The quick answer

How do you make an Assetto Corsa server private?

Finish configuring the cars, track, rules, and sessions first. Stop the server, open Files → cfg → server_cfg.ini, and add a private game password under [SERVER]. Set REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=0 if you also want the server hidden from the public lobby. Save the file, start the server, then share the Content Manager join link and game password only with your friends.

A password controls who can join. Unlisted mode only makes the server harder to discover and should not be used as a replacement for a password.

Step 1

Finish the lobby setup before adding privacy

Select the cars, track, layout, rules, weather, and session flow before editing the private-server values. The panel regenerates server_cfg.ini when managed settings are applied, so privacy should be the last configuration step. If the lobby is not ready yet, begin with the complete Assetto Corsa server setup guide.

Choose the track and layoutConfirm it supports the planned number of drivers.

Build the car entry listAdd enough entries for every invited friend without exceeding the plan’s slots.

Apply the event settings Set the rules, build the weather, then configure practice, qualifying, and race sessions.

Share matching modsEvery friend needs the same custom cars and tracks as the server.

Apply first, protect second

Any later Content, Rules, Weather & Time, or Sessions apply action may regenerate the configuration. Recheck the password and lobby-registration values after making panel changes.

Step 2

Stop the server before editing the configuration

Stopping the process prevents the running server from using an older in-memory configuration while you change its privacy values.

1
Open the server panel.
Select the server from My Servers and press Manage.
2
Confirm no friends are connected.
Give active players time to leave so their session is not interrupted unexpectedly.
3
Press Stop.
Wait until the status badge changes to Stopped before opening the file editor.

Do not use Kill for routine changes

Stop gives the process time to close normally. Use Kill only when the server will not respond to a regular stop request.

Step 3

Open cfg/server_cfg.ini in the file editor

1
Select Files.
Open the Files tab from the server navigation.
2
Open the cfg folder.
This folder contains the Assetto Corsa server configuration and entry list.
3
Edit server_cfg.ini.
Open the file in the panel’s inline editor and find the [SERVER] section.
4
Locate PASSWORD and REGISTER_TO_LOBBY.
Edit the existing lines instead of adding duplicate settings elsewhere in the file.

Edit the game password

The PASSWORD value is for drivers joining the game. Do not share or replace ADMIN_PASSWORD, your Assetto Servers account password, or your SFTP credentials.

Step 4

Set a join password and choose whether the server is listed

Under [SERVER], update the two existing values to match the level of privacy you want.

REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=0
PASSWORD=pitlane-26

Replace pitlane-26 with your own game password.
Use REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=0 to keep the server out of the public lobby.
Use REGISTER_TO_LOBBY=1 if friends should find it in the lobby but still need the password to enter.
Choose a password that is not reused for your account, email, panel, or SFTP login.
Prefer letters, numbers, and hyphens so the value is easy to enter and safe in an INI file.

Private versus unlisted

A listed, password-protected server is still private to anyone without the password. Unlisted mode reduces discovery, but friends will need the direct join link.

Step 5

Save the file and start the server

1
Press Save.
Wait for the file editor to confirm that server_cfg.ini was saved.
2
Return to Console.
Go back to the main server controls without applying another managed configuration.
3
Press Start.
Watch the console until the server finishes loading and its status changes to Online.
4
Review Session Details.
Confirm the intended map, cars, and session loaded before sending invites.

Avoid another Apply action

If you apply Content, Rules, Weather & Time, or Sessions after this point, stop the server and verify these privacy values again before inviting friends.

Step 6

Invite friends with the direct Content Manager link

Once the status is Online, use the server panel’s join controls to send each trusted driver what they need.

1
Press Copy Join Link.
The link points Content Manager to the active server without requiring a public-lobby search.
2
Share the game password separately.
Send it in a private message or trusted group channel rather than placing it in a public post.
3
Provide required content.
Share the exact car, track, layout, and CSP requirements used by the server.
4
Tell friends which car slots are available.
The active entry list controls which cars and how many drivers can join.

Keep credentials separate

Friends only need the game join password. They never need your Assetto Servers sign-in, panel password, SFTP password, or server admin password.

Step 7

Test both accepted and rejected access

Test the server before treating it as private. A successful friend connection alone does not prove that the password requirement is active.

The server is Online with the intended event configuration. A join attempt without the password is rejected. The correct password allows the test driver to connect. The server is absent from the public lobby when REGISTER_TO_LOBBY is 0. The direct Content Manager link reaches the correct server. A second friend can join with matching content and an available slot.

If no password is requested

Stop the server, reopen server_cfg.ini, and confirm the PASSWORD line still contains the intended value. A later panel apply may have regenerated the file.

Step 8

Keep the server private after launch

Situation	Privacy risk	What to do
The join link was posted publicly	Anyone can attempt to reach the server.	Remove the post and rotate the game password.
A friend leaves the group	They still know the old password.	Set a new PASSWORD value and restart the server.
Panel settings were reapplied	server_cfg.ini may have been regenerated.	Stop the server and recheck PASSWORD and REGISTER_TO_LOBBY.
The server appears in the public lobby	REGISTER_TO_LOBBY is enabled.	Set it to 0, save, and restart.
A friend gets “server full”	No privacy issue; all configured slots are occupied.	Free a slot or increase the plan and entry-list capacity.
A friend gets “checksum failed”	No privacy issue; their content differs.	Install the exact same car and track versions used by the server.

FAQ

Private Assetto Corsa server questions

Does a private server have to be hidden from the lobby?

No. A listed server can still require a password. Set REGISTER_TO_LOBBY to 0 only when you also want to prevent public-lobby discovery.

What should I share with my friends?

Share the direct Content Manager join link, the game join password, and any required cars, tracks, layouts, or CSP version. Do not share account or panel credentials.

Can Discord show whether the private server is online?

Yes. The Assetto Corsa Discord bot can publish server status and a join link through the managed ServerHub plugin connection. Keep the game password in a private channel rather than placing it in a public status post.

Why did the password disappear after I changed settings?

The panel can regenerate server_cfg.ini when managed settings are applied. Finish those changes first, then restore the privacy values before restarting.

Is ADMIN_PASSWORD the password my friends use?

No. Drivers use the PASSWORD value. ADMIN_PASSWORD controls elevated server commands and should remain private.

Can friends join without Content Manager?

They can connect through Assetto Corsa’s normal online workflow if they know the server details and password, but the panel’s direct Content Manager link is usually the easiest invitation method.

Do custom cars and tracks change the privacy setup?

No, but every invited player still needs matching content. A correct password does not bypass missing files or checksum validation.

Ready for a private session?

Start with a free 4-player server

Build the lobby, protect it with a game password, and invite a small group of friends through Content Manager.

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