How to Set Up a 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server

How to Set Up a 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server

7 Days to Die has become one of the most iconic zombie survival games since its release in 2013. With its open-world sandbox gameplay, crafting system reminiscent of Minecraft, and more realistic graphics, it offers endless hours of exploration, building, and surviving in a post-apocalyptic world.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a dedicated 7 Days to Die server on a VPS or dedicated machine running Ubuntu 18.04. Thanks to tools provided by Valve via SteamCMD, the installation process is surprisingly straightforward—even if you're new to Linux.

🛠 System Requirements

Before we begin, make sure your server meets the following minimum specifications:

• CPU: Dual-core processor

• RAM: 4 GB

• Storage: 15 GB SSD (recommended for optimal I/O performance)

• Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04 with root access

🔄 Step 1: Update Repositories and Install Dependencies

Start by updating your system and installing the necessary packages:

bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install screen wget

🧱 Step 2: Add 32-bit Support (For 64-bit Systems Only)

SteamCMD requires 32-bit libraries, even on a 64-bit system. To determine your architecture, run:

arch

• If the output is x86_64, you're on a 64-bit system and need to install the following:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lib32gcc1

• If the output is i386 or i586, you can skip this step.

📥 Step 3: Download and Install SteamCMD

Now let’s install SteamCMD:

mkdir ~/steamcmd
cd ~/steamcmd
wget http://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz

tar -xvzf steamcmd_linux.tar.gz
🔄 Step 4: Launch and Update SteamCMD

Run the SteamCMD binary:

./steamcmd.sh

You’ll see the Steam console prompt:

Steam> 

At this point, SteamCMD is ready for commands.

🔐 Step 5: Log in to Steam

You can either log in anonymously or with your Steam credentials. For server hosting, anonymous login is sufficient:

login anonymous

Output should confirm a successful login:

Connecting anonymously to Steam Public...Logged in OK
Waiting for user info...OK

📦 Step 6: Install 7 Days to Die Server Files

Set your install directory and download the server files using the app ID 294420:

force_install_dir ./7dtd_server
app_update 294420

SteamCMD will begin downloading the server files. When complete, you’ll see:

Success! App '294420' fully installed.

You can now exit SteamCMD:

quit

🚀 Step 7: Launch the Server

Navigate to your server install directory and start the server using a screen session:

screen -S 7dtd
cd ~/steamcmd/7dtd_server
./7DaysToDieServer.x86_64 -logfile output.log -configfile=$HOME/steamcmd/7dtd_server/serverconfig.xml -dedicated

Tip: Since there is no "server started" message, monitor output.log to check for successful startup.

To detach from the session (leaving the server running in the background):

• Press Ctrl + A, then D.

To reattach later:

screen -r 7dtd

🎮 Step 8: Connect to Your Server

On your local machine, launch 7 Days to Die and use the Connect to Server option. Enter your server’s IP address or look for your server name in the browser if it's set to public.

⛔ Step 9: Stopping the Server

To stop the server gracefully:

1. Reattach the screen session:

   screen -r 7dtd
   

2. Press Ctrl + C to safely shut down the server.

✅ Conclusion

Congratulations! You now have a fully operational 7 Days to Die dedicated server. Whether you're playing with friends or running a public community server, this setup gives you complete control over your survival experience.