How to Add a Whitelist to Your Project Zomboid Server

Last updated: September 18, 2026

By default, anyone can join a Project Zomboid server and an account is created for them the first time they connect. Turning on the whitelist means only approved players can get in.

How the Whitelist Works

The whitelist is controlled by the Open setting in servertest.ini:

Value	Behaviour
`Open=true`	Anyone can connect and an account is created automatically on first join.
`Open=false`	Whitelist only. An admin must create each player's account before they can join.

Step 1: Turn Off Open Access

In the NolimitHost Game Panel, stop your server from the Console page.
In the left sidebar, click Files and open Zomboid/Server/servertest.ini.
Set the whitelist switch:
```
Open=false
```
Save the file and start the server again.

Step 2: Add Approved Players

With the server running, create an account for each player from the server console or in-game admin chat:

/adduser "username" "password"

Each player then logs in with that username and password when they connect.

Useful Whitelist Commands

Command	Description
`/adduser "username" "password"`	Create a whitelisted account.
`/addalltowhitelist`	Add every currently connected player to the whitelist.
`/removeuserfromwhitelist "username"`	Remove a player from the whitelist.

Related Settings

Setting	Purpose
`AutoCreateUserInWhiteList`	Whether connecting players are added to the whitelist automatically. Set to `false` for a strict whitelist.
`DropOffWhiteListAfterDeath`	Remove a player from the whitelist when their character dies, so they cannot respawn on a strict server.

Tip: Convert your existing regulars in one command with /addalltowhitelist while they are online, then set AutoCreateUserInWhiteList to false so no new accounts are created automatically.

Important: A strict whitelist is one of the best defences against griefers, but it also means new players cannot join until you create their account. Make sure anyone you invite knows the username and password you assigned.

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