Fails to Deploy the Latest Unstable Branch 42.13.1

[Shuidaoba]

Issue Description

When deploying the Docker image using Container Manager on Synology NAS, setting SERVER_BRANCH=42.13.1 in the .env file results in the server being deployed as the latest stable branch (v41). However, setting SERVER_BRANCH=unstable correctly deploys the unstable branch version 42.13.0.

Expected behavior

The container should start successfully, and the logs should indicate that the server is running version 42.13.1, or it should be possible to connect to the unstable branch server of this version via the game client.

Actual behavior

The container fails to start, or the logs report version errors, branch mismatches, or the server actually runs a different version (such as the latest stable branch, v41).

OS information

• OS: Synology DSM
• Project Zomboid Version: 42.13.1
• Docker Image Version: indifferentbroccoli/projectzomboid-server-docker

docker-compose.yml contents

docker-compose.yml

services:
  projectzomboid:
    image: indifferentbroccoli/projectzomboid-server-docker
    restart: unless-stopped
    container_name: SDBprojectzomboid
    stop_grace_period: 30s
    ports:
      - 16261:16261/udp
      - 16262:16262/udp
      - 27015:27015/tcp
    environment:
      GENERATE_SETTINGS: true
    env_file:
      - .env
    volumes:
      - ./server-files:/project-zomboid
      - ./server-data:/project-zomboid-config

