Palworld multiplayer can fail on official servers or on a dedicated server run by a player. Those two situations need different troubleshooting: official outages must be waited out, while dedicated server issues usually come down to host settings.
These steps apply to Palworld on PC through Steam, Xbox app or PC Game Pass, Xbox consoles, official servers, and self-hosted dedicated servers.
Does this affect you?
Use this if Palworld will not connect, gets stuck at a connecting screen, shows server trouble, or friends cannot join your dedicated server.
Check for an outage before troubleshooting your own connection
Start by ruling out maintenance or a server-side issue.
- Check Pocketpair’s official channels and the Palworld Steam Community hub for maintenance or outage posts.
- Try a different official server from the list.
- Fully close Palworld and relaunch it instead of only retrying the connection.
- If you play through Xbox or PC Game Pass, check Xbox network status as well.
- If every online game is failing, restart your router and test your internet connection.
If Pocketpair has confirmed maintenance, there is no local repair to perform. Wait until the service is restored and try again.
Fix a dedicated server friends can’t connect to
Use these checks when you or someone in your group hosts a Palworld dedicated server.
- Confirm the server process is still running on the host machine.
- Check the server console or logs for crashes and startup errors.
- Forward the required Palworld game and query ports on the host router to the host computer’s local IP address.
- Check Pocketpair’s current dedicated server guide for the latest port numbers because requirements can change with updates.
- Allow inbound traffic for the same ports in Windows Firewall or any third-party firewall.
- Make sure every player and the server are on the same Palworld version.
- If players are on the same home network as the host, test with the host’s local IP address.
- Restart the dedicated server after changing ports, firewall rules, or configuration files.
If local network players can connect but outside players cannot, the problem is almost always router port forwarding or firewall access.
Version and platform checks
Palworld updates frequently, and a client/server version mismatch can block joining even when the internet connection is healthy. Restart Steam, the Xbox app, or the console so updates are detected.
Official servers can fill, restart, or go offline individually. If one favorite server fails but another works, keep troubleshooting limited to that server instead of reinstalling the game.
Sources
- Pocketpair – Palworld Official Support and Patch Notes (2025)
- Palworld Official Server Status – Steam Community (2025)
- Pocketpair – Dedicated Server Setup Guide (2025)