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To host a Hytale server on Linux, install Java 25, obtain the server files with the official Downloader CLI or bootstrap process, start HytaleServer.jar with the matching Assets.zip, complete /auth login device, and expose the default QUIC listener on UDP port 5520. For a server that survives reboots, run it as a dedicated unprivileged user under systemd, enable scheduled backups, and use the supplied wrapper so staged updates can restart cleanly.
Hypixel Studios documents a minimum of 4GB memory on x64 or arm64 hardware, but that is a boot requirement rather than a universal player-capacity target. CPU use grows with players and entities, while RAM use grows with loaded world area and view distance. The practical guide below separates the documented minimum from the operating headroom a persistent Linux installation needs.
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What does a Linux Hytale server require?
The official baseline is Java 25 and at least 4GB of memory on either x64 or arm64 hardware. Hytale communicates with clients through QUIC over UDP, not TCP, so your host firewall and router must pass UDP traffic. A production setup also needs a stable filesystem, a dedicated service account, a way to authenticate the headless process, and a backup destination.
| Requirement | Documented value or choice | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Java runtime | Java 25 | The server will not meet the supported runtime requirement with an older major release. |
| Memory | 4GB minimum, according to Hypixel Studios (2026) | This is the minimum to run the server, not a guaranteed capacity for a particular player count. |
| CPU architecture | x64 or arm64 | Both architectures are supported by the official server documentation. |
| Transport | QUIC over UDP | TCP-only forwarding does not carry Hytale player traffic. |
| Default listener | 0.0.0.0:5520, UDP |
Clients need the router and host firewall to permit this port, unless you select another bind address or port. |
| Persistent operation | Dedicated Linux user, systemd, backups | These prevent root-level file ownership problems, restart the process after failure or reboot, and provide recovery options. |
An 8GB-or-larger mini PC or small server is a sensible self-hosting starting point because it leaves headroom above the documented 4GB floor. That is sizing guidance inferred from the minimum and the manual’s workload caveats, not a capacity guarantee from Hypixel Studios.
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How much RAM and CPU does a Hytale server need?
There is no honest single player count attached to 4GB. Hypixel Studios says CPU demand rises with player and entity counts, while RAM demand rises with large loaded areas and high view distance. Measure the process on your own world and tune the JVM heap instead of treating the minimum as a target capacity.
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The 4GB statement means the server can run on a device with at least that much memory. Linux, Java, filesystem cache, monitoring, and other services also consume memory. If the host has exactly 4GB, leave very little room for anything besides the game process and avoid running databases, panels, or unrelated workloads on it.
Control view distance before chasing hardware
The manual identifies view distance as the main RAM driver and recommends a maximum of 12 chunks, described there as 384 blocks. A larger view distance increases the amount of world data that must remain loaded; reducing it is often the first capacity adjustment to make when memory pressure appears.
Set a measured heap limit
Observe resident memory and garbage-collection behavior while players explore and generate entities. Then experiment with the JVM’s -Xmx value so Java cannot consume all host memory. The correct value depends on the world, player activity, loaded area, and what else runs on the machine; the official documentation deliberately recommends measuring rather than publishing a universal heap size.
How do I install Java 25 on Linux?
Hypixel Studios recommends an Adoptium build of Java 25 and verifies the installation with java --version. Package names and repository commands vary by distribution, so confirm that the command reports major version 25 before downloading the server.
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- Install a supported Java 25 distribution for your Linux architecture. The official manual points to Adoptium.
- Open a new shell if your package manager changed environment variables.
- Run
java --version. - Confirm that the first line identifies Java 25. If it reports 17, 21, or another major version, change
JAVA_HOMEor your alternatives selection before proceeding.
The Ubuntu deployment tutorial demonstrates SDKMAN with 25.0.1-tem. Treat that patch number as an example from the tutorial dated January 23, 2026, not as a permanent Hytale requirement; Java and server releases can change while the major requirement remains Java 25.
How do I obtain the Hytale server files?
The official manual gives three approaches. Copying the Launcher installation is convenient for a quick local test. The Hytale Downloader CLI is the production-oriented route because it can fetch the latest release, print versions, check for updates, choose a download directory, and follow a pre-release patchline. Bootstrap mode is useful when you want HytaleServer.jar to create the managed layout and launcher scripts for you.
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| Method | Best use | Important limitation or behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Copy the Launcher installation | Short-lived testing on a machine that already has the game files | It is not the cleanest production update workflow. |
| Hytale Downloader CLI | Production downloads and controlled release selection | Supports latest-release downloads, version output, update checks, a custom path, and a pre-release patchline. |
| Bootstrap mode | Building a fresh server directory from the server JAR | Creates Assets.zip, scripts, and a Server/ directory after setup and authentication. |
Bootstrap a fresh directory
Use an empty directory for the bootstrap process so files from another release cannot be mixed accidentally.
