SelfServr Guide
Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Setup
How to get a Project Zomboid dedicated server running on your own machine, from downloading the server files to starting it up.
1. Get the server files
Project Zomboid's dedicated server is distributed through Valve's SteamCMD tool, under Steam app ID 380870. If you don't have SteamCMD installed yet, follow our SteamCMD installation guide first.
From a SteamCMD prompt (or as command-line arguments), run:
force_install_dir "C:\GameServers\ProjectZomboid" login anonymous app_update 380870 validate quit
A handful of dedicated-server tools require a Steam account that owns the base game instead of an anonymous login. If login anonymous is rejected, replace it with login <your-steam-username> and enter your password when prompted.
2. Required ports
Forward these ports to the server machine's local IP address on your router, and allow them through the server's firewall. See the port forwarding guide for how.
3. Start the server
Windows
StartServer64.bat
Linux
./start-server.sh
Run this from the install directory. On first run it generates config files under your user profile (Zomboid/Server) where you set the server name, password and world options.
4. Save it as a script (optional, but recommended)
Saving the commands above as scripts means starting and updating the server is a single double-click instead of retyping them, and it's what lets Task Scheduler or systemd start the server for you -- see keeping it running 24/7.
Start script
Windows -- start-server.bat
@echo off cd /d "%~dp0" StartServer64.bat
Linux -- start-server.sh
#!/bin/bash cd "$(dirname "$0")" || exit 1 ./start-server.sh
Make it executable once with chmod +x start-server.sh.
Save either script in the same folder as the server executable -- %~dp0 (Windows) and $(dirname "$0") (Linux) both mean "wherever this script itself lives", so it works regardless of the exact path you installed to.
Update script
Adjust the SteamCMD path below if yours isn't at C:\steamcmd:
Windows -- update-server.bat
@echo off C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir "C:\GameServers\ProjectZomboid" +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit
Linux -- update-server.sh
#!/bin/bash steamcmd +force_install_dir "/home/steam/GameServers/ProjectZomboid" +login anonymous +app_update 380870 validate +quit
Adjust the install path above to wherever you actually want the server on your Linux machine -- it's shown as an example, not a requirement.
5. Generate a config file
Use the Project Zomboid config generator to fill in server name, password, max players and more, and download a ready-to-use servertest.ini.
Open the Project Zomboid config generator →Keep it running
Once your Project Zomboid server is working, see our guide on keeping it running 24/7 so it survives a reboot or crash without you needing to start it by hand.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install a Project Zomboid dedicated server?
Download it with SteamCMD using Steam app ID 380870, then run it from the install directory. See "Get the server files" and "Start the server" above for the exact commands.
What port does a Project Zomboid server use?
UDP 16261, UDP 16262 by default, forwarded to the server machine's local IP address. See the port forwarding guide for how.
How do I configure a Project Zomboid server?
Use the Project Zomboid config generator to fill in server name, password, max players and more, and download a ready-to-use servertest.ini.
How do I keep a Project Zomboid server running?
Set it up as a Windows Task Scheduler task or a Linux systemd service so it survives a reboot or crash without you starting it by hand -- see the keeping it running 24/7 guide.
Players still can't connect?
If the server starts fine but friends can't reach it, see the connection troubleshooting guide -- it covers CGNAT, firewall issues, port forwarding mistakes and more, and includes an interactive diagnostic.