Use a scheduled update job that warns players, saves and backs up the world, stops the Soulmask dedicated-server process, runs SteamCMD with app ID 3017310, then starts the server and verifies it. Managed hosting panels can bundle those actions; on Windows or Linux self-hosting, assemble the same sequence with a scheduler, a graceful-stop script, SteamCMD, backups, and health checks.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Soulmask servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
The update sequence that prevents most outages
An unattended update is safe only when its stages run in order. A patch downloaded while Soulmask is still writing world files can leave an incomplete installation or a damaged save. Build your job around this sequence:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Schedule during a quiet period. Use the server machine’s local timezone, not the timezone on your desktop. Pick a recurring window when few players are online.
- Warn players in advance. Send a short in-game message such as “Server update in 10 minutes; save and log out.” Repeat the notice through Discord if that is where your community follows status updates.
- Save and make a backup. Use the game’s save command or your manager’s graceful-save action, then create a world backup before changing server files. Keep several generations so a bad patch can be rolled back.
- Stop the dedicated server cleanly. Wait for the process to exit completely. SteamCMD should never overwrite files that the running server still has open.
- Update with SteamCMD. Run the update command, capture its output, and treat an interrupted or nonzero result as a failed update.
- Start and verify. Check the startup log, process, listening ports, and a real client connection before considering the maintenance complete.
For a cluster, apply the same sequence to one instance at a time in a documented order. Do not allow two instances to update the same files concurrently, and confirm that every instance ends up on the same file set.
Choose the scheduler that matches your server
| Environment | How scheduling works | Warnings and backups | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managed hosting panel | Create a recurring task and select Steam Update. Enable Update only if a new version is available when the panel provides that option. | The documented GTXGaming workflow sends a 10-minute in-game countdown, saves the world, backs it up, and updates the server. | Labels, timezone handling, and available warning channels vary by provider. |
| Windows self-hosting | Use Windows Task Scheduler to launch a PowerShell or batch orchestration script. A community recipe separates shutdown, update, and start scripts. | The example broadcasts a 15-minute warning, waits roughly 16 minutes for shutdown, updates, and starts the server again. | Replace the example wait with the time your own world takes to close; a fixed delay is not proof that the process has exited. |
| Windows GUI manager | Use the manager’s scheduled-restart feature instead of building every action yourself. | SoulMask Server Manager lists optional broadcast warnings, automatic backups, SteamCMD installation/update, and Discord webhook notifications. | Confirm where it stores backups and how it reports a failed SteamCMD run before enabling unattended updates. |
| Linux self-hosting | Run the server under systemd and trigger updates with a systemd timer, or watch the Steam appmanifest for a downloaded change. | An operations pattern sends notices at 10, 5, and 1 minutes before restart and records each update result. | The watcher needs least-privilege access, a lock against overlapping jobs, and reliable logging. |
Prepare the server before creating a recurring job
Record paths, accounts, and the local clock
- Write down the dedicated-server install directory, the SteamCMD executable path, the save directory, and the service or process name.
- Run the update under the same operating-system account that owns the server files, or grant only the read, write, execute, and service-control permissions required.
- Display the machine-local time in the scheduler and document it for your players. A task set for 03:00 UTC can run at a different local hour after daylight-saving changes.
- For a cluster, record each instance’s directory, port, service name, and maintenance order.
Define backup and recovery policy
Keep a pre-update copy of the world before every patch. Retain multiple dated generations rather than overwriting one archive. Store at least one generation outside the live server directory so a failed disk or bad update cannot remove both the working save and its backup. Decide how you will restore a generation and test that procedure before relying on unattended jobs.
#1 Best Overall
- BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING GLASSES: Our blue light glasses for women boast UV400 protection, blocking harmful blue rays from computer screens. With these bluelight glasses women, you can enjoy gaming, reading, or watching TV with no worries of eye strain.
