Project Zomboid Server Hosting

You must enter the `WorkshopItems` (IDs of the mods) and `Mods` (names of the mods) in the `servertest.ini`. Pay attention to the correct order and dependencies!

PZ is very RAM hungry — far more so than most survival games. Below 10 GB a server does not run reliably: it crashes as soon as several players load new map areas at once. That is why 10 GB is our smallest plan. With many mods, vehicles or map expansions, 14 GB or more is the better choice.

Set a password for the admin account in the config or use the command `/setaccesslevel [Name] admin` in the console.

A Soft Reset deletes all items lying on the ground and resets zombies, but keeps buildings and character progress. Good for cleaning up.

The world rules live in `servertest_SandboxVars.lua` — zombie population, loot respawn, XP multiplier, and more. Edit the file before server start in the panel or via SFTP; as admin you can also change many options in-game through the admin panel.

Yes, you must install the map mod and enter the mod map BEFORE the standard map (`Muldraugh, KY`) in the config under `Map`.

Restart the server. Our system installs the update automatically.

Not yet. Human NPCs are announced for Build 43 and are not in the game currently. Build 42 introduced animals instead — hunting, breeding, and animal husbandry.

The default config value is `MaxPlayers=32`. For stable performance the player count depends on RAM and mod list: our 10 GB entry plan is sized for around 16 players, 24 GB for around 44. Since Build 42 the server computes every player's inventory itself — for large groups, plan one tier higher.

Yes, the world saves everything: Broken windows, parked cars, corpses. Nothing just disappears (except by rotting).

Yes, in the server options you can allow PvP (`PVP=true`) and even set a 'Safety System' time.

By default, sleep is disabled. You can enable it (`SleepAllowed=true`), but all players must sleep at the same time for time to skip.

This happens when the server doesn't load the map fast enough. Assigning more RAM and checking the internet connection usually helps.

Choose between Germany (EU), Salt Lake City, UT (US West), Charlotte, NC (US East), and Noida (India). Compare locations with the ping test and consider where your fellow players are based.

Yes, you can set the server to 'Open=false' and manually add users to the whitelist.

Yes, in the config under `PublicName`.

The logs are located in the `Logs` folder or can be viewed in the web interface. Important for mod errors.

Yes, in the sandbox options you can set if and how often loot respawns in containers.

By default the current stable version — since 29 July 2026 that is Build 42.20 with multiplayer. Your server picks up the update automatically on the next restart. To stay on Build 41, switch to the legacy41 branch in the panel; for a world from unstable 42.19 there is the 42.19 branch, as those saves are not compatible with 42.20.

Yes. The Indie Stone provides the legacy41 branch for exactly this — explicitly for server owners too. You switch it in the panel, and everyone playing selects the same branch in Steam under Properties → Game Versions & Betas. Client and server have to match.

Worlds from unstable 42.19 are not — the additional map content makes them incompatible with 42.20; use the 42.19 branch to keep playing them. For Build 41 worlds, plan a fresh world or stay on Build 41 via legacy41. Create a panel backup before any switch.

The inventory system and all TimedActions now run server-side instead of on the client, together with an anti-cheat suite against speed, hit, noclip and inventory manipulation. That costs compute: our entry plan for Project Zomboid is therefore 10 GB of RAM.

The 10 GB prepaid plan costs 18.00 €/month, with long-term discounts of up to 20% from 12.60 €/month. Alternatively, pay-per-use from 0.0958 €/hour means you only pay for actual playtime — 6 hours cost around 0.57 €.

The server stops. Your world remains safe. After topping up, it continues.

You can set up manual or automatic backups for a minimal fee. That way your world is protected against loss.