# How to Improve Your Project Zomboid Server Performance (/docs/project-zomboid/performance-guide)



A well-tuned Project Zomboid server provides a much better experience for players. This guide covers the most effective ways to reduce lag and improve performance.

RAM Allocation [#ram-allocation]

The most common cause of server lag is insufficient RAM.

Recommended RAM by Player Count [#recommended-ram-by-player-count]

| Players | Minimum RAM | Recommended RAM |
| ------- | ----------- | --------------- |
| 1–8     | 4 GB        | 6 GB            |
| 8–16    | 6 GB        | 8 GB            |
| 16–32   | 8 GB        | 12 GB           |
| 32+     | 12 GB       | 16 GB           |

> 📝 **Note:** Mods significantly increase RAM usage. Heavily modded servers may need 2–4 GB more than the above recommendations.

On XGamingServer, you can upgrade your RAM allocation from your panel's billing section.

Reduce Zombie Population [#reduce-zombie-population]

Zombies are the single biggest factor in server performance. Reducing their count can dramatically improve FPS and reduce lag.

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Open your sandbox settings [#1-open-your-sandbox-settings]

    Go to **Files** and open:

    ```
    Zomboid/Server/[servername]_SandboxVars.lua
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Lower zombie count [#2-lower-zombie-count]

    ```lua
    ZombieCount = 4,
    PopulationMultiplier = 0.5,
    PopulationPeakMultiplier = 1.0,
    ```

    See [Zombie Settings](/docs/project-zomboid/zombie-settings) for a full breakdown.
  </div>
</div>

Optimize Sandbox Settings [#optimize-sandbox-settings]

These settings have the biggest impact on performance:

| Setting                | Performance Tip                                        |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `ZombieCount`          | Lower = better performance                             |
| `PopulationMultiplier` | Reduce below 1.0                                       |
| `RespawnHours`         | Higher = fewer respawn calculations                    |
| `NightLength`          | Shorter nights = less zombie activity processing       |
| `ErosionSpeed`         | Higher values = more calculation, set to 3 for balance |

Reduce Mod Count [#reduce-mod-count]

Mods add both RAM and CPU overhead. Every active mod increases:

* Memory usage
* Startup time
* Per-tick processing

Tips for Mods [#tips-for-mods]

* Remove mods that aren't actively being used
* Avoid multiple mods that do similar things
* Test performance with mods disabled to identify problematic ones
* Keep your mod list under 30 for best performance on moderate hardware

Server Configuration Tweaks [#server-configuration-tweaks]

Edit your server config file at `Zomboid/Server/[servername].ini`:

PauseEmpty [#pauseempty]

```ini
PauseEmpty=true
```

Pauses the server when no players are connected, saving resources.

Reduce Loot Respawn Frequency [#reduce-loot-respawn-frequency]

Frequent loot respawning adds CPU load:

```lua
HoursForLootRespawn = 720,
```

Lower Vehicle Spawn Rate [#lower-vehicle-spawn-rate]

Vehicles are resource-intensive entities:

```lua
CarSpawnRate = 2,
```

Monitor Server Performance [#monitor-server-performance]

Check Console Output [#check-console-output]

Use the **Console** in your panel to monitor:

* Memory usage warnings
* Tick rate drops
* Error messages

Use Admin Commands [#use-admin-commands]

In-game, use these commands to check performance:

```
/showoptions
/players
```

Signs of Poor Performance [#signs-of-poor-performance]

| Symptom                | Likely Cause                          |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Rubber-banding         | Low server TPS, high zombie count     |
| Long loading times     | Too many mods, insufficient RAM       |
| Frequent disconnects   | RAM running out, server crashing      |
| Zombie pop-in          | High population settings              |
| Desync between players | Network congestion, too many entities |

Quick Performance Checklist [#quick-performance-checklist]

1. Ensure adequate RAM for your player count
2. Set `PauseEmpty=true`
3. Reduce zombie population if lagging
4. Remove unused mods
5. Increase loot respawn hours
6. Reduce vehicle spawn rate
7. Monitor console for errors

Related Guides [#related-guides]

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

If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).