> ## 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 Update Your Hytale Server to the Latest Version > How to update a Hytale server: back up, then restart it, as it checks for Hytale updates at every start. Game and server must be on the exact same version. To update your FREAKHOSTING Hytale server, make a backup and restart the server. Each time it starts, it checks for Hytale updates (the console shows `Checking for Hytale updates...`) before the game loads. Update soon after every Hytale release: players can only join when their game and the server are on exactly the same protocol version, so an outdated server rejects updated players. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 minutes | Every FREAKHOSTING Hytale server | **Backups**, **Console** | ## Why does my Hytale server need to match my game version? Hytale's client and server must be on exactly the same protocol version. If they differ, the connection is rejected. Hytale updates often during early access, so after a game update, update your server too. The developers plan to allow a small version difference (two versions either way) later. ## How to update your Hytale server **1. Make a backup** Open **Backups** and click **Create backup**, for example named `Before update`. See [back up your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-back-up-your-hytale-server.md). **2. Warn your players** Everyone is disconnected while the server restarts. **3. Restart the server** Click **Restart** on **Console**. See [start, stop and restart](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-start-stop-and-restart-your-game-server.md). **4. Watch the console** The start-up shows `Hytale Server Startup Script`, then `Checking for Hytale updates...`. When a new version is available, this start takes longer than usual. Let it finish. **5. Join and test** Update your game in the launcher, then join and check your world. > [!TIP] > > A [schedule](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-schedules-and-tasks.md) that restarts the server every night, for example with the **Restart every night** quick start, also picks up updates while nobody is playing. ## What are Hytale's built-in update settings? Hytale also has its own update checker, set in `config.json` under `Update`. These are the official defaults: | Key | Default | What it does | | - | - | - | | `Enabled` | `true` | Turns the update checker on or off | | `CheckIntervalSeconds` | `3600` | How often it checks, in seconds | | `NotifyPlayersOnAvailable` | `true` | Tells players when an update is available | | `Patchline` | `null` | Which release line to follow (usually the normal release) | | `RunBackupBeforeUpdate` | `true` | Backs up the world before an update | | `BackupConfigBeforeUpdate` | `true` | Backs up the config before an update | | `AutoApplyMode` | `Disabled` | `Disabled`, `WhenEmpty` or `Scheduled` | | `AutoApplyDelayMinutes` | `30` | Delay used by `Scheduled` mode | On a FREAKHOSTING server, a restart is the simple way to update. Stop the server before you edit `config.json` by hand, or Hytale is likely to overwrite your change. ## Can I run the Hytale pre-release on my server? Hytale has a pre-release patchline for testing new versions. Your game and server must both be on it. [Open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) if you want your server switched to the pre-release, and make a backup first. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I check which Hytale version my server runs? Check the start-up output in **Console**, or search the latest log in **Logs**. ### My world broke after an update. What now? Stop the server and restore the backup you made before the update. Then wait for your mods to support the new version, or [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ### Do mods need updating too? Often, yes. A mod built for an older version can stop the server from starting. Check each mod's page after a Hytale update. See [server not starting](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/hytale-server-not-starting.md). ### Why does my server take long to start after an update? It fetches the new version first. Let it finish, and don't stop it while it is updating. ## Related guides > [card] [Hytale server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/hytale-server-hosting-guide.md) > > Every Hytale page in one place. > [card] [Back up your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-back-up-your-hytale-server.md) > > Always back up first. > [card] [Join your server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/how-to-join-your-hytale-server.md) > > Version mismatch and other join problems. > [card] [Server not starting](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/hytale/hytale-server-not-starting.md) > > When a mod or update stops the server. > [card] [Schedules](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-configure-schedules-and-tasks.md) > > Restart every night. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against the official [Hytale Server Manual](https://support.hytale.com/hc/en-us/articles/45326769420827)** on 3 November 2026; panel steps tested on our Game Panel on 3 November 2026 (Hytale server, **Game settings** and **Startup** pages). Steps may differ slightly if the game changes. > [!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) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.