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Revive Dead Player

Project Zomboid Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Project Zomboid: Reviving the Dead

Death in Project Zomboid is permanent... usually. As a server admin, you have the power to reverse fate, but it requires editing the server database directly. There is no simple chat command.

1. The Database

Player characters are stored in a file called players.db. This SQLite database tracks health, inventory, and the fatal isDead flag.

2. The Tool

You cannot edit this file with Notepad. You need a specialized tool like **DB Browser for SQLite** (Free).

3. The Warning

This is risky. Always BACKUP the .db file before editing. One wrong edit can corrupt everyone's character data.

Step 1: Get the File

  1. Stop the server.
  2. Navigate to: /server-data/Saves/Multiplayer/YourServerName/.
  3. Download players.db to your computer.

Step 2: Edit the Database

  1. Open **DB Browser for SQLite**.
  2. Click **Open Database** -> Select your downloaded `players.db`.
  3. Go to the **Browse Data** tab.
  4. Select Table: `networkPlayers`.
  5. Find the row with the username of the dead player.
    Tip: You can use the "Filter code" box to search for their name.
  6. Scroll horizontally to look for columns:
    • isDead: Change from **1** to **0**.
    • health: Change to **100** (optional, but prevents instant re-death).
    • bitten: Change to **0** (if infection caused death).
  7. Click **Write Changes** (Save).

Step 3: Re-upload

  1. Upload the modified `players.db` back to the server, overwriting the old one.
  2. Start the server.
  3. The player can now log in. They may spawn where they died, possibly surrounded by zombies! Teleport them out immediately.

Alternative: Skill Journal Mod

Because database editing is tedious, we highly recommend the standard Skill Recovery Journal mod. This allows players to write down their XP and recover it upon death, preserving progression without breaking immersion.

Play god. Host your Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and have full FTP access to manage your database saves at any time.

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