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Arma 3 dedicated-server startup parameters are command-line options placed after the executable name. The essential pattern is to launch the dedicated executable with an explicit listening port, configuration file, profile directory, and—when needed—BattlEye and IP settings. For example:

arma3server_x64.exe -port=2302 "-config=C:Arma 3 Serverserver.cfg" "-profiles=C:Arma 3 Serverprofiles" -bePath="C:Arma 3 ServerBattlEye" -ip=192.0.2.10

This article explains what each option controls, where to put it, when to use a parameter file, and how startup options differ from settings in server.cfg.

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What Arma 3 startup parameters do

Bohemia Interactive defines startup parameters as “Startup parameters are command line interface(CLI) arguments that go after the executable’s name in order to set options.” In practical terms, the executable starts first, followed by switches such as -port or -config. Parameter names are case-insensitive, but keeping one consistent spelling makes scripts easier to maintain.

These arguments control launch-time and process-level behavior: which network port the process listens on, which configuration file it reads, where profiles and logs are written, which BattlEye directory is used, and which local IP address is selected. They are not the same thing as gameplay and identity settings in server.cfg.

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Where parameters can be entered

  • Arma 3 Launcher: a graphical route for host and dedicated-server controls.
  • Windows shortcut or scripted command: useful for repeatable manual launches and service wrappers.
  • Steam launch options: suitable when the launch is initiated through Steam.
  • A parameter file loaded with -par: the cleanest option when paths, mods, or multiple switches make a command line unwieldy.

Whichever method you choose, the resulting arguments are interpreted by the executable in the same way.

A maintainable dedicated-server command

A command that keeps the major concerns explicit looks like this:

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arma3server_x64.exe -port=2302 "-config=C:Arma 3 Serverserver.cfg" "-profiles=C:Arma 3 Serverprofiles" -bePath="C:Arma 3 ServerBattlEye" -ip=192.0.2.10

The address 192.0.2.10 is an example documentation address. Replace it with an available local address on the machine hosting your server; do not copy it unless it is actually assigned to that host.

Parameter What it controls Example Operational notes
-port The dedicated server’s listening port. -port=2302 Choose a port appropriate for your network and make the corresponding firewall and forwarding changes outside the Arma command.
-config The server configuration file to load. -config="C:Arma 3 Serverserver.cfg" There is no automatic default filename. If you omit this option, no server configuration file is loaded.
-profiles The profile and log directory. -profiles="C:Arma 3 Serverprofiles" Use a separate directory for each instance so logs and profile data do not collide.
-bePath A custom BattlEye directory. -bePath="C:Arma 3 ServerBattlEye" Make the path explicit when the BattlEye files are outside the executable’s normal location or when several instances are managed.
-ip The local address on which the process should bind. -ip=192.0.2.10 This enables multihoming by selecting an available local address. The address must exist on the host.
-pid A process-ID file for the dedicated server. -pid="C:Arma 3 Serverserver.pid" Useful to service managers and monitoring scripts that need to identify or stop the correct process.
-par Loads startup arguments from a parameter file. -par=server.params Use it to move a long command into a documented, versionable text file.

Quoting paths and understanding relative locations

Any value containing spaces must be quoted. A path such as C:Arma 3 Serverprofiles will be split incorrectly if supplied without quotation marks. Use either the quoted form shown above or install the server in a location without spaces.

Relative paths are resolved from the directory from which the executable was started, not necessarily from the directory where the parameter file is stored. That distinction matters when a shortcut, scheduled task, container, or service wrapper sets a different working directory. Absolute paths remove that ambiguity and are generally safer for production instances.

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Document the path convention for every instance. If one script launches from the server directory while another launches from a system service directory, the same relative -profiles value can point to two different locations.

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Using a parameter file with -par

A parameter file keeps the launcher command short and makes changes auditable. Create a text file such as server.params and place the startup arguments in it, then launch the executable with -par=server.params. Keep quoted paths intact and record the working directory assumption next to the file.

-port=2302
-config="C:Arma 3 Serverserver.cfg"
-profiles="C:Arma 3 Serverprofiles"
-bePath="C:Arma 3 ServerBattlEye"
-ip=192.0.2.10
-pid="C:Arma 3 Serverserver.pid"

The exact line layout can follow the parameter-file syntax accepted by your server build; the important operational rule is that every path with spaces remains quoted. A parameter file is especially useful when a mod list or collection of profile, BattlEye, log, and configuration paths would otherwise make a shortcut difficult to read or edit.

When inline arguments are preferable

Use inline arguments for a small, self-contained launch command that administrators can inspect at a glance. It is also convenient for temporary troubleshooting: changing one option in a shortcut can show whether a path or port is the cause of a failure. Move the final, stable set into -par once the instance is established.

Startup parameters versus server.cfg

The file selected by -config contains server policy and gameplay settings. The official reference states that there is no default filename; without -config, no server configuration file is loaded. This means a correctly written server.cfg has no effect unless the launch command points to it.

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Concern Put it in Examples
Process startup and operating-system integration Command line or -par file Port, selected IP, profile directory, BattlEye path, PID file
Server identity and access policy The file passed to -config hostname, password, passwordAdmin
Player capacity and message behavior The selected server configuration file maxPlayers, motd[], motdInterval

A minimal configuration file might contain entries such as:

hostname = "Example Arma Server";
password = "";
passwordAdmin = "change-this-admin-password";
maxPlayers = 40;
motd[] = { "Welcome" };
motdInterval = 5;

The values above illustrate the kinds of settings that belong in the configuration file; choose values appropriate to your own server and security policy. Keep administrative credentials out of publicly shared scripts and parameter files.

