# Install a Hytale Server 2026 – Dedicated Server, Ports, Panel

Install a Hytale dedicated server: panel or Linux, open ports, set RAM, test first join – step by step 2026.

**Quick answer:** Set up your server step by step – check requirements, install files, configure ports and start the service.

This guide walks you through setting up your own Hytale dedicated server. You'll learn what hardware you need, how to install Java 25, download server files, configure your server, and open the necessary firewall ports.

## Requirements

### Hardware

    - **CPU:** 2 cores at 3.5 GHz+ (4 cores recommended for more than 4 players)
- **RAM:** 4 GB minimum, 6 GB recommended for smooth gameplay
- **Storage:** 20 GB SSD minimum (NVMe preferred for faster chunk loading)
- **Network:** 2 Mbps minimum upload bandwidth

### Software

    - **Java 25** or higher (required, Adoptium recommended)
- **Operating System:** Windows 10/11 64-bit, macOS, or Linux 64-bit

## Step 1: Install Java 25

Hytale requires Java 25. Download the latest Temurin build from Adoptium and install it. Verify the installation with:

`java --version`
You should see output similar to `openjdk 25.0.1 2025-10-21 LTS`.

## Step 2: Download Server Files

Create a folder named `hytale-server` on your desktop or in an easily accessible location. There are two ways to get the files:

### Option A: Hytale Downloader CLI (Recommended)

    - Download the Hytale Downloader CLI from the official Hytale Server Manual
- Extract the zip file into your server folder
- Run `hytale-downloader-windows-amd64` (or the matching file for your OS)
- When the console opens, visit the authentication URL shown and log in with your Hytale account
- The downloader will automatically download a ~1.4 GB zip file
- From inside that zip, copy the following files into your server folder:
        
            - `HytaleServer.jar`
- `HytaleServer.aot`
- The `Licenses` folder
- The `Assets.zip` file (do not extract it)

    

### Option B: Manual Copy from Launcher

If you already have Hytale installed, browse to the installation folder, navigate to `release/package/game/latest`, and copy the same four items listed above into your server folder. This method is quicker for testing but requires manual updates when new versions release.

## Step 3: Create a Startup Script

On Windows, create a new text file named `run.bat` in your server folder. Paste the following into it:

`java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip`
Explanation of the flags:

    - **-XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot:** Uses the AOT cache for faster startup on Java 25
- **-Xms4G -Xmx4G:** Sets initial and maximum RAM to the same value, preventing garbage collection lag
- **--assets Assets.zip:** Points to the game assets file

On Linux, create a `run.sh` file with the same command and make it executable with `chmod +x run.sh`.

## Step 4: First Start and Authentication

    - Run your startup script (double-click `run.bat` on Windows or `./run.sh` on Linux)
- The console will display an authentication URL and code:
        `Please visit the following URL to authenticate:
https://oauth.accounts.hytale.com/oauth2/device/verify?user_code=XXXXXXXX`
    
- Open the URL in your browser, log into your Hytale account, and authorize the server
- The server will generate `config.json` and world files in your folder once authenticated

## Step 5: Configure Your Server

Stop the server (type `stop` in the console), then open `config.json` with a text editor. The key settings to change:

    - **Server name:** What players see in the server browser
- **Password:** Leave empty for a public server, set a password for private
- **Max players:** Set according to your RAM (e.g., 50 for 4 GB, 100 for 8 GB)
- **Game mode:** `Adventure` or `Creative`
- **Max view radius:** Lower values (8-12) reduce RAM usage

**Important:** Always stop the server before editing config.json. Changes made while the server is running may be overwritten.

## Step 6: Open Firewall Ports

Hytale uses **UDP port 5520** with the QUIC protocol (not TCP). You must allow this through your firewall and forward it in your router.

### Windows Firewall (PowerShell as Administrator)

`New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Hytale Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol UDP -LocalPort 5520 -Action Allow`

### Linux (UFW)

`sudo ufw allow 5520/udp`

### Linux (iptables)

`sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPT`

After opening the firewall, forward UDP port 5520 in your router to your server's local IP address. Without this step, players outside your network cannot connect.

## Step 7: Connect to Your Server

    - Launch Hytale
- Go to **Servers** and click **Add Server**
- If you're on the same machine, enter `localhost` as the address
- For other players, share your public IP address and make sure the port is forwarded
- To make yourself admin, type this in the server console:
        `/op add YOUR_USERNAME`
    

## Hardware Recommendations by Player Count

    
        Players
        CPU
        RAM
    

    
        Up to 4
        2 cores at 3.5 GHz+
        4–6 GB
    

    
        5–8
        4 cores at 3.5 GHz+
        6–8 GB
    

    
        8–16
        4–6 cores at 3.5 GHz+
        10–16 GB
    

    
        16+
        8 cores at 3.5 GHz+
        16 GB+
    

For a heavily modded server, choose one tier higher than your player count suggests.

## Quick Checklist

    - Java 25 installed and verified
- Server files downloaded: HytaleServer.jar, Assets.zip, HytaleServer.aot, Licenses
- Startup script created with RAM allocation and AOT cache
- OAuth authentication completed in browser
- config.json edited (server stopped first)
- UDP port 5520 open in firewall and forwarded in router
- Server started and players connected