FiveM Server Not Showing in Server List? Fix It

If your FiveM server is not showing in the server list, the most common cause is that the server is not properly registered with the FiveM master server, often due to incorrect endpoint or port forwarding settings. This guide walks you through the exact steps to diagnose and fix the issue, covering everything from server configuration to network setup.

How FiveM Server Listing Works

FiveM servers appear in the in-game server browser after they successfully connect to the FiveM master server. The master server periodically pings your server to check that it is online and reachable. To be listed, your server must:

• Have a valid server.cfg with a sv_endpoint (or endpoint_add_tcp and endpoint_add_udp) that points to your public IP or domain.
• Have the necessary ports (default TCP 30120 and UDP 30120) open and forwarded to your machine.
• Have a license key (for servers with more than 32 slots) and a valid sv_licenseKey in the config.
• Not be blocked by a firewall or hosting provider’s network policies.

If any of these are misconfigured, the master server cannot reach your server, and it will not appear in the list.

Common Causes and Quick Fixes

Here are the most frequent reasons why your server is invisible, and what to do about each:

1. Incorrect endpoint configuration – In server.cfg, ensure you have lines like:
   endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"
   If you are behind a router, you may need to set your public IP explicitly, e.g., endpoint_add_tcp "203.0.113.5:30120".
2. Port not forwarded – Forward TCP and UDP port 30120 (or your custom port) from your router to your server’s local IP. Verify with an online port checker.
3. Firewall blocking – Add an inbound rule for TCP and UDP 30120 in Windows Firewall (or your OS firewall).
4. Missing license key – If you have more than 32 slots, you must have a valid sv_licenseKey in your config. Without it, the server will not list.
5. Server not fully started – Wait until the console shows “Server started” and the resource count is stable. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for the master server to pick it up.
6. Using a VPN or proxy – If your server runs behind a VPN, the master server may see a different IP. Disable VPN or use a dedicated IP.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Follow these steps in order to isolate the problem:

1. Check the server console – Look for errors like “Failed to connect to master server” or “Invalid endpoint”.
2. Verify your config – Open server.cfg and confirm the endpoint lines and license key are correct.
3. Test local connectivity – From the same machine, try connecting to localhost:30120 in FiveM. If that works, the server itself is fine.
4. Test external connectivity – Use an online port checker (e.g., yougetsignal.com) to see if port 30120 is open from the internet. If not, fix port forwarding/firewall.
5. Check the master server status – Sometimes FiveM’s master server is down. Check the official FiveM status page or forums.
6. Restart the server – A clean restart can resolve temporary glitches.

Port Forwarding Explained

Port forwarding is the process of telling your router to send incoming traffic on a specific port to a specific device on your local network. For FiveM, you need to forward both TCP and UDP on port 30120 (or your custom port) to the local IP of the machine running the server. Steps vary by router brand, but generally:

• Log into your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
• Find the “Port Forwarding” or “Virtual Server” section.
• Create a new rule: service name (e.g., FiveM), protocol TCP+UDP, external port 30120, internal port 30120, internal IP (your server’s local IP).
• Save and reboot the router if necessary.

If you are hosting on a VPS or dedicated server, you may need to open ports in the provider’s firewall (e.g., AWS Security Groups, OVH firewall).

Advanced: Using a Domain or Dynamic DNS

If your public IP changes frequently (common with residential ISPs), you can use a domain name with Dynamic DNS (DDNS) to keep your endpoint stable. In server.cfg, you can set:

endpoint_add_tcp "yourdomain.com:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "yourdomain.com:30120"

This requires that your domain’s DNS records point to your current IP, which DDNS services can update automatically. Note that the master server will resolve the domain to an IP, so the domain must be reachable from the internet.

Common Misconceptions

“My server is on localhost, why isn’t it listed?” – The master server cannot reach a localhost address. You must use a public IP or domain that is routable from the internet.

“I set the port to 30120 but it’s still not working.” – Make sure you are not using a port that is already in use by another application, and that you are forwarding the same port in both TCP and UDP.

“I have a license key, but the server still doesn’t show.” – The license key only matters for slot count; the listing issue is almost always network-related. Double-check your endpoint and port forwarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my server showing for me but not for others?

If you can see it locally (via localhost) but others cannot, it means the server is running but not reachable from the internet. The cause is almost always port forwarding or firewall. Verify that port 30120 is open externally.

How long does it take for a server to appear in the list?

Usually within a minute after the server fully starts. If it takes longer than 5 minutes, check the console for errors and your network configuration.

Do I need a license key to appear in the server list?

No, a license key is only required for servers with more than 32 slots. Free servers (up to 32 slots) can appear without a key, but you must still have a valid sv_licenseKey line (it can be blank) and proper endpoint configuration.

Can I use a different port than 30120?

Yes, you can use any port, but you must update the endpoint lines and forward that port. Also, the client will need to know the port to connect directly, but the server list will show it regardless.

Why does my server show as “offline” in the list?

This usually means the master server could not reach your server during a ping. It could be a temporary network issue, or your server may have crashed. Restart the server and check that the port remains open.

What if I’m hosting on a VPS and still not listed?

Check the VPS provider’s firewall settings, as many have an external firewall in addition to the OS firewall. Also, ensure that the server is bound to 0.0.0.0 (all interfaces) and not just localhost.

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