> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up a Project Zomboid Server (Build 42)

> How to set up a Project Zomboid server: set the admin password, start once to create the settings, pick a preset, share the address and make a first backup.

To set up a Project Zomboid server on FREAKHOSTING, change the **Admin Password** on the **Startup** page, start the server once so it creates its settings files, then open **Game settings** to pick a preset and set a name and password. Players join from **Join** in Project Zomboid with your IP, port and server password. Make a backup before you change anything big.

| Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages |
| - | - | - | - |
| Beginner | 10 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Project Zomboid server | **Startup**, **Game settings**, **Backups** |

## Before you start

* Sign in to the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and open your server. See [how to log in](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md).
* Your server runs **Build 42**, the current stable build of Project Zomboid. Players need Build 42 too.

## How to set up your Project Zomboid server

**1. Change the admin password**

Open **Startup**. Set **Admin Password** to a password only you know. **Admin Username** is `admin` unless you change it. This is the admin account you join with. Changes save when you click away from the field.

**2. Check the Server Name variable**

**Server Name** on the **Startup** page is the internal name of your save and config files. The files in `.cache/Server` are named after it, such as `<Server Name>.ini`. Set it once and leave it: a new name starts a new world with new settings files. The name players see in the server list is **Server name** in **Game settings**.

**3. Start the server once**

Click **Start**. On the first start the server downloads its files and creates the settings files. Until then, **Game settings** tells you the settings file doesn't exist yet.

**4. Pick a preset or set the basics**

Open **Game settings** under **GAME SETTINGS**. Click **Presets** to fill in several settings at once: **Peaceful co-op**, **PvP server**, **Hardcore** or **Relaxed**. Under **Server**, set **Server name**, **Description**, **Server password** and **Player slots**.

**5. Turn off the backup on start**

If **Game settings** shows **Backups on start can fill the temporary space**, click **Turn it off**. Every start otherwise copies and zips the save into a small temporary folder, and after a few days the server stops starting with "No space left on device". Use the panel's **Backups** instead.

**6. Review, save and restart**

Click **Review and save**, check the changes, save, and restart the server.

![Project Zomboid Game settings page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel with checks, presets and the Server section](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no/images/games/project-zomboid/pz-game-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=4h1IkXVQmzT6o2no\&q=85\&s=095c8a9210136f450f4f4ad0980832a0)

The Game settings page with its Checks, presets and Server section

## How do players join a Project Zomboid server?

**1. Copy your address**

Copy the IP and port from the **Console** or **Overview** page, for example `203.0.113.10` and your port.

**2. Join from the game**

In Project Zomboid, click **Join**, enter the IP, the port and the server password.

**3. Create an account**

Enter a user name and password for your account on this server. With **Anyone can join** switched on, the account is created the first time you join. Switched off, you create accounts yourself with `adduser "name" "password"` in the panel console.

To appear in the in-game server list, switch on **Show in the server list** in **Game settings**.

## Build 42 or Build 41?

Build 42 became the stable branch of Project Zomboid with version 42.20 on 29 July 2026. Build 41 is still available to players as the `legacy41` Steam beta. The two builds can't play together, and Build 41 saves don't load in Build 42. Many Build 41 mods don't work on Build 42 yet, so check each mod's Workshop page. If you need a Build 41 server, [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php).

## Make your first backup

Open **Backups** and click **Create backup**, or set a daily backup on **Automatic backups**. See [create and restore backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md).

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I make myself admin?

Join with the **Admin Username** and **Admin Password** from **Startup**, or type `setaccesslevel "YourName" admin` in the panel console. See [admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/admin-commands-and-invisible-mode.md).

### Why can't I see my server in the server list?

Switch on **Show in the server list** in **Game settings** and restart. Players can always join directly with your IP and port.

### How many players can join?

Set **Player slots** in **Game settings**. The panel warns that above 32 players map streaming gets poor.

### Where are the server's config files?

In `.cache/Server` in **Files**. They are named after the **Server Name** startup variable: `<Server Name>.ini`, `<Server Name>_SandboxVars.lua`, `<Server Name>_spawnpoints.lua` and `<Server Name>_spawnregions.lua`.

## Related guides

> **[Project Zomboid guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/project-zomboid-server-hosting-guide.md)**
>
> Every Project Zomboid page in one place.

> **[Server settings explained](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/project-zomboid-server-settings-explained.md)**
>
> Every section of Game settings.

> **[Install mods](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/installing-mods-to-a-project-zomboid-server.md)**
>
> Workshop items and mod ids.

> **[Admin commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/project-zomboid/admin-commands-and-invisible-mode.md)**
>
> Access levels and commands.

> **[Configure startup variables](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-startup-variables.md)**
>
> How the Startup page works.

***

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on 30 October 2026 (Project Zomboid Build 42 on our Game Panel). Steps may differ slightly if the game or its mods change.

> [!NOTE]
>
> ### Need Extra Help?
>
> If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:
>
> * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
> * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
> * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
> * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)

> [!TIP]
>
> ### Save on Your Hosting
>
> Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order!

***

**Last Updated:** October 2026


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