Astroneer Server Hosting

Why an Astroneer Crew Rents a Server

Astroneer's co-op is built around a host. One player starts the save, the others drop in, and when the host quits the session ends for everyone. That works for an evening, but it is a poor fit for a crew whose members play at different hours, because half the solar system ends up waiting for one person's PC.

A dedicated server removes the host from the picture. System Era released the ASTRONEER Dedicated Server with update 1.12 in May 2020, and it keeps a save running without anyone playing on the machine. It also raises the crew size: co-op hosted from a player's game holds 2 to 4 people, while the dedicated server takes eight.

You can run that tool yourself, and System Era documents how. It means forwarding a port on your router, opening it in your firewall and leaving a Windows PC on day and night. System Era also says it cannot help with networks, firewalls or ports for home servers. Renting moves all of that into a data centre with a fixed address and a support team.

Platforms, Partners and Achievements

Astroneer runs on PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, but not every version can reach every server. System Era separates two kinds: servers from its official partners, which carry full cross play, and servers that someone runs on their own, which is what a Gaming Deluxe server is.

Achievements need the same care. System Era's update 1.12 notes state that its partner servers are the only way to play on a server and still unlock cosmetics and achievements. Everything your crew researches, prints and builds is still saved, so the game itself plays the same; the difference is the Steam and console trophies.

First Setup: Owner, Address and Port

System Era's own instructions use two files in the server's Config folder. Engine.ini holds the port the server listens on, and AstroServerSettings.ini holds the public IP players type in, the owner and the active save. On our servers the port and address come preset, so the job that is left is choosing an owner.

1. Stop the server in the panel. Astroneer throws away ini changes made while it runs.
2. Open AstroServerSettings.ini in Configuration Files.
3. Set OwnerName to your exact Steam name and OwnerGuid to 0.
4. Save, start the server and connect. You become the owner, and your unique ID is written into the file.
5. To pass ownership on later, replace the name with the new owner's Steam name; their ID is recorded when they next join.

Moving a Save onto the Server

Most crews arrive with a save already in progress. Astroneer stores server saves in the SaveGames folder, and the file name has two halves split by a dollar sign: the save name on the left, a date and time on the right. System Era's example is MYSAVENAME$2019.05.04-01.20.07.savegame, and the date only has to be valid, not accurate.

Upload the file with the File Manager or SFTP while the server is stopped, then point the active save setting in AstroServerSettings.ini at the part before the dollar sign, MYSAVENAME in that example. Keep the old file in the folder as well: switching back is a one-line change, and a second copy costs nothing.

Glitchwalkers, Megatech and Mixed Crews

Both paid expansions work on dedicated servers, but each one changes who can join. In normal co-op, only the host needs to own an expansion. On a dedicated server the rule is stricter, because the save itself decides.

• Glitchwalkers: once the save is in the Aeoluz system, every player who joins must own Glitchwalkers (supported on servers since 26 February 2025).
• Megatech: a save becomes a Megatech save as soon as a Construction Anchor for a Biodome, Orbital Platform or Museum is deployed, and from then on every player needs Megatech.
• Base game: a save that never crosses either line stays open to everyone.

If only part of the crew owns an expansion, keep two saves: a base game save for everyone and an expansion save for those who own it. System Era itself suggests backing up before the first Megatech anchor, and with the Backup Manager that takes seconds.

How Much Memory an Astroneer Save Needs

Because the crew size is fixed at eight, our plans are not split by slots. They are split by memory, which is what grows over the life of a save. A new world with a starter base and a few players asks very little. A save with bases on several planets, rail networks, automated production and Megastructures keeps far more loaded at once.

Start on the free 5GB tier for a fresh save, move to 8GB once automation and rails spread out, and keep 12GB for late game saves heavy with Megatech. The memory graph in the panel is the honest judge: if it sits near the limit at your busiest hour, step up a tier.

Staying in Step with Monthly Patches

Through 2026 System Era shipped a patch each month, from 1.37.4 in February to 1.45.1 in October, and it plans to keep that rhythm until at least the end of the year, with a tenth anniversary content update planned for December. Each patch can stop players on the new build from joining an older server.

The routine is short: when a patch lands, take a snapshot, run Steam Update in the panel and restart. If something feels off afterwards, the log viewer shows what the server did at start-up, and the snapshot takes you back.

What to Compare Before You Rent an Astroneer Server

Astroneer offers look much alike. These are the questions that decide whether a server suits your crew.

1. Your crew's platformsCheck who plays on Xbox before anything else, because that decides which kind of server you need.
2. AchievementsKnow whether the server you rent can unlock achievements and cosmetics, and decide how much that matters to you.
3. Memory in the priceWith slots capped at eight, the real difference between plans is RAM. See what the base price includes and what more costs.
4. Save uploadsMake sure you can upload your own save and switch the active save yourself, without waiting on a ticket.
5. Backups you controlExpansion saves change who can join, so snapshots you can restore at will are worth more than usual.
6. Location and pingTest from your own PC; the Terrain Tool feels latency more than you might expect.

Astroneer Server Glossary

Dedicated server

System Era's ASTRONEER Dedicated Server tool, which runs a save without a player hosting it.

AstroServerSettings.ini

The server settings file holding the public IP, the owner and the active save.

Engine.ini

The file where the server's listening port is set.

OwnerGuid

The owner's unique ID; set it to 0 and the server records it on first join.

Active save

The save the server loads, named by the part of the file name before the $ sign.

Partner server

A server from one of System Era's official providers, the only kind with full cross play.

Terrain Tool

The tool every astroneer uses to dig, collect and shape the ground.

Aeoluz

The star system added by the Glitchwalkers expansion.

Construction Anchor

The Megatech item that starts a Megastructure; deploying certain anchors makes a save a Megatech save.

Megastructure

Large Megatech builds such as the Biodome, Orbital Platform and Museum.

Astroneer Server Help and Next Steps

Useful pages for setting up and running your save.

• System Era's dedicated server page and FAQSetup steps, cross play rules and save names.
• Astroneer dedicated server details, System Era blogThe host-your-own guide.
• Astroneer news on SteamMonthly patch notes.
• Gaming Deluxe control panelWhat the panel does and how to log in.
• Our server locations
• Contact support24/7 help with saves, owners and updates.