PrimeFilter Tutorial

How to Set Up Your FiveM RDP

Complete beginner-friendly guide to preparing your PrimeFilter Windows RDP and running your first FiveM server.

Windows Server FiveM Beginner Friendly Step-by-step setup

Before You Begin

You need your PrimeFilter RDP IP, username, password, and a Cfx.re account for the FiveM license key. Do not share passwords or license keys publicly.

CredentialsUse only the details supplied with your service.
Clean FoldersKeep server files organized under C:\FiveM.
Local DatabaseMariaDB should normally stay on 127.0.0.1.
Protected IPUse your assigned protected public IP for players.
01

Connect to Your RDP

Open Microsoft Remote Desktop and log in with the service details from PrimeFilter.

  1. On your Windows PC, press Win + R.
  2. Type mstsc, then press Enter.
  3. Enter the RDP IP supplied by PrimeFilter.
  4. Use your supplied username and password. Example username: Administrator.
Never publish your RDP password, database password, or Cfx.re license key.
Remote Desktop Connection
ComputerYOUR_SERVER_IP
User nameAdministrator
Connect
02

Prepare Windows

Keep Windows secure, organized, and ready for server files.

  1. Run Windows Update if updates are pending.
  2. Check that the date, time, and timezone are correct.
  3. Create these folders: C:\FiveM\, C:\FiveM\server\, and C:\FiveM\server-data\.
  4. Keep Windows Firewall enabled. You will open only the required ports later.
Do not disable Windows security completely. A game server still needs basic system protection.
File Explorer
C:\ └── FiveM ├── server └── server-data
03

Install Required Programs

Download software only from official sources.

Visual C++ Redistributable x64

Required by many Windows server applications.

Download

Git for Windows

Used to download the official server-data repository.

Download

MariaDB Community Server

Database server for many FiveM frameworks and resources.

Download

FiveM FXServer Artifacts

Download the current recommended Windows server artifact.

Open Artifacts
Download checklist
Install firstVisual C++ x64
Then installGit for Windows
DatabaseMariaDB
Server filesFXServer artifact
04

Install and Configure MariaDB

Use a local database and a dedicated FiveM user.

  1. Install MariaDB using the Windows MSI installer.
  2. Set a strong root password and keep it private.
  3. Create a database named fivem.
  4. Create a dedicated user named fivem with password YOUR_STRONG_DATABASE_PASSWORD.
  5. Use 127.0.0.1 in your FiveM connection string when MariaDB is on the same RDP.
Do not expose MariaDB port 3306 to the Internet unless you specifically require remote database access and have properly configured firewall rules and database permissions.
Database setup
Databasefivem
Userfivem
Host127.0.0.1
05

Download FXServer

Use the current recommended Windows artifact from Cfx.re.

  1. Open the official Windows artifacts page.
  2. Download the recommended build. Do not rely on an old version number from a tutorial.
  3. Extract the archive into C:\FiveM\server\.
  4. Open the folder and confirm FXServer.exe exists.
C:\FiveM\server
FileFXServer.exe
Foldercitizen
Folderalpine
StatusReady
06

Download Server Data

Clone the official base server data into a separate folder.

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Run the command below.
  3. Confirm C:\FiveM\server-data\resources exists after the clone finishes.
Command Prompt
git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git C:\FiveM\server-data
Command Prompt
C:\> git clone https://github.com/citizenfx/cfx-server-data.git C:\FiveM\server-data Cloning into 'server-data'... Receiving objects: done.
07

Start FXServer and txAdmin

txAdmin is included with FXServer and opens in your browser for first setup.

  1. Open C:\FiveM\server\.
  2. Run FXServer.exe.
  3. Read the console for the txAdmin URL and setup PIN.
  4. Open the txAdmin URL in your browser. The port may vary, but PrimeFilter commonly uses 40120 TCP when configured that way.
FXServer console
txAdmin is ready. Open: http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:40120 Setup PIN: 1234
08

Complete txAdmin Setup

Use txAdmin to create or deploy the server configuration.

