> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabihosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Join Your Palworld Server

> Connect to your Palworld server hosting instance on Steam via direct IP or the community server browser — plus fixes for the most common connection issues.

Joining your Palworld server takes less than a minute once you know your server address. This guide covers connecting on the Steam version via direct IP (the most reliable method) and the community server browser, plus what to do when a connection fails.

## Find Your Server Address

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Game Panel">
    Log in to the [Wasabi Hosting Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com) and select your Palworld server.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the address">
    Your server's address is shown at the top of the **Console** page in the format `IP:PORT` (for example `203.0.113.10:8211`). The default Palworld game port is `8211` (UDP), but your assigned port may differ — always use the port shown in the panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect via Direct IP (Recommended)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Launch Palworld">
    Start Palworld on Steam and wait for the title screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the multiplayer menu">
    From the main menu, select **Join Multiplayer Game**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your server address">
    At the **bottom of the screen** you'll find a text field for entering an IP address directly. Type your full address, including the port:

    ```
    203.0.113.10:8211
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Confirm to connect. Pick your character options on first join, and you'll spawn into the shared world.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Direct IP always works, even if your server isn't listed in the community browser. It's the fastest and most reliable way to join.
</Tip>

### Port Reference

| Port    | Purpose                    | Protocol |
| ------- | -------------------------- | -------- |
| `8211`  | Game connections (default) | UDP      |
| `25575` | RCON, if enabled           | TCP      |

Players only ever need the **game port**. RCON is for admin tools — see [admin commands](/games/palworld/admin-commands).

## Community Server Browser

The **Join Multiplayer Game** screen also includes a server browser listing public community servers. If your server is listed there, you (and strangers) can find it by searching for its `ServerName`.

If you'd rather keep your server private, simply set a password (see below) or skip public listing — players who know the address can always join via direct IP.

## Password-Protected Servers

To restrict who can join, set a server password in `PalWorldSettings.ini`:

```ini theme={null}
ServerPassword="YourJoinPassword",
```

When connecting to a password-protected server, the game prompts you for the password before joining. See the [server configuration guide](/games/palworld/server-configuration) for where this file lives and how to edit it safely.

<Note>
  `ServerPassword` (what players type to join) is not the same as `AdminPassword` (what admins use for the `AdminPassword` command and RCON). Keep them different, and never share the admin password.
</Note>

## Crossplay and Console Players

Palworld is available on multiple platforms, but **dedicated server support differs by platform** — historically, dedicated servers have been aimed at the Steam version, with crossplay support evolving over time through game updates. If you have Xbox or other non-Steam players in your group, check the official Palworld documentation for the current state of crossplay on dedicated servers before inviting them.

## Troubleshooting Connection Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="'Failed to connect' or connection times out">
    Check the panel **Console** to confirm the server has finished booting — Palworld servers take a minute or two to load the world after a start or restart, and connections fail until loading completes. Also verify you typed the exact `IP:PORT` from the panel, including the colon and port number.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Version mismatch after a game update">
    Palworld clients and servers must run the same version. After Pocketpair releases an update, Steam updates your client automatically, but your server also needs to be updated — restart it from the Game Panel so it picks up the latest server build, then try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Server not showing in the community browser">
    The community list can take time to refresh, and not all servers are listed. Use direct IP instead — it bypasses the browser entirely and works for any reachable server.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wrong password error">
    Passwords are case-sensitive. Double-check the `ServerPassword` value in `PalWorldSettings.ini`, restart the server after changing it, and make sure players aren't accidentally entering the admin password.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Firewall blocking the connection">
    If you've configured custom rules in the [Firewall Manager](https://firewall.wasabihosting.com), make sure the game port (default `8211`, UDP) is allowed. See the [Firewall Manager docs](/firewall-manager) for how rules work.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Server appears full">
    The default player cap is `ServerPlayerMaxNum=32`. If it's set lower, raise it in `PalWorldSettings.ini` and restart — see the [server configuration guide](/games/palworld/server-configuration).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

Still stuck? Open a [support ticket](https://billing.wasabihosting.com/submitticket.php) or ask in our [Discord](https://discord.wasabihosting.com) — we're around 24/7.

<Card title="Need a Palworld server?" icon="rocket" href="https://wasabihosting.com/game-servers/palworld">
  Get your own Palworld server from €9.00/month — deployed in about 2 minutes with DDoS protection included.
</Card>