Crossplay Setup Guide

7 Days to Die supports crossplay between PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with continued support through V2.6 Stable. This guide covers what's actually required to set up a crossplay-capable server, the in-client crossplay toggle, and the snags that catch console players. Where specific values aren't documented in the public reference, this page errs on the side of "check your version and host" rather than fabricating numbers.

Crossplay Requirements

Supported Platforms

PlatformCrossplay SupportNotes
PC (Steam)YesFull support with EAC enabled
PlayStation 5YesServer browser only
Xbox Series X|SYesServer browser only
PlayStation 4NoLegacy version, no updates
Xbox OneNoLegacy version, no updates

Version Requirements

  • All players must be on the same game version
  • Server must match client version exactly
  • Console updates may lag behind PC by a few days

Server Requirements for Crossplay

The crossplay-relevant serverconfig.xml properties (verified against our XML reference):

PropertyRecommendationWhy
EACEnabledtrueCross-platform sessions require EAC. Console players cannot join an EAC-disabled server.
ServerDisabledNetworkProtocolsDefault (SteamNetworking disabled, LiteNetLib enabled)Console players reach the server via the LiteNetLib path — don't disable it. The default config is correct for crossplay.
ServerVisibility2 (Public)Console clients use the in-game server browser; "Friends-only" (1) and "not listed" (0) hide the server from the browser.
ModsNone for crossplayConsole clients can't load PC-side modlets. A modded server may still accept PC connections but won't accept console connections cleanly.

There is no CrossplayEnabled property in serverconfig.xml — crossplay is enabled by the combination of EAC + LiteNetLib + Public visibility, not by a single switch. If you've seen "set CrossplayEnabled=true" in older guides, that's an older or fabricated naming.

Player-count and world-size caps for crossplay aren't publicly documented as hard limits — what's listed elsewhere as "max 8 players, max 8192 world size" appears to come from in-UI guidance that varies by version. Check the live in-game crossplay toggle for whatever your current build enforces.

Enabling Crossplay

For Players (All Platforms)

  1. Launch 7 Days to Die
  2. Go to Options > General
  3. Set Crossplay Enabled: On
  4. Restart the game

For Server Hosts (PC)

Edit your serverconfig.xml to the following crossplay-friendly defaults — these are real properties:

<property name="EACEnabled" value="true"/>
<property name="ServerVisibility" value="2"/>
<!-- Default ServerDisabledNetworkProtocols ("SteamNetworking") is correct for crossplay; do not add LiteNetLib to the disabled list -->

Set ServerMaxPlayerCount and WorldGenSize to whatever your audience and hardware support — see Player Capacity Optimization for the trade-offs. Crossplay-specific upper bounds, if any, will be enforced by the in-game crossplay toggle and rejected at join time with an explicit error.

For Dedicated Server Providers

  1. Run vanilla (no mods) if you want console players to join.
  2. Set EACEnabled=true.
  3. Set ServerVisibility=2 (Public).
  4. Don't add LiteNetLib to ServerDisabledNetworkProtocols — console clients use it.
  5. Forward your ServerPort (default 26900, UDP) and adjacent ports.

Joining Crossplay Servers

PC Players

  1. Launch game with EAC enabled (default launcher option)
  2. Click Join a Game
  3. Filter by Crossplay: Yes
  4. Select server and connect

Console Players (PS5/Xbox)

  1. From main menu, select Join a Game
  2. Use server browser to find crossplay servers
  3. Look for servers with crossplay icon
  4. Select and join

Note: Console players cannot connect via direct IP - server browser only.

Crossplay Limitations

What Doesn't Work

  • Mods: Any mod disables crossplay entirely
  • Direct IP: Console players must use server browser
  • Friends-only servers: Must be set to Public
  • Large worlds: Maps over 8192 block crossplay
  • High player counts: Max 8 players for crossplay
  • Cross-progression: Save data doesn't transfer between platforms

Known Issues

  • Voice chat may not work cross-platform
  • Console players may have longer load times
  • Some UI differences between platforms
  • Japanese PS5 version has separate matchmaking (being fixed)

Troubleshooting

"Non-Standard Game Settings Detected"

Cause: Server has settings outside the crossplay-eligible ranges enforced at join time.

Solution:

  • Choose a different server.
  • Ask the admin which non-vanilla setting is the trigger and revert it.
  • Check that the server has no mods loaded — modded servers reject console clients.
  • Player-count and world-size limits, if enforced, are version-dependent. The error message in your client may name the specific setting.

"EAC Authentication Failed"

Cause: EAC mismatch between client and server.

Solution:

  • PC: Launch with EAC enabled (not "EAC Off" option)
  • Server: Ensure EACEnabled is true
  • Verify game files via Steam
  • Reinstall EAC if needed

"Version Mismatch"

Cause: Different game versions between client and server.

Solution:

  • Update your game to latest version
  • Console: Check for system updates
  • Wait for console version to catch up to PC (if applicable)

"Server Not Appearing in Browser"

Cause: Server configuration issue.

Checklist:

  • Server Visibility set to 2 (Public)
  • Crossplay enabled on both ends
  • No mods installed on server
  • EAC enabled
  • Ports forwarded correctly (26900-26903)

"Cannot Connect to Friend's Server"

Solution for console:

  1. Friend must host a Public server (not Friends-only)
  2. Use a password to keep randoms out
  3. Search for the server name in browser
  4. Or have friend share the server info

Playing with Friends

Option 1: Rent a Dedicated Server

Most reliable for crossplay:

  • 24/7 availability
  • Consistent connection
  • Easy configuration
  • Providers: Nitrado, G-Portal, Pingperfect, etc.

Option 2: PC Host with Port Forwarding

  1. PC player hosts the server
  2. Forward ports 26900-26903 TCP/UDP
  3. Enable crossplay in settings
  4. Set to Public with password
  5. Share server name with console friends

Option 3: Official Servers

  • Join existing crossplay-enabled public servers
  • Filter server browser by crossplay
  • No setup required

Performance Considerations

Platform Differences

AspectPCConsole
Max View Distance12 chunks10 chunks
Load TimesVaries by hardwareGenerally longer
Frame RateUncapped60 FPS target
Graphics OptionsFull customizationPreset options

Tips for Smooth Crossplay

  • Choose servers geographically close to all players
  • Avoid peak hours if experiencing lag
  • Keep base complexity reasonable
  • Limit simultaneous zombie spawns in settings

FAQ

Can PC and PS5 play together?

Yes, with crossplay enabled and EAC on.

Can I use mods with crossplay?

No. Any mod on the server disables crossplay.

Why can't my PS5 friend see the server?

Server must be Public (not Friends-only), crossplay enabled, EAC on, and vanilla (no mods).

Can I transfer my character to another platform?

No. Save data is platform-specific.

Is PS4/Xbox One supported?

No. Only PS5 and Xbox Series X|S support crossplay.

Can I play split-screen crossplay?

Console split-screen works, but both local players connect as one to crossplay servers.