How to Connect to Your Palworld Server

Finding Your Server Address

Before connecting, you need your server's address. On the dashboard, your server card shows it on a "Connect:" line, and there is a Manage button that opens the server. Inside, the bar at the top of every page shows Address, and the Overview tab has a Connection Info card with Game Port and Server Address spelled out separately.

Palworld uses a single UDP game port, and GameGrid allocates it from its own 28000-39000 pool. Your port is whatever Connection Info says - for example 203.0.113.50:28000. It is not Palworld's stock 8211, and it cannot be changed.

If your server has a Server Password set, players are prompted for it when they connect. It is blank by default, which makes the server open to anyone who has the address. Change it in Settings under Basic, and restart.

Connecting via Direct IP (Steam and Mac)

Direct IP is the most reliable connection method. It works for Steam (PC) and Mac players.

1. Launch Palworld on your PC or Mac.

2. From the main menu, select "Join Multiplayer Game (Dedicated Server)".

3. At the bottom of the server list, there's a text field for entering an address. Type the Server Address from Connection Info, host and port together (e.g. 203.0.113.50:28000).

4. Click "Connect".

5. If the server has a password, you'll be prompted to enter it.

This method bypasses the community server browser entirely, so it works even if your server doesn't appear in the list.

Connecting via Community Server List

Every GameGrid Palworld server is published to the community browser: the platform passes the -publiclobby flag, along with the server's public IP and port, on every start. There is no listing switch for you to find, and none to forget. This is the only way Xbox and PS5 players can connect - consoles have no address entry field.

1. Launch Palworld.

2. Select "Join Multiplayer Game (Dedicated Server)".

3. On the left side of the screen, click "Community Servers". This tab is easy to miss - if you don't see it, look carefully at the left panel.

4. Use the search bar to find your server by name.

5. Click the server, then click "Connect".

The community list takes 5-10 minutes to register your server after it starts. If you just started the server, wait a few minutes before searching.

A known limitation: the community browser only displays the first 200 servers. If your server doesn't appear, use direct IP instead.

Platform Differences

Steam (PC): Can use both the address and the community list. This is the most flexible option.

Mac: Same as Steam - address and community list both work.

Microsoft Store / Game Pass PC: Can use the community list. The address may work but is less reliable than the Steam version.

Xbox (console): Community list only. There is no address entry field on Xbox.

PS5: Community list only. Same as Xbox.

Whichever platform a player is on, it must be ticked in the Crossplay Platforms setting for the server to accept them. All four are ticked by default - if your Xbox or PS5 players are being refused, check theirs has not been unticked. See the Crossplay guide.

If you have console players, make sure the server name is easy to search for. Avoid special characters; the Server Name field rejects quotes and line breaks and is capped at 100 characters.

Common Connection Errors

"Connection Timed Out" - The server is offline, or the address is wrong. Check that it shows Online in the dashboard and copy the address from Connection Info rather than typing it from memory.

"Server Not Found" - Double-check the address. Use the whole string from Connection Info, host and port. The port comes from GameGrid's pool, so it is not 8211.

"Version Mismatch" - Your client and server are on different Palworld builds. Open the server's Admin tab and look at the Game Updates card: it names the build your server is on and offers an "Update now" button when a newer one exists. Restarting the server does not fetch a new build.

"Password Required" - The server has a Server Password set. Find or change it in Settings under Basic, then restart. Note that Server Password (who may join) is a different field from Administrator Password (who may run admin commands).

Refused after connecting, on Xbox or PS5 - check that Crossplay Platforms in Settings still has their platform ticked.