To host an Arma Reforger dedicated server, deploy a server on a host like Loafhosts, edit config.json with your name and scenario, set an admin password, and start it. A dedicated server runs the Enfusion server process independently of any player’s game, so the world stays up day and night. This guide is a clean step-by-step from an empty plan to a server players can join, with the exact fields and console messages to look for along the way.
What You Need Before You Start
Hosting a dedicated server is mostly straightforward, but a little preparation makes it faster. You need a hosting plan, a clear idea of which scenario you want to run, and the Reforger IDs of anyone who will be an admin. You do not need to install the dedicated server tools yourself when you use a managed host; that is already handled.
Tip: Decide up front whether the server is public or password protected
Tip: Collect the Reforger IDs of your admins now so you can add them in one pass
Tip: Pick your starting scenario, for example a Conflict campaign or a Game Master mission
Note: A Reforger ID is shown in-game by clicking your profile name in the main menu; it is not the same as a Steam ID
Step 1: Deploy the Server
On Loafhosts, deploying a dedicated Arma Reforger server takes about 60 seconds and there are no setup fees. Choose a plan family and region that match your community first.
- Go to loafhosts.com and choose a Loafbox or Shared plan
- Select your region: New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, or Frankfurt on Shared; Montreal or Frankfurt on Loafbox
- Complete checkout
- Open LoafHub at hub.loafhosts.com and select your new server
- Wait for the LPV5 panel to show the server deployed and ready
Tip: Loafbox gives you dedicated CPU threads, which is the better pick for large or modded servers
Tip: Shared gives unlimited CPU allocation and is great value for smaller groups
Step 2: Open config.json
Arma Reforger reads everything from a config.json file. The LPV5 panel gives you a config editor so you can edit it in the browser without an FTP client.
- In the LPV5 panel, open the configuration or config editor section
- Select config.json
- If the file is empty or minimal, you will fill in the core fields in the next steps
- Keep the editor open; you will save once at the end
Warning: config.json must remain valid JSON at all times; an extra comma or missing quote prevents the server from starting
Step 3: Set the Core Server Fields
These fields define your server identity and basic limits. Set the name players will see, the player cap, and whether the server is publicly visible.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
game.name | Server name shown in the in-game browser | "name": "[NA] My Reforger Server" |
game.maxPlayers | Maximum concurrent players | "maxPlayers": 64 |
game.visible | Whether the server appears in the public browser | true |
game.password | Player join password; leave empty for a public server | "" |
game.passwordAdmin | Admin password used with the #login console command | "strong-secret" |
Tip: Use a server name that includes your region tag so players know latency at a glance
Tip: Set passwordAdmin to something only your staff knows before going public
Step 4: Choose Your Scenario
The scenarioId field tells the server which mission or campaign to load. Conflict and Game Master scenarios each have their own IDs. Vanilla scenario IDs are well documented; modded scenario IDs come from the mod.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
game.scenarioId | The scenario the server loads on boot, written as a GUID plus a path | "{ECC61978EDCC2B5A}Missions/23_Campaign.conf" |
Tip: Pick a Conflict campaign for objective-based combined-arms play
Tip: Pick a Game Master scenario when you want a live admin to build the mission
Tip: A modded scenario ID is provided on the mod’s Workshop page
Note: The scenarioId always has the form of a GUID in braces followed by a path ending in .conf
Step 5: Add Admins
Admins are listed by Reforger ID in the game.admins array. Anyone in that array can use admin tools, including the Game Master menu on Game Master scenarios.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
game.admins | Array of Reforger IDs granted admin rights | "admins": ["reforger-id-1", "reforger-id-2"] |
- Ask each admin for their Reforger ID from the main menu profile screen
- Add each ID as a quoted string inside the admins array
- Separate multiple IDs with commas, with no trailing comma after the last one
Warning: Only add Reforger IDs you trust; admins can kick, ban, and control sessions
Step 6: Save, Start, and Verify
With config.json filled in, save it and start the server. The console is where you confirm a clean boot. Watch for the scenario load line and the ready state.
- Save config.json in the panel
- Open the Console tab
- Press Start
- Watch for the server to load your scenario and reach a running state
- Confirm there are no JSON parse errors or missing mod errors in the log
Tip: If the server stops immediately, the first suspect is invalid JSON in config.json
Tip: A clean log ends with the server idle and waiting for players
Step 7: Connect and Test
The final step is a real join. Search for your server in the in-game browser or use Direct Connect with the IP and port from the panel.
- Copy the server IP and game port from the LPV5 panel
- In Arma Reforger, find your server by name or use Direct Connect
- Join and confirm the scenario loads correctly
- Have an admin run #login with the admin password to confirm admin access
- Share the connection details with your players
Tip: If you cannot find a modded server in the browser, Direct Connect with the IP and port always works
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Arma Reforger dedicated server?
A dedicated server runs the Arma Reforger server process on its own hardware, independent of any player’s game client. It stays online around the clock, has a fixed IP, and gives you full control over config.json, scenarios, and mods.
Can I host an Arma Reforger server for free?
Reforger has a built-in option to host a session from inside the game at no cost, but it ties the server to your PC, your bandwidth, and your session. For a server that stays up 24/7 with a fixed IP and full config control, a paid host is the practical choice. Loafhosts starts at $20/mo.
Do I need to install the dedicated server tools myself?
Not on a managed host. With Loafhosts the server process is already set up when your plan deploys, so you go straight to editing config.json. Self-hosting from your own machine would require installing the Reforger dedicated server tools separately.
How do I find a scenario ID for config.json?
Vanilla scenario IDs are widely documented and follow the format of a GUID in braces plus a path ending in .conf. Modded scenario IDs are listed on the scenario mod’s Workshop page. Paste the full ID into the game.scenarioId field.
Why does my Reforger server stop right after starting?
The most common cause is invalid JSON in config.json, such as a missing comma, an extra comma, or an unclosed quote. The second most common cause is a bad scenario ID or a mod that failed to download. Check the console log for the exact error.
How do I make my Reforger server private?
Set the game.password field in config.json to a join password and share it only with your group. You can also set game.visible to false so the server does not appear in the public browser, and players join with Direct Connect.
How many players can a dedicated Reforger server hold?
It depends on the maxPlayers value you set in config.json and your hardware. Loafhosts plans include unlimited slots, so the cap is yours to set. Large player counts with heavy AI run best on a Loafbox plan with dedicated threads.
Can I change the scenario after the server is running?
Yes. Edit the game.scenarioId field in config.json and restart the server, or use the panel’s Map Rotations to schedule scenario switches (which apply on the next restart). Always take a backup before swapping scenarios on an active community server.