Hytale is an exciting block based adventure game where you can explore huge worlds, build anything you can imagine, and battle creatures along the way.
With its colorful, living world and endless possibilities, Hytale is all about having fun, whether that’s exploring, building, fighting, or doing all three at once. By creating your own Hytale server, you and your friends can play together in the same world anytime, work on shared builds, and enjoy a world that stays online even when the host is offline. This guide will show you what you need to host a Hytale dedicated server and walk you through the steps to get your server running on your PC.
Step 1: Install Java 25
Hytale servers run on Java 25, so you’ll need to install it first.
Download and install Java 25 from a trusted source. Make sure to choose the 64-bit version for your operating system (Windows or Linux).
Once installed, open Command Prompt (on Windows) or Terminal (on Linux) and run:
java --versionIf Java is installed correctly, you should see a version like openjdk 25.0.1.
If Java isn’t found or an older version appears, reinstall Java 25 or update your system’s Java path to point to the new version.
Step 2: Get the Server Files
The server needs its game files and assets. There are two ways to get them:
Option A: Copy from your Hytale game (recommended)
If you already have Hytale installed, this is the easiest method.
Locate your Hytale installation folder on your computer. Common locations include:
- Windows:
%appdata%\Hytale\install\release\package\game\latest - Linux:
$XDG_DATA_HOME/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest - macOS (if available):
~/Application Support/Hytale/install/release/package/game/latest
Inside the latest folder, you should see a Server folder and an Assets.zip file (you may also see a Client folder). Create a new empty folder where you want to host your server, then copy both the Server folder and Assets.zip into it (for example, C:\HytaleServer on Windows or ~/hytale-server on Linux).
Option B: Use the official Hytale downloader (advanced)
Hytale provides a command line tool called hytale downloader that can automatically download the latest server files and assets. This method is useful for keeping servers up to date, but it’s more advanced. Beginners are encouraged to use Option A.
Step 3: First Launch / Starting the Server
With the files ready, it’s time to launch your server.
Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux/macOS) inside your server folder, the one that contains HytaleServer.jar and Assets.zip.
Run the following command:
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zipThis starts the Hytale server and tells it where to find the game assets.
On the first run, the server will create important folders and files, such as config.json, logs/, and the universe/ folder for your world. After setup, the server will pause and ask you to authenticate, which you’ll do in the next step.
If everything is working, you’ll see messages like “Server started” or “Listening on port 5520” in the console. If the window closes immediately or shows errors, double check that the files are in the correct folder and try again.
Tip:
You can view all available options by running:
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --helpStep 4: Authenticate Your Server
Before anyone can join, your server needs to sign in to Hytale’s online system.
In the server console, type the following command and press Enter:
/auth login deviceThe server will display a website link and a short code, for example:
Visit: https://accounts.hytale.com/device
Enter code: ABCD-1234Open the link in your web browser, sign in to your Hytale account, and enter the code shown in the console. Make sure to do this promptly, as the code expires after a few minutes.
Once completed, return to the server console. You should see a message like “Authentication successful!”.
That’s it, your server is now logged in. This step only needs to be done once per game version. After authentication, your server can connect to Hytale’s services and allow players to join normally.
Step 5: Ports and Firewall
To let friends join your server over the internet, you need to open the correct network port. Hytale uses UDP port 5520 by default, using the QUIC protocol.
Port forwarding (router)
If your server is on a home network, sign in to your router’s admin page and find the port forwarding section. Forward UDP port 5520 to the local IP address of your server computer. You do not need to forward TCP, only UDP.
This step tells your router where to send incoming Hytale traffic.
Firewall rules (server PC)
Next, make sure your computer’s firewall allows the server to communicate on this port.
- Windows: Add a new inbound rule in Windows Defender Firewall for UDP port 5520
- Linux (ufw):
sudo ufw allow 5520/udp
The goal is to allow the server to send and receive data on port 5520.
Step 6: Run Your Server and Connect
Everything is set up, now it’s time to launch the server and join the game.
Start the server the same way as before:
java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zipIf you want to give the server more memory, you can use a command like this:
java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zipThis example allocates up to 4 GB of RAM. Setting -Xms and -Xmx helps keep memory usage stable, but if you’re unsure, the basic command works perfectly fine.
Once the server is running and authenticated, open the Hytale game client. Go to Multiplayer and select Direct Connect.
Use the correct address:
- Same computer:
localhost:5520 - Same network:
local-ip-address:5520(for example,192.168.1.100:5520) - Over the internet: your public IP or domain, with UDP port 5520 forwarded
Connect, and you should load straight into your server world where everyone can play together.
Your server will keep running until you stop it. To shut it down safely, type:
/stopin the server console.
Your Hytale server is now live and ready to play.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I host a Hytale server without setting it up manually?
Yes. If you don’t want to go through the manual setup process, you can host a Hytale server easily using a Hytale server hosting provider. These providers handle everything for you. You can deploy a server in just a few clicks and manage it through a control panel, making this option ideal for players who want an smooth experience.
Q: Do I need to own Hytale to run a Hytale server?
A: Yes. You must own a valid Hytale account to authenticate and run a server. During setup, the server signs in using your Hytale account via device authentication. Without authentication, the server cannot connect to Hytale’s online services or allow players to join.
Q: Can I run a Hytale server on the same PC I play on?
A: Yes, you can run the Hytale server and play on the same computer. For small servers or solo testing, this works well. However, you should have at least 16 GB of RAM to ensure smooth performance for both the game client and the server.
Q: How much RAM does a Hytale server need?
A: The required RAM depends on how many players and mods you use.
Q: Can I install mods or plugins on a Hytale server?
A: Yes. Hytale servers support mods and server side scripts, but compatibility depends on the game version and mod API stability. Mods are usually placed inside the server’s mod or universe directories. Always verify that a mod supports your server version before installing.
Q: Where is the Hytale server world saved?
A: Your world data is stored in the universe/ folder inside your server directory. Each universe contains world files, player data, and server state. Backing up this folder regularly is highly recommended to prevent data loss.
Q: Does the server stay online when I close the game?
A: Yes. A Hytale server runs independently from the game client. As long as the server process is running, the world stays online, even if you close the Hytale game or log out.
