Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions for Palworld server management.
Server Won't Start
Check Server Status
- Go to control panel overview
- Check current server state
- Review recent logs
Common Causes
Insufficient Resources
- Symptom: Server starts but crashes immediately
- Solution: Upgrade RAM or reduce max players
Port Conflicts
- Symptom: Error about ports already in use
- Solution: Check if another service is using ports 8211, 27015, 25575, or 8212
Corrupted Configuration
- Symptom: Server fails to start with config errors
- Solution: Reset to default configuration in Settings tab
Disk Space Full
- Symptom: Cannot write files, crashes on start
- Solution: Delete old backups or upgrade storage
Solution Steps
- Check Logs: View server logs in control panel
- Verify Resources: Ensure adequate RAM/CPU available
- Reset Config: Try "Reset to Defaults" in Settings
- Restart Server: Stop completely, wait 30s, start again
- Contact Support: If issue persists, open a ticket
Players Cannot Connect
Verify Server is Running
Check: Server status shows "Active" in control panel
If not running:
- Start the server
- Wait for startup to complete (1-2 minutes)
- Verify status changes to "Active"
Check Server Address
Players need the correct connection information:
Required:
- Server IP address (shown in control panel)
- Port: 8211 (default)
Format: 123.45.67.89:8211
Password Issues
Server Password Enabled?
- Check Settings → Server Password field
- If set, players must enter this password to join
- Share password securely with players
Wrong Password:
- Players must enter exact password (case-sensitive)
- Verify password is communicated correctly
Firewall or Network Issues
Server-side:
- Firewall rules are managed automatically
- Ports should be open by default
- If issues persist, contact support
Player-side:
- Player's firewall may block connection
- Router port forwarding not needed for players
- Try different network (mobile hotspot test)
Server Full
- Check current player count vs. max players
- Increase max players in Settings if needed
- Ask players to wait for slot to open
Performance Issues
Server Lag or Low FPS
High Player Count
- Reduce max players
- Upgrade to higher RAM plan
- Optimize gameplay settings
Too Many Active Bases
- Reduce max bases per player
- Reduce max workers per base
- Ask players to consolidate builds
Resource-Intensive Settings
- Lower Pal spawn rate
- Reduce collection object count
- Disable or reduce invasions
Memory Issues
Symptoms:
- Server crashes after running for hours
- Gradual performance degradation
- Out of memory errors
Solutions:
- Enable automatic reboots (every 12-24 hours)
- Upgrade RAM plan
- Reduce max players
- Monitor memory usage in control panel
Disk Space Issues
Check disk usage:
- Go to control panel
- Check storage meter
- Review backup retention
Solutions:
- Reduce backup retention period
- Enable "Delete Old Backups"
- Reduce backup frequency
- Upgrade storage plan
- Download and delete old backups
Configuration Problems
Settings Not Applying
After Save:
- Changes saved but not applied to running server
- Server must restart to apply settings
Solution:
- Use "Save & Apply Now" button
- Confirm restart in popup
- Wait for server to restart (1-2 minutes)
Alternative:
- Save configuration
- Manually stop server
- Wait 30 seconds
- Start server again
Lost Custom Configuration
Symptom: Manual ini file changes overwritten
Cause: Auto-generate settings is enabled
Solution:
- Disable "Disable Auto-Generate PalWorldSettings.ini" in Settings
- Manually edit config files via file manager
- Restart server
Warning: Control panel changes won't apply when auto-generate is disabled.
Cannot Find Setting
Some advanced settings are not available in the control panel.
For advanced settings:
- Disable auto-generate for the relevant ini file
- Access files via control panel file manager
- Edit
PalWorldSettings.iniorEngine.inimanually - Restart server
Configuration files:
/palworld/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini/palworld/Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Engine.ini
Backup & Recovery
Backup Failed
Check:
- Disk space available
- Backup schedule is correctly formatted
- Server has write permissions
Solutions:
- Free up disk space
- Verify cron syntax
- Check server logs for errors
- Contact support if persists
Restore from Backup
Warning: This will overwrite current world data!
