You have two ways to create a Hytale server. The quick one is to open your own world to friends from inside the game, using the Online Play option in the pause menu, with nothing to install. The full one is to set up a dedicated server with the official software (HytaleServer.jar), which runs on Windows, Linux and macOS and requires at least Java 25 and 4 GB of RAM. It uses port 5520 over UDP. We explain both methods based on Hypixel Studios’ official documentation (checked on Update 6) along with the changes in Update 7 (0.7), released October 12, 2026, according to its official notes: since that version, the server won’t start inside the launcher’s install folder (it exits with code 11), the saved view distance is capped at 32 chunks, and worlds are upgraded automatically when loaded.
Quick option: open your world to friends (Online Play)
If you just want to play with a few friends while you play too, you don’t need a dedicated server. According to official Hytale support:
- Enter your single-player world and press Esc.
- Click Online Play and turn on Allow Other Players to Join.
- If you want, set a password and decide whether to include it in the share code (Include Password in Share Code).
- Press Save. The game tries to open the connection via UPnP and shows you a share code.
Since Update 7, the Online Play screen tells you whether your friends will be able to join, includes a Copy Network Report button with a report on your network, and supports direct connections between computers on the same network.
Your friends join from the main menu under Servers > Join via Code, paste the code and press Connect. Keep in mind that the code contains your IP address: share it only with people you trust and never post it publicly. If it won’t connect, the usual causes are UPnP being disabled on your router, your ISP using CGNAT, or a firewall blocking the connection. Official support suggests enabling UPnP, forwarding the port manually or using Tailscale.
The limitation is clear: the world is only available while you’re playing. If you want a server that’s up 24/7, you need a dedicated server.
Hytale dedicated server requirements
The official server manual lists the following:
- Java 25. They recommend the Adoptium Temurin distribution. Check your version with
java --version. - At least 4 GB of memory.
- x64 or arm64 architecture, on Windows, Linux or macOS.
- A Hytale license to authenticate the server. There’s a limit of 500 servers per license.
- Port 5520 open over UDP, because Hytale uses the QUIC protocol over UDP, not TCP.
The manual explains that CPU usage grows with the number of players and entities (creatures and NPCs), and RAM usage with the amount of loaded world: more view distance and players each exploring in different directions. You can set a memory limit with Java’s -Xmx parameter and adjust it based on what you see.
Step 1: get the server files
There are three official ways:
- Copy them from the launcher: in the game’s install folder (on Windows,
%appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest), copy theServerfolder and theAssets.zipfile to another folder outside the launcher’s installation. - Hytale Downloader: an official command-line tool designed for headless servers.
- Automatic bootstrap: with
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --bootstrap.
Important since Update 7: don’t run the server inside the launcher’s install folder. Every game update patches or deletes that folder, so you risk losing your world. That’s why, if the server would write its data there, it no longer starts: it exits with exit code 11 and tells you how to move it. There’s an --allow-install-dir parameter to force it, but the recommended approach is to move the server to its own folder.
Step 2: start and authenticate the server
From the server folder, run:
java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
The first time, you’ll need to link it to your account. Type /auth login device in the console, open accounts.hytale.com/device in your browser and enter the code it shows you. Run java -jar HytaleServer.jar --help to see all available parameters.
Step 3: open UDP port 5520
The most common mistake is opening the port over TCP. It has to be UDP, both in the firewall and in your router’s port forwarding. Examples from the official manual:
- Linux with ufw:
sudo ufw allow 5520/udp - Windows (PowerShell as administrator):
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Hytale Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5520 -Action Allow
If you want a different port, start the server with --bind followed by the number. The manual warns that symmetric NAT can cause problems.
Step 4: configuration, whitelist and permissions
After the first launch, these files appear in the root folder:
config.json: general server configuration.permissions.json: permissions.whitelist.json: player whitelist.bans.json: banned players.universe/: worlds and player data. Each world has its ownconfig.json.
For performance, the manual recommends capping the maximum view distance at 12 chunks (384 blocks). Since Update 7, the saved view distance is capped at 32 chunks; before, a higher value could stop the server from starting. To manage access, documentation from several hosting providers lists commands like /whitelist enable, /whitelist add <player> and /op add <player>, plus /perm to assign permissions to users and groups. If a command doesn’t respond, check the server’s help, because the game is in Early Access and the syntax may change.
Mods on the server
In Hytale, mods are installed on the server and players don’t have to download anything to join. According to the manual, you just download the mods (.zip or .jar) from sources like CurseForge and drop them into the mods/ folder. We go into more detail in the guide to installing mods in Hytale. A useful example for servers is BetterMap, which adds a shared map. Remember that a .jar is code that runs on your machine: only download it from trusted sources.
With Update 7, plugins built for 0.6 may need a new version from their author, because the server API has changed. Before updating, check on CurseForge that each plugin has a file for 0.7. We cover this in Hytale server plugins.
Updates and backups
The client and server must run exactly the same protocol version. When an update comes out, update the server as soon as possible or players on the new version won’t be able to join. The server includes commands for this: /update check, /update download and /update apply --confirm. It also supports automatic backups with the --backup, --backup-dir and --backup-frequency parameters. Turn them on: it’s Early Access and data loss can happen.
Be careful with worlds: since Update 7, existing worlds are upgraded automatically the first time they’re loaded, and you shouldn’t reopen them with an older version. Before updating the server, make a copy of the universe/ folder. You’ll find everything new in this version in our Hytale Update 7 guide.
Renting a server
If you don’t want to leave a computer running or mess with your router, you can rent a Hytale server from a hosting company. Make sure it offers Java 25, enough RAM for your number of players, access to the mods/ folder, and that it updates quickly when a new version of the game comes out.
More content in the Hytale section.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to create a Hytale server?
The server software comes with the game and isn’t sold separately, but you need a Hytale license to authenticate it. If you host it on your PC, you only pay for electricity; if you rent one, you pay the provider’s fee.
What port does the Hytale server use?
5520 over UDP. Hytale uses QUIC over UDP, so opening the port over TCP won’t work.
How much RAM does a Hytale server need?
The official minimum is 4 GB. You’ll need more with lots of players, a high view distance or players spread out across the map.
Do my friends have to install the server’s mods?
No. Mods run on the server and players join with the unmodified game.
Why can’t my friends join with the Online Play code?
It’s usually due to UPnP being disabled, your ISP’s CGNAT or the firewall. Since Update 7, the Online Play screen itself tells you whether they’ll be able to join. Try forwarding the port manually, using Tailscale or setting up a dedicated server.
What does exit code 11 mean?
Since Update 7, the server shuts down with code 11 if its data would be written inside the launcher’s install folder. Move the server to another folder. You can force it with --allow-install-dir, but it’s not recommended, because game updates patch or delete that folder.