Manage Mod Load Order and Conflicts

Configure mod load order, resolve conflicts, and troubleshoot mod issues on your Project Zomboid server.

When running multiple mods on your server, load order matters. Incorrect ordering can cause crashes, missing items, or broken features. This guide covers how to manage mods effectively.

How Mod Loading Works

Project Zomboid loads mods in the order they're listed in your server config. Mods loaded later can override content from mods loaded earlier. This means:

Map mods should load before mods that add items to those maps
Framework mods should load before mods that depend on them
Overhaul mods should generally load last

Configure Mod Load Order

Open your server config

On XGamingServer, go to Files and open:

Zomboid/Server/[servername].ini

Find the mod entries

Look for these two lines:

[servername].ini

Mods=mod1;mod2;mod3
WorkshopItems=id1;id2;id3

Mods — mod IDs (names), separated by semicolons
WorkshopItems — Workshop numeric IDs, separated by semicolons

Reorder the mods

Rearrange the mod IDs in both lines. Keep Mods and WorkshopItems in the same order — the first mod ID should correspond to the first Workshop ID.

[servername].ini

Mods=framework_mod;map_mod;content_mod;overhaul_mod
WorkshopItems=111111;222222;333333;444444

Restart your server

Recommended Load Order

Follow this general ordering:

Libraries/Frameworks — mods that other mods depend on (e.g., ModOptions, TIS_weather)
Map mods — custom maps like Raven Creek, Cherbourg
Vehicle mods — new vehicles and vehicle modifications
Weapon/item mods — Arsenal, Brita's, Firearms
Building/crafting mods — carpentry, base building additions
UI mods — minimaps, inventory management
Overhaul mods — large mods that change core gameplay

Common Mod Conflicts

Map Overlap

Two map mods that modify the same area will conflict. Check mod descriptions for compatibility notes.

Fix: Only use one map mod per area, or find compatibility patches on the Workshop.

Item ID Conflicts

Mods that add items with the same internal ID will conflict.

Symptoms:

Items appear as blank/missing icons
Picking up items crashes the game
Wrong item appears when crafting

Fix: Check the mod's Workshop page for known conflicts. Some mod authors provide compatibility patches.

Outdated Mods

Mods not updated for the current game version can cause issues.

Symptoms:

Server crashes on startup
Error messages mentioning the mod name in the console
Features from the mod don't work

Fix: Check the mod's Workshop page for the last update date. Remove mods that haven't been updated for the current game version.

Zomboid/Logs/

Look for error messages that mention a specific mod name.

Binary search for the culprit

If the log isn't clear:

Remove half your mods
Start the server
If it works, the problem is in the removed half
Repeat until you find the specific mod

Check mod dependencies

Some mods require other mods to work. Check the Workshop page for required dependencies and make sure they're all installed.

Reset After a Bad Mod

If a mod corrupted your world:

Remove the problematic mod from Mods and WorkshopItems
If the world won't load, you may need to restore from a backup
See Back Up and Restore for restoration steps

⚠️ Warning: Removing a mod that added items or map changes to your world can cause issues. Always back up before adding or removing mods.

Mod Configuration Files

Many mods create config files at:

Zomboid/Server/[servername]_SandboxVars.lua

Or in mod-specific folders:

Zomboid/Lua/
Zomboid/mods/

Check the mod's Workshop page for configuration instructions.

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