How to Configure the server.cfg File in FiveM

Learn how to properly set up your FiveM server’s core configuration, including server name, player slots, security keys, and resource loading.

Architecting Your Server Core

The server.cfg file is the most important file on your server.

It controls:

• What resources load
• How your server appears publicly
• Player limits and permissions
• Security and authentication

If this file is messy or incorrect, your server will:

• Fail to start
• Load resources incorrectly
• Appear unprofessional in the server list

A clean, well-structured server.cfg is essential for stability and growth.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Estimated Time

~10 minutes

Where to Find server.cfg

You can find it in your server’s root directory:

/server.cfg

Edit it using:

• Your hosting panel file manager
• Or SFTP/FTP access

Identity & Branding (First Impressions Matter)

This is what players see in the server browser. If this looks bad, fewer people will join.

Basic Server Info

sv_hostname "EUGAMEHOST RP | High Performance | Custom Assets"
sets sv_projectName "EUGAMEHOST Roleplay"
sets sv_projectDesc "A premium roleplay experience powered by EUGAMEHOST."
sets tags "roleplay, police, economy, qbcore"
sv_maxclients 48

What Each Setting Does

• sv_hostname → Your main server name (most visible)
• sv_projectName → Secondary title (used in newer UI)
• sv_projectDesc → Description players see before joining
• tags → Helps players find your server via search
• sv_maxclients → Max number of players allowed

Server Icon (Branding Boost)

load_server_icon logo.png

Requirements:

• File must be 96x96 pixels
• Must be a .png
• Placed in your server root folder

This makes your server instantly look more professional.

Authentication & Security (Required)

Without this, your server will not work publicly.

License Key (Mandatory)

sv_licenseKey "YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE"

Get your key from:
???? https://keymaster.fivem.net/

Steam API Key (Recommended)

set steam_webApiKey "YOUR_STEAM_API_KEY"

Used for:

• Player identification
• Some frameworks and scripts

Resource Loading (The Most Important Section)

FiveM loads resources in order.

If you get the order wrong:

• Scripts will break
• Database won’t connect
• Features won’t work

Correct Load Order (Keep This Structure)

Follow this exact order to avoid problems:

1. System Essentials

ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager

These are core systems required for the server to function.

2. Database

ensure oxmysql

This must load before any script that uses a database.

If this fails → your entire server breaks.

3. Core Framework

ensure qb-core

Or:

ensure es_extended

This is your server’s foundation (economy, jobs, player data, etc.)

4. Voice System

ensure pma-voice

Handles all in-game voice communication.

5. Scripts & Features

ensure [scripts]

Includes:

• Jobs
• UI systems
• Admin tools

6. Assets (Cars, Maps, Clothing)

ensure [cars]
ensure [maps]
ensure [clothing]

Using bracket folders lets you load everything at once.

Example Clean server.cfg

# Identity
sv_hostname "EUGAMEHOST RP | High Performance"
sets sv_projectName "EUGAMEHOST Roleplay"
sets sv_projectDesc "Premium FiveM experience powered by EUGAMEHOST"
sets tags "roleplay, qbcore, police"
sv_maxclients 48
load_server_icon logo.png

# Security
sv_licenseKey "YOUR_KEY_HERE"
set steam_webApiKey "YOUR_STEAM_KEY"

# Core Systems
ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager

# Database
ensure oxmysql

# Framework
ensure qb-core

# Voice
ensure pma-voice

# Scripts & Assets
ensure [scripts]
ensure [cars]
ensure [maps]
ensure [clothing]

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Putting resources in the wrong order
• Forgetting to add your license key
• Loading scripts before the database
• Not using category folders ([cars], [scripts])
• Overloading server.cfg with hundreds of individual ensure lines

Best Practices

Keep It Clean

Group resources logically. If it’s messy, you will struggle to scale.

Use Category Folders

Instead of:

ensure car1
ensure car2
ensure car3

Use:

ensure [cars]

Faster, cleaner, scalable.

Test After Changes

Every time you edit server.cfg:

1. Restart server
2. Check console for errors
3. Join and test features

Don’t Guess — Read Errors

If something breaks, your console will tell you exactly why.

Ignoring logs is the fastest way to waste hours.

This file is the backbone of your server. Get this right early, and everything else becomes easier to build, scale, and maintain.