  1. Open txAdmin and enter the setup PIN if requested.
  2. Link or log in with Cfx.re if txAdmin asks.
  3. Create a server profile and choose a recipe/template.
  4. Set the server name and data folder.
  5. Enter your Cfx.re license key and database details.
  6. Run the recipe and wait until deployment completes.
txAdmin setup
Server NameMy PrimeFilter Server
TemplateCFX Default
Data FolderC:\FiveM\server-data
RecipeRun
09

Configure server.cfg

Edit the main FiveM configuration file with safe placeholders.

Do not paste a real license key, database password, or RDP password into public chat, Discord channels, or screenshots.
server.cfg
endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120"
endpoint_add_udp "0.0.0.0:30120"

sv_hostname "My PrimeFilter FiveM Server"
sets sv_projectName "My PrimeFilter FiveM Server"
sets sv_projectDesc "Hosted on PrimeFilter"

set mysql_connection_string "mysql://fivem:YOUR_STRONG_DATABASE_PASSWORD@127.0.0.1/fivem"

sv_licenseKey "YOUR_CFX_LICENSE_KEY"
sv_maxclients 48

ensure mapmanager
ensure chat
ensure spawnmanager
ensure sessionmanager
ensure basic-gamemode
ensure hardcap
  • endpoint_add_tcp and endpoint_add_udp control the public FiveM game port.
  • mysql_connection_string connects resources to MariaDB on localhost.
  • sv_licenseKey must be your own key from Cfx.re.
server.cfg editor
server.cfg endpoint_add_tcp "0.0.0.0:30120" set mysql_connection_string "mysql://fivem:***@127.0.0.1/fivem" sv_licenseKey "YOUR_CFX_LICENSE_KEY"
10

Configure Firewall and Ports

Open only the ports your server needs.

ServiceProtocolPortRequired
FiveM GameTCP30120Yes
FiveM GameUDP30120Yes
txAdminTCP40120For remote txAdmin access
MariaDBTCP3306No - keep private/local unless required
  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
  2. Go to Inbound Rules, then choose New Rule.
  3. Select Port, choose TCP or UDP, enter the port, and allow the connection.
  4. Name the rules clearly, for example FiveM TCP 30120 and FiveM UDP 30120.
Windows Defender Firewall
Left menuInbound Rules
ActionNew Rule
Rule typePort
Port30120 TCP/UDP
Opening every port or disabling Windows Firewall is not recommended. Restrict txAdmin access when possible.
11

Start the Server

Start FXServer from txAdmin or from the console and confirm it boots cleanly.

  • FXServer running
  • Database connected
  • No server.cfg errors
  • FiveM port listening
  • txAdmin accessible if enabled
  • Server visible or connectable
Successful startup
Started resource sessionmanager Started resource spawnmanager Server license key authentication succeeded Server is ready.
12

Connect to the Server

Use FiveM direct connect or the server browser.

  1. Open FiveM on your gaming PC.
  2. Press F8 to open the console.
  3. Use the direct connect command below.
  4. You can also search the server browser once listing is configured.
FiveM Console
connect YOUR_SERVER_IP:30120
FiveM console
Commandconnect YOUR_SERVER_IP:30120
Connect
13

Basic Troubleshooting

Open the issue that matches what you see.

  • Check FXServer is running.
  • Check TCP and UDP port 30120.
  • Check Windows Firewall inbound rules.
  • Check server.cfg and license key.
  • Confirm the public endpoint is correct.
  • Check txAdmin is running.
  • Check the correct txAdmin port.
  • Check Windows Firewall.
  • Use the browser URL shown in the FXServer console.
  • Check MariaDB service is running.
  • Check the database, username, and password.
  • Use 127.0.0.1 when FiveM and MariaDB are on the same RDP.
  • Do not use the MariaDB root account for FiveM resources.
  • Check the FiveM process is running.
  • Check TCP and UDP firewall rules.
  • Confirm the port is 30120 or the custom port you configured.
  • Confirm you are connecting to the protected public IP assigned to your service.
Troubleshooting flow
FirstCheck FXServer console
SecondCheck firewall ports
ThirdCheck database login
Still stuck?Open a ticket

Need Help?

If you're using a PrimeFilter RDP and are having trouble setting up your FiveM server, our support team can help.