“The match you are trying to join is running an incompatible version” is one of the most common Palworld errors. It almost always means a version mismatch between your game and the server. Here’s exactly why it happens and how to fix it.
What the error means
Palworld requires the client and server to run the exact same game version. When Pocketpair pushes an update, your Steam client may auto-update while the server is still on the old build (or vice-versa). The versions no longer match, so the server rejects the connection with the “incompatible version” message.
How to fix it
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Server is behind the client | Update the dedicated server to the latest build |
| Client is behind the server | Update your game in Steam (restart Steam to force it) |
| Client updated before server | Update the server, or temporarily roll the client back to the matching build |
| Corrupted files | Verify game file integrity in Steam |
Updating the server (self-hosted)
Re-run SteamCMD to pull the latest dedicated-server build, then restart:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2394010 validate +quitThe validate flag also repairs any corrupted files. See our full guide to updating a Palworld server.
The easy fix on managed hosting
On XGamingServer Palworld hosting, updating the server to match the latest client is a single click in the panel — so the “incompatible version” error is usually fixed in under a minute after a patch drops.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fix “incompatible version” in Palworld?
Get the client and server on the same version. Usually that means updating the dedicated server to the latest build (re-run SteamCMD with app_update 2394010 validate and restart). If the server is current, update your own game in Steam instead.
Why does Palworld say incompatible version after an update?
Because your Steam client auto-updated to the new patch but the server is still on the old build (or vice-versa). Palworld needs both on the identical version, so update whichever side is behind.
Can I roll back my Palworld client to match an old server?
Yes, but it’s usually easier to update the server to the latest version instead. Rolling the Steam client back to a specific build is fiddly; updating the server (one click on managed hosting) gets everyone on the current version cleanly.
Palworld server hosting from XGamingServer — one-click updates so you’re never stuck on the wrong version. 30% off with code XGAMEON.
