Project Zomboid Ladders became usable with Build 42.22 Pre-Release on 27 October 2026. Move next to a ladder already placed on the map and press E to climb. The same action lets you descend, so empty pools and high floors are no longer one-way obstacles.
These controls only work if you’ve opted into the 42.22 test branch. The default Stable build is 42.21, where ladders remain scenery. Check your installed version before assuming the interaction is broken.
How to climb Project Zomboid Ladders in Build 42.22
When you’re standing beside a ladder, use the standard E interaction or right-click the ladder tile and select the climb action. The Indie Stone confirms both methods in the full patch notes. There is no extra tool, special occupation or new ladder item to equip.
- Make sure your game is running Build 42.22 Pre-Release.
- Move your survivor close to an existing ladder.
- Press E, or right-click the ladder tile and choose the climb interaction.
- Climb to the next level, then use the ladder again to descend.
The biggest benefit is easier vertical movement. You can climb up and return by the same ladder, including the ones found in empty swimming pools. The Indie Stone is asking testers to try ladders around Knox Country because this is their first usable implementation.
Where to find Project Zomboid Ladders
The developers give two clear places to try: empty swimming pools and ladders near the top floor of the Rosewood Fire Station. Those are location examples, not a complete map of every climbable ladder. Other existing ladders around Knox Country are also intended to work.
Project Zomboid Ladders are tied to map objects already in the world. If you remember passing a fixed ladder on an earlier run, revisit it on Build 42.22 and use E. You don’t need to find a new building recipe or a unique piece of equipment.
Look for an actual ladder tile rather than a sheet rope, stairwell or fire pole. The update enables existing ladders; it doesn’t change how those other ways of moving between floors work. If your character isn’t beside a ladder tile, the new climb action won’t appear.
Can you build or move ladders in Project Zomboid?
No new ladder crafting or placement system is included. The Indie Stone describes this as the first stage of ladder support. The ladders on the map are fixed in place, so this update is about climbing them, not collecting them to build a base.
The full notes add one detail for existing worlds: ladders you had already moved should stay in their moved positions after the update. That protects earlier map changes, but it isn’t an announcement of a new portable-ladder feature. Use the placed ladders you find rather than planning a new construction route around them.
Can zombies climb Project Zomboid Ladders?
No. Zombies cannot climb ladders in Build 42.22. You can reach a higher position they can’t follow by climbing the same object. That doesn’t remove the danger downstairs, so check the ground below before using the ladder to return.
You can be safe from direct ladder pursuit while still getting trapped above a crowd. Look for zombies at the bottom, give yourself room to move away and choose your moment to descend. The Indie Stone specifically calls out this danger in the official patch notes.
Why are ladders not working?
First check which branch you’re playing. In 42.21 Stable, the new interaction simply doesn’t exist. Project Zomboid Ladders work in the optional 42.22 Pre-Release, which you select through Steam under Properties → Game Versions & Betas.
Our Pre-Release setup guide shows how to opt in and back up your saves. Once you’re on the right build, stand close to a map ladder and try E or the right-click interaction. If it’s still unavailable on a clearly identified ladder, note the location and check for mods.
The 42.22 branch is still undergoing testing. For a repeatable issue, try a fresh save without mods before reporting it to The Indie Stone, along with the ladder location and build number. The developer asks testers to use that approach for bug reports.
When will Project Zomboid Ladders reach Stable?
Project Zomboid Ladders are available now on Pre-Release, but the developer has not announced a specific Stable launch date. New builds spend at least one week in testing and may be revised before wider release. Playing the current Stable build won’t give you early access to these ladders.
Our Build 42.22 patch notes cover the other changes, and the crowbar forced-entry guide explains the new lock-opening option. Both arrive with the same test branch, so check your version before trying either feature.
Official source: The Indie Stone: 42.22 Pre-Release ladders announcement.
