How to Host a FiveM Server: Artifacts, Keymaster & txAdmin

Evidence key: Official means Cfx.re / FiveM server documentation; community means player reports. Every source below was reviewed October 20, 2026.

Before you begin

Official: register a free license key on the Cfx Portal before anything else — every FiveM server needs one. A Cfx.re account is free, and the license key that lets your server appear on the list is also free. Official Setting Up a Server · Checked October 20, 2026.

Download the server artifact

Official: a "server artifact" is the package with the files to run or update your FiveM server. On the Server Download page, pick your platform (Windows or Linux, FiveM or FiveM for GTAV Enhanced), the update branch (Recommended or Latest), and download the server.7z. By downloading it you agree to the Cfx Platform License Agreement. Official Server Download · Checked October 20, 2026.

For a FiveM for GTAV Enhanced server, the archive is named cfx-server_win_x64 instead of server.7z, and the Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable must be installed first.

Choose a setup method

Official: Cfx.re documents three ways to run the server: a game server hosting provider, txAdmin (the easy guided setup), or a vanilla FXServer on Windows/Linux. Official Setting Up a Server · Checked October 20, 2026.

• txAdmin — recommended for most people; a web panel that walks you through setup, recipes and management.
• Vanilla FXServer — manual; you edit server.cfg yourself on Windows or Linux.
• Hosting provider — the provider handles the infrastructure; you supply the license key and resources.

txAdmin quick steps (recommended)

1. Download the recommended build from Server Download and extract it (example: C:\FXServer\server).
2. Double-click FXServer.exe (or cfx-server.exe on Enhanced). A browser tab opens txAdmin automatically.
3. In txAdmin, click Link Account, sign in with your Cfx account, and allow access.
4. Set an admin password, name the server, then choose Popular Recipes → the CFX Default FiveM template.
5. Open the Recipe Deployer, paste the license key you created on the Cfx Portal, and click Run Recipe.
6. When it finishes, Save & Run Server. Official txAdmin setup · Checked October 20, 2026.

txAdmin opens at http://localhost:40120 if it does not redirect automatically. The 4-digit PIN shows in the server console.

Ports

The txAdmin/web panel runs locally on 40120 (confirmed in Cfx.re's setup guide). For players to join from outside your machine, forward FiveM's default server port in your router/firewall per the official server-manual — the exact port and the remote-console port are set in your server.cfg and the Cfx.re server documentation, so confirm there rather than assuming a number here. Official server manual · Checked October 20, 2026.

Keep the artifact updated

Official: outdated server builds can stop being joinable from the server browser. Cfx.re publishes an End of Support / End of Life policy describing which artifact versions remain supported; keep your server on a current Recommended or Latest build and review that policy when you update. Official End of Support / EOL · Checked October 20, 2026.

The exact support window (how long a build stays supported) is defined in Cfx.re's EOL article and changes over time — confirm the current figures in that doc rather than treating any number here as fixed.

Enhanced vs Legacy server build

If you host FiveM for GTAV Enhanced, use the cfx-server.exe binary and install the Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable; Legacy servers keep FXServer.exe. Enhanced uses Infinity OneSync only, so large-population servers generally run Enhanced. Official Legacy vs Enhanced · Checked October 20, 2026.