Project Zomboid: Managing "Pause Empty" & Server Time
One of the biggest challenges of running a persistent Project Zomboid server is that the world continues to rot while you're at work or sleeping. If left on default settings, your crops can wither, your generators can run out of fuel, and your refrigerated food can spoil. The **PauseEmpty** setting allows you to freeze the world in time whenever the server is empty.
1. Freezing Time
When PauseEmpty=true, the server's internal clock and all world simulations (rot, fire spread, crop growth) stop the moment the last player logs out.
2. Crop Protection
This is essential for farmers. Without it, a rainy day while you are offline might overwater your plants or a heatwave might kill them before you can log back in.
3. Generator Fuel
Generators consume fuel based on active appliances. In a persistent world, a generator can run dry in 2–3 real-world days, leading to a base full of rotten food.
How to Enable Pause Empty
- Login to your Supercraft Panel and Stop the server.
- Open the Advanced Server Settings (or edit your
.inifile). - Use
Ctrl + Fto find the setting:PauseEmpty=false - Change the value to true.
- Click Save Configs and Restart the server.
Pros and Cons of Pausing Your Server
| Setting | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| PauseEmpty=true | Crops won't die; Food won't rot; Generators won't run dry. | Makes the world feel less "persistent"; Time doesn't advance for RP purposes. |
| PauseEmpty=false | A true "Living World" experience where seasons change naturally. | Requires 24/7 maintenance; High risk of base failure while offline. |
Additional Time Management: "Start-on-Join"
On some high-performance servers, owners use a script to shut down the server entirely when empty and restart it only when a player tries to join. While more complex, the PauseEmpty setting within the game engine is the most stable and recommended way to manage your world's timeline on Supercraft.
Note: Some mods that use "Real-World Time" for certain calculations (like Daily Reward mods) may behave unexpectedly if the server is paused. Always test your mod compatibility before enabling this setting on a heavily modded server.
Control the clock with absolute precision. Host your Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and enjoy a world that waits for you, ensuring your hard-earned progress is never lost to time.