Menu
  Log out
 

Upload A Save

Project Zomboid Guide • Updated Jan 8, 2026

Upload A Save

If you previously hosted your multiplayer server in game and you're looking to move everything to a dedicated sever, this guide is for you. This guide will also help if you are moving from another dedicated server. This guide will walk you through transferring all save and player data to the server.

** 1.** On your PC, navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer

** 2.** In this folder, you will see all of your save games. Your save will be named after what you named it in game. Compress your save folder to a .zip using a program such as WinRar

Note: The folder MUST be compressed to a .zip

Common Transfer Scenarios

🔄 Same Hosting Provider

Moving your server to the same hosting company or upgrading server tiers. Most files can be uploaded via File Manager without compression.

🏠️ Different Hosting Provider

Transitioning to a new hosting environment. Ensure proper file permissions, check compression requirements, and verify server compatibility before upload.

👥 Player Migration

Existing players need to connect with their old accounts or create new ones on your server. Announce the transfer to ensure players don't lose progress.

Advanced Transfer Strategies

Handling Modded Servers

  • Mods Preservation: If you're transferring a modded server, ensure all /mods/ folders are uploaded with their contents intact.
  • WorkshopItems Configuration: Save your pzserver.ini with all Workshop IDs before upload. Transfer these settings to the new server config.
  • SandboxVars Consistency: Ensure pzserver_SandboxVars.lua settings match between old and new server to maintain game balance.
  • Map Loading Order: If you use custom maps, verify the load order matches. Test the new server loads all required maps correctly.

Pro Tip: If the new server is running a different Build version, ensure the save file is compatible. Test with a fresh player first before announcing migration.

Database Management

  • Players.db Integrity: The players.db file must be transferred completely. Verify all player data appears correctly after migration.
  • Safehouse Claims: These are stored in the database and should transfer with players.db. Players will retain access to their claimed safehouses on the new server.
  • World Data Transfer: All map files, player progress, and world state must be present. Missing any component can cause server startup failures.

Security Considerations

  • Admin Account Migration: Default admin accounts may not work after transfer. Reset or re-create admin access on the new server. Guide players through the login process.
  • Password Reset: If players used different passwords previously, they'll need to authenticate again. Inform players about password requirements before migration.
  • Whitelist Management: Transfer your whitelist to the new server. Ensure all whitelisted players are added and verify whitelist is enabled.
  • Safehouse Protection: Verify that safehouse protection settings match between servers. Players may lose protection if settings differ significantly.

⚠️ Critical Warning

  • Never delete files from the old server while players are still using it. This can corrupt data and cause rollbacks.
  • Always perform a full server backup before initiating any transfer operations.
  • Test the transferred save on a test server first before making it live. This allows you to identify and fix issues without affecting players.
  • Communicate clearly with your player base about transfer windows, expected downtime, and any changes they need to make.
  • For major server migrations, consider scheduling during off-peak hours to minimize disruption.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue Possible Cause Solution
Save Won't Load Corrupted pzserver folder, incompatible game version, or missing players.db Verify file integrity, check game version compatibility, or restore from backup
Players Can't Log In Default admin account blocked, different password system, or whitelist settings Guide players to fix login credentials, add to whitelist if needed, or verify admin settings
Missing Mods Incomplete /mods/ folder transfer, workshop items not configured Re-upload /mods/ folder completely, configure Workshop IDs in pzserver.ini
World Not Generating Missing map files or corrupted map_t.bin Verify all map files are present, check Map= setting in pzserver.ini
Players Lost Progress players.db corrupted or missing during transfer Restore from backup, verify all player data before making live
Safehouse Claims Missing Safehouse data not transferred with players.db Verify safehouse entries in players.db, manually re-add claims if necessary

Best Practices

  • Test First: Always test your transferred save on a test server before making it live. Create a test character and verify all functionality works correctly.
  • Communicate with Players: Announce the transfer date and time to your community. Provide clear instructions for any changes players need to make (new login, client updates, etc.).
  • Phase Your Migration: For large communities, consider a gradual migration process. Transfer servers in groups based on player population or region to spread out load.
  • Maintain Old Server: Keep the old server running in read-only mode for a transition period. This allows players to access both servers during migration and move their characters at their own pace.
  • Document Everything: Keep detailed records of what you transferred, when you did it, and any issues encountered. This documentation is invaluable for troubleshooting and future migrations.
  • Monitor Performance: Watch server performance after the transfer. Large save uploads can temporarily impact CPU and memory usage. Be prepared to handle increased load during the initial days.
  • Have Rollback Plan: If critical issues arise, know exactly how to restore to the previous state. Keep backups accessible and tested regularly.
  • NOT a .rar

or .7z

** 3.** If you are coming from another dedicated server host, the path for this folder may vary - it is typically under Saves/Multiplayer

within your file access.

**4. **Open the File Manager

5. Navigate to /server-data/Saves/Multiplayer/

**6. **Remove the existing pzserver

folder

** 7. **Upload your .zip

file. This can be named anything. (e.g. mysave.zip, broccolandia.zip)

1. If you have mods and settings you would like to use on the server, you can also upload those.

2. On your PC, navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Server

  1. There are three files that are named after your save file as so:

4. Open the .ini

file and ensure the WorkshopItems=

are listed if you are using mods. If they are not, list the workshop IDs for your mods using this guide. (The mod IDs and maps should already be there).

5. When your .ini

file is complete, open the File Manager

** 6. **Navigate to /server-data/Server/

7. Delete the existing config files.

** 8.** Upload your config files. (You do not need to rename them).

** 1.** Open the Upload Save tab

**2. **Click Configure Save - everything will be configured for you and the server will restart.

Note: You may notice that the default admin account won't work after uploading a save. You can follow these steps to fix this.

When logging into the server for the first time and coming from a locally hosted game, use your Steam Username as the username to make sure you login to the correct player account. The password can be anything the first time.

1. On your PC, navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer

2. Open the folder of your save and find players.db

3. Use a program such as [https://sqlitebrowser.org/](https://sqlitebrowser.org/) and open the file in it by dragging or the File menu.

4. Navigate to the Browse Data tab

5. Click the dropdown to switch to Network Players

6. Change the value in the world column to pzserver for * all* players

**7. **Click File then Save All

1. Navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Zomboid\Saves\Multiplayer

2. Find the save that you would like to upload. Make a copy of this and rename it to pzserver

2.5. Zip your save using a program like WinRar or 7Zip

*Note: The new file manager no longer supports zip files. Reach out to support to unzip your files until this guide has changed.

**3. **Open the File Manager

4. Navigate to /server-data/saves/multiplayer/

**5. **Remove the existing

folderpzserver

**6. **Upload and extract your

. You can delete the zip file when complete.pzserver.zip

7. Restart your server and your save will be loaded onto the server.

*Note: You may notice that the default admin account won't work after uploading a save. You can follow these steps to fix this.

← Back to Project Zomboid Guides
Top