7 Days to Die dedicated server: setup and optimization
Tired of lag, crashes, or world corruption ruining your 7DTD sessions? Hosting your own dedicated server gives you full control, better stability, and customization power for everything from modpacks to max player counts.
Let’s walk through how to set up a 7 Days to Die dedicated server from scratch—plus tips for performance, security, and finding the right hosting provider.
Ready to survive?
Let’s fire up that server so you can start preparing for the next Blood Moon.
Dedicated vs. peer-hosted servers: why go dedicated?
Most players start with peer-to-peer hosting inside the game. But once you’ve hit the wall with performance or admin control, it’s time to level up.
Peer-hosted problems:
- Game stops when the host disconnects
- CPU/memory bottlenecks on the host machine
- Limited mod or admin capabilities
- Unreliable autosaves or backups
Dedicated server advantages:
- 24/7 uptime (even when you’re offline)
- Better CPU and RAM headroom
- Remote admin tools via telnet or web GUI
- Full file access for mods, backups, logs, and configs
System requirements and hosting options
Before you dive in, know what kind of hardware and hosting setup you’ll need.
Minimum system requirements (for DIY/local hosting):
- OS: Windows Server 2022 or Ubuntu 22.04 LTS recommended
- CPU: Quad-core (Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5)
- RAM: 8–16 GB minimum
- Storage: SSD strongly recommended
- Network: At least 5 Mbps upload
Recommended specs for smooth multiplayer:
- CPU: Dedicated high-frequency cores
- RAM: 32 GB+ (especially for mod-heavy servers)
- Storage: NVMe SSD
- Network: 100 Mbps+ connection with low latency
Hosting options:
- Self-hosted: Great for LAN parties or local groups, but uptime is limited to when your PC is on.
- VPS: Budget-friendly and decent for 4 to 8 players. Just make sure it offers enough RAM and a dedicated CPU core.
- Dedicated server: Ideal for 10+ players, public communities, or mods. Best performance and control.
How to install a 7 Days to Die dedicated server (Windows + Linux)
1. Install SteamCMD
Download and extract SteamCMD from Valve’s official source: ➡️ SteamCMD + 7DTD Setup
2. Use SteamCMD to install the server
Run the following commands:
login anonymous
force_install_dir /path/to/7dtd
app_update 294420 validate
quit
This downloads the dedicated server files into your chosen directory.
3. Launch once to generate configs
Run startdedicated.bat (Windows) or the Linux equivalent. The server will launch, fail to connect (no config yet), but create the serverconfig.xml file.
Server configuration basics (serverconfig.xml)
Open serverconfig.xml and customize your core settings:
- <ServerPort>: Default is 26900
- <GameWorld>: Choose Navezgane or RWG (random)
- <MaxPlayers>: Set based on performance and player count
- <ServerPassword>: Optional, but useful for private play
- <AdminFile>: Add SteamIDs to get admin privileges
Port forwarding and firewall setup
Your server won’t be visible or connectable without opening the right ports.
Required ports:
- TCP/UDP 26900 to 26903
If self-hosting:
- Log into your router
- Forward ports 26900–26903 to your local server IP
- Save and reboot
On VPS/dedicated:
- Ubuntu (UFW):
sudo ufw allow 26900:26903/tcp
sudo ufw allow 26900:26903/udp - Windows Firewall: Add inbound rules for each port and protocol.
Test with CanYouSeeMe.org to confirm your ports are open.
Performance tuning and optimization tips
Once your server is live, a few tweaks can help prevent lag spikes, zombie rubberbanding, and crashes.
Do this early:
- Install to SSD or NVMe: 7 Days to Die constantly loads and saves world data, especially during horde nights. An SSD or NVMe reduces I/O wait times and keeps world streaming smooth, especially with multiple players online.
- Enable regular backups (automated via scripts or mods): World corruption can happen after crashes or mod conflicts. Set up scheduled backups—hourly or daily—so you can roll back instantly without losing player progress.
- Schedule off-peak restarts (daily or every 2–3 days): Long uptime leads to memory bloat and performance degradation. Use a cron job or task scheduler to restart the server automatically during low-traffic hours (like 4 AM) to keep things running clean.
- Lower zombie count and view distance if CPU-limited: Horde events are CPU-heavy, especially with high zombie concurrency or large cities. Tuning down the view distance and limiting active zombies per player reduces lag spikes during combat.
- Allocate more RAM if running mods or large worlds: Mods like Darkness Falls or custom RWG maps demand extra memory for asset loading and chunk generation. If your server has headroom, bump the RAM allocation in the config or hosting control panel.
Optional tools and plugins:
- Alloc’s Fixes: Helps with server-side performance and logs
- CSMM / CPM: Admin web panels for remote control
- Botman: Full-featured automation bot for public servers
Useful tools and resources
Need deeper config options or troubleshooting? These links are worth bookmarking:
- Valve Developer Wiki – Official Setup Guide: Step-by-step instructions from Valve on using SteamCMD to install and update the 7DTD dedicated server.
- CSMM (Community Server Management Manager): A powerful web-based control panel that tracks player activity, automates tasks, and gives full visibility into your server.
- Botman Server Manager: A bot-driven admin tool that handles chat commands, grief protection, and advanced automation for large or public servers.
How to choose a dedicated hosting provider for gaming
You don’t need to build a data center to run a great 7DTD server. But choosing the right provider makes all the difference in uptime, lag, and long-term headaches.
Here’s what to look for:
- Dedicated resources: Skip shared hosting. Look for dedicated CPU threads and guaranteed RAM allocations.
- Low-latency network: Choose a provider with data centers near your player base. Look for gigabit connections and DDOS protection.
- Easy OS-level access: You’ll need root or admin access to install SteamCMD, update files, and manage configs. Avoid locked-down panels with no terminal.
- Support for mods and backups: Make sure you can install modlets, run scripts, and create automated backups without restrictions.
- Reputation for uptime and reliability: Look at reviews from other gamers. Ask about network uptime guarantees and SLA-backed performance.
- Scalable performance: As your community grows, can you scale to more RAM, cores, or NVMe storage? Some hosts let you upgrade without migrating.
Getting started with your 7 Days to Die dedicated server
Running your own 7DTD server gives you the ultimate survival sandbox—no lag, no limits, and full control over gameplay. Whether you’re setting it up for friends or building a public PvE or PvP community, the difference is night and day from peer-hosted sessions.
Ready to make the jump? Start by spinning up your own dedicated server or VPS instance and get your apocalypse running your way.
When you’re ready to upgrade to a dedicated server—or upgrade your server hosting—Liquid Web can help. Our dedicated server hosting options have been fueling the gaming industry for decades, because they’re fast, secure, and completely reliable.
Click below to explore dedicated server options or start a chat with one of our experts to learn more.
Ready to survive?
Let’s fire up that server so you can start preparing for the next Blood Moon.
Additional resources
How to start selling Minecraft servers →
Turn a hobby into a side-hustle
Latency and rage-quitting →
Liquid Web’s industry study on latency and gaming
Dedicated vs. listen servers →
Pros and cons of each so you can decide what you need
Alex Napier is an Affiliate Program Manager at Liquid Web and a gaming marketing specialist. He blends data with creativity to build engaging communities. Outside of work, Alex enjoys exploring new games, crafting tabletop worlds, and connecting with the gaming community.