Dedicated Server

Once Human Dedicated Server Setup: Host Private Server Guide

Host your own private Once Human server on Windows or Linux — complete setup guide, config files, port forwarding, admin commands, and multi

Difficulty
Hard
Time Needed
Win + Linux
Prerequisites
8GB RAM
Best Pals
1-32 players

Overview

Running a dedicated Once Human server gives you full control over your game world — custom settings, private play with friends, mod support (where available), and 24/7 uptime. This guide covers both Windows and Linux setups.

Minimum server requirements:

  • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit or Ubuntu 20.04+ / Debian 11+
  • CPU: 4-core processor (Intel i5-8th gen / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or better)
  • RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended for 16+ players)
  • Storage: 20GB free space (SSD recommended for faster load times)
  • Network: 10 Mbps upload minimum (100 Mbps recommended for 32 players)
  • Port forwarding: TCP/UDP 27015 (game), 27016 (query), 27017 (RCON)

Player count scaling: 1-8 players = 4GB RAM, 2 cores. 9-16 players = 8GB RAM, 4 cores. 17-32 players = 16GB RAM, 6+ cores. Always leave 2GB headroom for the OS.

Getting Started

Windows is the easiest platform for setting up a Once Human dedicated server. Follow these steps:

  1. Install SteamCMD: Download from https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD. Extract to C:\steamcmd. Run steamcmd.exe once to update.
  2. Download the server files: In SteamCMD, run: 
    login anonymous
force_install_dir C:\oncehuman-server
app_update 2139460 validate
quit
  3. Configure the server: Navigate to C:\oncehuman-server\OnceHuman\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\. Create/edit GameUserSettings.ini: 
    [/Script/OnceHuman.GameUserSettings]
ServerName=My Once Human Server
MaxPlayers=16
ServerPassword=yourpassword_here
AdminPassword=youradminpassword_here
PvEEnabled=True
DayLength=60
NightLength=30
XPMultiplier=1.0
ResourceMultiplier=1.0
DropMultiplier=1.0
  4. Port forwarding: Log into your router and forward ports 27015, 27016, 27017 (TCP+UDP) to your server's local IP.
  5. Start the server: Create a batch file start_server.bat: 
    @echo off
cd /d C:\oncehuman-server
OnceHumanServer.exe -log -port=27015 -queryport=27016 -rconport=27017
pause
    Run the batch file. The server console will appear and show startup progress.
  6. Connect: In Once Human, open the server browser and search for your server name, or connect directly via IP: your_public_ip:27015.

Step by Step

    Linux is more efficient for 24/7 servers and uses fewer resources. This guide covers Ubuntu/Debian.

    1. Install dependencies: 
      sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 lib32stdc++6 curl wget screen
    2. Install SteamCMD: 
      sudo mkdir -p /opt/steamcmd
cd /opt/steamcmd
sudo curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | sudo tar zxvf -
sudo chmod +x steamcmd.sh
    3. Create a server user (recommended): 
      sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash oncehuman
sudo usermod -aG sudo oncehuman
sudo su - oncehuman
    4. Download server files: 
      /opt/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir /home/oncehuman/server +app_update 2139460 validate +quit
    5. Configure the server: 
      mkdir -p /home/oncehuman/server/OnceHuman/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
nano /home/oncehuman/server/OnceHuman/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/GameUserSettings.ini
      Use the same settings as the Windows config above.
    6. Create a systemd service (for auto-start on boot): 
      sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/oncehuman.service
      Paste: 
      [Unit]
Description=Once Human Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=oncehuman
WorkingDirectory=/home/oncehuman/server
ExecStart=/home/oncehuman/server/OnceHumanServer.sh -log -port=27015
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=10

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
      Enable and start: 
      sudo systemctl enable oncehuman
sudo systemctl start oncehuman
sudo systemctl status oncehuman
    7. Firewall configuration: 
      sudo ufw allow 27015/tcp
sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
sudo ufw allow 27016/tcp
sudo ufw allow 27016/udp
sudo ufw enable

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes

✅ Pro Tips

  • Always test your server locally before opening it to the public — connect via 127.0.0.1 first.
  • Use a strong admin password — RCON access gives full control over the server, including player bans and server shutdown.
  • Schedule automatic restarts every 24 hours — long-running servers accumulate memory leaks and lag.
  • Back up your save files regularly — copy the Saved folder to a separate location daily.
  • Monitor server performance with htop (Linux) or Task Manager (Windows) — if CPU stays above 80%, upgrade or reduce player count.

⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes

  • Don't run the server as root/admin — create a dedicated user with limited permissions for security.
  • Don't forget port forwarding — without it, players outside your local network can't connect.
  • Don't use the default server password — change it immediately, especially if the server is public.
  • Don't allocate all your RAM to the server — leave at least 2GB for the OS and other processes.
  • Don't ignore server updates — Once Human updates frequently, and outdated servers won't show up in the browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host a Once Human server for free? +

You can host a Once Human server for free on your own PC if you meet the minimum requirements (4-core CPU, 8GB RAM, 20GB storage, 10Mbps upload). The server software itself is free to download via SteamCMD. However, running it on your home PC has drawbacks: your PC must be on 24/7, your home internet may not have enough upload bandwidth for 16+ players, and you'll need to configure port forwarding on your router. For a more reliable solution, consider a cheap VPS (Virtual Private Server) — providers like Hetzner, OVH, or DigitalOcean offer 4-core/8GB plans for $10-20/month, which is sufficient for 8-16 players. Some hosting providers also offer Once Human-specific game server hosting with one-click setup.

Why can't my friends connect to my server? +

If your friends can't connect, check these common issues in order: 1) Port forwarding — ensure ports 27015, 27016, 27017 (TCP+UDP) are forwarded to your server's local IP on your router. 2) Firewall — check both your server's local firewall (Windows Firewall / ufw) and your router's firewall. 3) Server is running — verify the server console shows 'Server is ready' and no errors. 4) Correct IP — give your friends your PUBLIC IP (find at whatismyip.com), not your local IP (192.168.x.x). 5) Server password — if you set a password, make sure your friends enter it correctly. 6) Game version — ensure both server and clients are on the same game version (update the server with SteamCMD). 7) ISP blocking — some ISPs block incoming connections on common ports; try changing the server port or contact your ISP.

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Server set up? Start your adventure with our beginner guide.

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