Fix 7 Days to Die Dedicated Server Not Showing
server not showingnot visible in server browsercan't connectA 7 Days to Die server that won't show is usually ports, the visibility setting, or EAC. Here's the fix — and the direct-connect that always works.
Open the ports
7DTD needs a small range. Open/forward these to the server:
26900/tcp server
26900-26903/udp game trafficSet server visibility
In serverconfig.xml, make sure visibility is public so it lists:
<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2"/>
<!-- 2 = public, 1 = friends only, 0 = hidden -->EAC and modded servers
If your server is modded, EasyAntiCheat will block players. Disable EAC on both the server config and have players launch without EAC, or they'll be kicked.
Connect directly
The browser is slow and filtered. Skip it: in 7DTD → Join a Game → Connect to IP, and enter server-ip:26900.
The in-game browser hides servers by ping/region and max results. If it "isn't there", widen the filters or just connect by IP.
Open 26900 (tcp+udp range), set ServerVisibility=2, mind EAC, and connect by IP. That gets everyone in.
Other reasons a 7 Days to Die server isn't showing
- The Steam server browser can take several minutes to refresh — this is normal right after a restart.
- A firewall on the server OS blocking the UDP range even though visibility is set to public.
- Players filtering by "no password" or "not full" can hide a server that has either set.
- Running a game version different from the client's — mismatched builds can hide or block the entry entirely.
How to prevent 7 Days to Die connection problems
After every update, restart the server before testing visibility — a stale process can keep the old build's port bindings. Keep serverconfig.xml backed up so a bad edit is a quick revert, not a rebuild.
Related 7 Days to Die and hosting guides
For general SteamCMD install issues, see common SteamCMD errors. If ports look right but players still can't connect, revisit how to port forward a game server. See our 7 Days to Die hosting for a setup that opens these ports for you.
7 Days to Die is a trademark of The Fun Pimps Entertainment LLC. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by The Fun Pimps.
7DTD hosting, ports handled
Our 7 Days to Die hosting opens the ports and supports mods on fast NVMe, protected in Frankfurt.
Frequently asked questions
What ports does a 7 Days to Die server use?
TCP 26900 plus UDP 26900–26903. All of them should be open and forwarded for the server to be reachable and listed in the browser.
Why can't players join my modded 7DTD server?
EasyAntiCheat blocks most mods. For a modded server, disable EAC in the server config and have players join with EAC turned off, or they'll be kicked on connect.
How do I connect to a 7DTD server by IP?
From the main menu choose Join a Game → Connect to IP and enter the server IP with port 26900. This bypasses the region-filtered browser.
How long does it typically take for a 7DTD server to appear in the browser?
Usually a few minutes after boot. If it still hasn't appeared after 10-15 minutes with ports confirmed open and visibility set to public, treat it as a firewall or version-mismatch problem instead of just waiting longer.
Does EAC need to be disabled for vanilla, unmodded servers too?
No — EAC only causes problems for modded servers, since it blocks unsigned code changes. A vanilla server can keep EAC enabled without affecting player connections.
Why does my server show as full when it isn't?
Check the configured MaxPlayers value against actual connected players — a stale or misreported player count, or a recent crash that didn't clear disconnected sessions properly, can cause this temporarily.
Can a VPN on the server hide it from the browser?
Yes — routing server traffic through a VPN often changes its apparent IP and can break the port mappings the Steam browser relies on to list it. Avoid running a dedicated server behind a VPN unless it's specifically set up for that.
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