Updating the Factorio Server and Managing Compatibility
How to update a Factorio dedicated server via SteamCMD or headless binary, manage save and mod compatibility, and safely test updates.
Overview
Factorio updates frequently. Keeping the server current ensures security patches, bug fixes, and new content. Updates require coordination with players because client and server versions must match, and mods must be compatible with the new version.
Updating via SteamCMD
Stop the server before updating. Running SteamCMD against a live server risks file conflicts:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 427520 validate +quit
The validate flag forces a checksum verification of all files and replaces corrupted or missing ones. After the update completes, restart the server. On WISP/Pterodactyl, use the Reinstall button if your egg wires the install command there, or run the SteamCMD command via the panel's install script.
Updating via Headless Binary
For headless binary installs, download the new tarball and extract over the existing directory:
wget https://www.factorio.com/download/stable/headless -O factorio_new.tar.gz
# Stop the server first
tar -xzf factorio_new.tar.gz
# Restart the server
Extracting replaces factorio/bin/, factorio/data/, and related files. It does not overwrite factorio/saves/, factorio/config/, or factorio/mods/. These directories are safe across updates.
Save Compatibility
Factorio saves are forward-compatible: a save from an older version will load on a newer version (the server migrates it on first load). Saves are not backward-compatible — once loaded on a newer version, the save cannot be opened on an older version.
Before any update, download a copy of your current save from factorio/saves/ as a rollback option. If the update causes problems, you can downgrade the binary and load the pre-update save copy.
Mod Compatibility
Mods do not automatically update when the server updates. For minor point releases (e.g., 2.0.14 → 2.0.15), most mods continue to work. For major version updates (e.g., 1.x → 2.0), many mods require updates from their authors.
Before a major update:
- Check each mod on mods.factorio.com for a compatible version.
- If a critical mod has no update, delay the server update until one is available.
- After updating, verify
mod-list.jsonis intact — the update process does not modify it, but confirm the file looks correct. - All players must update their client AND their mods to match the server exactly.
See Installing and Managing Mods for details on mod version matching.
Client Version Matching
When the server updates, all players must update their Factorio client to the same version before connecting. Players on an older or newer client version will be refused at the connection attempt with a version mismatch error.
Communicate update timing to your players in advance. Update the server during a low-activity window.
Checking the Current Version
From the server console or via RCON:
/version
Or from the binary directly:
./factorio/bin/x64/factorio --version
Changelog
Review patch notes at factorio.com/blog before updating to identify any breaking changes or configuration changes that require attention.