How to configure Palworld server settings
Palworld server settings live in one OptionSettings line in PalWorldSettings.ini. Stop the server, edit the line, and start it again. On berrybyte, use Game settings.
TL;DR: Every Palworld server setting lives in one OptionSettings=(...) line
in PalWorldSettings.ini. Stop the server, edit that line, then start it again.
On a berrybyte server, open Game settings in the dashboard and click
Save & restart.
The file sits at Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/PalWorldSettings.ini on a
Windows dedicated server, or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini
on Linux. The server ignores DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini, so don't edit that
one. Want a ready-made line? Build it with the
Palworld Server Settings Generator.
Change settings on a self-hosted server
File paths and the copy step come from Pocketpair's server guide for the official dedicated server on Windows or Linux. New to hosting? Start with setting up a Palworld dedicated server.
Stop the server
Shut the server down first. A clean stop and start is the safe way to load new values.
Open the right file
Go to Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ on Windows or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ on
Linux. If PalWorldSettings.ini is empty or missing, copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini
from the server's root folder into that folder and rename it.
Edit the OptionSettings line
Change the values you want, or paste a full line from the settings generator. Keep everything on one line, inside the brackets.
Save and start the server
Save the file, then start the server again.
Check it in game
Join and test one change you can see quickly, like the day length or your XP gain.
Here is what a few edited values look like:
[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(ExpRate=2.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.500000,DeathPenalty=None,ServerName="My Server")Your real line has many more keys than this. Change the ones you need and leave the rest alone.
Change settings on a berrybyte server
berrybyte runs Pocketpair's Linux server and applies your Game settings values each time the server starts. So use the dashboard for any setting it shows.
Open Game settings
Open your server in the dashboard and click Game settings in the server menu.
Find the setting
Use the search box, or pick a category such as Difficulty & Progression or World.
Change the value
Type a new number, flip a toggle, or pick an option.
Save & restart
Click Save & restart so Palworld loads the new values. If the button only says Save, click it, then restart or start the server.
On berrybyte, don't change a dashboard setting by editing PalWorldSettings.ini in Files.
The next start applies the Game settings value instead of your edit.
Settings most owners change
These are the Palworld server config keys people ask about most. The descriptions come from
Pocketpair's configuration parameters.
For the multipliers, a higher number means more or faster. To see the value your
server uses now, open your own PalWorldSettings.ini or load it into the
settings generator.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
ExpRate | XP gain multiplier |
PalCaptureRate | Capture rate multiplier |
PalSpawnNumRate | How many Pals spawn. Higher values cost performance |
DayTimeSpeedRate | How fast daytime passes |
NightTimeSpeedRate | How fast nighttime passes |
DeathPenalty | What drops on death: None, Item (all items except equipment), ItemAndEquipment (all items), or All (items plus Pals on your team) |
PalEggDefaultHatchingTime | Hours to hatch a Huge Egg |
CollectionDropRate | Multiplier for items from gathering |
EnemyDropItemRate | Multiplier for items enemies drop |
BaseCampMaxNumInGuild | Bases per guild. Pocketpair lists a default of 4 and a max of 10 |
BaseCampWorkerMaxNum | Pals working at each base (max 50) |
bIsPvP | Main PvP switch. PvP also needs two more keys (see below) |
ServerPlayerMaxNum | Most players who can join |
ServerPassword | Password players need to join |
Some settings start differently on berrybyte. New servers begin with 3 bases per guild and invader raids turned off. Your plan's player slots set the player limit.
For PvP, see Pocketpair's PvP page, since it needs more than one switch. Pocketpair calls PvP a trial feature that its support doesn't cover. For passwords and death drops, read Set a server password and Item drop penalty.
Use the settings generator
The Palworld Server Settings Generator
is free and needs no sign-up. Paste your current PalWorldSettings.ini to load
it, change values with number boxes, toggles, and presets, and copy out a clean
OptionSettings line. Share links leave your passwords out.
Looking for the best Palworld server settings? Start from a preset such as Casual co-op, then adjust. Casual co-op and PvP are community starting points, not Pocketpair advice. The generator is handy on a self-hosted server too, where one missing bracket can break the whole line.
Why my settings didn't save
I edited DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini
The server doesn't read that file. Pocketpair's guide says edits there have no effect. Copy
it into Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/ or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/ as
PalWorldSettings.ini and edit the copy.
I edited the file while the server was running
Stop the server, make the edit again, save, and start it. The server loads the file when it starts.
The OptionSettings line is broken
One missing comma, quote, or bracket can stop every value from loading. Keep the whole block
on a single OptionSettings=(...) line. Paste it into the
generator to spot the problem.
My file edit went back to the old value on berrybyte
The Game settings page applies its values on every start. Change the setting there and click Save & restart.
The Config folder is empty
The server creates it on its first start. Start the server once, stop it, then edit.
Next steps
Want admin powers in game too? See Become an admin and the full list of admin commands. Playing with Xbox friends? Read Palworld Xbox crossplay.
If you'd rather not keep a PC running, rent a Palworld server from $9.95 a month. You get the Game settings page, full file access, and automatic backups.
If a setting still won't stick, open a support ticket and link your server.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Palworld server settings stored?
In PalWorldSettings.ini, inside one OptionSettings=(...) line. On a Windows dedicated server the file is Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/PalWorldSettings.ini. On a Linux dedicated server it is Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini. The folder only appears after the server has started once.
How do I change Palworld dedicated server settings?
On a self-hosted PC server, stop the server and open Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer (Windows) or Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer (Linux). If PalWorldSettings.ini is empty or missing, copy DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini there under that name. Edit the OptionSettings line, save, and start the server. On a berrybyte server, open Game settings in the dashboard, change the value, and click Save & restart.
Why are my Palworld server settings not applying?
On a self-hosted server, the usual causes are editing DefaultPalWorldSettings.ini (the server ignores it), editing while the server is running, or a broken OptionSettings line, such as a missing comma, quote, or bracket. On a berrybyte server, the values on the Game settings page are applied on every start and replace edits to the same settings in the file, so change them on that page.
Can you change Palworld server settings after the world is created?
Yes. On a self-hosted dedicated server, stop it, edit ExpRate, PalCaptureRate, DeathPenalty, or other keys in PalWorldSettings.ini, and start it again. The world doesn't need to be new. Back up the Saved folder first in case a bad edit stops the server from starting. On a berrybyte server, change them on the Game settings page and click Save & restart.
How many bases can you have on a Palworld server?
BaseCampMaxNumInGuild sets bases per guild. Pocketpair's guide gives a default of 4 and a maximum of 10. New berrybyte Palworld servers start at 3, and you can raise it on the Game settings page. BaseCampWorkerMaxNum sets Pals per base, up to 50.
How do I change the max players on a Palworld server?
On a self-hosted server, set ServerPlayerMaxNum in PalWorldSettings.ini or use the -players launch argument, for example -players=16. On berrybyte, your plan's player slots set the limit (plans run from 4 to 32 players), so upgrade the plan to add slots.