.env contents

.env

# User Settings
PUID=1000
PGID=1000

# Memory Settings (in GB)
MEMORY_XMX_GB=4
MEMORY_XMS_GB=2

# Important Please Change!
PASSWORD=password
RCON_PASSWORD=password
ADMIN_USERNAME=password
ADMIN_PASSWORD=password

# Mod Settings
MODS=
WORKSHOP_ITEMS=


# Server Settings
SERVER_BRANCH=42.13.1
PVP=true
PAUSE_EMPTY=true
GLOBAL_CHAT=true
CHAT_STREAMS=s,r,a,w,y,sh,f,all
OPEN=true
SERVER_WELCOME_MESSAGE=Welcome to your Indifferent Broccoli Project Zomboid Docker server
AUTO_CREATE_USER_IN_WHITE_LIST=false
DISPLAY_USER_NAME=true
SHOW_FIRST_AND_LAST_NAME=false
SPAWN_POINT=0,0,0
SAFETY_SYSTEM=true
SHOW_SAFETY=true
SAFETY_TOGGLE_TIMER=2
SAFETY_COOLDOWN_TIMER=3
SPAWN_ITEMS=
DEFAULT_PORT=16261
UDP_PORT=16262
RESET_ID=563979383
MAP=
DO_LUA_CHECKSUM=true
DENY_LOGIN_ON_OVERLOADED_SERVER=false
PUBLIC=true
PUBLIC_NAME=Indifferent Broccoli Project Zomboid Docker Server
PUBLIC_DESCRIPTION=Welcome to your Indifferent Broccoli Project Zomboid Docker server
SERVER_NAME=pzserver
MAX_PLAYERS=32
PING_LIMIT=400
HOURS_FOR_LOOT_RESPAWN=0
MAX_ITEMS_FOR_LOOT_RESPAWN=4
CONSTRUCTION_PREVENTS_LOOT_RESPAWN=false
DROP_OFF_WHITE_LIST_AFTER_DEATH=false
NO_FIRE=false
ANNOUNCE_DEATH=false
MINUTES_PER_PAGE=1.0
SAVE_WORLD_EVERY_MINUTES=360
PLAYER_SAFEHOUSE=false
ADMIN_SAFEHOUSE=false
SAFEHOUSE_ALLOW_TRESPASS=true
SAFEHOUSE_ALLOW_FIRE=true
SAFEHOUSE_ALLOW_LOOT=true
SAFEHOUSE_ALLOW_RESPAWN=false
SAFEHOUSE_DAY_SURVIVED_TO_CLAIM=0
SAFEHOUSE_REMOVAL_TIME=144
SAFEHOUSE_ALLOW_NON_RESIDENTIAL=false
ALLOW_DESTRUCTION_BY_SLEDGEHAMMER=true
SLEDGEHAMMER_ONLY_IN_SAFEHOUSE=false
KICK_FAST_PLAYERS=false
SERVER_PLAYER_ID=88635698
RCON_PORT=27015
DISCORD_ENABLE=false
DISCORD_TOKEN
DISCORD_CHANNEL=
DISCORD_CHANNEL_ID=
MAX_ACCOUNTS_PER_USER=0
ALLOW_COOP=true
SLEEP_ALLOWED=true
SLEEP_NEEDED=false
KNOCKED_DOWN_ALLOWED=true
SNEAK_MODE_HIDE_FROM_OTHER_PLAYERS=true
STEAM_SCOREBOARD=true
STEAM_VAC=true
UPNP=true
VOICE_ENABLE=true
VOICE_MIN_DISTANCE=10.0
VOICE_MAX_DISTANCE=100.0
VOICE_3D=true
SPEED_LIMIT=70.0
LOGIN_QUEUE_ENABLED=false
LOGIN_QUEUE_CONNECT_TIMEOUT=60
SERVER_BROWSER_ANNOUNCED_IP=
PLAYER_RESPAWN_WITH_SELF=false
PLAYER_RESPAWN_WITH_OTHER=false
FAST_FORWARD_MULTIPLIER=40.0
DISABLE_SAFEHOUSE_WHEN_PLAYER_CONNECTED=false
FACTION=true
FACTION_DAY_SURVIVED_TO_CREATE=0
FACTION_PLAYERS_REQUIRED_FOR_TAG=1
DISABLE_RADIO_STAFF=false
DISABLE_RADIO_ADMIN=true
DISABLE_RADIO_GM=true
DISABLE_RADIO_OVERSEER=false
DISABLE_RADIO_MODERATOR=false
DISABLE_RADIO_INVISIBLE=true
CLIENT_COMMAND_FILTER=-vehicle.*;+vehicle.damageWindow;+vehicle.fixPart;+vehicle.installPart;+vehicle.uninstallPart
CLIENT_ACTION_LOGS=ISEnterVehicle;ISExitVehicle;ISTakeEngineParts;
PERK_LOGS=true
ITEM_NUMBERS_LIMIT_PER_CONTAINER=0
BLOOD_SPLAT_LIFESPAN_DAYS=7
ALLOW_NON_ASCII_USERNAME=false
BAN_KICK_GLOBAL_SOUND=true
REMOVE_PLAYER_CORPSES_ON_CORPSE_REMOVAL=false
TRASH_DELETE_ALL=false
PVP_MELEE_WHILE_HIT_REACTION=false
MOUSE_OVER_TO_SEE_DISPLAY_NAME=true
HIDE_PLAYERS_BEHIND_YOU=true
PVP_MELEE_DAMAGE_MODIFIER=30.0
PVP_FIREARM_DAMAGE_MODIFIER=50.0
CAR_ENGINE_ATTRACTION_MODIFIER=0.5
PLAYER_BUMP_PLAYER=false
MAP_REMOTE_PLAYER_VISIBILITY=2
BACKUPS_COUNT=5
BACKUPS_ON_START=true
BACKUPS_ON_VERSION_CHANGE=true
BACKUPS_PERIOD=0

# Anti-Cheat Settings
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE1=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE2=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE3=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE4=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE5=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE6=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE7=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE8=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE9=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE10=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE11=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE12=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE13=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE14=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE15=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE16=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE17=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE18=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE19=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE20=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE21=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE22=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE23=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE24=true
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE2_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=3.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE3_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE4_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE9_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE15_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE20_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE22_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=1.0
ANTI_CHEAT_PROTECTION_TYPE24_THRESHOLD_MULTIPLIER=6.0

