Here's Our Guide on How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server

Helpful Summary

Overview: This guide offers a step-by-step approach to setting up a dedicated Palworld server with Iceline Hosting.
Why Trust Us: Iceline Hosting is a leader in game server hosting with a proven track record of delivering high-performance, secure hosting solutions.
Why It Matters: A dedicated server enhances stability, customization, security, and privacy in Palworld.
Action Points: Choose a server plan, configure settings via the Iceline Hosting game panel, and follow the best practices below.
Further Research: Explore advanced Palworld server customizations to maximize your Palworld experience.

Wondering How to Set Up a Palworld Dedicated Server?

If you’re looking to enhance your Palworld experience, a dedicated server might be just the thing. By bypassing public Palworld multiplayer servers, you can customize gameplay, play with friends, and unlock next-level stability and performance.

This Iceline Hosting guide provides the step-by-step solution for setting up a Palworld dedicated server, including tips for customizing your server and best practices for a smooth gameplay experience.

But before we do that…

Why Listen to Us?

At Iceline Hosting, we’ve helped countless gaming communities successfully set up and manage dedicated servers, including Palworld. Our expertise ensures reliable, high-performance servers with minimal lag and enhanced security, leading to smoother gameplay and higher player satisfaction.

What Is a Palworld Dedicated Server?

A Palworld dedicated server is a private server that hosts Palworld for you, your friends, and anyone else you want to share your world with. Typically, you rent these servers from providers like Iceline Hosting to access top-of-the-line hardware and network infrastructure.

Compared to public servers, dedicated servers offer several advantages:

Stability: Less resource sharing means dedicated servers provide a stable environment with minimal downtime and performance issues.
Customization: Dedicated servers are much more customizable than public servers—you have control over everything from the game settings to mods and plugins.
Security: Dedicated servers offer enhanced security by reducing the risk of data breaches and allowing for advanced security measures.
Privacy: Public servers are… public. You’re playing with a somewhat random collection of players with little control over who has access. A dedicated server lets you pick and choose who you play with.

Here's the revised guide with the how-to sections separated for self-hosting (using SteamCMD) and Iceline Hosting. The Iceline Hosting section starts with the convenience angle as requested:

How to Host a Palworld Dedicated Server

There are two ways to get your hands on a Palworld dedicated server. The first is by hosting a dedicated server on a machine that you own, and the second is by renting one from a provider like Iceline Hosting.

We’ll share both below, but if you’re looking for the quickest, most convenient option, and highest-performance method, skip to option #2.

Option 1: Self-Hosting on a Personal Machine

Step 1: Server Purchase and Configuration

a. Install SteamCMD

Before downloading the Palworld dedicated server files, you need to install SteamCMD—a command-line version of Steam used to download dedicated server files, especially on Linux systems.

For Windows, you can install the server using either the Steam app or SteamCMD. For Linux, SteamCMD is required. Follow the official SteamCMD documentation for installation instructions based on your operating system.

If you're using Linux, make sure to configure the firewall to open port 8211, which Palworld uses to communicate with dedicated servers. Run the following commands:

sudo ufw allow 8211/tcp
sudo ufw allow 8211/udp

b. Download the Dedicated Server Files

Once SteamCMD is installed, use the following command to download the Palworld dedicated server files:

steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quit

Make sure you're in the directory where you want to install the server files. For most Linux systems, the default installation directory is ~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer. If you can't locate it, use this command to find the exact installation path:

sudo find / -type d -name "PalServer"

c. Configure Server Settings

Once the files are installed, open the PalWorldSettings.ini file from the installation directory to adjust the settings as needed:

Difficulty Levels: Customize how challenging the game is.
Gameplay Settings: Tailor player limits, gameplay conditions, and world generation.

For advanced users, you can also adjust server settings with command-line parameters like:

-port: Change the server's listening port.
-players: Set the maximum number of players.
-UseMultithreadForDS: Enable CPU multithreading for better performance.

