Palworld Dedicated Server Setup Guide (2026)

Why Run a Dedicated Server?

A dedicated server lets you host a persistent Palworld world for friends, with admin controls, custom settings, and 24/7 uptime. Unlike peer-to-peer, your server stays online even when you log off, so your base and Pals are safe. 1.0 supports up to 32 players on a single server (up from 16 in early access).

• 24/7 uptime — your world persists even when you sleep
• Admin controls — kick/ban, server messages, time controls
• Custom settings — player damage, Pal capture rate, XP multiplier
• No host-migration issues (no rubber-banding)
• Cross-play with PS5 (since 1.0)

System Requirements

Note: Palworld server does NOT support ARM (Raspberry Pi, AWS Graviton). Must be x86-64.

Method 1: Windows Setup (Easiest)

Step 1: Download SteamCMD

1. Download SteamCMD from https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd.zip
2. Extract to C:\steamcmd

Step 2: Download Palworld Server

Open Command Prompt and run:

cd C:\steamcmd
steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\palworld_server +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

Step 3: Configure Settings

Edit C:\\palworld_server\\Pal\\Saved\\Config\\WindowsServer\\PalWorldSettings.ini:

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
ServerName=My Palworld Server
ServerDescription=Welcome to my server!
AdminPassword=YourSecurePassword123
ServerPassword=
PublicPort=8211
bPublic=true
MaxPlayers=16
bIsMultiplay=True
bHardcore=False
bIsPvP=False
bEnableInvaderEnemy=True
Difficulty=Normal
DayTimeSpeedRate=1.0
NightTimeSpeedRate=1.0
ExpRate=1.0
PalCaptureRate=1.0
PalSpawnNumRate=1.0
PalDamageRateAttack=1.0
PalDamageRateDefense=1.0
PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.0
PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.0
PlayerStomachDecreaseRate=1.0
PlayerStaminaDecreaseRate=1.0
PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=1.0
PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.0
PalStomachDecreaseRate=1.0
PalStaminaDecreaseRate=1.0
PalAutoHPRegeneRate=1.0
PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.0
BuildObjectDamageRate=1.0
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.0
CollectionDropRate=1.0
CollectionObjectHpRate=1.0
CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.0
EnemyDropItemRate=1.0
DeathPenalty=All
bEnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False
bEnableFriendlyFire=False
bEnableAimAssistPad=True
bEnableAimAssistKeyboard=True
bDropItemAllPlayer=False
bRecycleWorker=False
bAutoRestart=False
bIsStartLocationSelectByMap=True
bExistPlayerAfterLogout=False
bEnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=False
RandomizerSeed=
RandomizerVersion=
bUseRandomizer=False

Step 4: Start the Server

cd C:\palworld_server
PalServer.exe

Method 2: Linux + Docker (Recommended for 24/7)

Docker is the cleanest way to run a Palworld server on Linux. Auto-restarts on crash, easy updates, isolated from host.

Step 1: Install Docker

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

Step 2: Create docker-compose.yml

version: '3.8'
services:
  palworld:
    image: thijsvanloef/palworld-dedicated-server:latest
    container_name: palworld-server
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8211:8211/udp"
      - "27015:27015/udp"
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - PORT=8211
      - PLAYERS=16
      - SERVER_PASSWORD=
      - ADMIN_PASSWORD=YourSecurePassword123
      - PUBLIC_IP=0.0.0.0
      - SERVER_NAME=My Palworld Server
      - COMMUNITY=false
      - RCON_ENABLED=true
      - RCON_PORT=25575
    volumes:
      - ./palworld-data:/palworld/Pal/Saved
    logging:
      driver: json-file
      options:
        max-size: "10m"
        max-file: "3"

Step 3: Start

mkdir -p palworld-data
docker-compose up -d
docker-compose logs -f palworld

Free Hosting Options (2026)

Recommended setup: Oracle Cloud Free Tier (4-core x86 instance) — runs a 16-player Palworld server for $0/month indefinitely.

Port Forwarding (Self-Hosting)

To allow external players to connect, open these ports on your router:

• UDP 8211 — Palworld game port (required)
• UDP 27015 — Steam query port (optional, for server browser)

Steps:

1. Log into your router (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
2. Find "Port Forwarding" / "NAT" section
3. Add rule: External 8211 → Internal 8211, Protocol UDP, IP = your PC's local IP
4. Set static DHCP lease for your server PC
5. Find your public IP at whatismyip.com — share with friends

Or use a service like ngrok or Playit.gg for free tunneling without port forwarding (great for hosting on a laptop or behind CGNAT).

Performance Tuning Tips

• Use SSD — world saves are write-heavy, HDD causes stutters
• Set max players to 16 or less — 32 players requires a beefy server
• Disable hardcore/PvP if not needed — reduces CPU spikes
• Lower build object deterioration in single-player-like settings
• Restart server every 6-12 hours — prevents memory leak buildup
• Enable RCON for admin commands without console access