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Project-Zomboid-Ubuntu-Server

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Step-by-step guide to set up a Project Zomboid dedicated server on Ubuntu (22.04/24.04) with SteamCMD — includes mods, firewall, screen session, and troubleshooting.

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# Project Zomboid Dedicated Server on Ubuntu — Complete Setup Guide

> **Step-by-step guide to install, configure, and run a Project Zomboid dedicated server on Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 LTS using SteamCMD.** Covers firewall setup, RAM configuration, mod installation, server recovery, and common troubleshooting. Works on any VPS provider (Hostinger, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Vultr, AWS, Linode, etc.).

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---

**[🇧🇷 Versão em Português](README.pt-BR.md)**

---

## Table of Contents
1. [Why this guide?](#why-this-guide)
2. [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
3. [Installation](#installation)
4. [Configuration](#configuration)
5. [Running the Server](#running-the-server)
6. [Installing Mods](#installing-mods)
7. [Server Management](#server-management)
8. [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
9. [FAQ](#faq)
10. [Acknowledgements](#acknowledgements)
11. [License](#license)

---

## Why this guide?

Most tutorials for hosting a Project Zomboid server on Linux skip important details like RAM allocation, firewall rules, or mod management. This guide was built from real experience hosting private servers and covers:

- ✅ Full installation from scratch on a fresh Ubuntu VPS
- ✅ Firewall (UFW) configuration to avoid connection issues
- ✅ SteamCMD setup and anonymous login
- ✅ RAM tuning via `ProjectZomboid64.json`
- ✅ Importing server settings from a local Windows machine
- ✅ Running the server in the background with `screen`
- ✅ Installing workshop mods via SCP or SFTP (FileZilla)
- ✅ Common errors and how to fix them

---

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

- A VPS or dedicated machine running **Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS (64-bit)** — other Debian-based distros likely work too
- At least **4 GB RAM** (8 GB recommended for a stable experience with mods)
- `sudo` privileges on the server
- Basic knowledge of terminal / Linux commands
- **Project Zomboid** purchased on Steam (required for mod access — the server itself is free)
- An SSH client (e.g., PuTTY on Windows, built-in terminal on macOS/Linux)

---

## Installation

### 1. Update the system and configure the firewall

```bash
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
```

Enable UFW (firewall):
```bash
sudo ufw enable
```

> ⚠️ **Important:** If you are connected via SSH, allow your SSH port **before** enabling the firewall, otherwise you will lose access:

```bash
sudo ufw allow 22        # SSH (default port — change if you use a custom port)
```

Allow the Project Zomboid server ports:
```bash
sudo ufw allow 16261/udp  # Main game port (UDP)
sudo ufw allow 16262/udp  # Direct connection port (UDP)
sudo ufw reload
```

Verify the rules are active:
```bash
sudo ufw status
```

You should see `16261` and `16262` listed as `ALLOW`.

---

### 2. Create a dedicated user for Steam

It is best practice to run game servers under a separate non-root user:

```bash
sudo adduser steam
sudo usermod -aG sudo steam
sudo chown steam:steam /home/steam/ -R
sudo chmod -R 755 /home/steam/
```

---

### 3. Enable 32-bit architecture support and install SteamCMD

Switch to the steam user's directory:
```bash
cd /home/steam
```

Enable the multiverse repository and 32-bit support (required by SteamCMD):
```bash
sudo add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steamcmd -y
```

---

### 4. Download the Project Zomboid Dedicated Server

Switch to the steam user:
```bash
su - steam
cd ~
steamcmd
```

Inside SteamCMD, run these commands:
```
force_install_dir /home/steam/pzsteam
login anonymous
app_update 380870 validate
exit
```

> `380870` is the Steam App ID for the **Project Zomboid Dedicated Server**. It is free and can be downloaded without owning the game.

