23 January 2026

How to Set Up a 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server on Your PC (Windows)

Step-by-step guide to install, configure, and host a 7 Days to Die dedicated server from your own Windows PC, including ports, firewall, and serverconfig.xml.

Skip the setup

Skip the effort by ordering a 7 Days to Die server from LOW.MS and join within minutes. If you want to run it yourself on your own PC, follow the steps below.

What you will set up

You will install the 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server using SteamCMD, edit serverconfig.xml, then open the required ports so friends can connect over the internet.

This guide is written for Windows 10/11 and assumes you are hosting from your home connection.

Requirements

Hardware (recommended)

  • CPU: Modern 4-core (6+ cores recommended for 8-16 players)
  • RAM: 8 GB minimum (16 GB recommended)
  • Storage: 20+ GB free on SSD

Software

  • Windows 10/11
  • Admin access on your PC

Network

  • A stable connection (upload speed matters most)
  • Router access for port forwarding if anyone outside your home will join

Step 1: Create a server folder

  1. Create a folder where the server will live, for example:
    • C:\7DTDServer\
  2. Inside it, create a folder for SteamCMD:
    • C:\7DTDServer\steamcmd\
  3. Create another folder for the actual server files:
    • C:\7DTDServer\server\

Step 2: Install SteamCMD

  1. Download SteamCMD from Valve:
  2. Extract steamcmd.exe into:
    • C:\7DTDServer\steamcmd\

Step 3: Download the 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server with SteamCMD

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Run SteamCMD:
cd /d C:\7DTDServer\steamcmd
steamcmd.exe
  1. In the SteamCMD window, run these commands:
force_install_dir C:\7DTDServer\server
login anonymous
app_update 294420 validate
quit

This installs the dedicated server files into C:\7DTDServer\server.

Step 4: Configure your server (serverconfig.xml)

In the server folder, you will find serverconfig.xml. Open it with a text editor like Notepad.

Common settings you should change:

Server name and description

<property name="ServerName" value="My 7DTD Server"/>
<property name="ServerDescription" value="PvE co-op"/>

Password (recommended)

<property name="ServerPassword" value=""/>

Set a password if you do not want random players joining.

Player slots

<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="8"/>

Game port (important)

Default is usually 26900:

<property name="ServerPort" value="26900"/>

If you change this, you must also use that port when connecting and forwarding ports.

Save game and world

<property name="GameWorld" value="Navezgane"/>
<property name="GameName" value="MyServerSave"/>

Common GameWorld values:

  • Navezgane
  • RWG (random generated world)

EAC (Easy Anti-Cheat)

If you want vanilla multiplayer with anti-cheat, leave it enabled. If you plan to use certain mods, you may disable it.

<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>

(Optional) Telnet and control panel

These are useful for remote administration but should be secured.

<property name="TelnetEnabled" value="false"/>
<property name="TelnetPort" value="8081"/>
<property name="TelnetPassword" value="ChangeMe"/>

<property name="ControlPanelEnabled" value="false"/>
<property name="ControlPanelPort" value="8080"/>
<property name="ControlPanelPassword" value="ChangeMe"/>

If you enable these, do not expose them publicly unless you know what you are doing.

Save the file when done.

Step 5: Create a start script (startserver.bat)

In C:\7DTDServer\server\, create a file named startserver.bat with this content:

@echo off
cd /d C:\7DTDServer\server
start "7DTD Server" 7DaysToDieServer.exe -configfile=serverconfig.xml -logfile output_log.txt

Double-click startserver.bat to start the server.

First start notes

  • The first startup may take a few minutes while the world generates.
  • A console window will open. Leave it running while the server is online.

Step 6: Allow the server through Windows Firewall

If Windows asks whether to allow access, choose:

  • Allow access on Private networks (and Public only if you understand the risk)

If you want to add rules manually:

  1. Open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security
  2. Add Inbound Rules for the ports below (Step 7)

Step 7: Port forwarding (so friends can join from the internet)

If only people on your home network will join, you can skip port forwarding.

Default ports to forward

7 Days to Die typically uses these (with the default ServerPort of 26900):

  • UDP 26900 (game port)
  • UDP 26901
  • UDP 26902
  • UDP 26903

Optional (only if you enabled them):

  • TCP 8080 (control panel)
  • TCP 8081 (telnet)

How to forward ports (general steps)

  1. Find your PC's local IP address (example: 192.168.1.50)
    • Command Prompt:
ipconfig
  1. Log into your router (commonly 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
  2. Find Port Forwarding / NAT / Virtual Server
  3. Forward the required ports to your PC's local IP
  4. Save/apply and reboot the router if required

Tip: Set a static local IP

If your PC's LAN IP changes, port forwarding breaks. Set a DHCP reservation in your router or assign a static IP in Windows.

Step 8: Join your server

From the same PC (local)

In 7 Days to Die:

  • Use Connect to IP and enter:
    • 127.0.0.1 (localhost)
    • Port: 26900 (or your chosen port)

From another PC on your home network

Connect to your server using your host PC's local IP:

  • Example: 192.168.1.50:26900

From outside your network (friends)

Friends should connect using your public IP (find it by searching "what is my IP"). Example:

  • 203.0.113.25:26900

If friends cannot connect, see the troubleshooting section.

Step 9: Make yourself admin (recommended)

Dedicated servers commonly use serveradmin.xml for admin accounts.

  1. Locate serveradmin.xml in your server directory (or create it if needed).
  2. Add your SteamID64.
    • You can find SteamID64 using various SteamID lookup sites.

Example format:

<admins>
  <admin steamid="76561198000000000" permission_level="0" />
</admins>

Permission level 0 is the highest admin level in typical configs.

Updating your server

When 7 Days to Die updates, run SteamCMD again:

force_install_dir C:\7DTDServer\server
login anonymous
app_update 294420 validate
quit

If you are also playing on the same PC, keep in mind that server and client versions should match.

Backups (do not skip this)

Back up your save regularly, especially before updates.

Your saves are typically stored under:

  • C:\Users\<YourUser>\AppData\Roaming\7DaysToDie\Saves\

Back up the folder that matches your world and GameName.

Troubleshooting

Server runs but nobody can join

  • Confirm Windows Firewall inbound rules allow UDP 26900-26903
  • Confirm router port forwarding points to the correct local IP
  • Confirm you forwarded UDP, not TCP
  • Some ISPs use CGNAT, which can prevent port forwarding from working. In that case you may need to request a public IP from your ISP, use a VPN tunnel solution, or host with a provider.

You cannot connect using your public IP from inside your home

That can be normal due to NAT loopback limitations. Test with:

  • A friend outside your network
  • A device on mobile data

High CPU or lag

  • Lower ServerMaxPlayerCount
  • Reduce view distance and AI settings in config (if applicable)
  • Host on a wired connection and SSD

Prefer a hosted option?

If you would rather avoid port forwarding, updates, and keeping a PC online, a hosted server can be easier. LOW.MS can get you a 7 Days to Die server online quickly with control panel access and support.

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