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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A reliable Palworld 1.0 dedicated server needs a 64-bit Windows or Linux host, at least four recommended CPU cores, 16GB of RAM, fast SSD storage and UDP port 8211 forwarded to the machine. Install the server with SteamCMD app 2394010 (or Steam’s Dedicated Server tool), launch it once to create its folders, copy the default settings file into the saved-config directory, and edit that copy—not the template. This guide covers the complete setup, important 1.0 settings, backups, updates and connection fixes.
Godlike.Host offers hosted Palworld servers with its own game panel, SFTP access and free DDoS protection, if you would rather not host it yourself.
What a Palworld 1.0 server requires
Run the server on a 64-bit Windows or 64-bit Linux system. Pocketpair’s 2026 requirements recommend four or more CPU cores and 16GB of memory. Eight gigabytes can start the process, but the lower headroom increases the chance of out-of-memory crashes as the world, bases and player count grow.
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The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Resource | Recommended baseline | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows or 64-bit Linux | The dedicated-server binaries and their dependencies target 64-bit systems. |
| CPU | 4 or more cores | World simulation, AI, saves and network replication run concurrently; more players and larger bases increase the load. |
| Memory | 16GB | Leaves room for the server, operating system and growing save data. 8GB is bootable but has higher out-of-memory crash risk. |
| Storage | Fast SSD | Save operations and world loading are I/O-heavy. Slow storage increases pauses and can contribute to save corruption. |
| Network | UDP port 8211 by default | Players need a forwarded, firewall-permitted path to the listening port. |
Reserve a fixed local address for the server computer so the router’s forwarding rule does not break after a DHCP lease changes. A public address, dynamic-DNS name or managed-hosting address can be used by players, but the server itself still listens on its configured local port.
Choose an installation method
Pocketpair documents four routes: Steam’s graphical Dedicated Server tool, SteamCMD on Windows, SteamCMD on Linux and the official Docker image. Pick the method that matches how you plan to maintain the machine rather than mixing methods on one installation.
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Steam Dedicated Server tool
In the Steam client, open Library, change the library filter to show Tools, install Palworld Dedicated Server, then use its installation folder for the launch and configuration steps below. This is convenient for a one-off Windows server, but SteamCMD is easier to automate for scheduled updates or a headless machine.
SteamCMD on Windows
Install SteamCMD, open a command prompt in its directory and run:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quitThe command downloads or repairs app ID 2394010. After it finishes, change into steamappscommonPalServer and start:
PalServer.exeKeep the console visible during the first start so you can see errors and the actual save/config paths. For a service-style deployment, use a process manager or scheduled task that restarts the executable after maintenance, but make sure it can stop cleanly before updates.
SteamCMD on Linux
Install SteamCMD through your distribution’s supported package or Steam’s download, then run the same update command:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quitChange into ~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer and launch:
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./PalServer.shGive the script execute permission if your installation does not already have it, and run it under a service account rather than root. A systemd unit, tmux session or equivalent supervisor can keep the process online, but the service must stop before files are copied or replaced.
Docker
Pocketpair provides an official Docker image. Containerize only when you already have a backup, volume and update workflow you trust. Docker Desktop is deprecated from a storage-I/O perspective for this use because its extra file-system layer increases the risk of save corruption and malfunction. A native Windows or Linux install is the safer default when you do not need containers.
First launch and the real configuration file
Start the server once before editing settings. The first run creates the Pal/Saved tree and the platform-specific configuration directory. Stop the process cleanly before copying or editing files.
- On Windows, copy
DefaultPalWorldSettings.initoPalSavedConfigWindowsServerPalWorldSettings.ini. - On Linux, copy
DefaultPalWorldSettings.initoPal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini. - Open the copied
PalWorldSettings.iniin a plain-text editor, change the values you need and save it. - Preserve an untouched copy of the working file, then restart the server to load the changes.
Do not edit the template in the server’s installation directory. Pocketpair’s configuration documentation states: “Note that editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini will not affect the changes.” If the saved-config directory does not exist, the server has not completed its first launch or was started from the wrong working directory.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsINI values are comma-separated inside the settings object. Keep the existing syntax, quote text values as shown in the template, and change one group at a time so a typo is easy to identify. Always stop the server before editing; changing a file while it is running can be overwritten by the next save.
Launch arguments that change server behavior
Launch arguments are separate from PalWorldSettings.ini. Put them on the executable or shell command used by your service.
