{"id":111154,"date":"2024-06-12T12:56:31","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T12:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"\/tutorials\/?p=111154"},"modified":"2026-03-09T19:17:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T19:17:20","slug":"how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","title":{"rendered":"How to Host a Project Zomboid Server Using Hostinger\u2019s Game Panel and Manually"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p>Setting up a dedicated server for Project Zomboid gives you more control and customization options. For example, you can add various mods, use commands to manage players, and adjust settings to change the gameplay.<\/p><p>In this article, we will explain how to host a Project Zomboid server using two methods &ndash; automatic setup using Hostinger&rsquo;s game panel and manual setup.<\/p><p>Both methods have the same outcome but differ in complexity. We recommend using our Game Panel since it requires little to no commands and provides a graphical interface, making it suitable for non-technical users. However, the final decision will depend on your personal preferences and needs.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.hostinger.com\/content\/tutorials\/pdf\/Linux-Commands-Cheat-Sheet.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"566\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/public\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-69262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/w=2048,fit=scale-down 2048w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/11\/Linux-cheat-sheet.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><p>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-prerequisites\">Prerequisites<\/h2><p>Before proceeding with the steps, ensure you have purchased a <a href=\"\/ng\/vps-hosting\">VPS hosting plan<\/a>. Ideally, the server is running a newer Linux operating system since the steps might differ otherwise. For this tutorial, we will use<strong> Debian 12<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Your VPS should also have sufficient hardware and a reliable connection to maintain gameplay responsiveness. While there are no exact requirements, we recommend a system with a <strong>multi-core <\/strong>processor, <strong>8 GB<\/strong> of RAM, and <strong>100 Mbps<\/strong> internet.<\/p><p>With that in mind, the Hostinger <strong>KVM 2<\/strong> VPS hosting plan is an excellent choice for a Project Zomboid server. It has various features that enhance system management efficiency, including automatic backup and <a href=\"\/blog\/vps-ai-assistant\">Kodee<\/a>, Hostinger&rsquo;s own AI assistant.<\/p><p>If you prefer the <a href=\"\/ng\/vps\/game-server-hosting\">Hostinger Game Panel hosting plan<\/a>, our <strong>Game Panel 2<\/strong> plan is almost an exact match. It offers identical performance as KVM 2 but with additional features, like a one-click game and mod installer.<\/p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a class=\"hgr-tutorials-cta hgr-tutorials-cta-game-server-hosting\" href=\"\/ng\/vps\/game-server-hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Game_panel_in-text-banner-2-1.png\/public\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Game_panel_in-text-banner-2-1.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Game_panel_in-text-banner-2-1.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Game_panel_in-text-banner-2-1.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/Game_panel_in-text-banner-2-1.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server-using-hostinger-game-panel\">How to Host a Project Zomboid Server Using Hostinger Game Panel<\/h2><p>Hostinger Game Panel provides a graphical interface that lets you easily set up <a href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/games-with-dedicated-servers\">various games with dedicated servers<\/a>, add mods, and manage the host settings without commands. In addition to being beginner-friendly, it makes the process safer since you won&rsquo;t run the wrong commands.<\/p><p>After you purchase a game hosting plan from Hostinger, you should automatically land on the onboarding page. From this screen, complete the initial VPS setup, such as choosing the data center location and creating a new password.<\/p><p>Once your VPS is set, follow these steps to configure the Project Zomboid dedicated server:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open<strong> hPane<\/strong>l &rarr; <strong>VPS<\/strong>. From the list, click <strong>Manage<\/strong> on your game server.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the <strong>VPS Overview<\/strong> menu, click <strong>Manage panel<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"69e1b3ceda126\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1460\" height=\"238\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/public\" alt=\"The Manage panel button on the VPS Overview page\" class=\"wp-image-125930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/w=1460,fit=scale-down 1460w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/02\/the-game-panel-access-button-on-the-vps-overview-page.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1460px) 100vw, 1460px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Once you are redirected to Game Panel, log in as admin using the credentials from the<strong> Overview <\/strong>menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click <strong>Create Instance <\/strong>and select <strong>Project Zomboid <\/strong>as the application. Click <strong>Create Instance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"69e1b3cedb4b7\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"733\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/public\" alt=\"Project Zomboid new instance creation menu in Hostinger Game Panel\" class=\"wp-image-111157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/w=1254,fit=scale-down 1254w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-new-instance-creation-menu-in-hostinger-game-panel.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Double-click the instance and hit <strong>Start<\/strong> to run the game server.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>From the same menu, copy the <strong>Connection info<\/strong> credentials. You need this information to access the server from your game client.