Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid

30 ratings
How to configure a dedicated 'rented' server (or VPS) (Windows server 2019)
By Aiteron and 2 collaborators
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Introduction.
Try starting server by this guide first.
If you experience miscellaneous issues, check these guides:
[QnA] Admin Helper - build 41 MP
[QnA] Client Helper - build 41 MP
Choose and rent a dedicated server/VPS for PZ.
You can find different server providers to buy a server from on the internet by simply searching for "dedicated server" hosts (or VPS)
There exist several requirements to be able to run a Multiplayer server:
- Having an SSD disk is extremely recommended.
- 4+ core CPU.
- RAM: 2Gb + 500Mb per player at least, and leave at least 2GB for the system itself.
- A public IP from the server provider.
Install "Windows server 2019".
After you have a dedicated server host or VPS purchased, you can access the control panel for your server on the provider page.
Choose "Windows server 2019" and install on your server. (if it's not installed yet)
Connect to your server by RDP.
- See IP and Login/password to connect to your system on your hosting server website.
- Open Remote Desktop Connection app. (If your system is Linux - install external program to connect by RDP to your server)
- Enter your IP and login/password.

- Click connect.
Update system.
- Check for updates and update your windows server system.
- Reboot the system.
- Wait and reconnect to the server by RDP
Install "Project zomboid dedicated server" via steamCMD.
1. Download SteamCMD on your Windows server
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
2. Unzip SteamCMD in to the folder of your windows server
For example: C:\steamCMD\steamCMD.exe
3. Run steamCMD.exe
4. Write next commands:
force_install_dir "Directory of the install, for example C:\PzServer"
login anonymous
app_update 380870 validate
// This will Install the server
quit
Open ports.
1. Open windows firewall.
2. Go to advanced settings.
3. Choose inbound rules.
4. Add rules for these ports:

UDP: 16261 and 16262

Configure amount of RAM for your PZ server.
1. Open dedicated server folder
(that you set by force_install_dir command)
2. Open StartServer64.bat in text editor
3. Change next parameters:
Delete the -xms paremeter
Change the -Xmx to however much RAM you need for your server
Example: -Xmx6G
Recommend amount of RAM: 2Gb as a start + 500Mb per player
So if you want play in team of 10 players, need (2 + 0.5*10)=7Gb of RAM
4. Save and close this file.
Configure PZ server settings.
1. To have the Zomboid folder appear (where the settings will be stored) - you need to run server by running the StartServer64.bat file
2. Wait until you see "Enter new administrator password" in the Console.
3. Write and confirm your admin password.
Later you will be able to connect to the server by logging into the "admin" username and using this password
IMPORTANT - Dont lose this password!
4. Now wait until you see the following text. (see image)

5. Close console (server will be terminated)
6. Open C:\Users\YourPCUsername\Zomboid\Server folder.
7. Here you can change the server setting files. Configure server the way you want.
Configure server guide
Launch the server.
- Run StartServer64.bat
- Wait for server to launch.

- Done! Your PZ server up!
Don't close console! (this will shutdown server)
You can close your RDP program - server will be still running.
Connect to PZ server from your PC.
1. Start Project Zomboid
2. From the main menu, click Join, then fill out your server info on the right side of the screen.
  • Server name: Your Server name.
  • IP: The IP of your rented server.
  • Local IP: Skip here.
  • Port: 16261 (Is a default port, no change)
  • Server password: Server password (If you will be using one)
  • Description: Use a description if you want for your server, this will only show up for you.
  • Account Username: Write your nickname that you want to use on the server.
  • Account Password: Write your password that you want to use on the server.
To log in as admin write 'admin' in account name and insert password for admin account that you wrote when server first started.
3. Click "Save", now the server should show up in your Favorites tab
4. Connect to server.
5. Enjoy!
Video
12 Comments
COLOSSAL 18 Oct, 2024 @ 1:06pm 
Same issue as @SteelRain
SteelRain 16 Oct, 2024 @ 2:49am 
when a mod updates and a restart is forced (even with automatic saves turns on every 10 minutes) when the server is back up and I join my server, everything is gone in our safehouse and basically everything is respawned with loot. its like we just started a new server but our characters saved. I can still see what i explored on the map but when I go there it is as if it has not been looted yet. If my friends join first the safehouse is fine but anything out of render distance resets and if they move far enough away from the safehouse then everything disappears on their end.
Squiddly 8 Jul, 2024 @ 7:46am 
doas it always cost money or could i do it free?
wnights 3 Dec, 2023 @ 9:52pm 
is there a way to retrieve admin password if I've forgotten it?
jayray0930 25 Oct, 2023 @ 8:24am 
@DemonMithos try installing with steamcmd and not just through the steam library, i was having the same issue and that resolved it
Mithos 26 Apr, 2023 @ 4:29am 
followed this exactly, stuck on getting server info.
Kinzie 7 Apr, 2022 @ 6:31am 
Hey man, i am sorry to messaging there, but we have an a problem, the map is Breaks Off
Breno Cyber8 25 Jan, 2022 @ 12:05am 
why remove xms?
Mur Derer 21 Jan, 2022 @ 3:59am 
Is all this necessary for a nitrado rented server?
Mur Derer 21 Jan, 2022 @ 2:07am 
@oynqr is there another way to do this?