Save the server.cfg file. You will need to restart your dedicated server for this change to take effect.

This is the most overlooked nuance. You cannot run the Headless Client and the Dedicated Server from the exact same installation of the Arma 3 executable if you are using SteamCMD.

// Allow headless clients headlessClients[] = "127.0.0.1", "192.168.1.100"; // Your HC's IP localClient[] = "127.0.0.1"; // Local machine

If you are currently experiencing this issue, try these steps in order. A. Refresh Steam Authentication (The Most Common Fix) The HC often loses its "ticket" to the Steam backend. the Arma 3 Headless Client executable.

A Headless Client is not a human player. It does not have a logged-in Steam GUI session. By default, Steam requires interactive logins. When your HC tries to connect, Steam says: "You have no valid user token" → Authentication Failed.