FiveMServer ListPrivateTroubleshooting5 min read

Fix "This server is private" or server not showing in list

How to resolve the private server error or server not appearing in the FiveM server browser: sv_master1, ports, variables and diagnosis.

What does this error mean?

If your server shows as "This server is private" in the FiveM browser, or simply doesn't appear in the list, it means the master list cannot verify your server correctly. Players won't be able to connect from the browser (the Connect button is disabled).

Cause 1: sv_master1 uncommented

Check your server.cfg for this line:

bash
sv_master1 ""

If that line is without the # in front, your server is marked as private. You need to comment it out or remove it:

bash
# sv_master1 ""

If this line doesn't exist in your cfg, don't add it — it's disabled by default and is not the problem.

Cause 2: Ports closed or misconfigured

If the issue isn't sv_master1, your server is likely not accessible from outside.

Verify accessibility

Open in your browser: http://YOUR_IP:30120/info.json
If it returns a JSON with server info → port is open
If it doesn't load or times out → port is closed

Open ports

Windows (remote desktop):

terminal
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="FiveM TCP" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=30120
netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="FiveM UDP" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=30120

Linux (VPS):

bash
sudo ufw allow 30120/tcp
sudo ufw allow 30120/udp

Direct Connect test

Ask someone to try connecting directly:

In FiveM, press F8 to open the console
Type: connect 23.175.40.1:30120 (replace with your IP and port)
If it connects → the problem is only listing, not network

Cause 3: Missing required variables

If your server is accessible but doesn't appear in the list, check that you have these lines in your server.cfg:

bash
sets sv_projectName "Your server name"
sets sv_projectDesc "Your server description"

If either is missing, the server won't be listed and shows an error on startup.

Cause 4: Missing listing configuration

Verify you have the basic endpoints:

bash
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"

⚠️ Importante
endpoint_add_udp must come BEFORE endpoint_add_tcp.

If you have multiple IPs or are behind a proxy, you may need:

bash
set sv_forceIndirectListing true
set sv_listingIpOverride "YOUR_IP"
set sv_endpoints "YOUR_IP:30120"

Do NOT use sv_listingHostOverride with an IP — that variable only accepts a domain/hostname for HTTPS proxy.

Replace YOUR_IP with your public IP (e.g.: 23.175.40.1).

Difference between "private" and "not showing in list"

Symptom	Likely cause	Solution
Shows with lock icon, Connect disabled	`sv_master1 ""` active	Comment out or remove `sv_master1 ""`
Doesn't appear at all	Missing `sets sv_projectName`/`sets sv_projectDesc` or ports closed	Add project variables and verify firewall
Appears but nobody can connect	UDP port closed	Open 30120/udp

Quick checklist

Check	How
`sv_master1` commented or absent	Search in server.cfg, must have `#` in front or not exist
Port 30120 open (TCP and UDP)	Test `http://YOUR_IP:30120/info.json` in browser
`sets sv_projectName` defined	Must be in server.cfg with a name
`sets sv_projectDesc` defined	Must be in server.cfg with a description
Endpoints declared	`endpoint_add_udp` and `endpoint_add_tcp` present (udp first)

Important notes

After making changes, fully restart the server.
It can take up to 8 minutes to appear in the list after starting.
If you use sv_requestParanoia 3 and access info.json from the browser you'll see "Nope." — that's normal and doesn't affect listing or players.
If everything is correctly configured and it still doesn't show up, it may be a temporary FiveM master list issue. Wait a few minutes and try again.

If after following all steps you still have the problem, open a ticket on our Discord (https://discord.gg/fTQNWygTjc) with a screenshot of your server.cfg (without the license key) and we'll help.

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