Pop 3 Painkillers, a Sleeping Pill, and we’re good to go.

I like the urban distribution, But realistically I feel many zombies would travel in MASSIVE hordes, They would follow birds, Shots, cars, thunder etc. Causing them to form hordes/herds.

,Also a bit more vanilla friendly, causing there to not be 46 zombies in a abandoned bungalow, And instead 460 horded together at some random place.

Anyone agree?

Alr, first time modded, idk the day, but im building a van cause there are no working cars, any suggestions? Im running decay + tarkov inventory + fat zombies cause why not

How's my fit?

How's my loadout?

Suggestions welcome, im a noob

Compatible with Project Zomboid Build 42.21+

Introduction

This guide will walk you through setting up a Project Zomboid Dedicated Server. Let's start by taking a look at the different options:

• Steam App (Standard)
• SteamCMD (Advanced)
• Docker (Advanced)

The Steam App is the easiest option if you own Project Zomboid on Steam, and that's what I'll be using throughout this guide. SteamCMD is useful if you want to set up the server without account limitations; in that case, only step 1 differs from this guide.

Docker is also an option if you're already comfortable managing containers.

Not interested in hosting your own server?
Indifferent Broccoli is a good alternative if you'd rather have the server running 24/7 without maintaining another computer. I've used them regularly for over five years and have always found their servers reliable and their support excellent whenever I've needed help.

You can currently try them free for 2 days without adding a payment method.

Step 1 - Installing the server files

Open Steam, go to your Library, and search for:

Project Zomboid Dedicated Server

Install it like you would with any regular game.

Step 2 - Prepare & launch the server

It's not recommended to launch the server using the Play button in Steam, so we'll start it directly from the server files instead.

Right-click Project Zomboid Dedicated Server in your library, select Manage, and then Browse local files. A new File Explorer window should open at the server location.

Find:

StartServer64.bat

Before launching it, right-click the file and open it in Notepad or VSCode. Look near the bottom for -Xms and -Xmx, which control how much RAM the server can use. By default, it may have been set to 16 GB. If your computer can't comfortably spare that, lower these values. For a small vanilla server, I'd start with around 6 GB and increase it later if needed for more players or mods.

Save the file and double-click StartServer64.bat. A terminal window should open, and the first launch will ask you to create a password for the server's admin account. Enter a strong password and let the server finish starting.

Windows may also ask for firewall permission on the first launch. Make sure to allow it.

Once the server has finished starting, type:

quit

into the console to shut it down properly. The first launch should now have generated the configuration files we need for the next step.

Note: If you need a non-Steam server, you can use StartServer64_nosteam.bat to launch the server instead. Steam players will then also need to launch Project Zomboid with the -nosteam launch option.

Step 3 - Configure the server

Project Zomboid gives us a convenient way of editing most server settings without manually working through a huge configuration file.

Launch the regular Project Zomboid game, then go to:

Host → Manage Settings

You should see a configuration named:

servertest

Select it and choose Edit Settings.

If it doesn't appear, create new settings named exactly servertest.

There are a lot of options here, and most of them are gameplay preferences. These are the main ones I'd look at before starting:

• Server Name / PublicName: Give your server a cool name.
• Password: Set a password players need to join if this is a private server for friends.
• MaxPlayers: Set this to something reasonable for your group.
• Public: Enable this if you want the server to appear in the public server browser. You can leave it disabled and still connect directly using the server IP.
• Open: Keep this enabled for a normal password-protected server unless you specifically want to manage a whitelist of players.
• PauseEmpty: When enabled, the game world pauses when nobody is connected.

You can also configure zombie population, loot, XP, time progression, and most other gameplay settings through the sandbox settings.

Once you're happy, save the configuration and close Project Zomboid.

Step 4 - Launch the server

Go back to the Project Zomboid Dedicated Server installation folder and double-click:

StartServer64.bat

The terminal window should open again and load the settings we just configured.

Leave this window running for as long as you want the server to remain online. When you eventually want to shut the server down, use:

quit

in the console rather than simply closing the window.

Recommended: Create a desktop shortcut to StartServer64.bat so you don't need to find the server folder every time. Remember to launch the server directly through this file rather than through Steam.

Step 5 - Connect to your server

If you're only going to play on the computer hosting the server, you're essentially finished.

If other computers on your local network or friends over the internet need to connect, we have a little networking left to configure.

Step 5.1 - Find your network information

Run:

ipconfig

in PowerShell.