<\/li>\n<\/ol><p>That&rsquo;s it! If you want to customize the default game settings, navigate to the <strong>sidebar<\/strong> &rarr; <strong>Configuration<\/strong>. Choose the settings you want to adjust, like communications, Discord, or gameplay.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-set-up-a-project-zomboid-dedicated-server-manually\">How to Set up a Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Manually<\/h2><p>If you want to install additional software or use a particular operating system, you can manually set up the Project Zomboid multiplayer server using commands. Here is how to do so in Debian-based distros.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-set-up-your-vps\">1. Set up Your VPS<\/h3><p>Before running commands on your VPS, connect to it <a href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-use-putty-ssh\">using an SSH client like PuTTY<\/a> or Terminal. <\/p><p>You can find the access credentials by going to <strong>hPanel<\/strong> and clicking <strong>Manage <\/strong>on your server. Then, scroll down to the <strong>VPS <\/strong><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><strong>details<\/strong><\/span> section at the bottom of your <strong>VPS Overview<\/strong> page.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"69e1b3cedc908\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2044\" height=\"654\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/public\" alt=\"Server SSH access credentials on hpanel's VPS Overview page\" class=\"wp-image-126008\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=2044,fit=scale-down 2044w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/debian-game-server-ssh-credentials-1.png\/w=1536,fit=scale-down 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2044px) 100vw, 2044px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><p>By default, you will log in as <strong>root<\/strong>, which can run any administrative commands without confirmation. Using this account can be risky since you are more prone to executing dangerous utilities.<\/p><p>To minimize the risk, let&rsquo;s create a new superuser account. Running administrative commands with this user requires a <strong>sudo<\/strong> prefix and password confirmation, making the setup process more secure. Here&rsquo;s how to do so:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a new account using this command. For this tutorial, we will use<strong> pzuser<\/strong> as the username:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">adduser pzuser<\/pre><ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter the user&rsquo;s password and other details, like the contact information.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grant the user superuser privileges by adding it to the <strong>sudo<\/strong> group using this command:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">usermod -a -G sudo pzuser<\/pre><ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Switch to the new user by running the following:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">su pzuser<\/pre><p>Now, your command-line shell should begin with the new username, and we can start preparing the hosting environment. To begin, enter <strong>cd <\/strong>to return to the main system directory.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-download-and-install-steamcmd\">2. Download and Install SteamCMD<\/h3><p>SteamCMD is the command-line version of the Steam client, a game distribution service for Project Zomboid. You will use this software to download and configure the dedicated server files.<\/p><p>Here are the steps to set up the software on your Debian VPS:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install the SteamCMD dependencies and enable the non-free repository to avoid errors:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt install software-properties-common -y<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt-add-repository non-free<\/pre><ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Now, install SteamCMD and other software components by running these commands subsequently:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386&nbsp;<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt update -y&nbsp;<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt install steamcmd -y<\/pre><ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make a new folder for the server and set its ownership to the new user. To do so, run these commands:<\/li>\n<\/ol><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo mkdir \/opt\/pzserver<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo chown pzuser:pzuser \/opt\/pzserver<\/pre><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-set-up-the-project-zomboid-server\">3. Set up the Project Zomboid Server<\/h3><p>Now, let&rsquo;s set up your Project Zomboid server by adding the settings to the <strong>update_zomboid.txt <\/strong>file located in the software&rsquo;s default download directory. Here&rsquo;s the command:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">cat &gt;$HOME\/update_zomboid.txt &lt;&lt;'EOL'<br><br>\/\/ update_zomboid.txt<br><br>\/\/<br><br>@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 1 \/\/set to 0 if updating multiple servers at once<br><br>@NoPromptForPassword 1<br><br>force_install_dir \/opt\/pzserver\/<br><br>\/\/for servers which don't need a login<br><br>login anonymous<br><br>app_update 380870 validate<br><br>quit<br><br>EOL<\/pre><p>Now, set up the server using these commands. You can also use the following to update the Project Zomboid host software to the latest version:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">export PATH=$PATH:\/usr\/games<br><br>steamcmd +runscript $HOME\/update_zomboid.txt<\/pre><p>Note that the downloading process can take up to hours, depending on your internet connection. Once finished, you should see a confirmation message indicating that application <strong>380870<\/strong> is installed.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"69e1b3cede22a\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"90\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/command-line-interface-confirms-project-zomboid-server-is-installed.png\/public\" alt=\"Command-line interface confirms Project Zomboid server is installed\" class=\"wp-image-111159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/command-line-interface-confirms-project-zomboid-server-is-installed.png\/w=945,fit=scale-down 945w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/command-line-interface-confirms-project-zomboid-server-is-installed.