Launcher controls for administrators who prefer a GUI

The Arma 3 Launcher exposes dedicated-server host controls that correspond to the same families of settings. Its interface includes fields for the server port, PID file, ranking file, network logging, basic and server configuration files, BattlEye path, and the dedicated-server IP. This is useful when you want to avoid editing a long shortcut or when a less experienced administrator needs a visible checklist of settings.

The Launcher does not remove the need to understand paths. Verify the generated command or selected files, especially when a path contains spaces or when the launcher and the executable use different working directories. For repeatable deployments, preserve the chosen values in a script or parameter file rather than relying on an undocumented one-off GUI state.

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Profiles, logs, and BattlEye in multi-instance setups

-profiles changes where the server stores profile data and logs. Assigning each instance its own profile directory prevents one server from overwriting or mixing data with another. Use names that identify the instance, map, or environment, and ensure the account running the server can write to those directories.

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-bePath performs the same kind of separation for BattlEye files. An explicit path makes it clear which installation an instance is using and avoids accidental dependence on a directory selected by a different launch context. If BattlEye does not start as expected, check the path, permissions, and the files present in that directory before changing unrelated gameplay settings.

The official documentation notes that Linux profile behavior differs from Windows. Do not assume that a Windows path convention or permission model transfers directly to Linux. On Linux, verify the executable’s working directory, account ownership, case-sensitive path spelling, and write permissions when selecting profiles and logs.

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Network binding and process management

Choosing a port

-port selects the port on which the dedicated server listens. The sample value 2302 is an example, not a universal requirement. Pick a port that is available on the host, permit it through the host firewall, and configure any router or cloud security rule needed for remote players. If two instances run on one machine, give them distinct ports and separate profile, BattlEye, configuration, and PID paths.

Binding a specific local IP

Use -ip when the machine has more than one local address and the server must bind to a particular one. Confirm that the address is currently assigned before launching. A bind failure is usually a host-address or permission problem, not a server.cfg problem.

Writing a PID file

-pid writes a process-ID file and is supported for dedicated servers. Monitoring or service tooling can use that file to determine which process belongs to the instance. Store one PID file per instance and place it in a directory that the service account can write.

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Dedicated executable or client executable?

The dedicated-server executable does not require -server. That switch is used when starting a dedicated server from the client executable. If you are launching arma3server_x64.exe, adding -server is unnecessary and can make a command harder to reason about. Decide first which executable is being used, then apply the options appropriate to that launch method.

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Launch choice Use when Key distinction
Dedicated-server executable Running a purpose-built headless server process. Do not add -server merely because it is a server.
Client executable with -server Starting a dedicated server through the client executable. The switch changes the client launch mode; it is not required by the dedicated executable.

Installation and persistent operation

Dedicated-server documentation also covers SteamCMD installation and persistent mission operation. Treat installation and startup as separate stages: first obtain and update the server files with the supported installation workflow, then launch the executable with an explicit parameter set and configuration file. Persistent operation means planning for the process to be restarted by a service or supervisor, retaining logs, and keeping the same profile and BattlEye locations after a restart.

Before automating restarts, test the command interactively. Confirm that the expected configuration is loaded, the process binds to the intended port and IP, logs appear in the selected profile directory, and the PID file is created if requested. Only then move the command into a scheduled task, service wrapper, or hosting panel.

Troubleshooting by symptom

The server starts, but hostname or player limits are wrong

  1. Check that the command contains -config.
  2. Verify that the path points to the intended file and is quoted if it contains spaces.
  3. Open that file and confirm settings such as hostname, password, and maxPlayers.
  4. Restart the process after saving the file; changing a file does not necessarily alter an already running process.

Logs appear in an unexpected directory

Inspect -profiles and the process working directory. A relative path is rooted at the directory from which the executable started. Replace it with an absolute path, create the directory, and grant the service account write permission.

The command fails when a path contains spaces

Quote the complete value, for example "-config=C:Arma 3 Serverserver.cfg". Do not quote only one word of the path, and do not remove the quotation marks when moving the argument into a shortcut or parameter file.

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The server cannot bind to the requested address

Check that the -ip value is assigned to a local network interface and that the selected -port is not already occupied. If the host has one address only, remove -ip temporarily to test whether the explicit binding is the problem.

BattlEye files are missing or written somewhere unexpected

Confirm the -bePath value, verify directory permissions, and ensure the path belongs to this instance. Separate BattlEye directories when multiple servers run on the same host.

A shortcut has become too long to maintain

Move the arguments into a parameter file and load it with -par. Keep the file beside your deployment documentation, preserve quoted paths, and record the working directory used to launch the executable.

Choosing an operating style

Approach Advantages Trade-offs
Launcher GUI Visible fields for port, IP, config, profiles, BattlEye, PID, ranking, and network logging. Less convenient to reproduce across machines unless the resulting values are documented.
Inline command Transparent, quick to test, and easy to diagnose one option at a time. Becomes difficult to read when many paths or mods are added.
-par file Short launch command, versionable settings, and clean separation between instances. Requires careful working-directory and quoting management.
Relative paths Portable when every launcher uses the same working directory. Can silently resolve to the wrong location under services or scheduled tasks.
Absolute paths Predictable across launch contexts and easier to audit. Less portable when the installation moves to another drive or host.

Pre-launch checklist

  • Use the intended executable and add -server only when launching through the client executable.
  • Choose an available -port and configure the host firewall and network forwarding separately.
  • Set -config to the exact server configuration file you want loaded.
  • Quote every path containing spaces.
  • Assign a dedicated -profiles directory and verify write access.
  • Set -bePath explicitly when BattlEye is stored outside the expected location.
  • Use -ip only with an address currently assigned to the host.
  • Add -pid when monitoring or service automation needs a process identifier.
  • Use -par when the command becomes difficult to inspect.
  • Test interactively before handing the command to a restart supervisor or hosting panel.

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