Project Zomboid Dedicated Server Guide

project zomboid pz guide

Setting Everything Up

Assuming you already own Project Zomboid on Steam, you already have access to the dedicated server software.

  1. Open your Steam Library
  2. Search for Project Zomboid (the server is usually hidden until searched)
  3. Install Project Zomboid Dedicated Server
PZ on Steam

Verify the Server Runs

After installing the server:

  1. Do not launch it from Steam
  2. Right‑click Project Zomboid Dedicated Server
  3. Select Manage → Browse local files
PZ on Steam Options

The server directory will look similar to this:

PZ Server Files

Both the 32‑bit and 64‑bit versions work:

  • StartServer32.bat
  • StartServer64.bat

Double‑click either file to start the server once. After it finishes initialization, you can close it.

Using playit.gg to Share the Server

Create and claim a new playit.gg agent, then create your first tunnel.

Project Zomboid normally uses the following ports:

  • 16261 - Main Port
  • 16262 - Secondary UDP Port

We will adjust these to work with playit.gg.

Create the Tunnel

Create and configure your tunnel as follows:

  • Type: Project Zomboid
playit tunnel config

At this point, the tunnel will be active, but the game server will not yet be reachable. This is because the local server ports must match the tunnel’s assigned public ports.

Configure Server Ports

Navigate to your Project Zomboid server configuration folder:

C:\Users\User\Zomboid\Server

Inside, you will find files like:

PZ Server Config Files

Edit servertest.ini

Open servertest.ini and locate:

DefaultPort=16261

Change this to match the public port assigned by playit.gg.

Example:

DefaultPort=10233
PZ Config File

The project zomboid tunnel type will assign you two ports, these ports are sequential so if your public port is 10233, the second port will be 10234.

Update UDPPort to match your second port.

UDPPort=16262

Change it to:

UDPPort=10234

Save the file.

Connecting to the Server

  1. Start the Project Zomboid server
  2. Open your playit.gg tunnel
  3. Copy the numeric IP address and port
playit tunnel address

Example:

147.185.221.181:10233

Join the Project Zomboid server

  1. Launch Project Zomboid
  2. Click Join
  3. Enter the tunnel IP and port on the right‑hand side
  4. Under Connection Options, make sure:
Use Steam Relay = unchecked
Adding the server
  1. Click Add
  2. Select the server from the list
Joining the server Joining the server

Server Is Live

The game server will now:

  • Serve all game assets
  • Apply server settings
  • Store player data

To modify server settings, see the Project Zomboid Server Wiki .

Troubleshooting

Closed Port Warning

Warning: Closed Port

If you see a closed port warning:

  • Double‑check that Use Steam Relay is disabled in the server list
  • Confirm DefaultPort and UDPPort* match the playit.gg tunnel ports

If using a custom UDP tunnel, UDPPort does not apply to you.

Done

Your Project Zomboid server should now be up and shared using playit.