Updated 4 August 2026: Cfx.re retired Keymaster. License keys, assets and subscriptions now live in the Cfx.re Portal, and Keymaster was deprecated entirely on 1 December 2025. If you are looking for Keymaster because that is where your keys used to be, sign in to the Portal with the same Cfx.re account and they are there. The key generation flow also changed: it now asks for a display name only, with no server IP, so the old advice about binding a key to an IP address no longer applies.
Every FiveM server needs a license key from the keymaster portal. It ties your server to your Cfx.re account and is required to start. Here is how the keymaster works and how to fix the errors people run into.
What the Keymaster Is
The keymaster is the Cfx.re portal where you generate and manage server license keys. Each key authorizes one server to run and connects it to your account. Without a valid key in your config, the server will not start.
Creating a Server Key
- Log in to the Cfx.re keymaster portal with your forum account
- Select the option to register a new server
- Choose whether the key is for a specific IP or a dynamic setup
- Copy the generated key
This changed. On the Cfx.re Portal, generating a key asks for a display name and nothing else: there is no server IP field any more. If you have read older guides about choosing between an IP locked key and a non locked one, that choice no longer exists, and a key you generate today is not tied to an address.
Adding the Key to Your Server
Open your server.cfg and set the license key line:
sv_licenseKey "your_key_here"
Save the file and restart the server. The key authenticates your server with Cfx.re on startup.
Managing Your Keys
In the keymaster you can see all your keys, edit their IP binding, and revoke keys you no longer use. Keep your keys private. Anyone with your key could run a server under your account, so treat it like a password.
Common Keymaster Errors
Invalid license key: Usually a typo or a revoked key. Recopy the key carefully and make sure there are no extra spaces or quotes.
Key already in use: The same key is running on another server. Each key can only run one server at a time, so create a second key for a second server.
IP mismatch: Your key is locked to a different IP than your current host. Edit the key in the keymaster to allow your new IP, or switch it to a non IP locked key.
Banned key: Keys can be banned for violations. If this happens you will need to address the cause and may need a new key.
Best Practices
Use a separate key for each server you run. Never share keys publicly or paste them in screenshots. Migrating hosts is simpler than it used to be: since keys are no longer bound to an IP, moving a server no longer means rebinding the key.
FAQ
Where do I get a FiveM server key? From the Cfx.re keymaster portal, logged in with your forum account.
Can I use one key for two servers? No. Each key runs one server at a time. Create a separate key for each server.
Why does my key say IP mismatch? On older keys this meant an IP mismatch. Keys generated on the Portal are not IP bound, so if you are seeing this on a new key the cause is elsewhere: usually the key was revoked, regenerated, or belongs to a different Cfx.re account than you think.
Related: How to make a FiveM server, FiveM server artifacts build guide, FiveM server list guide