Server config reference

The Config tab edits common values from the DayZ server configuration file, often named serverDZ.cfg. Use the grouped fields for normal changes. The Raw config panel is intended for experienced operators and may be read-only under your service policy.

For game-defined limits and behavior, also consult Bohemia Interactive’s official DayZ server configuration reference.

Configuration errors can prevent startup

Create a backup or download the current config before changing several fields. Save a small group at a time, restart, and check the RPT log. Never publish server, admin, or RCON passwords in screenshots or support channels.

Use grouped fields for routine changes. The screenshot deliberately replaces secret values with <hidden>; never expose the values from your own Raw config.

Save a configuration change

1. Open Configuration for the intended server, then select Config.
2. Select Refresh and wait for Synced.
3. Change the required fields only.
4. Review the Unsaved state and any raw-config validation error.
5. Select Save and wait for the success message.
6. Restart the server from Console when the setting requires it.
7. Confirm the result in the server browser and Logs.

Revert discards the current draft and returns to the last loaded configuration. Refresh reads the current server file again; use it carefully if another operator may have saved changes.

Identity

Field	Config key	Meaning
Hostname	hostname	Public server name shown in the DayZ server browser. Use a clear name that players can identify.
Description	description	Server description shown to players in the browser. DayZ limits it to 255 characters.

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Access

Field	Config key	Meaning
Server password	password	Password players must enter to join. Leave empty only when the server should be public.
Admin password	passwordAdmin	Password used to authenticate an in-game server administrator. Keep it separate from account and RCON passwords.
Whitelist	enableWhitelist	When on, only players present in the server whitelist can join. Prepare the whitelist file before enabling it.

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Changing a password normally requires a server restart. Existing connected players are not a reliable test of whether the new join password works.

Capacity

Field	Config key	Meaning
Max players	maxPlayers	Maximum number of player slots. Raising it can increase CPU, memory, network, and mod workload and may be limited by your plan.
Queue concurrent	loginQueueConcurrentPlayers	Number of queued players processed through login at the same time. A smaller value reduces connection bursts; a value that is too small slows entry.
Queue max	loginQueueMaxPlayers	Maximum players allowed to wait in the login queue.

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Mission

Field	Config key	Meaning
Template	template	Mission and terrain loaded at startup, commonly in mission.terrain form such as dayzOffline.chernarusplus. The matching mission folder must exist.
Instance ID	instanceId	Numeric DayZ instance identifier used to separate instance-specific storage and persistence on a host. Do not change it on a live server unless you intend to use a different storage set.
Shard ID	shardId	Shard/hive identifier supplied to the server configuration. Preserve the assigned value unless a migration procedure specifically requires a change.
Storage auto-fix	storageAutoFix	Lets DayZ check persistence files and replace detected corrupt files with empty ones. Keep verified backups because replacement is data loss, even when it restores startup.

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Instance and storage changes

Changing Template, Instance ID, or Shard ID can make the server appear to have a new/empty world because it points at different mission or storage data. Stop the server and back up the complete storage first.

Time

Field	Config key	Meaning
Server time	serverTime	Initial in-game time. SystemTime uses host time; DayZ also accepts a date/time such as 2015/4/8/17/23.
Day acceleration	serverTimeAcceleration	In-game time multiplier. 1 is real time; 24 makes a full in-game day pass in about one real hour. DayZ documents 0.1–64.
Night acceleration	serverNightTimeAcceleration	Additional night multiplier multiplied by Day acceleration. With day 2 and night 4, night advances at 8×. DayZ documents 0.1–64.
Persistent time	serverTimePersistent	Saves the current in-game time to storage and resumes it after a restart instead of applying the initial time again.

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Gameplay

Field	Config key	Meaning
Disable 3rd person	disable3rdPerson	When on, players cannot use the third-person camera.
Disable crosshair	disableCrosshair	When on, removes the standard on-screen crosshair.
Disable personal light	disablePersonalLight	When on, removes the built-in light around players at night.
Lighting config	lightingConfig	Night-lighting preset: 0 brighter night, 1 darker night, and 2 Sakhal-specific lighting. A gameplay JSON setting can override it when that file is enabled.

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Network and security

Field	Config key	Meaning
Steam query port	steamQueryPort	Port used for Steam server-browser queries. It must match the assigned network plan and must not conflict with another service.
Verify signatures	verifySignatures	Verifies mod PBO files against accepted signature keys. DayZ supports value 2; lowering or disabling it weakens mod integrity checks.
Force same build	forceSameBuild	Allows only clients with the same executable revision as the server when on. This helps reject version-mismatched clients.
Guaranteed updates	guaranteedUpdates	DayZ’s game-server communication protocol setting. Bohemia documents value 1; keep the assigned value.
Disable VoN	disableVoN	Disables in-game Voice over Network when on.
VoN codec quality	vonCodecQuality	Voice codec quality from 0 through 20; higher values improve voice quality and may use more bandwidth.
Log file	logFile	File name for saved server-console output in the profile/log directory, such as server_console.log.

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Changing a port does not automatically update player bookmarks, RCON tools, launch parameters, or external filtering. Review Server address and ports and contact support before changing an assigned port.

Raw config

The Raw config panel shows the complete configuration as a JSON object. It also reports the number of fields and lists keys that are not part of the grouped form.

Two editing methods are available when your policy permits them:

1. Grouped fields (recommended): constrained controls reduce typing and structure errors.
2. Raw config: preserves and edits less common keys but can change the whole document at once.

Format parses the draft and rewrites it as indented JSON. It does not save. If parsing fails, the panel shows the JSON error and disables saving until fixed.

Example structure:

{
  "hostname": "My DayZ server",
  "maxPlayers": 60,
  "enableWhitelist": 0
}

Raw editor writes the complete config

Removing an existing key from the raw JSON removes it from the saved document. Download the previous config, edit one purpose at a time, and never use a generic online JSON formatter for a file containing passwords.

Common problems

Problem	Check
Save stays disabled	Make a real change and resolve any raw JSON error. The field may also be read-only for your service.
Server will not start	Revert the last change, inspect the final RPT lines, and verify mission template, ports, and JSON value types.
Server disappeared from browser	Check server state, Steam query port, query filtering, and build match.
Players cannot join after access change	Check password, whitelist file, signatures, build, and mod versions.
Time moves unexpectedly	Multiply day acceleration by night acceleration to understand the effective night rate.

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