TheGameHosting Teamservertest.ini is the main settings file of a Project Zomboid server. It lives in Zomboid/Server in the user's home folder, one Option=value per line. It sets the server name, player limit, PvP, whitelist, ports and mods. Stop the server to edit it, or run reloadoptions after saving.
Where is servertest.ini?
The server creates its settings files the first time it runs. According to the PZwiki Dedicated server page, they live here:
- Windows:
%USERPROFILE%\Zomboid\Server - Linux:
$HOME/Zomboid/Server
Two files matter:
servertest.iniholds the server options.servertestis the default server name, so if you start the server with-servername, the files take that name instead.servertest_SandboxVars.luaholds the sandbox rules: zombies, loot and day length. See Project Zomboid sandbox settings.
How to edit servertest.ini safely
- Make a backup. In our panel, open Backups and create one.
- Stop the server with the Stop button on the Console page.
- Open Files and open the server
.inifile in the editor. - Change the line you want. The format is
Option=value, one per line, with no spaces around the equals sign. - Save and start the server.
You can also edit while the server runs. After you save the file, the admin command reloadoptions applies the changes, and showoptions prints the live values so you can check them. Change ports and the map with the server stopped, and restart.
The main servertest.ini options
These come from the PZwiki Server settings page. Defaults are given only where the wiki states them.
| Option | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
PublicName | The server name shown in the server list | Keep it clear and short |
ServerWelcomeMessage | The message players see when they join | Put your rules or Discord link here |
Public | Lists the server in the public server list | Set it off for a private group |
Open | Lets anyone join and create an account | Turn it off to use a whitelist |
Password | The password players enter to join | Leave empty for an open server |
MaxPlayers | The player limit | The wiki lists 32 as the default |
PVP | Turns player-versus-player damage on or off | Works with the safety system |
SafetySystem | Lets players toggle their own PvP flag | Used on servers that allow PvP |
SpawnPoint | A fixed place where new characters spawn | Leave at the default to use the spawn regions |
PingLimit | Kicks players whose ping is above the limit | Helps when one far-away player drags the server |
SaveWorldEveryMinutes | How often the server saves the world | |
Map | The map folders to load | Default is Muldraugh, KY. Map mods go before it |
Mods | Mod IDs to enable | Semicolon-separated |
WorkshopItems | Steam Workshop IDs | Semicolon-separated |
DefaultPort | The main game port, UDP | Default 16261 |
UDPPort | The direct-connection port, UDP | Default 16262 |
RCONPort | The remote admin port | Default 27015 |
RCONPassword | The password for RCON | Blank by default. RCON stays off while it is blank |
DoLuaChecksum | Checks that players' game files match the server's | Helps against cheating |
The options you will change first
Name, description and who can join
PublicName and ServerWelcomeMessage are what players see. Public decides whether the server shows in the list, and Open decides whether strangers can create an account. For a private group, set Public off and either set a Password or turn Open off and use a whitelist. How to make a Project Zomboid server private covers all three.
Player limit
MaxPlayers is the player limit. PZwiki lists 32 as the default. Patch notes from The Indie Stone for Build 42.20.3 mention "improved server player limit handling, including support for up to 254 players". A higher limit means more RAM and CPU, so size your plan for the number of players who are online at the same time. See Project Zomboid server requirements.
PvP and the safety system
PVP turns damage between players on or off. SafetySystem lets players switch their own PvP flag on, which suits servers where some players want to fight and others do not. Pick the mode before the community grows, because changing it later changes how the server plays.
Ports and RCON
DefaultPort (16261) and UDPPort (16262) are the two UDP ports players connect to. You can also override them with the -port and -udpport start options. RCONPort and RCONPassword set up remote admin. If RCONPassword is empty, RCON is off. Use a strong password if you turn it on, and never share it.
Mods
WorkshopItems, Mods and Map control your mod list. How to add mods to a Project Zomboid server explains the two IDs every mod has and how to add map mods.
A starter servertest.ini
This sample uses options from the table above. Change the values, and leave the lines you do not need out of your own file.
PublicName=My Project Zomboid Server
ServerWelcomeMessage=Welcome! Be kind, no griefing.
Public=true
Open=true
Password=
MaxPlayers=16
PVP=false
Map=Muldraugh, KY
DefaultPort=16261
UDPPort=16262MaxPlayers=16 is only an example. Choose the limit that fits your group and your plan's RAM.
Common mistakes
- Editing the wrong file. If you start the server with
-servername, the settings file takes that name. Check that you are editing the file that matches. - Spaces around the equals sign. Write
MaxPlayers=20, notMaxPlayers = 20. - Changing a setting that needs a restart. Ports and the map load when the server starts.
- Forgetting to save before
reloadoptions. The command reads the file on disk. - Turning off
DoLuaChecksumon a public server. It lets players join with modified game files. PZwiki notes the check can give false positives on Linux servers, so if players are blocked, look at your mods first.
FAQ
Where is servertest.ini?
In Zomboid/Server in the user's home folder: %USERPROFILE%\Zomboid\Server on Windows and $HOME/Zomboid/Server on Linux. If you start the server with -servername, the file takes that name instead of servertest.
Do I need to restart the server after editing servertest.ini?
Stopping the server before you edit is the safest route. If you edit while it runs, save the file and run the admin command reloadoptions. Ports and the map still need a restart.
What is the default MaxPlayers in Project Zomboid?
PZwiki lists 32 as the default. The Indie Stone's 42.20.3 patch notes mention support for up to 254 players. A higher limit needs more RAM and CPU.
How do I make my Project Zomboid server private?
Turn Public off so it does not show in the list, and either set a Password or turn Open off and add players to a whitelist.
What do DefaultPort and UDPPort do?
DefaultPort is the main game port, 16261 by default, and UDPPort is the direct-connection port, 16262 by default. Both are UDP. You can change them in the file or with the -port and -udpport start options.
Hosting for this game
Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.
All posts