How to Create Your Hytale Server
This guide explains how to install and configure a dedicated Hytale server on your VPS or dedicated Linux server.
Order a Serverโ
To host your Hytale server, HostMyServers offers several gaming-optimized options:
- Performance VPS - Ideal for small servers
- NVMe VPS - Excellent value for money
- Eco Dedicated Servers - For servers with many players
- Performance Dedicated Servers - Maximum performance
Prerequisitesโ
- SSH access as root or user with sudo privileges
- 64-bit Linux system (Ubuntu/Debian recommended)
- x64 or ARM64 processor
- Minimum 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)
- About 10 GB free disk space (SSD recommended)
- Port 5520 UDP accessible
- A valid Hytale account
Required Configurationโ
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 4 GB | 8-16 GB |
| CPU | 2 cores | 4 cores |
| Storage | 10 GB SSD | 20 GB SSD |
| Network | 100 Mbps | 1 Gbps |
Network Protocol
Hytale uses the QUIC over UDP protocol (not TCP like Minecraft). The default port is 5520 UDP.
System Updateโ
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Installing Java 25โ
Hytale requires Java 25 minimum. Earlier versions will not work.
Install Adoptium Temurin 25โ
# Add Adoptium repository
sudo apt install -y wget apt-transport-https gpg
wget -qO - https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/api/gpg/key/public | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/adoptium.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/adoptium.gpg] https://packages.adoptium.net/artifactory/deb $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/adoptium.list
# Install Java 25
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y temurin-25-jdk
Verify Installationโ
java --version
Creating a Dedicated Userโ
For security reasons, create a dedicated user:
sudo adduser --disabled-password --gecos "" hytale
Firewall Configurationโ
Open UDP port 5520:
With UFWโ
sudo ufw allow 5520/udp
sudo ufw reload
With iptablesโ
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport 5520 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables-save | sudo tee /etc/iptables/rules.v4
Downloading Hytale Serverโ
Recommended Method: Hytale Downloader CLIโ
Connect as hytale user:
sudo -u hytale bash
cd ~
Create directory and download tool:
mkdir -p ~/hytale-server
cd ~/hytale-server
wget https://downloader.hytale.com/hytale-downloader.zip
unzip hytale-downloader.zip
chmod +x hytale-downloader-linux-amd64
Download Server Filesโ
./hytale-downloader-linux-amd64
The terminal will ask you to go to oauth.accounts.hytale.com to authorize the download. Follow the displayed instructions.
Once validated, you'll get an archive (e.g., 2026.01.13-xxxx.zip).
Extract Filesโ
unzip 2026.01.*.zip
You'll have a Server/ folder and an Assets.zip file.
First Launch and Authenticationโ
Launch the Serverโ
cd ~/hytale-server
java -jar Server/HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
Authenticate the Serverโ
On first launch, the server displays "No Server Token Configured". You must link it to your Hytale account.
-
In the server console, type:
/auth login device -
The console displays a code (e.g.,
ABCD-1234) and a URL -
Enter the displayed code
-
Once validated, the console will display:
Authentication successful! Mode: OAUTH_DEVICE
Note
Each Hytale account can create up to 100 servers maximum.
Server Configurationโ
config.json Fileโ
After first launch, edit the configuration file:
nano ~/hytale-server/config.json
Main Parametersโ
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
ServerName | Text | Public server name |
MOTD | Text | Welcome message |
Password | Text | Password (empty = public) |
MaxPlayers | Integer | Max number of players |
MaxViewRadius | Integer | View distance in chunks (12-16 recommended) |
LocalCompressionEnabled | Boolean | Data compression (recommended: true) |
Defaults > World | Text | Default world name |
Defaults > GameMode | Text | Game mode (Adventure or Creative) |
Launch Optimizationโ
Memory Allocationโ
java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar Server/HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
| Server Size | Recommended RAM |
|---|---|
| Small (1-10 players) | 4 GB |
| Medium (10-20 players) | 6-8 GB |
| Large (20+ players) | 10-16 GB |
AOT Cache (Ahead-Of-Time)โ
To improve startup times:
java -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -Xms4G -Xmx8G -jar Server/HytaleServer.jar --assets Assets.zip
Configuration as systemd Serviceโ
Create Service Fileโ
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/hytale.service
File content:
[Unit]
Description=Hytale Dedicated Server
After=network.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=hytale
Group=hytale
WorkingDirectory=/home/hytale/hytale-server
ExecStart=/usr/bin/java -Xms4G -Xmx8G -XX:AOTCache=HytaleServer.aot -jar /home/hytale/hytale-server/Server/HytaleServer.jar --assets /home/hytale/hytale-server/Assets.zip
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=20
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Enable and Start Serviceโ
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable hytale.service
sudo systemctl start hytale.service
Management Commandsโ
# Check status
sudo systemctl status hytale.service
# Stop server
sudo systemctl stop hytale.service
# Restart server
sudo systemctl restart hytale.service
# View logs
sudo journalctl -u hytale.service -f
Console Commandsโ
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/auth login device | Authenticate server |
/stop | Stop server |
/save | Save world |
/kick <player> | Kick a player |
/ban <player> | Ban a player |
/unban <player> | Unban a player |
/whitelist add <player> | Add to whitelist |
/whitelist remove <player> | Remove from whitelist |
/op <player> | Give admin rights |
/deop <player> | Remove admin rights |
Automatic Backupโ
Backup Scriptโ
sudo nano /home/hytale/backup.sh
#!/bin/bash
BACKUP_DIR="/home/hytale/backups"
SERVER_DIR="/home/hytale/hytale-server"
DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S)
mkdir -p $BACKUP_DIR
# Backup universe and config
tar -czf $BACKUP_DIR/hytale_$DATE.tar.gz -C $SERVER_DIR universe config.json bans.json whitelist.json permissions.json
# Delete backups older than 7 days
find $BACKUP_DIR -name "hytale_*.tar.gz" -mtime +7 -delete
echo "Backup completed: hytale_$DATE.tar.gz"
sudo chown hytale:hytale /home/hytale/backup.sh
sudo chmod +x /home/hytale/backup.sh
Schedule Backupโ
sudo crontab -u hytale -e
Add:
# Backup every 6 hours
0 */6 * * * /home/hytale/backup.sh
Connecting to Serverโ
Players can connect via:
- Launch Hytale
- Go to "Multiplayer"
- Enter address:
SERVER_IP:5520 - If a password is configured, enter it
Troubleshootingโ
Server won't startโ
- Check Java version:
java --version(must be 25+) - Check logs:
sudo journalctl -u hytale.service -n 100 - Verify Assets.zip and Server/ files are present
Authentication errorโ
- Re-run
/auth login devicein console - Verify your Hytale account is valid
- Check server internet connection
Players can't connectโ
- Verify port 5520 UDP is open:
sudo ufw status - Verify server is listening:
ss -ulnp | grep 5520 - Test with
nc -zvu SERVER_IP 5520
Performance issuesโ
- Increase allocated RAM (
-Xmx) - Reduce
MaxViewRadiusin config.json - Enable
LocalCompressionEnabled - Schedule regular restarts