How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server in 2026

Palworld's built-in co-op limits you to 4 players in a session that disappears when the host logs off. A dedicated server removes those restrictions -- supporting up to 32 players in a persistent world that runs 24/7. This guide covers installation, configuration, optimization, and troubleshooting.

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What You Will Need

Palworld is one of the more resource-intensive dedicated servers you can run. Each connected player increases RAM usage substantially.

System Requirements

Player Scaling Guide

Important: Palworld servers are memory-hungry. RAM usage grows as players explore, build bases, and capture Pals. Schedule regular restarts every 6-12 hours to reclaim memory.

Software Requirements

• >SteamCMD - Valve's command-line client for downloading server files
• >Static IP address or dynamic DNS service
• >Firewall / router access for port forwarding

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

Windows

Linux

Ubuntu / Debian:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install lib32gcc-s1 steamcmd -y

Manual install:

mkdir -p ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sqL "https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz" | tar zxvf -
./steamcmd.sh

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Step 2: Download Palworld Dedicated Server

The server has Steam App ID 2394010. It is free and does not require a Palworld game license.

Using a SteamCMD Script

Create update_palworld.txt:

@ShutdownOnFailedCommand 1
@NoPromptForPassword 1
force_install_dir C:\palworld_server
login anonymous
app_update 2394010 validate
quit

On Linux, change force_install_dir to /home/palworld/palworld_server.

Run it:

Windows:

C:\steamcmd\steamcmd.exe +runscript C:\steamcmd\update_palworld.txt

Linux:

~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +runscript ~/steamcmd/update_palworld.txt

Or use a one-liner:

~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

Download size: ~5-7 GB. Expect 10-30 minutes.

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Step 3: Server Configuration

All settings live in a single file: PalWorldSettings.ini.

Configuration File Location

• >Windows: C:\palworld_server\Pal\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\PalWorldSettings.ini
• >Linux: /home/palworld/palworld_server/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

Windows:

copy "C:\palworld_server\DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini" "C:\palworld_server\Pal\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\PalWorldSettings.ini"

Linux:

cp ~/palworld_server/DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini ~/palworld_server/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

Settings Format

The file uses a single long line inside [/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings] with comma-separated key-value pairs:

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=1.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,DeathPenalty=All,bIsPvP=False,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="My Server",AdminPassword="",ServerPassword="",PublicPort=8211,RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,bIsMultiplay=True,CoopPlayerMaxNum=32)

Tip: Use the PalworldSettingsGenerator web tool to build your configuration visually.

Server Identity Settings

Gameplay Settings

Difficulty and PvP Settings

Max Players and Base Settings

Example: Casual PvE Server

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.500000,CollectionDropRate=2.000000,DeathPenalty=Item,PlayerStomachDecreaseRate=0.500000,WorkSpeedRate=1.500000,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=12.000000,bEnableInvaderEnemy=False,bIsPvP=False,ServerPlayerMaxNum=16,ServerName="Chill Palworld",AdminPassword="youradminpass",PublicPort=8211,bIsMultiplay=True)

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Step 4: Community Server vs Dedicated Server

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Step 5: Starting the Server

Windows

Create start_palworld.bat:

@echo off
cd /d C:\palworld_server
start PalServer.exe -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS
echo Server is starting...
pause > nul

Linux

Create start_palworld.sh:

#!/bin/bash
PALWORLD_DIR="/home/palworld/palworld_server"
cd "$PALWORLD_DIR" || exit 1
export SteamAppId=2394010
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$PALWORLD_DIR/linux64:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH"
./PalServer.sh -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS

chmod +x start_palworld.sh
./start_palworld.sh

Startup Flags

ss -tuln | grep 8211    # Linux
netstat -an | findstr 8211  # Windows

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Step 6: Port Forwarding

Required Ports

Steps

Windows:

   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Palworld Server" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=8211
   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Palworld Query" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=27015
   

Linux (ufw):

   sudo ufw allow 8211/udp
   sudo ufw allow 27015/udp
   sudo ufw reload
   

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Step 7: Connecting to Your Server

Direct Connect

Server Browser

LAN

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Admin Commands

Authenticate in-game by opening chat (Enter) and typing /AdminPassword youradminpassword. Or enable RCON (RCONEnabled=True) and connect with an RCON client on port 25575.

