How to Upgrade Your Project Zomboid Server to a New Version

Keeping your Project Zomboid server up to date means your players can connect without version mismatch errors and take advantage of the latest game fixes and content. The RiverHosting panel makes it straightforward to update your server without needing any technical knowledge.

This guide walks you through how to update your Project Zomboid server, what to check before you start, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Before you start

• Make sure all players have left the server before you begin. Updating while players are connected can cause save corruption.
• Take a backup of your current server before updating. If the update causes any issues, you can restore your world from the backup. Go to Backups in the left-hand menu and create a new backup before continuing.
• Check whether the new version of Project Zomboid requires a fresh world. Major updates sometimes change the map or save format, which means your existing world may not load correctly after the update. Check the official Project Zomboid patch notes before proceeding.

1. How to update your Project Zomboid server version

Follow these steps to update your Project Zomboid server to the latest version:

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
2. Click on your Project Zomboid server to open its management page.
3. Click Console in the left-hand menu and stop the server if it is currently running. Use the stop button at the top of the Console page and wait for the server to fully shut down before continuing.
4. Click Startup in the left-hand menu.
5. On the Startup page, look for the Steam update or version fields. The panel will use these settings to pull the correct version of Project Zomboid from Steam when the server starts.
6. If there is a branch or beta field, make sure it is set to the correct release branch. For most players this should be the default stable branch. Leave the field blank or set it to public unless you specifically want a beta or experimental build.
7. Once your settings are confirmed, go back to the Console page and start the server. The panel will automatically download and apply the latest version of Project Zomboid when the server boots up.
8. Watch the console output as the server starts. You will see messages showing the update being downloaded and applied. Once the server finishes starting, it is ready for players to join.

2. How to check your world is still working after the update

After the update completes and the server is running, it is a good idea to check that your existing world loaded correctly before inviting players back.

1. Join your server yourself and look around to confirm the world loaded as expected.
2. Check the Console in the panel for any errors or warnings that appeared after startup. If the world failed to load, the console will usually display an error message.
3. If everything looks good, your server is ready. Let your players know they may also need to update their own copy of Project Zomboid on their computer to match the server version before they can connect.

3. How to roll back if the update causes problems

If the updated version causes issues with your world or your server will not start correctly, you can restore your backup to get back to your previous working state.

1. Stop the server from the Console page if it is still running.
2. Go to Backups in the left-hand menu.
3. Find the backup you created before the update and click Restore next to it.
4. Confirm the restore when prompted. The panel will replace your current server files with the backup.
5. Once the restore is complete, start the server again from the Console page and confirm it is working.

Troubleshooting

• The server will not start after the update. Check the console output for error messages. A common cause is a world save that is not compatible with the new version. If this happens, restore your backup and check the Project Zomboid patch notes to see if a world wipe is needed.
• Players get a version mismatch error. This usually means the player's copy of Project Zomboid is out of date. Ask them to update the game through Steam and try again.
• The update does not seem to have applied. Make sure the server was fully stopped before you started it again. Restart the server from the Console page and watch the console output to confirm the update process runs on startup.
• The world loaded but some content is missing or broken. This can happen when a major update changes how the map or saves work. Check the official Project Zomboid patch notes to see if a world reset is recommended for the version you updated to.
• You cannot find the Startup page. Make sure you are logged in to panel.riverhosting.com and have selected the correct server. The Startup option appears in the left-hand menu on every server page.

Need help?

If your server is not updating correctly or you are unsure about any of these steps, the RiverHosting support team is ready to help.

You can also find more guides and troubleshooting tips in the RiverHosting knowledge base at riverhosting.com.