Project Zomboid Build 42 brings huge changes to the game: deeper crafting, new systems, balance tweaks, and better multiplayer options. If you want to explore all of this with friends, you will need a dedicated server that runs the Build 42 branch instead of the default stable version.

In this guide, you will learn how to install Build 42 on a dedicated Project Zomboid server, configure your multiplayer settings, let your friends join your server, and handle common issues with a few simple troubleshooting tips.

What Is Build 42?

Build 42 is one of the most anticipated updates in Project Zomboid’s history. It expands almost every aspect of the game with new crafting tiers, item systems, balance changes, map extensions, and more. Because it is still in unstable status, hosting a dedicated server requires opting into a Steam beta branch.

This means not every hosting provider supports it easily, but Pine Hosting does.

What You Need Before You Start

Before setting up your Build 42 multiplayer server, make sure you have:

  • A Project Zomboid server
  • A copy of Project Zomboid on Steam
  • A stable internet connection
  • Basic familiarity with your game panel (start, stop, reinstall, settings)

Build 42 is an experimental branch. That means:

  • It can have bugs or performance issues
  • Updates may be frequent and sometimes break mods or worlds

How To Install Build 42 On A Dedicated Project Zomboid Host

Step 1: Open the Startup Tab

  • Log in to your game panel and select your Project Zomboid server from the list.
  • At the top of the page, click the Startup tab.

You will see different startup variables that control how the server is installed and started.

Step 2: Set the Steam Beta Branch

Find the field named: "Steam Beta Branch [requires reinstall]"

In the text box for this setting, input:

unstable

This tells Steam that your server should use the Build 42 unstable branch instead of the default stable version.

Step 3: Reinstall The Server To Apply Build 42

Now you need to force the panel to reinstall the server with the new branch.

  • Go to the Settings tab in the panel.
  • Click the Reinstall button for the server.
  • When the reinstall options appear, select: "Delete all files" and then click Reinstall.

This wipes the server files and downloads the game again using the unstable branch you set in Startup.

Tip: If you already had a world you cared about, always take backups before this step. Deleting all files will remove existing saves, configs, and mods from the server.

After confirming, the reinstall process will run. When it finishes, your Project Zomboid server will now be using Build 42.

Basic Server Configuration For Build 42

Once Build 42 is installed, you configure the server almost the same way as any normal Project Zomboid server. You can edit configuration files directly or use any built-in editor if your panel provides one. Pine Hosting provides an intuitive server settings editor for easy access to edit anything your heart desires.

There are two main areas:

  • Server Settings – core multiplayer configuration, performance, safehouses, backups
  • Sandbox Settings – zombie behavior, loot rarity, utilities, environment, XP, and more

You can still revert to the classic file method at any time, but for Build 42, Easy Config is the fastest way to spin up a server that feels exactly how you want.

Basic Settings

  • Server Name
    • Example: My PZ Server (Build 42)
  • Password
    • Set a simple password (e.g. b42friends) if you want friends-only.
  • Public Server
    • No (Unlisted) if you only want direct joins.
    • Yes if you want to appear in the global server list.
  • Open Server
    • Yes (Anyone can join) – works fine if you rely on password/moderation.
  • Server Description
    • Short pitch like: Build 42 Co-op | Vanilla+ Mods | Casual but deadly.
  • Welcome Message
    • Use this for rules and links, e.g.:
      Welcome to our Build 42 server! Be kind, don’t grief, join Discord: discord.gg/yourlink

Gameplay & Communication

Still on Server Settings, scroll to Gameplay and set:

  • PvP – Enabled only if you want players to hurt each other; otherwise Disabled.
  • Global Chat – Enabled (makes coordination easy).
  • Pause When Empty – Yes for small friend groups so time doesn’t pass when nobody’s on.
  • Display Username – Yes (easier moderation).
  • Safety System – Enabled if you want players to toggle PvP via safe mode.
  • Voice Chat – Enabled if your group uses in-game voice.
  • Allow Co-op – Yes (lets people play co-op sessions).
  • Show Character Name –
    • Yes for RP servers,
    • No if you prefer usernames only.

