Run a Vintage Story server: settings, version, mods and fixes
Updated 2 November 2026 · 3 minute read · Vintage Story on Windows, Linux and Mac · By Exclsv Support
Everything you need to run your Vintage Story server in HQ, in one page.
Set it up
Start the server once so it writes its settings. Then, in Settings, set the Server name, a Server password and the world options, and start it again. HQ writes the settings only while the server is stopped, because Vintage Story rewrites them while it runs.
Join
- Choose Multiplayer, then Add server.
- Type the address and port from your server’s Join page and save.
- Choose the server and Connect.
Game version
Every player needs the server’s version. Choose a version in HQ to stay on it while your mods catch up; HQ takes a backup, installs that version and keeps your world, settings and mods.
Mods
Download a mod’s .zip from mods.vintagestory.at, upload it to data/Mods with Files and restart. Players get the server’s mods when they join.
Admins and whitelist
In the console, /op <name> makes a player an admin. To let in only people you choose, turn on the whitelist with /serverconfig WhitelistMode on and add players with /whitelist add <name>.
Backups and going back
HQ takes an hourly backup (Automatic backups) and keeps each for up to 48 hours, plus an off-site backup every 6 hours with 7 daily copies. To go back, open Backups, then Automatic backups, pick a time and choose Go back.
If it doesn’t work
Version mismatch
Players need the server’s version. Change the server’s version in HQ, or update the game on each PC.
A mod stops the server starting
The console names it. Remove the mod’s .zip from data/Mods and start again.
Run this on Exclsv: Vintage Story server hosting, from £9.99 a month