How To Host A Project Zomboid Server
There are three ways to run a Project Zomboid server: the in-game Host button, a Project Zomboid dedicated server on your own computer, or a rented game server with a control panel. The in-game method is free and fine for a few friends on the nights you play. For a persistent world that stays online after you log off, you need a dedicated server.
This guide shows how to host Project Zomboid server worlds on Build 42: first a managed Project Zomboid server hosting plan on Sparked Host, then the self-hosted SteamCMD route.
Can You Host Your Own Project Zomboid Server?
Yes. Any Steam owner of Project Zomboid can run a server from the Host menu or the free dedicated server tool. The catch: a server on your PC only exists while your PC is on.
Method | Cost | Uptime | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
In-game Host menu | Free | While you play | 2–4 friends, short sessions |
Self-hosted dedicated server | Your hardware and power bill | While your machine runs | Tech-savvy users with a spare PC |
Project Zomboid server hosting | From $10/month | 24/7 | Persistent worlds, mods, public communities |
The in-game method is the easiest for small groups. A dedicated setup wins on reliability, persistence and larger groups, because the zombie survival world keeps running when the host sleeps. |
How Much RAM Does a Project Zomboid Server Need?
Project Zomboid is heavily memory-dependent. On Build 42, plan for 6–8 GB of RAM for 2–4 players and 12–16 GB for 8+ players or heavy mods. The Indie Stone’s Build 42 adds roughly 2–4 GB over Build 41, where a small group got by with 3–4 GB.
Players | Mods | RAM (Build 42) |
|---|---|---|
2–4 | A few mods | 6–8 GB |
5–8 | Light modlist | 8–10 GB |
8+ | Heavy mods or map mods | 12–16 GB |
For a lag-free server, single-thread CPU speed matters more than core count, and NVMe storage helps as chunks load. If players rubber-band when the group splits up, you need more RAM. |
How to Host a Project Zomboid Server on Sparked Host
Managed Project Zomboid server hosting skips port forwarding and SteamCMD. You pick a plan, log in to the control panel and press Start. Every plan includes DDoS protection and Apollo Panel, where you manage the whole game server.
Step 1: Choose a hardware tier and plan
Open the Project Zomboid server hosting page and choose a tier. Budget runs on Xeon processors with DDR4 at $1.00 per GB. Enterprise is more powerful hardware: Ryzen, DDR5 at $1.50 per GB and NVMe, for busy servers with many mods.
On Budget, Cotton gives you 10 GB of RAM for $10/month, Denim 12 GB for $12 and Leather 14 GB for $14. Denim suits 4–6 friends with a modest mod list.
Sparked Host Project Zomboid plan selector with Budget and Enterprise tiers
Step 2: Pick a location and backups
Choose the location closest to most players. Lower ping means lag-free combat when one late swing gets you bitten.
Then add backups: 3 slots cost $1.00/month, and the default is none. In a zombie survival game where you manage hunger, injuries and mental health, losing a 40-day character to a corrupted save hurts.
Location and backup options in the Sparked Host checkout
Step 3: Log in to Apollo Panel
After checkout, you’ll get an email titled “Panel Account Details” with the panel link and your login. You can also click Login via Billing to use your Client Area account. On the Servers page, select your Project Zomboid server.
Apollo Panel servers page with a Project Zomboid server listed
Step 4: Name your server and set up the admin account
The Properties tab holds your server settings; no editing files by hand. Set PublicName, add a Password for a private server and adjust MaxPlayers.
Properties tab in Apollo Panel with PublicName and MaxPlayers
In the Startup tab, note the admin username and admin password: that’s the account you’ll join with. Keep Steam Auto Update on, so the server pulls the latest version on every restart.
Startup tab with admin credentials and Steam Auto Update
Step 5: Start the server and copy the IP
In the Console tab, click Start to boot the game server. The first boot takes a few minutes while the server files are downloaded and the world is generated. Then copy the IP and port shown above the Start and Stop buttons.
Console tab showing the server IP, port and Start button
Step 6: Connect from the game client
Open Project Zomboid, click Join in the main menu and add an entry with the IP, port, your username and the server password. Once you successfully connect, the game will create your character.
The usual error is a version mismatch or mods the client hasn’t downloaded. Let your Steam client finish updating; The Indie Stone patches Build 42 often.
Project Zomboid Join screen with server IP and port fields
How Steam Workshop Mods Install on Your Project Zomboid Server
Steam Workshop mods install through two fields: WorkshopItems tells the server which files to download, and Mods tells it what to load. Missing either one is why most modded servers boot vanilla.
Find the Workshop ID and Mod ID
The Workshop ID is the number at the end of the mod’s Steam Workshop URL; the Mod ID is usually at the bottom of the description. In the following example, ?id=3378304610, the Workshop ID is 3378304610 and the Mod ID is RepairableWindows.
