Boost your DayZ server FPS without changing servers: lower loot spawn rates and infected counts, tune serverDZ.cfg, clean up faster, drop mods you don't need and restart regularly.
Server FPS is how many times per second your server updates the world. When it drops, players feel it as desync, rubber-banding, laggy doors and zombies that teleport. All of the changes below are free and quick to test.
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Before you boost your DayZ server FPS
- Take a backup with Backup Server so you can go back if a change makes things worse.
- Press STOP before you edit any file, so a running server can't overwrite your changes.
- Edit the files through Configuration Files or File Manager. The economy files (
types.xml,globals.xml) are inmpmissions/<your mission>/db/. - After editing an XML file, run XML Validator. One missing bracket is enough to stop loot spawning.
- Press START and watch the Log Viewer for errors.
To measure the result, this serverDZ.cfg setting writes the average server FPS to the server log, with the value being the interval in seconds:
logAverageFps = 30; // logs the average server FPS every 30 seconds, needs the -doLogs launch parameterIf no FPS lines appear in the Log Viewer after a restart, open a support ticket and we'll check it for you.
1. Reduce active objects and AI
Every item and every infected in the world costs server time. Edit types.xml to lower the spawn rates and maximum counts of items. Fewer items in the game world (especially high-poly items and assets nobody uses) can lower the server's processing load a lot.
| Tag in types.xml | What it does |
<nominal> | The maximum count: the target number of this item on the map. Lower it to spawn fewer. |
<min> | When the count falls below this, the server spawns more. Keep it below nominal. |
<restock> | Seconds before the server restocks this item. A higher value slows the spawn rate. |
<lifetime> | Seconds an item stays on the ground before it despawns. Lower it for junk items. |
Go after the biggest numbers first: common clutter, clothing, food and anything a mod added in bulk.
The AI caps are in globals.xml. Lowering ZombieMaxCount is one of the quickest FPS wins on a busy server:
| Setting in globals.xml | Vanilla value | What it does |
ZombieMaxCount | 1000 | Maximum infected on the map at once |
AnimalMaxCount | 200 | Maximum animals on the map at once |
Lowered loot too far and now nothing spawns? See How to fix no loot or zombies spawning.
2. Limit maximum player slots
Lower the maximum player count to reduce load. Fewer players mean less processing, which gives a higher and more stable server FPS. If the FPS only drops when the server is full, a lower slot count helps most. See How to change your player slots package.
3. Optimise the server configuration
Open Configuration Files and edit serverDZ.cfg with the Text Editor. The goal is to cut unnecessary logging and background work.
Older guides (including an earlier version of this one) suggest disableServerLogs, networkRangeD and networkRangeS. These settings are not in Bohemia's official serverDZ.cfg reference. Use the real settings below instead.
Logging: keep the admin log options at 0 and only switch on extra logs while you need them:
adminLogPlayerHitsOnly = 0;
adminLogPlacement = 0;
adminLogBuildActions = 0;
adminLogPlayerList = 0;Ping limit: this kicks players with a very high ping, who can strain server resources:
maxPing = 200; // Kicks high-ping players who may strain server resourcesNetwork range: these decide how far away the server sends updates about objects and sounds to each player. The values below are the defaults:
networkRangeClose = 20; // close objects with items in them, such as backpacks, in metres
networkRangeNear = 150; // near inventory items, in metres
networkRangeFar = 1000; // far objects (other than inventory items), in metres
networkRangeDistantEffect = 4000; // distant effects, currently only sounds, in metres
multithreadedReplication = 1; // keep this on: spreads the replication work over more CPU threadsAdjust the network ranges to how your server is used. Lowering networkRangeFar (for example to 800) and networkRangeDistantEffect reduces the work per player, especially with a high player count. Don't go too low: players will see objects pop in late and stop hearing distant shots.
4. Adjust cleanup intervals
The object cleanup interval is how quickly the server removes bodies, ruined items and abandoned loot. Set it in globals.xml to clear unused items more aggressively. These are the vanilla values, in seconds:
CleanupLifetimeDeadPlayer(vanilla 3600): Dead player bodiesCleanupLifetimeDeadInfected(vanilla 330): Dead infectedCleanupLifetimeDeadAnimal(vanilla 1200): Dead animalsCleanupLifetimeRuined(vanilla 330): Ruined itemsCleanupLifetimeDefault(vanilla 45): Items with no lifetime of their own
<var name="ZombieMaxCount" type="0" value="800"/>
<var name="CleanupLifetimeDeadPlayer" type="0" value="1800"/>Some guides mention a deletionLimits setting. It isn't in Bohemia's official globals.xml: use the CleanupLifetime settings above.
5. Remove unnecessary mods
Each mod can add scripts, objects and assets that increase the server's workload. Remove or disable the mods that aren't essential to gameplay, and be careful with mods that spawn lots of extra items or AI. Test mods a few at a time so you can spot the heavy one.
6. Restart the server regularly
Plan regular restarts to clear memory and refresh server resources. A DayZ server slows down the longer it runs, and a restart every 3 to 6 hours brings the FPS back up. Schedule them with warnings for your players: How to set up automatic restarts with in-game messages.
7. Process priority
On your own machine you could raise the priority of the DayZ server process so it gets more resources. On GTX Gaming hosting this is handled by us, so there is nothing for you to change here.
8. Reduce network lag
Lower lag between players and the server makes the game feel smoother for everyone. The network range and maxPing settings in step 3 are what you control. Most of your players far from the server? Moving the server to a location closer to them helps too: you can do that yourself through Upgrade/Downgrade Options in the Client Area.
Start with the changes that have the biggest effect (fewer item spawns and fewer player slots) and check the server FPS after each change. Tried everything and still need more? A bigger hardware package gives the server more headroom: How to upgrade your hardware package.
Questions
Does DayZ server FPS affect my FPS in game?
Not directly. Your in-game FPS depends on your own PC and graphics settings. DayZ server FPS is how often the server updates the world. Low server FPS shows up as desync, rubber-banding and delayed actions for everyone, even players with fast PCs.
Do I need to wipe the server after lowering loot in types.xml?
No. The server stops spawning new items once the count is at or above the new nominal, and existing items despawn over time when their lifetime runs out. The map gets lighter over a few restarts.
My server won't start after editing an XML file. What now?
Run XML Validator. It checks your XML files and points out the mistake. Fix it, or put back the file from your backup, then press START.
Related guides
Still lagging? Open a support ticket. Our team is here 24/7.
