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Host Dedicated Server Palworld: Step-by-Step Guide

Card No. 06·49611 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through setting up your own dedicated Palworld server, giving you full control over settings, mods, and who gets to join. You’ll need a Windows or Linux machine (or a cloud VPS) with a decent CPU, at least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended for larger groups), and a stable internet connection with a public IP or port forwarding. By the end, you’ll have a persistent world that runs 24/7, even when you’re offline.

What You’ll Need

  • A PC or VPS running Windows 10/11 or a modern Linux distro (Ubuntu 22.04+ recommended).
  • At least 8 GB of RAM (16 GB for 8+ players).
  • SteamCMD (free tool) to download the server files.
  • Ports 8211 (UDP) and 27015 (UDP) open in your firewall/router for online play.
  • Optional: A static IP or a dynamic DNS service if you want a consistent address.

Step-by-Step

  1. Install SteamCMD.
    • Windows: Download SteamCMD from the official Valve site, extract it to a folder like C:\steamcmd.
    • Linux: Open a terminal and run: sudo apt update && sudo apt install steamcmd (Debian/Ubuntu) or use your distro’s package manager.
  2. Download the Palworld Dedicated Server files.
    • Open a command prompt/terminal in the SteamCMD folder.
    • Run SteamCMD and log in anonymously: login anonymous
    • Force install to a directory (e.g., C:\palworld-server on Windows or /home/youruser/palworld on Linux): force_install_dir C:\palworld-server
    • Download the server: app_update 2394010 validate
    • Type quit to exit SteamCMD. This downloads the server binary and default config files.
  3. Configure the server settings.
    • Navigate to the server folder and open DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini in a text editor.
    • Copy the entire [/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings] line and its value into a new file named PalWorldSettings.ini in the Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer (or LinuxServer) folder.
    • Edit the options: set ServerName, ServerDescription, ServerPassword (if you want a private server), AdminPassword, and adjust DayTimeSpeedRate, PlayerDamageRate, etc. to your liking.
    • Save the file.
  4. Start the server.
    • Windows: Double-click PalServer.exe in the server folder. A console window will open; keep it running.
    • Linux: Run ./PalServer.sh in the terminal. Use chmod +x PalServer.sh first if needed.
    • The first launch generates world files and may take a few minutes.
  5. Open ports on your router (if hosting from home).
    • Log into your router’s admin panel (usually at 192.168.1.1 or similar).
    • Find the Port Forwarding section.
    • Forward UDP ports 8211 and 27015 to your PC’s local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50).
    • If you have a firewall (Windows Defender, etc.), allow these ports for the PalServer.exe process.
  6. Join your server.
    • In Palworld, select “Join Multiplayer Game” and enter your public IP (or your local IP if testing on the same network) with port 8211: e.g., 192.168.1.50:8211.
    • If you set a password, enter it when prompted.
  7. Keep it running (optional).
    • For 24/7 uptime, consider using a process manager like screen on Linux or a Windows service wrapper like NSSM.
    • Set up automatic restarts if the server crashes (e.g., a simple batch script that restarts the exe if it closes).

Common Mistakes

  • Not copying the default settings correctly. The PalWorldSettings.ini must contain the entire line starting with [/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings] and the following settings in one long line. Missing a comma or bracket breaks the server.
  • Forgetting to open UDP ports. TCP won’t work; Palworld uses UDP. Double-check both ports are forwarded and allowed in the firewall.
  • Using the wrong IP address. When joining from the same network, use your local IP; from outside, use your public IP. If you have a dynamic IP, it changes over time.
  • Not enough RAM. The server can use 4-6 GB by default; if you have less, it will crash or lag. Close other programs or upgrade.
  • Editing the wrong file. The server reads PalWorldSettings.ini, not DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini. Editing the default does nothing.

Tips

  • Set a strong admin password so you can use in-game admin commands to manage players.
  • Backup your world regularly by copying the Pal/Saved/SaveGames folder.
  • Adjust the ServerPlayerMaxNum setting to limit players and reduce lag.
  • Use a dedicated machine or VPS with SSD storage for faster world loading.
  • If you want mods, install them on the server and clients must have the same mods.

Troubleshooting

  • Server won’t start: Check that you have the latest Visual C++ Redistributables on Windows. On Linux, ensure you have the required libraries: sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 (for 32-bit compatibility).
  • Can’t join from outside network: Verify your public IP is correct (search “what is my IP” in a browser). Ensure your ISP isn’t blocking the ports. Test with a friend or use a port checker tool.
  • High ping or lag: Close other bandwidth-heavy apps. Check that your upload speed is sufficient (at least 10 Mbps for 4 players). Reduce the number of players or lower the ServerPlayerMaxNum.
  • World resets after restart: Make sure you’re not running the server from a temporary folder. The save path is relative to the server directory; if you move the folder, saves break.
  • Server crashes randomly: Look at the console output for error messages. Increase RAM if possible. Disable any overclocking on the host machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a Palworld server on a Raspberry Pi?

No. The server requires a 64-bit x86 CPU and at least 8 GB of RAM; Raspberry Pi doesn’t meet the requirements.

How many players can join a dedicated server?

By default, the server allows up to 32 players, but performance will degrade with more than 8-10 on typical hardware. You can set ServerPlayerMaxNum to any lower number.

Do I need to port forward if I use a VPN?

If you’re hosting on a VPS, no—the VPS has a public IP. If you’re hosting at home and using a VPN to join, you still need port forwarding for others to join.

Can I transfer my single-player world to a dedicated server?

Yes, but it’s not straightforward. You need to copy your save files from the single-player folder to the server’s Pal/Saved/SaveGames folder and adjust the world name in the config. It’s easier to start fresh.

How do I update the server?

Stop the server, run SteamCMD again with the same app_update 2394010 validate command, then restart. Your world files remain intact.

Is there a way to run the server without SteamCMD?

No, SteamCMD is the official method to download and update the dedicated server files.

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