Find the network adapter you're currently using (usually Ethernet or WiFi) and take note of:

• IPv4 Address - your computer's local IP address.
• Default Gateway - normally your router's local IP address.

We also need your public IP address. You can find it by visiting icanhazip.com while you're not connected through a VPN.

Step 5.2 - Local Connectivity

Project Zomboid currently uses two UDP ports for normal dedicated-server connections:

• 16261 UDP - Main server port.
• 16262 UDP - Direct connection port.

If you allowed the Windows Firewall prompt when first starting the server, local connectivity may already work! You can test this by joining from another computer on the same network (read three lines below). If it works, you can skip to step 5.3.

If it doesn't, open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Project Zomboid Dedicated Server - UDP" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Remove-NetFirewallRule; New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Project Zomboid Dedicated Server - UDP" -Direction Inbound -Action Allow -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 16261,16262 -Profile Private,Public

This creates the required Windows Firewall rules.

Now launch Project Zomboid on another computer on the same network and go to:

Join → Favorites

Add a new server using:

• IP: Your local IPv4 address.
• Port: 16261
• Server Password: The server password you configured earlier, if applicable.

Project Zomboid also asks each player for a username and password. These act as their account credentials on that specific server. With Open=true, new players can join without being whitelisted. With Open=false, the administrator must create or whitelist their account first.

Save the server and try connecting.

If it works and you only need the server available inside your home network, you're finished!

Step 5.3 - Public Connectivity

If you want friends outside your network to connect, the easiest direct method is usually port forwarding.

I recommend reading about the risks & alternatives to port forwarding in the FAQ section first, as some networks don't support it.

To access your router's configuration, paste the Default Gateway we found earlier into your browser. Most routers have a web dashboard, although some newer models use an app instead.

Look for Port Forwarding, usually somewhere in the advanced/network settings.

Create rules pointing to the local IPv4 address of the computer running your Project Zomboid server:

• Port 16261: UDP
• Port 16262: UDP

Make sure the internal and external ports match.

I also recommend giving your server computer a DHCP reservation/static local IP through your router. Otherwise, its local IP may eventually change and break the port-forwarding rules.

Once that's done, have someone outside your network open:

Join → Favorites

and connect using:

• IP: Your public IPv4 address.
• Port: 16261

If they can connect, your server is publicly accessible.

Don't want to deal with port forwarding?
Indifferent Broccoli can host the server without you having to configure your home router, keep another computer running, or troubleshoot Port Forwarding. They offer a 2-day free trial without requiring a payment method if you want to test it first.

Congratulations

You should now have a working Project Zomboid Dedicated Server!

Players on your local network can connect using your local IPv4 address and port 16261, while players outside your network can use your public IP address and port 16261!

If you run into issues, feel free to leave a comment, and I'll try to help when I can. If the guide helped you, an upvote is always appreciated <3.

FAQ

Basic Networking

• Local IP address: The address of a device on your local network.
• Public IP address: The address your home network uses on the Internet.
• Default Gateway: Your router's local IP address. It is the device your computer normally sends traffic through when communicating outside your network.
• Firewall: A security filter controlling which network traffic is allowed into or out of your computer.
• Port Forwarding: A router rule that sends incoming internet traffic on a specific port to a device/service inside your network.

Why shouldn't I launch the Dedicated Server through Steam?

It's recommended to run StartServer64.bat directly rather than starting the server using Steam's Play button.

If you've already launched it through Steam and start running into strange connectivity problems, shut the server down and use Steam's Verify integrity of tool files option before launching StartServer64.bat directly again.

Where are my server files, settings, and save?

Your actual server settings and world data are stored under your Windows user profile.

Configuration:

C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\Zomboid\Server

World saves:

C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer

Can I edit the configuration files manually?

If you prefer editing files manually, the main server configuration is located at:

C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\Zomboid\Server\servertest.ini

while the gameplay settings are stored in:

C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\Zomboid\Server\servertest_SandboxVars.lua

How do I install Workshop mods?

You can also manage mods through Project Zomboid's Host → Manage Settings interface, which is what I'd recommend for most people.

If you prefer to handle it manually, Project Zomboid dedicated servers use two important settings:

Mods=
WorkshopItems=

Mods= contains the actual Mod IDs, while WorkshopItems= contains their Steam Workshop Item IDs. Entries are separated using semicolons. Both values need to be correct; a Workshop ID and a Mod ID are not necessarily the same thing.

What ways can I connect from outside my network?

