Create a Valheim dedicated server: Step-by-step tutorial

Ready to host a legendary Valheim realm that can rival Asgard itself? A Valheim Dedicated Server is your ticket to massive multiplayer mayhem in this Norse-inspired survival epic. You can run it from your PC or a remotely hosted server (such as a dedicated bare metal server).

Key things to know before we dive in:

• Valheim is built for 1-10 player co-op survival
• Private servers cap at 10 players, but dedicated servers can host up to 64 Vikings!
• For smoother gameplay, some veterans recommend 10-15 players max
• Your character, inventory, and skills travel between worlds (so die responsibly!)
• More players = tougher enemies (Odin doesn’t make it easy)

This guide will equip you with:

1. Step-by-step dedicated gaming server setup (no need for rune magic)
2. Performance optimization tricks (because lag is worse than draugr)
3. Player management tools (keep the real-world trolls at bay)
4. Troubleshooting common issues (before they become Ragnarök-level problems)
5. Pro tips for server mastery (impress even the Allfather himself)

Ready to forge a Valheim world worthy of skaldic poems? Let’s fire up that server and make the gods envious!

How to set up a Valheim dedicated server in 10 steps

If this is your first time creating a gaming server, just follow the 10 steps listed below to learn how to set up a Valheim Dedicated Server:

1. Log into the server

Log into your dedicated server to start the process.

2. Download Steam

Download the Steam installer from the official website using this link, and then click on the blue INSTALL STEAM button in the middle of the page.

Save the SteamSetup.exe file to your designated download location.

3. Install Steam

Run the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file and follow the installation wizard to install it onto your server.

Once installed, launch Steam and log in to your Steam account.

4. Install Valheim

Start Steam and open the LIBRARY tab. Now use the search bar to search for Valheim and select it. Finally, use the blue INSTALL button and follow the installation wizard to install it onto your server. (Note: this step is optional and only required if you intend to join and play the game from the dedicated server instead of your PC.)

5. Install Valheim on your dedicated server

Use the search bar again to find Valheim Dedicated Server and select it. Finally, use the blue INSTALL button and follow the Valheim Dedicated Server setup wizard to install it onto your server.

6. Configure your Valheim server settings

Use Windows Explorer to navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim dedicated server\. Now open the start_headless_server.bat file with a text editor such as Notepad and observe the final line of code: valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name “My server” -port 2456 -world “Dedicated” -password “secret” -crossplay. Finally, update the -name and -password values with the ones you are planning to share with friends who will join the game.

7. Launch your Valheim server

Use the Steam library search bar one more times to find Valheim Dedicated Server and select it. Then, use the green LAUNCH button to run it. Next, a command prompt window will appear, and after a few moments, you should see the following line: Session “Server Name” with join code ###### and IP ##.##.##.##:2456 is active with 0 player(s). Finally, write down the join code for the final step.

8. Configure the firewall

If you fail to receive the Session is active message from the previous step, you will need to configure your server’s firewall by opening ports 2456 and 2458. Your hosting provider can help with this if you find it overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to reach out for support. (Note: this step is optional and depends on your hosting provider’s, as well as your own, firewall configuration.)

9. Share the server’s credentials

If you want your friends to join the server, you need to provide them with two things: the password you configured in step 5 and the join code you received in step 6.

Friends wanting to join a game should take the following steps:

• Launch Valheim
• From the main menu, select “Join Game”
• Click on “Join IP”
• Enter the join code OR the IP address followed by the port (e.g., 123.45.67.89:2456)
• Enter the server password when prompted
• Your character will spawn in the new world!

 10. Enjoy the game

Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of our Valheim Dedicated Server setup guide. Have fun running your very own dedicated Valheim server!

Remember, keep the server process running for continuous access.

To take your Valheim server to the next level, consider setting up automatic restarts or a service to keep the server online 24/7.

Pro tips:

• For better performance, especially with many players, consider allocating more RAM to the server by modifying the start script.
• Regularly backup your world files, located in C:\Users\[YourUser]\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\.
• Monitor server performance and adjust settings as needed for optimal gameplay.

Valehim server administration tips

Server shutdown

To properly shut down your Valheim server, use CTRL+C in the Command window. This ensures all player data and world states are saved correctly before termination. Avoid forcing the server to close, as this may corrupt save files or cause data loss.

Server access management

Valheim provides several text files to control server access:

• adminlist.txt: Lists Steam IDs of players with administrative privileges
• bannedlist.txt: Contains Steam IDs of banned players
• permittedlist.txt: When enabled, only listed Steam IDs can join the server

These files are located in the server installation directory. Add one Steam ID per line. Changes take effect immediately without server restart.

Admin console

Access the admin console by pressing F5 while in-game. This provides various administrative commands:

• kick [name/ip/userID]: Remove player from server
• ban [name/ip/userID]: Ban player from server
• unban [userID]: Remove player ban
• save: Force world save
• ping: Display current server latency

How to manage Valheim server performance

RAM allocation settings

Modify the start script (start_headless_server.bat) to allocate more RAM:

@echo off
set SteamAppId=892970
echo "Starting server PRESS CTRL-C to exit"
valheim_server.exe -nographics -batchmode -name "My Server" -port 2456 -world "Dedicated" -password "secret" -crossplay -memory 4096

The -memory parameter sets RAM allocation in MB. For 10+ players, allocate at least 4GB (4096MB).

World file backup

1. Locate world files in: C:\Users\[YourUser]\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\
2. Back up these files regularly:

[worldname].db (world data)

[worldname].fwl (world metadata)

[worldname].db.old (backup world data)

[worldname].fwl.old (backup metadata)

Save interval configuration

Add -saveinterval 1200 to your start script to set automatic saves every 1200 seconds (20 minutes). Lower intervals increase safety but may impact performance.

Server monitoring tools

• Task Manager: Monitor CPU/RAM usage
• Resource Monitor: Track network usage
• Steam Server Query tool: Check server response time
• Valheim Plus mod: Advanced server statistics and management

Want to take your dedicated server to the next level?

Running a dedicated gaming server will bring you benefits, such as full control over who can access it as well as the ability to modify the game to your liking. Furthermore, setting up a Valheim Dedicated Server doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you use the right guide and pick a good hosting provider. If you decide to host your game server remotely, a dedicated gaming server is a great option, as it provides exceptional security, performance, and full control over the software.

If you need a dedicated gaming server, or a bare-metal gaming server, Liquid Web has just what you need. Our dedicated servers are highly customizable, come with DDOS protection for gaming, and provide a 100% power and network uptime guarantee. Get in touch with us today, and we will help you set it up.