A Valheim dedicated server keeps your world online whether or not the host is playing, and it handles a full group more smoothly than a peer-hosted game. Valheim is light compared to most survival games, so a modest server runs a group well. Here is the setup.
Prefer a one-click start? A Vastrox Valheim plan installs and manages it for you.
Requirements
- A Windows or Linux machine
- 4 GB RAM for a small group, 8 GB for a larger world or more players
- SteamCMD
- Ports open: 2456 to 2458 UDP
Step 1: Install with SteamCMD
The Valheim dedicated server app ID is 896660:
steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 896660 validate +quit
Step 2: Edit the start script
Valheim ships with a start script. Set the name, world and password:
./valheim_server.x86_64 -name "Your Server" -port 2456 -world "Dedicated" -password "yourpassword" -public 1
The password must be at least 5 characters and cannot be part of the server name. Set -public 0 to keep the server out of the community browser.
Step 3: Open the ports
Forward 2456 to 2458 UDP to the server. Valheim uses 2456 for the game and the next ports for the Steam query. On a managed server they are already open.
Step 4: Connect
In Valheim choose Join Game, open the Join IP tab, and enter your-ip:2456. Enter the password and you are in. Add it to favorites for next time.
Your character is stored on your own machine, but the world lives on the server. Everyone keeps their own character and shares the world.
Keep it healthy
- Back up the
worlds_localfolder regularly. It holds your world's.dband.fwlfiles. See How to back up your server. - Restart after updates. A game patch usually needs a matching server update before clients can join.
- Valheim is steady, but a very large base with many structures can tax one CPU core. See How to fix game server lag.
FAQ
How much RAM does a Valheim server need?
4 GB handles a small group comfortably, and 8 GB is plenty for a larger world. Valheim is light next to games like ARK. See How much RAM does a game server need.
Why can my friends not find the server?
Confirm UDP ports 2456 to 2458 are open, the password is at least 5 characters, and the version matches the latest patch.
Do we share characters or just the world?
You share the world. Each player keeps their own character, saved on their own device.
Want it online without the setup? Deploy a Valheim server and explore together.