Map & Spawn

In the Map & Spawn section:

  • Map – Start with Muldraugh, KY or your preferred map string. If you’ve installed map mods, add them here in the same format.
  • Spawn Point (x,y,z) – Leave default unless you know specific coordinates.
  • Spawn Items – Good starter pack:
    Base.Axe,Base.Bag_BigHikingBag,Base.WaterBottleFull,Base.CannedSoup
  • Loot Respawn (Hours) – Try 72.0 hours (3 in-game days) as a starting point.
  • Max Items for Respawn – 4 is a balanced value so containers don’t overfill.

Safehouses & Factions

In the Safehouses & Factions block:

  • Player Safehouses – Enabled so players can claim bases.
  • Admin Safehouses – Disabled unless staff want to manage special bases.
  • Safehouse Respawn – Enabled if you want players to respawn at home.
  • Factions – Enabled if you want group systems (recommended).
  • Days to Claim – 0–2 days so new players can secure a base quickly.
  • Days to Create Faction – 0–5 days depending on how fast you want factions to form.

Performance & Backups

Finally, in Performance & Backups:

  • Ping Limit (ms) – 400 is a safe default; lower it for stricter regions.
  • Auto-Save (Minutes) – 10–15 minutes protects progress without being too frequent.
  • Backup Count – 5 keeps multiple restore points.
  • Backup on Start – Yes if you want a fresh backup each time the server boots.

On the right side:

  • Wipe Saves – Use this when you want to reset the world (e.g. new season), but keep your config.
  • Clear Logs – Use occasionally to tidy up logs after troubleshooting.

Click Save at the bottom, then restart the server from the Console tab.

Switch to Easy Config → Sandbox Settings to tune how your Build 42 apocalypse feels.

World Settings

  • Zombie Population – High for a tense but manageable world.
  • Distribution – Urban Focused so cities are deadly while rural areas are safer.
  • Day Length – 1 Hour (default) or 2 Hours for more time per day.
  • Start Time – 9 AM is a friendly start.
  • Start Month / Day / Year –
    • Example: July 9, Year 1 for warm weather and easy early-game.

Utilities Shutoff

  • Water Shutoff – 0–30 Days
  • Electricity Shutoff – 0–30 Days

This gives you a bit of time with full utilities, but doesn’t let you rely on them forever.

Loot Rarity

For a standard “survivor” feel:

  • Food – Rare
  • Melee Weapons – Rare
  • Ranged Weapons – Rare
  • Ammunition – Rare
  • Medical – Rare
  • Survival Gear – Rare
  • Mechanics – Rare
  • Other Loot – Rare

If your group is newer to PZ, push some of these up to Normal.

Zombie Behavior

  • Speed – Fast Shamblers (classic scary but not sprinting).
  • Strength – Normal
  • Toughness – Normal
  • Transmission – Blood + Saliva (default infection).
  • Mortality – 2–3 Days for the infection to play out.
  • Cognition – Basic Navigation
  • Memory / Sight / Hearing – all Normal to start.

You can always crank these up once your players get comfortable.

Zombie Population Curve

  • Population Multiplier – 1.0
  • Start Multiplier – 1.0
  • Peak Multiplier – 1.5
  • Peak Day – 28 (about a month in).
  • Respawn Hours – 72.0
  • Respawn Multiplier – 0.1

This creates a world that gets gradually busier and more dangerous over the first month.

Vehicles, Environment & XP

  • Enable Vehicles – Enabled
  • Spawn Rate – Low
  • Chance Has Gas – Low
  • Initial Gas – Low
  • General Condition – Low
  • Gas Consumption – 1.0 (default)

Cars exist, but they’re not trivial.

  • Temperature – Normal
  • Rain – Normal
  • Erosion – Normal (100 Days)

Gameplay extras:

  • XP Multiplier – 1.5 (helps with Build 42’s expanded skill systems).
  • Easy Vehicle Use – Disabled for realism, Enabled for newer players.
  • Farming Speed – Normal unless you want faster seasons.

Ready To Launch Your Build 42 World With Pine Hosting?

Pine Hosting makes running a Build42 Project Zomboid server simple and reliable. The panel handles SteamCMD installs, updates, and reinstalls, so switching to the unstable branch is just a matter of changing one setting and reinstalling. You also get an easy Config tab where you can edit everything from basic server details like name and password to advanced sandbox options without touching raw files.

This makes Pine Hosting a convenient choice for playing Build 42 with friends or running a small community server without worrying about complex setup or maintenance.

Check out our Project Zomboid hosting plans today and experience the apocalypse your way.