How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server

A dedicated Valheim server lets your Viking adventures continue 24/7. This comprehensive guide covers everything from system requirements to hosting alternatives.

Why a Dedicated Server?

Valheim's world is persistent, but hosting on your PC means:

>Server goes offline when you quit
>Performance issues for the host
>Friends can't play when you're away

A dedicated server solves these problems, providing 24/7 access and better performance for all players.

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System Requirements

Before setting up, ensure your hardware meets these minimum specs:

Minimum Requirements

Component	Specification
CPU	Dual-core 2.4 GHz
RAM	4GB
Storage	10GB SSD
Network	5 Mbps upload
OS	Windows 10/11 or Linux

Recommended Requirements

Component	Specification
CPU	Quad-core 3.0 GHz
RAM	8GB
Storage	20GB SSD
Network	20 Mbps upload
OS	Windows 10/11 or Linux

Player Scaling Guide

Players	CPU	RAM	Bandwidth
2-4	2 cores	4GB	5 Mbps
5-7	4 cores	8GB	10 Mbps
8-10	4+ cores	16GB	20 Mbps

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Installation Methods

Method 1: Steam Tools (Easiest)

The official Valheim dedicated server tool makes setup simple.

#### Windows Installation

1.Install SteamCMD or use Steam

Using Steam (recommended):

>Open Steam
>Go to Library → Tools
>Find "Valheim Dedicated Server"
>Right-click → Install

2.Locate Server Files

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim dedicated server

3.Configure Server

>Open start_headless_server.bat with a text editor
>Edit the following line:

BATCH

   valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name "Your Server Name" -port 2456 -world "YourWorldName" -password "YourPassword" -public 1

>Change:
>"Your Server Name" - Display name in server list
>"YourWorldName" - World save name (no spaces)
>"YourPassword" - Required password (min 5 characters)
>-public 1 - Set to 0 for private server

4.Start the Server

>Run start_headless_server.bat
>Wait for "Game server connected" in console

#### Linux Installation

1.Install SteamCMD

Bash

   # Ubuntu/Debian
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install steamcmd

2.Download Server

Bash

   steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 896660 validate +exit

3.Create Start Script

Bash

   #!/bin/bash
   export SteamAppId=892970
   export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=./linux64:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH
   ./valheim_server.x86_64 -name "Your Server Name" -port 2456 -world "YourWorldName" -password "YourPassword" -public 1

4.Make Executable and Run

Bash

   chmod +x start_server.sh
   ./start_server.sh

Method 2: Docker (Advanced)

Docker provides isolated, easy-to-manage server deployment.

YAML

# docker-compose.yml
version: '3.8'
services:
  valheim:
    image: lloesche/valheim-server
    container_name: valheim
    environment:
      - SERVER_NAME=Your Server Name
      - WORLD_NAME=YourWorldName
      - SERVER_PASS=YourPassword
      - SERVER_PORT=2456
      - PUBLIC=1
    volumes:
      - ./config:/config
      - ./data:/opt/valheim
    ports:
      - "2456-2458:2456-2458/udp"
    restart: unless-stopped

Run with:

Bash

docker-compose up -d

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Port Forwarding

For external players to connect, you must forward ports on your router.

Ports to Forward

Port	Protocol	Purpose
2456	UDP	Game traffic
2457	UDP	Steam query
2458	UDP	Steam master

Port Forwarding Steps

1.Find Your Local IP

>Windows: Open CMD, type ipconfig
>Linux: Type ip addr
>Note your IPv4 address (usually 192.168.x.x)

2.Access Router Settings

>Open browser to router IP (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
>Login with admin credentials

3.Create Port Forwarding Rules

>Find "Port Forwarding" or "NAT" section
>Create new rules for ports 2456-2458
>Set protocol to UDP
>Point to your local IP address

4.Configure Firewall

Windows:

POWERSHELL

   netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Valheim Server" dir=in action=allow protocol=UDP localport=2456-2458

Linux (ufw):

Bash

   sudo ufw allow 2456:2458/udp

5.Find Your Public IP

>Visit whatismyip.com
>Share this IP with friends

Connect to Your Server

Players can connect using:

>In-game: Server list (if public)
>Direct connect: your-public-ip:2456
>Steam: View → Servers → Add server

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Configuration

Server Settings File

Create or edit adminlist.txt, bannedlist.txt, and permittedlist.txt in the server directory.