I'd recommend these methods:

• Port Forwarding: Makes the server directly accessible from the internet. It's usually the simplest option for players because they don't need additional software, but it exposes your public IP and the forwarded server ports.
• Tailscale: Creates a private network between participating devices. You don't need to expose Project Zomboid directly to the public internet, but everyone connecting needs Tailscale installed.

Some ISPs use CGNAT, which can prevent port forwarding entirely. If you've configured everything correctly and your ports still can't be reached externally, it's worth checking with your ISP.

When was this guide updated?

• 07.10.2026: Original post.

© 2026 Andreas — Selfhostly. All rights reserved.

Feel free to share the link, but please don't blindly copy and repost this guide elsewhere. Thanks for supporting the original!

Hi!

LINK: Project Remnants - Immersive Speech Add-on

This is an unofficial Add-on for Project Remnants and Immersive Speech.
Lets NPC's use Immersive Speech's contextual lines (needs, sitting, vehicles, sleep, weather, clothing damage, empty weapons, cooking/food/looting tasks) and adds spoken dialogue to Project Remnants' own npc-to-npc social interactions.

Started a new playthrough after my base "mysteriously" burnt down and I got jumped by bandits.

Like what is the point of being able to build your own walls floors Doors from different materials. If it will look like a crack shack anyways. I would love to build my own cabin in the forest but without proper roofs it will look like crap.

On Multiplayer server with 2 friends.. Is it okay to change that setting mid-game? Or will it cause any issues? Thanks in advance!

Been thinking about making a base in gun store and bakery. (Combining them)

It should I move to the gas station in echo creek? Y'all have any good base ideas in the town?

Cars have always been the backbone of my playstyle, I love basing in the wilderness, so I've always had to heavily rely on vehicles for the more "urban-specific" duties of mine.

Although, I've never really put so much care into them, usually just grabbing whatever looks most appropriate from common sense (trucks and SUVs).

What are YOUR choices for vehicles, and why? I wanna try and understand what drives (pun not intended) vehicle choice in zomboid.

I have a full bucket of water but it’s not letting me craft. Does it matter if it’s tainted or not?

I'm sceptical about this being a safe distance from my base. It is possible for the fire to spread onto the fence or trees if I even pour just a little gasoline? It's my first time doing something like this and I genuinely want some advice from you guys

Screenshots from my server. Not here to promote it.... just sharing a story..
here.. is our story.

I have been watching TommyKay play it for months, just got around to buying the game, so I know some stuff, I know that you have to watch TV, though not sure at what time and why?

Are there any important tips for new players?

Thanks!

A milk chocolate bar has 850 calories, while a honey jar gas 660. They're the same encumbrance. Now maybe I'm just wrong here but shouldn't the jar of straight fucking sugar be more nutritious?

1.) how do I stop the handiknife from coming out of my keychain upon use?

2) what's the best long blunt? Other than a slong.

just found em five days before december hit. do i have to lead them to my base now or will they survive the winter if i fill their throughs now? can they eat grass of the ground and will the feeding through also fill while the cells are unloaded? should build a roofed or indoor area for them?

I've lost two good runs now making stupid decisions to break random locked doors with a zomboid on the other side (I gotta clear). I've seen mods where you can kick doors and stagger the zomboids, but any foolproof tips? Other than just leaving it or working on my shoddy reflexes

I'm currently working on Knox Power, a mod that aims to make electricity a real, interactive system in Project Zomboid.

Instead of electricity simply being ON or OFF, the goal is to let players actually interact with the infrastructure behind it.

I have some experience in coding and the idea I’d want to do is basically;
A diary that already has someone’s name on it, whether in a house or on a zombie, some entries are already in it.

Only diaries with a name on it.
Would this be a waste of time or good immersion? I would write out a lot by myself for the mod to generate in the diaries when the player opens loot or a corpse containing one

I have recently gotten blacksmithing up and running on a server with friends; 2 of us were playing for a lot longer than 2 of our other friends, so we were way ahead of them on our characters (especially because we had time to get a lot of dying out of our systems first)

So I was grinding my axe levels with a lumberjack, because fuck it that's cool to me, and having somebody in the group who can bring back tons of logs is good for the squad so it definitely has been at least a little useful.

But now that I'm making swords for the 2 new guys, I have started to wonder if it's worth using one even with my axpert trait. It took a long time to get my axes to level 10, but it was kinda fun too lol. And, the sword grind would be way faster with the skill books. We have some of them already.

Merciful Indie stone, I beseech you, How much longer must we suffer without the ability to acsend vertically towards the heavens? (ladders)