# How to Stop Your Icarus Server From Auto-Shutting Down (/docs/icarus/auto-shutdown)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

By default, an Icarus dedicated server **shuts itself down after 5 minutes** if nobody has joined since startup, and again 5 minutes after the last player leaves. This is one of the most surprising defaults for new admins — your server keeps stopping and you have no idea why.

This page shows how to disable both timers or set them to whatever you want.

The Two Timers [#the-two-timers]

| Setting                  | Default      | What It Does                                                                |
| ------------------------ | ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor` | `300.000000` | Seconds after server start with **zero joins ever** before shutdown         |
| `ShutdownIfEmptyFor`     | `300.000000` | Seconds after the server becomes empty (last player leaves) before shutdown |

Both live under `[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]` in `ServerSettings.ini`.

Disable Both Timers (Always-On Server) [#disable-both-timers-always-on-server]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server from **Console** in the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open `Icarus/Saved/Config/ServerSettings.ini` in **Files**. Set:

    ```ini
    [/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]
    ShutdownIfNotJoinedFor=0.000000
    ShutdownIfEmptyFor=0.000000
    ```

    A value of `0` disables that timer entirely.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Save and start from **Console**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Reasonable Custom Values [#reasonable-custom-values]

| Use Case                                        | Recommended                                                     |
| ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Always-on community server                      | `0` for both                                                    |
| Friends-only — save resources when nobody is on | `0` for `NotJoinedFor`, `1800` (30 min) for `EmptyFor`          |
| Stress test / temporary lobby                   | Leave defaults (300 / 300)                                      |
| One-shot session                                | `600` (10 min) for `NotJoinedFor`, `300` (5 min) for `EmptyFor` |

Why The Defaults Exist [#why-the-defaults-exist]

The defaults are designed for hosts (like RocketWerkz's official environment) that want unused servers to free resources quickly. On a dedicated paid host like XGamingServer, you've already reserved the slot — there's no benefit to letting the server stop on its own. Disabling both is the right call for almost every paid hosting scenario.

Confirming the Setting Took Effect [#confirming-the-setting-took-effect]

After restart, watch the **Console** output. If the server logs `Server has been empty for X seconds, shutting down` after 5 minutes, the setting wasn't saved correctly — verify the `[/Script/Icarus.DedicatedServerSettings]` header is correct and the line is under it.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/icarus/server-config)
* [Prospect Management](/docs/icarus/prospect-management)