Host a Valheim Dedicated Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Welcome, Dev, to your complete guide on how to host a Valheim dedicated server. Valheim is a popular survival video game that can be played in multiplayer mode with your friends. If you want to have complete control over your game environment and customize it to your preferences, setting up a dedicated server is the way to go.

What is a Valheim Dedicated Server?

Valheim is a game that can be played in multiplayer mode. When you play the game in multiplayer mode, you have two options: connect to a server hosted by someone else or host your own server. When you host your own server, it is called a dedicated server. A dedicated server is a computer that runs the game 24/7, allowing you and your friends to play the game anytime you want without worrying about connection issues or server crashes.

Advantages of Hosting a Valheim Dedicated Server

There are several advantages of hosting a Valheim dedicated server, including:

Requirements for Hosting a Valheim Dedicated Server

Before you start hosting a Valheim dedicated server, there are a few requirements that you need to fulfill.

Minimum System Requirements

You need a computer with the following minimum system requirements:

Internet Connection

You need a stable internet connection with a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps. A faster connection is recommended if you plan to host a larger server.

Game License

You need a valid copy of Valheim on your Steam account. You cannot host a dedicated server without owning the game.

How to Host a Valheim Dedicated Server

Now that you know the requirements for hosting a Valheim dedicated server, let’s dive into the steps to set it up.

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update your dedicated server files. You can download SteamCMD from the official Valve website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD.

Windows

Download and extract the SteamCMD zip file to any directory on your computer, for example, C:\SteamCMD. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and navigate to the SteamCMD directory. Run the following command to download the server files for Valheim:

steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir "C:\ValheimServer" +app_update 896660 validate +exit

This will download and install the Valheim dedicated server files to the C:\ValheimServer directory.

Linux

Download and extract the SteamCMD tar file to any directory on your Linux server, for example, /home/user/SteamCMD. Open the Terminal and navigate to the SteamCMD directory. Run the following command to download the server files for Valheim:

./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir "/home/user/ValheimServer" +app_update 896660 validate +exit

This will download and install the Valheim dedicated server files to the /home/user/ValheimServer directory.

Step 2: Configure the Server Settings

After installing the server files, you need to configure the server settings according to your preferences. You can modify the server settings in the server configuration file located in the ValheimServer\config directory.

Here are some of the important server settings that you can modify:

You can find the complete list of server settings in the server_configuration.txt file located in the ValheimServer\config directory.

Step 3: Open the Server Ports

Before you start your server, you need to open the necessary ports on your router or firewall to allow incoming connections to your server. By default, the Valheim dedicated server uses UDP port 2456 for the game and UDP port 2457 for the Steam query protocol. You can modify these ports in the server configuration file.

Step 4: Start the Server

After configuring the server settings and opening the necessary ports, you can start your server by running the dedicated server executable file located in the ValheimServer directory.

Windows

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and navigate to the ValheimServer directory. Run the following command to start your server:

valheim_server -name "MyServer" -port 2456 -world "MyWorld" -password "MyPassword"

Replace “MyServer”, “MyWorld”, and “MyPassword” with your preferred server name, world name, and password. You can also modify the port number if necessary.

Linux

Open the Terminal and navigate to the ValheimServer directory. Run the following command to start your server:

./valheim_server.x86_64 -name "MyServer" -port 2456 -world "MyWorld" -password "MyPassword"

Replace “MyServer”, “MyWorld”, and “MyPassword” with your preferred server name, world name, and password. You can also modify the port number if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I host a Valheim dedicated server on my own PC?

Yes, you can host a Valheim dedicated server on your own PC if it meets the minimum system requirements and has a stable internet connection.

How many players can join my Valheim dedicated server?

The maximum number of players that can join your Valheim dedicated server is currently 10.

Do I need a separate Valheim game license to host a dedicated server?

No, you can host a Valheim dedicated server with your existing game license on your Steam account.

Can I run a Valheim dedicated server on a Linux server?

Yes, you can run a Valheim dedicated server on a Linux server. Follow the same steps as for Windows, but use the Linux command-line equivalents for downloading and installing SteamCMD and running the dedicated server executable file.

How do I update my Valheim dedicated server?

To update your Valheim dedicated server files, run the following command in SteamCMD:

app_update 896660 validate

This will download and install the latest server files.

Conclusion

Hosting a Valheim dedicated server can be a fun and rewarding experience, allowing you to play the game with your friends in a customized game environment. By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to set up your own Valheim dedicated server with ease. Happy gaming, Dev!