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Schedule Restarts

Project Zomboid Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Project Zomboid: Why & How to Schedule Restarts

Project Zomboid is built on **Java**, which (in the current build) is notorious for "Garbage Collection" issues. Over time, a running server accumulates "ghost" data—zombies that aren't really there, loot items improperly despawned, and memory chunks that don't free up. Scheduling regular restarts is the **#1 way to fix long-term lag**.

1. Memory Leaks

After 6-8 hours of uptime with 10+ players, RAM usage typically bloats by 30-40%. A restart completely flushes the RAM and resets the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

2. Mod Updates

Steam Workshop mods do not update while the server is running. A scheduled restart ensures your server grabs the latest patches for mods like Brita's or Map Extensions.

3. Preventing Corruption

Long runtimes increase the risk of "Chunk Corruption" (black void squares). Resetting the process helps the game save the map state cleanly to the disk.

Recommended Schedule

For most servers, we recommend a restart every **6 to 12 hours** depending on player count.

  • Low Pop (1-4 Players): Every 24 Hours (e.g., 4:00 AM local time).
  • Medium Pop (5-15 Players): Every 12 Hours (e.g., 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM).
  • High Pop (16+ Players): Every 6 Hours (e.g., 6 AM, 12 PM, 6 PM, 12 AM).

Setting Up Auto-Restarts (Supercraft Panel)

Supercraft makes this easy with our built-in "Scheduled Tasks" system:

  1. Go to your Server Panel and click on Schedules.
  2. Create a new Schedule and name it "Daily Restart".
  3. Set the time (e.g., 04:00:00) and set it to repeat **Daily**.
  4. Add a Task inside the schedule: Send Command.
  5. Command: servermsg "Server restarting in 5 minutes! Safe Log Now!" (This warns players).
  6. Add a Wait offset of 5 minutes.
  7. Add the final Task: Power Action -> Restart.

Manual RCON Warning

If you need to restart immediately, always warn your players first to avoid vehicle loss. 

/servermsg "EMERGENCY RESTART IN 1 MINUTE! PULL OVER AND EXIT VEHICLES!"
Players who are driving during a hard shutdown often log back in to find their car has vanished or flipped.

Note: While many modern games have "Live updates," Project Zomboid REQUIRES a full process termination to apply Workshop updates. If players get "Client Version Mismatch," 99% of the time it's because the server hasn't restarted to grab a mod update that the player just downloaded.

Keep your timeline clean. Host your Project Zomboid server with Supercraft and use our granular Cron-job scheduler to automate warnings, backups, and restarts effortlessly.

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