How to Install a Conan Exiles Dedicated Server (Complete Windows Guide 2025)

Running a Conan Exiles dedicated server is not difficult, but running a stable, performant, and corruption-resistant server absolutely is. This guide covers not just installation, but the real operational details most guides ignore.

If you want total control, read on. If you want zero maintenance, skip to the end.

Before You Start: Should You Self-Host?

Be honest with yourself before investing time here.

Self-hosting makes sense if:

• You already manage servers or VPSs
• You understand firewall rules and port forwarding
• You can tolerate downtime during updates
• You are hosting a private or semi-private server

Self-hosting is a bad idea if:

• You want maximum uptime
• You are running a public community
• You do not want to manage backups, updates, and crashes
• You cannot afford save corruption

Most Conan servers die not from lack of players, but from technical fatigue. If you want skip all of this and deploy a ready to play Conan Exiles server here

System Requirements (Reality, Not Marketing)

Conan Exiles is CPU-frequency bound and memory hungry.

Minimum (Testing Only)

• CPU: 4 cores at 3.5GHz+
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 60GB SSD
• OS: Windows Server 2019/2022 or Windows 10/11

Recommended (Public Server)

• CPU: 6–8 high-clock cores (not many slow cores)
• RAM: 16GB or more
• Storage: NVMe SSD (non-negotiable)
• Network: Stable low-latency connection

Cheap VPS nodes with slow CPUs will perform badly regardless of RAM.

Step 1: Install the Conan Exiles Dedicated Server

Option A: Steam Client (Simplest)

1. Install Steam
2. Log in
3. Go to Library
4. Change filter to Tools
5. Install Conan Exiles Dedicated Server

Option B: SteamCMD (Recommended for Servers)

Install SteamCMD to:

C:\SteamCMD

Run:

login anonymous
app_update 443030 validate

SteamCMD avoids GUI crashes and is easier to automate.

Step 2: Locate Server Files

Default path:

SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Conan Exiles Dedicated Server\

Key configuration directory:

ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\

All important settings live here.

Step 3: Configure Server Name & Password

Edit:

Engine.ini

Path:

ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Engine.ini

Add:

[OnlineSubsystem]
ServerName=Your Server Name Here
ServerPassword=OptionalPassword

Leave password empty for a public server.

Step 4: Set Admin Password (Mandatory)

Edit:

ServerSettings.ini

Add:

[ServerSettings]
AdminPassword=StrongAdminPassword

Without this, you cannot access admin commands.

Step 5: Network Ports (Most Common Failure Point)

Required Ports

Firewall Configuration

• Open Windows Defender Firewall
• Create inbound rules for all ports above
• Allow UDP and TCP as listed

If your server does not appear online, this is why.

Step 6: Correct Port Configuration Files

Game Port

Engine.ini

[URL]
Port=7777

Query Port

[OnlineSubsystemNull]
GameServerQueryPort=27015

⚠️ Remove any [OnlineSubsystemSteam] section. It is deprecated and causes issues.

Step 7: Starting the Server (Correct Method)

Navigate to:

ConanSandbox\Saved\Config\WindowsServer

Run:

StartServer.bat

or:

ConanSandboxServer.exe

Important Notes

• Ignore Steam DLL warnings
• Do NOT start via Steam
• First startup takes several minutes
• Missing config files are generated automatically

Step 8: Joining & Gaining Admin Access

1. Join the server in-game
2. Open console with ~
3. Run:

MakeMeAdmin YourAdminPassword

You now have full admin permissions.

Step 9: Mod Installation (High Risk Area)

Mods are the number one cause of downtime.

Mods Directory

ConanSandbox\Mods

Enable Mods

Edit:

modlist.txt

Example:

880454836.pak
931088249.pak

Critical Mod Rules

• Never update mods during peak hours
• Always restart after mod updates
• Steam and Epic clients handle mods differently
• One broken mod can prevent all joins

Step 10: RCON Setup (Optional but Recommended)

Edit:

Game.ini

Add:

[RconPlugin]
RconEnabled=1
RconPort=25575
RconPassword=StrongPassword

Allows remote admin tools and automation.

Step 11: Preventing Save Corruption (Read This Carefully)

Conan Exiles will corrupt saves if mishandled.

Best Practices

• Restart server every 6–12 hours
• Never hard-kill the process
• Backup only when the server is empty
• Avoid forced Windows reboots
• SSD or NVMe storage only

Ignoring this leads to permanent world loss.

Step 12: Windows Server Performance Optimisation

Most guides ignore this entirely.

Required Tweaks

• Set Power Plan to High Performance
• Disable CPU core parking
• Exclude server directory from antivirus
• Disable background Windows updates during peak hours

These changes noticeably improve stability.

Step 13: Updating the Server

SteamCMD

app_update 443030 validate

Steam Client

• Restart server
• Steam updates automatically

Always update mods after game updates.

Step 14: Backups (Non-Negotiable)

Backup directory:

ConanSandbox\Saved

Minimum standard:

• Daily automated backups
• Off-server storage

No backups means eventual data loss.

Common Issues & Fixes

Server Not Visible

• Ports not open
• Firewall blocking UDP
• Incorrect query port

Players Cannot Join

• Mod mismatch
• Admin password missing
• Insufficient RAM

Lag or Stuttering

• Low CPU clock speed
• HDD instead of SSD
• Long uptime without restart

FAQ: Conan Exiles Dedicated Server

What ports does a Conan Exiles server use?

UDP 7777, 7778, 27015 plus TCP ports for mods and RCON.

Can I host a Conan Exiles server on a VPS?

Yes, but only on high-frequency CPUs with sufficient RAM.

Why does my server not show in the browser?

Almost always firewall or UDP port issues.

How much RAM does Conan Exiles need?

8GB minimum, 16GB recommended for public servers.

Want This Without the Maintenance?

For £4.50/month, you can deploy a Conan Exiles server instantly with:

• Pre-opened ports
• Automatic updates
• Mod installer
• Scheduled restarts
• DDoS protection
• UK low-latency network
• No SteamCMD or firewall setup

Deploy in under 60 seconds:
👉 https://www.eugamehost.com/conan-exiles-server-hosting

Time spent fighting servers is time not spent building a community.