Project Zomboid Known Issues, Workarounds and Fixes

Zombie duplication or disappearance after leaving and returning to a chunk

The 42.21 Stable announcement says the worst zombie-duplication problems in multiplayer and disappearance problems after leaving and re-entering a chunk have been tackled. It explicitly says some cases remain under investigation for the next update. This is a partial improvement, not an all-clear or a guarantee that every population problem was resolved. The source notes that larger-population games showed these problems particularly clearly. [1]

XXL trees obstruct visibility while driving

42.21 changes XXL-tree cutaways for vehicle occupants, adjusts transparency and stops overhanging trees from hiding houses and furniture. The Indie Stone still calls this work in progress. If a difficult view persists, the release notes therefore do not justify calling every visibility case fixed or supplying an unverified graphics-option workaround. [1]

A Build 41 save is incompatible with Build 42

The developer’s Build 42 checklist explicitly says Build 41 saves are not compatible with Build 42. Players and server owners who want to continue a Build 41 game are directed to the legacy41 beta channel. This is the documented compatibility route; switching branches does not convert the old world into a Build 42 save. [2]

Documented steps

1. In the Steam library, right-click Project Zomboid, open Properties and choose legacy41 under Game Versions & Betas to continue the Build 41 game. [2]

An Unstable 42.19 save cannot continue in 42.20

The checklist separately says that existing Unstable 42.19 saves are incompatible with 42.20 because of the added map content. The developer provides the 42.19 beta for finishing those runs. This branch is distinct from legacy41 and should be selected according to the save’s version, rather than treating every old save as Build 41. [2]

Documented steps

1. For an Unstable 42.19 run, right-click Project Zomboid in Steam, open Properties and select 42.19 under Game Versions & Betas. [2]