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Windows • VPS / Dedicated

Arma 3 Server Setup on Windows

Welcome to the ultimate guide for hosting Arma 3 on a Windows VPS or dedicated box. Customize missions, manage mods, and run a lag-free community server with confidence.

Start Setup Troubleshooting

Why Host Your Own Arma 3 Server?

Full control over mods, mission rotation, and performance. Build your own ruleset, invite your squad, and iterate fast.

Prerequisites

  • A Windows VPS or Dedicated server (Admin/RDP access)
  • Steam installed, or SteamCMD for headless setup
  • Basic server management skills (firewall, services, file perms)
Tip: For bigger communities, choose NVMe storage and a high-clock CPU to improve mission loading and AI responsiveness.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

  1. Install SteamCMD
    Download SteamCMD from the official page and extract to C:\steamcmd (or your preferred path).
  2. Log in to SteamCMD 
    login anonymous
  3. Download Arma 3 Server 
    force_install_dir ./Arma3Server/
app_update 233780 validate
  4. Configure server.cfg 
    // Example server.cfg
hostname   = "My Arma 3 Server";
password   = "your_password";
maxPlayers = 64;
verifySignatures = 2;   // recommended for mod integrity
voteMissionPlayers = 1;
  5. Set Up Ports

    Open these in Windows Firewall / provider panel:

    • 2302 — Game
    • 2303 — Steam Query
    • 2304 — Voice
  6. Integrate BattlEye

    Enable anti-cheat in server.cfg:

    battleye = 1;
  7. Configure Headless Clients (HC)

    Offload AI/mission logic to HC for performance:

    headlessClients[] = {"192.168.1.2"};
localClient[]     = {"192.168.1.2"};

Performance Tips

  • Prefer high single-core clock CPUs (Arma 3 is thread-limited).
  • Use NVMe SSD for faster mission/mod loading.
  • Keep mods signed and trimmed; avoid bloated collections.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

  • Check Windows Firewall and provider security groups for ports 2302–2304.
  • Run app_update 233780 validate if files seem corrupted.
  • Mismatch mods? Align keys/signatures between server and clients.

Need a tuned Windows VPS or a beefy Dedicated server for Arma 3?

Prices for Your Arma 3 Server

Conclusion

Setting up an Arma 3 server on Windows is straightforward with SteamCMD and a clean server.cfg. Open the right ports, enable BattlEye, consider Headless Clients — and you’re ready to host a smooth community experience.