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/command-line-interface-confirms-project-zomboid-server-is-installed.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/command-line-interface-confirms-project-zomboid-server-is-installed.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><p>Great! The server is now functional. However, to allow players to access your VPS, we must open <strong>16261<\/strong> and <strong>16262 UDP<\/strong> ports. Since we are using Debian, we will do so using <a href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-configure-firewall-on-ubuntu-using-ufw\/\">Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW)<\/a>. Run this command to install it:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt install ufw -y<\/pre><p>Then, open the ports for your Project Zomboid server. We will also put SSH into the allowlist to prevent connectivity issues. Here are the commands:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo ufw allow 22\/tcp<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo ufw allow 16261\/udp<\/pre><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo ufw allow 16262\/udp<\/pre><p>Now, enable UFW to apply the rules using the following command. If you have the firewall active already, replace <strong>enable<\/strong> with <strong>reload<\/strong>:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo ufw enable<\/pre><p><div class=\"protip\">\n                    <h4 class=\"title\">Ask Kodee<\/h4>\n                    <p>Hostinger VPS users can set up a new firewall rule in their server by simply asking <strong>Kodee<\/strong>, \"Create and activate a new firewall rule in my VPS that allows connection from any IP address to port 22 TCP, 16261 TCP, and 16262 UDP.\"<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-running-your-server\">4. Running Your Server<\/h3><p>If you start the Project Zomboid server directly on your VPS command-line interface, it will shut down after you disconnect from SSH. It can be inconvenient since you must keep Terminal or PuTTY open.<\/p><p>To keep it running in the background, we will run it with a Terminal multiplexer like <a href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/tmux-beginners-guide-and-cheat-sheet\/\">tmux<\/a>. Start by installing the tool using the following command:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo apt install tmux -y<\/pre><p>Once tmux is configured, create a new virtual Terminal instance using the following command:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">tmux<\/pre><p>Navigate to the Project Zomboid server installation directory. Since we installed it in the default location, we will use the following command. Otherwise, change the path accordingly:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">cd \/opt\/pzserver\/<\/pre><p>Now, start the Project Zomboid server by running the <strong>start-server.sh<\/strong> script like so:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">bash start-server.sh<\/pre><div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure data-wp-context='{\"imageId\":\"69e1b3cedf545\"}' data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1460\" height=\"319\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on-async--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on-async-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/public\" alt=\"Project Zomboid server successfully starts on a VPS\" class=\"wp-image-111162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/w=1460,fit=scale-down 1460w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/w=300,fit=scale-down 300w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/w=1024,fit=scale-down 1024w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/w=150,fit=scale-down 150w, https:\/\/imagedelivery.net\/LqiWLm-3MGbYHtFuUbcBtA\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/06\/project-zomboid-server-successfully-starts-on-a-vps.png\/w=768,fit=scale-down 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1460px) 100vw, 1460px\" \/><button class=\"lightbox-trigger\" type=\"button\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Enlarge\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\" data-wp-on-async--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-style--right=\"state.imageButtonRight\" data-wp-style--top=\"state.imageButtonTop\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure><\/div><p><div><p class=\"important\"><strong>Important!<\/strong> Since you set the Project Zomboid folder and script ownership to pzuser, switch to the account if you encounter a permission issue when running the bash file. <\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><p>You can also start the server using a custom name. For example, we will name it <strong>my-awesome-pzserve<\/strong>r:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">bash start-server.sh -servername my-awesome-pzserver<\/pre><p>If the Project Zomboid server asks for an administrator password, enter a new one. Now, you can connect to it by entering your VPS IP address, port number, and password into the game client.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-enhance-the-project-zomboid-server\">5. Enhance the Project Zomboid Server<\/h3><p>Now that your server successfully runs, let&rsquo;s change the default settings to improve the security and gameplay experience. To do so, open the <strong>servertest.ini<\/strong> file using a text editor like <a href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-install-and-use-nano-text-editor\">nano<\/a>:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">sudo nano Zomboid\/Server\/servertest.ini<\/pre><p>If you can&rsquo;t find the file, enter <strong>cd<\/strong> to return to the main directory and rerun the <strong>nano<\/strong> command. You can edit settings by adjusting <a href=\"https:\/\/pzwiki.net\/wiki\/Server_settings\">various parameters<\/a>. Some of the most crucial ones are:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Public <\/strong>&ndash; the rule defining whether your server is discoverable in Steam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MaxPlayers<\/strong> &ndash; the maximum number of players in your server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DefaultPort<\/strong> &ndash; the port number that players should use to connect to your server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Password<\/strong> &ndash; the credential players must enter to connect to your server.