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A DayZ start.bat file is a repeatable Windows command script for launching DayZServer_x64.exe with the same configuration, port, profile directory, logging, and optional mods every time. Save it beside the executable, change to that directory before launching, and keep the command-line options that match your server configuration.
This working vanilla example is a reliable starting point:
@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "DayZServer_x64.exe" ^
-config=serverDZ.cfg ^
-port=2302 ^
-profiles=profiles ^
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckWhat a DayZ start.bat file does
A batch file stores the exact command used to start the DayZ dedicated server. Instead of opening a terminal, navigating to the server folder, and retyping options, you double-click one file or run it from a command prompt. The script does not replace serverDZ.cfg; it tells the executable which configuration file to load and adds command-line overrides.
The script should normally live in the same directory as DayZServer_x64.exe. The line cd /d "%~dp0" changes the current directory to the batch file’s own location, so relative paths such as serverDZ.cfg, profiles, and mod folders resolve consistently even when the file is started from a desktop shortcut or another working directory.
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Windows uses the .bat extension for command scripts. Save the file as plain text, not as a rich-text document, and make sure File Explorer is showing extensions so you do not accidentally create start.bat.txt.
Prerequisites before writing the script
- The DayZ dedicated-server files, including
DayZServer_x64.exe, are installed in a folder you can access. - A
serverDZ.cfgfile exists in the location you intend to use. The file name passed to-configdetermines which configuration is loaded. - A writable profile directory is available. You can create a folder named
profilesbeside the executable or choose another path with-profiles. - Any configuration line in
serverDZ.cfgends with a semicolon. A missing semicolon can prevent the configuration from being parsed correctly. - You know which TCP/UDP game port you want to use. The common example is
2302; use another port if it conflicts with an existing service and keep firewall and router rules consistent with your choice. - If you will run mods, every required mod folder is present in the server directory and you know which items are client-and-server mods versus server-only mods.
Build a minimal vanilla start.bat
Open Notepad or another plain-text editor, paste the following, and save it as start.bat next to DayZServer_x64.exe:
@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "DayZServer_x64.exe" -config=serverDZ.cfg -port=2302 -profiles=profiles -dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckThe one-line form and the multi-line form are equivalent. In the multi-line style, each caret (^) continues the command onto the next line. Do not put trailing spaces after a caret, because Windows can interpret the continuation incorrectly.
What each line and option means
| Element | Purpose | Practical guidance |
|---|---|---|
@echo off |
Hides command echoing while the script runs. | It keeps the console readable; it does not change the server. |
cd /d "%~dp0" |
Changes drive and directory to the batch file’s folder. | Using /d also changes drives, which matters when the server is not on the system drive. |
start "DayZ Server" |
Creates a process using the title shown in the first quoted argument. | With start, the first quoted value is a window title, not the executable path. |
/wait |
Keeps the batch process attached until the launched server process ends. | It makes failures easier to see and prevents the script from immediately reaching the end while the server is still starting. |
-config=serverDZ.cfg |
Selects the DayZ server configuration file. | Change the filename or path if your configuration has a different name or location. |
-port=2302 |
Sets the game port. | Use the same value in Windows Firewall and router forwarding, and select a different value if 2302 is already occupied. |
-profiles=profiles |
Selects the profile directory for server-generated profile data. | Logs, dumps, and BattlEye/BEC/RCON-related files are written there according to the server documentation. |
-dologs |
Enables log messages in the server RPT file. | Leave it enabled while diagnosing startup or connection problems. |
-adminlog |
Enables the admin log. | It supplies the logging needed by admin-log settings. |
-netlog |
Enables network logging. | Useful when investigating connectivity and network behavior. |
-freezecheck |
Stops the server after a prolonged freeze and creates a dump file. | Keep it in a diagnostic-oriented launch file so a hard hang leaves evidence. |
Step-by-step: create, run, and verify the file
- Open the server directory. Locate the folder containing
DayZServer_x64.exe. Keeping the script there makes the relative paths in the examples predictable. - Create the file. In a plain-text editor, paste the vanilla command. Choose Save as, set the file type to all files, and name it
start.bat. Avoid an additional.txtextension. - Check the configuration. Confirm that
serverDZ.cfgexists and that each configuration line ends with a semicolon. If it is stored elsewhere, use the correct relative or absolute path after-config=. - Prepare profiles. Create or allow the
profilesdirectory. The account running the server needs permission to write logs and generated files there. - Start the server. Double-click
start.bat, or open Command Prompt in the server directory and run it. The console should show the executable starting with the selected configuration and port. - Inspect startup output. Leave the logging switches enabled and inspect the RPT and profile logs for configuration, file-access, or mod-loading errors. A clean process start does not by itself prove that remote players can connect.
- Test visibility and access. Look for the server in the DayZ browser and test a connection from an appropriate client. If it is not visible, work through the port-forwarding and firewall checks below.
