Changing Your Hytale Server Version

Keeping your Hytale server on the right version is important for compatibility, performance, and access to new features. Whether you need to update to the latest release or roll back to a previous version, Witchly.host makes version management straightforward through the dashboard.

Why Change Your Server Version

There are several reasons you might need to change your server version:

New game updates — Hypixel Studios regularly releases updates with new content, bug fixes, and performance improvements. Updating ensures your players have access to the latest features.
Player compatibility — Players must use the same version as the server to connect. If your community is on a specific version, your server needs to match.
Mod compatibility — Some mods only work with specific server versions. You may need to match a version that your installed mods support.
Stability — Occasionally, a new release may introduce issues. Rolling back to a previous stable version keeps your server running smoothly while you wait for a fix.

Checking Your Current Version

To see which version your server is currently running:

Log in to Dashboard and select your Hytale server
Check the Console tab — the server version is typically displayed during startup
You can also check the Startup tab, where the configured version is shown in the startup variables

Updating to the Latest Version

To update your Hytale server to the newest available version:

Go to Dashboard and select your server
Create a backup — This is critical. Go to the backups section or see our Backups guide. If the update causes issues, you will want to restore your previous state.
Stop your server from the dashboard
Navigate to the Startup tab
Look for the Server Version or Server Image variable
Select the latest version from the dropdown, or enter the version number if prompted
Click Save or Update
Start your server

The server will download the new version files on startup. This may take a few minutes depending on the update size. Monitor the Console tab for progress and any errors.

Changing to a Specific Version

If you need to run a particular version (for mod compatibility or stability reasons):

Stop your server from the dashboard
Create a backup of your current setup
Go to the Startup tab
Find the Server Version variable
Select or enter the specific version number you need
Save the changes
Start your server and verify the correct version loads in the console

Reinstalling the Server

If a simple version change does not resolve issues, or if you want a completely fresh start on a new version:

Back up everything important — world data, configuration files, mods, and scripts
Stop your server
Go to the Settings tab in your dashboard
Look for the Reinstall Server option
Confirm the reinstallation — this will delete all server files and set up a fresh installation
Once complete, select your desired version in the Startup tab
Start the server to generate fresh configuration files
Restore your backed-up world data and configurations as needed

Warning: Reinstallation permanently deletes all server files. Always verify your backup is complete before proceeding.

Version Compatibility Considerations

World data compatibility:

Minor version updates (e.g., 1.1 to 1.2) are generally compatible with existing world data
Major version updates may require world regeneration or conversion
Always check release notes from Hypixel Studios for migration guidance before major updates

Mod compatibility:

After updating your server version, verify that all installed mods are compatible with the new version
Check mod documentation or community pages for version compatibility information
You may need to update your mods alongside the server version
If a critical mod does not support the new version, consider waiting to update until it does

Player client version:

Players must update their Hytale client to match the server version
Communicate version changes to your community in advance so players can update before connecting
Consider announcing planned updates in your Discord server or through in-game messages

Downgrading to a Previous Version

Rolling back to an earlier version may be necessary if an update causes problems:

Stop your server
Restore your backup from before the update (if available)
Go to the Startup tab
Select the previous version number
Save and start the server

Important notes about downgrading:

World data created or modified on a newer version may not be fully compatible with older versions
Restoring a pre-update backup is the safest way to downgrade
If you do not have a backup, downgrading may cause world corruption — proceed with caution and test thoroughly

Automatic Updates

Witchly.host does not automatically update your server version. This is intentional — automatic updates could break mod compatibility or disrupt your community without warning. You are always in control of when and how your server updates.

We recommend checking for updates periodically and planning your update schedule around:

Your community’s activity patterns (update during low-traffic hours)
Mod compatibility (verify mods work with the new version before updating)
Release stability (wait a few days after a major release to see if hotfixes are needed)

Best Practices

Always back up before changing versions — This cannot be overstated. Backups are your safety net.
Read release notes — Before updating, check what has changed. This helps you anticipate compatibility issues and communicate changes to your players.
Test on a separate instance — If you have a development or test server, update that first to verify everything works before updating your production server.
Notify your community — Let players know about upcoming version changes, especially if they need to update their client.
Keep a version log — Track which version you are running and when you last updated for troubleshooting purposes.

Troubleshooting

Server fails to start after version change:

Check the console for specific error messages
Verify the version you selected is valid and available
Try reinstalling the server if files are corrupted
Restore your backup and try again

World not loading after update:

The world format may have changed between versions
Restore your pre-update backup
Check release notes for world migration steps

Mods broken after update:

Remove all mods, start the server to confirm it runs on the new version
Re-add mods one at a time, testing between each addition
Update mods to versions compatible with the new server version

Need help with a version change? Contact our support team on Discord.