The fastest way to change your Arma map
To change the map on your Arma server, you edit the server configuration file — usually called server.cfg — and change the line that specifies which world loads when the server starts. The exact steps depend on whether you rent your server from a hosting company or run it on your own machine, but both routes involve the same core file edit.
If you rent from a hosting provider (like GameServers, GTXGaming, or Nitrado), most offer a web control panel where you can select the map from a dropdown menu without touching any files. If you run the server yourself on your own hardware, you will need to access the server files directly through your computer or through an FTP connection.
Key Takeaways
- The map name goes in your server.cfg file on the line that reads class Missions, under the world parameter.
- Common Arma 3 maps include Altis, Stratis, Malden, Tanoa, Enoch, and Livonia — each with a different name you must type exactly.
- If you rent your server, check your hosting provider's control panel first, as most let you change the map without editing files.
- After you change the map and save the file, restart your server for the change to take effect.
- If the server fails to start after a map change, the most common cause is a typo in the map name or a file that was not saved properly.
Finding your server configuration file
Your server.cfg file lives in the server directory on whatever machine is running Arma. If you rent from a hosting company, log into your control panel (the URL is usually in your welcome email) and look for a "Files" or "Configuration" section. Most providers let you browse and edit files directly in the browser without downloading anything.
If you run the server on your own computer, the file is usually in C:\Program Files\SteamCMD\steamapps\common\Arma 3 Server on Windows, or in your Arma installation folder on Linux. If you cannot find it, search your hard drive for "server.cfg" — Windows search will locate it in seconds.
Once you have found the file, open it with a plain text editor like Notepad (Windows) or gedit (Linux). Do not use Microsoft Word or Google Docs — these add formatting that will break the file. If you are accessing it through your hosting panel, the panel usually opens a text editor for you automatically.
Locating and changing the map line
Open your server.cfg file and search for the word Missions (use Ctrl+F to search). You will see a section that looks like this:
class Missions { class Mission1 { template=Altis; difficulty=veteran; }; };
The word after template= is your current map name. Change Altis to whichever map you want. The most common Arma 3 maps are:
- Altis — the largest official map, Mediterranean island
- Stratis — smaller, good for smaller groups
- Malden — fictional Eastern European country
- Tanoa — tropical island
- Enoch — arctic terrain
- Livonia — Eastern European landscape
Type the map name exactly as it appears above — Arma is case-sensitive, so altis (lowercase) will not work, but Altis will. If you have installed a custom map through a mod, use the exact name the mod creator gave it in their documentation.
Saving the file and restarting your server
After you change the map name, save the file. In Notepad, press Ctrl+S or go to File > Save. If you are editing through your hosting provider's web panel, look for a Save button — it is usually at the bottom of the editor window.
Once the file is saved, restart your Arma server. If you rent from a hosting company, go to your control panel and click the restart button (usually labeled "Restart Server" or "Stop/Start"). If you run the server yourself, stop the server process and start it again.
The server will load the new map when it starts. Players will see the map change the next time they join or when the current mission ends and the server loads the next one. If you have multiple missions listed in your Missions class, the server will cycle through them in order.
What to do if the server will not start after changing the map
If your server fails to start or crashes when ready after you change the map, the most common cause is a typo in the map name. Check that you spelled it exactly as shown above, with the correct capital letters. Open your server.cfg again and compare your map name character by character.
The second most common cause is that the file was not saved properly. If you edited it through your hosting panel, make sure you clicked Save and saw a confirmation message. If you edited it on your own computer, make sure the file was actually written to disk — some text editors require you to confirm the save.
If the map name is correct and the file is saved, the map may not be installed on your server. Some maps come with Arma by default, but others require you to own the DLC or install a mod. Check the Arma 3 launcher on your server machine to see which maps and mods are actually installed. If a required DLC is missing, you will need to purchase it through Steam before that map will load.
Using the server control panel if your host provides one
Many hosting companies make map changes even simpler by adding a dropdown menu to their control panel. Log into your hosting account, find the server settings or configuration page, and look for a field labeled "Map", "World", or "Mission". Click the dropdown and select your map from the list.
This method is faster and safer because the hosting company's system checks that the map name is valid before saving it. You do not have to worry about typos or file formatting. After you select the map and click Save, the control panel usually restarts the server automatically or gives you a button to restart it yourself.
If your hosting provider does not offer a map selector in their control panel, you can still edit the server.cfg file directly through their file browser — most providers include a text editor in their control panel for exactly this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have multiple maps that rotate automatically?
Yes. Add multiple mission blocks to your server.cfg under the Missions class, each with a different map name. The server will load them in order and cycle back to the first one after the last mission ends. Each mission block can have different settings like difficulty or time of day.
What if I installed a map through a mod and do not know its exact name?
Open the Arma 3 launcher on your server machine, go to Mods, find the mod that contains your map, and look at the mod's description or file list. The map name is usually listed there. You can also check the mod's Steam workshop page or documentation. If you still cannot find it, try the mod creator's Discord or forum.
Do I need to restart the server every time I change the map?
Yes, the server must restart to load a new map. If you change the map while the server is running, the change will not take effect until the next restart. Some hosting panels let you schedule a restart for a specific time so players have warning.
Will changing the map delete player progress or saved data?
No. Changing the map does not affect player data, stats, or saved missions. Players will keep their progress and can rejoin after the restart. The only thing that changes is the physical world they play in.
What if my custom map is not showing up in the server list after I change it?
Custom maps from mods will not appear in the official server browser unless the mod is marked as "required" on your server. Players must have the mod installed to join. Make sure the mod is enabled in your server's mod list, and tell players which mods they need before they join.