Palworld: Change Server Type

Q: Why is the Windows server type often needed for Palworld?

It’s often required for certain UE4SS-based mod setups.

Learn how to switch your Palworld game server between Linux and Windows, update the correct config path, and apply the change properly so mods work. -> Learn more now

10 November 20265 min read0 Views0 helpful

Introduction

Palworld game servers can run with different server types, usually Linux or Windows, depending on your hosting setup and modding needs. This guide shows you how to change the server type in your ZapX customer account, find the correct configuration path, and apply the change correctly.

Preparation

Before you start, make sure you have access to your Palworld game server in the ZapX customer account and permission to stop and restart the server.

Info

Important info about changing server types Changing the server type from Linux to Windows or vice versa can affect file paths, mod compatibility, and existing configuration locations. The Windows server type is often required for certain UE4SS-based mod setups.

Warning

Check if a reinstall is necessary Depending on your Palworld deployment, changing the server type may require reinstalling or redeploying the software. If the option is not directly available in your interface, please contact support before proceeding.

Understanding what changes when switching server types

Changing the server type usually does not mean you change a value inside the Palworld gameplay configuration itself. Mainly, the underlying server software environment changes, which also affects the location of the active configuration files.

For Palworld, the main configuration file is typically:

PalWorldSettings.ini

The folder containing this file depends on the chosen server type.

Server Type	Config Folder Path	Main Config File
Linux	`Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/`	`PalWorldSettings.ini`
Windows	`Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/`	`PalWorldSettings.ini`

Info

Why this matters If you edit the Linux config file but your server is currently running as a Windows server, your changes might not apply because the server reads the Windows-specific path.

Stop the server

Before changing the server type, stop the server to avoid file conflicts and incomplete changes.

Log in to ZAP-Hosting.
Open the management page for your Palworld game server.
Stop the server using the server control.

Tip

Backup recommended before changes It’s advisable to create a backup before changing the server type, especially if you already use mods or have manually edited configuration files.

Change server type in ZapX customer account

Changing the server type is usually done via the product or software settings in the ZapX customer account, not by editing a line in PalWorldSettings.ini.

In the Palworld server management, go to the section for server software or game settings.
Find the option controlling the installed server type or software variant.
Change the setting from Linux to Windows or vice versa, depending on your desired setup.
Save the change.

Info

Server type option not found? The exact name and location of this setting may vary depending on your ZapX account or product generation. If no server type selection field is visible, the change may require a reinstall or support assistance.

Edit the correct configuration file

After changing the server type, make sure you edit the active configuration file in the correct folder.

Open the configuration tab

In the ZAP-Hosting game server interface:

Open your Palworld server.
Open the Configuration tab (raw text view).
Navigate to the folder matching your chosen server type.

Use one of the following paths:

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/

Then open:

PalWorldSettings.ini

Check or reapply settings

If you previously edited settings for the other server type, those changes might only exist in the old folder. Compare both versions of PalWorldSettings.ini and transfer necessary values into the now active file.

What to check	Why it matters
Existing custom settings	These might only be in the previous server type folder
Mod-related settings	Windows server type is often used for UE4SS mod support
Gameplay values	The server reads only the file from the active OS-specific path

Warning

Don’t assume both files are synchronized The Linux and Windows config folders are separate. Changing the server type does not automatically copy your custom settings between them.

Check configuration entries

The server type is usually not controlled by a line in PalWorldSettings.ini. After switching, ensure your active config file contains the expected settings.

A typical PalWorldSettings.ini looks like this:

ini

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings]
OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=1.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PalDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PalDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,PalStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000,CollectionDropRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectHpRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.000000,EnemyDropItemRate=1.000000,DeathPenalty=All,EnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False,EnableFriendlyFire=False,EnableInvaderEnemy=True,ActiveUNKO=False,EnableAimAssistPad=True,EnableAimAssistKeyboard=False,DropItemMaxNum=3000,DropItemMaxNum_UNKO=100,BaseCampMaxNum=128,BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,DropItemAliveMaxHours=1.000000,AutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=False,AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.000000,GuildPlayerMaxNum=20,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=72.000000,WorkSpeedRate=1.000000,IsMultiplay=True,IsPvP=False,CanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop=False,EnableNonLoginPenalty=True,EnableFastTravel=True,IsStartLocationSelectByMap=True,ExistPlayerAfterLogout=False,EnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=False,CoopPlayerMaxNum=4,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="[your_server_name]",ServerDescription="",AdminPassword="[your_admin_password]",ServerPassword="[your_server_password]",PublicPort=8211,PublicIP="[your_server_ip]",RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,Region="",bUseAuth=True,BanListURL="https://api.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt")

Replace placeholders like:

[your_server_name] with your actual server name
[your_admin_password] with your admin password
[your_server_password] with your join password if used
[your_server_ip] with your public server IP if your setup requires it

Info

No special entry needed for server type There is no known entry in PalWorldSettings.ini that switches the server type from Linux to Windows or vice versa. This change is controlled by the installed server environment in the hosting interface.

