How to Change the Version or Branch on Your 7 Days To Die Server

7 Days To Die receives regular updates, and The Fun Pimps sometimes releases experimental branches for players who want to try new features early. If your server is running a different version than your players, they will not be able to connect. The RiverHosting panel includes a built-in Version / Branch page that makes it easy to switch between stable releases and experimental builds without touching any files manually.

Before you start

• You must have an active 7 Days To Die server on your RiverHosting account. Log in to the panel at panel.riverhosting.com to get started.
• Changing the version or branch will restart your server. Let your players know before you make the switch so nobody loses progress mid-session.
• It is a good idea to take a backup of your world before changing versions. Open the Backups tab and create a manual backup first.
• Downgrading to an older version may cause world compatibility issues if your save was already generated on a newer version.

1. How to find the Version / Branch page

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
2. Click on your 7 Days To Die server from the server list.
3. In the left-hand menu, look for Version / Branch and click it.

This page shows you the current version your server is running, along with available versions and branches you can switch to.

2. How to switch to a different version or branch

1. On the Version / Branch page, you will see a list of available versions and branches. These typically include the current stable release and any available experimental or alpha branches.
2. Select the version or branch you want to switch to.
3. Confirm the change when prompted. The panel will begin updating your server files to match the selected version.
4. Wait for the update to complete. The server will restart automatically once the new version is installed.
5. Once the server is back online, confirm the version is correct by checking the Console tab. The startup log will usually show the version number.

3. How to confirm your players are on the same version

After switching, your players need to be running the same version on their own game client. Here is how to check:

1. Ask your players to open 7 Days To Die, go to their game launcher or Steam properties, and confirm the version or branch they are using.
2. If they are on Steam, they can opt into the experimental branch from the game's Properties menu under the Betas tab.
3. The server and client versions must match for players to connect successfully.

Troubleshooting

• The server will not start after switching versions. Check the Console tab for error messages. In some cases, a world save from a newer version is not compatible with an older version. Try loading a backup from before the version change, or generate a fresh world.
• The Version / Branch page is not showing new options. Try refreshing the page. If the list still looks outdated, contact RiverHosting support for help.
• Players still cannot connect after the switch. Double-check that the client version matches the server version exactly. Also confirm there are no firewall or connection issues by checking your server's connection details on the Network page.
• My world is gone after switching. This should not happen during a normal version switch, but if you see a blank world, check the Backups tab and restore your most recent backup.
• The update is taking a long time. Large version updates can take a few minutes to download and apply. Wait for the process to finish before trying to start the server manually.

Need help?

If you run into a problem that is not covered here, the RiverHosting support team is ready to help you out.