How to Start a Project Zomboid Server – Beginner’s Guide

This guide will show you step by step how to start your own Project Zomboid server. You will also learn how to configure it, install mods, and join the game.

What is Project Zomboid Server

A Project Zomboid server is a dedicated game environment that allows players to play with others in the same world. It works as a separate instance of the game that stores the map, progress, and gameplay settings, while the world remains active even when the server owner is not logged in.

In practice, the server manages all elements of multiplayer gameplay, being responsible for synchronizing players, saving progress, running mods, and controlling world settings such as difficulty level, zombie population, and PvP rules. Running your own server also gives greater control over the gameplay, making it possible to create a unique game world tailored to the playstyle of a specific community.

Project Zomboid Server RAM Requirements

The amount of RAM required to run a Project Zomboid server mainly depends on the number of players and the number of installed mods. The game itself is not very demanding, but in multiplayer mode the server must handle player synchronization, world simulation, and saving player progress.

• 4–5 GB of RAM is an ideal amount for small groups of up to about 10 players on servers with a low number of mods.
• 6–8 GB of RAM allows for a larger number of players (10+) and a higher number of mods.
• 8–10 GB of RAM is a good starting point if you plan to run a server on the latest versions of the game, such as Build 42. These versions typically require more memory at startup and during server restarts, and the RAM usage may increase as the game world progresses and becomes more complex.

Ways to Host a Project Zomboid Server

Before starting a server, it is worth deciding how it will be hosted. Some players choose to run the server on their own computer, which can be a good solution for a small group of friends and shorter gaming sessions. Others choose to rent a server from a dedicated hosting provider, which allows the server to stay online 24/7 and usually provides much better performance, stability, and easier management.

In the following sections, we will explain how to start a Project Zomboid server using both options.

Host a Project Zomboid Server on Your Own PC

1. Install Steam CMD

The first step is to install SteamCMD, the official tool from Valve that allows you to download and update files for dedicated game servers. It is recommended to create a separate folder for the server files so that the configuration and management of the server will be easier later. Extract the SteamCMD file into this folder.

2. Download server files

• Open the command prompt on your PC and navigate to the folder where SteamCMD is installed.

• Launch SteamCMD by entering the command:

steamcmd.exe (Windows)

./steamcmd.sh (Linux)

Next, in the SteamCMD terminal, enter the following commands in order:

login anonymous
force_install_dir ./pzserver 
app_update 380870 validate
quit

3. Setup Port Forwarding

Next step is to configure the ports. To do this, log in to your router and go to the Port Forwarding section. Then forward the following ports:

1. UDP 16261
2. TCP/UDP 8766–8767

Forward these ports to the local IP address of your computer.

4. Start Server

You are ready to start your server now. Run:

• start-server.bat (Windows)
• ./start-server.sh -servername servertest (Linux)

Host a Project Zomboid Server with a Hosting Provider

Renting a server from a hosting provider is the easiest way to run a stable Project Zomboid server without having to configure the entire infrastructure yourself. A good hosting service allows you to start a server in just a few minutes, and most settings can be changed directly from the control panel.

Here are some important features that a good hosting provider should offer:

• DDoS Protection – protection against network attacks that could cause the server to become unavailable
• Full SFTP access – full access to server files, allowing manual configuration and file management
• Steam Workshop mod support – the ability to easily install and manage mods
• Automatic backups – protecting your world and player progress
• High-quality hardware – sufficient resources to ensure stable gameplay
• Servers in multiple locations – the ability to choose the closest server location to reduce latency (ping)

Servers4Gamers provides all the essential features that a good hosting service should offer. To rent a server from us, you only need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Go to the Project Zomboid servers page and choose the hosting plan that suits your needs. We also offer flexible options for selecting the amount of RAM and the number of backups, so you can easily choose a configuration that fits your requirements.
2. Fill in the required information in the order form and proceed to payment.
3. Open the email with your control panel login details and start configuring your server.

Project Zomboid Server Configuration

Basic Server Settings

After starting your Project Zomboid server for the first time, the game will automatically generate configuration files. These files are located in the Zomboid/Server folder, and the most important one is the .ini file.

In this file, you can change many server variables, including the most important ones such as:

• Server name – the name that will appear in the server list
• Server description – a short description visible before players join
• Password – if you want the server to be private
• Maximum players – the maximum number of players that can join the server
• Server visibility – whether the server should be public or private
• Many more

You can edit this file using any text editor. After making changes, save the file and restart the server for the changes to take effect.

If you are not hosting the server yourself and are instead using our game server control panel, simply go to the Startup tab. There you will find all the basic settings, where you can change the values and restart the server.

Sandbox Server Settings

Another important file is _SandboxVars.lua, which is also located in the Zomboid/Server folder.

Sandbox settings allow you to control many aspects of gameplay on your server, including:

• Zombie population and respawn rate
• Zombie behavior and abilities
• XP multipliers for skills
• How quickly players become hungry or tired
• Other gameplay mechanics

This is where you can shape the overall experience of your server – from a hardcore survival challenge to a more casual and relaxed server for friends.

Setting Up Mods

Another important part of the configuration is adding mods. If you are hosting the server yourself, simply open the .ini configuration file and look for the following lines: Mods= and WorkshopItems=. Then add the mod names and their Steam Workshop IDs there.

Here is what it should look like:

WorkshopItems=123456789;987654321
Mods=ModName1;ModName2

Save the file and restart the server.

If you are using our game server control panel, simply go to the Workshop tab, find the mods in the list, and click Install. The selected mods will be installed along with any required dependencies, helping you avoid configuration errors, and the server will restart automatically.

Adding Admins

To manage the server and its players, it is necessary to grant administrator permissions to a selected user. To do this, go to your server console and use the following command:

SetAccessLevel [userame] admin

Join Project Zomboid Server

Now that you have created your server, you can try connecting to it. You can do this in two ways: through the server list or by using Direct Connect and entering the IP address.

To join a Project Zomboid server using the server list, you need to:

1. Launch the game and click Join.
2. Go to the Internet tab and type the name of your server in the search bar (bottom left corner).
3. When the server appears, click Join Server.

To join using an IP address, switch from the Internet tab to Favorites, then enter the IP address and port, and click Add. From now on, your server will always appear in the Favorites list, and you will be able to join it with one click.