- EYE RELIEF: Our blue light glasses are engineered to reduce blurry vision or strain caused by prolonged screen time. These womens blue light glasses aid in better sleep by preventing blue light from disrupting your natural sleep cycle, helping you fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful night's sleep, making them the perfect christmas present.
- COMFORTABLE: Crafted from durable material, our trendy blue light glasses for woman or blue light glasses men ensure long-lasting comfort. The high-transmittance lenses accessories, gamer gifts for men, help keep your eyes relaxed. Perfect stocking stuffers, gifts for gamers men, christmas gifts for men, halloween costumes.
- LIGHTWEIGHT: These clear blue light glasses feature a lightweight frame, meaning they’ll stay comfy for long-term wear. Perfect as blue blockers glasses for women or mens blue light glasses, these non-prescription fake glasses for men can be worn throughout the day. The blue light blocking glasses women feature polycarbonate HD lenses, which are anti-reflective and restore true color.
- WORRY-FREE PURCHASE: If you experience any issues, our support team is ready to assist you quickly. These are the perfect costume glasses for cosplay dressing up.
Add a concurrency lock
A recurring timer, a manual update, and a watcher can all fire at once. Use a lock file, a systemd control mechanism, or the equivalent mutex on Windows. The job should exit without touching files when the lock is already held, and it should remove the lock after success or failure. Log who or what acquired it.
Run one complete manual rehearsal
Perform the warning, save, backup, stop, update, start, and verification steps manually during a maintenance window. Measure the real shutdown time, confirm where the backup appears, and note the exact log lines that indicate a successful startup. Only then convert the sequence into an unattended schedule.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Managed hosting panel: create a safe Steam Update task
Configure the recurring task
- Open the hosting control panel’s scheduled-task or automation page.
- Create a new recurring task and choose Steam Update.
- Select a recurrence that matches your maintenance policy. Weekly is usually easier for a small community to communicate; a more frequent schedule is appropriate only when you can absorb more restarts.
- Turn on Update only if a new version is available if that checkbox is present. It prevents an unnecessary restart when Steam has no new files.
- Check the panel’s displayed machine-local timezone and set the start time accordingly.
- Save the task, then run it once manually or at the next low-traffic window while you watch the console and server status.
What the documented managed workflow does
GTXGaming’s documented example sends a 10-minute countdown inside the game, saves the world, backs it up, and updates the installation. That is the desired order: warning first, persistence and backup second, process shutdown third, and file replacement last. If your panel exposes separate toggles for any of those actions, leave the save and backup steps enabled.
Validate the panel’s failure behavior
- Find out whether a failed SteamCMD command prevents an automatic restart or starts the server on the old files.
- Check where task output and backup timestamps are displayed.
- Confirm whether a warning is sent only in-game or also to external notifications.
- Verify that a second task cannot start while the first is still running.
Windows self-hosting: build the update and warning flow
Separate shutdown, update, and start actions
A community Windows recipe uses separate shutdown, update, and start scripts, then calls them from a reboot script. This separation makes it easier to test each dangerous operation independently:
- Shutdown action: send the game’s graceful-save and shutdown command through the console, manager, or RCON method you already use. Do not substitute a forced process kill unless recovery from a hung process requires it.
- Update action: run SteamCMD only after the dedicated-server process has exited.
- Start action: launch the server with the same arguments, ports, and configuration used before maintenance.
- Reboot orchestration: broadcast the warning, wait for the announced window, invoke shutdown, wait for confirmed process exit, call update, and then start.
The documented community example uses a 15-minute warning and waits about 16 minutes before updating. Treat that as a starting point, not a universal value. Measure your own shutdown time and increase the wait if the world takes longer to close; process exit is the condition that matters.
