path.
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