How do I update my StarMade server?

Open the Game Server Installer again and select StarMade. It will then display Update. Alternatively, use the StarMade (starmade) - Update shortcut on the VPS. Your settings and saved games will be kept.

Which ports does a StarMade server need?

By default, the game only needs port 4242 (TCP). The installer opens it in the Windows firewall and, if you install through the dashboard, in your VPS's network firewall as well.

StarMade: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Learn how to install a StarMade server on your VPS with the Game Server Installer, add admins, and keep it up to date → Find out more

10 November 20264 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

You can run a StarMade server on your own VPS with ZapX. You have full control over the system, and the Game Server Installer gets your server set up in just a few minutes, without a Remote Desktop connection. This guide explains what you need, how the installation works, and how to manage your StarMade server afterward.

Requirements

Requirement	StarMade
Operating system	Windows Server 2019 or later
Memory	At least 4 GB
Free disk space	At least 4 GB on drive C:
Steam account	A Steam account that owns StarMade

Info

StarMade is only available for Windows in the Game Server Installer. If your VPS runs Linux, install a Windows Server template via Settings > Reinstallation. This will delete all data on your VPS. Learn more in Server Reinstallation.

Install StarMade

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard and go to the Tools tab. Select the Game Server Installer.
Under Your server's operating system, select the Windows tile.
Under Choose game, search for StarMade and select it.
Under Set up server, set the Server name (up to 64 characters) and the Player slots. Under Advanced settings, you can find the Game port and Memory (GB), which determines how much memory Java can use. If you leave this field empty, Java can use about 60% of your VPS's memory.
Click Install on this VPS, then click Start installation.

Because you can only download StarMade with a Steam account, the installer will ask for your Steam username and Steam password in the next window. See the next section for details.

The installer downloads the StarMade server through SteamCMD, sets it up, and starts it. For a detailed explanation of the installation process, see the Game Server Installer guide.

Info

StarMade runs on Java. The installer automatically installs the appropriate Java version, so you don't need to do anything.

Steam account for the download

Steam only provides the StarMade server files to an account that owns the game. The installer therefore asks for your Steam username (your login name, not your email address) and Steam password. Both are used only for this download and are not stored. The running server doesn't need a Steam account, but you'll need to enter your details again for every update.

If your Steam account is protected by Steam Guard through the app, you can't enter the code in the dashboard. In that case, install using a command in Windows PowerShell. The script will prompt you for the code.

You can also install StarMade manually using a command: copy the command shown in the final step, connect via Remote Desktop, and run it in Windows PowerShell as an administrator.

After installation

Once the installation is complete, the installer displays your server address under How to connect. Any passwords generated by the installer are shown once under Login credentials. Find out how to connect below.

Your server files are located on the VPS at C:\ZapX-GameServers\starmade\:

Folder/file	Contents
`server\StarMade\`	StarMade server files
`server\StarMade\server-database\`	Your universe
`server\StarMade\server.cfg`	Server settings
`server\StarMade\admins.txt`	Admins, one player name per line
`server\StarMade\blueprints\`	Blueprints
`logs\server.log`	Server output

Connect to the server

You can find your VPS's IP address in the Overview of your VPS in the ZapX dashboard. The installer displays the full address under Connect to. Start StarMade, open Multiplayer, and add your server using your VPS's IP address and the port, which is 4242 by default.

Start, stop, and restart the server

Your StarMade server starts automatically when the VPS boots and restarts if it crashes. To manage it, connect via Remote Desktop and use the shortcuts on the desktop:

StarMade (starmade) - Start
StarMade (starmade) - Stop
StarMade (starmade) - Restart

The Stop shortcut saves the universe before shutting down the server.

Configuration

All StarMade settings are in server\StarMade\server.cfg in the format KEY = Value. The installer rewrites the server name and player slots each time it runs, so change these through the installer. Add admins by entering their player names in server\StarMade\admins.txt, one name per line. Stop the server before editing the files, then start it again afterward. To learn how to allow only specific players, see StarMade: Whitelist.

Update the server

Updates are not installed automatically. To update, open the Game Server Installer again and select StarMade. The installer detects the existing installation and displays Update. Alternatively, use the StarMade (starmade) - Update shortcut on the VPS. Your settings and saved games will be kept. Since StarMade requires a Steam account, you'll need to enter your Steam username and Steam password again for every update.

Ports and firewall

Port	Protocol	Use
4242	TCP	Game

The installer opens these ports in the Windows firewall. If you start the installation from the dashboard, it also opens them in your VPS's network firewall. If you installed using a command, check the ports there yourself.

Backups

Use the StarMade (starmade) - Backup shortcut to back up your universe, server.cfg, admin, whitelist, and ban lists, and your blueprints as a ZIP file at C:\ZapX-GameServers\_backups\starmade\. Use StarMade (starmade) - Restore to restore a backup.

Your entire VPS is also backed up automatically every day. With an active ZapX Pass, you can restore these backups yourself and create your own backups. Learn more in Daily Backups, Restores, and Restricted Actions.

Conclusion

Your StarMade server is now running on your VPS. Add admins in admins.txt. If you have any questions or need help, our support team is here for you every day! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Open your VPS in the ZapX dashboard, go to the Tools tab, and select the Game Server Installer. Choose Windows and StarMade, adjust the settings, and click Install on this VPS.

Steam only provides StarMade files to an account that owns the game. Your Steam username and password are used only for the download and are not stored. You'll need to enter them again for every update. The installer also installs Java automatically.

Add player names to C:\ZapX-GameServers\starmade\server\StarMade\admins.txt, one name per line. First stop the server using the StarMade (starmade) - Stop shortcut, then start it again.

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.

0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.

Personal support

Need more help than the guide provides?

Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.

Which 🍪 cookies would you like to allow?

StarMade: Set Up a Server on Your VPS

Introduction

Requirements

Install StarMade

Steam account for the download

After installation

Connect to the server

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Ports and firewall

Backups

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

Starmade

Install StarMade

Steam account for the download

Connect to the server

Start, stop, and restart the server

Configuration

Update the server

Backups

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting