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Godlike.Host offers hosted Conan Exiles servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
You can host a headless Conan Exiles server on Linux by installing dedicated-server app 443030 with SteamCMD, running ConanSandboxServer.exe through 64-bit Wine and Xvfb, then configuring the generated INI files and forwarding the required UDP ports. The procedure below uses a dedicated non-root account and is designed for an Ubuntu-style server.
What you are building
The documented Linux deployment runs the Windows dedicated-server executable without a desktop session. SteamCMD downloads the server files, Wine supplies the Windows compatibility layer, and Xvfb supplies a virtual X display so the process can run on a headless machine. This is different from running a native Linux binary. Some current distribution metadata may show Linux-related files, but the operational Linux guide still uses Wine and Xvfb; compatibility can therefore vary with the server build and your distribution.
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The server stores its world, administration data, and generated configuration beneath the ConanSandbox/Saved tree. Treat that directory as valuable data: it contains the saves you need to back up and the settings you will edit after the first successful launch.
Prerequisites and planning
Choose a dedicated service account
Create a user such as steam and run the server without root privileges. A non-root account limits the damage from a compromised mod, a vulnerable service, or an accidental command. Give the account ownership of a persistent directory such as /home/steam/conan_exiles and keep the save directory on storage that survives reboots and package maintenance.
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Prepare the operating system
The documented Ubuntu procedure requires the multiverse repository and 32-bit architecture support. Update the package index before installing the server tools. Install SteamCMD, lib32gcc-s1, Wine, and Xvfb. Package names and Wine package layouts differ between distributions, so use the equivalent packages for your release if you are not on Ubuntu.
- A 64-bit Linux installation with enough disk space for the server files, downloaded Workshop content, logs, and backups.
- A supported Wine installation capable of creating a 64-bit prefix.
- Xvfb, with
xvfb-runavailable in the service account’s path. - A persistent public or private IP address, or a router rule that forwards traffic to the machine.
- Administrative access to the host firewall and, when applicable, the upstream router.
Decide how the server will be supervised
Do not rely on an SSH session remaining open. Use systemd, screen, or another supervisor so the process can restart after a crash or reboot. The example later uses systemd; the exact paths for Wine and Xvfb must match your distribution.
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Enable multiverse and i386 support, update the package list, and install the required packages. On Ubuntu, the sequence is conceptually:
- Enable the multiverse repository for your Ubuntu release.
- Enable the i386 architecture with
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386. - Refresh package metadata with
sudo apt update. - Install SteamCMD,
lib32gcc-s1, Wine, and Xvfb using your distribution’s package manager.
Accept SteamCMD’s license prompt if your package presents one. Verify that both steamcmd and xvfb-run resolve from the shell used by the service account. If SteamCMD is installed outside the normal path, record its full path for the update and maintenance commands.
Download the Conan Exiles dedicated server
Use SteamCMD’s Windows platform override and the dedicated-server application ID 443030. Run the command as the service account, not as root:
steamcmd +@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType windows +force_install_dir /home/steam/conan_exiles +login anonymous +app_update 443030 +quit+force_install_dir keeps the installation in a predictable location. SteamCMD may print warnings while it bootstraps or validates files; the important result is a completed update followed by a populated /home/steam/conan_exiles directory containing ConanSandboxServer.exe.
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Run the same app_update 443030 command later to update the dedicated server. Always stop the running process before updating files. If SteamCMD reports damaged or incomplete files, add validate to the update operation during a maintenance window:
steamcmd +@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType windows +force_install_dir /home/steam/conan_exiles +login anonymous +app_update 443030 validate +quitRun the server headlessly for the first time
Create a 64-bit Wine prefix owned by the service account and launch the executable through Xvfb. The documented command is:
export WINEARCH=win64; export WINEPREFIX=/home/steam/.wine64; xvfb-run --auto-servernum --server-args='-screen 0 640x480x24:32' wine /home/steam/conan_exiles/ConanSandboxServer.exe -logThe first successful run can take longer than later starts while Wine initializes its prefix and the server generates its configuration tree. Leave it running until the log shows that initialization has completed, then stop it cleanly so you can edit the files. Look for the generated ConanSandbox/Saved directory under the installation or the path shown by the server log; do not assume a different working directory is being used.
The -log switch keeps diagnostic output in the terminal and is useful during setup. Once the service is supervised, retain logging in the service journal or redirect it to a rotating log location so a failed start can be diagnosed after the fact.
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A systemd unit gives the server a controlled working directory, automatic restart, and a predictable shutdown path. Create a unit such as /etc/systemd/system/conan.service, then adapt the executable paths, user name, and environment variables to your installation:
[Unit]
Description=Conan Exiles dedicated server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
User=steam
WorkingDirectory=/home/steam/conan_exiles
Environment=WINEARCH=win64
Environment=WINEPREFIX=/home/steam/.wine64
ExecStart=/usr/bin/xvfb-run --auto-servernum --server-args=-screen 0 640x480x24:32 /usr/bin/wine /home/steam/conan_exiles/ConanSandboxServer.exe -log
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10
KillSignal=SIGINT
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetReload units, enable the service at boot, and start it:
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now conan.serviceCheck its state with sudo systemctl status conan.service and follow output with sudo journalctl -u conan.service -f. If the unit fails immediately, run the same command interactively as steam; this separates a Wine or file-permission problem from a systemd quoting or path problem. Some distributions place Wine or xvfb-run elsewhere, so replace the paths shown in the example rather than copying them blindly.
Configure the server in the generated INI files
Stop the server before editing configuration. Back up ConanSandbox/Saved, then change only the entries you intend to change. The file locations and available keys can change between builds, so use the entries generated by your current server instead of replacing an entire file with a template from another version.
Engine.ini: identity and connection password
Funcom documents the server name and server password in Engine.ini. Set the existing server-name and server-password entries to values that identify the server and, if desired, require a password to join. Avoid spaces or characters that your particular build mishandles, and test the name in the server browser after restarting.
ServerSettings.ini: administrator access
The in-game administrator password belongs in ServerSettings.ini. Use a long, unique value and do not reuse an operating-system or RCON credential. Anyone who obtains this password can administer the game world, so keep the file readable only by the service account and trusted administrators.
Game.ini and ServerSettings.ini: rules and capacity
The Linux setup guide exposes settings including MaxPlayers and PVPEnabled, along with the administrator password. The exact section containing a key can vary by server build. Edit the generated key in the file where your installation places it, then restart and verify the effective value in the server log or in-game administration interface. A setting that is spelled correctly but placed in the wrong section will appear to be ignored.
- Set
MaxPlayersto a value your CPU, memory, and uplink can sustain rather than choosing a limit solely because the software permits it. - Set
PVPEnableddeliberately; changing it affects the rules of an existing world and may change how players use their bases and inventories. - Change one logical group of settings at a time, retain a copy of the previous files, and restart between changes so a bad value is easy to identify.
Open and forward the required network ports
Allow traffic both in the host firewall and, when the machine is behind a router, in the router’s port-forwarding rules. Forward each port to the server’s private IP address. The standard assignments are:
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| Port | Transport | Purpose | When to open it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7777 | UDP | Main game traffic | Always; this is the default game port. |
| 7778 | UDP | Server-browser pinger | Always; it is hard-coded to the game port plus one. |
| 27015 | UDP | Server query | Always unless you deliberately changed the query configuration. |
| 25575 | TCP | RCON administration | Only when RCON is enabled and you need remote administration. |
The pinger port is not an arbitrary second game port: it remains the game port plus one. If you change the game port, account for that relationship when checking browser visibility. Funcom also documents an on-demand TCP mod-transfer port based on the configured offset. Steam clients normally obtain Workshop content through the Steam Workshop API, so do not expose an additional mod-transfer port unless your configuration and client behavior require it.
Host firewall example
On a host using UFW, the corresponding rules are:
sudo ufw allow 7777/udp
sudo ufw allow 7778/udp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 25575/tcpApply the RCON rule only if RCON is enabled. Prefer a source restriction for RCON instead of allowing it from the entire internet, for example by limiting the rule to a trusted management subnet. Use equivalent nftables, firewalld, or cloud-security-group rules on other platforms.
Router and browser checks
Give the Linux host a reserved private address, forward the ports to that address, and make sure the router is not forwarding to an old machine. Some routers cannot test a public address from inside the same network; check from an external connection as well. The server may not appear in the browser until the game, pinger, query, and firewall paths are all reachable. A running process alone does not prove that the browser can query it.
Install and manage Workshop mods
Mods are a coordinated server-and-client feature. Every joining client must have the same enabled mods, in the same order, as the server. A single missing or differently ordered .pak file can prevent a connection or produce an apparently empty server list.
Download Workshop items with SteamCMD
Stop the server before changing mods. SteamCMD provides a workshop_download_item command. Its syntax requires the Workshop game’s application ID and the numeric Workshop item ID:
steamcmd +login anonymous +workshop_download_item APP_ID ITEM_ID +quitReplace APP_ID and ITEM_ID with the numeric values shown for the Workshop item you are installing. Do not substitute the dedicated-server ID automatically; the Workshop command uses the app associated with the Workshop content. Download each required item, then place the resulting files in the ConanSandbox directories expected by your build.
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Build the server mod list
Keep the downloaded .pak files and the server’s mod-list file in the expected ConanSandbox locations. Preserve a deliberate order and record that order in your deployment notes. If a mod author specifies a load order or dependency, follow it. Remove obsolete files only after confirming that no save or configuration depends on them.
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Give players the exact mod list and order. After a mod update, require clients to download the same revision before joining. If the server starts but players receive a version or checksum error, compare the server’s files and ordered list with one clean client rather than repeatedly restarting the service.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Update the server without risking the world
- Announce a maintenance window and stop the service with
sudo systemctl stop conan.service. - Make a dated copy of
ConanSandbox/Savedto storage that is not on the same filesystem if possible. - Update the dedicated server with
app_update 443030; addvalidatewhen SteamCMD reports missing or corrupt files. - Update each Workshop item through SteamCMD and verify that the resulting files are present in the expected directories.
- Review configuration changes introduced by the new build instead of overwriting the existing INI files wholesale.
- Start the service, watch the journal for errors, and connect with an administrator account before reopening the server to players.
Schedule updates when players are offline. Keep at least one known-good server directory and save backup so you can roll back a failed update. Updating the executable while it is running can leave a mixed installation and makes later troubleshooting much harder.
Operate the server safely
Backups
Back up the entire ConanSandbox/Saved directory, not just one world file. Include the INI files and your ordered mod list so a restore reproduces both the world and its rules. Test a restore periodically on a separate directory; a backup that has never been restored is only an assumption.
Access control
- Run the service as the unprivileged account that owns the installation.
- Restrict read access to administrator passwords and RCON settings.
- Expose RCON only to trusted networks and disable it when you do not need remote administration.
- Use a different credential for RCON, the in-game administrator account, and the Linux account.
- Keep the operating system, Wine packages, SteamCMD, and server files updated during planned maintenance.
Monitoring
Check the systemd state, journal output, disk space, and backup job after every restart. Watch for repeated crashes, failed mod loads, and save-write errors. A full disk can look like a game or network failure because the process may remain alive while it cannot write world data.
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Troubleshooting common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| SteamCMD downloads files but the executable is missing | Wrong platform override, install directory, or incomplete update | Run the Windows platform override, confirm +force_install_dir, and repeat app_update 443030 validate while the server is stopped. |
| Wine reports a display or X connection error | The process was launched without Xvfb or the wrapper is unavailable | Run through xvfb-run --auto-servernum, verify Xvfb is installed, and test interactively as the service account. |
| The service starts and exits immediately | Incorrect path, permissions, Wine prefix, or systemd quoting | Run the exact command manually, inspect journalctl -u conan.service, and verify ownership of the installation and prefix. |
| The server is not visible in the browser | Missing pinger/query forwarding, firewall rule, router target, or server initialization | Check UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015 end to end; confirm the process is listening and that the router forwards to the current private IP. |
| Players cannot connect although the server is listed | Game traffic is blocked, the advertised address is wrong, or a password is required | Test UDP 7777 from outside the LAN, verify the server name and password settings, and check host and upstream firewall logs. |
| RCON does not respond | RCON is disabled, TCP 25575 is blocked, or access is restricted incorrectly | Enable RCON only when needed, confirm the configured port, allow TCP 25575 from the trusted source, and verify the RCON credential. |
| A modded client is rejected | Different mod revision, missing .pak, or wrong order |
Compare the server files and ordered list with the client, redownload the Workshop item, and restart after correcting the list. |
| Configuration changes have no effect | Wrong file or section, malformed value, or edits made while the server was running | Stop the service, edit the generated key in the section used by your build, restore a known-good backup if necessary, and restart. |
| The world appears to have rolled back | Save failure, abrupt termination, or restoring the wrong backup | Inspect logs for write errors, check free disk space and ownership, stop the service cleanly, and identify the newest verified save before restoring. |
Self-hosting versus a managed Conan Exiles host
Linux self-hosting gives you direct control, but it also makes you responsible for the compatibility layer, networking, updates, backups, and recovery. A managed host trades some control for a provider panel and operational support.
| Consideration | Self-hosted Linux | Managed host |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Full access to the operating system, files, mods, and launch flags. | Control is mediated by the provider panel and plan limits. |
| Maintenance | You maintain Wine/Xvfb, SteamCMD updates, firewalls, backups, and restarts. | The provider handles much of the platform work. |
| Cost model | Infrastructure cost plus your administration time. | Recurring hosting fee. |
| Troubleshooting | Direct access to processes, logs, and files. | Provider support and panel tooling, with less system-level access. |
| Portability | You can move the installation and saves yourself. | Export and migration depend on the provider. |
Choose self-hosting when you are comfortable maintaining Linux services and need file-level control. A managed service is practical when avoiding Wine compatibility work, firewall administration, and backup scheduling is worth the recurring fee. Confirm the provider’s supported server build, mod workflow, backup retention, and migration policy before moving an established world.
Quick Recap
Maintenance checklist
- Verify the service runs as the unprivileged account after every reboot.
- Confirm the server appears in the browser from outside the local network.
- Check UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015 after router or firewall changes.
- Keep RCON disabled or source-restricted unless it is actively required.
- Back up
ConanSandbox/Savedbefore configuration, server, or mod updates. - Record the enabled mod order and require clients to match it exactly.
- Review systemd and server logs after each restart.
- Perform updates only during a planned maintenance window.
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