How to Change the Server Language in Project Zomboid

Last updated: September 18, 2026

Project Zomboid does not have a language setting in servertest.ini. The server language is set in two other places: the game options file and the server's Java launch arguments.

Note: Server language only affects text generated by the server, such as radio and television broadcasts, item names, and world text. Each player still chooses their own language on their client.

Step 1: Stop the Server

In the NolimitHost Game Panel, select your Project Zomboid server and stop it from the Console page.

Step 2: Set the Language in options.ini

In the left sidebar, click Files and open the server's .cache/ folder (create it if it does not exist yet).
Open options.ini and set the language line to your language code:
```
language=DE
```
Save the file.

Step 3: Add the Matching Java Argument

Open ProjectZomboid64.json and find the vmArgs section.
Add a -Duser.language entry that matches the language code:
```
"-Duser.language=de",
```
Save the file and start the server again.

Language Codes

Language	options.ini code	vmArgs value
English	`EN`	`en`
German	`DE`	`de`
French	`FR`	`fr`
Spanish	`ES`	`es`
Russian	`RU`	`ru`
Japanese	`JP`	`ja`
Korean	`KO`	`ko`

Important: Both places need to match. Setting only options.ini or only the Java argument often leaves the server reporting its system or English language. Remember to restart the server, since language is read at startup.

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