A Hytale dedicated server is the same server that runs behind every singleplayer world, started on its own so your friends can play around the clock. To make one you need Java 25 and 4 GB of RAM or more, plus two files from Hypixel (HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip), an account sign-in you only do once, and an open UDP port (5520 by default). Below is every setup step on Windows and Linux, the config files, the port, and fixes for “failed to connect to server” and the other errors people actually hit.
Dedicated server or Online Play: which do you need?
Hytale has two ways to play together. Online Play opens your singleplayer world to friends through a share code, but it runs on your gaming PC and closes when you quit. A dedicated server runs on its own machine, stays online while you’re offline, and gives you the full config. For more than a few friends, or a world that should keep going, Hypixel’s own advice is a dedicated server.
| Online Play (share code) | Dedicated server | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on | Your PC, next to the game | Its own machine, or a host |
| When the host logs off | The world closes | The world keeps running |
| Performance | Your PC renders the game and simulates the world | Better: the server doesn’t also render the game |
| Connection | Hytale works it out; some networks need a relay or Tailscale | One address and port that players connect to |
| Settings | World settings | config.json, permissions, whitelist, bans, mods |
| How friends join | Servers → Join via Code | Servers, then the server’s address |
Don’t want to run the machine yourself? That’s what Hytale server hosting is for; the rest of this guide is for doing it yourself.
Hytale server requirements
Hypixel’s server manual sets a low bar: any device with at least 4 GB of memory and Java 25, on an x64 or arm64 processor. What you need on top of that depends on how your group plays. CPU load follows the number of players and NPCs. RAM follows how much of the world is loaded, which mostly means view distance and players exploring in different directions.
- Java 25. Hypixel recommends the Adoptium build. Check it with
java --version; you want a line startingopenjdk 25. - RAM: 4 GB minimum. See the table below for where to start.
- CPU: matters most with many players or lots of mobs and NPCs.
- Storage: an SSD. Hypixel measured about 661 MB of save data for a 5,000 × 5,000-block area explored, and worlds keep growing as people explore.
- OS: Windows or Linux for the Hytale Downloader; the server itself is a Java program, so it also runs from files copied out of the macOS launcher.
How much RAM does a Hytale server need?
| How you play | Start with |
|---|---|
| A few friends, view distance capped at 12 chunks | 4 GB |
| A bigger group exploring in different directions | 8 GB |
| Large community, lots of mods or a higher view distance | 12 GB or more |
Only the 4 GB is Hypixel’s number; the rest are starting points. View distance is the main driver: every doubling of it loads four times the area, so 384 blocks costs far more than 192. Hypixel recommends capping the server at 12 chunks (384 blocks). When a server is short on memory, the usual sign is high CPU from Java’s garbage collector rather than a crash, so watch both while people play.
How to download the Hytale server files
There’s nothing extra to buy: the server comes with the game. Hypixel gives three ways to get it, and they all end with the same two pieces, HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip. Copying from the launcher is fastest for a quick test. For a server you plan to keep, use the Hytale Downloader, because it sets up the folder layout the built-in updater needs.
| Option | Best for | How |
|---|---|---|
| Copy from the launcher | Quick tests (a pain to keep updated) | Copy the Server folder and Assets.zip out of the launcher’s install folder (paths below) |
| Hytale Downloader CLI | Servers you keep running | Download hytale-downloader.zip (Windows and Linux) from the server manual and run it |
| Bootstrap from the jar | When all you have is HytaleServer.jar |
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --bootstrap, sign in, then /update setup |
Launcher install folders:
- Windows:
%appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest - Linux:
$XDG_DATA_HOME/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest
Copy the files out of that folder. Every launcher update patches or wipes it, and since Update 7 the server refuses to boot if it would write its world, backups or cache inside it (it exits with code 11 and tells you what to move).
The downloader’s main commands:
./hytale-downloader # download the latest release
./hytale-downloader -print-version # show the game version without downloading
./hytale-downloader -download-path game.zip # save to a specific file
./hytale-downloader -patchline pre-release # use the pre-release channelIt signs in with your Hytale account the first time; QUICKSTART.md inside the zip covers the details.
How to set up a Hytale dedicated server, step by step
Once Java 25 is installed, setup is five steps: put the files in their own folder, start the server once, sign it in with your Hytale account, give Java a memory limit, then stop it and edit config.json. The steps are the same on Windows and Linux. Only the launcher script and the firewall command change.
