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Palworld has exploded in popularity, and if you're tired of playing on public servers with lag, griefers, and random reset schedules, it's time to make your own Palworld dedicated server. Whether you want a small server for you and your friends or a larger community experience, this complete setup guide will walk you through every step of the process.
In this guide, we'll cover everything from downloading the necessary tools to configuring your server settings and getting it live. By the end, you'll understand exactly how to create a Palworld server that fits your needs.
Before we dive into the technical setup, let's cover what you'll be dealing with:
The Palworld Dedicated Server is a standalone application that runs on Windows or Linux servers. Unlike many other games, Palworld doesn't require you to purchase a commercial license—you can host one yourself. However, hosting from your personal PC comes with trade-offs we'll discuss later.
The primary keyword everyone's searching for is how to make a Palworld server, and that's exactly what we're tackling. You'll need:
This is crucial. Palworld uses two specific ports for communication:
Both of these ports must be forwarded through your router if you're hosting from home. This is called Palworld port forwarding, and it's one of the most common sticking points for new server admins.
If you're using a rented server from a provider like EZ Game Host, these ports are typically already configured and ready to go—no port forwarding headaches required.
You have two main options: hosting from your PC or renting a dedicated server.
Pros:
Cons:
Pros:
Cons:
For most players, renting from EZ Game Host is the better choice. You get a fully optimized Palworld dedicated server setup with one-click installations and automatic backups. But we'll cover the DIY method first since you asked how to create a Palworld server yourself.
The Palworld Dedicated Server Tool is available through Steam's command-line utility: SteamCMD.
C:\SteamCMDsteamcmd.exeOnce SteamCMD is open, run these commands in sequence:
login anonymous
app_update 2394010 validate
quit
The first command logs in anonymously (no Steam account needed). The second command downloads the Palworld Dedicated Server files. The app ID 2394010 is Palworld's dedicated server application.
SteamCMD will download about 40GB of files. Depending on your internet speed, this could take 30 minutes to several hours.
After the download completes, navigate to your SteamCMD installation directory. You'll find a folder called steamapps, then common, then PalServer. This is where all your Palworld dedicated server files live.
The file structure looks like this:
PalServer/
├── Binaries/
├── Content/
├── Saved/
│ └── Config/
│ └── LinuxServer/
│ └── PalWorldSettings.ini
└── PalServer.exe
The PalWorldSettings.ini file is where you'll configure all your server options. We'll dig into this in the next section.
Now for the fun part—customizing your Palworld dedicated server to your liking.
Navigate to Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ and open PalWorldSettings.ini in any text editor (Notepad, VS Code, etc.).
The file contains one massive line of configuration parameters. Here are the most important ones:
Basic Server Information:
ServerName=My Awesome Palworld Server
ServerDescription=A chill community server for legendary Pal hunting
AdminPassword=YourSecureAdminPassword123
ServerPassword=PlayerPassword456
Player and Performance Settings:
MaxPlayers=32
This is the maximum number of players who can join simultaneously. Palworld's dedicated server tool supports up to 32 players on standard hosting. If you're hosting from your PC, aim for 10-16 players to avoid performance issues.
World Configuration:
Difficulty=Normal
Options include: None, Easy, Normal, Hard, Nightmare
Auto-Save Interval:
AutoSaveInterval=30
This is measured in real-time minutes. A setting of 30 means the server saves every 30 minutes. Shorter intervals = more data safety but slightly more CPU usage.
Additional Key Settings:
bIsPvP=False – Disable PvP for a PvE experiencebCanPlayersBuildSiegeWeapons=True – Allow siege towersbStartLocationSelect=True – Let players choose spawn locationGuildPlayerMaxNum=20 – Maximum guild sizebAllowCollectingItemsFromThePastGuild=False – Prevent looting abandoned basesWorkSpeedRate=1.0 – Multiplier for crafting speed (1.0 = normal)PalCaptureRate=1.0 – Multiplier for Pal capture chancesFor a complete list of all available settings and their functions, check out the Palworld Wiki configuration page.
This step is essential if you're hosting from home. Your router needs to know to forward incoming traffic on ports 8211 and 27015 to your PC.
If you're unsure about your specific router, search "[Your Router Model] port forwarding guide." PortForward.com has guides for virtually every consumer router.
