Mods can completely change how a Project Zomboid server plays, from adding new vehicles and weapons to overhauling traits, crafting, UI features, and entire parts of the map.

Installing them on a dedicated server is slightly different from subscribing to a mod for single-player. A self-hosted server needs to know both which Steam Workshop files to download and which mods it should actually enable.

This guide explains how to install mods on a Project Zomboid Build 42 server, including the exact configuration files you need to edit and an easier method for players using dedicated Project Zomboid hosting.

Check That The Mod Supports Build 42

Before installing anything, check the mod's Steam Workshop page to make sure it supports Build 42.

Build 42 introduced substantial changes to Project Zomboid and its modding systems, so you should not assume that a mod created for Build 41 will work correctly on a Build 42 server. Build 42 itself also introduced improved mod load-order, dependency, and incompatibility handling.

You should also check whether the mod requires any other mods or frameworks. If it has dependencies, those will normally need to be installed on the server as well.

For a new modded server, adding a few mods at a time can make troubleshooting considerably easier than installing a large collection immediately.

Find The Workshop ID And Mod ID

Project Zomboid server mods commonly use two different identifiers:

Workshop ID – tells Steam which Workshop item needs to be downloaded.

Mod ID – tells Project Zomboid which mod contained within that Workshop item should actually be enabled.

These are not interchangeable.

For example, a mod may have information similar to:

Workshop ID: 1234567890

Mod ID: ExampleMod

You will need both values when manually configuring a self-hosted server.

A Workshop item can also contain more than one Mod ID, so always read the mod's Workshop description rather than assuming there is only one.

How To Install Build 42 Mods When Self-Hosting

Find Your Project Zomboid Server Configuration

On a self-hosted Windows server, Project Zomboid normally stores its server configuration under:

C:\Users\YourUsername\Zomboid\Server\

Inside this folder, find the .ini file belonging to your server.

For a server using the default servertest name, this will be:

servertest.ini

You can open the file using a basic text editor such as Notepad.

Before changing it, completely stop your Project Zomboid server. Editing the configuration while the server is running can result in your changes not being applied correctly.

Add The Workshop ID

Inside the .ini file, find:

WorkshopItems=

This setting tells the server which Steam Workshop items it requires.

Using the example Workshop ID above, you would change it to:

WorkshopItems=1234567890

If you have multiple Workshop items, separate each ID using a semicolon:

WorkshopItems=1234567890;2345678901;3456789012

Do not use commas or spaces between the IDs.

When the server starts, Project Zomboid uses this list to obtain the required Workshop content for the server. Workshop integration also allows connecting players to receive the required Workshop content.

Add The Mod ID

Next, find:

Mods=

This is where you enable the actual mods contained within those Workshop items.

For example:

Mods=ExampleMod

For several mods:

Mods=ExampleMod;AnotherMod;ThirdMod

Do not put the Workshop ID in this line. Mods= expects the Mod ID, while WorkshopItems= expects the numeric Workshop ID.

Current Build 42 versions no longer require the leading backslash that was used during some earlier Build 42 multiplayer versions. The Mod IDs can once again be entered normally and separated using semicolons.

Once both lines are configured, save the .ini file.

Restart Your Project Zomboid Server

Start the dedicated server again after saving your changes.

Watch the server console during startup. The server should process the Workshop items and load the mods listed in your configuration.

Players joining the server may also need to download the corresponding Workshop content before they can connect.

If the server refuses to start or a mod does not appear in-game, check the configuration again before making other changes.

Some of the most common problems include:

  • Using the Workshop ID in the Mods= field
  • Using the Mod ID in WorkshopItems=
  • Forgetting a required dependency
  • Installing a Build 41-only mod on Build 42
  • Entering IDs incorrectly
  • Using an incorrect mod load order
  • Forgetting to restart the server

Load order can be particularly important when one mod depends on another. Build 42's modding system includes improved load-order and dependency functionality, but individual mod instructions should still be followed.

Map mods can also require additional configuration beyond the normal Mods= and WorkshopItems= entries, so always check their installation instructions separately.

How To Install Build 42 Mods With Project Zomboid Hosting

Using dedicated Project Zomboid hosting can remove most of the manual configuration involved in installing Workshop mods.

With Pine Hosting, start by opening the Project Zomboid server you want to modify.

Go to the Workshop tab and either paste the Steam Workshop URL for the mod or enter its Workshop ID. You can then install the Workshop item directly through the panel.

Next:

  1. Go to the Mods tab.
  2. Click Add.
  3. Enter the mod's Mod ID.
  4. Save the changes.
  5. Go to the Console tab.
  6. Restart the server.

There is no need to add a backslash before the Mod ID on the current Build 42 version.

Pine Hosting also supports Workshop collections, making it easier to install groups of Workshop items without individually adding every Workshop URL.

The important distinction remains the same: the Workshop section handles the Workshop content, while the Mods section determines which Mod IDs the Project Zomboid server loads.

Instead of locating servertest.ini and manually building the WorkshopItems= and Mods= lines, both parts can be managed directly from the game panel.

Start A Modded Project Zomboid Server With Pine Hosting

Building a modded Project Zomboid server should be about creating the experience you want rather than spending your time managing configuration files.

With Pine Hosting's Project Zomboid hosting, you can install Workshop content, manage your mods, restart your server, and control your configuration directly through an easy-to-use game panel.

Whether you want a lightly modded Build 42 server for friends or a larger custom community, dedicated Project Zomboid hosting gives you an easier way to manage your setup without manually editing every server file.

Start your modded Project Zomboid server with Pine Hosting and build your own Build 42 experience.