Install a Unturned server

Step-by-step installation

1. 1

   Install SteamCMD (dedicated folder on Windows, non-root user on Linux).

2. 2

   Download the server: app_update 1110390 validate (anonymous).

3. 3

   Launch once with +InternetServer/<name> to create the Servers/<name>/ folder, then stop.

4. 4

   Generate Commands.dat with the site's tool and put it in Servers/<name>/Server/.

5. 5

   For a public server, create a Steam GSLT token and set it in the configuration.

6. 6

   Add your administrators (Owner or Adminlist.dat) and, if needed, Workshop mods (WorkshopDownloadConfig.json).

7. 7

   Open the chosen port (27015 by default) and the next one over UDP.

8. 8

   Test locally (127.0.0.1) then from an outside network.

9. 9

   Automate startup (systemd or scheduled task) and schedule backups and updates.

10. 10

    Add your server on game-rank.com/jeux/unturned.

1. Requirements

• OS: Windows or Linux (macOS not supported). No license key: anonymous SteamCMD login.
• Hardware: not officially documented. Unofficial indication: 2 cores, 2 to 4 GB RAM and a few GB of disk usually suffice for a small server; scale up with players, map and mods.
• A Steam account to create a GSLT token (public server).

2. Local install (Windows)

Install in C:\unturned-server, then launch with +InternetServer/MyServer (or +LanServer/MyServer for a LAN test). On first launch, the Servers\MyServer folder is created. Test locally with 127.0.0.1.

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\unturned-server +login anonymous +app_update 1110390 validate +quit

cd /d C:\unturned-server
Unturned.exe -batchmode -nographics +InternetServer/MyServer

3. Linux VPS / dedicated server (Ubuntu/Debian)

Create an “unturned” user without root rights, install SteamCMD, download the server then run ServerHelper.sh. Third-party guides recommend the -ThreadedConsole option for console input on Linux; check it on your version.

sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" unturned
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 && sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y steamcmd lib32gcc-s1 screen   # Ubuntu: enable 'multiverse' first
sudo -iu unturned
/usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/unturned/server +login anonymous +app_update 1110390 validate +quit
cd /home/unturned/server && chmod +x ServerHelper.sh
./ServerHelper.sh +InternetServer/MyServer

4. Ports to open

Provider (OVH, Hetzner, Scaleway… “security group”): allow the same ports inbound over UDP. Home hosting: forward them (NAT) to the machine's local IP. Test: from an outside network, add the server by IP:27015 in the game's favorites.

• 27015/UDP — server port (Commands.dat Port command, 27015 by default).
• 27016/UDP — next port (base port + 1). If you change Port, open the next one too. One third-party guide also mentions 27017/UDP: not officially confirmed.

5. Linux firewall (ufw)

Allow SSH before enabling ufw.

sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
sudo ufw allow 27015:27016/udp
sudo ufw enable && sudo ufw status

6. Windows firewall

In an administrator command prompt:

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Unturned" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=27015-27016

7. Automatic start (systemd)

Put this file at /etc/systemd/system/unturned.service then: sudo systemctl enable --now unturned. On Windows use a scheduled task “at startup”; screen or tmux remain an alternative for console access. The service has no interactive console: use screen if you need to type commands.

[Unit]
Description=Unturned dedicated server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=unturned
WorkingDirectory=/home/unturned/server
ExecStart=/home/unturned/server/ServerHelper.sh +InternetServer/MyServer
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

8. Updates, backups, restarts

Update: stop the server and re-run app_update 1110390 validate; the client must be on the same version. Back up the Servers/<name>/ folder (Server/Commands.dat, configuration, Adminlist.dat, WorkshopDownloadConfig.json and world data) with the server stopped. Cron example: backup at 04:30, update and restart at 04:40.

30 4 * * * sudo systemctl stop unturned && tar -czf /home/unturned/backups/unturned-$(date +\%F).tar.gz -C /home/unturned/server Servers
40 4 * * * /usr/games/steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/unturned/server +login anonymous +app_update 1110390 validate +quit && sudo systemctl start unturned

9. Listing and finding your server

To appear in Unturned's public list, start the server with +InternetServer and set a GSLT token (required for Internet servers according to third-party guides, since version 3.21.31.0). For more visibility, add your server on game-rank.com/jeux/unturned (the owner's site for this tool).

10. Troubleshooting

• Not in the public list: check +InternetServer (not +LanServer), the GSLT token, and UDP ports 27015-27016 open everywhere (firewall, provider, router).
• Can't connect after an update: server and client aren't on the same version. Re-run app_update 1110390 validate.
• Your Commands.dat settings are ignored: the file must be in Servers/<name>/Server/ (<name> must match +InternetServer/<name>) and command names are case-sensitive according to some guides.
• No admin rights: add Owner <SteamID64> to Commands.dat or your SteamID64 to Adminlist.dat, then restart.
• Workshop mods don't download: check WorkshopDownloadConfig.json is valid JSON (File_IDs key, per a third-party guide) and that the server can reach Steam.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Unturned server's Steam app ID?

1110390 according to the guides consulted (anonymous install with SteamCMD); verify it on SteamDB before scripting your updates.

Which ports does Unturned use?

27015/UDP (changeable with the Port command) and the next port, 27016/UDP.

Do I need a GSLT token?

For a publicly listed server, yes (the official documentation presents it as needed for Internet servers). For a local test or friends joining by IP, it isn't.

Can I run Unturned on macOS?

No: the official documentation says servers run on Windows and Linux; macOS isn't supported.