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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHytale’s dedicated server uses UDP port 5520 by default. The documented bind address is 0.0.0.0:5520. To let players outside your home network connect, forward UDP 5520 from your router to the server computer and allow inbound UDP 5520 in that computer’s firewall. Hytale uses QUIC over UDP, so you do not need a TCP forwarding rule. A singleplayer world shared through Online Play follows a different process and often configures connectivity automatically.
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What port does Hytale use?
The official Hytale dedicated-server default is 5520 over UDP. The server manual lists the default bind as 0.0.0.0:5520; 0.0.0.0 means the server listens on the computer’s available network interfaces rather than only on localhost.
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Hytale’s networking uses the QUIC protocol over UDP, not TCP. For a self-hosted server, create a UDP rule on the router and a UDP allow rule in the host operating system. Adding a TCP rule does not make Hytale reachable and exposes an unnecessary port.
These defaults come from Hypixel Studios’ Hytale Server Manual, updated October 12, 2026. If your server administrator deliberately selected another bind port, that custom value—not 5520—is the one players must use.
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How Hytale’s port setup works
A player on the internet cannot normally address a computer inside your home network directly. Your router owns the public address and uses a port-forward entry to send matching traffic to a private address such as 192.168.1.25. The server computer’s firewall then decides whether to accept that packet.
For the default configuration, the complete path is:
- Internet: UDP port 5520 on your public address.
- Router: forward external UDP 5520 to the server computer’s fixed local IP.
- Host firewall: permit inbound UDP 5520.
- Hytale process: listen on
0.0.0.0:5520.
All four pieces must agree. A correct router rule cannot help if the server is stopped or the host firewall blocks the packet; an open firewall cannot help if the router sends traffic to the wrong machine.
Decide which Hytale hosting method you are using
Dedicated server on your own computer
This is the method that requires port forwarding. You run the Hytale server process, choose its files and settings, and keep the machine online when friends want to play. The instructions below apply to this arrangement.
Singleplayer world shared through Online Play
A friend joining your ordinary world is not the same as connecting to a separately installed dedicated server. Hytale attempts direct or relayed connectivity for Online Play and normally handles the network setup itself. Do not create a permanent 5520 rule merely because you are inviting someone to a friend world.
Managed server hosting
A managed host handles the public address, hardware, networking, maintenance and updates. That removes router and NAT work, but introduces a recurring service cost and gives the provider responsibility for availability and server administration. If you need complete control of local files or mods, running the dedicated process yourself may be preferable.
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|---|---|---|
| Initial setup | Install and configure the server, router and firewall | Provider supplies a configured reachable server |
| Files and mods | Direct control over the machine and files | Control depends on the provider’s panel and plan |
| Availability | Online only while your hardware, connection and process are running | Designed to remain online without your home PC |
| Router/NAT dependency | Usually requires forwarding unless IPv6 or another network path is used | Provider handles the public network path |
| Maintenance | You apply updates, secure the host and diagnose failures | Provider handles infrastructure maintenance; you still manage game settings |
| Recurring cost | No hosting subscription, but you supply electricity and an internet connection | Monthly or otherwise recurring hosting charge |
Open UDP 5520 for a dedicated server
1. Confirm the server’s bind setting
Start the server normally, or inspect its help output before changing anything. The documented --bind default is 0.0.0.0:5520. Confirm that the process starts without a bind error and that no other program is already using the selected port.
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Keep the server computer on a stable local address. A DHCP reservation in the router is usually easier than manually setting an address in the operating system: reserve the current address for the computer’s network adapter so a reboot does not silently invalidate your forwarding rule.
2. Find the server computer’s private IP address
Use the address assigned by your router, not the public address shown by an internet speed-test page. On the server computer, check the active Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter and note its IPv4 address, for example 192.168.1.25. If the computer has both wired and wireless adapters, forward to the adapter actually carrying the server’s traffic.
3. Create the router forwarding rule
- Sign in to the router that provides your home internet connection.
- Open the section labeled something like Port Forwarding, NAT, or Virtual Server.
- Create a rule named
Hytale Serverso you can identify it later. - Set the protocol to UDP.
- Set the external or public port to 5520.
- Set the internal or private port to 5520.
- Enter the server computer’s reserved local IP address, such as
192.168.1.25. - Save or apply the rule, then restart the router only if its interface requires it.
Some routers ask for a start and end port. Enter 5520 in both fields; a range is unnecessary for the default server. Do not forward the entire port range or enable broad DMZ exposure to solve a single-port problem.
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On Windows, open PowerShell as an administrator and run:
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Hytale Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5520 -Action Allow
This creates an inbound rule for UDP 5520. Keep the rule limited to the required port rather than disabling Windows Firewall. If Windows presents a network-profile choice, allow the server on the profile your private home network uses and avoid exposing it on untrusted public networks.
On a Linux host using iptables, the official example is:
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sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPT
On a Linux host using UFW, use:
sudo ufw allow 5520/udp
Firewall systems can have additional persistence or zone configuration requirements. Verify that your rule survives a reboot and that another security tool is not applying a stricter policy afterward.
5. Start the server and give players the correct address
Launch the dedicated server after the router and firewall rules are in place. Give players the public address required by your setup together with port 5520. They should not use the private address beginning with ranges such as 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or 172.16.x.x–172.31.x.x unless they are on the same local network.
Do not publish administrative interfaces, remote-desktop services or other management ports on the same public interface simply to make Hytale work. Forward only the game port and secure administration separately.
Use a custom Hytale server port
Port 5520 is a default, not a requirement. A custom port is useful when another service already occupies 5520 or when your network policy assigns a different port. The value must be identical in the server command, router rule, firewall rule and the address players enter.
