Portal Knights Dedicated Server Setup Guide 2026

A Portal Knights world is only fun when everyone can actually reach it. If the host closes the game, loses connection, or disappears for the day, the whole co-op session can stop with them.

Portal Knights multiplayer works, but normal worlds depend on a player-hosted setup. A dedicated server moves that world into its own server process, supports up to 4 players, and keeps it available as long as the server stays online.

This guide shows you how to find dedicated_server.zip, configure server_config.json, open UDP 16365, move an existing world, fix connection failures, and choose a hosting setup that keeps your world stable.

Portal Knights Dedicated Server Quick Overview

In simple terms, a Portal Knights dedicated server is a separate server process that hosts a shared world for up to 4 players without requiring one player to keep the game open.

Before you start, understand one thing: many Portal Knights server problems are not caused by the game files. They usually come from networking.

If UDP 16365 is blocked by your firewall, router, or hosting setup, your server may run locally but fail to appear online.

Community Linux and Docker setups exist, but they rely on Wine, not native Linux support, so Windows remains the safer official setup path for stable hosting.

This guide follows the official Portal Knights dedicated server workflow, including dedicated_server.zip, pk_dedicated_server.exe, server_config.json, and UDP port 16365.

If your server is running but not visible, skip straight to the troubleshooting section before changing your config.

Portal Knights Dedicated Server Requirements

Here are the Portal Knights dedicated server requirements. These are practical hosting recommendations, not separate official dedicated-server minimums.

For hosted setups, dedicated server hosting gives you full control over the operating system, firewall rules, backups, and server files.

Notes

• Performance depends more on network stability than raw hardware
• Use SSD storage to reduce world loading delays
• Increase RAM if running multiple servers or long sessions

How to Set Up a Portal Knights Dedicated Server

A Portal Knights dedicated server runs as a separate process. It keeps your world online after you leave, as long as the server process stays running.

The setup is simple, but most failures come from missed steps or bad network config.

Locate the Server Files

Open Steam and go to your Portal Knights install directory:

• Library → Portal Knights
• Right-click → Manage → Browse local files

Find:

dedicated_server.zip

This file contains the full dedicated server.

Extract the Server Files

Create a clean folder for your server.

Example:

C:\PortalKnightsServer

Extract dedicated_server.zip into this folder.

You will see:

• pk_dedicated_server.exe
• required support files

Do not run the server inside the main game folder. Separation avoids file conflicts and makes updates easier.

Runthe Server Once

Run:

pk_dedicated_server.exe

A console window opens. Let it run for 10–20 seconds, then close it.

This first run creates:

• server_config.json
• savedata folder
• Log files

If these files do not appear, run the server again.

Review Generated Files

After the first run, check your server folder.

You should see:

• server_config.json → main configuration
• savedata folder → world data, unless changed in saveFolderPath
• logs → error and startup info

These files control how your server behaves.

Move an Existing Portal Knights World to Your Server

If you already have a Portal Knights world on your PC, you can transfer it to your dedicated server. This allows you to continue playing the same world without relying on host-based multiplayer.

Stop the Server

Before copying any files, make sure the dedicated server is completely stopped. Copying files while the server is running can cause incomplete or inconsistent save data, so stop the server first.

Locate Your Local Save

Find your existing world files on your system.

If you are using Steam Cloud, the save files are usually located at:Steam\userdata\YOUR_ID\374040\remote

Replace YOUR_ID with your Steam user ID.

Copy the World Files

Copy all relevant world files from the local save folder into your dedicated server save directory.

Example destination: C:\PortalKnightsServer\savedata

Verify Configuration

Open your server_config.json file and make sure the saveFolderPath points to the same folder where you copied the world files.

If this path is incorrect, the server will start but load a new empty world.

Restart the Server

Start the server again using: pk_dedicated_server.exe

Once it launches, connect and verify that your original world loads correctly.

Configure server_config.json

Open server_config.json in a plain text editor.

Focus on these fields:

name

• What players see in the server list
• Keep it simple

Example:

Friends World

ipv4

• Controls where the server listens

Use:

• 0.0.0.0 → listen on all local interfaces
• or set your specific local IP if needed

Example:192.168.1.25, if that is your server machine’s local IPv4 address

Do not use your public IP here unless your server machine is directly assigned that public IP.

port

Default:

16365

Use a different port only if:

• running multiple servers
• resolving conflicts

saveFolderPath

• Defines where your world is stored

Example:

C:\PortalKnightsServer\world1

If incorrect:

• server runs
• but loads empty world

universeSize

• Controls world size

Use:

• Small → smaller generated universe
• Normal → balanced default option
• Large → larger generated universe

Set this before creating a new server world. Existing save data may not behave like a newly generated universe after changing this value.

