How to Install the PalDefender Mod on Your Palworld Server
Secure your Palworld server with PalDefender: stop, drop d3d9.dll and PalDefender.dll into Win64, reboot, edit whitelist and admin config.
Keeping your bases safe from hackers, griefers, and unauthorized players is a top priority, especially if you are running a public community in Palworld. While the base game lacks advanced admin controls, the modding community has stepped up. PalDefender is a robust anti-cheat and administration mod that gives you the power to whitelist players, prevent cheats, and truly secure your PW server.
PalDefender theoretically requires native UE4SS to function. However, the installation is surprisingly simple. By dropping a couple of specific files into your server directory, the mod will install itself and generate everything you need to take control. Since there is no option to switch game branches from your settings later on, just make sure that upon server creation it is installed on the correct Moddable branch. Here is exactly how to get it running!
Step - By - Step Guide
Before adding any .dll files to your game directories, it is crucial that you completely stop your server to avoid corrupting your world save.
Log into your server panel and navigate to Actions > Shutdown to safely stop your server.
Ensure your server was installed on the Palworld Moddable branch upon creation.
Download the PalDefender files to your local computer and extract them. You will see two specific files:
d3d9.dllandPalDefender.dll.
Open the File Manager on your server dashboard or connect using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Navigate through your folders to the following exact path:
server/Pal/Binaries/Win64/.
Upload both the
d3d9.dllandPalDefender.dllfiles directly into thisWin64folder.
Before you upload the two files, make sure you have Native UE4SS installed.
Navigate to Action > Restart to boot your server back up!
As the server starts, PalDefender will automatically install itself and generate all the necessary configuration folders and files in the background!
Troubleshooting and Tips
If the mod does not seem to be working or you are unsure how to set up your admin permissions, keep these quick tips in mind:
- Configuring the Mod: All of the actual setup for PalDefender is done through the configuration files it creates on its first boot. You will need to open these newly generated text files to manually whitelist your players, assign admin roles, and toggle specific anti-cheat protections. We highly recommend checking the official PalDefender wiki for a full breakdown of what each setting does.
- Missing the Moddable Branch: If you drop
d3d9.dllandPalDefender.dllinto the standard vanilla version of the game instead of the Palworld Moddable branch, the server will not inject the mod properly. Since you cannot switch branches after the fact, make sure your server is created on the correct branch from the very beginning. - Native UE4SS Requirement: The developer notes that this mod theoretically requires native UE4SS. If you are struggling to get the mod to read your config files, ensure your server is properly set up to handle UE4SS script injections.
- Always Stop the Server: We cannot stress this enough; always use Actions > Shutdown before dropping new
.dllfiles into your binaries folder. Overwriting active engine files while the server is running will cause a crash.
Conclusion
Securing your Palworld server gives you peace of mind so you can focus on breeding the perfect Pals and conquering the syndicate bosses. By dropping d3d9.dll and PalDefender.dll into your binaries and tweaking the generated config files, you lock down your server from unwanted guests and cheaters. Configure your whitelist, reboot the server, and enjoy a safe adventure across the Palpagos Islands!
If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to contact our support team for assistance!