How to set up a Valheim dedicated server
Set up a persistent Valheim server for 1–10 players on berrybyte or with SteamCMD app 896660, including world name, password, crossplay, ports, updates, and backups for Valheim 1.0.
A Valheim dedicated server is a persistent world for 1–10 players. On berrybyte the install, networking, and update process are handled for you; you choose the server name, world, password, visibility, and whether crossplay is enabled.
Set up Valheim on berrybyte
Choose your Valheim server
Open Valheim server hosting, select a region close to your group, and continue to checkout. The plan includes 10 player slots.
Sign in and pay
Sign in with Google, Discord, or email, then complete the Stripe checkout. See Create your first server for the general checkout flow.
Wait for setup
The dashboard shows a Setting up card while the Valheim dedicated server files are installed. It opens the server when setup completes.
Configure the world
Open Settings → Game Settings. Set Server Name, Server Password, and World Name. Keep Enable Crossplay on if anyone joins from a non-Steam platform.
Start the server
Return to Overview and press Start. Wait until the live console shows that the world has loaded before trying to connect.
Copy the server address
Copy Server address from Overview and send it to your PC players. For cross-platform joining, see How to join a Valheim server.
For a new 1.0 playthrough, wait until the September 9 update has reached the server before generating the world you plan to keep. If you are carrying a world forward, follow the Deep North preparation guide first.
Important Game Settings
| Setting | What it controls | Recommended starting value |
|---|---|---|
| Server Name | Name players see in Valheim | A short, unique name |
| Server Password | Password required to join | At least 5 characters; it must not appear in the server name |
| World Name | Which .db and .fwl world pair loads | Keep the existing name when importing a world |
| Public Server | Whether the server appears in lists | On for discoverability; off for address-only joining |
| Enable Crossplay | Uses Valheim's crossplay backend | On for console or non-Steam players |
| Auto Update | Installs the current dedicated-server build on start | On, except while deliberately holding a version |
| Backup Interval | Frequency of Valheim's built-in world save backups | The default is 30 minutes |
Changes apply the next time the process starts. Stop the server before changing the world name or replacing world files.
Self-host with SteamCMD
Steam's Valheim Dedicated Server tool is App ID 896660 and supports
anonymous SteamCMD login. Copy start_server.sh or start_headless_server.bat
before updating; Steam overwrites the originals.
steamcmd +force_install_dir ./valheim_server \
+login anonymous \
+app_update 896660 validate \
+quitStart the Steam backend:
./valheim_server.x86_64 -nographics -batchmode \
-name "My Valheim Server" \
-port 2456 \
-world "Dedicated" \
-password "change-me" \
-public 1steamcmd.exe +force_install_dir C:\ValheimServer +login anonymous +app_update 896660 validate +quitStart the Steam backend:
valheim_server.exe -nographics -batchmode -name "My Valheim Server" -port 2456 -world "Dedicated" -password "change-me" -public 1Add -crossplay to the launch command for the PlayFab crossplay backend.
Iron Gate's
dedicated-server guide
documents the current arguments and networking behavior.
Steam backend networking
The official dedicated-server guide documents the configured UDP port and the next port. With the default, that is 2456–2457. The shipped start script also mentions 2458. Players can use the public address and port.
Crossplay backend networking
Add -crossplay. Valheim relays traffic through the crossplay backend, so a home router
does not need port forwarding. Players can use the public address, server list, or join
code. Local and loopback IP addresses do not work through the crossplay backend.
Back up before updates
Use Backups before a major update, world import, or mod change. If you also keep a manual copy, preserve the matching world files together:
<WorldName>.db
<WorldName>.fwlThe .db contains the world data and the .fwl identifies the world. Restoring
only one can produce the wrong world or prevent it from loading. On a
self-hosted server those files usually live under worlds_local in:
- Windows:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim - Linux:
~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim
Also copy adminlist.txt, bannedlist.txt, permittedlist.txt, and any
.old or _backup* siblings. Stop the process with CTRL+C before copying.
For the September 9 update, see Valheim 1.0 and the Deep North before starting the updated server for the first time.
Frequently asked questions
How many players can join a Valheim dedicated server?
Valheim supports 1–10 players by default, and Iron Gate has confirmed that this remains unchanged in Valheim 1.0.
What is the Valheim dedicated server Steam App ID?
Steam lists the Valheim Dedicated Server tool as App ID 896660. SteamCMD can download it anonymously with app_update 896660.
Which ports does a Valheim dedicated server use?
The Steam backend uses the configured UDP port and the next port; the official default range is 2456–2457. Crossplay uses a relay and does not require router port forwarding, although the configured port still distinguishes servers sharing one public IP.
How do I let console players join a Valheim server?
Enable crossplay. The crossplay backend supports join codes and players on non-Steam platforms. Iron Gate has announced full crossplay across all platforms for Valheim 1.0.
Should I create my Valheim 1.0 world before September 9?
If you want a completely fresh 1.0 world, wait until the 1.0 server build is live on September 9 before generating it. Existing worlds continue working, but Iron Gate recommends a fresh world for the best complete experience.