How do you enable crossplay on your 7 Days to Die server?

Learning how to enable crossplay 7 Days to Die in 2025 is essential for server administrators who want to unite their player base across different platforms. With recent updates, crossplay has become more accessible, allowing PC, console, and even Xbox Game Pass players to connect on the same dedicated server. This guide walks you through every step, from understanding platform compatibility to configuring your Nexus Games server for seamless cross-platform gameplay.

Understanding Crossplay in 7 Days to Die – Platform Compatibility

Before diving into how to enable crossplay 7 Days to Die, it’s crucial to understand which platforms support cross-platform multiplayer. As of 2025, The Fun Pimps have expanded crossplay functionality significantly, but limitations remain.

Which Platforms Support Crossplay?

Currently, PC (Steam) and Xbox (including Xbox Game Pass) versions of 7 Days to Die support crossplay functionality. PlayStation versions remain limited due to network policy restrictions, though updates may change this. The key requirement is that all players must be running the same game version and build number.

• PC Steam: Full crossplay support with dedicated servers
• Xbox/Xbox Game Pass: Can join PC-hosted dedicated servers
• PlayStation: Limited crossplay; primarily peer-to-peer
• Mobile: Not supported for crossplay

Server Requirements for Crossplay

To successfully enable crossplay 7 Days to Die, your server must meet specific technical requirements. At Nexus Games, our infrastructure is built on AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors with 16 cores and 32 threads running under 5 GHz, paired with DDR5 ECC RAM and NVMe SSD storage. This hardware ensures low latency and stable performance even with mixed-platform player bases.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Enable Crossplay 7 Days to Die on Your Server

Enabling crossplay 7 Days to Die requires both server-side configuration and client-side settings adjustments. Follow this comprehensive process to get your cross-platform server running.

Step 1: Update Your Server to the Latest Build

Version parity is non-negotiable for crossplay. All players—regardless of platform—must connect to a server running the identical game build. Check the official 7 Days to Die website or Steam for the latest stable release number.

If you’re hosting with Nexus Games, our Nexus Panel makes updates effortless. Simply navigate to your server dashboard, click “Update Server,” and the system automatically pulls the latest build. Manual updates via SteamCMD are also supported on our Linux VPS and Pterodactyl VPS options.

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir /home/sdtdserver +app_update 294420 validate +quit

Step 2: Edit serverconfig.xml for Crossplay

The serverconfig.xml file controls most 7 Days to Die server behavior. To enable crossplay 7 Days to Die, you need to adjust several key parameters:

<property name="ServerIsPublic" value="true"/>
<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>
<property name="ServerPort" value="26900"/>
<property name="ControlPanelEnabled" value="true"/>
<property name="ControlPanelPort" value="8080"/>

ServerIsPublic: Must be set to “true” for console players to discover your server in the in-game browser.

EACEnabled: Easy Anti-Cheat must be enabled (“true”) for Xbox crossplay. This prevents cheating across platforms but may block certain mods.

ServerPort: Default is 26900. Ensure this port (UDP) is open on your firewall and forwarded correctly. Nexus Games servers have 1 Gbps bandwidth and automatic port configuration.

Step 3: Configure Firewall and Port Forwarding

For crossplay to function properly, your server must be accessible from both Steam and Xbox networks. Open the following ports on your firewall:

• 26900 (UDP): Game traffic
• 26900 (TCP): Additional sync data
• 8080 (TCP): Control panel (optional but recommended)

If you’re using a VPS or dedicated server from Nexus Games, our support team can assist with firewall configuration. Our Windows VPS and Linux VPS plans include full root access for advanced networking setups.

Step 4: Verify Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) Compatibility

EAC is mandatory for crossplay. If you’re running mods, verify they’re EAC-compatible. Many popular mods like Darkness Falls and Undead Legacy offer EAC-friendly versions. To check EAC status, look for this line in your server logs:

[EAC] EasyAntiCheat Server Started

If EAC fails to start, crossplay will not work. Ensure the EAC folder is present in your server directory and properly initialized. Nexus Games servers come with EAC pre-configured for 7 Days to Die hosting.

Step 5: Test Cross-Platform Connections

After configuration, test connections from both PC and Xbox. On PC (Steam), use the in-game server browser or direct connect via IP. On Xbox, navigate to “Join Game,” select “Friends & LAN,” then search for your server name. If your server doesn’t appear:

• Verify ServerIsPublic is set to “true”
• Check that game versions match exactly
• Confirm EAC is running on the server
• Ensure UDP port 26900 is open and accessible

Optimizing Server Performance for Crossplay

Cross-platform play introduces additional overhead because the server must reconcile inputs and states from different client architectures. Here’s how to optimize your 7 Days to Die server for smooth crossplay performance.

