Project Zomboid players using controllers can now zoom in and out on the local map, a feature long requested by the community. The solution, it turns out, wasn’t a new update or setting, but a matter of visibility within the game’s user interface. For months, controller users have been unable to replicate the map zoom functionality available to keyboard and mouse players, who simply use the mouse wheel.
The issue came to a head recently, with players taking to the official Crate Entertainment forums to seek assistance. Forum user creeve4 initially posted on February 22, 2026, expressing frustration at the lack of a readily apparent zoom function for controllers. “I have searched the game options and this forum and have not found an answer. How do I zoom in/out the map (not mini-map) with a controller? When using kb+m I can zoom the map with the mouse wheel,” they wrote. The problem, as discovered by the community, stemmed from obscured hotkeys hidden by a high UI scale setting.
Lowering the UI scale reveals the ‘X’ and ‘Y’ buttons on an Xbox controller are designated for zooming in and out of the local map, respectively. This discovery highlights a common challenge in complex games like Project Zomboid: the sheer number of available options and controls can sometimes be hidden in plain sight. The game offers extensive customization, but that flexibility can come at the cost of discoverability.
Controller Zoom Solution Explained
The fix is relatively simple for those still struggling with map navigation. Players need to adjust their UI scale within the game’s settings. Reducing the scale will make the previously hidden hotkeys visible directly beneath the map itself. Once visible, pressing ‘X’ zooms in, and ‘Y’ zooms out. It’s important to note, however, that this solution currently applies only to the local map, not the world map used for teleporting to rifts, which remains without zoom functionality as of February 22, 2026.
Beyond adjusting the UI scale, players have options for more advanced controller customization through Steam Input, as noted in a report by NewsDirectory3. This allows for a more tailored control scheme, but the UI scale adjustment provides an immediate solution for those unaware of the existing hotkeys.
Community Response and Steam Input
The discovery was met with relief from the Project Zomboid community. One user responded to creeve4’s post, stating, “Lol, yeah I was wondering why you couldn’t spot them. I learned something today too!” The issue also surfaced on the Steam Community forums, where users shared their own experiences and solutions. One user on Steam detailed a workaround for Xbox controllers: “Plug in Xbox controller – Go to Steam settings (top right), Controllers, Enable Steam Input for Xbox.” This Steam Community post confirms the issue and provides a potential fix for some users.
It’s worth noting that similar map zoom issues have been reported in other games. A discussion on the Farming Simulator 25 Steam forums highlights a lack of controller zoom functionality for the crop/farm lands map, with the action icon remaining blank when using a controller. The Farming Simulator 25 discussion demonstrates that controller map zoom functionality isn’t universally implemented across all PC games.
What’s Next for Project Zomboid Controller Support?
While the UI scale fix addresses the immediate issue for many players, the lack of zoom functionality on the world map remains a point of contention. It’s likely Crate Entertainment will continue to refine controller support in future updates, potentially adding a dedicated zoom option or improving the discoverability of existing controls. The community’s feedback will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping these improvements.
Have you encountered this issue with controller map zoom in Project Zomboid? Share your experiences and solutions in the comments below!
