What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Prefer not to run the server on your own PC? Godlike.Host offers hosted 7 Days to Die servers with free DDoS protection and up to three free backups a day.
The only reliably permanent way to run a free 7 Days to Die server is to self-host the official Steam dedicated-server tool on a PC or spare machine. Your cash cost is zero, but you supply the electricity, internet connection, hardware, maintenance and port forwarding. “Free” third-party hosts can remove the hardware burden, yet their offers are promotional: one uses an in-site credit system and another is ad-funded. Time-limited trials are not permanent hosting.
This guide explains the practical choices, the SteamCMD setup, networking requirements, version and mod considerations, and when a low-cost rented server is the more sensible option.
Recommended Free Tools
What “free” means for a 7 Days to Die server
Hosting has three separate costs: the game-server software, the machine that runs it and the network connection that lets other players join. The dedicated-server software itself is free. The real decision is who supplies the machine and connectivity.
- Self-hosting: You run the official Steam tool on your own Windows or Linux computer. There is no hosting bill, but electricity and internet usage remain your responsibility.
- Promotional free hosting: A provider supplies the machine at no cash charge, usually in exchange for credits, advertising, limited resources or other conditions. The offer can change or disappear.
- Free trials: Some listings provide a one-time or time-limited period, such as a 30-day trial with credit. A trial should not be planned as a permanent world.
- Paid hosting: You rent a preconfigured server for recurring monthly fees. This is not free, but it removes most home-network and hardware work.
No authoritative industry statistic establishes how many genuinely free 7 Days to Die servers are available. Treat search results and provider rankings as leads to verify, not as a guarantee that a slot is currently offered.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Option comparison
| Option | Cash cost | Uptime responsibility | Control | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-host on your PC or spare machine | $0 for the software; electricity and internet still cost money | You must keep the machine and connection online | Full configuration and mod control | Home hardware, upload bandwidth, outages and port-forwarding problems |
| AxentHost free offer | No direct charge when you earn the required in-site credits | Provider-dependent | May include restrictions on resources, ports, mods or world size | Promotional terms and credit requirements can change; one review source recorded only 34 reviews |
| Squadnox free private server | No direct charge under its ad-funded model | Provider-dependent | Subject to the provider’s limits and policies | Advertising model, resource limits or discontinuation |
| Time-limited trial | $0 during the stated trial, often subject to a credit or payment condition | Provider-dependent | Usually similar to the provider’s paid plans, but only temporarily | Server or world may stop when the trial ends |
| Rented server | Vendor examples cite about $10–$15 per month for 8–10 slots | Provider operates the host machine | Usually more convenient, but plan limits apply | Recurring charge and vendor-specific restrictions |
The quoted paid figures are examples from a hosting guide, not a market-wide price list. Another vendor page advertises about $1.99 per GB with unmetered NVMe storage; storage pricing alone does not tell you how much CPU, memory or player capacity is included.
Best permanent free choice: self-host the dedicated server
Steam lists “7 Days to Die Dedicated Server” as a separate Tool (App ID 294420), with Windows and Linux depots, under the main game (App ID 251570). Installing that tool does not require you to run the graphical game client on the server machine. A SteamDB record shows a peak of 1,068 concurrent users for the dedicated-server tool on 4 February 2024; that is a historical tool-only count, not a promised capacity for your hardware.
What you need
- A Windows or Linux computer that can remain powered on whenever the world must be available.
- A stable internet connection with usable upload capacity. Players connect to your public address, so a machine that sleeps or disconnects takes the server offline.
- Permission to install software, edit the server configuration and create firewall or router rules.
- Backups of the world and configuration files before changing versions or mods.
The game simulation is CPU- and RAM-heavy because the world is held in memory, and blood-moon hordes are CPU-bound. A low-end spare machine may start a server but still struggle as the world, view distance, entity count or player count grows. Free hosting providers can impose similar or tighter resource limits.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Install with SteamCMD
- Install SteamCMD on the machine that will run the server, following the package instructions for its operating system.
- Open a terminal or command prompt in the SteamCMD directory.
- Log in anonymously and request the dedicated-server app. The central update command is
app_update 294420. Let the command finish before closing SteamCMD. - Locate the installed server directory and make a backup copy of the default configuration before editing it.
- Open
serverconfig.xmlin a text editor. Set the server name, world or game settings, player limits, passwords and any other values you understand. Keep the XML syntax intact: a missing quote or closing bracket can prevent startup. - On Windows, launch the supplied
startdedicated.bat. On Linux, use the startup script or command included with the installed tool and keep the process running in a service, terminal multiplexer or equivalent session so it does not stop when you disconnect. - Read the console output for a successful startup, the listening ports and any configuration errors before asking players to connect.
Run the server once with the default settings before adding mods. That gives you a known-good baseline for diagnosing a networking or version problem.
