By default, your Satisfactory server runs on the Stable (public) branch, the same version most players are on. If you want to test upcoming features early, you can switch your server to the Experimental branch instead directly from your MintServers panel. This guide covers switching branches and switching back.
Step 1: Set the Branch
- Open your server's Settings tab.
- Scroll down to Branch Name.
- Enter
experimentalto switch to the Experimental branch, or leave it blank for the default Stable branch. - If you're using a private branch that requires a password, enter it in Branch Password. This isn't needed for the standard public or experimental branches.
Step 2: Enable Automatic Updates and Validate Server Files
Setting the Branch Name alone isn't enough to switch an already-installed server, both of these need to be turned on as well:
- Automatic Updates: Checks for updates on startup and installs them if needed.
- Validate Server Files: Validates every server file against Steam when Automatic Updates is on. This is what actually forces the switch to the new branch, but it significantly increases startup time, so it's worth turning back off once you've confirmed the switch worked.
Step 3: Start Your Server
With the Branch Name set and both toggles enabled, start your server. It'll validate and update against the new branch during this startup, which will take noticeably longer than a normal boot.
Switching Back to Stable
Clear the Branch Name field, keep Automatic Updates and Validate Server Files enabled, then start your server the same way. Once you've confirmed you're back on Stable, feel free to turn Validate Server Files back off for faster future startups.
If a branch switch doesn't seem to be taking effect, or your server won't start afterward, our general troubleshooting guide covers common startup issues. If you get stuck at any point, no worries! Just open a support ticket and our team will be happy to help.