Set Up Palworld Multiplayer – Invite Friends & Join a Server

Palworld multiplayer on a dedicated server works without an invite link: you give your friends the server address and port, optionally set a password, and decide whether the server should appear publicly in the community browser. What matters is a suitable player limit, clear access details, and a quick connection test after every change.

Requirements

You need a running Palworld server, access to the game-serverhosting dashboard, and at least one player account for testing. The server should show the status ready in the panel before you share connection details or change settings.

The official Palworld server documentation describes ServerPlayerMaxNum as the maximum number of players who can join a server, and ServerPassword as the password for server login: documentation at docs.palworldgame.com. For startup parameters, the official documentation also lists -port=8211 as a way to change the listening port, as well as -publiclobby for community servers: documentation at docs.palworldgame.com.

If you have not booked or prepared a server yet, you can find the basic setup in the guide Rent and Set Up a Palworld Server. For a broader configuration overview, Rent a Palworld Server: Configuration, Pals & Multiplayer also helps.

Step 1: Find the Server Address and Port

Once your server is marked as ready, you will see the connection details in the server tile of your dashboard.

Write down:

• IP address or subdomain, if you have configured one
• Port; the default for Palworld is 8211

You pass this combination on to your friends. It is best to write it in the format IP:Port, for example 203.0.113.10:8211. If you use a subdomain, the process stays the same: what matters is that players enter the full address and port.

Step 2: Set the Maximum Number of Players

In the PalworldSettingsWizard, set ServerPlayerMaxNum to the number you want. Start by planning for 1 to 32 players; the sustainable number depends on the world, version, and resources. Do not choose a value larger than necessary: a small private co-op server does not need to be opened for 32 slots if only four people are playing.

Pocketpair specifies 16 GB RAM for operation. Its official documentation says 8 GB can boot but increases OOM/crash risk; larger setups are recommended to use more than 32 GB. There is no substantiated RAM-per-player mapping: bases, worker Pals, buildings, spawn rate, mods, settings and distributed active world areas also drive load.

Save after making the change. If your panel automatically restarts the server afterward, wait until the status is ready again before testing joining. Only then share the final details with your friends so nobody gets an error message during the restart.

Step 3: Optionally Set a Password

You have two sensible options:

• No password: Leave ServerPassword empty. Anyone who knows the server address and port can join.
• Set a password: Enter the desired password in ServerPassword. Then only players who know this password can join.

A password is especially useful if you share the address in multiple groups or make the server visible in the community browser. Use a dedicated server password and not the same password as for your panel, your Steam account, or other services. After a password change, players must use the new password the next time they join.

Step 4: Enable the Community Browser or Stay Private

Enable the COMMUNITY_SERVER toggle in the wizard if your server should appear in the public Palworld community browser. Then players you did not directly send the IP to can also find it.

If the server is only meant for friends, private operation is usually clearer: disable community visibility, share the address directly, and set a password if needed. A server can also be listed publicly with a password; players will then see it in the browser and be asked for the password when joining.

Step 5: Join as a Player and Check the Result

Start Palworld and choose the right path depending on your configuration:

• Via Multiplayer and Community Servers if you enabled the community server
• Via Direct Connect if you want to join by IP or subdomain

Enter the IP and port, for example 203.0.113.10:8211. If a password is set, the prompt must appear. After the loading screen, you should land on your server.

Then check three things: first, whether multiple players can connect at the same time. Second, whether the password is actually required. Third, whether the server is visible in the browser if you enabled COMMUNITY_SERVER. This quick check saves later troubleshooting when the group already wants to play.

Troubleshooting

Direct Connection Fails

First check whether the server really is ready in the dashboard. Then check the IP or subdomain, port, and spelling. Common mistakes are a missing port, a space at the end of the address, or an old port after a change.

Server Does Not Appear in the Community Browser

Check whether COMMUNITY_SERVER is enabled and the server was restarted after saving. The browser can also update with a delay. Test the direct connection by IP and port in parallel so you can tell whether only the browser display is affected or whether the server itself is unreachable.

Password Is Not Accepted

Set the password again in the wizard, save, and wait for the restart. Pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. If you copy the password into a chat, remove any accidentally appended spaces.

Not All Players Can Get Onto the Server

Use Pocketpair’s 16 GB operating requirement as the starting point and assess bases, worker Pals, buildings, mods and measured server performance instead of a RAM-per-player table.

Checks, Limits, and a Safe Way Back

The guide “Set Up Palworld Multiplayer – Invite Friends & Join a Server” applies to the server type described in the article and the version state visible at the time of checking. Menu names, available versions, mod or plugin compatibility, and required resources may differ after updates. Therefore, do not transfer values to another game, loader, or server version without checking them first.

Create a backup of the affected files before making changes to the world, savegame, configuration, or extensions. Then change only one related step at a time and check it with the same client and server version you want to play with later.

A successful single test is not a guarantee of performance or availability. World size, mods, plugins, player count, network path, and simultaneous load can change the result. Document the version, change, and test result so you can trace later deviations.

FAQ

Is there an invite link for dedicated servers in Palworld?

No. For dedicated servers, you use the server address and port. Your friends connect directly or search for the server in the community browser if you have made it publicly visible.

Which port should I send my friends?

8211 is the documented Palworld default port; the panel assignment is authoritative. What matters, however, is the port your dashboard shows for your specific server. Always share the combination of address and port.

Do I have to set a password?

No. Without a password, anyone who knows the address and port can join. For private groups, a password is still recommended, especially if the server is listed publicly.

Can a password-protected server appear in the community browser?

Yes. You can make the server visible in the community browser and still set ServerPassword. Players will then find it publicly, but must enter the password when joining.

What should I always test after a change?

Test at least one join via direct connection, the password prompt, and, if community visibility is enabled, whether the server can be found in the browser. After changes to player count, password, or visibility, you should wait until the server is ready again.