Install a Wreckfest dedicated server via SteamCMD (Windows and Linux)

Want to host your own Wreckfest races without a hosting provider? This step-by-step guide walks you through installing the official dedicated server via SteamCMD. All commands, App ID and ports verified against the SteamDB record and community Bugbear guides.

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Hardware requirements

A 24-slot Wreckfest server typically uses <1 GB RAM. The critical factor remains CPU single-core frequency for physics simulation.

Step 1 — Download SteamCMD

Windows

1. Download: https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
2. Extract to C:\steamcmd\
3. Run steamcmd.exe once

Linux

sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 wget unzip -y
mkdir ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
wget https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
./steamcmd.sh +quit

Step 2 — Install Wreckfest server (App ID 361580)

The dedicated server App ID is 361580 (not 228380, the game client).

Windows

steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\WreckfestServer\ +login anonymous +app_update 361580 validate +quit

Linux (native server available)

./steamcmd.sh +force_install_dir /home/wreckfest/WreckfestServer/ +login anonymous +app_update 361580 validate +quit

Download size: ~500 MB.

Step 3 — Open network port

Wreckfest uses port 30100 (UDP + TCP).

Windows — Admin PowerShell

New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Wreckfest" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 30100 -Action Allow
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Wreckfest TCP" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 30100 -Action Allow

Linux — UFW

sudo ufw allow 30100/udp
sudo ufw allow 30100/tcp
sudo ufw reload

Forward port 30100 (UDP + TCP) on your router.

Step 4 — Customize server_config.cfg

server_name=My Wreckfest Server EN
server_port=30100
max_players=24
password=
owner_disabled=1
welcome_message=Welcome to the EN Wreckfest server!
bot_difficulty=normal
car_damage=1.0
save_replay=1
spectator_count=4
event_loop=1

event=
gamemode=racing
track=track_speedway_loop_a
laps=5
elimination_interval=15
vehicle_damage=1.0
car_reset_disabled=0
weather=clear
time_of_day=day

Step 5 — First start

Windows

@echo off
cd /d "C:\WreckfestServer"
Wreckfest_x64.exe -s server_config=server_config.cfg

Linux

cd /home/wreckfest/WreckfestServer
chmod +x Wreckfest
./Wreckfest -s server_config=server_config.cfg

Wait for:

Server started on port 30100

Step 6 — systemd service (Linux)

Create /etc/systemd/system/wreckfest.service:

[Unit]
Description=Wreckfest Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=wreckfest
WorkingDirectory=/home/wreckfest/WreckfestServer
ExecStart=/home/wreckfest/WreckfestServer/Wreckfest -s server_config=server_config.cfg
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl enable --now wreckfest

Step 7 — Track rotation (events)

Chain multiple races by stacking event= blocks in server_config.cfg:

event=
gamemode=racing
track=track_speedway_loop_a
laps=5

event=
gamemode=racing
track=track_speedway_loop_b
laps=8

event=
gamemode=derby
track=arena_motorshow_a
laps=0

With event_loop=1, the server cycles indefinitely.

Step 8 — Workshop mods

1. Subscribe to mods via the Wreckfest client
2. Locate files in Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/228380/<workshopID>/
3. Copy folders to <WreckfestServer>/mods/
4. Enable in server_config.cfg: workshop_id_list=<id1>,<id2>
5. Players must also subscribe client-side

Step 9 — Update the server

steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\WreckfestServer\ +app_update 361580 validate +quit

FAQ

App ID 228380 vs 361580?

228380 is the client. 361580 is the dedicated server, free via anonymous SteamCMD.

Max players?

Officially 24 players. Going beyond isn’t recommended — netcode is tuned for this limit.

Does Wreckfest server support Linux natively?

Yes — Bugbear ships a native Linux binary called Wreckfest (no extension).

Server not showing in browser?

Check: port 30100 open (UDP + TCP, firewall + router), server_port=30100 in config, correct public IP.

How do I configure Demolition Derby?

In server_config.cfg, use gamemode=derby with a track=arena_* (circular arenas).

Conclusion

You now have a working Wreckfest dedicated server. Recommended next steps:

1. Configure your event rotation in server_config.cfg
2. Subscribe to Workshop mods client-side then copy server-side
3. Organize your leagues with friends

Want to skip the setup? HebergTonServ installs your Wreckfest server in minutes — Ryzen 9 5950X, 5 Tbps Anti-DDoS, console and 24/7 support from €9.90/month.

Further reading

• Wreckfest hosting from €9.90/month
• SteamDB — Wreckfest Dedicated Server
• Official gameservers.world docs