How to set up a DayZ server

DayZ servers can be shaped in almost every way, from loot tables to day length. Your DayZ server is created with the game installed. This guide covers sizing, serverDZ.cfg, the mission files, admin access, mods and the regular restarts DayZ servers rely on.

How much RAM does a DayZ server need?

• 4 GB: a small private server with few or no mods.
• 6 GB: our recommended size for a community server.
• 8 to 16 GB: busy servers, larger player counts and modded servers with custom maps.

1. serverDZ.cfg

Your main settings live in serverDZ.cfg, in the server's main folder. Stop the server, edit it in the file manager and start it again. Useful lines include:

• hostname: your server's name in the list.
• password: set one to keep the server private, or leave it empty.
• passwordAdmin: the password for logging in as admin in game.
• maxPlayers: how many players can join.
• serverTime and serverTimeAcceleration: the in-game start time and how fast time passes. serverNightTimeAcceleration speeds up nights on top of that.
• disable3rdPerson: set to 1 for a first-person-only server.
• template, in the Missions section: which map and mission to run, for example dayzOffline.chernarusplus for Chernarus.

Keep the semicolon at the end of each line and the quote marks around text values. A missing one can stop the server reading the file.

2. Loot, mission files and persistence

The mission folder, inside mpmissions, holds the files that shape the world. types.xml controls how much of each item spawns and how long it lasts. cfggameplay.json covers gameplay options such as stamina, and is only read if enableCfgGameplayFile is set to 1 in serverDZ.cfg. The storage folder inside the mission keeps your persistent world, including bases, tents and stashes.

Take a backup before editing types.xml. It is a big file, and one broken tag can stop loot spawning.

3. Admin access

With passwordAdmin set, join your server, open chat and type #login followed by your admin password. You can then use admin commands in chat, such as #kick and #shutdown. For more, such as teleporting or spawning items, communities add an admin tool mod. Remote admin tools connect through BattlEye RCon, which you set up with an RConPassword in BattlEye's server config file.

4. Adding mods

DayZ mods come from the Steam Workshop and are loaded when the server starts.

1. 1Stop the server and take a backup.
2. 2Upload each mod's folder, usually named with an @ at the start, such as @CF, into the server's main folder.
3. 3Copy the .bikey file from each mod's keys folder into the server's keys folder, so players using the mod pass the signature checks.
4. 4Add the mods to the mod list in the Startup tab, separated by semicolons, for example @CF;@YourMod. Load order matters, so put framework mods such as Community Framework first.
5. 5Start the server and check the console for errors.

Players need the same mods. The DayZ Launcher offers to download a server's mods when they pick it.

Restarts

DayZ servers run best with a restart every few hours. Restarts let the loot economy refresh and keep performance steady. Warn players before each one so nobody loses gear mid-fight, and ask us if you would like help setting up an automatic restart schedule.

Inviting players

Players find your server in the DayZ Launcher under the Community tab by searching for its name. They can also add it directly using your server's IP and port, shown at the top of our game panel.

Troubleshooting

• Players kicked for signature errors: a mod's .bikey is missing from the keys folder, or the player has a different mod version.
• Server not in the list: give it a few minutes, and check the console for errors on start.
• No loot spawning: types.xml may have a mistake. Restore your backup and make changes in small steps.
• Changes not applying: edit serverDZ.cfg while the server is stopped.

Still stuck? Ask us on live chat or Discord.