Additional context

<style> </style>

SDBprojectzomboid
date	stream	content
2025/12/22 1:11	stdout	�[0m
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m�[1mapp_update 380870 validate
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0mWaiting for user info...�[0mOK
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0mWaiting for client config...�[0mOK
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Connecting anonymously to Steam Public...�[0mOK
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0mIPC function call IClientAppManager::ForceInstallDirOverride took too long: 345 msec
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m�[1mforce_install_dir /project-zomboid
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m"@NoPromptForPassword" = "1"
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m�[1m@NoPromptForPassword 1
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m"@ShutdownOnFailedCommand" = "0"
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0m�[1m@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 0
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Loading Steam API...�[0mOK
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	-- type 'quit' to exit --
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Steam Console Client (c) Valve Corporation - version 1766091153
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	UpdateUI: skip show logo
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Verifying installation...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  0%] Checking for available updates...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Logging directory: '/home/steam/Steam/logs'
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Redirecting stderr to '/home/steam/Steam/logs/stderr.txt'
2025/12/22 1:10	stderr	steamcmd.sh[16]: Restarting steamcmd by request...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	UpdateUI: skip show logo
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Update complete, launching Steamcmd...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Cleaning up...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Extracting package...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Extracting package...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Extracting package...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Extracting package...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Installing update...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[100%] Download complete.
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[100%] Downloading update (36,054 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 96%] Downloading update (36,054 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 92%] Downloading update (34,704 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 89%] Downloading update (33,408 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 85%] Downloading update (32,112 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 80%] Downloading update (30,816 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 73%] Downloading update (28,886 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 65%] Downloading update (26,410 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 58%] Downloading update (23,711 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 51%] Downloading update (21,119 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 44%] Downloading update (18,655 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 35%] Downloading update (16,063 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 29%] Downloading update (12,961 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 21%] Downloading update (10,801 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[ 14%] Downloading update (7,854 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  7%] Downloading update (5,326 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  3%] Downloading update (2,771 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  2%] Downloading update (1,248 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  0%] Downloading update (736 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  0%] Downloading update (64 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[----] Downloading update (0 of 36,054 KB)...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	[  0%] Checking for available updates...
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Logging directory: '/home/steam/Steam/logs'
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Redirecting stderr to '/home/steam/Steam/logs/stderr.txt'
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[0;37mInstalling stable branch�[0m
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[1;36m====Starting server install====�[0m
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	___________________________________________________
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	https://www.indifferentbroccoli.com
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Eat lag for breakfast
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Fast RAM, high-speed internet
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Game server hosting
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	___________________________________________________
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	Brought to you by indifferentbroccoli.com
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	|.__/||  _/ ___/|||
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	| |) | | | () | (| (| (_) | | |
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	| '_ | '__/ _ \ / __/ __/ _ | | |
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	| |__  _ __ ___   ___ ___ ___ | (_)
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	||| ||_,||| ||  _|_| __|| ||__|
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	| | | | | (_| | |  _|  _|  __/ | |  _/ | | | |
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	| | '_ \ / ` | | || |_ / _ \ '__/ _ \ '_ | __|
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	() __   __| (_)/ _|/ | ___ _ __ ___ _ __ | |
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	_           _ _  __  __                     _
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	___________________________________________________
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	usermod: no changes
2025/12/22 1:10	stdout	�[1;36m====Set file permissions====�[0m

[Local9]

It would be better if you provided your docker-compose.yml file too

[Shuidaoba]

Thanks for the response!
Yes, I have it. You can view the content of docker-compose.yml in the folding options, including .env which is also in the folding options.

compose.yaml

[HeldaSoft]

Use SERVER_BRANCH like this to make it work properly.

SERVER_BRANCH=42.13.1 - 42.13.1

[Local9]

@Shuidaoba in my .env file its as such; SERVER_BRANCH="42.13.1" as it has to be a string, and works fine when downloading the correct version. Also just noticed you did include them in the original post, and can see the missing string quotes.