Rank #2
- WINDEX GAMING WIPES: effortlessly clean all your gaming gear and gaming electronics in one easy step with our new Windex Gaming Wipes
- AMMONIA FREE: our ammonia-free formula is safe to use on all of your favorite gaming equipment like consoles, headsets, controllers, screens, keyboards, and more
- PRE-MOISTENED WIPES: each wipe instantly removes dust, dirt, and stubborn smudges and fingerprints leaving a streak-free shine
- ANTI-STATIC: great for cleaning and wiping down your gaming gear and electronics leaving behind no visible residue
- COMPACT RESEALABLE PACKAGE: store your pack of Windex Gaming Wipes anywhere in your home for whenever a quick and easy wipedown is needed
Use the SteamCMD command for the Soulmask files
From a command prompt or script, the documented update command is:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 3017310 validate +quitIf SteamCMD is outside the install directory, specify the destination explicitly. For a directory without spaces, an example is:
steamcmd +force_install_dir D:SoulmaskServer +login anonymous +app_update 3017310 validate +quitUse the actual executable and server path on your machine. Capture standard output and the process exit code in a dated log. A script that continues after an incomplete download can restart a partially updated installation, so make the orchestration stop when SteamCMD reports failure.
Schedule the orchestrator in Task Scheduler
- Open Task Scheduler and choose Create Task, not the limited basic wizard, if you need explicit permissions and conditions.
- On General, select the service account that owns the server files and enable the option to run whether or not that account is logged on.
- On Triggers, create a weekly or daily trigger at the maintenance time shown in the server’s local timezone.
- On Actions, launch
powershell.exewith the full path to your orchestration script. Set Start in to the script directory so relative log paths do not change. - On Conditions, remove sleep-related restrictions that would prevent a headless server from running the job. Keep network availability required if SteamCMD needs an online login.
- On Settings, prevent a new instance from starting while the previous one is running. Configure a time limit long enough for the backup and update, and write an event or log entry when the task stops.
Make warnings actionable
Use the same message at each interval and include the maintenance time: “Server update in 15 minutes at 03:00 local time; save and log out.” Send a shorter reminder near shutdown. Because the exact in-game broadcast command depends on your console or management tool, connect the warning step to the broadcast mechanism you have already verified rather than inventing a command that the server may ignore.
Windows GUI manager: when a packaged workflow is preferable
SoulMask Server Manager’s README lists SteamCMD installation and updates, scheduled restarts with optional broadcast warnings, automatic backups, and Discord webhook notifications. A manager can reduce scripting work, but you still need to inspect its settings:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- Ergonomic & Adjustable Design: Fight "text neck" and improve your posture. Designed for comfort, it offers an adjustable height (7.1in-8.5in) (1.4in adjustable range) and angle (5°-85°) Please note: cell phone stand is only 9 inches tall—the length of a standard pencil
- Without blocking subtitles Perfect for office desk Tiktok Face Time Zoom video—this is the ultimate kitchen desk essential for phones! Perfect viewing experience while reducing neck back strain, A must-have for gamers streamers desk, and anyone who values both style and support!
- Sleek & Stable Design fits Otterbox Case: Say goodbye to bent cables, tangles, and tip-overs! LISEN’s stylish adjustable desk phone holder features a built-in charging hole and smart cable management, keeping your phone secure and your workspace clutter-free cool gadgets for men
- ANTI-SLIP DESIGN free hands: The under 10.00 items easy gadgets back and the bottom of this kitchen essentials for women are fully covered by anti-skid silicone, which LISEN stand up desk decor can provide maximum protection device from any scratches and slides
- Your Perfect Viewing Companion:If your product arrives damaged or breaks within 365 days, reach out to LISEN for a quick and hassle-free solution. Struggling with assembly, like tightening the screw? We’ve got your back! Your experience matters to us. (Product including: phone Holder stand*1, screw*1, hexagon screwdriver*1, specification*1)
- Install or point the manager at the existing Soulmask server and SteamCMD directories.
- Run one manual backup and confirm the archive contains the current world.
- Create a scheduled restart, enable its warning option, and set a lead time players can act on.
- Confirm the update action runs after shutdown, not in parallel with the server process.
- Configure the Discord webhook only after checking that secrets are stored outside public logs and that failed deliveries do not block shutdown.
- Perform a test restart and review both the manager log and the game startup log.
