Edit 7 Days to Die Public Server Details
Editing the public server details for a 7 Days to Die server lets you change the name shown in the server browser, the description players see, and other public-facing information. This guide covers the common methods for both dedicated servers and player-hosted servers, using the in-game interface and configuration files. You’ll need access to the server’s files or the ability to start the game and host a server.
What You’ll Need
- Access to the 7 Days to Die server files (if dedicated) or the game client (if hosting from your computer).
- Administrator privileges on the server or the game.
- A text editor like Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code for editing configuration files.
Step-by-Step
Method 1: Using the In-Game Server Browser (For Player-Hosted Servers)
- Launch 7 Days to Die and click Play.
- Select Host to set up a new game or Continue to load an existing save.
- Click Edit Settings or Game Settings (depending on your version).
- In the Server tab, you’ll find fields like Server Name, Server Description, Server Password, and Max Players. Change these as desired.
- Click Start to launch the server with the updated details.
Method 2: Editing the serverconfig.xml File (For Dedicated Servers)
- Locate the server configuration file. For dedicated servers, this is usually named
serverconfig.xmlin the server’s root directory (e.g.,C:\7DaysToDieServer\serverconfig.xml). - Open the file with a text editor.
- Find the following lines and edit the values between the quotes:
<property name="ServerName" value="My Server" />– Change to your desired server name.<property name="ServerDescription" value="A friendly survival server" />– Change to a description players will see.<property name="ServerPassword" value="" />– Set a password if you want to restrict access.<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="8" />– Adjust the maximum number of players.<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2" />– Controls public visibility (see Common Mistakes below).- Save the file.
- Restart the server for changes to take effect.
Method 3: Using the Server Manager GUI (If Available)
- Some dedicated server hosts provide a web-based control panel or a graphical server manager. Log in to that interface.
- Navigate to the Configuration or Settings section.
- Look for fields like Server Name, Description, and Max Players.
- Make your changes and save. The server may restart automatically.
Common Mistakes
- Editing the wrong file: Ensure you’re editing
serverconfig.xmlin the server directory, not the game’s client config file (game.xmlor similar). - Forgetting to restart: Changes to serverconfig.xml only apply after a full server restart. Simply reloading the world may not pick up the changes.
- Setting ServerVisibility incorrectly: The value
0makes the server private (not listed),1makes it public but not listed on the in-game browser, and2makes it fully public and listed. If you set it to0or1, players won’t see it in the public list. - Using a password but not telling players: If you set a server password, players need to know it to join. Make sure to communicate it.
- Not saving the file correctly: Some text editors may change the encoding. Use UTF-8 encoding to avoid issues.
Tips
- Keep the server name short and descriptive – it’s displayed in the server browser.
- Use the description to state rules, mods installed, or the server’s theme.
- If you’re using a hosting provider, check their documentation for any specific steps or a custom control panel.
- Back up your
serverconfig.xmlbefore making changes, so you can revert if something goes wrong. - For player-hosted servers, you can also edit the server details from the in-game menu after the world has loaded, but it’s easier to do it before starting.
Troubleshooting
- Changes don’t appear in the server browser: Wait a few minutes for the server list to refresh, and ensure the server is fully started. Also verify that
ServerVisibilityis set to2. - Server won’t start after editing: Check the server log for XML errors. A common issue is an unclosed tag or a missing quote. Revert to the backup and try again.
- Players can’t join even though the server is listed: Check the server password – if set, players must enter it. Also check firewall settings to ensure the game port (default 26900) is open.
- Description shows as blank: Some older versions of the game may not display descriptions. Ensure you’re running the latest version of 7 Days to Die.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the server name without restarting?
You cannot change the server name without restarting. The server name is read at startup and cached. You must edit the config file and restart the server.
Can I edit server details while the server is running?
For dedicated servers, you can edit the file while running, but the changes won’t apply until restart. Some hosting panels allow live changes, but they still require a restart to take effect.
Why is my server not showing up in the public list?
Check that ServerVisibility is set to 2. Also, ensure your server has a public IP and that port 26900 is forwarded if you’re hosting from home. Some hosting providers require you to enable “Public” in their panel.
What is the default server description?
The default is usually empty. You can set it to any text up to a certain length (typically a few hundred characters).
Can I use HTML in the server description?
No, the game does not render HTML. Plain text is displayed as-is.
How do I set a server password?
In serverconfig.xml, set the ServerPassword property to your desired password. For player-hosted servers, you can set it in the game’s server settings before starting.
Editing public server details is straightforward once you know where to look. Whether you’re hosting from your own machine or a dedicated server, the process is the same: modify the configuration and restart. Always double-check your changes and keep a backup to avoid downtime.
Related
Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.