- Place
HytaleServer.jarin the empty directory. - Run
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --bootstrap. - When the server console is ready, authenticate with
/auth login device. - Run
/update setupor/update downloadas appropriate for the generated layout. - Confirm that the directory now contains
Assets.zip, launcher scripts, and aServer/directory.
Keep Assets.zip and the Server directory from the same release. Mixing an asset archive from one release with server files from another can produce an incompatible installation even when the Java command itself is correct.
How do I start the server for the first time?
From the directory containing the JAR and matching asset archive, the manual’s normal command is:
java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zipIf you used the generated wrapper layout, start from its parent directory with:
./start.shThe wrapper changes into Server/, supplies --assets ../Assets.zip, and enables periodic backups by default. Starting through the wrapper is preferable for a persistent installation because it can apply staged files and restart the process without requiring you to reconstruct the launch arguments manually.
How do I authenticate a headless Hytale server?
Authentication is required before the server accepts player connections. After the first launch, type the following command in the server console:
/auth login device- The console displays
https://accounts.hytale.com/deviceand a one-time user code. - Open the displayed address on a device with a browser and enter the code.
- Complete the account authorization before the request expires. The official example gives a 900-second window.
- Wait for
Authentication successful! Mode: OAUTH_DEVICEin the server console. - Only then give players the address and port; an unauthenticated process cannot provide normal player service.
If the 900-second window expires, issue /auth login device again to obtain a fresh code. Do not paste an account password into the Linux console or store the device code in shell history.
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Hypixel Studios explains that authentication enables communication with its service APIs and helps counter abuse. This is why a headless server still needs an interactive device authorization during initial setup.
What changes for hosting providers?
Providers operating many instances can pass session and identity tokens through command-line flags or the environment variables HYTALE_SERVER_SESSION_TOKEN and HYTALE_SERVER_IDENTITY_TOKEN. The provider guide says game sessions last one hour and refresh five minutes before expiry; an OAuth refresh token can remain valid for 30 days while a server stays offline. Those mechanisms are aimed at game-server providers and network operators, not necessary for a normal single home server. Hypixel Studios documents a limit of 500 concurrent server sessions per game license for that provider model.
How do I open the Hytale server port on Ubuntu?
Hytale’s default listener is UDP 5520. QUIC is a UDP protocol, so opening TCP 5520 alone will not work. Permit the port on the Linux host and forward the same UDP port from your router to the server’s private address.
Allow UDP with UFW
sudo ufw allow 5520/udpAllow UDP with iptables
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPTForward the port at the router
- Give the Linux host a stable private address, preferably with a DHCP reservation.
- Create a port-forwarding rule for external UDP 5520 to that host’s UDP 5520.
- Do not create a TCP-only rule; it will not carry Hytale’s QUIC traffic.
- Keep SSH on TCP 22 as a separate rule if you administer the machine remotely.
- If you changed the server bind with
--bind, forward the selected port instead of 5520.
The default bind is 0.0.0.0:5520, which listens on the host’s interfaces. A more restrictive bind can be useful on a multi-interface machine, but it must reference an address reachable from the forwarding rule.
What if home NAT prevents connections?
Symmetric NAT can prevent players from reaching a home-hosted server even when the local firewall rule is correct. The official manual suggests considering a VPS or dedicated server in that situation. A managed or rented host also becomes attractive when you cannot provide reliable uptime, backups, monitoring, or automated authentication at home.
How do I keep a Hytale server running after reboot?
Run the process as a dedicated hytale user from a fixed directory such as /opt/hytale, then let systemd start and restart the wrapper. This avoids root-owned saves and logs while giving you boot-time startup, restart behavior, and journal integration.
Create the service account and directories
sudo useradd --system --home /opt/hytale --create-home --shell /usr/sbin/nologin hytale
sudo mkdir -p /opt/hytale
sudo chown -R hytale:hytale /opt/hytaleCopy or download the server files into /opt/hytale, including the wrapper, Assets.zip, Server/, saves, logs, and backup directories. Verify ownership after every administrative copy so the service can write worlds and logs without elevated privileges.
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Create a systemd unit
Save the following as /etc/systemd/system/hytale.service. Adjust the path only if your installation uses a different directory.
[Unit]
Description=Hytale dedicated server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=hytale
Group=hytale
WorkingDirectory=/opt/hytale
ExecStart=/opt/hytale/start.sh
Restart=always
RestartSec=10
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.targetEnable and inspect it
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now hytale
sudo systemctl status hytale
sudo journalctl -u hytale -fRestart=always covers crashes and clean exits that occur during the wrapper’s update cycle. Keep administrative commands such as file replacement and configuration edits outside the service account’s runtime, and stop the unit before changing files that the server may rewrite.
How should I configure backups and updates?
Use both the server’s built-in backup options and an independent archive strategy. The command-line options are --backup, --backup-dir, and --backup-frequency; the documented default frequency is 30 minutes, and the generated wrapper enables backups to a backups directory by default.