For example, this command binds the server to UDP 3500:
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip --bind 3500
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With that command:
- Forward external UDP 3500 to internal UDP 3500 on the server computer.
- Allow inbound UDP 3500 in Windows Firewall, iptables or UFW.
- Tell players to connect to your public address on port 3500.
- Remove or disable an old 5520 rule if you no longer run a server there.
When the bind option is written without an address, the server uses its normal listen-address behavior with the specified port. If your installation accepts an address-and-port form, keep the address broad enough for remote players (the documented default is 0.0.0.0:5520) and make sure the port is the same everywhere.
Set up Online Play for a friend world
For a singleplayer world, use Hytale’s in-game sharing controls rather than manually applying the dedicated-server procedure:
- Open the world’s Online Play settings.
- Turn on Allow Other Players to Join.
- Save the setting and invite or join through the normal friend interface.
According to Hypixel Studios’ Joining Friends guidance, updated October 12, 2026, Hytale attempts direct or relayed connectivity and normally requires no router change. The game tells you when manual forwarding is needed. If the Online Play details specifically say that the router does not forward ports, note the UDP port shown there, forward that port to the host PC’s local IP, and save Online Play again.
A friend-world port may differ from the dedicated-server default. Follow the number shown by the game instead of assuming it is 5520.
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The server is not listening
Confirm that the Hytale process is running and that its startup output shows the expected bind. A forwarding rule cannot reach a stopped process. If you changed the port, check the command line for a typo and verify that the process did not fall back to another configuration.
The router forwards to the wrong computer
Compare the forwarding destination with the server computer’s current local IP. If the address changed after a reboot, restore the DHCP reservation or update the rule. A rule aimed at an old laptop or a different console will appear correct in the router but never deliver packets to Hytale.
The firewall or security suite blocks UDP
Check the inbound rule’s protocol and port, not just whether an application exception exists. Windows Firewall, Linux firewall zones and third-party antivirus products can each block traffic. Temporarily testing on a trusted private network can identify a security-suite conflict; restore a narrowly scoped UDP rule after the test rather than leaving protection disabled.
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You are behind double NAT
Double NAT occurs when an ISP gateway and a second personal router both perform address translation. Forwarding only on the inner router is insufficient because the outer device still has no route for the incoming packet.
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- Forward the same UDP port through both devices, with the outer router targeting the inner router’s WAN address.
- Put the ISP gateway into bridge or passthrough mode so one router performs NAT.
- Connect the server to the main router instead of the downstream router.
Router menus and bridge terminology differ by manufacturer. Make one device the clear internet edge and confirm which device owns the public address before editing rules.
Your ISP uses carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT)
With CGNAT, the ISP shares one public IPv4 address among multiple customers. Your router may display a private or shared WAN address, and inbound forwarding cannot work because you do not control the ISP’s outer translation. Hypixel Studios states that port forwarding cannot work when the provider uses this arrangement.
Ask the ISP whether it can provide a genuine public IPv4 address. If that is unavailable, use a private overlay such as Tailscale or another permitted networking solution so players join through the overlay instead of an inbound home-router rule. A VPN service that merely changes outbound browsing location does not automatically make a game server reachable.
IPv6 changes the path
If both the host and players have working IPv6 connectivity, Hytale can use the host’s IPv6 address without IPv4 NAT port forwarding. The host firewall still needs to allow the Hytale UDP port, and the IPv6 address must be reachable and stable enough for your players. Do not assume IPv6 is available just because the computer displays an IPv6 address; the ISP, router firewall and player networks must all support end-to-end traffic.
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The network blocks game traffic
School, office and public Wi-Fi networks may block UDP traffic, peer-to-peer connections or unfamiliar game services. Test from a permitted home or mobile connection. Do not bypass an organization’s network policy; use only a VPN or overlay that the network owner allows.
Players are using the wrong address or port
Local players can often connect with the private address, while players elsewhere need the public address and the forwarded port. If you selected a custom bind such as 3500, every player must use 3500. Send the address in a clear form and avoid relying on a remembered value after your ISP changes the public IP.
Check the setup safely
Test in this order so each layer is proven before you investigate the next:
- Join from the host computer or the same local network to prove the server process and game configuration work.
- From another network, test the public address while the server is running. A test from inside the same router may fail because some routers do not support NAT loopback even when internet players can connect.
- Watch the Hytale server log while a remote player attempts to join. No incoming event usually points to the router, ISP or address; an event followed by rejection points more often to the server or firewall.
- Recheck that the router rule says UDP, not TCP, and that external and internal ports match the active bind.
Do not publish screenshots containing your public IP, router credentials or administrative tokens. Share only the connection information players need.
Security and reliability practices
- Keep the server software and operating system updated.
- Use a reserved local IP so the forwarding destination does not change.
- Forward only the Hytale UDP port; do not place the server computer in a DMZ.
- Run the server with the least operating-system privilege that supports your installation.
- Back up worlds and configuration before updates or mod changes.
- Monitor whether the server is online and close the forwarding rule when you no longer host publicly.
- Use a wired connection where possible for a host that must remain available, and account for power-saving settings that can suspend the machine.
Quick reference
| Item | Default dedicated-server value |
|---|---|
| Port | 5520 |
| Transport | UDP (QUIC) |
| Documented bind | 0.0.0.0:5520 |
| Router rule | External UDP 5520 to the server’s fixed local IP, internal UDP 5520 |
| Host firewall | Allow inbound UDP 5520 |
| Custom port | Set --bind <port>, then use that same UDP value in the router, firewall and player address |
Source and date
The default port, bind syntax and UDP/QUIC behavior are documented by Hypixel Studios in the Hytale Server Manual, updated October 12, 2026. Online Play, relay behavior and NAT troubleshooting are covered in Hypixel Studios’ Joining Friends guidance, also updated October 12, 2026.
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