Hardware Considerations

Console players often experience higher latency than PC players due to network infrastructure differences. To compensate, your server needs robust hardware. The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D processors used by Nexus Games provide exceptional single-thread performance, critical for 7 Days to Die’s game loop. Paired with DDR5 ECC RAM, this setup minimizes desync issues between platforms.

Allocate at least 8 GB of RAM for small crossplay servers (up to 10 players) and scale to 16–32 GB for larger communities. Our Nexus Panel allows you to adjust RAM allocation on the fly without server downtime.

Network Optimization

With mixed-platform players, packet prioritization becomes essential. Nexus Games servers include 1 Gbps bandwidth and low-latency routing to major Xbox and Steam data centers. This reduces ping variance and improves hit registration across platforms.

Consider these serverconfig.xml tweaks for better network performance:

<property name="ServerMaxPlayerCount" value="16"/>
<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2"/>
<property name="MaxSpawnedZombies" value="60"/>

Limiting zombie spawns and player count reduces server load, allowing more CPU cycles for network synchronization.

Mod Compatibility

Not all mods support crossplay. Client-side mods (UI enhancements, sound packs) generally work, but server-side mods that alter gameplay may break console compatibility. Stick to popular, actively maintained mods with confirmed crossplay support. Always test mods in a staging environment before deploying to your live server.

Regular Maintenance

Cross-platform servers benefit from frequent maintenance. Schedule weekly restarts to clear memory leaks and refresh connections. Use the Nexus Panel’s automated restart feature to minimize downtime. Backup your world save before major updates—our NVMe SSD storage ensures fast backup and restore operations.

Troubleshooting Common Crossplay Issues in 7 Days to Die

Even with proper configuration, you may encounter crossplay-specific problems. Here are the most common issues and their solutions.

Xbox Players Can’t See the Server

This is the most frequent complaint when trying to enable crossplay 7 Days to Die. Check these factors:

• ServerIsPublic: Must be “true” in serverconfig.xml
• Server Name: Avoid special characters; use alphanumeric only
• Version Mismatch: Xbox auto-updates; ensure your server matches
• Region Lock: Some Xbox accounts have region restrictions; use a VPN or adjust server location

Players Disconnecting Frequently

Frequent disconnects often stem from network instability or server overload. Monitor your server logs for errors like “Timeout” or “EAC Kick.” Increase the timeout value in serverconfig.xml:

<property name="NetworkTimeout" value="120"/>

This gives players more time to reconnect during brief network hiccups. Also, verify your server isn’t exceeding CPU or RAM limits. Nexus Games’ monitoring tools provide real-time resource usage graphs.

Console Players Experience Lag

Console clients are more sensitive to server tick rate fluctuations. Reduce world complexity by limiting active chunks and zombie spawns. Additionally, ensure your server isn’t running unnecessary background processes. Our VPS Linux plans give you full control over system resources, allowing you to dedicate maximum power to 7 Days to Die.

EAC Initialization Failures

If EAC won’t start, reinstall the server files. On Nexus Games servers, use the “Reinstall” button in the Nexus Panel. For manual installs, delete the EAC folder and validate server files via SteamCMD.

Advanced Crossplay Configuration Tips

Once basic crossplay is functional, consider these advanced configurations to enhance the player experience.

Platform-Specific Server Rules

You can create custom rules for console vs. PC players using admin commands. For example, restrict certain items to PC players or adjust gather rates per platform. While 7 Days to Die doesn’t natively support per-platform rules, server-side mods like ServerTools or Allocs Fixes enable this functionality.

Voice Chat Integration

7 Days to Die’s built-in voice chat works across platforms, but many communities prefer Discord. Host a Discord bot on a Nexus Games Discord Bot Hosting plan to manage cross-platform communication. This ensures all players—regardless of device—can coordinate effectively.

Cross-Save and Progress Tracking

Console players transferring to PC (or vice versa) lose character progress unless you implement custom save management. Use mods like CSMM (Community Server Management) to track player stats and restore progress across platforms. Host CSMM on a separate VPS or integrate it into your main server using our Pterodactyl VPS for containerized management.

Automated Backup and Rollback

Crossplay servers experience more frequent bugs due to platform differences. Implement automated backups every 6–12 hours. Nexus Games’ NVMe SSD storage makes backups nearly instantaneous, and our control panel supports one-click rollbacks if a bad update breaks crossplay.

In conclusion, learning how to enable crossplay 7 Days to Die unlocks a larger, more diverse player community for your server. By following this guide—updating your server, configuring serverconfig.xml, enabling EAC, and optimizing performance—you’ll create a seamless cross-platform experience. Nexus Games provides the powerful hardware, intuitive management tools, and expert support needed to run a successful crossplay server in 2025.

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