Do I need to delete all files to reset the world?

No. Delete only Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/ . Deleting everything also removes your server .ini, sandbox settings, and mod list.

Will players keep their characters?

No. Characters are saved with the world, so everyone starts with a new character in the new world.

Does the new world use my sandbox settings?

Yes. The server reads Zomboid/Server/ _SandboxVars.lua when it creates the new world, so change it before you start the server if you want different settings.

How to Reset Your Project Zomboid World on Your Server

Delete your Project Zomboid world and start fresh by removing only the save folder at Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/<server-name>. Your server .ini, sandbox settings, and mod list stay in place.

<server-name> is the Server Name option on the Server Options page. It defaults to WinterNode, so the folder is usually Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/WinterNode.

Do not select all files and delete them

Deleting every file also removes Zomboid/Server/<server-name>.ini (server settings and mod list), <server-name>_SandboxVars.lua (zombie and loot settings), and Zomboid/db (player accounts and admin roles). That step in Beta Branches is only for switching to Build 42.

Step 1: Stop and Back Up

In the Game Control Panel sidebar, click Console
Click Stop and wait for the server to show as Offline
Back up the Zomboid folder with Manual Backup. Download the archive with SFTP if you want a copy off the server

Step 2: Delete the World Save

In the sidebar, click File Manager
Navigate to Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer
Find the folder with the same name as your Server Name (for example WinterNode)
Click the … button next to it and select Delete

Leave the Zomboid/Server and Zomboid/db folders alone. Zomboid/db/<server-name>.db holds your server’s player accounts and admin roles, including whitelist logins added with AddUser. Characters are not stored there: they live in the world save you just deleted, so everyone makes a new character while keeping their login and role. Deleting the .db file, or wiping the whole Zomboid folder, removes every account and admin role. To keep the old world on the server instead, rename the folder (for example WinterNode.old) with Rename/Move in the same menu.

Step 3: Change Settings for the New World (Optional)

If you want different zombie, loot, or world settings in the new world, edit them now:

In the File Manager, navigate to Zomboid/Server
Open <server-name>_SandboxVars.lua
Change the values you want
Click Save

See Project Zomboid Quick Start for the spawn rate settings.

Step 4: Start the Server

Go back to Console and click Start
Wait for the server to show as Online. Creating a new world can take a few minutes

Your server now runs a fresh world. Players join as before and create a new character.

What Is Kept and What Is Lost

Kept	Lost
Server Options (server name, admin login, password, ports)	The map state: buildings, bases, loot, and zombies
`Zomboid/Server/<server-name>.ini` (settings, `Mods` and `WorkshopItems` lists)	All player characters and their inventories
`<server-name>_SandboxVars.lua`	In-game time and world progress
Player accounts and admin rights in `Zomboid/db`

When to Wipe Everything Instead

Wipe every file only when you switch between game versions, such as moving to Build 42. Follow How to Use Beta Branches for that. For other full wipes, see When a Full Wipe Is the Right Choice. Back up first, because a full wipe cannot be undone.

Still Not Working?

If the server still loads the old world, or will not start after the reset, contact our support team with:

Your Server UUID
Your Server Name and the folder you deleted or renamed
The last 50 lines of the Console output after starting