How the batch file relates to serverDZ.cfg
The batch file supplies launch arguments; serverDZ.cfg supplies the server settings selected by -config. Keep those roles separate. Editing a gameplay or server-rule value belongs in the configuration file, while changing the executable, port, profile location, logging, or mod loading belongs in the batch command.
When you maintain multiple configurations, create separate scripts with distinct names, such as start-test.bat and start-public.bat, and point each one at its own configuration file. This avoids repeatedly editing a single command before every launch. Ensure that only one script uses a given port at a time unless you deliberately assign different ports.
Add client-and-server mods
Use the -mod option for mods that must be loaded by the server and are also expected on connecting clients. Mod folders are separated with semicolons, not commas:
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cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "DayZServer_x64.exe" ^
-config=serverDZ.cfg ^
-port=2302 ^
-profiles=profiles ^
"-mod=@CF;@VPPAdminTools" ^
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckKeep dependency order correct
List a dependency before the mod that requires it. In the example, a framework must appear before an administration tool if that tool depends on the framework. Preserve each folder name exactly as it appears in the server directory. Spaces and punctuation make quoting especially important; quoting the complete -mod=... argument is the safest form when names are complex.
Use server-only mods separately
Use -serverMod=@MyServerMod for a server-only mod that should not be broadcast to clients. Do not place a server-only item in the client-and-server -mod list merely to make it load; the two switches communicate different deployment expectations.
If a mod fails to load, first verify the directory name, spelling, semicolon separation, dependency order, and whether the item belongs in -mod or -serverMod. Then read the RPT/profile logs with the diagnostic switches enabled.
Use variables to make the script maintainable
The DayZ server supports batch variables in startup arguments. Defining values at the top lets you change a port, profile directory, or mod list once instead of editing several command fragments:
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@echo off
set "SERVER_EXE=DayZServer_x64.exe"
set "CONFIG_FILE=serverDZ.cfg"
set "SERVER_PORT=2302"
set "PROFILE_DIR=profiles"
set "MODS=@CF;@VPPAdminTools"
cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "%SERVER_EXE%" ^
-config="%CONFIG_FILE%" ^
-port=%SERVER_PORT% ^
-profiles="%PROFILE_DIR%" ^
"-mod=%MODS%" ^
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckThe set "NAME=value" form avoids accidentally including a trailing space in a variable. Quote path-valued variables when they may contain spaces. Keep numeric values such as the port unquoted unless the executable’s syntax specifically requires otherwise.
Override a mission only when necessary
The configuration normally selects the mission. If you need to override it at launch, define a path and pass -mission:
set "MISSION_PATH=%USERPROFILE%DocumentsDayZStablempmissionsdayzOffline.enoch"
...
-mission="%MISSION_PATH%" ^Use the actual mission path on your machine. A mission override is optional; do not add it simply because the server already selects the desired mission in serverDZ.cfg.
Additional launch options
| Option | Use it for | Important constraint |
|---|---|---|
-BEpath=... |
Selecting a custom BattlEye directory when the default location is unsuitable. | Point it to the directory that should contain the BattlEye files. |
-cpuCount=... |
Setting how many logical CPU cores are used for parallel tasks. | Keep the value at or below the number of logical cores available to the machine. |
-mission=... |
Overriding the mission path selected by the configuration. | Use a valid mission path and quote it if it contains spaces. |
-storage=... |
Defining a custom storage root. | Choose a writable location and document it so backups and troubleshooting can find the data. |
Add options one at a time and restart the server after each meaningful change. Keeping the command readable makes it easier to identify which switch caused a new error.
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| Approach | Example | Best use | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative path with a self-locating script | cd /d "%~dp0" followed by -config=serverDZ.cfg |
Portable server folders and simpler backups. | Fails if the script is moved without the files it references. |
| Absolute path | -config="D:DayZServerserverDZ.cfg" |
Separate storage locations or a deliberately fixed installation. | Breaks when the drive letter or folder changes. |
| Quoted executable or folder | "D:Game ServersDayZServer_x64.exe" |
Any path containing spaces. | With the Windows start command, remember that the first quoted argument is the window title; provide "DayZ Server" before the executable path. |
For most personal servers, changing to %~dp0 and using relative paths is the least fragile arrangement. Use absolute paths only where the directory layout genuinely requires them.
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Foreground behavior and the /wait switch
The start command launches the server as a separate process. The /wait switch keeps the batch process attached until that process exits. This is useful when you want the console window and any following batch commands to remain synchronized with the server lifetime.
Removing /wait lets the batch script return immediately after launching the executable. That can be useful for a wrapper that performs other independent work, but it also makes it easier to miss an immediate startup failure. For a single-server script intended for manual operation, retaining /wait is generally clearer.
Firewall, router, and browser visibility
A successful process launch does not guarantee that another computer can reach the server. The selected game port must be allowed through Windows Firewall and, for players outside the local network, forwarded by the router to the Windows machine running DayZ. Use the same port number in the batch file, firewall rule, and forwarding rule.
