With the PalworldSettingsWizard in the game-serverhosting panel, you configure the most important Palworld server settings without editing the INI directly: server name, password, maximum player count, community listing, and admin password display. This is useful if you want to run your server in a controlled way but do not want to maintain every change manually in PalWorldSettings.ini.
The panel wizard instead of the raw INI file
Palworld servers can generally be configured through the PalWorldSettings.ini file. The official Palworld documentation describes this file as the central place for server and game settings and lists ServerName, ServerPassword, ServerPlayerMaxNum, and AdminPassword among the configuration parameters: official Palworld configuration parameters.
At game-serverhosting, however, you do not have to work directly in this file for basic configuration. Instead, there is the PalworldSettingsWizard in the panel. It maps the most important fields as a form, saves your inputs in a controlled way, and then restarts the server if the change needs to take effect.
This is especially suitable for servers that are adjusted regularly: you see the relevant values in one place, avoid typos in the INI syntax, and still keep technical control over the central operating parameters.
Requirements
Before making changes, the Palworld server should be reachable in the panel. Also plan a short maintenance window if players are already online, because the server restarts automatically after saving. During this restart, it is briefly unavailable.
It also makes sense to clarify beforehand whether your server should be publicly discoverable or intended only for a fixed group via direct connection. This decision affects the community toggle and whether you should set a password.
The 5 configurable fields
The wizard provides exactly these five fields:
| Field | Meaning | Editable? |
|---|---|---|
| ServerName | Name of your server (appears in the community browser) | Yes |
| ServerPassword | Empty = public join; set = password required | Yes |
| ServerPlayerMaxNum | Max. simultaneous players (1–32) | Yes |
| COMMUNITY_SERVER | Toggle: list server in the public Palworld browser | Yes |
| AdminPassword | For admin commands in-game; generated automatically | Read-only |
Set ServerName
The ServerName is the visible name of your server. Choose a name that your group can clearly recognize. Avoid very generic names if you use the community browser, because otherwise players will have a hard time telling which entry belongs to your project.
Change the name, click Save, and wait for the automatic restart. In the initial state, this restart takes about 30 seconds; depending on server state and update situation, the actual duration may differ.
Set ServerPassword or leave it empty
The ServerPassword field determines whether players must enter a password when joining. If it stays empty, the server is reachable without a password. If you set a password, you should only share it with players who should actually have access.
For private sessions, a password is usually the cleanest setting, especially if you also list the server publicly. For community projects, an empty password can make sense if new players are explicitly allowed to join.
Set the max. player count
The ServerPlayerMaxNum field limits the simultaneously active players on your server. The maximum allowed value in the panel is 32.
Do not set the value higher than your actual usage requires. More simultaneous players mean more activity on the map, more base and object states, and potentially more load. If you also want to adjust spawn rates, base limits, or other performance-relevant values, read the additional guide on Palworld Server Performance and RAM.
Understand the COMMUNITY_SERVER toggle
If you activate COMMUNITY_SERVER, your server is listed in the public Palworld community browser. Anyone can find and join it there, as long as no password is set. Without the toggle, the server is not intended for this public list and is reached via direct IP and port entry instead.
For closed groups, the clearest combination is disabled community listing and a set password. For open servers, the listing can be helpful, but it should be chosen deliberately because it changes discoverability.
AdminPassword is read-only
The AdminPassword is generated automatically and only displayed in the wizard. You do not edit it there. Store it carefully, because admin access is not the same as normal player access.
Check the result
After saving, wait until the restart is complete. First check whether the server is reachable. Then check the visible server name, password protection, and player limit. If you have activated COMMUNITY_SERVER, also check whether the server can be found through the Palworld community browser. Depending on the server list refresh, the display there may appear with a delay.
If players should join via direct connection, give them the IP, port, and password if needed. For a broader classification of multiplayer setup, the follow-up guide Rent a Palworld Server: Configuration, Pals, and Multiplayer fits well. For detailed values beyond the wizard, you will find a structured explanation in Optimize Palworld Server Settings.
What the panel does NOT configure
The PalWorldSettings.ini contains many other fields such as ExpRate, PalCaptureRate, Difficulty, or DayTimeSpeedRate. These are not accessible through the panel wizard. If you want to change such values, you must edit them directly through the INI file or the file manager.
Important: Only change values whose effect you understand, and follow the structure of the Palworld configuration. The official documentation points out that changes must be made to the actual server configuration file; the default file is not the place for active server changes.
Troubleshooting
The server name does not appear immediately
First wait for the restart to finish completely. Then check whether you really saved. If the server is listed in the community browser, the public display may also be updated with a delay.
Players cannot get in despite the password
Check whether the password was shared exactly. Pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters as well as spaces at the beginning or end. If you change the password, players must use the new value after the restart.
The server is not shown publicly
Check whether COMMUNITY_SERVER is activated. If the toggle is off, the server is intended only for direct connection. If it is on, also check whether a password is set and whether the server list has already been updated.
Changes do not take effect
Save the setting again and wait for the restart. If you worked manually on PalWorldSettings.ini in parallel, check whether the values there match each other and whether you accidentally changed a configuration file that is not active.
Checks, limits, and a safe rollback path
The guide “Configure Palworld Server Settings – ServerName, Password & Players in the Panel Wizard” applies to the server type described in the article and the version state visible at the time of review. 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.
Before making changes to the world, savegame, configuration, or extensions, create a backup of the affected files. Then change only one related step and test it with the same client and server version you want to play with later.
| Checkpoint | Expected result | Abort and rollback |
|---|---|---|
| Server start | The server reaches the ready state without new error messages. | If startup errors occur, undo the change and restore the latest backup. |
| Connection test | A test account can connect using the address shown in the panel. | If version or connection errors occur, compare version, port, and firewall/opening settings again. |
| Function test | The specifically changed function works without damaging existing world or game data. | If side effects occur, stop the server and restore the backed-up files. |
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 differences.
FAQ
Do I have to edit PalWorldSettings.ini for the basic configuration?
No. For ServerName, ServerPassword, ServerPlayerMaxNum, COMMUNITY_SERVER, and the AdminPassword display, the PalworldSettingsWizard in the game-serverhosting panel is enough.
What happens after saving?
The server restarts automatically so the changed settings become active. During that time, it is briefly unavailable.
Can I set more than 32 players?
In the panel, 32 is intended as the maximum value for ServerPlayerMaxNum. Set the limit only as high as you really need for your group.
Does a public server without a password make sense?
That depends on the goal. It can fit open community servers. For private groups, you should set a password and deliberately disable the community toggle or use it only with a password.
Where do I change values like ExpRate or PalCaptureRate?
These values are not part of the panel wizard. You change them directly in PalWorldSettings.ini if you deliberately want to edit the file.