How to Update Your 7 Days to Die Server

Update your 7 Days to Die server by restarting it from the Game Control Panel, then fix version mismatch errors so every player can join again. You do not need SteamCMD or any command-line tools on WinterNode.

Before You Update: Back Up Your World

A game update replaces the server’s game files, not your save. Back up anyway, since an update can still break mods or a save.

1. Log in to the Game Control Panel
2. Follow the 7 Days to Die backup guide to download your world’s GameName folder

WinterNode also keeps automatic backups every 12 hours. See the backup system guide for how to restore one.

Update to the Latest Version

1. In the Game Control Panel sidebar, click Console
2. Click Restart
3. Wait for the server to show as Online

With [SYSTEM] Auto Update set to 1 (the default) on the Server Options page, the server downloads the latest game files each time it starts. If you changed it to 0, set it back to 1 before you restart.

If the Server Is Still on the Old Version

Reinstall Server downloads the game files again and checks them against Steam. It does not delete your saves in .local/share/7DaysToDie/Saves. It does reset any game file you edited by hand, such as serverconfig.xml, back to the Steam version. Settings on the Server Options page are applied again on every start, so they are not affected. Back up serverconfig.xml first if you edited it directly.

1. Back up your world (see above)
2. In the Game Control Panel sidebar, click Console
3. Click Stop and wait for the server to show as Offline
4. In the sidebar, open Advanced > Server Actions
5. Click Reinstall Server and confirm
6. When the reinstall finishes, go back to Console and click Start

Your server should now show as Online on the new version.

Do You Have to Update?

Usually yes. Steam updates your players’ games to the newest stable version on its own, and players can only join a server running the same version.

You can stay on an older version, for example to run Darkness Falls. Every player then has to switch their Steam game to that same version. See Switch to a Specific Version or Branch.

Switch to a Specific Version or Branch

The [ADVANCED] Server Version field sets which Steam branch the server installs. Use 0 for the latest stable version, a branch such as latest_experimental, or a specific version such as V2.6.

1. Back up your world (see above)
2. In the Game Control Panel sidebar, click Server Options
3. Set [ADVANCED] Server Version to the version or branch you want
4. If you picked an older version, set [SYSTEM] Auto Update to 0 so a restart does not pull a newer build
5. Go to Console, click Stop, and wait for the server to show as Offline
6. Open Advanced > Server Actions and click Reinstall Server. The version only switches properly after a reinstall
7. When the reinstall finishes, go back to Console and click Start

To return to the latest version, set [ADVANCED] Server Version back to 0, set [SYSTEM] Auto Update to 1, and reinstall again.

Fixing “Version Mismatch” or “Incompatible Version”

A version mismatch means the player’s game and the server are on different builds. Check these causes in order.

The Server Has Not Updated Yet

Restart the server, or reinstall it if a restart does not help. See Update to the Latest Version.

The Player Is on the Experimental Branch

Players who opted into the experimental build are ahead of a stable server. To switch back:

1. In Steam, right-click 7 Days to Die and click Properties
2. Open the Game Versions & Betas tab
3. Select the default public version instead of latest_experimental
4. Wait for Steam to finish downloading, then join again

If your whole group wants to play the experimental build, set [ADVANCED] Server Version to latest_experimental and reinstall. See Switch to a Specific Version or Branch.

The Server Is Set to an Older Version

If [ADVANCED] Server Version is set to an older version (for an overhaul mod, for example), players on the newest version can’t join. They need to select the same older version in the Game Versions & Betas tab, or you need to update the server.

Crossplay Players

PC and console updates do not always release on the same day. If console players can’t join after a patch, wait for every platform to reach the same version. See Enabling Crossplay.

Mods and Overhaul Mods After an Update

Mods are made for a specific game version, and a game update can break them before the mod author catches up. Overhaul mods like Darkness Falls can take a long time to support a new version.

• Check mod compatibility before you update. Look at each mod’s download page for the game version it supports.
• Players need the same mod version. Mods that require a client install must match on the server and every player’s game.
• If the server won’t start after an update, move recently updated or unsupported mods out of the Mods folder and start again.

See Installing Mods and Installing Darkness Falls for version requirements.

Do You Need a New World?

Not for most updates. The developers recommend a new game after updates, but they state that saves should stay compatible and a new game is not required.

Major version updates can change more. Before a major update, read the official patch notes for notes on save compatibility, and keep your backup until you confirm the world loads.

Still Not Working?

If your server won’t update or players still can’t join, contact our support team with:

• Your Server UUID
• The exact error players see when joining
• Whether players are on the stable or experimental Steam branch, and which mods you run