Migrating b42 MP server from Windows to Linux - map load stuck | Project Zomboid | Page 1

static wharf Feb 9, 2026, 9:58 AM

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I have a working b42 MP server with some mods. Decided to migrate ir to debian for better performance, my steps:

Install steamcmd, install zomboid server
changed the .json file according to my ram
made sure server ip is the same for router forwarding
copied the whole Zomboid folder with save file and settings

the server starts and downloads mods fine, but I can't connect. when connecting as a regular user (non admin) I am stuck at a weird mod error:
file doesnt exist in client media/lua/shared/skill recover journal action.lua
.../SteamLibrary.../mods/Skill Recovery Journal/42.13/media/lua/shared/Skill Recovery Journal Action.lua

The error is weird as both files are with capitals on the server and client.

When connecting as an admin, map load is stuck at a random point with an eventual error.

Is there any step that I missed, can anyone point me out to the direction to check my issue?

formal harbor Feb 9, 2026, 11:08 AM

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Mods do not work correctly on Linux in B42

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I suggest either not using mods or waiting for a patch

static wharf Feb 9, 2026, 11:30 AM

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tried without mods, it is the same issue - map loading is stuck

formal harbor Feb 9, 2026, 11:30 AM

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What is the error you get?

static wharf Feb 9, 2026, 11:30 AM

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can't download map from server

formal harbor Feb 9, 2026, 11:36 AM

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That generally means the connection to the server is spotty, or the area you are trying to load in has errors

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Is this server hosted on your own system?

static wharf Feb 9, 2026, 12:18 PM

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my own system, just installed debian there and moved the save files. when rebooting back to windows everything still works, just a lot of resources are eaten by a useless windows GUI

formal harbor Feb 9, 2026, 1:59 PM

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Could you share the client and server logs after the login attempt in that case?

static wharf Feb 9, 2026, 3:47 PM

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Client and server logs

📎 2026-02-09_16-34_DebugLog.txt 📎 2026-02-09_18-27_DebugLog-server.txt

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here I removed all mods and even started a new save and moved to 42.13.2 (world recreated), but every time same problem with map download

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same machine, same ram settings (I use 6 gb on windows and last test was on 4 gb under debian, before that tried 5 gb), but on windows the server is working with no issues for a few weeks now

formal harbor Feb 9, 2026, 7:04 PM

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I might assume a configuration error at this point in that case. How much RAM did you assign to the server and what are the specs of the Linux machine you are running it on?

static wharf Feb 10, 2026, 8:00 AM

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total RAM - 8 GB, I assigned 4 to the server, CPU Intel Core i7-3770 3,4 GHz (4 cores)
I noticed that during map download when I am looking at processes via 'top' CPU consumption spikes to about 200% and after that map download progress stops
this was a fresh debian netinst installation specifically for zomboid server, so nothing else is running on it

formal harbor Feb 10, 2026, 11:06 AM

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static wharf total RAM - 8 GB, I assigned 4 to the server, CPU Intel Core i7-3770 3,4 GHz (4 ...

Through the -Xmx value in the .json right? Just to confirm that. Since the specs should be fine with that config

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If you share the IP of the server, I can test the connection myself to see if it is a character specific issue?

static wharf Feb 11, 2026, 12:33 PM

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Yes, through these values. Now tried just 2 gb min and 3 gb max, like Windows default, still can't load the map. You can also try to connect if you don't mind the server is in Russia
server version 42.13.1 (not the latest unstable 42.13.2)
188.243.29.20 16261, server password 87654321, there are no mods

One time I was able to get half of map, sometimes almost all of it 439/441

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This time I also deleted all my manual install completely and used docker image from https://github.com/indifferentbroccoli/projectzomboid-server-docker
Just to be sure server is correctly setup

GitHub

GitHub - indifferentbroccoli/projectzomboid-server-docker: This is ...

This is a Dockerized version of the Project Zomboid dedicated server. - indifferentbroccoli/projectzomboid-server-docker

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During map load sometimes I get warning, this is from the last time:
projectzomboid | WARN : ActionSystem f:1, t:1770813174989, st:5,666,795> ActionState.parse > Canceled loading wrong transition from walk to walk in file to_walk.xml
projectzomboid | WARN : ActionSystem f:1, t:1770813174995, st:5,666,801> ActionState.parse > Canceled loading wrong transition from trailer to trailer in file to_trailer.xml
projectzomboid | WARN : ActionSystem f:1, t:1770813175009, st:5,666,815> ActionState.parse > Canceled loading wrong transition from eating to eating in file to_eating.xml

Not sure if this is relevant...

formal harbor Feb 11, 2026, 12:43 PM

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I am on the server just fine

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Just to check, the server is hosted on your local network, right? Are you using the Local IP or your Public IP to join the server?

static wharf Feb 11, 2026, 12:44 PM

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My laoptop is in another network, so I am not connecting locally

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Using same connection settings as I posted here

formal harbor Feb 11, 2026, 12:45 PM

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Hm well, it doesnt make much sense to me why your connection fails then

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Server itself is likely fine if I can connect

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Try using the "Use Steam Relay" option?

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I suggest connecting with a different username as well, so you make a new character

static wharf Feb 11, 2026, 12:47 PM

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Yeah, I am using always a new character... It looks like the problem is client side then

formal harbor Feb 11, 2026, 12:50 PM

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Might suggest testing the relay in that case, it can improve connection stability in some cases

#Migrating b42 MP server from Windows to Linux - map load stuck