How to Join a Hytale Server: The Complete Guide (2026)#

Contents#

• Hytale, the game that almost never launched
• Requirements before playing online
• Joining a server: the 3 methods
• Public, dedicated, and whitelist servers
• Not working? Quick troubleshooting

Introduction#

Hytale is finally playable, and with it a whole universe of community servers opens up. The catch: without the classic friends list of a platform like Steam, joining a Hytale server can feel confusing at first. This guide walks you through the three methods to connect, whether you want to meet up with friends or discover a large community.

Hytale, the game that almost never launched#

Hytale is a sandbox adventure game developed by Hypixel Studios, blending exploration of generated worlds, building, dungeons, and minigames in the spirit of the Hypixel server. Its story has been a rollercoaster: announced in 2018, acquired by Riot Games in 2020, then abruptly cancelled in June 2025. Against all odds, cofounder Simon Collins-Laflamme bought back the rights to the game in November 2025 to relaunch development.

The result: Hytale released in early access on PC on 13 January 2026, a spectacular launch that drew hundreds of thousands of simultaneous viewers on Twitch. One important thing to note before you start: the game isn't available on Steam for now, as its creator felt it was still too early given the state of the title.

Requirements before playing online#

Before joining a server, check these few points:

• Hytale installed and up to date. Download the official launcher directly from hytale.com. It's the only reliable way to get the latest version, and the client and server versions must be compatible.
• A valid Hytale account. Your account must be verified and authenticated via the official launcher, which handles the connection automatically.
• A stable Internet connection. Hytale communicates over the UDP protocol (QUIC). A reliable connection prevents mid-game disconnects.

Good news on the hardware side: even a mid-range setup can be enough by adjusting a few graphics options in the game menu.

Joining a server: the 3 methods#

There are three ways to join a server, depending on whether you're looking for a public community or want to join friends. They all start in the same place: from the main menu, click Servers.

Method 1: the built-in server browser#

The simplest way to discover new communities. The launcher includes a server browser: from the Servers menu, browse the list of available public servers. You can filter by game mode, player count, or ping to find a server that suits you. One click is then enough to join. This is also where you can connect to a server you've spotted on the Hytale server rankings.

Method 2: direct connect by IP#

If you know a server's address (a dedicated or provider-hosted server), this is the most direct method. In the Servers menu, click Direct Connect at the bottom right, then enter the address followed by the port, for example play.example.com:5520. Hytale's default port is 5520 over UDP. If the server uses a different port, the host will let you know.

Method 3: joining via code (with friends)#

To play in a friend's world, the fastest way is the share code. The person hosting opens their world, enables the option to allow other players, optionally sets a password, then generates a code to send you. On your end, go to Servers, click Join via Code, paste the code, enter the password if needed, and connect. Be careful: this code contains the host's public IP address, so only share it with people you trust. Network configuration is handled automatically via UPnP.

Public, dedicated, and whitelist servers#

Not all servers work the same way. A friend's world is only accessible while they're playing. By contrast, dedicated servers stay online permanently, regardless of their host, and hold more players: these are what large communities and persistent worlds are built on.

Finally, some community servers require extra steps before letting you in: registering on their website, accepting a set of rules, or approval via a whitelist. Check the access requirements of the server you're targeting before attempting to connect.

Not working? Quick troubleshooting#

If the connection fails, check these points in order:

• Check the IP and port. A single typo is enough to block the connection; the default port is 5520.
• Update Hytale. The client and server versions must match.
• Port forwarding. If UPnP doesn't work for a self-hosted server, manually set up forwarding for UDP port 5520 on your router.
• Bypass NAT. For firewall or NAT issues between friends, a peer-to-peer virtual private network like Tailscale lets you establish a direct connection.
• Whitelist. Confirm your access has been approved if it's a closed community server.

Conclusion#

You now have everything you need to join your first Hytale server, whether through the built-in browser, a direct connection, or a code between friends. The game is young and its server ecosystem grows every week: now is the right time to find your community. Explore the Hytale server rankings to find yours, and if you're launching your own server, consider listing it to put it in front of players. Happy gaming!