Again: If you're using a provider like EZ Game Host, you skip this entire step. Your ports are already configured.
Navigate to your PalServer directory and run PalServer.exe. A command prompt window will open showing server initialization logs.
You'll see output like:
[2024-03-26 14:32:11.234] [PalServer] Server started successfully
[2024-03-26 14:32:12.456] [PalServer] Listening on port 8211
[2024-03-26 14:32:13.678] [PalServer] Ready for connections
If you see these messages without errors, congratulations—your server is live!
Pro tip: Run your server through a terminal multiplexer like GNU Screen or tmux if you're on Linux, or use Task Scheduler to auto-start the service on Windows.
To connect from outside your network, you need your public IP address. You can find it at whatismyipaddress.com.
Players can connect directly through Palworld's multiplayer menu:
Your server should automatically appear in the Steam community server list after 10-15 minutes, making it easy for players to find without manually entering your IP.
Once your server is running, you can execute admin commands using the console:
ShowPlayers – List all connected players and their IDs
KickPlayer [PlayerName] – Remove a player from the server
BanPlayer [PlayerName] – Permanently ban a player
Save – Force an immediate save
Shutdown 60 – Gracefully shut down after 60 seconds
Issue: Players Can't Connect
Issue: Server Crashes or Lag Spikes
Issue: Server Doesn't Appear in Steam List
Running your own Palworld dedicated server is educational and gives you complete control, but there's a point where professional hosting makes sense. EZ Game Host provides:
Most players start with their own server, then graduate to EZ Game Host once they realize keeping a PC running 24/7 is expensive and inconvenient.
Q: Can I host a Palworld server from my Mac?
A: Not directly. Palworld's official dedicated server tool only supports Windows and Linux. You'd need to run Windows through virtualization (slow) or use a dedicated server provider.
Q: What's the difference between a "dedicated server" and "private server"?
A: In Palworld's context, they're the same thing. The "Palworld Dedicated Server Tool" is what you use to create a private server that only your friends can join.
Q: Do I need a PlayStation or Xbox to play on my dedicated server?
A: No. Palworld dedicated servers are PC-only at this time. Console players can only play on cross-platform servers, not dedicated servers.
Q: How many players can one Palworld server handle?
A: The dedicated server tool officially supports up to 32 concurrent players. However, actual performance depends on your hardware. A high-end server might handle 32 smoothly, while a consumer PC might struggle at 16+.
Q: What happens if I don't port forward correctly?
A: Your friends won't be able to connect from outside your network. Only devices on your home network would see the server. This is why port forwarding is crucial if you're hosting from home.
Q: Can I make money from my Palworld server?
A: Technically, you can charge players to join your server. However, Pocket Pair's terms of service prohibit profiting from the game. Stick to covering your own hosting costs if you're charging players.
Q: Is it cheaper to host my own server or rent from a provider?
A: For 1-10 players, hosting from home is cheaper. For 10-32 players, it depends on your electricity costs and hardware investment. Most players find that renting from EZ Game Host at $15-30/month is cheaper than running their PC 24/7.
Q: How do I backup my server data?
A: The Saved folder contains all your world data, player info, and structures. Back this up regularly—weekly at minimum. Cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox works fine for smaller servers.
Q: Can I reset my server without losing player progress?
A: You can reset specific settings in PalWorldSettings.ini, but be careful—some changes will corrupt your save. Always back up before experimenting. For extensive changes, consider creating a new server.
Q: What's the ideal AutoSaveInterval?
A: Most admins use 30 minutes, which balances data safety with server performance. Hardcore servers use 10-15 minutes. Don't go below 10 unless you're running on enterprise hardware.
Now you know how to create a Palworld server from scratch. You understand port forwarding, server configuration, and all the key settings that make a server feel right for your community.
The DIY approach works great if you're technically inclined and don't mind the hassle. But honestly? Most serious Palworld communities eventually move to professional hosting. It's worth the monthly investment to have reliable uptime, automatic backups, and support when things go wrong.
If you're ready to skip the technical headaches and launch a professional-grade server today, EZ Game Host makes it simple. One click, and your Palworld dedicated server is live with zero configuration needed. No SteamCMD, no port forwarding, no 24/7 PC fan noise.
Whether you go DIY or professional, the important thing is getting that server online and inviting your crew. The legendary Pal hunts are waiting.
Happy server hunting!