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NolimitHost

Project Zomboid Server Troubleshooting Guide

Last updated: September 18, 2026

This guide covers the most common Project Zomboid server problems and how to fix them. Always check the Console page in the NolimitHost Game Panel first - the server prints a clear message for most issues during startup.

Players Cannot Connect

Symptom Fix
Server not in the browserSet Public=true in servertest.ini, or join by direct connect. See Connect to Your Server.
Stuck on the loading screenUsually the 16262 UDP port is closed, or your client is missing a mod the server uses.
Version mismatchYour game build must match the server. See Change the Server Version.
Wrong password or not whitelistedSee Set a Password and Add a Whitelist.

Mods Are Not Loading

  • Confirm both WorkshopItems (numeric IDs) and Mods (text IDs) are set in servertest.ini, separated by semicolons. See Install Mods.
  • On Build 42, mod IDs in Mods need a leading backslash.
  • If the world fails to start with a "file not found" or "WorldDictionaryException" error, it is likely a Linux case-sensitivity problem. See Fix Mod Case Sensitivity.
  • Every player must have the same mods subscribed, or they will be blocked when joining.

Server Will Not Start or Crashes

  • Out of memory: Project Zomboid is memory-hungry, especially on Build 42 or with many mods. Lower MaxPlayers or reduce settings if the server runs out of RAM.
  • Config error: A malformed line in servertest.ini can stop the server starting. Restore your last working copy or fix the value highlighted in the console.
  • Corrupted world: Restore the world folder from a backup, or reset the world if nothing else works.

Performance and Desync

  • Ghost buildings or visual bugs: Change the ResetID value in servertest.ini after regenerating a world, so clients stop using an old cached map.
  • Low performance: Reduce the player slot count, remove heavy mods, and lower map and zombie settings.
  • "Port 16262 closed" warning: Open the second UDP port so the direct connection works; this also improves performance.

Players Can Rejoin After a Ban

Bans and accounts live in Zomboid/db/<servername>.db. If you deleted that file during a wipe, the ban list was cleared too. Keep the db folder when you only want a new map.

Still stuck? Copy the relevant lines from the server console and ask in our Discord. The exact error message makes it much faster to help.