Choosing a branch and pinning a version
SteamCMD normally retrieves the latest stable build when you run the update command. Community setup guides describe a -beta flag for selecting a particular branch, but examples target an alpha branch and are low-confidence instructions rather than a universal current command. A forum report also says an update can continue fetching an older build until the experimental branch is selected. Branch names and syntax change, so verify the branch shown in Steam’s current app metadata before pinning one.
All players must use a compatible game build. If the server updates while someone is playing, clients may receive a version-mismatch error or be unable to join. Schedule updates, stop the server cleanly, back up the world, update the tool, then test a local connection before reopening it to the group.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Which build is current?
A review site reported that the V3.0 “Dead Hot Summer” update would become stable on 29 June 2026. That date predates this article and is not independently confirmed here; use the build and branch currently shown by Steam rather than assuming that schedule or name is still accurate.
Expose the server to the internet
Local play and internet play are different. Anyone on the same home network may be able to connect using the server computer’s local address, while players outside your network need a reachable public address and router and firewall rules.
Ports reported by setup guides
| Purpose | Port information | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Game traffic | One guide lists TCP 26900 and UDP 26900–26902 | Use the protocol-specific rules; do not assume one protocol replaces the other. |
| Alternative host guidance | Another guide lists 26900–26903 | This conflicts with the narrower list. Check the current server configuration and the guide for your build before forwarding. |
| Remote administration | TCP 8080–8081 | Only needed when you administer remotely; do not expose it unnecessarily. |
| Web-map mod | TCP 8082 | Relevant only when using a web-map mod that requires it. |
The port ranges above come from community or host guides, and some are marked low confidence. Confirm the listening ports in your current configuration and console output. Then create matching inbound rules in the operating-system firewall and, if you are behind a home router, forward them to the server’s fixed local address. Test from a different network, such as a phone hotspot; a test from inside the same LAN can succeed even when external forwarding is wrong.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Common network failures
- Friends see “connection timed out”: Check that the server process is running, the external address is current, the router forwards the correct protocol and the firewall allows the same port.
- Local players connect but remote players cannot: The server is probably healthy; investigate port forwarding, carrier-grade NAT, or an ISP policy that blocks inbound connections.
- The port appears open but the server is unreachable: Verify that the process is listening on the expected interface and that a second router or modem is not creating double NAT.
- Remote administration is exposed unintentionally: Remove 8080–8082 rules unless you actively need them, and restrict administration to trusted addresses where your tools allow it.
Mods, worlds and backups
Self-hosting gives you the most control over mods and configuration, but every participant must have a compatible setup. Add one change at a time, retain the previous configuration, and record the exact mod versions. A mod that works on one game branch may fail after an update.
Back up the world save, serverconfig.xml, startup scripts and mod directory while the server is stopped. Keep at least one copy on a different disk or computer. Before a major update, make a dated backup and test the new build with a copy of the world; do not use your only save as the test case.
When a free host makes sense
Credit-based hosting
AxentHost’s free offer is earned through in-site credits rather than being an unconditional server allocation. Confirm how credits are earned, whether they expire, the resources attached to a free instance, backup availability, allowed mods and what happens when the credit balance reaches zero. A review source recorded only 34 reviews, so that count should not be treated as evidence of broad reliability.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Ad-funded private servers
Squadnox describes an ad-funded route to a free private server. Ask whether advertisements appear in the control panel, on a server page or to players, and check the provider’s rules for idle shutdowns, world size, slots, automated backups and mod installation. “Private” describes access control; it does not guarantee dedicated CPU or memory.
Trials
A 30-day trial with credit can be useful for testing a map or playing a short event. Export the world before the trial expires and read the conversion terms. If the provider does not offer a downloadable save, assume the world may be lost when the trial ends.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhen paying is the better decision
Renting is justified when the server must be online while your household computers are off, when nobody can configure a router, or when a world is important enough to need provider-managed availability. A hosting guide cites roughly $10–$15 per month for 8–10 slots. Compare CPU allocation, RAM, backups, location, mod support, cancellation terms and whether the quoted price is recurring; slot count alone is not a performance specification.
Another vendor page quotes approximately $1.99 per GB with unmetered NVMe storage. That is a vendor-specific storage offer, not proof that the plan includes sufficient processing power for large hordes. Ask for the memory and CPU limits before choosing a plan.
A practical decision checklist
- Choose self-hosting if you have a spare Windows or Linux machine, can leave it online and want complete control.
- Choose a promotional free host only if you accept changing terms, limited resources and the possibility that the service ends.
- Choose a trial for a temporary project, and export your save before the stated period ends.
- Choose a paid host when continuous availability, simpler networking or support is worth a monthly fee.
Whichever route you take, match the server and client builds, keep a recoverable backup, and verify the actual ports and resource limits for the current release. Those checks prevent the most expensive “free” outcome: losing a world after an avoidable update, shutdown or configuration error.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →
