How to Make a FiveM Server 2026: Step-by-Step Setup Guide

FiveM lets you run custom GTA V multiplayer servers for roleplay, racing, and more. Setting one up is straightforward once you know the steps. Here is how to make a FiveM server from scratch.

What You Need

• A copy of GTA V (players need it too)
• A server machine (a dedicated game server or VPS) running Windows or Linux. Space-Node's FiveM server hosting works well if you want a ready to go option. For a city with players in India, our India GTA RP guide covers the Mumbai plans, the 48-slot rule and restarts in IST.
• A Cfx.re account for your server license key
• Basic comfort editing config files

Step 1: Get a Server Key

1. Go to the Cfx Portal at portal.cfx.re. It replaced the old Keymaster site.
2. Create a server key (license) tied to your account
3. Copy the key, you will paste it into your config

Each server needs its own key. Keep it private. Since 21 October 2026 the Portal also holds the name, description, tags and language that the server list shows, so you fill those in there as well. Our Missing server data guide explains the fields, and the Keymaster guide covers the key itself.

Step 2: Download the Server Artifacts

The "artifacts" are the FiveM server build:

1. Download the latest recommended artifacts for your OS (Windows or Linux) from the Cfx.re artifacts page
2. Extract them into a folder on your server (e.g. server/)
3. Use a recommended/stable build for production, avoid bleeding-edge unless you need it

Step 3: Get the Server Data Files

1. Clone or download the cfx-server-data repository
2. This contains the default resources folder with core gamemodes and scripts
3. Place it where your server can find it

Step 4: Configure server.cfg

Create or edit server.cfg with the essentials:

endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

sv_hostname "My FiveM Server"
sv_maxclients 32

# Start core resources
ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager
ensure hardcap

# Your license key
sv_licenseKey "YOUR_KEY_HERE"

Adjust the hostname, max clients, and add your license key.

Step 5: Start the Server

• Windows: run FXServer.exe +exec server.cfg
• Linux: run the run.sh script pointing to your server.cfg

Starting with +exec server.cfg runs the server without txAdmin. If you want the txAdmin web panel instead, start FXServer.exe (or run.sh) without +exec, open http://localhost:40120 in your browser and follow the setup. Our txAdmin guide walks through it.

Open the required ports (default 30120 TCP/UDP) on your firewall and router so players can connect.

Step 6: Add Resources

Drop resource folders into resources/ and add ensure resourcename lines to server.cfg. Popular additions:

• A framework (ESX or QBCore) for roleplay
• Custom maps, vehicles, and scripts

Step 7: Go Live

Restart the server, confirm it appears in the server list, and share your connect IP. If it does not show up and the console prints "Server list query returned an error", our guide to that error has the fixes. Use txAdmin to manage it more easily.

Tips

• Use stable artifacts for production
• Open port 30120 TCP and UDP
• Run txAdmin for easy management and recipes
• Pick good hardware, FiveM is CPU single-thread heavy, so strong per-core performance matters

FAQ

What do I need to make a FiveM server? GTA V, a server machine, server artifacts, the cfx-server-data files, and a Cfx.re license key.

What port does FiveM use? Default 30120, both TCP and UDP.

Do I need a framework? Only for roleplay. ESX or QBCore are common, but you can run a basic server without one.

Related: FiveM txAdmin guide, FiveM server artifacts build guide, FiveM artifact update and version mismatch fix