User Roles and Permissions (Admin / User / Guest)

Portal Knights supports three access levels:

• Admins → full control over the server
• Users → regular players with build access
• Guests → limited access players

Each role is controlled using a password and permission flags defined in the server configuration.

Permission Controls

Example Configuration

Use a structure like this in your server_config.json file:

{
"basicServerData": {
"name": "Friends World",
"ipv4": "0.0.0.0",
"port": 16365,
"saveFolderPath": "./savedata"
},
"universeSize": "Normal",
"hideConsoleWindow": false,
"admins": {
"credentials": {
"password": "adminpass"
},
"canLogin": true,
"canKickPlayers": true,
"canModifyWorld": true,
"canInteractWithLockables": true
},
"users": {
"credentials": {
"password": "userpass"
},
"canLogin": true,
"canKickPlayers": false,
"canModifyWorld": true,
"canInteractWithLockables": true
},
"guests": {
"credentials": {
"password": ""
},
"canLogin": false,
"canKickPlayers": false,
"canModifyWorld": false,
"canInteractWithLockables": false
}
}

Set the Correct IP Binding

The ipv4 field controls where the server listens.

Use:

• 0.0.0.0 for most setups
• Specific local/private IP only if needed

Do not use your public IP here unless your system is directly assigned that IP.

Open Port 16365 in Windows Firewall

Portal Knights uses:

UDP 16365

Create an inbound rule:

• Protocol: UDP
• Port: 16365
• Action: Allow

Microsoft’s Windows Firewall inbound rule guidance explains how inbound rules allow traffic to reach programs listening on specific ports.

If you skip this, your server will not accept external connections.

Configure Router Port Forwarding

If hosting from home, forward:

UDP 16365 → your local server IP

Example:

• External port: 16365
• Internal port: 16365
• Protocol: UDP
• Internal IP: your PC

Set a static local IP. If your IP changes, the port forward breaks.

Start the Server Properly

Run again:

pk_dedicated_server.exe

Leave the window open.

Your server should now be running locally. External access still depends on firewall and router configuration.

Test Local Connection First

Open Portal Knights and connect using: 127.0.0.1 from the same machineor your server’s local IP from another device on the same network.

If this fails, fix config issues before testing online access.

Connect from Outside Your Network

Share your public IP with friends:

PUBLIC-IP:16365

Use direct connect.

Do not use your local IP unless players are on the same network.

Run Multiple Servers (Advanced)

You can run multiple servers using:

pk_dedicated_server.exe -config custom.json

Each server needs:

• A Separate Config File
• A Separate Save Folder
• A Unique Port

Advanced Startup Options

Run custom config:

pk_dedicated_server.exe -config custom.json

Enable logging:

pk_dedicated_server.exe -config custom.json -log server.log

Useful for:

• Debugging crashes
• Running multiple servers

How to Update Your Portal Knights Server

Updating your Portal Knights dedicated server usually requires extracting the latest server files while keeping your existing world and configuration intact.

Backup Your Server Data

Before updating, create a backup of your current server. Copy your server_config.json file and the savedata folder. This ensures your world and settings are safe if something goes wrong.

Update the Game via Steam

Open Steam and update Portal Knights normally. The updated dedicated server archive is included with the updated Steam game files, but you still need to extract the updated archive into your server folder or a new folder.

Locate Updated Server Files

After the update, go to your Portal Knights installation directory and find the file dedicated_server.zip. After Steam finishes updating Portal Knights, this archive should contain the matching server files.

Extract to a New Folder

Create a new folder, such as C:\PortalKnightsServer-New, and extract the contents of dedicated_server.zip into it. Avoid overwriting your existing server folder to prevent data loss.

Restore Your Configuration and World

Copy your server_config.json file and the savedata folder from your old server directory into the new one. This keeps your server settings and world intact.

Start the Updated Server

Run pk_dedicated_server.exe from the new folder. Once the server starts, check that your world loads correctly and players can connect.

Fix Version Mismatch Issues

If players see a version mismatch error, make sure both the server and all players have the same version of Portal Knights installed. Restart the server after updating and verify that Steam has completed the update.

