> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Add a Password to Your Server

> > Keep your server private - This guide shows you how to add, change, or remove a password on your Hytale server to control who can join.

## Protect Your Server with Password Authentication

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Difficulty" icon="gauge-low">
    Beginner
  </Card>

  <Card title="Time" icon="clock">
    5 Minutes
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

> **Keep your server private** - This guide shows you how to add, change, or remove a password on your Hytale server to control who can join.

| Reading Time | Difficulty | Last Updated |
| :----------: | :--------: | :----------: |
|   3 minutes  |  Beginner  | January 2026 |

***

## Quick Navigation

| Section                                         | What You'll Learn         |
| :---------------------------------------------- | :------------------------ |
| [Set a Password](#set-a-server-password)        | Add password protection   |
| [Remove Password](#remove-the-password)         | Make server public again  |
| [Manual Config](#manual-configuration-advanced) | Edit config.json directly |

***

## How Password Protection Works

When a password is set on your server:

| Behavior            | Description                                        |
| :------------------ | :------------------------------------------------- |
| Connection Prompt   | Players see a password entry field when joining    |
| Access Control      | Only players with the correct password can connect |
| No Account Required | Password is server-wide, not per-player            |

***

## Set a Server Password

### Via Control Panel (Recommended)

| Step | Action                                       |
| :--: | :------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | Log in to your **Game Server Control Panel** |
|   2  | **Stop** your server                         |
|   3  | Navigate to the **Config** tab               |
|   4  | Locate the **Server Password** field         |
|   5  | Enter your desired password                  |
|   6  | Click **Save**                               |
|   7  | **Start** your server                        |

> \[!IMPORTANT]
> Always stop your server before making configuration changes to prevent settings from not being applied correctly.

***

## Remove the Password

To make your server public again:

| Step | Action                                               |
| :--: | :--------------------------------------------------- |
|   1  | **Stop** your server                                 |
|   2  | Navigate to the **Config** tab                       |
|   3  | **Clear** the Server Password field (leave it empty) |
|   4  | Click **Save**                                       |
|   5  | **Start** your server                                |

Players will no longer need a password to join.

***

## Manual Configuration (Advanced)

The password setting is stored in the `config.json` file in your server's root directory.

### File Location

| File          | Location              |
| :------------ | :-------------------- |
| `config.json` | Server root directory |

### Config.json Example

```json theme={null}
{
  "Version": 3,
  "ServerName": "My Hytale Server",
  "MOTD": "Welcome!",
  "Password": "YourSecretPassword",
  "MaxPlayers": 100,
  ...
}
```

### Setting/Removing Password Manually

| Action          | Value                              |
| :-------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Set password    | `"Password": "YourSecretPassword"` |
| Remove password | `"Password": ""`                   |

> \[!CAUTION]
> If editing `config.json` manually, **stop the server first** and restart it after saving changes.

***

## Password Best Practices

| Practice               | Reason                       |
| :--------------------- | :--------------------------- |
| Use a strong password  | Prevents guessing            |
| Share securely         | Don't post password publicly |
| Change periodically    | Limits exposure if leaked    |
| Combine with whitelist | Double layer of protection   |

***

## Password vs Whitelist Comparison

| Feature            |       Password       |       Whitelist       |
| :----------------- | :------------------: | :-------------------: |
| Who can join       | Anyone with password |  Only listed players  |
| Per-player control |          No          |          Yes          |
| Easy to share      |          Yes         |           No          |
| Best for           | Quick private access | Strict member control |

<Tip>
  > For maximum security, use **both** a password and a whitelist together.
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

### Password Not Working

| Issue                | Solution                      |
| :------------------- | :---------------------------- |
| Server not restarted | Stop and start the server     |
| Config not saved     | Verify changes were saved     |
| Spaces in password   | Try a password without spaces |

### Players Can Join Without Password

| Issue                | Solution                                 |
| :------------------- | :--------------------------------------- |
| Password field empty | Re-enter the password                    |
| Wrong config file    | Ensure you're editing the correct server |

***

## Additional Resources

| Resource                | Link                                              |
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| Official Hytale Website | [hytale.com](https://hytale.com/)                 |
| Hytale Support Portal   | [support.hytale.com](https://support.hytale.com/) |

<Note>
  ### Need Extra Help?

  If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

  * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website.
  * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php)
  * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting)
  * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com)
</Note>

<Tip>
  ### Save on Your Hosting

  Ready to get a new server? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first month!
</Tip>

***

<div align="center">
  **Last Updated:** January 2026 | **Need Help?** Contact our 24/7 support team!
</div>