Project Zomboid patch notes: 42.21 vs 42.22

Project Zomboid patch notes checked November 5, 2026 put this guide on Stable 42.21, with Pre-Release 42.22.1 reviewed separately. Ladders, crowbar forcing and the new smell-related sleep restriction belong to the testing branch at this check.

Stable 42.21 changes used here

The complete publisher patch post was reviewed. Relevant changes include gradual refrigerator/freezer warming after power loss, correct refrigeration of bagged food and more fluid containers that can purify water in an appropriate oven.

Multiplayer fixes include queued Mechanics install actions, reading and book-page issues, a version-mismatch notice and several zombie synchronization problems. The notes also restore zombies tearing down sheet ropes, so Hizzle does not present an upper floor as permanently invulnerable.

Split-screen fixes cover book state/boost sharing, fishing and a moving-vehicle crash. A patch note describes a repaired case; it is not evidence that every related report has become impossible.

Pre-Release 42.22 is a different instruction set

• Placed ladders: use E or the tile’s context menu; check the landing.
• Crowbars: can force many locked doors, windows and gates, with exceptions such as security and jail-cell doors.
• Bad Smell: prevents sleep in this testing update.
• Fishing and multiplayer: further bait, character, vehicle and synchronization fixes remain branch-specific.

On November 4, 42.22.1 added JRE integrity checks and a certificate-validation fix. It is the latest checked hotfix; the current site status header’s shorter “42.22” label does not erase that patch suffix.

Why old Build 41 advice needs review

Build 42 changed towns, occupation/trait balancing, crafting interfaces and fishing. The original Stable release documents the separate legacy41 branch. A guide for that older line needs to say so, rather than mixing its numbers into a 42.21 build.

UNSURE: future Stable promotion dates and every mod’s compatibility. Hizzle reviewed publisher sources and labeled detailed secondary evidence; no in-game patch testing is claimed.

Related: Project Zomboid beginner guide: Build 42, Project Zomboid best beginner build (42.21), Project Zomboid achievements: Steam status, Project Zomboid platforms and current release.