---

## Configuration

### 1. Set the RAM allocation

Navigate to the server directory:
```bash
cd /home/steam/pzsteam
```

Edit the JVM configuration file:
```bash
nano ProjectZomboid64.json
```

Find the `-Xmx` parameter and set it to the amount of RAM you want to dedicate:
- `-Xmx4g` → 4 GB RAM
- `-Xmx8g` → 8 GB RAM (recommended for most servers)
- `-Xmx16g` → 16 GB RAM (for large modpacks or many players)

![RAM configuration example](https://github.com/Bobagi/Zomboid-Ubuntu-Server/assets/45888141/e945f3f0-156c-448f-b62f-6e0332ba98f2)

---

### 2. Import server settings from your local machine (optional but recommended)

The easiest way to configure game settings (map, loot, difficulty, sandbox) is to:

1. Open Project Zomboid on your **local Windows PC**
2. Create and configure a server through the in-game **"Host"** menu
3. Navigate to the settings folder on Windows:
   ```
   C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Server\
   ```
4. Copy these three files:
   - `<servername>.ini`
   - `<servername>_SandboxVars.lua`
   - `<servername>_spawnregions.lua`

5. Upload them to your Linux server at:
   ```
   /home/steam/Zomboid/Server/
   ```

Using SCP:
   ```bash
   scp C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Server\<servername>* steam@<your-vps-ip>:/home/steam/Zomboid/Server/
   ```

Or use a GUI tool like [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/) (connect via SFTP on port 22).

---

## Running the Server

### 1. Start a persistent screen session

`screen` keeps the server running after you disconnect from SSH:

```bash
screen -S zomboid
```

### 2. Start the server

```bash
cd /home/steam/pzsteam
./start-server.sh -servername <yourservername>
```

Replace `<yourservername>` with the name of your `.ini` config file (without the `.ini` extension).

### 3. Detach from screen (keep server running in background)

Press `Ctrl + A`, then `D`.

### 4. Re-attach to check the server console

```bash
screen -r zomboid
```

### 5. Stop the server gracefully

Re-attach with `screen -r zomboid`, then type:
```
quit
```

Wait for the world save to complete before closing the session.

---

## Installing Mods

### Method 1: Upload mod files via SCP / SFTP

1. Download mods from the [Steam Workshop](https://steamcommunity.com/app/108600/workshop/) on your local PC
2. Locate the downloaded mod folder on Windows:
   ```
   C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\mods\
   ```
3. Upload the mod folder to your VPS:
   ```bash
   scp -r "C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\mods\<ModName>" steam@<your-vps-ip>:/home/steam/Zomboid/mods/
   ```
   Or use [FileZilla](https://filezilla-project.org/) via SFTP.

4. Add the mod IDs to your server `.ini` file:
   ```ini
   Mods=<ModID>;<AnotherModID>
   WorkshopItems=<WorkshopID>;<AnotherWorkshopID>
   ```

> Mod IDs and Workshop IDs are found on the mod's Steam Workshop page URL and inside the mod's `mod.info` file.

### Method 2: Download Workshop mods via SteamCMD

Inside SteamCMD (logged in as anonymous):
```
workshop_download_item 108600 <WorkshopID>
```

Mods download to `/home/steam/.steam/steamapps/workshop/content/108600/<WorkshopID>/`.  
Copy or symlink them to `/home/steam/Zomboid/mods/`.

---

## Server Management

### Check if the server is running

```bash
screen -ls
```

### Update the server to the latest version

```bash
steamcmd
login anonymous
app_update 380870 validate
exit
```

Then restart the server.

### View server logs

```bash
ls -lt /home/steam/Zomboid/Logs/     # find the latest log file
cat /home/steam/Zomboid/Logs/<latest>.txt | tail -100
```

### Backup your server world

```bash
cp -r /home/steam/Zomboid/Saves/ /home/steam/Zomboid/Saves_backup_$(date +%Y%m%d)/
```

---

## Troubleshooting

### ❌ "Connection failed" / Cannot connect to the server

- Check ports are open: `sudo ufw status` — look for `16261` and `16262`
- Confirm the server is running: `screen -ls`
- Check your **VPS provider's cloud firewall / security group** — many providers have a separate firewall that also needs UDP 16261–16262 opened
- Verify your server IP: `curl ifconfig.me`

### ❌ Server crashes on startup

- Check available RAM: `free -h` — reduce `-Xmx` in `ProjectZomboid64.json` if needed
- Read the latest log: `ls -lt /home/steam/Zomboid/Logs/` then `cat` the most recent file
- Validate server files: re-run `app_update 380870 validate` in SteamCMD

### ❌ "Failed to set thread priority" warning

This is a harmless warning on most Linux VPS environments. The server runs normally.