1. Put the files in their own folder
The downloader and the bootstrap install both produce this layout, which is the one the auto-updater expects:
game/
├── Assets.zip
├── start.sh (Linux)
├── start.bat (Windows)
└── Server/
└── HytaleServer.jar2. Start the server
With the launcher scripts, run ./start.sh on Linux or start.bat on Windows. They start the server from Server/, turn on automatic backups every 30 minutes into Server/backups, and apply staged updates. If you copied the files by hand and have no scripts, start it from the folder holding both files:
java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zipThe -XX:AOTCache part uses the cache file that ships with the server so it boots faster. A good start ends with a line like Hytale Server Booted! in the console.
3. Sign the server in
A new server can’t accept players until it’s authenticated. In the console, type:
/auth login deviceIt prints a link (https://accounts.hytale.com/device) and a code. Open the link, sign in with your Hytale account and enter the code within 15 minutes. The console then says Authentication successful! Mode: OAUTH_DEVICE.
The server refreshes its own sign-in while it runs. It only has to sign in again if it stays offline for more than 30 days. If it asks after every restart, check /auth persistence: Memory forgets the sign-in when the process stops, while Encrypted keeps it on disk. One Hytale license can authenticate up to 500 servers.
4. Give it memory
Java’s -Xmx sets the server’s memory ceiling. With the launcher scripts, create a jvm.options file next to start.sh, one argument per line:
-Xms2G
-Xmx4GWithout the scripts, put -Xmx4G before -jar in the start command. Hypixel’s advice is to experiment: watch RAM and CPU while people play and adjust.
5. Stop it and edit the config
Type /stop, then open Server/config.json. Always edit with the server stopped: Hytale reads its config files at start-up and writes them back while it runs, so changes made to a live server get overwritten.
Hytale server config: config.json and world settings
The Hytale server config is plain JSON. config.json in the server folder holds the server-wide settings: name, password, player limit, view distance, default game mode, mods, backups and updates. Each world under universe/worlds/ has its own config.json for gameplay rules like PvP and fall damage. Permissions and bans have their own files next to the main config.
Key in config.json |
What it does |
|---|---|
ServerName |
The server’s name (default Hytale Server) |
MOTD |
Message of the day |
Password |
Join password; empty means open to anyone with the address |
MaxPlayers |
Player limit, default 100 |
MaxViewRadius |
Highest view distance allowed, in chunks (1 to 32, default 32) |
Defaults |
Default World, GameMode (Adventure or Creative) and HardcoreMode |
Mods |
Switch individual mods off with "Enabled": false |
Backup |
Scheduled backups: on/off, frequency in minutes, folder, how many to keep |
Update |
The built-in updater (see how to update a Hytale server) |
A typical first edit, changing only these keys and leaving the rest of the generated file alone:
"ServerName": "Friends Only",
"MOTD": "Welcome back",
"Password": "pick-something-private",
"MaxPlayers": 20,
"MaxViewRadius": 12,The rest of the server folder:
| Path | Holds |
|---|---|
universe/ |
Worlds and player saves. This is what you back up. |
universe/worlds/<world>/config.json |
Per-world rules: IsPvpEnabled, IsFallDamageEnabled, IsSpawningNPC, IsGameTimePaused, Seed |
mods/ |
Installed mods (how to add mods to a Hytale server) |
permissions.json |
Groups and who is in them, including OP |
bans.json |
Banned players. The whitelist used to live in whitelist.json; since Update 6 it runs on the hytale.server.join permission (an old file is renamed whitelist.json.migrated), so manage it with the /whitelist commands. |
logs/ |
Server logs, the first place to look when something breaks |
Hytale server port and port forwarding
A Hytale server listens on UDP port 5520 by default. Hytale uses the QUIC protocol over UDP, not TCP, so forward UDP 5520 on your router to the server machine and allow it through the firewall. TCP forwarding isn’t needed at all. To use a different port, start the server with --bind, for example --bind 3500, and forward that one instead.
- Give the server machine a fixed local IP (a DHCP reservation in your router), so the forward doesn’t break after a reboot.
- In the router’s port forwarding page, forward UDP 5520 to that local IP.
- Allow the port through the firewall on the server machine:
# Windows (PowerShell as administrator) New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Hytale Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5520 -Action Allow # Linux (ufw) sudo ufw allow 5520/udp # Linux (iptables) sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPT - Test it with a friend outside your network. For a UDP port, a real join is the test that counts.
