Palworld Server Setup — Complete Dedicated Server Guide
Set up a 24/7 Palworld dedicated server. Configuration, multiplayer settings, performance optimization, and Pal management for large communities.
Palworld Server Requirements
Palworld is RAM-intensive due to open-world Pal AI. 4-8 players: 4GB RAM, 8-16 players: 8GB RAM, 16-32 players: 12-16GB RAM. CPU: 3+ vCPU threads for Pal AI processing. Storage: NVMe for world saves (frequent autosaves). Our Palworld plans are RAM-heavy to handle Pal AI computation.
Server Configuration
In PalWorldSettings.ini: set ServerName, ServerDescription, ServerPassword (if private), AdminPassword, ServerPlayerMaxNum, and PublicPort (default 8211). Key gameplay settings: DayTimeSpeedRate (how fast day passes), NightTimeSpeedRate, ExpRate (XP multiplier), PalSpawnNumRate (wild Pal density — reduce to 0.8 for better performance), PalDamageRate, PlayerDamageRate. Balance for your community's preference: casual (2x rates), standard (1x), hardcore (0.5x).
Automated Restarts
Palworld servers benefit from daily restarts due to memory leaks and Pal AI state accumulation. Configure a scheduled task in the control panel: stop server gracefully (broadcast 5-minute warning), wait 30 seconds, start server. Typical restart time: 4 AM local time, daily. Restarts take 2-3 minutes. Warn players with in-game announcements via scheduled console broadcasts.
Backup Strategy
Palworld save data is in /Pal/Saved/SaveGames/. Backup before every major update (Palworld updates frequently in early access). Automated 6-hour backups via control panel. Manual backups before server migration or mod installation. Verify backup integrity monthly by restoring to a test server. Corrupted Palworld saves are common during updates — backups are your only recovery option.
Community Management
Palworld communities are cooperative-focused. Set clear rules: PvP on/off, base griefing policy, Pal sharing rules, resource claiming areas. Enable or disable PvP based on community preference (most servers are PvE). Use Discord webhooks for server status, player join/leave, and automated announcements. Assign moderators to handle disputes — Palworld's shared world makes base conflicts common.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Palworld server crash with 20+ players?
Likely RAM exhaustion. Pal AI for 20+ players' Pals consumes significant memory. Upgrade to 12-16GB RAM. Reduce PalSpawnNumRate for lower wild Pal density.
Can I transfer my single-player world to a dedicated server?
Yes — export your save from the local save folder, upload to the server's SaveGames directory, update the server to reference the save file. Process works but backup first — conversion errors can corrupt saves.
Still have questions?
Our support team is available 24/7 on Discord. Join our community for real-time help from engineers who run game servers.