Palworld Dedicated Server Setup Guide (10 Simple Steps)
Hosting your own Palworld dedicated server allows you to customize experience multipliers, increase player caps to 32, and keep your world persistent. This guide covers the complete manual installation process using SteamCMD.
Note: Running a Palworld server is resource-intensive. You need at least 16GB of RAM for smooth gameplay. If you lack the hardware, consider renting professional Palworld server hosting instead.
The 10-Step Setup Process
1. Install SteamCMD
Download SteamCMD, the command-line tool for installing dedicated servers.
2. Download Palworld Server Files
Run SteamCMD and execute the following command to download App ID 2394010:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit3. Function First Launch
Navigate to the installation folder and run PalServer.exe (Windows) or ./PalServer.sh (Linux). Let it run for 60 seconds to generate the necessary configuration files, then close it.
4. Locate Default Settings
Find the file DefaultPalworldSettings.ini in the root server folder. Copy the entire string of settings (everything starting from OptionSettings=...).
5. Configure Your Server
Go to Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ (or LinuxServer) and open PalworldSettings.ini. Paste the settings you copied in the previous step.
6. Customize Gameplay
Edit the parameters in PalworldSettings.ini to your liking:
ServerName="My Palworld Server"ServerPassword="secretpass"ExpRate=1.000000(Change to 2.0 for double XP)PalCaptureRate=1.5(Easier catching)
7. Port Forwarding
Log into your router and forward UDP Port 8211 to your server's local IP address. This is critical for Palworld server hosting visibility.
8. Firewall Exceptions
Ensure that PalServer.exe and Port 8211 are allowed through Windows Firewall or ufw on Linux.
9. Launch the Server
Run the server executable again. If you see a black console window with text appearing, your server is running.
10. Connect via IP
Open Palworld, go to Multiplayer, and enter your public IP address followed by the port (e.g., 192.168.1.50:8211) in the bottom input field.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"Connection Timed Out"
This is almost always a port forwarding issue. Double-check that UDP 8211 is open. If you are using a cloud VPS, check the hosting provider's firewall settings as well.
High RAM Usage / Memory Leaks
Palworld servers can consume 20GB+ of RAM over long sessions. We recommend scheduling automated restarts every 4-6 hours. Professional Palworld server hosting services usually include automated restart schedulers to mitigate this.
DIY vs. Hosted: What's better?
Setting up a server yourself is free (minus electricity), but maintaining it can be a headache. Updates often break save files, and memory leaks require constant monitoring. If you just want to play, renting a server is often the smoother path.