When forwarding can’t work: look up the WAN IP in your router’s admin page, then search “what is my IP” in a browser. Two different addresses mean your provider uses carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), and no forward will be reachable from outside. Some routers use symmetric NAT, which Hypixel also flags as trouble; its advice for both is a VPS or a hosted server. A private network like Tailscale is the other route: Hypixel recommends it for Online Play when routers get in the way, and it works for a dedicated server too if every player installs it and joins your network.
How to join a Hytale server
Open Servers from Hytale’s main menu and connect to the server’s address and port. Friends outside your home use your public IP, for example 203.0.113.25:5520. Anyone on the server’s own home network connects with its local IP. On a hosted server, the control panel shows the exact address to share. If you changed the port with --bind, everyone needs the new one.
Hytale doesn’t support SRV records yet, so a domain name won’t hide a non-default port. Share the port along with the name.
How to make yourself admin on a Hytale server
Run /op add YourName in the server console. That puts you in the OP permission group, and from then on you can use admin commands in chat. /op self only works on a dedicated server started with --allow-op; otherwise the server tells you to add yourself in permissions.json while it’s stopped. Since Update 5 you can also give friends narrower roles instead of full OP.
Kicks, bans, the whitelist, saving and more are in the Hytale server commands list.
Running a Hytale server on Linux, in Docker, or from source
Linux suits a Hytale dedicated server well: the downloader, the start.sh launcher and the firewall commands in Hypixel’s manual all cover it, and both x64 and arm64 machines work. Hypixel doesn’t publish a Docker image, so containers come from the community. And if you want to see how the server works, the jar isn’t obfuscated.
- Linux: run
start.shinsidescreen,tmuxor a service so the console survives when you log out. Since 0.7.3 the server’s networking library needs glibc 2.28 or newer (it used to need 2.38). - Docker: community images on GitHub wrap the same jar. Whichever you use still needs Java 25, port 5520 published as UDP (
-p 5520:5520/udp), a volume foruniverse/and the config files, and the/auth login devicestep on first run. - Source code: in November 2025 Hypixel said the server isn’t obfuscated, so it can be decompiled, and committed to sharing the source. It publishes the server jar to its Maven repository (
maven.hytale.com) for plugin developers.
Finding Hytale servers to join, and listing yours
Since Update 5, Hytale has an official in-game server list called Server Discovery. Players browse community servers by name, type, audience and region, and can like and favorite them. Server types are Survival, Adventure/RPG, Creative, PvP, Minigames, Roleplay, Social, Sandbox and Other. Any server owner can apply to be listed, including a small private one.
Because mods run on the server, a Hytale server can be whatever its plugins make it. That’s why people search for so many kinds of multiplayer servers: RPG and MMO-style worlds, factions, hunger games and survival games, skywars, parkour, gun and shooter servers, even Pokemon-style creature collecting. Each one is an ordinary dedicated server running a different set of plugins.
There’s no official “biggest” or “most popular” ranking yet. The first version of Server Discovery shows no live player counts (Hypixel says they’re next) and sorts by featured servers, likes and favorites.
To list your own:
- Sign in to the Hytale Account Manager, open Server Profiles and click Create server.
- Add a name and description, pick a type, an audience (Everyone, Teen or Mature) and the regions you serve.
- Verify your domain with the TXT record it gives you, then wait for moderation.
- Once accepted, link the server from the console with
/discovery link <token>, using the token on your listing card. The server then checks in every two minutes, and the listing is hidden whenever it stops.
Troubleshooting a Hytale server
Most Hytale server issues come down to five things: the server isn’t signed in, it’s on a different version from the players, UDP 5520 isn’t open, a mod failed to load, or it’s short on memory. The server log in logs/ is the first place to look. Open the newest file before you change anything or ask on Reddit or the official Discord.