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The Ubuntu deployment example makes a daily compressed archive of universe/ and removes archives older than seven days. An external SSD can be a useful local destination, but local storage alone does not protect against theft, disk failure, or a damaged host. Retain an off-site copy for disaster recovery and periodically verify that an archive can actually be unpacked.
Understand staged updates
The built-in updater checks for releases hourly by default, using a 3,600-second interval. It downloads an update into staging and exits with code 8 when an update is ready. The wrapper then applies the staged server and asset files, preserves configuration, saves, and mods, and restarts; its documented auto-apply delay is 30 minutes.
Client and server must use the exact same protocol version. Hypixel Studios warns that when a release ships, a server that remains on the old version cannot accept players running the new client. Schedule updates during a quiet period, keep a recent world archive, and inspect the service log after the restart before announcing that the server is available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which files and settings should I edit?
The important installation paths named in the manual are:
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logs/for server output and troubleshooting evidence.mods/for mod archives.universe/for world data that belongs in your backup plan.config.jsonfor server configuration.permissions.jsonfor permission assignments.whitelist.jsonfor access restrictions.
Stop the server before editing configuration. Manual changes made while it is running can be overwritten when the process saves its current state. After editing, start the service and read the journal for parse errors before allowing players back in.
How do I install mods?
Place mod files ending in .zip or .jar in mods/. Use a source that identifies the mod’s Hytale and server version requirements, and make a backup before changing the set. A mod that loads on one protocol version may need an update after a server release, so treat mod compatibility as part of every update window.
Do I need a proxy for multiple Hytale servers?
No proxy is required for the native player referral, connection redirect, and fallback mechanisms documented by Hypixel Studios. These features can direct a player between servers without a BungeeCord-style reverse proxy for the documented use cases.
Custom proxy work still uses QUIC. Referral payloads travel through the client, so sign them cryptographically if a referral is used to make a security decision; never trust an unsigned client-provided destination merely because it resembles an internal server name.
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Self-hosting is reasonable when you control router forwarding, can keep the machine online, and can maintain backups and updates. Choose a VPS or managed service when symmetric NAT blocks inbound traffic, your home connection is unreliable, or you need monitoring, automated authentication, and recovery without maintaining the operating system yourself.
The provider token-passthrough workflow is designed for operators running many instances. A single community server normally needs only the device-code authentication flow, a firewall rule, and a reliable service unit. Whichever location you choose, retain your own world backups and confirm the provider permits UDP QUIC traffic on the port you select.
What should I check when players cannot connect?
| Symptom | Likely cause | Check or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Players time out immediately | UDP was not forwarded, or only TCP was opened | Confirm router forwarding and the host rule for UDP 5520; Hytale does not use TCP for this listener. |
| The console accepts no players after first boot | The process is not authenticated | Run /auth login device and wait for the successful OAuth device-mode message. |
| The service starts and stops repeatedly | Wrong working directory, missing assets, permissions, or a failed update | Read journalctl -u hytale, verify Assets.zip matches Server/, and check that user hytale owns writable paths. |
| Players on the new client cannot join | Client/server protocol mismatch | Let the wrapper apply the staged update, then restart and confirm the release in the log. |
| Memory usage keeps climbing during exploration | Large loaded areas or excessive view distance | Reduce view distance toward the documented 12-chunk maximum, inspect actual use, and adjust -Xmx or host memory. |
| World changes disappear | Files were edited or replaced while the server was running | Stop systemd, restore the intended files, make edits, and start the service again. |
Production launch checklist
- Java 25 is installed and
java --versionconfirms the major version. - The host has at least 4GB of memory; additional headroom is reserved for Linux and workload growth.
Assets.zipandServer/come from the same release.- The first launch completed
/auth login device. - The router forwards UDP 5520 and the host firewall permits UDP 5520.
- SSH remains a separate TCP rule, normally TCP 22.
- The server runs as the unprivileged
hytaleaccount, not root. - systemd starts the wrapper at boot and restarts it after failure.
- Automatic backups are enabled and a second, preferably off-site, copy exists.
- Update staging and protocol compatibility are checked before players return.
- Configuration changes are made only while the server is stopped.
- Logs, saves, mods, and permissions files have known owners and backup coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I verify that Linux is listening on the Hytale UDP port?
On the server, run ss -u -l -n -p | grep 5520 and confirm a Java process is bound to the expected address. This only proves local listening; an external player still depends on router forwarding, upstream filtering, and NAT behavior.
What should I do if the device authorization code expires?
Run /auth login device again in the server console and complete the new browser authorization within its displayed window. The previous code cannot be revived, so generate a new one rather than retrying an expired value.
Can I change Hytale’s default port?
Yes. Supply a different bind setting with --bind, then allow and forward that UDP port instead of 5520. Update firewall, router, documentation, and any monitoring checks together so clients do not continue using the old endpoint.
Is an external SSD enough protection for my Hytale world?
It is useful as a second local destination, but it can be lost with the host or damaged by the same incident. Keep an off-site copy and periodically test restoring an archive so a backup is more than an unverified file.
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