#Hey, tried to host a game but got a "server has stopped during launch (normal termination)" info

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

mild veldt
late hedge
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Are you using any mods?

mild veldt
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Nope, i'm not using any mods currently. Just so you know, before sharing my problem here i digged a bit and done this:

  1. Removed everything from the "db" folder
  2. Verified integrity of the game files
  3. Increased server memory to 16 GB as you can see
  4. Changed server name and reset it's settings (guy from reddit told me that)
  5. Reinstalled the game

And none of these worked :/

late hedge
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Can you share your logs.zip file found in %UserProfile%\Zomboid?

mild veldt
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Sure

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These?

Zrzut_ekranu_2026-05-12_164219.png
late hedge
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just send the whole zip file over, you can just drag it on to this chat

mild veldt
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Got it

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Here

late hedge
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does your windows username contain a "?" or other special character?

mild veldt
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Yeah, it's got a polish "ł" letter, which is considered special

late hedge
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can you try removing it to see if that fixes your issue? I'm seeing a log that has a path issue, Java can be funky with that sort of thing.

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unless it's been working with it in the past?

mild veldt
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It sure was working in the past, though i have recently switched pc's and set up a whole new account containing this letter, so yeah

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It'd be funny if this is the cause XD

late hedge
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To me the log looks like it's trying to create files but can't, which usually indicates either a permissions issue or a bad path

mild veldt
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Okay, done

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Now just run the game and see?

late hedge
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yeah, you might have to reinstall again but try it first

mild veldt
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Sadly, nothing changed

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Does it have anything to do with me currently having debug mode on?

late hedge
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Debug mode shouldn't affect it.

Can you try a reinstall following these steps

First, uninstall the game, then go to "Steam\steamapps\common\ProjectZomboid" and make sure there are no leftover files or folders there.

After that, go to “%UserProfile%\Zomboid” and delete everything there except the “Saves” folder.

Then just install the game again and see if that helps.

mild veldt
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Sure

mild veldt
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Downloading has just completed

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And even though i have done everything correctly as you told me, the same info appears :/

late hedge
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Can you share the logs.zip file again so I can see if anything has changed after the reinstall?

mild veldt
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Yes, in a sec

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I'm currently on the unstable version of the game, if that helps

late hedge
mild veldt
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Sure

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the "latest supported v14" version, huh?

late hedge
mild veldt
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Got it

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Done

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Now i should try to run the game as usual?

late hedge
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Yeah

mild veldt
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Who would have expected. Still nothing

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Idk man, are there any options left?

late hedge
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The paths in the logs are still showing the special character, which makes me wonder if creating a new windows user and installing the game on that might help

mild veldt
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Even though i have already changed the username?

late hedge
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Yeah, the path apparently doesn't change when you edit the username, which in retrospect makes sense

mild veldt
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If you say so, that must be it

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I'm already taking care of it then

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Ah, finally!

late hedge
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It's working on a new user?

mild veldt
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Sure it is!

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And that is the only porblem at the same time

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But now it doesnt matter tbh, i can always just switch myself to that account

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Thanks a LOT, that made my day 😉