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SteamVAC<\/strong> &ndash; the rule to filter cheaters using Steam&rsquo;s Valve Anti-Cheat.<\/li>\n<\/ul><p>Setting up Project Zomboid mods also requires you to modify this file. To do so, look for the add-on you want to download in <a href=\"https:\/\/steamcommunity.com\/app\/108600\/workshop\/\">Steam Workshop<\/a>.<\/p><p>Acquire the extension&rsquo;s<strong> mod<\/strong> and <strong>workshop ID<\/strong> from the description section. Now, return to the <strong>servertest.ini<\/strong> file and find the <strong>Mods<\/strong> and <strong>WorkshopItems <\/strong>parameters. Paste the numbers on their respective parameters.<\/p><p><div class=\"protip\">\n                    <h4 class=\"title\">Pro Tip<\/h4>\n                    <p>To quickly find a setting parameter in nano, press <strong>Ctrl + W<\/strong> and enter the phrase you are looking for.<\/p>\n                <\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p><p>If you want to install multiple mods, list their IDs separated by a semicolon like so:<\/p><pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\">Mods=1234567;1234568<br><br>WorkshopItems=1234567;1234568<\/pre><p>Once you finish changing the server configuration, press <strong>Ctrl + X<\/strong>, <strong>Y<\/strong>, and <strong>Enter<\/strong> to save the settings. Now, restart the host by pressing <strong>Ctrl + C<\/strong> in the tmux terminal and rerunning the bash script.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-conclusion\">Conclusion<\/h2><p>Hosting a Project Zomboid dedicated server provides more control and flexibility, allowing you to customize gameplay. To set one up, you must have a VPS that meets the minimum hardware requirements and is running Linux.<\/p><p>If you use Hostinger&rsquo;s Game Panel hosting, you can easily set up a Project Zomboid dedicated server by creating a new instance in the control panel. You can also change the server settings from the same menu without commands.<\/p><p>Should you prefer different software, you can set up the server manually. To do so, connect to your VPS via SSH and create a new superuser. Add the Steam repository and install SteamCMD to download the game&rsquo;s dedicated server files.<\/p><p>Set up tmux and run the server by executing the bash script in a new Terminal instance. To improve gameplay and set up mods, change the game settings by opening<strong> servertest.ini<\/strong> using the<strong> nano<\/strong> text editor.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server-faq\">How to Host a Project Zomboid Server FAQ<\/h2><p>In this section, we will answer several questions about hosting a Project Zomboid server on a VPS.&nbsp;<\/p><div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1718196833767\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">How Many Players Can Join a Project Zomboid Server at Once?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A Project Zomboid server can host over 100 players simultaneously. However, it will consume a large amount of RAM. The rule of thumb is that each player requires an additional<strong> 500 MB<\/strong> of server memory on top of <strong>2 GB <\/strong>for the system.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1718196838268\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Are There Any Mods or Plugins Available for Project Zomboid Servers?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Absolutely! Project Zomboid&rsquo;s Steam Workshop page has thousands of mods and plugins. In addition, you can download them from third-party repositories like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nexusmods.com\/projectzomboid\"><strong>NexusMods<\/strong><\/a>. Ensure to check their rating to avoid installing malicious mods.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1718196843217\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I Run Multiple Instances of Project Zomboid Servers on the Same Server?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, you can use tmux to create multiple virtual Terminal instances, each running different servers. However, we strongly recommend avoiding doing so since it can burden your VPS&rsquo; hardware and network, resulting in laggy gameplay.&nbsp;<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Setting up a dedicated server for Project Zomboid gives you more control and customization options. For example, you can add various mods, use commands to manage players, and adjust settings to change the gameplay. In this article, we will explain how to host a Project Zomboid server using two methods &ndash; automatic setup using Hostinger&rsquo;s [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":337,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"How to Host a Dedicated Project Zomboid Server","rank_math_description":"Learn how to set up a Project Zomboid server. We\u2019ll discuss 2 methods: configuring the server manually and using Hostinger\u2019s Game Panel.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"how to host a project zomboid server","footnotes":""},"categories":[22644],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vps"],"hreflangs":[{"locale":"en-US","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-UK","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/uk\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-MY","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/my\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-PH","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ph\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-IN","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/in\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-CA","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ca\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-AU","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/au\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0},{"locale":"en-NG","link":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/how-to-host-a-project-zomboid-server","default":0}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111154","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/337"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111154"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111154\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143762,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111154\/revisions\/143762"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hostinger.com\/ng\/tutorials\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}