How to Host Project Zomboid Dedicated Server

Hello Dev! Are you looking for a guide on how to host Project Zomboid dedicated server? If yes, then you have come to the right place. In this article, I will walk you through the step-by-step process of hosting a dedicated server for Project Zomboid. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Getting Started

The first thing you need to do is download the Project Zomboid server files from the official website. Once downloaded, extract the contents of the file to a folder on your computer. You will need to have Java installed on your computer to run the server.

Next, you will need to configure the server settings. Open the serverconfig.xml file and edit the settings to your liking. You can change the game mode, server name, password, and other settings in this file.

Save the changes and close the file. You are now ready to start the server.

Step 1.1: Port Forwarding

If you want players outside of your local network to be able to connect to your server, you will need to set up port forwarding on your router. You will need to forward port 16261 for UDP traffic to your computer’s IP address.

Step 2: Starting the Server

To start the server, navigate to the folder where you extracted the server files and double-click on the start-server.bat file. This will open a console window and start the server.

Once the server is running, you can connect to it using the IP address of the computer running the server. If you are running the server on the same computer you are playing on, you can connect using the IP address 127.0.0.1.

Step 2.1: Running the Server as a Service

If you want the server to start automatically when your computer starts up, you can run the server as a service. This will start the server in the background and allow you to use your computer for other tasks.

To run the server as a service, you will need to download and install NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager). Once installed, open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where you extracted the server files.

Run the following command to install the server as a service:

Command	Description
nssm install ProjectZomboidServer	Installs the server as a service
nssm set ProjectZomboidServer Application “C:\path\to\start-server.bat”	Sets the path to the start-server.bat file
nssm set ProjectZomboidServer AppDirectory “C:\path\to\server\files”	Sets the path to the server files
nssm set ProjectZomboidServer Start SERVICE_AUTO_START	Sets the service to start automatically
nssm start ProjectZomboidServer	Starts the service

Replace the paths with the actual paths to the start-server.bat file and the server files. Once the service is installed, you can start and stop it from the Services app in Windows.

Step 3: Configuring the Server

Once the server is running, you can configure it further using the serveradmin.bat file. This file allows you to change settings such as the server name, password, and player limit.

To run the serveradmin.bat file, open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where you extracted the server files. Run the following command:

Command	Description
serveradmin.bat	Opens the serveradmin console

You can now enter commands in the console to configure the server. For example, to change the server name, enter the following command:

Command	Description
setservername NewServerName	Changes the server name to NewServerName

Step 3.1: Adding Mods

If you want to add mods to your server, you will need to download the mods and install them in the mods folder in the server files. You can then enable the mods in the serverconfig.xml file.

For example, to enable the Hydrocraft mod, add the following line to the serverconfig.xml file:

Line	Description
<mods>Hydrocraft</mods>	Enables the Hydrocraft mod

Step 4: Playing on the Server

To play on your server, open Project Zomboid and click on the multiplayer button. Enter the IP address of the computer running the server and click on connect.

If you set a password for the server, you will need to enter it to connect. Once connected, you can start playing on the server with other players.

Step 4.1: Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble connecting to the server, make sure that you have port forwarding set up correctly and that your firewall is not blocking the server. You can also try disabling your antivirus to see if it is blocking the connection.

FAQ

Q: Can I host a Project Zomboid server on a VPS?

A: Yes, you can host a Project Zomboid server on a VPS. You will need to make sure that the VPS meets the system requirements for Project Zomboid and that you have the necessary permissions to install and run the server.

Q: Can I run multiple servers on the same computer?

A: Yes, you can run multiple Project Zomboid servers on the same computer. You will need to set up different ports for each server and configure each server separately.

Q: Can I change the game mode on my server?

A: Yes, you can change the game mode on your server by editing the serverconfig.xml file. You can change the game mode to Survival or Sandbox.

Q: Can I run the server on Linux?

A: Yes, you can run the Project Zomboid server on Linux using Wine. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux.

Q: Can I add custom maps to my server?

A: Yes, you can add custom maps to your server. You will need to download the map files and install them in the maps folder in the server files. You can then select the map in the serverconfig.xml file.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully hosted a dedicated server for Project Zomboid. I hope this guide was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy gaming!