How to Set Up a 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server (Step-by-Step)

Running a 7 Days to Die dedicated server gives your group a persistent world that stays online and progresses even when you’re not playing. There are two paths: run it yourself on your own hardware, or use a hosting provider. Both get you the same result - the difference is how much setup and maintenance you want to handle.

This guide covers both options, starting with the self-hosted approach so you understand exactly what’s involved.

Self-Hosted vs. Managed: The Honest Comparison

Self-Hosted: Running It Yourself

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is Valve’s command-line tool for downloading dedicated server files. Download it from the Valve Developer Wiki.

Windows: Extract the zip, run steamcmd.exe. It will update itself on first launch.

Linux:

sudo apt install steamcmd

Or download manually and extract to a directory of your choice.

Step 2: Download the Server Files

Run SteamCMD and download the 7DTD dedicated server (App ID 294420 - separate from the game):

steamcmd +force_install_dir /path/to/7dtd-server +login anonymous +app_update 294420 validate +quit

This downloads the server files to your specified directory. The download is roughly 10-15 GB.

Step 3: Configure serverconfig.xml

Open serverconfig.xml in the server installation directory with a text editor. At minimum, change these settings:

<property name="ServerName" value="Your Server Name" />
<property name="ServerPassword" value="yourpassword" />
<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="8" />
<property name="WorldGenSeed" value="YourSeed" />
<property name="WorldGenSize" value="6144" />
<property name="GameName" value="YourWorldName" />

For a full settings breakdown, see our server settings guide.

Step 4: Port Forwarding

For players outside your local network, you need to forward these ports on your router:

The process varies by router, but the general steps:

1. Find your PC’s local IP address (ipconfig on Windows, ip addr on Linux)
2. Log into your router’s admin panel (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
3. Find the port forwarding section
4. Create rules for each port above, pointing to your PC’s local IP
5. Save and restart the router if prompted

Players connect using your public IP and port 26900.

Step 5: Launch the Server

Windows:

Run startdedicated.bat in the server directory. Or launch manually:

7DaysToDieServer.exe -quit -batchmode -nographics -configfile=serverconfig.xml -dedicated

Linux:

./7DaysToDieServer.sh -quit -batchmode -nographics -configfile=serverconfig.xml -dedicated

The first launch will generate the world, which can take several minutes depending on map size and your CPU. Don’t interrupt this process.

Step 6: Updating the Server

When The Fun Pimps (the 7 Days to Die developers) release an update, you need to update the server files manually:

steamcmd +force_install_dir /path/to/7dtd-server +login anonymous +app_update 294420 validate +quit

The Reality of Self-Hosting

Self-hosting works well for testing and small LAN groups. For a persistent server that your group depends on, the maintenance adds up:

• Your PC needs to stay on 24/7 (electricity costs, hardware wear)
• Updates require you to be present to run SteamCMD
• No automatic backups unless you set up scripts yourself
• Port forwarding exposes your home network
• If your ISP changes your public IP, everyone loses access until you share the new one
• Blood moon performance depends entirely on your hardware - 7DTD is CPU-hungry during hordes

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth understanding before committing.

Managed Hosting: Skip the Infrastructure

If the self-hosted path sounds like more than you want to deal with, a hosted server gets you running in minutes without the infrastructure overhead.

With WinterNode, the process is:

1. Pick 7 Days to Die from the game page and choose your RAM
2. Your server is provisioned and running within minutes
3. Configure settings through the Game Control Panel
4. Share the IP and port with your group

What you get:

• Server online 24/7 on dedicated hardware
• No CPU limits - blood moons get the resources they need
• Automatic backups of your server files every 12 hours with 45-day retention. See our backup system guide for details.
• File Manager and SFTP access for mods and world files
• One-click settings through the control panel
• Unmetered storage

All game servers run at $1.99/GB of RAM. A 6GB server (solid starting point for small groups) is $11.94/mo. No extra charges for CPU, storage, or features other hosts mark up. Get your 7 Days to Die server →

Essential First-Time Setup

Whether self-hosted or managed, do these things after your server is running.

Set Up Admin Access

Add your SteamID64 to serveradmin.xml to run in-game commands. Our admin setup guide walks through the process and explains the permission system.

Schedule Restarts

7DTD has a known memory leak. Set up daily restarts to keep the server running smoothly. On WinterNode, use the Schedule Manager. Self-hosted, use cron (Linux) or Task Scheduler (Windows).

Test a Blood Moon

Let the server run through at least one blood moon cycle before inviting your full group. This lets you verify performance and tweak settings without an audience.

Next Steps

Once your server is running:

• Tune your settings - Our server settings guide covers configurations by playstyle
• Enable crossplay - Playing with console friends? Our crossplay guide covers the requirements
• Add mods - Our mod guide covers overhaul mods and modlets
• Optimize for blood moons - Our blood moon performance guide covers the settings that matter most

Support is available via ticket or Discord if you run into questions.