Linux self-hosting: systemd timer and appmanifest watcher patterns
Run the server as a service
Keep the dedicated server under a dedicated, unprivileged account and manage it with systemd. The service should have a clear stop action that performs the game’s graceful save and shutdown, a restart policy for crashes, and a log destination you can inspect after maintenance. Do not grant the update job unrestricted root access merely because SteamCMD is convenient to run as root.
Use a systemd timer for predictable maintenance
Create an update service that acquires the lock, sends the warning schedule, saves and backs up the world, stops the server, runs SteamCMD with app ID 3017310, checks the result, and starts the service again. A matching timer triggers that service at the chosen local time. Set the timer’s missed-run policy deliberately: immediately starting a long maintenance job after a powered-off machine returns may surprise players.
Keep the update command in the service’s execution script so its output is collected by the journal. The essential command remains:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 3017310 validate +quitWatch the Steam appmanifest when you need patch-driven restarts
The Linux operations pattern watches the Steam appmanifest for a change, then posts notices at 10, 5, and 1 minutes before restarting. This is useful when downloads are initiated by another process, but a file change alone is not enough to declare success. The watcher should:
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- run with the least privileges that can read the manifest and control the server service;
- debounce multiple filesystem events so one download does not create several restarts;
- acquire the same lock used by manual and timer-driven jobs;
- send the three warnings and record their timestamps;
- wait for confirmed process exit before allowing any file replacement;
- log the SteamCMD exit status and refuse to start the server after an incomplete update.
Keep the watcher’s Discord notification code separate from the update code. A temporary Discord outage should be visible in logs, but it should not cause SteamCMD to run while the server is still online.
Rank #4
- Easy Installation: Our gaming lights have been designed to enhance your entertainment experience. Simply position the led light bar next to your TV or game console to create a game room environment with ease. They come with USB power and a 60 inch cord for direct mounting and mobility
- Audio Syncing & Extensive Mode: The built-in high-sensitivity music sensor allows you to sync the TV led lights to your favorite music. Lights react and move to the beat of music, film and game audio, creating an incredible immersive sound and light experience – and all without the need for an additional hub. You can choose from 64+ patterns, including strobe, illusion, jump, energy, gradient, running, chasing, fluttering mode etc. Each mode can be applied to different scenes
- 64+ Chasing IC+RGB & W Effect: The independent control design of IC+RGB and white all-in-one multifunctional rgbw led bar lights monitor backlight allows you to easily switch the led lights for desk between IC+RGB and white to enjoy a variety of lighting effects, you can choose white lighting mode with high brightness for better illumination when working, etc. Choose IC+RGB lighting mode when you need to create an entertaining atmosphere for the light show, 16 million colours of Color changing rgb light bar let you dance to the beat and create a dynamic party atmosphere
- Dynamic and Dimmable Lights: 1%-full brightness free brightness adjustment gives you the flexibility to adjust dimmable led light bar for room decorations or a variety of occasions
- USB Powered: USB light bars for room can be powered by powernank, usb charger, TV, Monitor, laptop PC mainframe, making behind TV led lighting bar easy to install in any location.TV led lights are powered by the TV usb interface / PC mainframe, can be turned on/off synchronously with TV / PC
Design warning messages players can act on
| Lead time | Message purpose | Example text |
|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | Announce the maintenance window and stop starting long activities. | “Server update in 15 minutes at 03:00 local time; save and log out.” |
| 10 minutes | Repeat the action players must take. This is the documented lead time in the managed-host workflow. | “Server update in 10 minutes. Finish your current task, save, and log out.” |
| 5 minutes | Move remaining players toward a safe logout. | “Restart in 5 minutes. Please leave the world after saving.” |
| 1 minute | Make the interruption immediate and unambiguous. | “Restart in 1 minute. Log out now.” |
Use one timezone label consistently. If your community uses Discord, repeat the same maintenance time there, but do not claim that an external notice replaces the in-game warning: players may be connected without reading chat or Discord.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Backups, rollback, and protection against a bad patch
Back up before changing files
The pre-update backup must complete before SteamCMD starts. Include the world data and any configuration that players need, and write a timestamp and update-job identifier beside the archive. A backup that is still being copied when the update begins does not provide dependable protection.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRetain more than one generation
Keep several dated backups so you can return to the last known-good world if a patch introduces a startup failure or gameplay incompatibility. Do not delete the previous generation until the updated server has started, accepted a test connection, and remained healthy for the period your community considers normal.
