Set up a Project Zomboid dedicated server auto restart with a scheduled task: it warns players at 10, 5, 2 and 1 minute, saves the world, restarts the server and makes a backup.
The Restart with Messages task does all of this for you. Players get in-game warnings at 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 2 minutes and 1 minute before the restart, so nobody is caught out.
Set up a Project Zomboid server auto restart (daily example)
This example restarts your server once every 24 hours.
- Go to the Scheduled Tasks button in your game panel.
- Create a new Scheduled Task and select the Restart with Messages option.
- Give it a Name of your choice, Daily Restart for example.
- Select the date/hour you want the next restart to happen (Start). See Server time below (*).
- Select Recur Every: 1 Days.
- Select the Repeat task option.
- Select Repeat Every: 24 Hours.
- Select For: 24 Hours.
- Save the task.
In this example the server restarts every 24 hours. Want a different number of hours? Just change Repeat Every from 24 hours to any number of hours you like, for example 6 or 12.
Server time (*)
Servers restart based on the machine's local hour. If your restart happens at the wrong time, check the clock the task uses:
- Open Server Details › Machine Local Time button to see the machine's local hour.
- If needed, adjust your game panel profile timezone to match the machine's local hour: click your name in the top right corner › My Profile › Timezone.
Auto restart questions
How do I set up a Project Zomboid server auto restart?
In the game panel, open Scheduled Tasks, create a new task with the Restart with Messages option, set the start time, Recur Every 1 Days, tick Repeat task, set Repeat Every to the number of hours you want (24 for once a day) and For to 24 Hours, then save.
Does the scheduled restart save the world?
Yes. The Restart with Messages task warns players at 10, 5, 2 and 1 minute, saves the world, restarts the server and performs a backup.
Why does my server restart at the wrong hour?
The task runs on the machine's local hour. Check it under Server Details, Machine Local Time, and set your game panel profile timezone (your name, My Profile, Timezone) to match.
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