Palworld Server Settings Not Applying: Fix

If your Palworld server settings aren’t applying, the cause is almost always an incorrect configuration file location, a formatting error, or the server not being restarted after changes. This guide walks you through the exact steps to diagnose and fix the issue so your custom settings take effect.

Background: How Palworld Server Settings Work

Palworld dedicated servers read their settings from a file named PalWorldSettings.ini. This file is generated automatically the first time you start the server. It contains all the configurable options, from XP rates and damage multipliers to egg hatching time and server description.

The critical detail is that the settings file is not the same as the default file you might see in the game’s installation folder. The server creates its own copy in a separate directory. If you edit the wrong file, your changes will be ignored.

Where the Settings File Actually Is

The location of the correct PalWorldSettings.ini depends on how you run your server:

• Dedicated server (SteamCMD or Steam): Look in steamapps\common\PalServer\Pal\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\PalWorldSettings.ini (Windows) or .../Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini (Linux).
• Third-party hosting panel: Most panels provide a web-based config editor that writes to the correct file. Use that instead of trying to find the file manually.

A common mistake is editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini in the main PalServer folder. That file is just a template and is never read by the server. Always verify you are editing the file in the Saved/Config folder.

Common Reasons Settings Are Ignored

Beyond the wrong file location, several other issues can cause your settings to be silently dropped:

• Missing restart: The server only reads the config file at startup. If you edit the file while the server is running, you must restart the server process for changes to take effect.
• Syntax errors: A missing comma, an unquoted string, or a typo in a value can cause the entire file to be rejected, reverting to defaults.
• Editing the file while the server is running: Some server processes overwrite the config file on shutdown, so your manual edits may be lost. Always stop the server before editing.
• Using the wrong format: The file must contain a single line starting with OptionSettings=( and ending with ). If you accidentally split it into multiple lines, the server may not parse it correctly.

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps in order. Most issues are resolved by step 3.

1. Stop the server completely. If you are using a control panel, use the stop button. If running from a terminal, press Ctrl+C and wait for the process to exit.
2. Navigate to the correct directory as described above. Open PalWorldSettings.ini with a plain text editor like Notepad or VS Code. Do not use Word.
3. Make your changes carefully. Ensure every line is inside the OptionSettings=(...) parentheses, values are separated by commas, and text values are enclosed in double quotes. For example: OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=1.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.000000,...)
4. Save the file and close the editor.
5. Start the server and wait for it to fully load (look for the message that the server has started).
6. Verify the change by connecting to the server and checking the relevant in-game setting (e.g., if you changed XP rate, kill a Pal and see if the XP gain matches).

If the settings still don’t apply, try deleting the PalWorldSettings.ini file entirely and restarting the server. This forces the server to generate a fresh copy. Then stop the server again and edit that new file.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If you’ve confirmed the file location and format but settings still revert, consider these less common causes:

• File permissions: On Linux, ensure the user running the server has write access to the config file. Use chmod 755 PalWorldSettings.ini or similar.
• Multiple server instances: If you run more than one Palworld server, each has its own config folder. Make sure you are editing the one corresponding to the server you are connecting to.
• Launch arguments overriding: If you start the server with command-line arguments (e.g., -Port=8211), those take precedence over the config file for those specific settings. Remove any arguments that conflict with your desired config.
• Server update resetting config: After a game update, the server may regenerate the config file. Back up your settings before updating.

Comparing Config Methods

There are three main ways to configure a Palworld server:

• Editing the .ini file directly: Most flexible and works for all settings, but prone to syntax errors.
• Using a hosting panel’s web UI: Safer for beginners, as it validates input, but may not expose every obscure option.
• Using in-game commands: Some settings (like changing the time of day) can be adjusted in-game, but these are temporary and reset on restart. They don’t replace the config file.

For most players, editing the .ini file directly is the best balance of control and simplicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PalWorldSettings.ini look like a single long line?

That is normal. The file is a single line of key-value pairs. Do not try to format it as a table. Just edit the values within that line, keeping the commas and parentheses intact.

I changed the XP rate but it didn’t change in-game. What did I do wrong?

First, make sure you edited the file in Saved/Config, not the default template. Second, restart the server completely. If it still doesn’t work, check that you didn’t accidentally set the value to 1.0 (the default) or that the file was saved with a .txt extension (Windows sometimes hides extensions).

Can I edit settings while the server is running?

Technically yes, but the server will not read the changes until it restarts. Worse, the server may overwrite your changes on shutdown. Always stop the server first.

Do I need to edit the file on the server machine or can I do it remotely?

You can edit it remotely if you have file access (e.g., via FTP or a hosting panel). The process is the same. Just make sure you are editing the correct file for that specific server instance.

What is the difference between PalWorldSettings.ini and DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini?

DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini is a template that ships with the game. The server copies it to create PalWorldSettings.ini the first time it runs. After that, the server only reads the latter. Editing the default file has no effect on a running server.

Why does my server reset settings after every update?

Game updates sometimes replace or regenerate config files. To avoid losing your settings, back up your PalWorldSettings.ini before updating and restore it after the update, then restart the server.

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