Can I turn off level sync in single-player?

Level sync mainly affects multiplayer sessions where players are different levels, so in single-player it generally has no practical effect regardless of the setting.

Who can change the level sync setting?

Only the person hosting a self-hosted world or managing a dedicated server's configuration files can change this setting, since it applies to the whole server rather than an individual player.

What happens if level sync is left on?

With level sync on, lower-level players are typically scaled up in combat effectiveness when playing alongside higher-level players, which is meant to keep multiplayer sessions balanced.

Mechanics

How do you turn off level sync in Palworld?

Answer

Level sync is a server setting rather than a personal toggle, so it can only be turned off by the host or admin of a self-hosted or dedicated server by editing the world or server configuration settings before or during setup. On official or community servers you do not control, you may not be able to change it yourself.

Level sync is one of several multiplayer-balance settings in Palworld that confuses players because it lives in server configuration rather than the in-game options menu most people check first.

Quick answer

Level sync cannot be toggled from your personal character or game settings menu. It is a world or server-level configuration option, so it can only be changed by whoever owns or hosts the server you're playing on, typically through the server's settings file or hosting panel.

Step-by-step for server hosts

Stop the server or access it while it is not actively being modified, depending on your hosting setup.
Open the server configuration file or your hosting provider's settings panel.
Locate the setting related to level scaling or level sync among the world options.
Change the value to disable it, following the format your hosting method requires.
Save the configuration and restart the server for the change to take effect.

Why you might not be able to change it yourself

Situation	Can you change level sync?
Self-hosted world you own	Yes, through world or server settings
Dedicated server you administer	Yes, through server configuration
Community or official server you just join	Usually no, unless an admin changes it
Single-player save	Setting has little practical effect

Why level sync exists

The setting is designed to keep multiplayer groups balanced when players are at very different levels, since higher-level characters and Pals would otherwise dominate combat while lower-level friends contribute little. Turning it off is mainly useful for groups who prefer letting stronger players carry fights, or who want level differences to matter more directly.

Things to check before changing server settings

Before adjusting any server configuration, back up your existing settings file if possible, since a typo in a config file can prevent a server from starting. If you're unsure which exact setting name your hosting provider uses, check its support documentation, as naming can differ slightly between self-hosted setups and managed hosting panels.

Keeping progression fair either way

Whether or not you disable level sync, coordinating with your group on leveling pace, gear, and which Pals to bring into fights makes multiplayer sessions smoother. Our guides section covers general progression pacing that applies whether you're playing solo or in a synced or unsynced group.

Frequently asked questions

Can I turn off level sync in single-player?: Level sync mainly affects multiplayer sessions where players are different levels, so in single-player it generally has no practical effect regardless of the setting.
Who can change the level sync setting?: Only the person hosting a self-hosted world or managing a dedicated server's configuration files can change this setting, since it applies to the whole server rather than an individual player.
What happens if level sync is left on?: With level sync on, lower-level players are typically scaled up in combat effectiveness when playing alongside higher-level players, which is meant to keep multiplayer sessions balanced.