How to join a Valheim server on PC and console
Join a Valheim dedicated server using its address, server list, or crossplay join code. Covers Steam, Xbox, and Valheim 1.0 crossplay for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
You can join a Valheim dedicated server with its address, its server-list entry, or a crossplay join code. The right method depends on whether the server uses the Steam backend or Valheim's crossplay backend.
On berrybyte, Enable Crossplay is on by default. Keep it enabled for Xbox players today. Iron Gate has announced PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 crossplay for the September 9, 2026 1.0 launch.
Find your berrybyte server
Open the server Overview
Log in to the dashboard, select the Valheim server, and open Overview.
Confirm the server is running
Press Start if it is offline. Wait for the world to finish loading in the console.
Copy the address
Click Server address to copy the complete host and port.
Join from Steam
Open Join Game
Launch Valheim, choose Start Game, select your character, then choose Join Game.
Add the server
Choose Add server or the direct-address option and paste the full address from Overview.
Connect
Select the saved server, press Connect, and enter its password.
Join with crossplay
Crossplay is required when the group includes a non-Steam player. Iron Gate currently supports join codes for crossplay dedicated servers and has announced full crossplay across every Valheim 1.0 platform.
Enable crossplay
On berrybyte, open Settings → Game Settings, set Enable Crossplay to on, save, and
restart. Self-hosted servers add -crossplay to the launch command.
Find the join code
Open the server Console and find the startup line containing join code. After one player is connected, Valheim also shows the code in the pause menu.
Add the code
The joining player opens Join Game, selects Add server, pastes the join code, and enters the server password.
Steam backend or crossplay backend?
| Backend | Who can join | How players connect | Home port forwarding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam | Steam players | Public address and server list | Required for self-hosting |
| Crossplay | Players across supported platforms | Public address, server list, or join code | Not required |
The official
Valheim dedicated-server guide
notes that crossplay uses a relay. A crossplay server cannot be joined through
a local 192.168.x.x, 10.x.x.x, or loopback address; use its public address
or join code instead. Hosted berrybyte servers already use a public address.
Cross-platform save sync is separate from crossplay. Iron Gate says Xbox and Microsoft Store PC can share saves; Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 saves do not sync across those storefronts.
Fix connection problems
"Failed to connect"
Confirm the server is running and has finished loading the world. Copy the address again, check the password, and verify that Enable Crossplay is on if any player is not using Steam.
Incompatible version
The client and server must run the same Valheim build. Update the client, then restart a berrybyte server with Auto Update enabled. Around the 1.0 launch, back up the world before the first updated start.
The server is missing from the list
Server-list discovery can take time. Add it by address or use the crossplay join code rather than waiting for search. Check Public Server under Game Settings if you want it listed.
The join code does not work
Join codes are tied to the current crossplay session and can change after restart. Copy the current code from the latest startup output. Confirm that the player entered the code under Add server, not in the password field.
A modded player cannot connect
Valheim has no official mod support. Some mods must match on the client and server, and console versions do not support mods for 1.0. Test the same unmodded version first, then add mods back only after their authors confirm 1.0 compatibility.
If the server itself is not installed yet, follow How to set up a Valheim dedicated server.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a berrybyte Valheim server?
Open the server's Overview page, copy Server address, then in Valheim choose Start Game, select your character, choose Join Game, and add or join the server using that address. Enter the server password when prompted.
Can Xbox players join a Valheim dedicated server?
Yes. Enable crossplay on the dedicated server, then join through the server list or with its crossplay join code. A Steam-only backend cannot accept Xbox players.
Can PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 players join a Valheim dedicated server?
Iron Gate has announced full crossplay across all platforms for Valheim 1.0. Keep crossplay enabled. Xbox can already join a current crossplay dedicated server.
Where do I find a Valheim join code?
A crossplay server prints its join code in the server console when the session starts. The code is also visible from Valheim's pause menu after joining. Send that code to a player, who can paste it under Join Game → Add server.
Why does Valheim say Failed to connect?
Check that the server is running, the address and password are correct, and the client and server versions match. Non-Steam players require crossplay. Crossplay connections must use a public address, server listing, or join code rather than a local IP.