Steps:
- Stop the server
- Access file manager in control panel
- Navigate to backup directory
- Download current save as extra backup
- Copy backup files to save directory
- Start server
Manual restore:
- Download backup via SFTP
- Extract backup files
- Upload to
/palworld/Pal/Saved/SaveGames/ - Restart server
World Corruption
Symptoms:
- Server crashes on startup
- Players cannot load their characters
- Error messages about corrupted save data
Solutions:
- Stop server immediately
- Restore from most recent backup:
- Find latest working backup
- Restore backup files
- Restart server
- If no backup available:
- Contact support immediately
- Do not restart server multiple times
- Provide error logs
Update Issues
Update Failed
Symptoms:
- Auto-update runs but server still shows old version
- Update errors in logs
Solutions:
- Manually stop server
- Wait 2 minutes
- Start server (will check for updates)
- Check version in logs
If still failing:
- Disable auto-update temporarily
- Contact support for manual update
- Provide error logs from update attempt
Server Broke After Update
Symptom: Server worked fine, broke after Palworld update
Immediate action:
- Check Palworld official channels for known issues
- Review update changelog
- Check compatibility notes
Solutions:
- Restore previous version (if available)
- Contact support for version rollback
- Restore from backup before update
- Use backup from before update
- May lose recent progress
- Wait for hotfix
- Palworld developers often release quick fixes
- Enable auto-update for automatic patching
RCON / Remote Access
Cannot Connect via RCON
Verify:
- RCON is enabled in settings
- Using correct port (25575)
- Using correct admin password
- Server is running
Test connection:
mcrcon -H 123.45.67.89 -P 25575 -p YourAdminPassword "Info"
Common issues:
- Wrong admin password (check Settings)
- Firewall blocking RCON port
- RCON not enabled
REST API Not Working
Check:
- REST API enabled in settings
- Correct port (8212)
- Server is running and active
Test API:
curl http://123.45.67.89:8212/v1/api/info
Troubleshooting:
- Verify API is enabled in Settings
- Check API port configuration
- Review firewall rules
- Consult Palworld API documentation
Discord Integration
Webhook Not Posting
Verify:
- Webhook URL is complete and correct
- Webhook still exists in Discord
- Channel still exists
- Bot has permissions
Test webhook:
- Copy webhook URL from Discord
- Paste into control panel exactly
- Enable at least one notification type
- Trigger event (restart server)
- Check Discord channel
Common mistakes:
- Incomplete webhook URL
- Deleted webhook in Discord
- Wrong channel permissions
- Typo in URL
Too Many Notifications
Solutions:
- Disable player join/leave notifications
- Enable "Suppress @everyone Pings"
- Increase player logging poll period
- Use separate muted channel
Player & Gameplay Issues
Player Lost Items/Progress
Common causes:
- Server crash before auto-save
- Rollback after restore
- Corruption
Solutions:
- Check if recent backup available
- Restore from backup (may help if recent)
- Inform player about auto-save interval
- Reduce auto-save interval to 15 minutes
Prevention:
- Frequent auto-saves (15-30 min)
- Regular backups
- Graceful shutdowns (no force kills)
Pals Disappeared
Possible causes:
- Despawn due to settings
- Death while player offline
- World corruption
Check settings:
- Pal hunger rate (starved?)
- Death penalty settings
- Base worker limits
Base Disappeared/Damaged
Causes:
- Decay enabled and active
- Raid/invasion damage
- Corruption
Solutions:
- Check building deterioration rate (set to 0 to disable)
- Restore from backup if necessary
- Adjust invasion settings
Emergency Procedures
Server Completely Broken
If nothing works:
- Stop server
- Create emergency backup
- Download all save files
- Download configuration files
- Reset to defaults
- Use "Reset to Defaults" in Settings
- Restore backups
- Start with configuration backup
- Restore world save backup
- Contact support
- Provide all error logs
- Describe steps taken
- Include backup information
Urgent Recovery
For critical issues during peak hours:
- Contact support immediately via priority ticket
- Document the issue:
- What happened
- When it started
- What changed recently
- Error messages
- Preserve logs:
- Don't restart server multiple times
- Download current logs
- Communicate with players:
- Post in Discord about downtime
- Provide estimated resolution time
- Keep community updated
Getting Help
Before Contacting Support
Gather information:
- Server ID/name
- Description of issue
- Steps to reproduce
- Error messages or logs
- Recent changes made
- Screenshots if applicable
Support Channels
Ticket System (Recommended)
- Open ticket in control panel
- Fastest response time
- Direct access to server details
Discord Community
- Community support
- Quick tips and tricks
- Known issue discussions
Documentation
- Check all relevant guides
- Search for similar issues
- Review changelogs
Log Files
Most useful logs:
- Server logs (in control panel)
- Error logs (if available)
- Update logs
- Backup logs
How to provide logs:
- Copy relevant log sections
- Use pastebin for long logs
- Include timestamps
- Note any errors or warnings
Preventive Maintenance
Weekly Checklist
- [ ] Check disk space usage
- [ ] Verify backups are running
- [ ] Review server performance metrics
- [ ] Check for pending updates
- [ ] Test backup restoration (monthly)
Monthly Checklist
- [ ] Review and clean old backups
- [ ] Update player documentation
- [ ] Check community feedback
- [ ] Test emergency procedures
- [ ] Review configuration settings
Best Practices
Do:
- Keep regular backups
- Test restores periodically
- Monitor resource usage
- Schedule maintenance windows
- Communicate with players
- Keep documentation updated
Don't:
- Make configuration changes during peak hours
- Delete all backups to save space
- Ignore warning signs (high memory, etc.)
- Force kill server processes
- Skip testing after major changes
Next Steps
- Overview - Back to getting started
- Configuration - Server settings reference
- Management - Automation and maintenance