How to Use the Workshop Mods Tool on Your Project Zomboid Server

Project Zomboid has a large modding community, and Workshop mods let you add new items, maps, mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements to your server. The RiverHosting panel includes a built-in Workshop Mods tool that makes it straightforward to browse, add, and remove mods without editing any configuration files by hand.

Before you start

• You need an active Project Zomboid server with RiverHosting. You can manage it at panel.riverhosting.com.
• Your server should be stopped before making changes to mods. Adding or removing mods while the server is running can cause unexpected behaviour.
• Make sure your players have the same mods installed on their own game clients. A mismatch between server and client mods is the most common reason players cannot connect after a mod change.
• Some mods require a fresh world to work properly. If a mod adds new map regions or changes core world generation, you may need to wipe and regenerate your world after adding it.

1. How to open the Workshop Mods tool

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel at panel.riverhosting.com.
2. Select your Project Zomboid server from the server list.
3. In the left-hand menu, click Workshop Mods.
4. The Workshop Mods page will load and show you any mods currently installed on your server.

2. How to add a Workshop mod to your server

1. On the Workshop Mods page, look for the option to add a new mod. You will typically see an input field where you can enter a Steam Workshop item ID or URL.
2. Go to the Project Zomboid Steam Workshop in your browser and find the mod you want to install.
3. Copy the mod ID from the URL in your browser. The URL will look something like https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1234567890. The number at the end is the mod ID.
4. Paste the mod ID into the input field on the Workshop Mods page in the RiverHosting panel.
5. Click the button to add or install the mod.
6. The panel will save the mod to your server's configuration. Repeat this process for each mod you want to add.

3. How to remove a Workshop mod from your server

1. Open the Workshop Mods page from the left-hand menu.
2. Find the mod you want to remove in the list of currently installed mods.
3. Click the remove or delete button next to that mod.
4. Confirm the removal if prompted.

4. How to start your server after changing mods

1. After you have finished adding or removing mods, go back to the main server page by clicking Console in the left-hand menu or navigating to your server overview.
2. Click the Start button to start your server.
3. Watch the console output as the server starts. Project Zomboid will download and load any new Workshop mods during the startup process. This may take a little longer than usual if new mods are being downloaded.
4. Once the server is fully started and you see a ready message in the console, players can connect and the mods will be active.

Troubleshooting

• Players cannot connect after a mod change. Check that every player has the same mods installed on their own game client. Players need the client-side version of each Workshop mod to join a modded server.
• The server crashes at startup after adding a mod. Check the console output for error messages. Some mods conflict with each other, and some require other mods to be installed first (these are called dependencies). Read the mod's Workshop page for any listed requirements.
• A mod I added does not seem to be doing anything in game. Some mods are controlled by in-game settings or require you to enable specific mod IDs within the World Settings page. Check your World Settings and the mod's own documentation to see if extra steps are needed after installation.
• The server is taking a very long time to start. Large mods or a large number of mods can slow down the first startup after a change. Give the server a few extra minutes before assuming something is wrong, and monitor the console for any error messages.
• I cannot find the mod ID. Make sure you are on the correct Steam Workshop page for Project Zomboid specifically. The ID is the number at the end of the URL on the individual mod page, not the main Workshop listing page.

Need help?

If you run into any issues with Workshop mods on your Project Zomboid server that you cannot resolve, the RiverHosting support team is available to help.