Install Guide

Build 42

Install Guide

This guide covers installing Faded Mods without Steam Workshop. Download mods from the Workshop, or use the Faded Mod Installer (v0.3.2, live on the installer page).

Always close Project Zomboid before installing, updating, or removing mods. Back up a dedicated server before changing its mods. Only download from official Faded Mods links.

Method 1

Faded Mod Installer

The installer is live (v0.3.2). It installs, updates, verifies, and removes Faded Mods.

  1. Download the installer ZIP from the installer page. Read the agreement first; the download is at the bottom.
  2. Extract the ZIP and run the Faded Mod Installer.
  3. In Settings, paste the manifest URL, then Save Settings.
  4. Open Player Install, refresh the mod list, and install.
  5. Launch Project Zomboid, enable the mod, and restart if required.

Open the installer page

Method 2

Manual ZIP from the Workshop

Use this if you want to place files yourself. ZIPs are listed on the Workshop.

  1. Download the mod ZIP from the Workshop listing.
  2. Extract it. A proper folder contains mod.info and usually media.
  3. Move the extracted folder into your Project Zomboid mods folder.
  4. Launch the game, enable the mod, restart if required.

Open the Workshop

Default Windows mods folder

C:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\mods

Correct:

C:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\mods\FadedExampleMod\mod.info

Wrong — ZIP left in the folder, or a doubled folder:

C:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\mods\FadedExampleMod.zipC:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\mods\FadedExampleMod\FadedExampleMod\mod.info

Updating or removing a manual install

Close the game. For an update, download the newest ZIP from the Workshop, delete the old mod folder, then move in the new extracted folder. Do not merge new files over old files unless the mod page says to. To remove a mod, delete its folder from Zomboid\mods. Back up a save first if the world used that mod.

Dedicated servers

Stop the server. Extract the Workshop ZIP on your computer, upload the folder to the server mods directory, add the Mod ID from mod.info to the server Mods setting, save, and restart. Every player must install the same version locally — these mods do not auto-download through Steam Workshop.

Typical paths:

/home/container/Zomboid/mods/home/username/Zomboid/modsC:\Users\YourName\Zomboid\mods

The final structure should be Zomboid/mods/FadedExampleMod/mod.info, not a nested copy of the folder and not the ZIP.

The same file-upload steps apply on PingPlayers, Indifferent Broccoli, BisectHosting, and most other panels (GTXGaming, Nitrado, Apex, Host Havoc, Survival Servers, Nodecraft, Shockbyte, self-hosted Windows/Linux). If a host has a Steam Workshop manager, do not use it for these direct-download mods unless the listing provides a Workshop ID.

Mod ID

The Mod ID is the internal name in mod.info (for example id=FadedExampleMod). That value is what servers need. A direct-download mod may not have a Steam Workshop ID.

Common mistakes

  • ZIP placed directly in the mods folder — extract it first.
  • Doubled folder so mod.info is one level too deep.
  • Server and players on different versions — install the same Workshop ZIP on both sides.
  • Wrong Mod ID in server settings — copy the id= line from mod.info.
  • Missing a dependency listed on the Workshop page.

Support

Join Discord: https://discord.gg/We9j9XdGSy

Include mod name, Project Zomboid build, singleplayer or multiplayer, host if any, error screenshot, console log, full mod list, and a shot of the folder structure.

Faded Mods is an independent Project Zomboid modding site and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Indie Stone. Project Zomboid and related trademarks belong to their respective owners.