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How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server (SteamCMD Guide)
Running your own Palworld dedicated server gives you persistent worlds, full control over rules, and a stable home for your community that does not depend on any single player keeping the game open. Unlike peer-hosted sessions, a dedicated server runs 24/7, survives reboots, and lets friends drop in and out without losing progress. This guide walks through installing the server with SteamCMD (app id 2394010) on both Linux and Windows, configuring it through `PalWorldSettings.ini`, opening the right ports, and sizing your hardware correctly — with a hard focus on the single resource that makes or breaks Palworld servers: RAM.
Key Takeaways
• The Palworld dedicated server is a separate SteamCMD app with id 2394010 — you do not need the full game to host it.
• RAM is the primary constraint. Palworld servers are memory-hungry, and under-provisioning RAM is the leading cause of crashes and lag.
• Core configuration lives in PalWorldSettings.ini; copy the defaults from `DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini` before editing.
• The default game port is 8211/UDP — it must be open and forwarded for players to connect.
• Scale RAM (and CPU) to your maximum concurrent player count, not your average.
What is a Palworld dedicated server and why run one?
A dedicated server is a standalone process that hosts the game world independently of any player’s client. It keeps the world simulating — pals working at bases, day/night cycles, captured creatures — even when no one is online. This matters in Palworld because base automation and breeding are time-based systems; a persistent server lets them run continuously.
Hosting your own server also means you control max players, PvP rules, difficulty multipliers, capture rates, and whether the world is password protected. You own the save files, so you can back them up, migrate them between machines, and restore them after a bad update. For a community of more than a handful of players, this control and stability is well worth the modest setup effort.
What are the system requirements for a Palworld dedicated server?
Palworld’s defining hosting characteristic is its appetite for RAM. The server process allocates significant memory as the world grows — more bases, more pals, more loaded chunks, and more connected players all push memory upward. CPU single-thread performance matters for tick rate and simulation, but memory is where servers fall over first.
Treat the table below as general guidance rather than guaranteed figures. Actual usage varies with mods, base count, and how much of the map players have explored. The safe approach is to provision generously and monitor real usage.
| Concurrent players | Suggested RAM (general guidance) | CPU guidance | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 (small group) | Several GB minimum | Modern multi-core, strong single-thread | SSD, a few GB + saves |
| 5–8 (friends) | Noticeably more RAM | Higher clock priority | SSD |
| 9–16 (community) | Substantial RAM headroom | Strong single-thread, more cores | SSD with backup space |
| 17–32 (large) | High RAM allocation, monitor closely | High-performance CPU | Fast SSD/NVMe |
The pattern is clear: memory requirements climb with player count and world activity. Always leave headroom above your expected peak. A server that runs fine with four players can begin to swap and stutter the moment a fifth base spins up or the map expands.
How do you install the server with SteamCMD?
SteamCMD is Valve’s command-line tool for downloading and updating dedicated server files. The Palworld server is published as app id 2394010.
Installing on Linux
First install SteamCMD’s dependencies. On Debian/Ubuntu you typically need the 32-bit C runtime, then download SteamCMD itself:
“`bash
sudo useradd -m palworld sudo su – palworld
mkdir -p ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd curl -sqL “https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz” | tar zxvf – “`
Then download the server using anonymous login and app id 2394010, with `validate` to verify file integrity:
“`bash ./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous \ +force_install_dir ~/palworld-server \ +app_update 2394010 validate \ +quit “`
Installing on Windows
Download SteamCMD from Valve, extract `steamcmd.exe` to a folder such as `C:\steamcmd`, then run the same logic from a command prompt:
“`bat steamcmd.exe +login anonymous +force_install_dir C:\palworld-server +app_update 2394010 validate +quit “`
On either platform, re-running the same `app_update 2394010 validate` command is how you update the server when a new game version ships. Always update during a maintenance window, because clients and the server must run matching versions.
Unique insight: RAM is the silent killer. The most common Palworld server failure is not a bad config or a closed port — it is memory exhaustion. Palworld dedicated servers are notably RAM-intensive, and the symptoms of under-provisioning (random crashes, rubber-banding, pals “freezing” mid-task, the process being killed by the OS) are easy to misdiagnose as network or game bugs. Before you blame anything else, watch memory usage as players join. If RAM climbs toward your ceiling, that *is* the problem. Size RAM to your peak player count, then add a margin — it is far cheaper than chasing phantom bugs.
How do you configure PalWorldSettings.ini?
After the first install, the server ships a defaults file you should copy before editing. The exact paths differ slightly by platform, but the workflow is the same.
- Locate `DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini` in the server’s root directory.
- Copy it to the live config location, typically `Pal/Saved/Config/
/PalWorldSettings.ini`. - Edit `PalWorldSettings.ini` — never edit the Default file directly, as it serves as your clean reference.
“`bash
cp ~/palworld-server/DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini \ ~/palworld-server/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini “`
Inside the file, settings live in a single long `OptionSettings=(…)` line. The most important values to set are:
- `ServerName` — the name shown in the server browser.
- `ServerPassword` — set this to make the server private; leave empty for open access.
