How to Make a 7 Days to Die Server (2026 Guide)

To make a 7 Days to Die server, download the dedicated server from Steam (SteamCMD app ID 294420, anonymous login works), edit serverconfig.xml with your server name, password and world, then start it with startdedicated.bat on Windows or ./startserver.sh -configfile=serverconfig.xml on Linux. Players connect on port 26900, so you also have to forward 26900 TCP and 26900–26903 UDP on your router. Below are the exact steps for the current version, V3.4, and what changes when you rent a server instead.

What a 7 Days to Die server needs in 2026

The dedicated server is a separate Steam tool for Windows and Linux that follows the game's build: V3.4 has been the stable branch since late October 2026. The server and every player must run the same version and Steam branch.

Step 1: install the dedicated server with SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from Valve, unzip it into a folder such as C:\steamcmd and run this from a terminal in that folder:

steamcmd +force_install_dir C:\7dtd-server +login anonymous +app_update 294420 validate +quit

On Linux use a path like ~/7dtd-server. Run the same command after every game update. For the experimental branch, add -beta latest_experimental after 294420.

Step 2: start the server (startdedicated.bat or startserver.sh)

The server folder already contains the start scripts, a default serverconfig.xml and a Mods folder.

• Windows: double-click startdedicated.bat. It launches 7DaysToDieServer.exe with -quit -batchmode -nographics -configfile=serverconfig.xml -dedicated, writes a log called output_log_dedi__ plus the date and time, keeps the last 20 logs and leaves the server running in the background.
• Linux: run ./startserver.sh -configfile=serverconfig.xml. The script refuses to start if you leave out the config file or point it to one that doesn't exist.

Copy serverconfig.xml to a new name (for example myserver.xml) and pass that one instead. Steam updates can overwrite the original, and your settings survive in the copy.

Step 3: set up your 7 days to die server in serverconfig.xml

Every line is a property with a name and a value. These are the ones most groups change first, with the defaults from the file that ships with V3.4:

Where did GameDifficulty and BloodMoonFrequency go?

Older guides tell you to edit GameDifficulty, BloodMoonFrequency, XPMultiplier or LootAbundance. Those lines no longer exist. The official V3.0 "Dead Hot Summer" release notes moved them, along with about 25 other legacy rules, into the 150 Sandbox Options. To change them, start a new game in the client, open the Sandbox Options, set blood moon frequency, horde size, loot and so on, press the copy code button and paste the result as the value of SandboxCode. If you continue a V2.6 save, you have to rebuild your old rules this way.

Telnet, the web dashboard and the admin file

Telnet is on by default on port 8081 and, with no TelnetPassword, only listens on the machine itself. The web dashboard (port 8080) is off. Don't forward either without a strong password.

Step 4: open the ports for your 7 Days to Die dedicated server

The game port is ServerPort (26900). On the official forums, a community moderator lists the ports the server uses from there: 26900 TCP for game details, 26900 UDP for the Steam server list, 26902 UDP as the query port and 26903 UDP for LiteNetLib networking. Forward 26900 TCP and 26900–26903 UDP to the PC's local IP. The router steps are the same ones in our guide to port forwarding a Minecraft server; only the numbers and the UDP part change. Some internet providers put you behind CGNAT, and then no amount of forwarding lets friends in.

Step 5: make yourself admin and learn the console commands

Join your own server, open the console with F1 (or type in the server window or over telnet) and run listplayerids to see your ID. Then, from the server console:

admin add YourName 0
saveworld
shutdown

Permission level 0 is the highest and 1000 means none. The commands you will use most:

Always stop with shutdown instead of closing the window, or you risk losing the last minutes of play.

Crossplay with PS5 and Xbox, and EAC

Since V2.0, console players can join dedicated servers. The official crossplay server requirements ask for four settings: ServerMaxPlayerCount of 8 or less, ServerAllowCrossplay set to true (the file ships with false), EACEnabled true and IgnoreEOSSanctions false. Game rules also have to stay inside console-compatible ranges, and the V2.0 release notes are clear that PS5 and Xbox Series players cannot join dedicated servers with mods. Otherwise consoles don't see the server; PC players can still join. If someone gets kicked, our guide to the 7 Days to Die "server disconnected you" error covers EAC, version and timeout kicks.

How much RAM, and why big worlds need more

The Fun Pimps don't publish a fixed RAM figure for the server, but the config file tells you what drives it. ServerMaxAllowedViewDistance (6 to 12, default 12) has a "high impact on memory usage and performance", and MaxSpawnedZombies (64) is multiplied by 1.9 during blood moons. World size matters most: an 8192 map has about 1.8 times the area of a 6144 one, and a 10240 map about 2.8 times, so there are more chunks to generate, load and save as players spread out. A new random world is also generated on the first boot. On TheGameHosting, 7 Days to Die starts on the 8 GB plan; for 10240 maps, bigger groups or overhaul mods, go higher.

Host at home or rent a 7 days to die server?

A world that only exists while the host's PC is on gets old fast; our guide to a 24/7 server explains why with Minecraft, and the same applies here. For the full comparison, see hosting on your PC or online.

How to make a 7 Days to Die server on TheGameHosting

1. Pick a plan of 8 GB or more on plans and pricing and choose Dallas or Amsterdam, whichever is closer to your group.
2. Your server is ready about 60 seconds after payment. Open the panel from the email.
3. If your plan runs another game, open the Game Changer and select 7 Days to Die. One plan works for every game.
4. Open Files (or connect over sFTP) and edit serverconfig.xml: name, password, GameWorld, seed, size and your SandboxCode. Startup shows the launch settings.
5. Start the server in the Console, watch the world load and run admin commands there.
6. Connect with the IP and port shown in the panel. Nothing to open on your router.
7. Make a copy in Backups before you change the seed, add mods or update.

Mods go into the Mods folder, one folder per mod. More on our 7 Days to Die server hosting page.

Skip the setup: your 7 Days to Die server online in 60 seconds

If SteamCMD, port forwarding and a PC that has to stay on through every blood moon sound like more work than the game itself, rent it. On TheGameHosting the 8 GB plan costs $6.96 USD/month, runs on AMD 9950X/7950X3D CPUs with DDR5 and NVMe, has no slot limit and gives you full access to serverconfig.xml. You can cancel whenever you want, and support answers 24/7 by chat, email and tickets. Compare every size on plans and pricing and use code FULL2026 at checkout for 15% off for life.

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