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Backup Strategies

Save File Location

• >Windows: C:\palworld_server\Pal\Saved\SaveGames\0\\
• >Linux: /home/palworld/palworld_server/Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0//

Backup Commands

Issue /Save in-game first, then copy the SaveGames folder:

TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)
cp -r ~/palworld_server/Pal/Saved/SaveGames ~/backups/palworld_$TIMESTAMP

For automated backups, create a script that copies, compresses, and rotates old backups, then schedule it via cron:

0 */6 * * * /home/palworld/backup_palworld.sh >> /home/palworld/backups/backup.log 2>&1

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Performance Optimization

Memory Management

Palworld's RAM usage grows steadily during runtime. Key strategies:

• >Restart every 6-12 hours to reclaim leaked memory
• >Reduce DropItemMaxNum to 1500-2000 to lower memory overhead
• >Lower BaseCampMaxNum for smaller servers
• >Use an SSD -- disk I/O matters for world loading and saving
• >Monitor usage: top -p $(pgrep PalServer) on Linux

Save Interval Tuning

Large servers with many bases can lag during auto-saves. Increase AutoSaveSpan to 45-60 minutes for smoother gameplay, or decrease to 10-15 minutes on small servers to minimize crash data loss.

Network Tips

• >Use wired ethernet, not Wi-Fi
• >Set QoS rules to prioritize UDP traffic on port 8211
• >Plan for ~5 Mbps upload per 4 connected players

Auto-Restart and Crash Recovery

Linux: systemd Service

Create /etc/systemd/system/palworld.service:

[Unit]
Description=Palworld Dedicated Server
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
User=palworld
Group=palworld
WorkingDirectory=/home/palworld/palworld_server
ExecStartPre=/home/palworld/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 +quit
ExecStart=/home/palworld/palworld_server/PalServer.sh -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS
Restart=always
RestartSec=30
LimitNOFILE=100000

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable palworld
sudo systemctl start palworld

Useful commands: systemctl status palworld, journalctl -u palworld -f, systemctl restart palworld.

The ExecStartPre line auto-updates before each start. Remove it to update manually.

Windows: Auto-Restart Script

Create auto_restart_palworld.bat:

@echo off
:loop
echo [%date% %time%] Starting Palworld server...
cd /d C:\palworld_server
PalServer.exe -useperfthreads -NoAsyncLoadingThread -UseMultithreadForDS
echo [%date% %time%] Server stopped. Restarting in 15 seconds...
timeout /t 15
goto loop

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Memory Leaks / High RAM Usage

Connection Timeouts

World Save Corruption

Server Not in Browser

Players Rubber-Banding

Server Crashes on Startup

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Updating the Server

Stop the server, then run SteamCMD:

~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

The validate flag checks file integrity. Clients on a newer version cannot connect to an older server, so keep your server updated after each Pocketpair patch.

Check your current build:

grep "buildid" ~/palworld_server/steamapps/appmanifest_2394010.acf

Compare against SteamDB to confirm you are up to date.

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Quick Reference

Default Ports

• >Game: 8211 UDP
• >Query: 27015 UDP
• >RCON: 25575 TCP (if enabled)

Key File Locations

Useful Links

• >Palworld Wiki
• >PalworldSettingsGenerator
• >SteamCMD Docs
• >Palworld Steam Discussions
• >SteamDB - Server Builds

Conclusion

Running a Palworld dedicated server takes some initial setup, but the result is a persistent world where your community can explore, build, and catch Pals together. Remember:

• >RAM is your bottleneck -- 16GB+ and regular restarts
• >Back up your saves -- automate and keep two weeks of history
• >Keep updated -- version mismatches block connections
• >Use systemd on Linux for crash recovery