7 Days to Die server requirements

1. Download

   Free anonymous download, Steam app 294420, about 17 GB on disk.

   docker volume create 7dtd_files
   docker run --rm -v 7dtd_files:/data steamcmd/steamcmd:latest \
     +@sSteamCmdForcePlatformType linux +force_install_dir /data \
     +login anonymous +app_info_update 1 +app_update 294420 validate +quit

2. Data volume

   Saves and the Epic Online Services device login live in ~/.local/share. Mount there, not deeper, or Docker makes the parent root-owned and the server quits at start (see Troubleshooting).

   docker volume create 7dtd_share
   docker run --rm -v 7dtd_files:/a -v 7dtd_share:/b ubuntu:24.04 chown -R 1000:1000 /a /b

3. Run

   Exact bench command, with the game_runtime image from the Satisfactory page. Add -p 26900:26900/tcp -p 26900:26900/udp -p 26902:26902/udp to publish the ports.

   docker run -d --name 7dtd --memory 12g \
     -v 7dtd_files:/7dtd -w /7dtd \
     -v 7dtd_share:/home/ubuntu/.local/share \
     game_runtime ./startserver.sh -configfile=serverconfig.xml

4. Ready line

   Logs go to output_log__<date>.txt in the server folder, not the console. 'StartGame done' 31.8 seconds after container start, then '[EOS] Server registered'.

   docker exec 7dtd sh -c 'tail -n +1 -F output_log__*.txt' | grep -m1 'StartGame done'

5. Own config file

   SteamCMD validate restores the shipped serverconfig.xml. Use a renamed copy.

   docker exec 7dtd cp serverconfig.xml myserver.xml
   # edit myserver.xml, then start the server with -configfile=myserver.xml

File: serverconfig.xml, or the file named with -configfile.

Quits at start: 'Failed to save DeviceId access credentials on the local device', then 'NoLoginTicket'

Epic Online Services cannot write the device login to ~/.local/share/.eos_sdk. In Docker, a volume at ~/.local/share/7DaysToDie leaves ~/.local/share root-owned; mount a persistent volume at ~/.local/share itself, owned by the server's user, so the login survives restarts.

'GameServer.LogOn successful' never appears

Not printed on V3.3. Watch for 'StartGame done', then '[EOS] Server registered'.

GameDifficulty, XPMultiplier and other difficulty settings ignored

V3.0 replaced about 30 separate gameplay settings with SandboxCode. Build a code in the game's sandbox options screen and paste it into SandboxCode.

serverconfig.xml edits lost after an update

Updates with validate restore the shipped file. Use a renamed copy; point -configfile at it.

No connections from outside the network

Forward TCP 26900 and UDP 26900 and 26902 (or ServerPort, plus ServerPort plus 2 on UDP). The V3.3 bench server did not open UDP 26901 or 26903.

Console players cannot find or join

The Fun Pimps' crossplay requirements: ServerAllowCrossplay true, EACEnabled true, IgnoreEOSSanctions false, ServerMaxPlayerCount at most 8.

Telnet or dashboard reachable from the internet

Without a TelnetPassword, telnet listens on the server itself only. With a password set or the dashboard on, forward 8081 or 8080 only if needed.

Changes from defaults

• No settings changed: shipped serverconfig.xml, so Navezgane, 8 slots and the Adventurer SandboxCode.
• No open ports: on the public lists, but nobody could join.

Full method