Palworld Server Settings Explained: PalWorldSettings.ini
Palworld dedicated servers are configured in PalWorldSettings.ini. The file is not created for you: you copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini to the config folder and edit the copy. Everything sits on one long OptionSettings=(...) line, so a single misplaced comma or quote can cause the server to fall back to defaults.
Key names below are taken from the official Palworld server documentation (version 1.0.4 at the time of checking, November 2026). The official page lists a default for only a couple of keys, so for the rest this guide says what each key does rather than inventing numbers. Open the default file that ships with your server for your version's values.
- Copy
DefaultPalWorldSettings.initoPal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/orLinuxServer/and edit the copy. Editing the default file does nothing. - All settings are one
OptionSettings=(...)line: comma-separated, with text values in quotes. - Rate settings are multipliers: 1.0 is normal, 2.0 doubles it. High values on spawns, bases and workers cost performance.
- Set an
AdminPasswordand, for a private server, aServerPassword. - Restart the server after editing, and keep a backup of the working file.
On this page
How the file works
According to the official docs, the config lives here, and the folders appear only after the server has started once:
- Windows:
steamapps\common\PalServer\Pal\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\PalWorldSettings.ini - Linux:
steamapps/common/PalServer/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini
To create it, copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini from the PalServer folder into that location. The file has a section header followed by a single settings line:
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(ServerName="My Palworld Server",AdminPassword="change-me",ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.500000,DeathPenalty=Item, ... )- Text values such as
ServerNameare in double quotes. Numbers and True/False are not. - Keys are separated by commas with no line breaks inside the parentheses.
- The community Palworld wiki warns that if the format is wrong, your settings are overridden with defaults. If your edits seem ignored, look for a typo first.
- Edit with the server stopped, then start it. Changes apply on restart.
Hosting with ChicagoServers? The Palworld server hosting page lists what is included, such as free server backups and SFTP file access.
Server identity and access
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
ServerName, ServerDescription | Name and description players see. |
ServerPassword | Password required to join. Leave empty for an open server. |
AdminPassword | Password players use with /AdminPassword to gain admin rights in game. |
ServerPlayerMaxNum | Maximum players. |
CrossplayPlatforms | Platforms allowed to connect. The docs give the default as Steam, Xbox, PS5 and Mac. |
PublicIP, PublicPort | For community servers. PublicPort does not change the port the server listens on. |
RCONEnabled, RCONPort | Turns RCON on and sets its port. |
RESTAPIEnabled, RESTAPIPort | Turns the REST API on and sets its port. |
Progression and rates
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
ExpRate | EXP gain multiplier. |
PalCaptureRate | Capture rate multiplier. |
CollectionDropRate | Multiplier for what gatherable objects yield. |
EnemyDropItemRate | Multiplier for item drops from enemies. |
PalEggDefaultHatchingTime | Hours to hatch a Huge Egg. Other eggs also need incubation time. |
DayTimeSpeedRate, NightTimeSpeedRate | How fast day and night pass. |
ItemWeightRate | Item weight multiplier. |
PalSpawnNumRate | Pal spawn rate. The docs note it affects performance. |
A value of 1.0 is the baseline for these multipliers. Raise ExpRate and PalCaptureRate for a faster-paced community server, and leave spawn rates alone unless you really need more Pals in the world.
Death penalty, difficulty and PvP
DeathPenalty accepts four values according to the docs:
None: nothing is dropped on death.Item: all items except equipment drop.ItemAndEquipment: items and equipment drop.All: items, equipment and team Pals drop.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
bIsPvP | Enables PvP. |
bHardcore | No respawn on death. |
bPalLost | Pals are permanently lost on death. |
PlayerDamageRateAttack, PlayerDamageRateDefense | Damage dealt and taken by players. |
PalDamageRateAttack, PalDamageRateDefense | Damage dealt and taken by Pals. |
bEnableInvaderEnemy | Enables invader raids on bases. |
BlockRespawnTime | Respawn cooldown in seconds. |
Bases, guilds and building limits
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
BaseCampMaxNum | Total bases allowed on the server. |
BaseCampMaxNumInGuild | Bases per guild. The docs give a default of 4 and a maximum of 10, and warn higher values add load. |
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum | Maximum Pals working at a base, up to 50. Higher values add load. |
GuildPlayerMaxNum | Maximum guild members. |
MaxBuildingLimitNum | Per-player building cap. 0 means unlimited. |
BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate | Structure decay speed multiplier. |
bAutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers | Deletes a guild's structures and base Pals if no member logs in for AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers. |
The docs list bases, workers and building limits under performance because they affect server load. Raise them gradually and watch the server.
Quality of life and server behaviour
bEnableFastTravelandbEnableFastTravelOnlyBaseCampcontrol fast travel.bIsStartLocationSelectByMaplets players choose a starting location.bShowPlayerListshows the player list in the ESC menu, andbIsShowJoinLeftMessageshows join and leave messages on dedicated servers.bExistPlayerAfterLogoutleaves a player's character asleep where they logged out.bIsUseBackupSaveDataenables world backups, at the cost of extra disk load. The docs say it keeps 5 saves every 30 seconds, 6 every 10 minutes, 12 every hour and 7 every day in abackupfolder.DenyTechnologyListdisables technologies by ID, for exampleDenyTechnologyList=("PALBOX", "RepairBench").
Common mistakes
- Editing the default file. Only
PalWorldSettings.iniin the config folder is used. - Breaking the one-line format. Check commas, quotes and parentheses after every edit.
- Editing while the server runs. Stop the server first so your changes are not overwritten.
- A leftover WorldOption.sav. Hosting guides report that a
WorldOption.savfile in the world folder can override the ini. If settings do not apply, stop the server, back up the world, and check whether that file exists. - Maxing everything. Combining high spawn rates, 50 workers per base and large guilds is the quickest way to hurt performance.
- No admin password. Set
AdminPasswordor you can't use admin commands such as/Save,/Shutdownand/Broadcast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is PalWorldSettings.ini?
In Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer inside the PalServer folder. It's created by copying DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini there.
Why are my Palworld server settings not applying?
Usual causes are editing the default file instead of the copy, a formatting error on the OptionSettings line, not restarting, or a WorldOption.sav in the world folder overriding the ini.
How do I double EXP on a Palworld server?
Set ExpRate=2.000000 inside the OptionSettings line, save, and restart the server.
How do I turn off item loss on death?
Set DeathPenalty=None. The other values are Item, ItemAndEquipment and All.