How to Create a Hytale Server (2026 Early Access Guide)

Launch your Hytale server today! The complete 2026 setup guide.

Emile Vos
Hytale

The wait is finally over! Hytale has officially launched in Early Access, bringing the adventure mode and creative tools we’ve been waiting for since 2015. While exploring Orbis solo is fun, the real magic happens when you bring a party of friends along.

If you want to host your own world, manage custom permissions, or run a 24/7 community, you need a Dedicated Server.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up a Hytale server on your own machine. (Don’t want to deal with command lines and port forwarding? Click here to view Grassy Hosting’s instant Hytale plans and get online in 60 seconds).

Prerequisites: What You Need

Before you start, ensure your hardware is up to the task. Hytale is more demanding than Minecraft Bedrock or Java in certain areas, specifically regarding CPU speed and modern Java environments.

  • OS: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) or Linux (Ubuntu/Debian 64-bit).
  • Java: Java 25 is strictly required. Older versions (Java 8, 17, or 21) will not work.
  • RAM: 4GB Minimum (for <4 players), 8GB+ Recommended.
  • Network: You must be able to open UDP Port 5520.

Step 1: Install Java 25

Hytale runs on a very modern engine wrapper that requires Java 25.

  1. Download the OpenJDK 25 (we recommend the Eclipse Adoptium/Temurin builds).
  2. Install it and ensure you check the box to "Set JAVA_HOME" variable during installation.
  3. Verify it by opening your command prompt (CMD) or Terminal and typing: java -version If it doesn't say "version 25," the server will crash immediately.

Step 2: Get the Server Files

There are two ways to get the official server files:

Option A: Via the Hytale Launcher (Easiest for Beginners)

If you own the game, open the Hytale Launcher. Navigate to Settings -> Installation and look for the Server Files directory. You can copy the Server folder and Assets.zip from there to a new folder on your desktop.

Option B: Hytale Downloader CLI (Best for Linux/VPS)

For a true dedicated environment (like a Grassy Hosting VPS), use the official CLI tool:

  1. Download the hytale-downloader.zip from the official Hytale website.
  2. Run the following command to fetch the latest files: ./hytale-downloader -download-path server_files

Step 3: First Launch & Authentication (Critical Step)

This is where Hytale differs from older games. You cannot just run the server; you must authenticate it with your Hytale account.

  1. Create a startup script (start.bat for Windows or start.sh for Linux) with the following code: java -Xms4G -Xmx4G -jar HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
  2. Run the script. The server will start and then pause, asking for authentication.
  3. Look at the console. It will provide a URL and a Code.
  4. Go to that URL in your web browser, log in to your Hytale account, and enter the code.
  5. Once authorized, the console will say Authentication successful! and the server will finish loading.

Step 4: Network Configuration

Hytale uses a new networking protocol called QUIC (over UDP). It does not use TCP for gameplay.

  1. Port Forwarding: Log into your router and forward Port 5520 (UDP) to your computer's local IP.
  2. Firewall: Ensure Windows Firewall or ufw (Linux) allows traffic on UDP 5520. Note: If you are hosting with Grassy Hosting, this step is automated. Our panel handles all port forwarding for you.

Step 5: Configuring the Server

Once the server runs once, it generates several JSON files. The most important one is config.json. Open it with a text editor to change:

  • "display_name": The name shown in the server browser.
  • "max_players": Cap this based on your RAM (approx 1GB RAM per 2-3 players).
  • "view_distance": Default is usually high. Lower this to 12 or 16 if you experience lag.

Skip the Setup: Host with Grassy Hosting

Does the idea of editing JSON files, forwarding UDP ports, and installing Java 25 sound like a headache? At Grassy Hosting, we’ve built a custom Hytale panel that handles everything for you.

  • Instant Setup: Your server is online 60 seconds after payment.
  • One-Click Updates: Never worry about version matching.
  • DDoS Protection: We filter traffic so your community stays safe.
  • 24/7 Support: Our team knows Hytale inside and out.

Start your server here