Admin Commands

Connect to your server and press F5 to open console:

Command	Description
`help`	Show available commands
`kick [name/ip/userID]`	Remove player
`ban [name/ip/userID]`	Ban player
`unban [name/ip/userID]`	Remove ban
`banned`	List banned players
`save`	Force world save
`resetmap`	Reset exploration map

Performance Optimization

Edit launch parameters for better performance:

BATCH

valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name "Server" -port 2456 -world "World" -password "pass" -public 1 -crossplay

Key flags:

>-crossplay - Enable cross-platform play
>-preset Hardcore - Set gameplay preset

World Backup

Valheim saves are stored in:

>Windows: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds
>Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds

Regular backups prevent progress loss. Consider automated backup scripts.

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Hosting Provider Alternatives

Don't want to host yourself? Consider these providers:

Top Valheim Hosting Providers

Provider	Starting Price	Features
GPortal	$6.50/mo	Instant setup, DDoS protection
HostHavoc	$8.00/mo	Mod support, 24/7 support
Survival Servers	$8.50/mo	Full FTP access, custom mods
PingPerfect	$9.00/mo	Low latency, control panel
GTXGaming	$6.00/mo	Budget option, basic features

Benefits of Paid Hosting

>No need to keep your PC running
>Professional DDoS protection
>Easy control panel
>Automatic backups
>Technical support
>Guaranteed uptime

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Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing in List

1.Check firewall allows ports 2456-2458 UDP

2.Verify port forwarding is correct

3.Ensure -public 1 is set

4.Wait 5-10 minutes for server list update

5.Try direct IP connection instead

Players Can't Connect

1.Confirm password is at least 5 characters

2.Verify they're using correct IP and port

3.Check server is running (not crashed)

4.Ensure Valheim versions match

5.Try disabling firewall temporarily to test

High Lag/Poor Performance

1.Reduce world complexity (fewer builds)

2.Increase server RAM allocation

3.Ensure SSD storage is used

4.Check network upload speed

5.Limit concurrent players

Server Crashes

1.Check server logs for errors

2.Verify world file isn't corrupted

3.Update server to latest version

4.Remove problematic mods

5.Validate game files via Steam

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Quick Reference

Default Ports

>Game: 2456 UDP
>Query: 2457 UDP
>Master: 2458 UDP

File Locations

>Config: [server]/valheim_server_Data/
>Worlds: [server]/worlds/ or user AppData
>Logs: [server]/output_log.txt

Useful Links

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Conclusion

Setting up a Valheim dedicated server requires some technical knowledge, but the benefits of 24/7 uptime and better performance make it worthwhile. Choose self-hosting for control and cost savings, or a hosting provider for convenience and support.

Your Viking adventures await—good luck building your server!

> How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server

How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server

Why a Dedicated Server?

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

Recommended Requirements

Player Scaling Guide

Installation Methods

Method 1: Steam Tools (Easiest)

Method 2: Docker (Advanced)

Port Forwarding

Ports to Forward

Port Forwarding Steps

Connect to Your Server

Configuration

Server Settings File

Admin Commands

Performance Optimization

World Backup

Hosting Provider Alternatives

Top Valheim Hosting Providers

Benefits of Paid Hosting

Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing in List

Players Can't Connect

High Lag/Poor Performance

Server Crashes

Quick Reference

Default Ports

File Locations

Useful Links

Conclusion