Restore deliberately
- Stop the server and prevent the recurring task or watcher from starting another update.
- Copy the selected world generation into the live save location while the process is stopped.
- Record which server files were updated and whether you are restoring only the world or the entire installation.
- Start the server, inspect logs, and test a connection before reopening the server to everyone.
Verify every restart instead of trusting the scheduler
- Process: confirm the expected Soulmask server process is running under the intended account.
- Logs: look for startup errors, missing files, failed plugins or configuration loads, and a normal world-load completion.
- Ports: verify that the expected game and query ports are listening and reachable from a test client.
- Gameplay: connect with a test account, load the world, and confirm that recent saves and configuration are present.
- Scheduler: check the task, timer, or watcher log for warning timestamps, backup completion, SteamCMD output, and the final exit status.
- Cluster consistency: compare the installed files and configuration across instances before allowing players to move between them.
Troubleshooting common failures
The server restarts but no files changed
If the panel’s “update only if a new version is available” option is enabled, a restart may be skipped or may occur without a download depending on the provider. Check the task log and SteamCMD output before assuming that an update was available. Avoid disabling the protection merely to force a restart.
SteamCMD says the update failed or stops partway through
Leave the server stopped, preserve the console output, and check network access, disk space, permissions, and the install path. Do not start players on a directory that the command reported as incomplete. Retry manually after resolving the cause, then perform the full verification sequence.
Best Value
- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
- Keep Your Desk Organized: By lifting both screens off the desktop, this dual monitor stand opens up valuable space for your keyboard, notebook, docking station or a simple, clutter-free work area. Built-in cable management guides wires along the arms, keeping cords out of sight and out of the way. Enjoy a tidy, modern workstation that looks as good as it feels to use.
Files are locked or the update reports access errors
The dedicated-server process, a second update job, or a backup process may still hold files. Confirm process exit, inspect the lock mechanism, and stop overlapping jobs. Increase the graceful-shutdown wait only after measuring the real close time; blindly adding retries can hide a process that never shuts down.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The world is missing or rolls back
Stop the server and compare the latest pre-update backup with the live save. Check whether the backup completed before shutdown and whether the script pointed to the correct save directory. Restore a known-good generation only after disabling the automatic job so it cannot overwrite the restored files.
Players receive no warning
Check the broadcast integration separately from the scheduler. Confirm that the warning account can reach the game console or notification endpoint, that the message is sent before the save action, and that the local timezone is what administrators expect. Keep the Discord notice as a secondary channel, not the only warning.
The server starts but clients cannot connect
Inspect the startup log, verify listening ports and firewall rules, and test from the same network path players use. For a cluster, check that every instance was updated and restarted in the intended order and that no instance is serving mismatched files.
Operating checklist
- Maintenance time documented in the server’s local timezone.
- One scheduler selected; competing timers, watchers, and manual jobs locked out.
- Warning messages tested in-game, with the restart time stated explicitly.
- Graceful save and shutdown path tested, including the measured process-exit time.
- Pre-update backup completed and several generations retained.
- SteamCMD command uses app ID 3017310 and records its exit status.
- Server starts only after SteamCMD succeeds and the process is confirmed stopped.
- Post-update logs, ports, process health, client connection, and (if applicable) cluster compatibility verified.
There is no authoritative current build number or fixed release cadence to schedule around, so base automation on the SteamCMD availability check rather than a guessed version string. The reliable rule is operational: warn first, preserve the world, stop completely, update app 3017310, restart, and prove that players can connect.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