“Failed to connect to server”
| What you see | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Nobody can join; the console printed No server tokens configured. Use /auth login to authenticate. |
The server isn’t signed in | /auth login device, then /auth status |
| Everyone was fine until Hytale patched | Version mismatch: client and server must be on the exact same protocol version | Update the server (update guide) |
| Works on your network, times out for friends outside | UDP 5520 not forwarded, forwarded as TCP, or CGNAT | Forward UDP; check for CGNAT (above) |
| Times out for everyone, even on your network | Firewall on the server machine, or the wrong port after --bind |
Add the firewall rule; check the port |
| Fails from school, work or public Wi-Fi only | That network blocks Hytale’s traffic | Test from a phone hotspot; use another network |
| Connects, but the world never loads on a Windows PC | A rare Intel/Realtek network driver issue with QUIC | Hypixel’s driver setting fixes |
| Refused with a password or permission message | Password is set, or the whitelist is on |
Share the password, or /whitelist add <player> |
Single player: “Server failed to boot” or stuck on “Booting server”
Singleplayer worlds run a local server too, so these errors mean that local server didn’t start. The reason is in the world’s own server log:
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\Hytale\UserData\Saves\[world]\logs - Linux:
~/.local/share/Hytale/UserData/Saves/[world]/logs(or under$XDG_DATA_HOME) - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Hytale/UserData/Saves/[world]/logs
Open the newest _server.log and look for Failed to boot HytaleServer!; the error just above it is the cause. If it names a mod, disable or remove that mod for the world and try again. The same goes for a dedicated server that stops during start-up: the server mods guide lists the mod errors and what each one means.
“Disconnected from server”, timed out, or “connection aborted by peer”
Since Update 6 the disconnect screen shows the reason the server sent, such as a kick, a ban, a version mismatch or a timeout, so read it first. Several join timeouts were fixed in October 2026: 0.7.1 stopped joins to Windows-hosted worlds timing out after 30 seconds, and 0.7.3 stopped joins hanging for 20 seconds and failing when a packet was lost. If you see those, update both the game and the server. If the message says the connection was aborted by the peer, the server end closed it: look in the server log for a crash, kick or restart at that moment.
Authentication errors
Token validation failed. Server starting unauthenticated. means the saved sign-in expired or is invalid. Run /auth login device again. /auth status shows the current mode: Not authenticated means players can’t join yet. A server that sat offline for more than 30 days always needs a fresh sign-in, and a license that already runs 500 servers can’t start another session.
Server lag and how to fix it
- Lower the view distance.
/maxviewradius 12(orMaxViewRadiusinconfig.json) is Hypixel’s recommendation and the biggest single saving. - Give Java more memory if CPU climbs while RAM sits near the limit; that’s garbage collection working overtime.
- Check the tick rate with
/world perf, which shows the world’s TPS. - Try the PerformanceSaver plugin (
Nitrado:PerformanceSaver), which Hypixel’s manual lists for lowering view distance automatically when resources run short. - Mind the mob count. CPU load follows players and NPCs, so huge mob farms hurt more than big builds.
FAQ
What is a Hytale server?
It’s the program that runs a Hytale world: terrain, NPCs, saves and rules. Every singleplayer world runs one in the background; a dedicated server is that same program running on its own so others can connect.
Is a Hytale dedicated server free?
The server software is free with the game: you copy it from the launcher or download it with your account. The free way to run one is your own PC, which has to stay on while people play. Otherwise you pay a host.
How many players can join a Hytale server?
MaxPlayers defaults to 100 and can be raised, lowered or removed. How many can play smoothly in practice comes down to RAM, CPU and view distance.
Do players need mods to join a modded server?
No. Hytale’s modding is server-side by design: Hypixel built it so players never have to download anything to join a modded server. Only the server owner installs mods.
Why is Hytale multiplayer not working?
Check four things in order: the server is running and signed in (/auth status), it’s on the same version as your game, UDP 5520 is open, and your network isn’t blocking Hytale (try a phone hotspot). If the server log shows errors on start-up, fix those first.
Can I use Tailscale for a Hytale server?
Yes. Hypixel recommends Tailscale for Online Play when a router blocks joins. For a dedicated server behind CGNAT it works the same way, as long as every player installs it and joins your network.
Skip the setup: Hytale server hosting on GameTeam
Running your own server means a PC that stays on, Java 25, a UDP forward, and keeping the server on the exact same version as every player after each patch. With Hytale server hosting on GameTeam you pay per GB of RAM (from $0.49/GB a week), slots are unlimited, there’s nothing to forward, and the built-in AI copilot handles the fiddly parts. Tell it “rename the server to Friends Only, add a password and set view distance to 12 chunks” and it stops the server, edits config.json and starts it again. Ask “why won’t the server start?” and it reads the log and tells you which mod broke it.