How to Update a Hytale Server: /update, Auto Update and Rollback

Q: How do I check my Hytale server version?

Run /version or /update status in the console. Both show the current version, and /version also shows the patchline.

Q: How often does the Hytale server check for updates?

Every 3600 seconds, one hour, by default. Change CheckIntervalSeconds in the Update block of config.json.

To update a Hytale server, run /update check, /update download and then /update apply --confirm in the console. The server backs up its files, shuts down with exit code 8, and the start.sh or start.bat wrapper applies the new version and starts it again. You can also automate this in config.json, or download fresh files with the Hytale Downloader.

Why you have to update a Hytale server on patch day

Hytale checks that the client and server use the same protocol, and right now they must match exactly. Hypixel's Hytale Server Manual says that when an update releases, "servers must update immediately or players on the new version cannot connect." The launcher updates players automatically, so an outdated server locks everyone out the moment a patch goes live.

Hypixel plans to allow a difference of plus or minus 2 protocol versions in future, which would give hosts some breathing room. Until that ships, update on the day. The next big one is Hytale Chapter 1 on 12 October 2026.

Which update method should you use?

Method	Best for	Effort
`/update` commands	Any server already set up with the wrapper scripts	Three commands
Auto update in `config.json`	Servers you do not want to babysit	Set once
Hytale Downloader CLI	Fresh installs, Linux boxes, scripted setups	One command, then copy files
Copy from your game install	Quick tests on the PC you play on	Manual, easy to forget

How do I update a Hytale server with /update?

The built in updater needs a specific folder layout. The server must run from a Server/ folder, and the folder above it must hold Assets.zip and the launcher script:

game/
├── Assets.zip
├── start.sh   (or start.bat on Windows)
└── Server/
    ├── HytaleServer.jar
    ├── config.json
    └── ...

If you copied files by hand and have no start.sh or start.bat, run /update setup once. It writes the wrapper scripts to the parent folder without downloading anything. If the layout is not detected, the update checker is disabled.

Then update in three steps:

/update check to see whether a new version exists.
/update download to fetch it into updater/staging/.
/update apply --confirm to back up the current files and shut down with exit code 8.

The wrapper script sees exit code 8, copies in the new HytaleServer.jar, Assets.zip and scripts, and starts the server again. It only replaces those files, so your config, worlds and mods stay as they are.

Other useful commands:

Command	What it does
`/update status`	Shows the current version and update state
`/update cancel`	Deletes a staged update you no longer want
`/update download --force`	Downloads even if you are on the latest version, useful to repair files or get the wrapper scripts
`/update patchline <name>`	Shows or switches between `release` and `pre-release`

The full command list is in our Hytale server commands guide.

How do I make a Hytale server update automatically?

Stop the server, then open config.json and find the Update block. These are the defaults from Hypixel's manual:

"Update": {
  "Enabled": true,
  "CheckIntervalSeconds": 3600,
  "NotifyPlayersOnAvailable": true,
  "Patchline": null,
  "RunBackupBeforeUpdate": true,
  "BackupConfigBeforeUpdate": true,
  "AutoApplyMode": "Disabled",
  "AutoApplyDelayMinutes": 30
}

Key	Default	What it does
`Enabled`	`true`	Turns automatic update checks on
`CheckIntervalSeconds`	`3600`	How often to check, in seconds
`NotifyPlayersOnAvailable`	`true`	Tells players with permission that an update is waiting
`Patchline`	`null`	Overrides the update channel. Empty means the build's own, usually `release`
`RunBackupBeforeUpdate`	`true`	Takes a full backup first. Needs a backup folder set with `--backup-dir`
`BackupConfigBeforeUpdate`	`true`	Copies `config.json`, `permissions.json`, `bans.json` and `whitelist.json` first
`AutoApplyMode`	`Disabled`	`Disabled`, `WhenEmpty` or `Scheduled`
`AutoApplyDelayMinutes`	`30`	The wait before applying in `Scheduled` mode

For a friends server, WhenEmpty is the sensible choice: the update applies as soon as nobody is online. Set "AutoApplyMode": "WhenEmpty", save, and start the server. Config files are only read at startup, and the server overwrites manual edits made while it runs, so always edit while it is stopped.

To turn updates off completely, set the HYTALE_DISABLE_UPDATES environment variable.

How do I update with the Hytale Downloader?

The Hytale Downloader is Hypixel's command line tool, linked from the server manual, for Linux and Windows. It signs in with your Hytale account and downloads the latest server files and assets.

./hytale-downloader -download-path game.zip

Useful flags:

-patchline pre-release downloads from the pre-release channel.
-check-update checks whether the downloader itself has an update.
-skip-update-check skips that check.

Stop the server, extract the new HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip over the old ones, and start it again. Keep your config.json, universe and mods folders as they are.

Release or pre-release patchline?

Hytale has two update channels. release is the normal game. pre-release gets new versions first, like the Update 7 builds that carried early Chapter 1 content. Players must be on the same patchline as the server, so only switch a server to pre-release if your whole group has opted in too. Switch back with /update patchline release.

How do I roll back a bad Hytale update?

The wrapper scripts keep your previous files. If the server crashes within 30 seconds of starting after an update, start.sh prints a warning telling you that your previous files are in updater/backup/. To roll back:

Stop the server.
Delete Server/HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip, or the whole Server/ folder if you made a full backup of it.
Move the files from updater/backup/ back into place.
Start the server.

A rollback only helps while players are still on the old version too. Once their launcher updates, they cannot join an older server, so a rollback is a short term fix while a broken plugin gets updated.

Before every update: back up

Start the server with --backup --backup-dir backups --backup-frequency 30 (the wrapper scripts use these defaults), or run /backup by hand. Before a big update like Chapter 1, also copy universe, config.json, permissions.json, whitelist.json and bans.json somewhere off the server. Our general game server backup guide covers keeping copies off the machine.

Updating Hytale on GamezServers

Our Hytale servers are coming soon. They are set to check for a new server version on every start, so after a patch a restart is all it takes. You can choose the update channel, pin the previous version if an update breaks your plugins, and switch on automatic world backups in settings. Join the waitlist on our Hytale server hosting page and we will email you when you can deploy.

FAQ

How do I check my Hytale server version?

Run /version or /update status in the console. Both show the current version, and /version also shows the patchline.

Why does my Hytale server say there is no update when there is one?

The server may be on a different patchline, or the folder layout is wrong and the update checker is disabled. Run /update patchline and /update setup to check.

Does updating a Hytale server delete my world?

No. The update replaces the server jar, assets and launcher scripts and keeps config, saves and mods. Back up anyway, since a new version can change world data.

Can players join an outdated Hytale server?

Not at the moment. Client and server protocols must match exactly, so players on a newer version are rejected until the server updates.

How often does the Hytale server check for updates?

Every 3600 seconds, one hour, by default. Change CheckIntervalSeconds in the Update block of config.json.