Terraria Server Language: How to Change It

This guide shows you how to set the language on a Terraria server, so that all in-game messages, item names, and interface text appear in your preferred language. You’ll need access to the server’s configuration file (serverconfig.txt) and the ability to restart the server. The process is the same for both dedicated servers and the server launched from the game’s main menu.

What You’ll Need

• Access to the folder where your Terraria server files are stored (e.g., the folder containing TerrariaServer.exe or the serverconfig.txt file).
• A text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) to edit the configuration file.
• Permission to restart the server, as the language change only takes effect after a restart.

Step-by-Step

1. Locate the server configuration file. In your Terraria server folder, look for a file named serverconfig.txt. If it doesn’t exist, you can create it by running the server once and then closing it, or by copying the example file if one is present.
2. Open the file in a text editor. Right-click serverconfig.txt and select “Open with” and choose Notepad (or your preferred text editor). Do not use a word processor like Microsoft Word, as it may save the file in a format the server can’t read.
3. Find or add the language setting. Look for a line that starts with language=. If it’s not there, you’ll need to add it. The line should be placed on its own line, with no spaces around the equals sign.
4. Set the language code. After the equals sign, type the language code for your desired language. For example, language=en-US for English (United States), language=de-DE for German, language=fr-FR for French, language=es-ES for Spanish, language=pt-BR for Brazilian Portuguese, language=it-IT for Italian, language=pl-PL for Polish, language=ru-RU for Russian, language=zh-Hans for Simplified Chinese, language=zh-Hant for Traditional Chinese, language=ko-KR for Korean, and language=ja-JP for Japanese.
5. Save the file. Click File > Save, or press Ctrl+S (Cmd+S on Mac). Make sure the file is saved as serverconfig.txt and not as serverconfig.txt.txt or something similar.
6. Restart the server. If the server is currently running, shut it down completely. Then start it again. The language setting will be applied when the server loads.
7. Verify the change. Once the server is up, join it and check the chat messages, item tooltips, and menu text. They should now appear in the language you selected.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect language code: Using a code that isn’t recognized (e.g., language=english instead of language=en-US) will cause the server to ignore the setting and revert to English.
• Spaces around the equals sign: The server expects language=en-US with no spaces. language = en-US may not work.
• Editing the wrong file: Make sure you’re editing serverconfig.txt, not a file like serverconfig.txt.bak or a file inside a different folder.
• Not restarting the server: The language setting is read at server startup. Changing the file while the server is running will have no effect until you restart.
• Saving the file with a different encoding: If you use a text editor that saves in UTF-8 with BOM, the server might misread the first line. Stick to plain text or UTF-8 without BOM.

Tips

• If you’re running a server for friends in different countries, consider using en-US as a neutral default, since most players are familiar with English terms.
• You can also set the language when you first start the server using the command-line argument -lang (e.g., TerrariaServer.exe -lang de-DE). This overrides the config file, but the config file is still the recommended method for a persistent setting.
• If you're using a hosting service, the config file might be accessible through a web panel. Look for a "Config Files" or "Server Settings" section.
• Some mods or plugins may override the language setting. If you use TShock or other server mods, check their configuration as well.

Troubleshooting

• The server still shows English. Double-check the language code, ensure there are no spaces, and confirm the file is saved correctly. Restart the server again, making sure it fully shuts down before starting.
• The server crashes on startup. This could be due to a malformed config file. Open the file and check for any accidental characters or lines that were added. If in doubt, delete the language= line and try again.
• The language is set but some text is still in English. This is normal for certain hardcoded strings or if the language pack isn't fully installed. Reinstall the game or verify the integrity of game files through Steam to ensure all language files are present.
• I can't find the config file. If you're using a dedicated server, it's in the same folder as the server executable. If you launched the server from the game menu, look in Documents/My Games/Terraria/Server (Windows) or ~/Library/Application Support/Terraria/Server (Mac).
• The change only applies to the server, not to my client. The server language affects what the server sends to clients. Each player can also set their own language in the game's main menu, which will affect their UI and item names, but server messages (like chat) will be in the server's language.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the language without restarting the server?

No, the language setting is read only when the server starts. You must restart the server for changes to take effect.

What is the default language if I don't set it?

The default is English (en-US). If the language= line is missing or invalid, the server falls back to English.

Does the language setting affect player-created content like signs or chest names?

No, signs and chest names are stored as text and are not translated. The language setting only affects built-in game text.

Can I use the language setting on a multiplayer server hosted by a friend?

Yes, if you have access to the server files or the hosting panel, you can change the config. If you're just joining someone else's server, you cannot change their server language.

Will setting the language to a non-English language increase download size for players?

No, language files are part of the game client. Players already have all language files installed, so there's no additional download.

Is there a way to set the language via command line when starting the server?

Yes, you can use the -lang flag followed by the language code, like TerrariaServer.exe -lang fr-FR. This will override the config file for that session.

Related

• Don’t Starve Together: Survive Your First Winter
• MIUI Disable Ads: Full Guide to Turn Them Off
• Cyberpunk 2077 Co-op vs Single Player Missions & Loot