How do I connect to my server via RCON?

You can use the rcon-cli command-line tool (available in the official gorcon/rcon-cli GitHub repository) with the -t telnet option. Provide your IP address, Telnet port, and Telnet password.

7 Days to Die: RCON

Learn how to securely manage your 7 Days to Die game server remotely without joining in-game—making server administration more efficient. Find out more →

10 November 20263 min read2 Views0 helpful

Introduction

RCON (Remote Console) is a network protocol that lets you control game servers remotely. It provides access to the server console without requiring direct interaction with the server environment. This allows you to run administrative commands, adjust configuration settings, or retrieve server status information.

In 7 Days to Die, RCON is used to run server-side commands, such as managing players, changing gameplay settings, or retrieving diagnostic output. The connection is password-protected and uses a dedicated port that can be accessed through compatible RCON clients.

One major benefit of RCON is that you can manage the server without being connected to the game as a player. Server admins can conveniently monitor and control 7 Days to Die using external tools, command-line interfaces, or web dashboards—making remote management flexible and practical.

Configuration

In 7 Days to Die, RCON works through the game's Telnet interface. You need to enable it before you can use it. You can do this directly in ZapX: open the Configuration tab for your game server and set these two fields under Startup Parameters:

Telnet Enabled: set to true.
Telnet Password: enter a secure password.

Save your settings and restart your server to apply them.

Important

Do not enter the Telnet password directly in serverconfig.xml. Each time your server starts, it writes the values from the startup parameters to the TelnetEnabled, TelnetPort, and TelnetPassword entries in the file, overwriting any changes made directly to the file.

According to the game, without a Telnet Password, the Telnet interface can only be accessed locally on the server, so you won't be able to connect from outside. ZapX assigns a fixed port to your server. You can find it under Additional Ports in the Overview: hover over a port to see its name. The Telnet port is called Telnet.

Connecting via RCON

To connect to your 7 Days to Die game server via RCON, you can use the rcon-cli command-line tool, for example. Download it from the official GitHub repository. After installing it on your computer, connect using your server's IP address, the Telnet port, and the password.

The password is the value in the Telnet Password field. As described above, you can find the port in the Overview. Use the following command to connect and run a command right away:

bash

rcon-cli -a [IP]:[PORT] -p [PASSWORT] -t telnet befehl

Tip

You don't need RCON to run individual commands: enter them directly in your server's Console in ZapX.

RCON Commands

Once connected via RCON, you can run various administrative and diagnostic commands on your 7 Days to Die game server. Available commands depend on the game, but typically include player management, status checks, and server controls.

Command	Description
`dm` or `debugmenu on`	Enables developer mode
`giveme <ItemName> <count>`	Gives you an item
`buffplayer <ID> <buff>`	Gives a player a buff
`tele <x> <y> <z>`	Teleports you to the specified coordinates
`settime <seconds>`	Sets the current in-game time
`setgameday <day>`	Sets the current game day
`spawnentity <ID>`	Spawns an entity by ID
`kick <player>`	Kicks a player from the server
`ban <address>`	Bans an IP address or a player
`saveworld`	Manually saves the world state

Conclusion

RCON is an essential tool for remotely administering 7 Days to Die game servers. It provides quick, direct access to administrative functions and protects access with password authentication. Correct and secure configuration is essential to ensure server stability and prevent unauthorized access.

If you have any questions or need help, our support team is here for you every day—just get in touch! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

RCON (Remote Console) lets you control the server remotely—run administrative commands, adjust settings, or retrieve status information without being connected to the game. In 7 Days to Die, it works through the game's Telnet interface.

In the Configuration tab, under Startup Parameters, set Telnet Enabled to true, enter a secure password in the Telnet Password field, and restart the server. Any changes made directly in serverconfig.xml will be overwritten at the next startup with the values from the startup parameters.

Use the Telnet port assigned to your server by ZapX. Find it under Additional Ports in the Overview; hover over it to see the name Telnet.

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7 Days to Die: RCON

Introduction

Configuration

Connecting via RCON

RCON Commands

Conclusion

Frequently asked questions

7 Days to Die

Configuration

Connecting via RCON

Conclusion

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting