How to connect

Guide · Getting started

Everything you need to join Dawn of the Dead, in the order you need it. It takes a few minutes — most of that is Steam downloading the mods.

Server details

IP address

5.39.74.81

Port

16261

Password

None — leave it empty

Game version

Default Public Version (Build 42)

Modpack

Dawn of the Dead B42 Modpack — Season 3

3D view (optional)

Viewpoint Modpack · how to turn it on

Very important if you are new: set your Steam profile to Public before your first join

The first time you connect, our Automatic Steam Audit checks your Steam account. If your profile or game details are hidden it cannot pass you, and you are kicked. So, just for connecting:

1. In Steam, click your name top-right, then View Profile → Edit Profile → Privacy Settings.
2. Set My profile to Public.
3. Set Game details to Public and untick Always keep my total playtime private.

The audit runs only once. As soon as you are connected you can set everything back to private.

We use the audit to protect the server against bulk-purchased accounts, which the majority of cheaters use.

Contents

1. Use the right game version
2. Change Launch Options
3. Subscribe to the modpack
4. Set up mods
5. Join the server
6. Didn't work?
7. Common problems after log-In
8. Good to know

1. Use the right game version

We run the Default Public Version of Build 42 on Steam, so there is nothing to opt into.

Ever picked a beta branch? Switch back using the following steps, otherwise carry on to step 2.

1. In your Steam Library, right-click Project Zomboid.
2. Select Properties…
3. Open the Betas tab.
4. Set beta participation to None.
5. Wait for the game to finish updating.

2. Change Launch Options

To take advantage of Dawn of the Dead's custom client loader which can improve performance, and allocate more RAM to accommodate the large amount of mods.

1. Right-click Project Zomboid, select Properties, click General
2. In the Launch Options add the line for your system:

-Xms4G -Xmx8G -agentpath:../../workshop/content/108600/3794884561/mods/dusk/bootstrap/agentlib.dll=dusk-bootstrap.jar -Dstorm.experimental.clientperf=true --

Change yourname to your PC username.

-Xms4G -Xmx8G -javaagent:/home/yourname/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/108600/3794884561/mods/dusk/bootstrap/dusk-bootstrap.jar -Dstorm.experimental.clientperf=true --

Plenty of RAM to spare?

Change the first two arguments to one of the following if you have 32gb or more total:

• -Xms8G -Xmx12G

Do not go higher than 12, as the devs state this gradually becomes more detrimental than helpful.

Optional: Shaders or Viewpoint

Check features and installation guide for either:

• Enhanced Shaders for isometric.
• Viewpoint first and third person perspective.

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Game won't launch?

• Though the mod should auto fill in the ../../ after agentpath, if you have issues you can try to change it to your exact Steam folder location e.g. C:/Steam/steamapps/
• Alternatively simply put the first two arguments -Xms4G -Xmx8G -- instead.
• If launch options do not work, another method of allocating RAM is to edit files using Notepad. Note that whenever you verify integrity or the game version updates, this needs to be done again.

1. Right-click Project Zomboid, select Manage, then Browse local files.
2. Find the files named ProjectZomboid64.json and ProjectZomboid64.bat
3. Search for -Xmx and change the value to -Xmx8192m for 8GB or -Xmx12288m for 12GB.

3. Subscribe to the modpack

The server runs more than 250 mods. Subscribing to our modpack before you join gets all of them in one go and prevents most connection errors.

1. Open the Dawn of the Dead B42 Modpack — Season 3 on Steam.
2. Use Subscribe all → Override all.
3. Let Steam finish downloading before you launch the game.

Stuck downloading?

In Steam, select View > Downloads and check nothing is paused or blocked in the queue.

Optional, for the 3D view: the Viewpoint Modpack. Do not enable it in the game's mod list: Viewpoint only runs through our patch, see Optional: Viewpoint to turn it on.

4. Set up mods

Load order for Tomb's Player Models

1. Launch Project Zomboid and click Mods
2. Enable the Tomb's Player Models then match the order shown in the image or click auto-sort.
3. Enable the following:

• Horse Mod
• Companion Dogs
• Every Texture Optimized

Optional: Better Car Physics

Provides a better off-road driving and towing experience. Follow instructions on this page to install or disable the pop-up when in-game via Esc > Options > Mods.

Do not enable all

Let the server handle the load order and activation of all other mods on its end.

5. Join the server

1. Launch Project Zomboid and click Multiplayer.
2. Click Add Server
3. Enter the IP 5.39.74.81 and port 16261. Leave the Server Password empty.
4. Click Save then Add New Account
5. Choose a username and personal password for your server account. This is a new account on our server, not your Steam login — keep the password safe, you need it every time you join.
6. Save the server and click Join. Your first join takes a little longer while the mods load.

Alternative visual guide:

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Prefer the server browser?

You can also find us in the in-game server list — search for Dawn of the Dead. We are listed as [EU] [PVE] [B42] Dawn of the Dead - Season 3.

Didn't work?

Kicked for "Failed Checksum"Find out which mod caused it and fix it in a few minutes.

Can't connectQuick checks, every kick message explained, and the Universal Fix.

Still stuckOpen a ticket in our Discord and the team will help.

Common problems after log-In

Experiencing lag, stutter or random crashes?

Try some Performance Tips.

You or zombies are invisible?

Make sure you're online and not hidden on Steam Friends.

Good to know

• The server is PVE and open to everyone: no whitelist, no application, no password.
• It restarts three times a day, at 03:00, 09:00 and 16:00 UK time, with warnings in game and notices in our Discord. Can't connect just after one of those times? Give it a few minutes.
• Using a VPN? Turn it off before you join — connections through a VPN are kicked.
• The live player count and server status are on deadeyedotd.org.

Help pages

How to connect Failed checksum Connection problems Getting help Our Discord