Making a Project Zomboid server private gives you control over who can enter your world. This is useful for a small server with friends, a private roleplay community, or any multiplayer world where you do not want unknown players joining.
Project Zomboid gives server owners several ways to control access. You can add a shared server password, hide the server from public listings, or use a whitelist that only allows approved player accounts to connect.
This guide explains how to set these options on a self-hosted Windows server first, followed by the much simpler process available with Project Zomboid hosting through Pine Hosting.
How To Make A Self-Hosted Project Zomboid Server Private
On a self-hosted Windows server, most privacy options are controlled through the server configuration file.
The configuration files are normally located inside:
C:\Users\YourUsername\Zomboid\Server\
If you use the default server name, the main configuration file will usually be:
servertest.ini
Stop the server before making configuration changes, then open the .ini file with a text editor such as Notepad.
Add A Server Password
Find:
Password=
Enter the password you want players to use:
Password=MyPrivateServer123
Save the file and restart the server. Anyone attempting to connect will now need the shared server password.
For a small friends-only Project Zomboid server, this may be all you need.
Hide Your Server From Public Listings
A password prevents unauthorized players from joining, but you may also want to prevent the server from appearing publicly.
Find:
Public=true
and change it to:
Public=false
This hides the server from public listings. Players who already have the connection details can still attempt to connect, so this setting should not be treated as a replacement for a password or whitelist.
Enable The Project Zomboid Whitelist
If you want more control than a shared password provides, you can close the server and manually approve individual player accounts.
Find:
Open=true
and change it to:
Open=false
Restart the server after saving the change.
With the server closed, new players cannot simply create their own account when connecting. You need to create the accounts that are allowed to join.
From the dedicated server console, use:
adduser "username" "password"
For example:
adduser "Survivor01" "PlayerPassword123"
Give those credentials to the player so they can use them when joining.
To remove someone from the whitelist, use:
removeuserfromwhitelist "username"
If you run these commands through the dedicated server console, you do not need a / before the command. Commands entered in-game through an administrator account use the / prefix.
Password Or Whitelist: Which Should You Use?
For most small private servers, a password is the easiest option. Everyone in the group can use the same password and begin playing without individual account management.
A whitelist is better when you want tighter control over membership. Instead of changing the shared password whenever someone leaves the community, you can simply remove that player's account.
You can also combine different privacy settings depending on the type of server you run:
- Password: Requires players to know the shared server password.
- Public Server Off: Prevents the server from appearing publicly.
- Open Server Off: Requires players to have an approved account before joining.
A larger private or roleplay community will usually benefit more from a whitelist, while a server shared between a few friends may only need a password.
How To Make A Project Zomboid Server Private With Pine Hosting
With Pine Hosting, you do not need to locate and manually edit the Project Zomboid configuration file for these settings.
Instead, open your server through the Pine Hosting panel and go to the Easy Config tab. Under Server Settings, the privacy options are available directly through the custom interface.
Add A Password Through Easy Config
To password-protect the server:
- Open your Project Zomboid server in the Pine Hosting panel.
- Go to Easy Config.
- Make sure you are under Server Settings.
- Find the Password field.
- Enter the password you want players to use.
- Click Save.
- Restart the server.
If you later want to remove the password, simply clear the Password field, save the settings, and restart again.
Hide The Server Or Enable A Whitelist
The same page includes Public Server and Open Server switches.
Turn Public Server off if you do not want the server advertised publicly.
For a whitelist-only server, turn Open Server off. This prevents new users from creating accounts freely and means that only accounts you approve can connect.
Click Save and restart your server after changing these options.
Add Whitelisted Players Through The Console
Whitelisted users still need to be added with server commands.
Open the Console tab in the Pine Hosting panel and enter:
adduser "username" "password"
For example:
adduser "Survivor01" "PlayerPassword123"
Because you are using the server console, no / is required.
To remove access later, use:
removeuserfromwhitelist "username"
This gives you individual control over who is allowed to connect without requiring you to change the server password for everyone else.
Why Private Servers Are Easier With Pine Hosting
Self-hosting gives you full control, but privacy management is only one part of running the server. You are also responsible for configuration files, server updates, backups, mods, Workshop content, uptime, and maintaining the machine itself.
Pine Hosting brings those tools together in one panel. Server and sandbox settings are available through Easy Config, while separate Mods and Workshop tabs simplify mod management. You also have direct console access, backups, file management, restart controls, and version management when you need them.
This can be especially helpful with a Build 42 Project Zomboid server because you can manage the server without repeatedly working through Windows directories or manually maintaining the dedicated server installation.
When comparing the best Project Zomboid hosting options, convenience matters alongside hardware and performance. Pine Hosting lets you control who joins your server, manage the world, install mods, change settings, and keep the server online without needing your own computer to handle everything.
