> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://rejuvenate.gitbook.io/witcheronline/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://rejuvenate.gitbook.io/witcheronline/guides/server-setup.md).

# Server setup

This part of the guide will explain how to setup Witcher Online's server and briefly explain how to port forward.

{% hint style="warning" %}
We recommend playing on the official Witcher Online server which is up 24/7. 

IP: `46.62.255.79` Port: `40000`
{% endhint %}

### Hosting a server

#### Installing Witcher Online Server

1. Head to the [mod page](https://www.nexusmods.com/witcher3/mods/11590?tab=files), find the `Witcher Online Server` file
2. Press the `Manual download` button and download the mod
3. Extract the archive contents into a folder

#### Port forwarding

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you are unfamiliar with port forwarding, this guide will probably not be enough to help you\
This [guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvNRNs6kHIc) shows how to port forward for a Minecraft server, you can pretty much follow all the same steps.
{% endhint %}

Port forwarding is necessary for players outside your local network to be able to connect to your server.

1. Edit the port you want to host your server on in `server.properties` \
   Example: `port=40000` 
2. Configure your router's port forwarding settings to use designated **UDP** port **40000** set the internal IP address of your local machine
3. Use [PortChecker](https://portchecker.co/) to check if your configured port is open (ensure your server is running beforehand)
4. If players cannot connect to your server after you have port forwarded, ensure that `WitcherServer.jar` is allowed to operate on port 40000 in your Windows Defender firewall.

#### Running Witcher Online server (Windows)

Install [Java JDK 21](https://adoptium.net/temurin/releases?version=25\&os=any\&arch=any) or above. Make sure you add java to your environment variables during the install. Running the run.bat file included in the server.zip will launch the server.

For allowing the server to run on port 40000 in Windows Defender firewall, click windows start menu and search for **Allow an app through Windows Firewall**. If you installed java using the link above, find all **OpenJDK Platform binary** in this list and make sure **Private and Public** is enabled.

<figure><img src="/files/QAfjnHOXmv4iCoWhIhCI" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Running Witcher Online server (Linux)

To run the server on Linux, similarly install Java and run the WitcherServer.jar file.

### Server commands

{% content-ref url="/pages/U1jZ2tj1K3GsPBlyMTB8" %}
[Server Console](/witcheronline/general-information/commands/server-console.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}