[jasonwc]

I was running into the same issue, despite setting SERVER_BRANCH=42.13.1. I noticed that it was correctly installing 42.13.1

====Starting server install====
Installing version: 42.13.1
Redirecting stderr to '/home/steam/Steam/logs/stderr.txt'
Logging directory: '/home/steam/Steam/logs'
[  0%] Checking for available updates...
[----] Downloading update (0 of 36,055 KB)...
[  0%] Downloading update (2,039 of 36,055 KB)...
[  5%] Downloading update (5,849 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 16%] Downloading update (9,707 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 26%] Downloading update (12,524 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 34%] Downloading update (15,208 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 42%] Downloading update (17,868 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 49%] Downloading update (20,263 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 56%] Downloading update (23,195 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 64%] Downloading update (25,408 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 70%] Downloading update (26,681 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 74%] Downloading update (28,099 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 77%] Downloading update (29,249 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 81%] Downloading update (30,524 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 84%] Downloading update (31,921 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 88%] Downloading update (33,210 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 92%] Downloading update (34,484 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 95%] Downloading update (35,902 of 36,055 KB)...
[ 99%] Downloading update (36,055 of 36,055 KB)...
[100%] Download complete.
[----] Installing update...
[----] Extracting package...
[----] Extracting package...
[----] Extracting package...
[----] Extracting package...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Installing update...
[----] Cleaning up...
[----] Update complete, launching Steamcmd...
UpdateUI: skip show logo
steamcmd.sh[17]: Restarting steamcmd by request...
Redirecting stderr to '/home/steam/Steam/logs/stderr.txt'
Logging directory: '/home/steam/Steam/logs'
[  0%] Checking for available updates...
[----] Verifying installation...
UpdateUI: skip show logo
Steam Console Client (c) Valve Corporation - version 1766451518
-- type 'quit' to exit --
Loading Steam API...OK
@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 0
"@ShutdownOnFailedCommand" = "0"
@NoPromptForPassword 1
"@NoPromptForPassword" = "1"
force_install_dir /project-zomboid

But then, when it would attempt to update the server files to that the app_update would fail!

Connecting anonymously to Steam Public...OK
Waiting for client config...OK
Waiting for user info...OK
app_update 380870 -beta 42.13.1 validate
 Update state (0x3) reconfiguring, progress: 0.00 (0 / 0)
 Update state (0x0) unknown, progress: 0.00 (0 / 0)
Error! App '380870' state is 0x6 after update job.
quit
Unloading Steam API...OK

Causing the server to continue running the previous 42.13.0 version that was already installed.

LOG  : General      f:0, t:1766479248128, st:1,178,427> version=42.13.0 023d7701b1bf15c4d00eaae46b4387b1fd11176f 2025-12-11 08:13:47 (ZB) demo=false
LOG  : General      f:0, t:1766479248167, st:1,178,464> revision=023d7701b1bf15c4d00eaae46b4387b1fd11176f date=2025-12-11 time=08:13:47 (ZB)

[jasonwc]

I determined that this Error! App '380870' state is 0x6 after update job. is a Steam error that shows up for various games. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the docker mounts and file permissions or if its just a common steam error.

Regardless, I was able to workaround it! I deleted my server-files directory, and then restarted the image. This meant that instead of updating the existing files I was just downloading the new version. This worked for me and since I did not delete the server-data directory, all my characters, map, progress was preserved.

[LetItEndd]

If you got the "Error! App '380870' state is 0x6 after update job" error, you can just delete the "appmanifest_380870.acf" at the following location : server-files/steamapps

Then, when you restart your server, it will update automatically

[indifferentchicken]

We should be able to automatically delete steamapps when updating via steam. 0x6 is a very common Steam issue that many game server containers account for by deleting steamapps/appmanifest.

[Speshool-K]

Had this same issue but managed to get it working!

For anyone that built their container prior to 42.13.1 being released, remember to add the :latest flag to the image name in your docker-compose.yml file and re-pull the image. The prior image just had a if/then check on SERVER_BRANCH= for whether to use the unstable branch rather than treating the value as what version to download.

[FerLuisxd]

I can't get this working, what is the exact
SERVER_BRANCH=
string to make this work :( When I try to connect it says that the server is 41, even though I set it to 42.13.1

[jalberto]

I get this error ERROR! Failed to install app '380870' (Missing configuration)