Step 2: Starting and Managing the Server

a. Starting the Server

For Linux, navigate to the installation directory and use this command to start the server:

cd ~/Steam/steamapps/common/PalServer
./PalServer.sh

If you encounter errors such as steamclient.so: cannot open shared object file, resolve it by running:

mkdir -p ~/.steam/sdk64/
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 1007 +quit
cp ~/Steam/steamapps/common/Steamworks\ SDK\ Redist/linux64/steamclient.so ~/.steam/sdk64/

For Windows, simply execute the .bat or .exe file in the installation directory.

b. Ongoing Server Management

Use system monitoring tools to check RAM and CPU usage, ensuring your server operates smoothly. Manually back up your data periodically to avoid data loss. When updating mods or making significant changes, restart the server to ensure everything runs correctly.

Option 2: Avoid the Hassle of Manual Setup with Iceline Hosting

If you'd rather skip the technical steps of manual setup, Iceline Hosting makes setting up a Palworld dedicated server simple, fast, and stress-free.

Step 1: Choose a Server Plan

Visit Iceline Hosting and select a Palworld server plan that fits your needs. Our plans start at £5.60 for the first month and include:

Unlimited player slots
DDoS protection
Easy mod installation

After purchasing a plan, you'll receive login credentials to access your game management panel.

Step 2: Customize Your Server

Log in to the Iceline Hosting game panel using your credentials. The game panel provides a simple interface to manage and customize your server, including:

World Size, Difficulty, and Player Limits: Adjust these settings without manual file edits.
Upload Custom Worlds: Use the "File Manager" to upload any pre-created worlds and integrate them into your server.
Mod Integration: Add mods to your server via the same "File Manager." Mods can be easily enabled or disabled.

Step 3: Managing Your Server

Once it’s set up, you can manage your server using built-in tools:

Monitor Resources: Keep track of RAM and CPU usage through the control panel, optimizing performance as needed.
Backups: Automatically back up your server data to prevent progress loss. Set up automatic backup schedules for peace of mind.
Start, Stop, and Restart Server: All server management functions are easily controlled from the panel, ensuring you can manage the server with just a few clicks.

Step 4: Invite Players and Build Your Community

Once your server is ready, it’s time to invite players:

Share the Server IP: Find your server's IP in the control panel and share it with friends or your community.
Set Rules and Manage Players: You can manage access using passwords or whitelist options and handle player disruptions via the built-in moderation tools.

Step 5: Server Name Customization

Give your server a unique name to attract players and make it easy to identify:

In the Iceline Hosting game panel, go to the Startup tab.
Scroll down to the Server Name field and input your desired name.
Save the settings, and the new name will appear on server lists.

Best Practices for Palworld Server Management

Regular Backups

Schedule automated backups to ensure your data is consistently saved, protecting against loss and providing a reliable safety net. Regularly back up server files and databases to safeguard all critical components. This ensures you can quickly restore operations and minimize downtime in case of issues.

Routine Maintenance

Conduct regular restarts to refresh server resources like RAM and CPU, which helps maintain optimal performance. Use the Game Panel’s scheduling system to automate restarts, which can also assist with plugin updates and reduce server load.

Security Measures

Activate Iceline Hosting’s DDoS protection to shield your server from cyber-attacks, ensuring uninterrupted service and protecting valuable data. Regularly update passwords and server software to close security gaps, enhance overall security, and prevent unauthorized access.

Performance Optimization

Monitor resource usage regularly to prevent overburdening your server, which can lead to slowdowns or crashes. Use available tools to track CPU, memory, and bandwidth. Adjust player counts or tweak settings as needed, such as optimizing graphics or limiting simultaneous players, to maintain a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.

How To Troubleshoot Common Palworld Server Issues

Addressing Bugs and Glitches

Palworld is still in early access, so you might run into the occasional bug.

Most are just annoying, but some make the game unplayable. If you hit a snag, try restarting the server or undoing recent changes. Let the support team know about big problems so that they can get to work on solutions.

Contacting Support

For persistent issues, reach out to Iceline Hosting’s dedicated support team. We offer expert assistance to help you navigate and resolve server-related challenges, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free hosting experience. Our knowledgeable staff is available to assist with both minor glitches and complex problems, providing timely support whenever you need it.

Elevate Your Palworld Gameplay Today

With the right support and resources, setting up a Palworld dedicated server is straightforward. At Iceline Hosting, we offer an intuitive game panel, robust security features, and reliable customer support to simplify the setup and management process.

Ready to enhance your Palworld experience? Set up a dedicated server today.