# Subnautica 2 Dedicated Server Setup (/docs/subnautica-2/dedicated-server-setup)



import { Callout } from "fumadocs-ui/components/callout";
import { Steps, Step } from "fumadocs-ui/components/steps";

Subnautica 2 ships with stock 4-player online co-op only — there's **no official dedicated server**. Our hosting uses **[Beacon](https://github.com/HumanGenome/Beacon)** (open-source), which replaces the stock lobby with standard networking so people can join a persistent server by IP and the host never has to be online.

<Callout type="info">
  **Players must use the Beacon launcher to join** — the stock Steam game can't connect by IP. Beacon caps a server at **8 players**.
</Callout>

Get your server running [#get-your-server-running]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Order a plan (or switch an existing server) [#order-a-plan-or-switch-an-existing-server]

    Pick a plan on the [Subnautica 2 hosting page](https://xgamingserver.com/subnautica-server-hosting?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=subnautica-server-hosting). To convert an existing server, use the panel's game/egg changer and select **Subnautica 2**.

    <Callout type="warn">
      Switching games **reinstalls** the server and replaces the old game's data. Back up any world/files you want to keep first.
    </Callout>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Set your server options in the panel [#set-your-server-options-in-the-panel]

    Everything is on the panel **Startup** tab — no file editing. The common settings:

    | Setting         | Default             | Notes                                  |
    | --------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
    | Server Name     | Subnautica 2 Server | shown in the Beacon launcher           |
    | Server Password | *(blank)*           | blank = open/public; set to gate joins |
    | Max Players     | 4                   | Beacon supports up to 8                |
    | Beacon Version  | latest              | leave on latest unless told otherwise  |

    Changing any setting requires a **server restart** to apply.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server [#start-the-server]

    A new server creates its world automatically on first start — no save upload needed. First boot loads a large world, so give it a couple of minutes.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Share your IP and gameplay port [#share-your-ip-and-gameplay-port]

    From the panel, grab your **IP and gameplay port** and share them with friends. That's the only port players need.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Friends join via the Beacon launcher [#friends-join-via-the-beacon-launcher]

    Each friend installs the free Beacon launcher and connects to your `IP:gameplayport` — see [Join via Beacon Launcher](/docs/subnautica-2/join-server).
  </Step>
</Steps>

Ports [#ports]

Only the **gameplay port** is shared with players. The rest are pre-set by the panel and used internally or for admin.

| Purpose        | Port     | Protocol | Share with players?             |
| -------------- | -------- | -------- | ------------------------------- |
| Gameplay       | base     | UDP      | **Yes — this is the join port** |
| Beacon control | base + 1 | UDP      | No                              |
| A2S query      | base + 2 | UDP      | No (server-list / monitoring)   |
| RCON           | base + 3 | TCP      | No (admin only)                 |
| HTTP admin API | base + 4 | TCP      | No (admin only)                 |

Defaults: gameplay `27015`, then `27016` / `27017` / `27018` / `27019`. Your panel shows the exact ports assigned to your server.

Recommended specs [#recommended-specs]

| Players              | RAM    | CPU       | Disk  |
| -------------------- | ------ | --------- | ----- |
| Solo / 2 players     | 4 GB   | 2 cores   | 30 GB |
| Up to 8 (Beacon max) | 6–8 GB | 3–4 cores | 40 GB |

Subnautica 2 is Early Access — resource use can rise as the game updates.

When Unknown Worlds ships official dedicated servers [#when-unknown-worlds-ships-official-dedicated-servers]

Unknown Worlds has confirmed official dedicated server support is on the Subnautica 2 Early Access roadmap (no firm date). When they ship it, we'll move plans to the official server format — your save carries over, and your IP, port, subscription, and hardware stay the same, at no extra cost. These docs will be updated then.

Related [#related]

* [Join via Beacon Launcher →](/docs/subnautica-2/join-server)
* [Configure Your Server (Startup tab) →](/docs/subnautica-2/configure-your-server)
* [Player Slots →](/docs/subnautica-2/player-slots)
* [Troubleshooting →](/docs/subnautica-2/troubleshooting)