Palworld Dedicated Server Setup
Set up and tune a Palworld dedicated server in 2026: hosting options, ports, config settings, backups and the fixes for the most common join errors.
Updated for the current Palworld patch
Articles in this guide
How to set up a Palworld dedicated server
A Palworld dedicated server is installed through the Steam server tool, configured in a settings file, and reached over a forwarded UDP port. Budget a strong CPU and generous RAM — Palworld servers are CPU-bound long before they are GPU-bound.
- ✓Install the server tool
- ✓Hardware sizing
- ✓Networking
Best Palworld server settings
Good server settings match your group's playtime, not a default table. Nudge capture rate, hatch time, drop rates and base object caps, and leave combat damage alone until the group asks for it.
- ✓Rates for a weekday group
- ✓Breeding and hatch time
- ✓Death penalty
Server backups and world recovery
Palworld worlds can corrupt after a crash, so a rotating backup schedule is not optional. Copy the save directory on a timer and keep several generations, not just the newest.
- ✓What to back up
- ✓Schedule and retention
- ✓Restore procedure
Fixing common server join errors
Most Palworld connection failures come down to four causes: version mismatch, closed port, wrong address format, or a full or still-loading server.
- ✓Version mismatch
- ✓Port not reachable
- ✓Address format
Palworld server FAQ
Quick answers on hosting, cost, player caps and settings for a Palworld dedicated server.
- ✓Do I need a dedicated server for Palworld co-op?
- ✓How many players can a Palworld server hold?
- ✓Can I run a Palworld server on the same PC I play on?
Continue exploring Pal Stars
Related guides, calculators and databases updated for the current Palworld patch.