7 Days to Die Server Guide

You need to own and install 7 Days to Die on PC (Steam), PS5, or Xbox Series X and S.

1. Open Steam.
2. Go to your Library.
3. Find 7 Days to Die.
4. Click Install.
5. Wait for the download to finish. It is a large game, so give it time.

The first launch takes longer than normal while the game builds its files. That is expected, not a crash.

The Couch server runs V 3.1.0 (b13) and stays there. Your game has to match it exactly or the connection will be refused.

Launch the game and look at the bottom of the main menu. If it already reads V 3.1.0 (b13), you are good.

To stop Steam from moving you off it:

1. Right-click 7 Days to Die in your Steam Library.
2. Click Properties.
3. Open the Updates tab.
4. Set updates to Only update this game when I launch it.

If your version is higher than 3.1.0 b13:

1. In Properties, open the Betas tab.
2. Pick the 3.1 branch from the dropdown.
3. Let Steam download it and check the main menu again.
4. Ask in Discord if the branch you need is not listed.

On PC this is the most reliable method, because it skips the server browser entirely.

1. Launch 7 Days to Die and let it fully load.
2. From the main menu, click Join a Game.
3. Click Connect to IP at the bottom of the screen.
4. Enter the IP: 205.209.105.250
5. Enter the port: 26900
6. Enter the password if you are prompted for one.
7. Click Connect.

If you would rather browse than type:

1. From the main menu, click Join a Game.
2. Type Couch into the server name search box.
3. Click Start Search and wait for the list to fill in.
4. Select the Couch server in the results.
5. Click Connect.

The public list is enormous and slow to load. If nothing shows up after a minute, do not keep waiting, just use Connect to IP instead.

Console has no connect-by-IP option, so you find the server through the browser instead. The trick is knowing which list to look in.

1. From Play Game, go to the Join a Game tab.
2. Stay on the Server sub-tab.
3. Search for couch.
4. When the results come in, switch to the dedicated server list. That is where the Couch server appears.
5. Find Couch in that list and select it.
6. Press Connect.

Do this once and you never have to hunt for the server again.

In the game:

1. Open Join a Game and find the Couch server, either by searching or after connecting by IP once.
2. Select the server so its details appear.
3. Click the star icon next to it. The star fills in when it is saved.
4. Next time, open the Favorites and History section of the browser and it will be waiting there.

Through Steam, as a backup:

1. In the Steam client, click View in the top menu.
2. Choose Game Servers.
3. Open the Favorites tab.
4. Click Add a Server and enter 205.209.105.250:26900
5. Click Add this address to favorites, then Refresh.

You will be asked to create or confirm your character before you spawn. Customize it however you like, none of it affects your stats.

When you land in the world:

1. Do not panic.
2. Check your inventory.
3. Follow the starting tutorial quests.
4. Say hello in chat so people know you are new.
5. Ask in Discord if you are lost.

7 Days to Die is confusing for the first hour or two. That is normal and everyone here went through it.

• Gather grass, wood, stone, and small materials constantly.
• Craft your first basic tools before anything fancy.
• Watch your food and water meters.
• Do not wander far from the group on day one.
• Do not fight every zombie you see. Running is a valid strategy.
• Find shelter before nightfall.
• Ask the group before taking supplies from shared bases.

The goal is not to play optimally. It is to survive, learn, and have a good time with everyone else.

Every seventh in-game day the server triggers a Blood Moon Horde. Zombies turn aggressive, run fast, and go straight for player bases.

• Do not be out wandering when it starts.
• Be somewhere defensible, ideally with other people.
• Listen to whoever is coordinating the group.
• New players should stick with the community for their first one.

• Be respectful to other players.
• Do not grief, steal from, or destroy other players' bases.
• Do not lure zombies into someone else's base on purpose.
• Do not exploit, cheat, or duplicate items.
• Ask before using shared supplies.
• Help new players when you can.
• Keep the game fun for everyone.

Moderator decisions are final. With only 8 slots, the server works best when everyone is easy to play with.