Client area

Project Zomboid Server

Managed from: GamePanel. 7 answers, updated 3 October 2026.

Essentials 2

How do I connect to my Project Zomboid server?

In the game: Join, then add a favorite with the IP and port from the service page, your account name, and the server password if there is one.

  1. Wait for the GamePanel console to show the server is ready ("SERVER STARTED").

  2. Project Zomboid, Join: IP, port, user name, server password.

  3. The first connection creates your account on this server: keep the same username and password afterward.

Backups, subdomain, SFTP and ports

These topics are common to every game: see the GamePanel fiche. For SFTP, follow the step-by-step FileZilla guide.

  1. Help center home, GamePanel fiche (all games).

Guides 3

How do I change the name, password and player count?

The main settings are in the GamePanel's Server Options: public name, password, admin account, max players. The game rules (zombies, loot) are in the server's files.

  1. Stop the server.

  2. GamePanelServer Options: PUBLIC_NAME, SERVER_PASSWORD, ADMIN_USER and ADMIN_PASSWORD, MAX_PLAYERS.

  3. Game rules: File Manager, Zomboid/Server folder, <name>_SandboxVars.lua file (and <name>.ini for the rest).

  4. Start the server.

How do I add Workshop mods?

Each mod has two IDs: the Workshop ID (the number in the Steam URL) and the Mod ID (shown on the mod's page). You need both.

  1. GamePanelServer Options: WORKSHOP_ITEMS with the Workshop IDs, separated by semicolons.

  2. MODS with the matching Mod IDs, separated by semicolons, in the same order.

  3. Restart: the server downloads the mods and updates its ini.

Common errors

  • "Workshop item version is different" on connecting: a mod was updated, restart the server so it re-downloads it.
How do I switch to Build 42 (or go back to stable)?

GamePanelServer OptionsBuild: leave blank for the stable version, unstable for Build 42. Players must have selected the same branch in Steam (game Properties, Betas).

  1. Back up the Zomboid folder first: a Build 42 save can't go back to the previous version.

  2. Server Options, Build: unstable or blank.

  3. Restart: the server updates itself on startup.

Common errors

  • "Server version is different": the player isn't on the same branch, or their game isn't up to date.
  • Mods: many mods don't exist yet for Build 42.

Troubleshooting 2

My server lags or crashes with many players

Project Zomboid uses the memory set in JAVA_XMX (Server Options). If it's too low for your mods and players, the server lags then crashes; it also shouldn't exceed your plan's RAM.

  1. GamePanelServer Options: check JAVA_XMX and compare it with the plan's RAM (service page).

  2. Leave about 1 GB of headroom under the plan's RAM, then restart.

  3. Still tight: service page, My plan section (Overview tab), for more RAM.

My Project Zomboid server won't start

In most cases it's a mod: a mistyped ID, a mod that requires another one, or a mod that's out of date. Check the console at startup.

  1. Remove the last mod you added from Mods and Workshop Items in Server Options, then restart.

  2. Check there's exactly one Mod ID per Workshop ID, and that required mods are also listed.

  3. Memory: see the server is short on RAM.

  4. Still stuck: open a ticket with the last 30 lines of the console.