Check for a Build 42 tag first: one outdated Build 41 mod can stop the server from loading. Project Zomboid mods aren’t all updated.
Steam Workshop mod page showing the Workshop ID and Mod ID
Add them in the Properties tab
In Properties, paste the Workshop ID into WorkshopItems and the Mod ID into Mods, separating multiple entries with semicolons (3378304610;2875848298). Restart the server.
Users who join without those Zomboid mods get prompted, so Steam Workshop mods install on their side too.
WorkshopItems and Mods fields filled in Apollo Panel
Project Zomboid Server Settings Worth Changing First
Game settings live in two files: the server .ini (PvP, access, backups) and SandboxVars.lua (zombies, loot, XP). In the file manager (Files tab), navigate to ServerFiles/Server. Self-hosted, the default folder is Zomboid/Server/, with servertest.ini and lua files.
Files tab in Apollo Panel showing the ServerFiles/Server folder
- XP multiplier at 2× or 3×. Multiplayer can’t fast-forward time like single-player, so skills level slower. Set it in Sandbox Options.
- PauseEmpty = true. Game time stops when nobody is online.
- TrashDeleteAll = true. Players empty bins instead of littering, which helps performance.
- BackupsOnStart and BackupsPeriod. Extra in-game backups.
Automate a restart every 12 hours from the Schedules tab to keep memory use in check.
Sandbox Options window in the Project Zomboid admin panel
Project Zomboid Admin Commands You’ll Use on Day One
Join with the admin account and type admin commands in chat with a slash, or in the console without one.
Command | What it does |
|---|---|
/setaccesslevel "username" admin | Gives a player admin rights |
/kickuser "username" | Removes a player |
/servermsg "text" | Messages everyone online |
/save | Saves the world |
Run /save before manual restarts. A crash mid-save can corrupt a world, which is why dedicated server hosting with clean stops beats a frozen home PC. |
How to Run a Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Yourself
Running your own Project Zomboid server at home is free, but ports and uptime are on you. For 2–4 players you don’t need powerful hardware, just a machine that stays on.
Download the server files with SteamCMD
Install SteamCMD, pick an install directory and download app 380870:
bash
steamcmd +force_install_dir /home/pz +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quitlogin anonymous works because no game ownership is required. On Windows, the Project Zomboid Dedicated Server also sits under Tools in your Steam library.
SteamCMD downloading the Project Zomboid dedicated server files
Allocate memory
On Windows, edit -Xmx in StartServer64.bat inside the installation folder (-Xmx8g = 8 GB); that batch file launches the server. On Linux, the value is in ProjectZomboid64.json in the installation directory.
Open ports 16261 and 16262
Each Project Zomboid server instance needs two clear UDP ports, 16261 and 16262 by default. Forward both and allow them in the Windows or Linux firewall, or outside players can’t connect.
Keep it running
On Linux, create a tmux session (tmux new -s pz), run ./start-server.sh and detach with Ctrl+B, D. It survives closing the terminal. Use a wired connection with 5+ Mbps upload for a small group; more users need more.
When the In-Game Host Menu Is Enough
Host in the main menu runs the world on your PC, and you’ll usually still forward 16261 and 16262 for friends outside your network. It’s perfect for weekend co-op, useless once someone wants to play while you’re offline.
Check what everyone owns: the non-Steam version (GOG) only joins servers started with -nosteam in their launch options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I host my own Project Zomboid server?
Yes. Any Steam owner can use the Host menu or the free Project Zomboid Dedicated Server tool. For your own server to stay online 24/7, use a machine that never turns off or rent Project Zomboid server hosting.
How do I host a multiplayer server for Project Zomboid?
For Project Zomboid multiplayer with a few friends, click Host in the main menu and forward UDP 16261 and 16262. For a persistent world, rent one or set up a dedicated Project Zomboid server with SteamCMD.
Does it cost money to host a Project Zomboid server?
Self-hosting costs only hardware and electricity. Managed Project Zomboid hosting on Sparked Host starts at $10/month for 10 GB, with a 24-hour free trial, and the service includes DDoS protection.
How do I set up a Project Zomboid server?
On a managed game server: buy, log in, set the name and access in Properties, and press Start. Self-hosted: get the files with SteamCMD, set -Xmx, open ports, run the start script.
Which Setup Should You Pick?
For a weekend with two friends, use Host. If your group wants a zombie survival world that runs between sessions, reliable mods and DDoS protection, rent Project Zomboid hosting with 10–12 GB of RAM.
Denim on Budget is the best Project Zomboid starting point for 4–8 players; upgrade later by ticket. Compare the Project Zomboid hosting plans and get your own Project Zomboid server running tonight’s session.
Updated on: 04/11/2026
Thank you!