Welcome, Dev! In this article, we will be discussing how to host a server for the popular game Valheim. If you’re unfamiliar with Valheim, it’s a survival game that has taken the gaming world by storm. Many players are exploring the vast world of Valheim with their friends and family, but hosting a server can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, we will guide you every step of the way.
Getting Started
The first step in hosting a Valheim server is to make sure you have the necessary hardware and software requirements. You’ll need a powerful enough computer to act as the server, and an internet connection that can handle multiple players. You will also need to make sure that your computer is up to date with the latest updates and patches. Once you have everything set up, you can start hosting your very own Valheim server.
Here are the hardware and software requirements you will need:
Hardware |
Software |
|---|---|
Windows 7 or later |
Valheim Dedicated Server |
Quad-core processor or better |
SteamCMD |
8 GB RAM or more |
.NET Core Runtime |
10 GB available storage or more |
Once you have confirmed that your computer meets these requirements, you can move on to the next step.
Setting up the Server
The next step in hosting a Valheim server is to download and install the necessary software. You will need to download and install the Valheim Dedicated Server, SteamCMD, and .NET Core Runtime.
Downloading and Installing SteamCMD
SteamCMD is a command line tool that allows you to install and update game servers. It’s also the tool that we will be using to install the Valheim Dedicated Server.
To download SteamCMD, follow these steps:
- Go to the SteamCMD website.
- Click on the “Windows” button to download the installer.
- Run the installer and follow the installation wizard.
Once SteamCMD is installed, you will need to create a new folder on your computer to store the Valheim Dedicated Server files. You can name this folder anything you like. For this example, we will name the folder “ValheimServer”.
To create the folder, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click in an empty area and select “New” > “Folder”.
- Name the folder “ValheimServer” and press Enter.
Once you have created the folder, you can move on to the next step.
Downloading and Installing .NET Core Runtime
The .NET Core Runtime is required for the Valheim Dedicated Server to run on your computer. It’s a free, open-source software that can be downloaded from Microsoft’s website.
To download the .NET Core Runtime, follow these steps:
- Go to the .NET Core Runtime download page.
- Click on the “Download .NET Core Runtime” button.
- Follow the installation wizard to install the .NET Core Runtime.
Once .NET Core Runtime is installed, you can move on to the next step.
Downloading and Installing the Valheim Dedicated Server
The Valheim Dedicated Server files can be downloaded using SteamCMD. Follow these steps to download and install the server:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command:
cd C:\steamcmd - Type the following command:
steamcmd - Type the following command:
login anonymous - Type the following command:
force_install_dir C:\ValheimServer - Type the following command:
app_update 896660 validate - Wait for the server to download and install.
- Once the installation is complete, type the following command:
exit
Your Valheim Dedicated Server is now installed and ready to be configured.
Configuring the Server
The next step is to configure your Valheim server so that it’s ready for players to join. You will need to create a configuration file and modify a few settings.
Creating the Configuration File
To create the configuration file, follow these steps:
- Open Notepad or any other text editor.
- Copy and paste the following text into the text editor:
name "Valheim Server"port 2456world "Dedicated"password "mypassword"public 1
Make sure to replace “mypassword” with a strong password that your players will need to enter to join your server.
- Save the file as “start_server.bat” in your “ValheimServer” folder.
- Exit the text editor.
Your configuration file is now created and saved.
Modifying the Server Settings
Now that you have created the configuration file, you will need to modify a few settings to customize your server. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the “start_server.bat” file in a text editor.
- Add the following to the end of the file:
-valheim_server-nographics-batchmode-name "ValheimServer"-world "Dedicated"-port 2456-password "mypassword"-public 1
Make sure to replace “mypassword” with the password you set in your configuration file.
- Save the file.
- Exit the text editor.
Your Valheim server is now configured and ready to be started.
Starting the Server
Now that you have everything set up and configured, it’s time to start the Valheim server. Follow these steps to start the server:
- Open File Explorer.
- Navigate to your “ValheimServer” folder.
- Double-click on the “start_server.bat” file.
- The server console will open, and you’ll see messages indicating that your server is starting up.
- Once the server is started, you can minimize the console window (but do not close it).
- Your Valheim server is now up and running!
FAQ
Can I host a Valheim server on a dedicated server?
Yes, you can host a Valheim server on a dedicated server. However, you will need to make sure that the server meets the hardware and software requirements listed above. Additionally, you may need to modify the server settings to work with your dedicated server’s configuration.
How many players can join my Valheim server?
Your Valheim server can handle up to 10 players at once. If you want to increase the number of players, you can modify the “maxPlayers” setting in your configuration file.
Can I use mods on my Valheim server?
Yes, you can use mods on your Valheim server. However, keep in mind that not all mods are compatible with each other or with the Valheim Dedicated Server. Make sure to test any mods before adding them to your server.
What can I do if my Valheim server is experiencing lag?
If your Valheim server is experiencing lag, you can try the following solutions:
- Restart the server.
- Reduce the number of players on the server.
- Reduce the render distance in the server settings.
- Upgrade your computer’s hardware.
- Upgrade your internet connection.
- Verify that your computer’s drivers are up to date.
If none of these solutions work, you may want to consider seeking help from Valheim’s official support channels or community forums.
Conclusion
Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully hosted a Valheim server. Now you and your friends can explore the vast world of Valheim together. We hope this article has been helpful and informative. If you have any additional questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Happy gaming!