Running a Palworld dedicated server means opening the right ports. Get one wrong and players can’t connect, or your admin tools won’t work. This guide lists every port a Palworld server uses, what each is for, and how to check they’re open.
Palworld server ports
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8211 | UDP | Game port — how players connect. Required. |
| 25575 | TCP | RCON remote admin (if RCONEnabled=True) |
| 8212 | TCP | REST API (if RESTAPIEnabled=True) — the modern admin interface |
The game port (8211)
Palworld’s dedicated server listens on UDP 8211 by default. This is the port players use to join. If you self-host, forward 8211/UDP on your router to the server machine and allow it through the firewall. You can change it with the -port= launch argument, but most setups leave it at 8211.
Admin ports: RCON and REST API
Remote administration uses separate ports, enabled in PalWorldSettings.ini:
- RCON — set
RCONEnabled=TrueandRCONPort=25575. Note Pocketpair has deprecated RCON in favour of the REST API, so prefer the latter going forward. - REST API — set
RESTAPIEnabled=TrueandRESTAPIPort=8212. This is the recommended way to manage your server programmatically.
On managed hosting these are handled for you — see our Palworld ports reference and RCON setup guide.
Frequently asked questions
What port does a Palworld server use?
Palworld dedicated servers use UDP port 8211 for gameplay by default. That’s the only port players need. RCON uses TCP 25575 and the REST API uses TCP 8212 if you enable them for administration.
Why can’t players connect to my Palworld server?
The most common cause is port 8211/UDP not being forwarded or blocked by a firewall. Confirm the server is listening on 8211, forward it on your router, and allow it through the OS firewall. On managed hosting the port is opened automatically.
Do I need to open the RCON port?
Only if you use RCON for remote admin. If you don’t, leave RCONEnabled=False and you won’t need port 25575. Since RCON is deprecated, consider enabling the REST API (port 8212) instead.
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