- `AdminPassword` — required for in-game admin commands; always set a strong one.
- `ServerPlayerMaxNum` — your max players ceiling. Set this in line with your RAM, not your ambitions.
- `PublicPort` — the game port, default 8211.
- Gameplay multipliers — `ExpRate`, `PalCaptureRate`, `DayTimeSpeedRate`, and `DeathPenalty` let you tune progression and difficulty.
Save the file and restart the server for changes to take effect. A common mistake is editing the file *before* the first launch generates it, or editing the wrong copy — always confirm you are changing the active `PalWorldSettings.ini`.
Which ports does Palworld use?
The default game port is 8211/UDP. This port must be open in your firewall and forwarded (on a home network) or allowed in your provider’s firewall/security group (on a VPS or dedicated server). If you change `PublicPort` in the config, open that port instead. Because Palworld uses UDP, make sure you are not only opening TCP — a very common reason players “cannot find” an otherwise healthy server.
How do you run the Palworld server?
With files installed and config in place, launch the server binary from its install directory.
On Linux:
“`bash cd ~/palworld-server ./PalServer.sh “`
On Windows, run `PalServer.exe` (a community/multiplayer-optimized launch is often used for headless hosting). For unattended operation you should run the server under a process manager so it restarts automatically:
- On Linux, wrap it in a `systemd` service so it starts on boot and restarts on failure.
- On Windows, use a service wrapper or scheduled task.
A minimal `systemd` unit lets the OS keep the server alive:
“`ini [Unit] Description=Palworld Dedicated Server After=network.target
[Service] User=palworld ExecStart=/home/palworld/palworld-server/PalServer.sh Restart=on-failure RestartSec=10
[Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target “`
Watch the first launch closely — the server generates its world and config, and you should confirm it binds to port 8211 and reports your `ServerName`.
Can you add mods and tune community settings?
Yes. Palworld supports community mods and a rich set of server-side options. Mod support is community-driven, so install from reputable sources and confirm each mod is compatible with your current server version — a mismatch after a `app_update 2394010 validate` is a frequent cause of boot failures. Keep a backup of your `PalWorldSettings.ini` and save folder before introducing mods, and re-test after every game update.
On the settings side, the same `OptionSettings` line lets you craft the experience your community wants: a relaxed PvE world with high capture rates and fast XP, or a slower, harder survival grind. Document your chosen values so you can reproduce them if you ever migrate the server.
What are the best performance tips for a Palworld server?
- Provision RAM first. Memory is the binding constraint; everything else is secondary. Monitor real usage and upgrade before you hit the ceiling.
- Prioritize single-thread CPU performance. Palworld’s simulation benefits from high per-core clocks more than from raw core count.
- Use SSD/NVMe storage for faster world saves and reduced hitching during autosave.
- Cap `ServerPlayerMaxNum` to what your hardware supports. A realistic cap beats an aspirational one that crashes.
- Schedule restarts and backups. Periodic restarts reclaim memory; regular save backups protect against corruption.
- Keep server and clients on matching versions. Update deliberately, not automatically.
- Place the server near your players geographically to keep latency low.
Why host your Palworld server on DarazHost?
Because Palworld servers live and die by RAM and CPU, the hosting platform matters as much as the configuration. DarazHost VPS and dedicated server plans are built for demanding game servers like Palworld:
- Ample RAM and strong CPU — generous memory allocations and high single-thread performance to handle Palworld’s memory appetite and simulation load as your player count grows.
- Full root access — install and run SteamCMD, write `systemd` services, and manage `PalWorldSettings.ini` without restriction.
- Low-latency network — keep ping low for 8211/UDP traffic so players in your region connect smoothly.
- Fast SSD/NVMe storage — quick world saves and snappy backups.
- 24/7 expert support — real help when you need to scale RAM, open ports, or troubleshoot a crashing server.
If you have been fighting random crashes on an under-provisioned box, moving to a RAM-appropriate VPS or dedicated server is usually the single highest-impact fix.
Frequently asked questions
How much RAM does a Palworld dedicated server need? It depends on player count and world activity, but Palworld servers are RAM-hungry — memory needs rise sharply with more players and bases. Provision generously, monitor real usage, and leave headroom above your expected peak. Under-provisioning RAM is the most common cause of crashes and lag.
Do I need to own Palworld to run the dedicated server? No. The dedicated server is a separate SteamCMD app (id 2394010) that you download anonymously. You install it independently of the game client, though players connecting to it do need the game.
What port does Palworld use, and is it TCP or UDP? The default port is 8211/UDP. It must be open in your firewall and forwarded or allowed by your provider. Remember it is UDP, not TCP — opening only TCP is a common connection-failure cause.
How do I update my Palworld server? Re-run the SteamCMD command `+app_update 2394010 validate`. Always update during a maintenance window and keep the server on the same version as your players’ clients.
Can I run a Palworld server on a regular VPS? Yes, provided the VPS has enough RAM and a strong CPU. A general-purpose VPS with too little memory will struggle. Choose a plan sized to your peak player count, and scale up RAM before performance degrades.