Port Forwarding: Why Your Portal Knights Server Is Not Visible

If your server runs locally but friends cannot join, the issue is usually networking, firewall, NAT, IP, or port configuration.

A Portal Knights server listens on your local machine. Your router blocks incoming traffic by default. Port forwarding creates a path from the internet to your server.

Why Port Forwarding Is Required

Your network path:

Internet → Router → Your PC (Server)

By default:

• Router blocks incoming connections
• Outside players cannot reach your server

Port forwarding creates a rule:

• Send traffic on UDP 16365 to this device.

Without this:

• Local connection works
• Online connection fails

Internal vs External IP

Internal IP (Private)

Example:

192.168.1.25

• Assigned by your router
• Used inside your network
• Your Port Forwarding Rule Points To This

External IP (Public)

Example:

82.xxx.xxx.xxx

• Assigned by your ISP
• Used by players to connect
• This is what you share

How They Work Together

• Players connect to your public IP
• Router receives traffic
• Forwarding rule sends it to your internal IP

If this chain breaks, your server is invisible.

Step-by-Step: Port Forwarding Setup

Step 1: Find Your Internal IP

Run:

ipconfig

Look for:

IPv4 Address

Example:

192.168.1.25

Step 2: Log Into Your Router

Open:

192.168.1.1

Or

192.168.0.1

Enter your router credentials.

Step 3: Find Port Forwarding Settings

Look for:

• Port Forwarding
• NAT
• Virtual Server

Step 4: Create the Rule

Save the rule.

Step 5: Allow Port in Windows Firewall

Create an inbound rule:

• Protocol: UDP
• Port: 16365
• Action: Allow

Router open + firewall blocked = still no connection.

Static IP: Prevent Random Breaks

Routers assign IPs dynamically.

Your server IP can change. When it changes:

• Forwarding points to the wrong device
• Server stops working

Fix

Use DHCP reservation in your router.

Result:

• same internal IP every time
• stable connection

How to Test If Port Forwarding Works

Do not rely on generic port checker tools.

Why:

• UDP is connectionless
• Many tools test TCP only
• Some UDP tools fail to detect active game servers

Correct test

• Start your server
• Ask a friend outside your network to connect using:

PUBLIC-IP:16365

A real external connection test is usually more reliable than generic port checker tools for UDP game servers.

CGNAT: The Hidden Reason Port Forwarding Fails

CGNAT means your ISP does not give you a true public IP.

Instead:

• Your router gets a shared internal IP
• Multiple users share one public address

Result:

• Port forwarding does nothing
• Your server is unreachable from the internet

How to Check for CGNAT

Check your router’s WAN IP.

If it starts with:

100.64.x.x → 100.127.x.x

You are behind CGNAT.The 100.64.0.0/10 shared address space is reserved for carrier-grade NAT environments, which is why this range often signals ISP-side NAT.

Another check:

• Compare your router WAN IP with your public IP (from Google)
• If they differ → likely CGNAT, double NAT, or another upstream NAT layer

Symptoms of CGNAT

• Port forwarding set correctly
• Firewall configured
• Server works locally
• External users cannot connect
• Port always appears closed

Fix Options

You cannot fix CGNAT from your router.

Use one of these:

Option 1: Request Public IP from ISP

• ask for a static or dedicated IP
• sometimes costs extra

Option 2: Use a Tunnel Service

Examples:

• Playit.gg
• Tailscale, if all players connect through the same private network
• Any tunnel service that supports UDP traffic

These can bypass port forwarding if they support the traffic type your server needs.

Option 3: Use Hosted Server

• VPS
• dedicated server

A hosted VPS or dedicated server is usually the cleanest long-term option if you want a public IP and no home-router dependency.

Troubleshooting Portal Knights Server Issues

If your Portal Knights server is not visible or players cannot connect, do not reinstall or reset everything. Start here. Match your issue. Apply the fix.

How RedSwitches Supports Portal Knights Server Hosting

Portal Knights does not need heavy server resources, but a stable co-op world still depends on reliable networking, consistent uptime, and full control over the server environment.

RedSwitches gaming dedicated servers give you dedicated resources, low-latency connectivity, DDoS protection, and full configuration access for your Portal Knights server. This is useful if you want to avoid home-network limits, CGNAT issues, shared hosting restrictions, or unstable local setups.

You can run separate worlds, manage custom configs, control backups, and keep your server available without depending on one player’s PC.

For best results, only open the required UDP port, use strong admin and user passwords, and keep your admin access private.