Apply the change

After changing the server type and confirming the correct config file, you need to apply the new setup.

Restart the server

Restart the server in the ZapX customer account after saving your changes.

In many cases, a normal restart is enough if the server software type has already been successfully switched.

Reinstall if required by the interface

Some deployments require a reinstall after switching the software type. If your interface offers this option, follow the instructions carefully and then verify that:

the correct server type is active
the correct config path is used
your PalWorldSettings.ini values are still present

Warning

Reinstall can overwrite files If a reinstall is necessary, custom files or mods may be deleted if not backed up beforehand. Always check your save data, mods, and config files before confirming a reinstall.

Verify the new server type is active

After restarting the server, confirm the change was successful.

Check via config path

Open the Configuration tab again and check if the active path now matches your chosen server type:

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/
Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/

Check mod compatibility

If you switched to Windows specifically for UE4SS modding, verify that your mod files and setup now match the Windows server environment.

Check server behavior

See if the server starts normally and loads your expected settings correctly.

Checkpoints	Expected Result
Server starts successfully	No startup errors after type switch
Correct config path	Matches Linux or Windows server type
Custom settings loaded	Server uses your edited `PalWorldSettings.ini`
Mod support	Windows-based mod requirements are usable if relevant

Troubleshooting

Server type option not visible

If you cannot find a setting to change the server type, this option may not be directly available in your current product interface. In that case, contact ZAP-Hosting support and ask if your Palworld service can switch between Linux and Windows server types.

My settings were not applied after switching

This usually happens if the wrong config path was edited. Check if you updated

Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/PalWorldSettings.ini

depending on the active server type.

Mods still don’t work

Switching to the Windows server type alone sometimes isn’t enough for the full mod setup. Some mods require additional files, loaders, or manual installation steps beyond the server type change.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have successfully switched your Palworld game server to a different server type. If you have further questions or issues, our support team is available daily and happy to help! 🙂

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Mainly the underlying server software environment changes, which also affects where the active configuration files are stored. You usually don’t change the gameplay configuration itself directly.

On Linux it’s under Pal/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/, on Windows under Pal/Saved/Config/WindowsServer/. If you edit the wrong file for your current server type, your changes won’t apply.

Yes, you should stop the server via the server control beforehand to avoid file conflicts and incomplete changes. It’s also recommended to back up your data, especially if you use mods.

Feedback

Was this article helpful?

Your feedback helps us prioritize and improve content.

0 of 0 Users found this article helpful.

Personal support

Need more help than the guide provides?

Our ZAP support team knows your product — briefly describe your issue and we'll help you personally.

[/Script/Pal.PalGameWorldSettings] OptionSettings=(Difficulty=None,DayTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,NightTimeSpeedRate=1.000000,ExpRate=1.000000,PalCaptureRate=1.000000,PalSpawnNumRate=1.000000,PalDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PalDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateAttack=1.000000,PlayerDamageRateDefense=1.000000,PlayerStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PlayerAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,PalStomachDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalStaminaDecreaceRate=1.000000,PalAutoHPRegeneRate=1.000000,PalAutoHpRegeneRateInSleep=1.000000,BuildObjectDamageRate=1.000000,BuildObjectDeteriorationDamageRate=1.000000,CollectionDropRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectHpRate=1.000000,CollectionObjectRespawnSpeedRate=1.000000,EnemyDropItemRate=1.000000,DeathPenalty=All,EnablePlayerToPlayerDamage=False,EnableFriendlyFire=False,EnableInvaderEnemy=True,ActiveUNKO=False,EnableAimAssistPad=True,EnableAimAssistKeyboard=False,DropItemMaxNum=3000,DropItemMaxNum_UNKO=100,BaseCampMaxNum=128,BaseCampWorkerMaxNum=15,DropItemAliveMaxHours=1.000000,AutoResetGuildNoOnlinePlayers=False,AutoResetGuildTimeNoOnlinePlayers=72.000000,GuildPlayerMaxNum=20,PalEggDefaultHatchingTime=72.000000,WorkSpeedRate=1.000000,IsMultiplay=True,IsPvP=False,CanPickupOtherGuildDeathPenaltyDrop=False,EnableNonLoginPenalty=True,EnableFastTravel=True,IsStartLocationSelectByMap=True,ExistPlayerAfterLogout=False,EnableDefenseOtherGuildPlayer=False,CoopPlayerMaxNum=4,ServerPlayerMaxNum=32,ServerName="[your_server_name]",ServerDescription="",AdminPassword="[your_admin_password]",ServerPassword="[your_server_password]",PublicPort=8211,PublicIP="[your_server_ip]",RCONEnabled=False,RCONPort=25575,Region="",bUseAuth=True,BanListURL="https://api.palworldgame.com/api/banlist.txt")

Introduction

Preparation

Understanding what changes when switching server types

Stop the server

Change server type in ZapX customer account

Edit the correct configuration file

Open the configuration tab

Check or reapply settings

Check configuration entries