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| Argument | Function | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
-port=8211 |
Changes the listening port. | Forward this new UDP port instead of 8211 if you change it. |
-players=32 |
Sets the maximum participant count. | Choose a value your CPU, memory and connection can sustain; the setting does not create additional capacity. |
-publiclobby |
Enables community-server listing. | Use it only if you want strangers to discover the server through the community browser. |
-publicip=x.x.x.x |
Sets the public address advertised for a community server. | Use the address reachable by players, not a private LAN address. |
-publicport=xxxx |
Sets the port advertised to the community listing. | It does not change the server’s listening port; configure forwarding for the listening port separately. |
-logformat=text or -logformat=Json |
Selects text or JSON logging. | JSON is useful for log processors; text is easier to read interactively. |
-enable-gamedata-api |
Enables the game-data API. | Expose the API only on a protected network and restrict access with your firewall. |
Pocketpair’s v1.0 note says leaving -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS unset may improve performance. Treat that as a benchmarkable choice, not a universal switch: test with your world and player count, compare logs and frame-time symptoms, and keep the command line that is stable on your hardware.
Settings to decide before inviting players
Identity, access and administration
| Setting or group | Decision | Operational guidance |
|---|---|---|
ServerName |
What players see in lists and menus | Use a recognizable name and include region or play style if that helps your group. |
ServerDescription |
Short explanation shown with the server | State rules, wipe policy and contact information without placing secrets in the description. |
ServerPassword |
Whether joining requires a password | Set one for a private group; distribute it through a private channel and change it if it leaks. |
AdminPassword |
Credential for administrative commands | Use a long, unique value that is different from the player password. |
ServerPlayerMaxNum or -players |
Maximum participants | Set a cap that matches available CPU, memory and upload bandwidth. |
Decide whether you want a private direct-connect server or a publicly discoverable community server. A public listing increases reach but also increases moderation and abuse risk. If you enable RCON or REST, place those ports behind firewall rules or a private network and monitor authentication failures.
Crossplay
The 1.0.4 reference lists Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac in CrossplayPlatforms by default. Keep the default when your group spans those platforms. Restrict the list only when your community needs a narrower pool—for example, to troubleshoot a platform-specific issue or enforce a platform policy. A restriction can prevent otherwise compatible friends from seeing or joining the server.
Administration and observability
Choose values for RCONEnabled/RCONPort and RESTAPIEnabled/RESTAPIPort deliberately. Enable only the interfaces you use, bind or firewall them so they are not needlessly exposed, and record the ports in your operations notes. Join/leave messages and the selected -logformat help moderators and troubleshooters understand who connected and when.
Backups and recovery
bIsUseBackupSaveData creates a backup directory but increases disk load. Pocketpair documents this cadence when backups are enabled:
| Period | Save-data copies |
|---|---|
| Every 30 seconds | 5 |
| Every 10 minutes | 6 |
| Every hour | 12 |
| Every day | 7 |
Those copies are not a substitute for an independent backup. Before an update, stop the server and copy the complete save directory and PalWorldSettings.ini to storage outside the live installation. Keep at least one recovery copy on a different disk or machine. The official pages do not publish a complete version-pinning or rollback runbook, so a known-good server directory plus an independent save backup is your practical rollback plan.
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Gameplay and progression
Set the rules before the first long session, because changing them later can alter the experience for an established world:
- Player-versus-player combat and the death penalty.
- Capture and experience rates.
- Pal spawn rate and egg-hatching time.
- Fast travel availability.
- Hardcore rules.
- Guild size and building limits.
Write the chosen values in your server notes. Explain any non-default rates to players so a later change is transparent.
Performance and world limits
Base limits, workers per base, dropped-item physics and Pal replication distance directly affect simulation work. Increasing base or worker limits gives players more building and automation capacity but raises processing load. If the server develops tick delays, long save pauses or rising memory use, reduce the most expensive limits before adding more players. A lower replication distance can reduce network and CPU work for distant activity, while dropped-item physics should be kept conservative on busy worlds.
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Networking and firewall checklist
- Confirm the server is listening on UDP 8211, or on the replacement port in your launch arguments.
- Create a router port-forward rule from that UDP port to the server’s fixed local IP address.
- Allow the same UDP port through the Windows Firewall, Linux firewall or cloud security group.
- If using a community listing, verify
-publicipand-publicport; remember that the advertised port and listening port can differ. - Check that your internet connection is not behind carrier-grade NAT that blocks inbound forwarding.
- Restart the server after network changes and test from a different network, such as a phone hotspot.
