If a 7 Days to Die dedicated server lets one person join but rejects the next, check the server’s player cap and reserved slots first. Then verify the four cross-platform settings (when a console is involved), forward the configured ports to the correct private IP, and inspect visibility and network-protocol settings. Restart after every configuration change. The sequence below isolates a cap problem from a NAT, firewall, discovery, or version problem.
Prefer not to run the server on your own PC? Godlike.Host offers hosted 7 Days to Die servers with free DDoS protection and up to three free backups a day.
Fix it in this order
- Open the active configuration. Edit the live
serverconfig.xml, or open the equivalent settings panel supplied by your managed host. Editing a sample file or an inactive profile will not change the running server. - Raise the concurrent-player limit. Set
ServerMaxPlayerCountabove 1, without exceeding the documented supported maximum of 8. This value is the simultaneous-player cap. - Remove accidental slot reservations. Check
ServerReservedSlots. Reserved slots are counted inside the maximum and are available only to players who meet the configured permission level. Set the value to 0 for a normal open server unless you intentionally reserve places for moderators or other privileged players. - Apply the console cross-play checklist. If any player is on Xbox or PlayStation, use these values together:
ServerMaxPlayerCountset to a maximum of 8,ServerAllowCrossplay=True,EACEnabled=True, andIgnoreEOSSanctions=False. The official Help Center published or updated this checklist on April 21, 2026. - Restart the server. A restart is required before the edited values can govern new connections.
- Repair the network path. Keep the normal
ServerPortat 26900, or keep a custom port within 26900–26905 or 27015–27020 when LAN discovery is required. Forward the configured game and query ports from the router to the server computer’s fixed private IP, and allow them through the host firewall. The Fun Pimps support FAQ lists the Steam firewall ports that also need to be permitted. - Retest from outside the host’s LAN. Have a second player connect over a different internet connection if possible. A browser listing proves discovery, not that inbound traffic can complete a join.
If the second client still fails after these checks, compare the server and client versions and read the server log at the exact time of the rejected connection. There is no single documented error that explains every one-player failure.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat each setting actually controls
| Setting | Meaning | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
ServerMaxPlayerCount |
Maximum number of concurrent players; the documented supported maximum is 8. | Use a value greater than 1 for a two-person game, and never set it above 8. |
ServerReservedSlots |
Slots taken from the maximum and restricted to players meeting the configured permission level. | Use 0 on an ordinary public server. Reserve slots only when you know which permission level should consume them. |
ServerAllowCrossplay |
Enables console-compatible cross-play when set to True. |
Set to True for a mixed PC/console server. |
EACEnabled |
Required by the official console compatibility checklist. | Set to True for cross-platform play. |
IgnoreEOSSanctions |
Controls whether EOS sanctions are ignored. | Use False for the official cross-platform configuration. |
ServerPort |
The game server’s listening port; 26900 is the normal port. | Forward the actual configured port, not an assumed default, to the server host. |
ServerVisibility |
Controls how the server appears to other players. | Choose the value that matches whether the server should be public, friends-only, or unlisted. |
A common misleading configuration is a maximum of 2 combined with one reserved slot. The server can report a two-player capacity while an ordinary player has only one usable place; the reserved place is held for an account with the required permission. Setting reservations to zero is the cleanest diagnostic for an open cooperative server.
Why the first player joins and the second one does not
The cap is literally one
If ServerMaxPlayerCount is 1, the first connection consumes the entire concurrent-player allowance. A second client is rejected before network troubleshooting can help. This is the most direct explanation when the server consistently accepts exactly one player, regardless of who connects first.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
Reserved capacity is hidden from ordinary players
Reserved slots are subtracted from the headline maximum for players who do not meet the required permission level. For example, a four-slot server with two reserved slots can leave only two places for normal users. The server is not necessarily malfunctioning; its access policy is narrower than the number displayed in the title or browser.
Cross-platform compatibility is incomplete
Console clients add requirements that a PC-only server may not need. The official checklist treats the maximum of 8, cross-play enabled, EAC enabled, and sanctions not ignored as a set. Leaving one value out can make a console connection fail even though a PC player can join.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Discovery works but inbound traffic does not
A server can appear in a browser because discovery traffic reaches it while the actual game or query connection is blocked. A second client that times out after the listing appears points toward router forwarding, a changing private IP, or a host-firewall rule rather than the player cap.
Cross-play checks for Xbox and PlayStation players
When a console is part of the session, open the active configuration and verify the four values in the table together. Do not change only the cross-play toggle and assume the rest is automatic. The official Help Center’s April 21, 2026 article specifically requires a maximum player count of 8, ServerAllowCrossplay=True, EACEnabled=True, and IgnoreEOSSanctions=False.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Save the file or panel, restart the dedicated server, and have the console player search again. If the console still cannot join while a PC can, continue with port, visibility, protocol, and version checks rather than repeatedly changing the player cap. A cap setting cannot repair a blocked inbound route.
Router and firewall diagnosis
Use the server’s real private IP
Assign the host computer a fixed private address or a DHCP reservation. Forwarding to an address that changes after a reboot can produce an intermittent one-player symptom: a local player may connect while an internet player cannot, or the server may work until the router renews the lease.
Forward the configured ports
The normal server port is 26900. The reference documentation also identifies 26900–26905 and 27015–27020 as ranges to keep when LAN discovery is needed. If you selected a custom port, forward that exact port and its corresponding query traffic to the same host. Do not forward to a different machine running the game client.
