Palworld Connection Troubleshooting
Can't connect? Server not showing? Password rejected? Here's what to check.
Server Not Showing in Browser
Wait several minutes after server startup. The community server list takes time to register new servers.
There is no listing switch to check. GameGrid passes the -publiclobby flag on every start and writes the host's current public IP and your allocated port into the config at the same time, so listing is always on and the address is always current.
The Steam query port is allocated at your base port + 1 and opened by the platform. Nothing for you to configure.
Have players search the exact server name. The browser only shows the first 200 results, so scrolling may not find your server even when it is there.
Try a shorter, plainer server name. Very long names, and names with unusual characters, do not always display well in the browser.
Can't Connect by Direct IP
Verify the server is running. Check the dashboard for a green "Online" status. If it is "Starting", wait for it to finish.
Copy the Server Address from Connection Info on the server Overview tab and paste it into the "Custom Server" dialog - for example 203.0.113.50:28000. The port comes from GameGrid's own pool, so a guide telling you to use 8211 is describing a self-hosted server.
If you set a Server Password, make sure it is entered correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.
Check Crossplay Platforms in Settings. All four platforms are allowed by default, but if Mac has been unticked, a Mac player - who does connect by address - is refused until it is ticked again and the server restarted.
Check for a build mismatch. Open the Admin tab and look at the Game Updates card: it names the build your server is on and offers "Update now" when a newer one exists.
If you are on Xbox or PS5 you cannot use an address at all - use the community server browser. See the Crossplay guide.
Password Not Working
First, check you are looking at the right field. Server Password is what players type to join; Administrator Password is for admin commands. They are two separate fields in Settings under Basic, and both are masked in the panel.
Remember that a password change needs a server restart, like every Palworld setting. Saving it is not enough.
Keep the password to letters and numbers. Special characters have to survive being written into a quoted value in a single-line INI, and they are a common source of trouble.
If the password is definitely right and players are still prompted, have them restart their game client and try again.
As a last resort: clear the password, restart, confirm players can join with no password, then set it again and restart. That separates "wrong password" from "the password never reached the server".
Console Players Can't Join
Console players (Xbox, PS5) can only join through the community server browser. They cannot type IP addresses.
Check Crossplay Platforms. All four platforms are allowed by default, so a console player is only refused there if Xbox or PS5 has been unticked. Tick it in Settings under Basic, save, and restart.
Give the server at least ten minutes after a start to register in the community list, and have them search the exact server name.
Check for version sync delays. Console updates can lag behind Steam by a day or two because of platform certification.
When to Contact Support
If you've tried all the steps above and still can't connect, create a support ticket. Include this information:
Your Server Address from Connection Info.
The exact error message you see when trying to connect.
Your platform (Steam, Xbox, PS5, Mac) and game version, and which platforms are ticked in Crossplay Platforms.
When the problem started and whether it affects all players or just one.
Whether you can connect by address, by the community browser, or neither.