How to Make a Hytale Server: Requirements, Port and How to Join

What a Hytale server needs

According to the official manual, the server runs on any machine with at least 4 GB of memory and Java 25, on x64 or arm64. RAM depends mostly on how much world is loaded (view distance and players each exploring their own way) and CPU on how many players and creatures there are at once: the Hytale RAM guide goes into detail.

It uses the QUIC protocol, which runs over UDP, not TCP: the default port is UDP 5520. If you host it at home, you have to open and forward that port as UDP on your router; TCP isn't needed.

And it needs a Hytale account that owns the game: the server is linked to it the first time (with a link and a code) so it can download the game and accept players.

On your PC

1. Install Java 25

   The manual recommends Adoptium (Temurin). Check the version with “java --version”.

2. Get the server files

   Copy the Server folder and Assets.zip from your game install to a separate folder (since Update 7, the server won't start inside the launcher's folder), or use the official download tool (Hytale Downloader), which keeps them up to date.

3. Start it

   From the server folder: “java -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip”. Use “--bind” to change the port.

4. Link it to your account

   In the server console, “/auth login device”: it gives you a link and a code. Open it, sign in with your Hytale account and confirm. So it doesn't ask again when you restart, “/auth persistence Encrypted” (all about linking it).

5. Open the port

   UDP 5520 in the firewall and on the router, if your friends join from outside your home. If they still can't reach it, see if the server is at home.

With NapNodes

1. Choose the plan

   Village (4 GB) for a small group; Kingdom (6 GB) if there are more of you exploring at once. Or start with the free server, no card needed.

2. Start it and link it

   The first time, the panel shows you a card with the link and the code. You sign in with your Hytale account, confirm, and the server downloads the game (about 3 GB) and starts on its own.

3. Join

   Add the server in the game with the address and port the panel shows, and send them to your friends.

Updates

Hytale is in early access and updates often. The server and the game have to be on the same version: if players update and the server doesn't, they can't join. The server has its own updater; on NapNodes it's set to download each new version and apply it as soon as nobody's connected. How it works and what changed in each version, in the Hytale updates guide.

Frequently asked questions