Host a TF3 dedicated server with MPFever

Before you start

Use a Windows PC that stays awake, with TF3 installed and Steam signed in on the server's own account. Do not reuse a player's active Steam account on the server. Match the game build, MPFever version, mods and DLCs with the clients. Back up the world; this community server remains experimental.

Set up the world and start the server

1. Download MPFever-0.6.9-server.zip from the author release. Keep the extracted server folder intact, including server-edition.txt. The ordinary player ZIP is a different package.
2. Create and save a world on the server PC, or copy a backed-up save and its same-name companion files into that server account's save folder. Use the exact name shown in the game's load list.
3. Open the server's MPFever.exe. Its first run creates mpfever_server.properties and waits; merely opening the launcher does not start the world.
4. Open the settings, set world= to the saved world's name, choose a password and save. Check the actual file rather than copying a configuration for another world.
5. Choose Start with display or Start without display. Read the log for the loaded world and join addresses. On a client, open Multiplayer, join the server address and enter its password.

Minimal settings example

world=Our World
port=28090
password=choose-your-own-password
max-players=8
company-mode=shared
public=false

Replace the sample world and password. The documented default port is TCP 28090; use the configured value if changed. A private server can be joined by address without appearing in the public list. Settings are read on start or restart.

If another PC cannot connect

First confirm the world actually loaded. Then check that the configured TCP port reaches the server PC through the router and the relevant firewall rule. The author also documents joining over a shared virtual LAN. Do not assume a Steam invitation bypasses a blocked host port or a shared public address.

If the lobby reports different mods or DLCs, resolve that content mismatch separately from networking. MPFever 0.6.9 adds DLC mismatch warnings; a reachable server can still fail to produce a synchronized session.

What without display means

The game simulates the world without drawing it, but still needs graphics hardware capable of starting TF3. It is not a standalone Linux server binary. The documented server pauses when nobody is connected and keeps autosaves; preserve separate backups as well.

Verify before leaving it running

A client joins the intended world, sees synchronized actions and can reconnect. Check that a save is created and that the world pauses after the last player leaves. A visible launcher, an open port or a public-list entry alone does not verify all of these.

If it still fails

Check the server archive, exact world name and logged game build first. Keep server and client reports from the same failed attempt. Do not overwrite your only save or switch accounts blindly while diagnosing a missing world.