### ❌ Mods not loading

- Confirm both `Mods=` and `WorkshopItems=` are set correctly in the `.ini` file
- Verify the mod folder exists at `/home/steam/Zomboid/mods/<ModID>/`
- Restart the server after any mod changes

### ❌ SteamCMD error: `0x202` or `0x212`

Steam network timeout. Wait a few minutes and retry. If persistent:
```bash
rm -rf /home/steam/.steam/steamcmd/appcache
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 380870 +quit
```

### ❌ `su - steam` asks for a password you don't know

Reset it:
```bash
sudo passwd steam
```

### ❌ Port 16261 is open in UFW but players still can't connect

Your VPS provider likely has a separate cloud-level firewall (Hostinger hPanel, DigitalOcean Firewall, AWS Security Groups). Log into your provider dashboard and add UDP rules for ports 16261 and 16262 there too.

---

## FAQ

**Q: Does running the server require owning Project Zomboid on Steam?**  
A: No. The dedicated server (App ID 380870) is free and downloads anonymously via SteamCMD. Only the players connecting need to own the game.

**Q: How many players can the server support?**  
A: Officially up to 32 players. With 8 GB RAM and a modern CPU, 8–16 simultaneous players is very comfortable.

**Q: Which Ubuntu version should I use?**  
A: **Ubuntu 22.04 LTS** or **24.04 LTS**. Avoid non-LTS releases for production servers.

**Q: Can I run this on a Raspberry Pi or ARM machine?**  
A: No. The Project Zomboid dedicated server is x86-64 only — ARM is not supported.

**Q: My server IP keeps changing. How do I get a static IP?**  
A: All major VPS providers give you a static public IP by default. If hosting at home, use a DDNS (Dynamic DNS) service.

**Q: How do I set a server admin password?**  
A: The server prompts you on first startup. To reset it later, edit `<servername>.ini` and update the `AdminPassword=` field.

**Q: Can I run the server without `screen`, using systemd instead?**  
A: Yes — you can create a systemd service to auto-start the server on boot. Open an issue if you'd like a ready-made template added to this repo.

**Q: What VPS provider is recommended?**  
A: **Hetzner** (Europe/US) and **Vultr** offer great price/performance. **Hostinger** is budget-friendly. **DigitalOcean** has excellent documentation. Choose the datacenter closest to your players for lowest ping.

**Q: The server starts but nobody can join — what should I check first?**  
A: In order: (1) Cloud firewall in your VPS provider dashboard, (2) UFW rules with `sudo ufw status`, (3) correct IP address, (4) server console for errors via `screen -r zomboid`.

---

## Acknowledgements

- [Project Zomboid Wiki — Dedicated Server](https://pzwiki.net/wiki/Dedicated_Server) — official documentation
- [Valve SteamCMD Documentation](https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD) — SteamCMD reference
- [r/projectzomboid](https://www.reddit.com/r/projectzomboid/) — community tips and feedback
- Everyone who opened issues and contributed improvements to this repository ❤️

---

## 💖 Support this project

If this guide saved you time, consider giving the repo a ⭐ — it helps others find it!

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---

## Contact & Contributing

Found a bug in the guide or have a tip to add?  
👉 **[Open an issue](https://github.com/Bobagi/Project-Zomboid-Ubuntu-Server/issues/new)** — all feedback is welcome.

Pull requests are also welcome. See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.

---

## License

This project is open-source under the [MIT License](LICENSE).

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