Survival Guide

Project Zomboid

Detailed connection, admin, file, settings, mods, backup, wipe, and troubleshooting notes for Project Zomboid dedicated servers.

Connect & First Checks

Before editing files

Use the in-game Join menu and add IP, port, account username, and password if required.
Players need every Workshop mod in the configured WorkshopItems/Mods lists.
If using a custom map, players need matching map mods and the server Map order must be correct.

Stop server before edits

Zomboid/Server/<name>.ini	Main server config: public name, password, ports, players, WorkshopItems, Mods, Map, safety/PvP settings.
Zomboid/Server/<name>_SandboxVars.lua	Sandbox and world rule settings such as loot, zombie population, infection, day length, and vehicle rules.
Zomboid/Server/<name>_spawnregions.lua	Spawn regions and custom spawn points.
Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/<name>	World save data.
Zomboid/db	Player database and server user data.

High-use values

PublicName / PublicDescription	Browser listing text.
Password	Private server password.
MaxPlayers	Player cap.
WorkshopItems	Semicolon-separated Workshop IDs.
Mods	Semicolon-separated internal mod IDs, not always the same as Workshop IDs.
Map	Map load order. Custom maps often need to appear before Muldraugh, KY.
PVP / SafetySystem	Combat and safety behavior.
PauseEmpty	Whether the world pauses with no players online.

Staff access

Use the generated admin account or panel console.
Console command setaccesslevel "username" admin grants admin to a player account.
Use /grantadmin or access-level tools only after the player account exists.

Install carefully

Add Workshop IDs to WorkshopItems and internal mod IDs to Mods. Both are required for most mods.
Keep load order stable. Custom maps require careful Map order.
After mod changes, restart and have players resubscribe/restart Steam if mismatched.

Protect player data

Back up Server config files, Saves/Multiplayer, and db together.
Before removing map/item mods, warn players that items/tiles may disappear.
For a wipe, archive the Multiplayer save folder and db if you want fresh characters too.

Common tickets

Workshop download loop	Wrong WorkshopItems ID, removed Workshop item, or Steam download issue.
Mod mismatch	Internal Mods name does not match Workshop mod ID or client has stale version.
Admin account missing	Player has not created/logged into the server account yet.
Map missing/black cells	Map order wrong or clients missing custom map mods.

Docs and sources