How to Make a Hytale Server (2026 Guide)

Hytale has an official dedicated server from Hypixel Studios, and anyone with a copy of the game can run one. It is a Java program, so it works on Windows, Linux and macOS, and it is the same server that big community networks use. This guide covers every step from installing Java to your friends joining, and what to do when Chapter 1 lands on 12 October 2026. At the end there is a quicker option if you would rather skip the setup.

Tip: Would rather not run it yourself? We are preparing Hytale servers that skip Java, auth and port forwarding. Join the waitlist on our Hytale server hosting page to be first when they open, and see the Hytale quick start guide for what hosting will look like.

What you need

A PC or server that stays on while people play.
Java 25. Hypixel recommends the Adoptium build of OpenJDK, also called Eclipse Temurin.
At least 4 GB of RAM for the server. A handful of friends fits in 4 GB, while 10 or more players, plugins or a longer view distance want 8 GB or more.
A reasonably fast CPU. Two cores is the floor, four or more is better for groups.
A Hytale account, used once to authorise the server.
Access to your router settings, so friends outside your home can connect.

The full reference is Hypixel's Hytale Server Manual, which is worth keeping open alongside this guide.

Step 1: Install Java 25

Download Java 25 from Adoptium and install it. On Windows, tick the option to add Java to your PATH. Then open a terminal and check:

java -version

The output should mention version 25. If it shows an older version, you have more than one Java installed and your PATH points at the wrong one. Older Java versions will not run the server.

Step 2: Get the server files

You need two things: the Server folder, which contains HytaleServer.jar, and the Assets.zip file. There are two ways to get them.

From your game install. The Hytale launcher already downloaded both. Look in:

Windows: %appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest
Linux: $XDG_DATA_HOME/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest
macOS: ~/Application Support/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest

Copy the Server folder and Assets.zip into a new folder, for example hytale-server. This is the quickest way to test on the same PC you play on.

With the Hytale Downloader. For a separate machine, and especially a Linux box, Hypixel provides a command line downloader, linked from the server manual. It signs in with your Hytale account in the browser, downloads the latest server files and can be run again to update them. This is the better choice for a server you plan to keep, since the server version must match the players' game version.

Step 3: Start the server

Open a terminal in the Server folder and run:

java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets ../Assets.zip

--assets points to wherever you put Assets.zip. -Xms and -Xmx set the memory, raise both to 8G for a bigger server, and never give it all of your machine's RAM. The server ships with an ahead of time cache file, and adding -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot before -jar uses it to start faster.

The first launch creates the server's files, including config.json for the main settings, permissions.json, whitelist.json, bans.json and a mods folder.

Step 4: Authorise the server

Hytale servers have to be linked to a Hytale account before players can join in the normal authenticated mode. In the server console, type:

/auth login device

The server prints a URL and a short code. Open the URL in a browser, sign in with your Hytale account and enter the code. The console confirms when it is done.

So you do not have to repeat this after every restart, save the login in encrypted form:

/auth persistence Encrypted

The server now stores its credentials in an encrypted file in its folder and reuses them on the next start. Keep that folder private and do not share it with anyone.

Step 5: Configure the server

Stop the server before editing files, then open config.json in a text editor. This is where you set the server name, the player limit, the default world and the view distance. View distance is the biggest lever on memory: Hypixel's advice is to cap it at around 12 chunks, which is 384 blocks, unless you have plenty of RAM to spare.

The other files manage people:

whitelist.json: turn it on and list players to make the server invite only.
permissions.json: who gets operator and admin commands.
bans.json: banned players, managed by the in game ban commands.

Step 6: Open UDP port 5520

This is where most setups go wrong. Hytale does not use TCP like most block games. It uses QUIC over UDP, on port 5520 by default.

Allow UDP 5520 through the firewall on the server machine. On Ubuntu: sudo ufw allow 5520/udp. On Windows, allow Java through Windows Defender Firewall when asked, or add an inbound UDP rule.
Forward UDP 5520 on your router to the server's local IP address. A TCP rule alone will not work.

To use a different port, add --bind 0.0.0.0:5521 (or any port you like) to the launch command and forward that UDP port instead. Our port forwarding guide walks through the router side, and Hytale server can't connect covers CGNAT and the other reasons joins time out. If your internet provider puts you behind CGNAT, forwarding cannot work at all, and a hosted server with its own address is the simplest way around it. Our Hytale servers are coming soon, with nothing to forward.

Step 7: Add mods and plugins

Hytale was built around server side modding. Plugins are Java .jar files and content packs are .zip files, and both go in the server's mods folder. Restart the server to load them.

Players do not install anything themselves. When they join, the server sends them the content they need. CurseForge is the main home for Hytale mods, so check that each mod supports the server version you run, especially after a big update.

How friends connect

Send your friends your public IP address, which you can find by searching "what is my IP". Then they:

Open Hytale and click Servers on the main menu.
Click Add Server and paste your address with the port, for example 203.0.113.10:5520.
Save it and double click the server to join.

There is also a Direct Connect option on the same screen for a one off join.

Getting ready for Chapter 1

Chapter 1 arrives in Hytale's early access on 12 October 2026, with a goblin dungeon, the Gobliterator boss, rune abilities and new gadgets. Players' games update automatically, so your server needs the new files the same day or nobody can join. Back up your world first, then update the server files with the downloader or copy the new Server folder and Assets.zip from your updated game install. Check that your plugins have Chapter 1 updates before you put them back.

Common problems

Friends time out: you forwarded TCP instead of UDP, or the firewall is blocking UDP 5520.
Players are rejected with an auth error: the server is not authorised. Run /auth login device again. See Hytale server authentication error.
Needs a new login after every restart: run /auth persistence Encrypted once after logging in.
Server will not start: the wrong Java version is running, or --assets points to the wrong path.
Version mismatch: the server is older than the players' game. Update the server files.
Memory keeps climbing: lower the view distance in config.json or raise -Xmx. See Hytale server requirements.

The easy way

Running the server yourself means keeping a machine on, getting Java 25, handling the auth flow, updating on patch day and forwarding a UDP port that trips up many routers. We are preparing Hytale servers that take care of that: pick a plan, and your server is live in about a minute with its own address to paste into the Servers menu, a live console, one click backups and the option to split the bill with friends. They are not open yet, so join the waitlist on our Hytale server hosting page and we will email you as soon as you can deploy. The Hytale quick start guide shows the planned plans and prices.