Players are kicked from your Project Zomboid server

Players are kicked from a Project Zomboid server for four reasons: their ping is above the Ping limit (ms), their game or mod files do not match and Check game files is on, an admin kicked or banned them, or the server stopped. Check the Activity page and the Console to see which.

1. Ping limit

Ping limit (ms) in the Listing and joining group of Server Settings kicks players whose ping is higher than the number. 0 turns it off. A low number kicks players on slow connections.

2. Check game files

Check game files kicks players whose game or mod files do not match the server's. It is the game's own check. If a player is kicked after a mod or game update, they need the same mods and build as the server: Players cannot join your Project Zomboid server after a game update and Players get "Workshop item version is different than the server".

To change either setting: Stop the server, open Settings, then Server Settings, and see How to change the listing and joining settings of your Project Zomboid server.

3. An admin kicked or banned them

Kicks and bans from the Active players card are recorded in the Activity page: How to see what happened on your server. A kick lets the player rejoin straight away. A ban stops them until you lift it: How to unban a player on your Project Zomboid server.

4. The server stopped or restarted

A restart disconnects everyone. Check the Console for Quit and Shutdown handling started, and the Activity log for a restart, a Restart with warnings schedule or a mod-update restart: How to schedule restarts and backups for your Project Zomboid server. If the server stopped by itself: Your Project Zomboid server will not start.

5. The server is full or closed

A player who cannot get in at all, rather than being thrown out, may be facing a full server or a whitelist: Players cannot join your Project Zomboid server.