How to Install a 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server (Complete Beginner Install Guide – 2025

Installing a 7 Days to Die dedicated server is not difficult, but it is easy to get wrong if steps are skipped or done out of order. Most failed installs happen before the server even starts for the first time.

This guide assumes:

• You have never installed a game server before
• You do not know what SteamCMD is
• You want clear, step-by-step instructions with no guesswork

If you follow this guide exactly, your server will start successfully. Or if you want to skip this step compare the best remote 7 days to die server hosting providers

Before You Start (Read This First)

A dedicated server:

• Must stay powered on to remain online
• Is separate from the game client
• Runs continuously, even when no players are online

Do not use:

• A laptop
• Wi-Fi hosting
• A machine you regularly turn off

If any of the above apply, skip to the end and use EUGameHost’s 7 Days to Die server hosting instead.

Step 1: Choose Where the Server Will Live

Decide which machine will run the server.

Acceptable options:

• A desktop PC that stays on 24/7
• A home server
• A VPS or dedicated server

The rest of this guide assumes Windows, as it is the most common setup. Linux steps are included where relevant.

Step 2: Create a Folder for the Server Files

You must keep the server files separate from your Steam game library.

Windows

1. Open File Explorer
2. Go to C:\

Create a new folder named:

C:\7DaysToDieServer

This folder will contain everything related to the server.

Linux

Choose a simple path such as:

/home/7dtd

Step 3: Download and Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is Valve’s official command-line tool for downloading dedicated server files.

Windows

1. Download SteamCMD from Valve’s website
2. Extract the SteamCMD files into that folder
3. Double-click steamcmd.exe

Create a folder:

C:\steamcmd

A black command window will open and automatically update. This is normal.

Linux

sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd -y

Run it with:

steamcmd

Step 4: Log In to SteamCMD

When SteamCMD finishes updating, you will see a prompt.

Type:

login anonymous

Press Enter.

You do not need a Steam account to run a 7 Days to Die server.

If login fails, retype the command exactly.

Step 5: Tell SteamCMD Where to Install the Server

You must now tell SteamCMD where to place the server files.

Windows

force_install_dir C:\7DaysToDieServer

Linux

force_install_dir /home/7dtd

Press Enter.

Nothing visible will happen. That is expected.

Step 6: Download the 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server

Now download the server files.

Type:

app_update 294420 validate

Press Enter.

What happens next:

• SteamCMD downloads several gigabytes
• This may take 5–20 minutes
• The console may appear frozen at times

Do not close SteamCMD.

When finished, you must see:

Success! App '294420' fully installed.

If you do not see this message, the install failed.

Step 7: Exit SteamCMD

Once installation completes, type:

quit

Press Enter and close the window.

Step 8: Confirm the Server Installed Correctly

Open:

C:\7DaysToDieServer

You should see files such as:

• startdedicated.bat
• serverconfig.xml
• adminTools.xml
• 7DaysToDieServer.exe

If these files are missing, repeat Steps 3–6.

Step 9: Configure Basic Server Settings (Required)

Before starting the server, you must edit the configuration file.

Open:

serverconfig.xml

Use a plain text editor such as:

• Notepad++
• VS Code

Do not use Microsoft Word.

Minimum Changes to Make

Find and edit:

Server name

<property name="ServerName" value="My 7DTD Server" />

Maximum players

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

Optional password

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

Save the file.

Step 10: Start the Server for the First Time

Windows

Double-click:

startdedicated.bat

Linux

./startserver.sh -configfile=serverconfig.xml

What to expect:

• A console window opens
• The server loads assets
• The world generates (can take several minutes)
• CPU usage spikes on first launch

Do not close the window.

When the console stops scrolling and shows no errors, the server is running.

Step 11: Test the Server Locally

Before inviting friends or opening ports:

1. Launch 7 Days to Die on the same machine
2. Go to Multiplayer
3. Search for your server name

If it appears, the installation is successful.

If it does not:

• Stop here
• Recheck previous steps
• Do not continue until this works

Step 12: Set Up Admin and Moderator Access (adminTools.xml)

Now configure who controls the server.

Open:

adminTools.xml

Permission Levels (Important)

Lower number = more power.

Add Yourself as Admin

Replace with your SteamID:

<admin steamID="YOUR_STEAM_ID" permission_level="0" />

Restart the server after making changes.

Add Moderators (Optional)

<moderator steamID="STEAM_ID" permission_level="1" />

Moderators can kick and ban but cannot alter the world.

Step 13: Open Network Ports (Required for Online Play)

To allow others to join, open and forward:

UDP

• 26900
• 26901
• 26902

Optional Remote Admin

• TCP 8080
• TCP 8081

If your ISP uses CGNAT, this will not work. Your server will remain private.

Step 14: Connect From Another Computer

Have a friend connect using:

YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:26900

If they can join, your server is live.

Common Reasons Servers Fail to Install

• Installing into the Steam game folder
• Closing SteamCMD early
• Editing XML with Word
• Skipping validation
• Not testing locally first

This guide avoids all of them.

If This Feels Like Too Much

That’s normal.

Self-hosting is a trade-off:

• You gain control
• You lose time and reliability

With EUGameHost’s 7 Days to Die server hosting:

• Servers deploy instantly
• No SteamCMD
• No port forwarding
• No reinstalling after updates
• Full mod support
• UK-based low-latency infrastructure

You play the game. We run the server.

Final Checklist

Before sharing your server:

• Server starts without errors
• Appears locally in multiplayer
• Admin access confirmed
• Ports opened
• World loads correctly

If all boxes are ticked, your server is ready.