DayZ Dedicated Server: Admin Commands & serverDZ.cfg Guide
Data Verified: May 2026Definitive DayZ server reference. Configure serverDZ.cfg, install mods via the Steam Workshop, manage admin RCON via BattlEye, and size hardware for stable 60-slot Chernarus or Livonia servers.
Commands & configuration database
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
hostname | EXAMPLE NAME | Public server name displayed in the DayZ launcher and in-game browser. | |
password | (empty) | Password required to join the server. Leave empty for public servers. | |
passwordAdmin | (empty) | Password used to log in as a server admin in-game (#login). | |
maxPlayers | 60 | Maximum concurrent player slots. Standard public caps are 60 or 80. | |
verifySignatures | 2 | BattlEye signature verification level. 2 is required for public modded servers. | |
BattlEye | 1 | Enables the BattlEye anti-cheat. Set to 0 only for private testing. | |
disableVoN | 0 | Disables in-game Voice over Network when set to 1. | |
disable3rdPerson | 0 | Forces first-person-only mode when set to 1 (1PP servers). | |
serverTime | SystemTime | Starting world time. Use `SystemTime` or `YYYY/MM/DD/HH/MM`. | |
serverTimeAcceleration | 12 | Multiplier for in-game daytime speed (1 = realtime). | |
serverNightTimeAcceleration | 1 | Separate multiplier applied at night to shorten or lengthen darkness. | |
respawnTime | 5 | Seconds before a dead player can respawn. | |
lootHistory | 1 | Number of past restarts loot positions are remembered, preventing instant respawn. | |
instanceId | 1 | Unique mission instance ID; must be unique per server on the same machine. | |
storageAutoFix | 1 | Automatically repairs storage character files on load. |
Showing 15 of 15 configuration parameters.
| Command | Default Value | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
#login <password> | N/A | Authenticates as an in-game admin using the passwordAdmin value. | |
#logout | N/A | Drops admin status for the current session. | |
#shutdown | N/A | Cleanly shuts down the server (commonly bound to restart schedulers). | |
#restart | N/A | Restarts the current mission without dropping the server process. | |
#kick <id|name> | N/A | Kicks a player by ID or partial name. | |
#mission <name> | N/A | Switches to a different mission (e.g. dayzOffline.chernarusplus). | |
RCon: players | N/A | Lists all currently connected players with IP, ping and GUID. | |
RCon: ban <id> <time> <reason> | N/A | Bans a player via BattlEye RCON. Time in minutes, 0 = permanent. | |
RCon: kick <id> <reason> | N/A | Kicks a player via BattlEye RCON with a visible reason. | |
RCon: say -1 <message> | N/A | Broadcasts a global message to all players from RCON. | |
RCon: loadBans | N/A | Reloads the BattlEye bans.txt file without restarting the server. |
Showing 11 of 11 admin console commands.
Recommended hosting providers
Vetted hosts with one-click DayZ installs. Links are affiliate placeholders and marked rel="sponsored".
Official DayZ partner with one-click console-cross-play servers, mod uploads, and an integrated Mission File editor.
Visit Nitrado →High-clock plans tuned for DayZ's single-thread bottleneck, with web-based serverDZ.cfg editor.
Visit GTXGaming →DDoS-protected dedicated nodes ideal for full 60-slot modded Chernarus/Livonia communities.
Visit Host Havoc →Hardware specifications
Sizing guidance for self-hosting a DayZ dedicated server.
| Tier | Specification | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Small (1-20 players) | 4 GB RAM / 2-core 3.5 GHz+ CPU | Vanilla Chernarus, small private community. Idles around 2-3 GB. |
| Standard (20-50 players) | 8 GB RAM / 4-core 4.0 GHz+ CPU / NVMe SSD | Active vanilla or light-mod server. NVMe drastically improves region streaming. |
| Modded (50-80 players) | 16 GB RAM / 6-core 4.5 GHz+ Dedicated Node / NVMe | Heavy mods (DayZ Expansion, Namalsk). Single-thread clock matters more than core count. |
Default file locations
Default installation paths for DayZ dedicated servers installed via SteamCMD.
Windows
C:\DayZServer\Linux
/home/steam/dayzserver/Pro-Tip: Always stop the server completely before editing configuration files, or the server will overwrite your changes upon restart.
Default ports for port forwarding
Open these on your router and firewall before exposing the server to the internet.
| Service | Protocol | Port |
|---|---|---|
| Game Port | UDP | 2302 |
| Query Port | UDP | 27016 |
| RCON / Telnet | UDP | 2310 |
Frequently asked questions
Other dedicated servers you might run
Browse all games →7 Days to Die
Zombie SurvivalThe ultimate cheat sheet for 7 Days to Die serverconfig.xml parameters, admin console commands, map generation, and port forwarding.
26 configs · 18 consoleOpen guideKilling Floor 2
Zombie SurvivalComplete Killing Floor 2 dedicated server reference. Configure PCServer-KFGame.ini, enable Webadmin, mutators, custom maps, Workshop sync, and size hardware for stable 6-12 player servers.
10 configs · 6 consoleOpen guideLeft 4 Dead 2
Zombie SurvivalComplete Left 4 Dead 2 dedicated server guide. Configure server.cfg, mapcycle, sv_search_key for matchmaking, mutations, Sourcemod plugins, and size hardware for stable 8-32 slot servers.
10 configs · 6 consoleOpen guideProject Zomboid
Zombie SurvivalComprehensive Project Zomboid server guide. Access essential admin console commands, server configuration parameters, and hardware requirements for hosting stable communities.
6 configs · 21 consoleOpen guideUnturned
Zombie SurvivalComplete Unturned dedicated server guide. Configure Commands.dat, manage workshop maps and curated/vanilla rules, RocketMod/OpenMod, and size hardware for stable 24-slot communities.
11 configs · 10 consoleOpen guideARK: Survival Evolved
Creature SurvivalComplete ARK: Survival Evolved admin reference. GameUserSettings.ini & Game.ini tuning, taming/harvest multipliers, RCON commands, cluster setup, and hardware sizing for large tribes.
16 configs · 10 consoleOpen guide
Host your own DayZ server
All hosting guides →Step-by-step install and deploy walkthroughs (panels, ports, RAM sizing). Pair these with the command reference above.