Palworld Server Mods and Anti-Cheat: What to Know Before You Install

Palworld has an active modding scene, but support changes quickly with game updates. Treat anything here as a starting point and always check each mod's current page.

Know the limits

• Mods are made by the community. They may break when Palworld updates.
• Some mods need to be installed on every player's game as well as the server. Others are server only. The mod page should say which.
• Support for dedicated servers differs between mods. Not all tools work on Linux servers.

Before installing anything

1. Make a full backup of your world.
2. Read the mod description, requirements and the supported game version.
3. Check recent comments for reports of problems.
4. Try one mod at a time.

Installing

Install steps depend on the mod. Some use a loader tool, and others are pak files placed in a content folder. Follow the author's instructions and upload files through the Files tab. We cannot give a single universal procedure.

Anti-cheat and protection

Community tools such as PalDefender are described as server-side protection against cheating and exploits. Check whether the current version supports your server platform before relying on it. Keep in mind:

• No tool stops every cheater.
• A tool may break after game updates.
• Settings should be reviewed by someone who understands them.

Basic steps that help anyway:

• Use a server password if you want a private server.
• Keep admin passwords strong and private.
• Use the whitelist or ban options where available.
• Keep regular backups so you can roll back.

If the server fails to start

Remove the most recent mod, restart, and read the Console. If it works again, that mod is the cause. If you need help, open a ticket on Discord and list your mods and versions.

Also see our Palworld backup guide.