# How to Configure Loot Respawn on Your Project Zomboid Server (/docs/project-zomboid/loot-respawn)



Loot respawn controls whether and how often items regenerate in containers across the map. Configuring this correctly keeps your server's economy balanced.

Loot Respawn Settings [#loot-respawn-settings]

Edit your sandbox settings file at:

```
Zomboid/Server/[servername]_SandboxVars.lua
```

Key Settings [#key-settings]

| Setting                          | Default | Description                                      |
| -------------------------------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| `HoursForLootRespawn`            | 0       | Hours before loot respawns (0 = disabled)        |
| `MaxItemsForLootRespawn`         | 4       | Max items in a container for respawn to occur    |
| `SeenHoursPreventLootRespawn`    | 0       | Hours an area must be unseen for loot to respawn |
| `ItemRemovalListBlacklistToggle` | false   | Toggle for item removal blacklist                |

Enable Loot Respawn [#enable-loot-respawn]

By default, loot doesn't respawn. To enable it:

```lua title="SandboxVars.lua"
HoursForLootRespawn = 168,
MaxItemsForLootRespawn = 4,
SeenHoursPreventLootRespawn = 24,
```

This configuration:

* Respawns loot every 7 days (168 hours)
* Only in containers with 4 or fewer items
* Only if no player has visited the area in 24 hours

Disable Loot Respawn [#disable-loot-respawn]

```lua title="SandboxVars.lua"
HoursForLootRespawn = 0,
```

Setting to `0` disables respawning entirely. Players must explore further for loot.

Loot Abundance [#loot-abundance]

Separate from respawn, you can control how much loot spawns initially:

| Setting       | Values | Description                                              |
| ------------- | ------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| `LootRespawn` | 1–5    | 1=Extremely Rare, 2=Rare, 3=Normal, 4=Common, 5=Abundant |

> 💡 **Tip:** On long-running servers, combine moderate loot abundance (3) with slow respawn (336–720 hours) to keep exploration rewarding without making supplies unlimited.

Recommended Presets [#recommended-presets]

Hardcore Survival (No Respawn) [#hardcore-survival-no-respawn]

```lua
HoursForLootRespawn = 0,
LootRespawn = 2,
```

Loot never respawns. Initial spawns are rare. Players must scavenge carefully.

Balanced Community Server [#balanced-community-server]

```lua
HoursForLootRespawn = 168,
MaxItemsForLootRespawn = 4,
SeenHoursPreventLootRespawn = 48,
LootRespawn = 3,
```

Weekly respawn in unvisited areas. Normal abundance.

Casual / Action Server [#casual--action-server]

```lua
HoursForLootRespawn = 24,
MaxItemsForLootRespawn = 6,
SeenHoursPreventLootRespawn = 6,
LootRespawn = 5,
```

Daily respawn with abundant loot.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

See also: [Zombie Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/zombie-settings) | [Sandbox Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/sandbox-settings) | [Configure Your Server](/docs/project-zomboid/server-config)

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