- If the server is invisible, confirm that the batch file actually uses the port you forwarded.
- Check for another service already using that port; choose a different port if necessary.
- Confirm that the Windows Firewall rule applies to the active network profile and allows the dedicated-server executable or selected port.
- For internet hosting, verify that the router forwards the chosen port to the correct local address and that the machine’s address has not changed.
- Test from an appropriate external connection; a test from the same local network can produce different results from an internet connection.
These network settings are outside the batch file, but they determine whether the server appears in the browser and accepts remote connections.
First-launch checklist
- Place
start.batbesideDayZServer_x64.exe. - Confirm the
-configfilename and inspectserverDZ.cfgfor semicolons at the ends of configuration lines. - Confirm that the profile directory exists or can be created by the account running the server.
- Start with
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckenabled. - Watch the console for a clean startup and then inspect the generated RPT/profile logs.
- Check browser visibility and attempt a connection.
- If the server is not reachable, verify port selection, router forwarding, and Windows Firewall before changing unrelated launch options.
- If mods are involved, verify folder names, dependency order, client/server classification, and semicolon-separated syntax.
Troubleshooting common failures
The window opens and closes immediately
Run the batch file from Command Prompt so the error remains visible, or keep /wait in the command. Confirm that DayZServer_x64.exe and the configuration file are in the expected locations. A typo in the executable, a missing configuration, or a path that was resolved from the wrong working directory are common causes; the cd /d "%~dp0" line prevents the last problem.
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The server starts but no logs appear
Check that -profiles points to a writable directory and that the account running the server has permission to create files there. Keep -dologs and -adminlog enabled, then restart and inspect the profile directory for the RPT and related logs.
The server is not visible in the browser
Verify the actual -port value, confirm that no other service is using it, and align the Windows Firewall and router-forwarding rules with that value. A local launch can look healthy while external visibility remains blocked by either network layer.
A mod is missing or clients cannot join
Check the exact folder names and the semicolon-separated -mod argument. Put dependencies before dependent mods. Confirm that a server-only mod is under -serverMod rather than -mod, and make sure clients have the client-and-server mods expected by the server.
A custom path fails only when it contains spaces
Quote the complete path, including executable and path-valued arguments. In a variable-based script, define the value with set "NAME=value" and expand it inside quotes, for example -profiles="%PROFILE_DIR%".
The server freezes without useful evidence
Retain -freezecheck and the logging switches. A prolonged freeze can cause the server to stop and create a dump file, while the RPT and network logs provide context for the preceding events.
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| Approach | Control | Administration effort | When it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
Local start.bat |
Direct control over executable arguments, files, ports, profiles, and mods. | You maintain Windows, firewall rules, updates, backups, and scripts. | Testing, private communities, or anyone comfortable administering a Windows machine. |
| Manual executable launch | The same underlying options, but they must be entered repeatedly. | High chance of inconsistent settings or forgotten diagnostics. | One-off troubleshooting rather than routine operation. |
| Managed hosting | Provider operations replace much of the direct Windows administration. | Less local maintenance, but configuration access and network controls depend on the provider. | Those who do not want to maintain a Windows host, ports, profiles, and update scripts themselves. |
A batch file is the most transparent option when you want the launch command, files, and diagnostics under your own control.
Keeping the file reliable over time
- Keep a backup copy of the working script and the matching
serverDZ.cfg. - When changing a port, update the firewall and router rules at the same time.
- When adding a mod, make one ordered change, start the server, and read the logs before adding another.
- Do not rename mod folders casually; the names in the
-modand-serverModarguments must match the directories on disk. - Document custom locations selected with
-BEpath,-storage, or-missionso another administrator can find the files. - Keep diagnostic flags enabled during troubleshooting and remove none of them until you have confirmed that the server is stable and the logs are no longer needed for the current issue.
Complete templates
Vanilla server
@echo off
cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "DayZServer_x64.exe" ^
-config=serverDZ.cfg ^
-port=2302 ^
-profiles=profiles ^
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckModded server with variables
@echo off
set "SERVER_EXE=DayZServer_x64.exe"
set "CONFIG_FILE=serverDZ.cfg"
set "SERVER_PORT=2302"
set "PROFILE_DIR=profiles"
set "MODS=@CF;@VPPAdminTools"
set "SERVER_MODS=@MyServerMod"
cd /d "%~dp0"
start "DayZ Server" /wait "%SERVER_EXE%" ^
-config="%CONFIG_FILE%" ^
-port=%SERVER_PORT% ^
-profiles="%PROFILE_DIR%" ^
"-mod=%MODS%" ^
-serverMod=%SERVER_MODS% ^
-dologs -adminlog -netlog -freezecheckStart with the vanilla template, verify that it works, and then add variables or mods incrementally. That sequence gives every later change a known-good baseline and leaves the logs in the profile directory where you can diagnose the next failure.
Quick Recap
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