Do not expose RCON or REST API ports merely because the game port is reachable. Give each administrative interface its own firewall rule and, where possible, allow only trusted source addresses.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How players connect
Direct dedicated-server connection
Players open Palworld’s multiplayer screen, use the direct connection field below the server list, and enter the server’s public IP address followed by the listening port. If you retained the default, the format is public-ip:8211. They then enter the server password if one is configured.
Community-server listing
For a discoverable server, players select Community server, search for the configured ServerName, and click the listing. A listing depends on correct public IP/port advertising, forwarding, firewall rules and compatible client/server builds; a server can be running locally yet absent from the browser if any one of those is wrong.
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Updating safely with SteamCMD
Schedule updates while players are offline and announce a maintenance window. Use this sequence for both Windows and Linux:
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall- Ask players to leave and wait for the server to finish saving.
- Stop the server process cleanly.
- Copy the save directory,
PalWorldSettings.ini, launch script or service definition, and any logs you need for diagnosis to a separate recovery location. - Run
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quitfrom the SteamCMD installation. - Start
PalServer.exeon Windows or./PalServer.shon Linux. - Watch the startup log for load errors, confirm the expected settings and connect with a test client before announcing that the server is open.
The command obtains the current build and validates files; it does not provide a complete rollback mechanism. Keep the pre-update copy until players have connected successfully and the world has been saved under the new build. If the update causes a failure, stop the process, preserve the failing logs, restore the known-good server files and save copy, and investigate on a separate test instance rather than repeatedly modifying the live world.
Self-hosting versus managed hosting
Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, firewall rules, RCON/REST access and backup locations. A managed host can reduce operating-system and network work, but the provider’s current Palworld 1.0 support, geographic latency, player limits, backup/restore controls, update automation, mod policy and API access must be verified before purchase. No universal monthly price or feature set applies across providers.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted machine | Managed service |
|---|---|---|
| Setup effort | You install SteamCMD or Steam, configure the OS, firewall and router. | The host supplies a panel or image, but you still configure game settings. |
| Latency | Depends on your home or office uplink and player geography. | Depends on the provider’s data-center location and network. |
| Capacity | Limited by your CPU, memory, storage and upload bandwidth. | Limited by the selected plan and any provider policy. |
| Backups and restore | You control cadence, destinations and independent copies. | Ask whether backups are automatic, downloadable and restorable before subscribing. |
| Updates | You schedule SteamCMD updates and test after each patch. | Automation may be available, but confirm timing, version control and rollback options. |
| Mods and APIs | Direct file and firewall access, subject to your own security discipline. | Verify mod support and whether RCON/REST ports are available and protected. |
Troubleshooting common failures
The server starts, then crashes with an out-of-memory error
Check actual memory use during world load and peak activity. Move from an 8GB machine to the recommended 16GB baseline, reduce player and base/worker limits, and remove unnecessary background services. Keep the save backup before testing changes.
Players cannot see or join the server
Confirm the process is running, the client and server builds are compatible, and the player is using the correct public IP and port. Recheck UDP forwarding, host firewall rules, carrier-grade NAT and—if listed publicly—-publicip/-publicport. Test from outside the host’s LAN to avoid a router’s hairpin-NAT limitation.
The edited settings do nothing
Stop the server and verify that you changed PalSavedConfigWindowsServerPalWorldSettings.ini or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini, not DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini. Check for a second installation being launched by a service, preserve valid INI syntax and restart after saving.
World saves are slow or corrupted
Move the installation and save directory to a faster SSD, avoid Docker Desktop’s deprecated storage path, reduce expensive world limits and check free disk space. Enable the documented backup setting only after accounting for its additional disk load, and maintain an independent copy outside the live directory.
An update leaves clients unable to connect
Verify that the SteamCMD update completed without validation errors, restart the server, inspect the startup log and confirm every client has received the same game update. If the new build is unstable, use the known-good server and save copies you made before patching; Pocketpair’s public documentation does not provide a full version-pinning procedure.
Routine operating checklist
- Keep the server on a 64-bit OS with at least four CPU cores, 16GB RAM and SSD storage.
- Record the listening, advertised, RCON and REST ports and their firewall rules.
- Keep
PalWorldSettings.iniand launch arguments under change control. - Back up the save and configuration before every update or major settings change.
- Monitor memory, CPU, disk space, save duration and logs during busy sessions.
- Test a direct connection after network, firewall or version changes.
- Review who can access passwords, RCON and REST endpoints.
With the correct host resources, a copied saved-config file, deliberate launch and gameplay settings, and a tested backup path, a Palworld 1.0 server is straightforward to operate and much easier to recover when a patch or network change goes wrong.
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