Allow the host firewall
Create inbound allowances for the dedicated-server executable and the configured game and query ports on the operating system firewall. The Fun Pimps support FAQ lists the Steam firewall ports; use that list rather than opening random ports. Apply the rule to the network profile in use, and check that security software is not applying a second block.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
Test from outside the LAN
Use a phone hotspot or ask a friend on another connection to join. Testing two clients on the same home network can be distorted by a router’s hairpin-NAT behavior. If the external client times out while the browser lists the server, treat forwarding and firewall reachability as the primary fault until the logs demonstrate otherwise.
Visibility settings can look like a capacity problem
ServerVisibility value |
Effect | Connection implication |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Public | The server is listed publicly. |
| 1 | Friends-only | The first player must connect manually by IP because a dedicated server is not a friend account. |
| 0 | Not listed | Players need the server’s address and port; absence from the browser is expected. |
A friends-only or unlisted server may be healthy while a player concludes that it is full because the entry is missing or a join is attempted through the wrong discovery path. Confirm the visibility value before changing capacity. For value 1, give the first player the server IP and port for a manual connection; do not expect the dedicated server to appear as a friend profile.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Review ServerDisabledNetworkProtocols only after forwarding is correct
The dedicated-server reference says SteamNetworking should be disabled when there is no NAT router between users or when port forwarding has been configured correctly. This setting must match the actual topology. Changing it blindly can replace one connectivity problem with another, so first establish whether players are reaching the host through a router and whether the required ports are forwarded.
After changing the protocol list, restart the server and repeat the outside-LAN test. Record the previous value so it can be restored if the result is worse. Protocol selection affects how clients reach the server; it does not increase the concurrent-player cap.
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
Use the symptoms to choose the next branch
| Observed symptom | Most useful next check |
|---|---|
| The server always admits exactly one player, including two local clients. | Inspect ServerMaxPlayerCount and ServerReservedSlots before changing networking. |
| The second player is on a console and a PC player can join. | Verify the complete four-setting cross-play checklist, then restart. |
| The server is listed, but the second player times out. | Check the fixed private IP, router forwarding, host firewall, and external reachability. |
| The server is absent from the browser, but a direct IP connection works. | Inspect ServerVisibility and use the intended discovery method. |
| The first player connects manually, but later joins fail after a router restart. | Confirm that the host’s private IP did not change and that forwarding still targets it. |
| All settings and ports look correct, but one client is rejected. | Compare server and client versions and inspect the server log for the rejected join. |
Do not confuse a slow join with a one-player limit
The Fun Pimps support FAQ says map-transfer speed tops out at about 1300 KiB/s even when a higher value is configured. A second player may appear stuck while a world transfers, especially on a slower upload connection. Wait for the transfer to complete and look for a definite disconnect or rejection in the client and server logs before concluding that the server accepted only one player. This transfer ceiling describes delivery speed; it does not change the player-cap setting.
Version and log checks after configuration
Match the software versions
Confirm that the dedicated server and every client are on compatible versions and branches. A configuration can be correct while a version mismatch prevents one client from completing the handshake. Compare the exact version shown by the server and the affected player rather than relying on the game title alone.
Recommended Free Tools
Read the rejection at the right time
Keep the server log open or make a timestamped copy, then reproduce the failure with the second player. Look for the connection attempt, a slot or permission message, a network bind error, an authentication or anti-cheat failure, and any version-related rejection. The log identifies which layer failed; the generic symptom does not.
Change one layer at a time
After the initial cap and cross-play checks, avoid changing several unrelated values between tests. Change the router or firewall rule, test externally, then review the log. If that does not resolve the issue, evaluate visibility and network protocols. This preserves a clear cause-and-effect trail and makes it easier to undo an unsuccessful change.
Self-hosted server or managed hosting?
The same configuration requirements apply, but responsibility is divided differently. Use this comparison before moving a world to a hosted service.
| Decision point | Self-hosted on your PC or server | Managed dedicated hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration control | You edit the active serverconfig.xml and must know which profile is running. |
You use the host’s settings panel or file manager; confirm that it edits the active instance. |
| Router and firewall work | You are responsible for the fixed private IP, port forwarding, and host-firewall rules. | The provider normally supplies the public endpoint, while you still need to follow its connection and firewall instructions. |
| Console cross-play | You must meet the official four-setting checklist yourself. | Confirm that the selected service and plan support console cross-play before migrating. |
| Availability when the host PC is off | The server stops when the host machine or its connection is unavailable. | The service is intended to keep the instance running independently of your personal PC; verify uptime terms before purchase. |
| Geographic latency | Players connect to the location and upload capacity of your host connection. | Choose a data-center location suitable for the players and verify its network characteristics. |
| Backups and recovery | You must create and test your own world and configuration backups. | Check whether backups are included, how often they run, and how restoration works. |
Managed hosting can remove home-router maintenance, but it cannot make an invalid configuration valid. Ask specifically whether the service exposes ServerMaxPlayerCount, reserved slots, cross-play values, visibility, and protocol settings. Also confirm how to obtain logs before moving a world.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A clean retest procedure
- Stop the server and back up the active configuration and world.
- Set the player cap above 1 and no higher than 8; set reserved slots to 0 unless privileged reservations are intentional.
- If a console will join, apply the four official cross-play values exactly.
- Set the desired visibility value and note whether players should browse or connect by IP.
- Confirm the server port, fixed private IP, router forwarding, and firewall allowance.
- Review the network-protocol setting against the actual NAT and forwarding topology.
- Start the server and wait until it has finished loading.
- Connect one client, then connect a second client from outside the host’s LAN.
- If the second connection fails, capture the timestamp, client error, and corresponding server-log lines before making another change.
This sequence separates an intentional access policy from a transport failure. It also leaves a reversible configuration and a useful log record if the problem requires escalation to the hosting provider or game support.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
