Making a Valheim server gives you and your friends a shared world where you can build, explore, defeat bosses, and progress together. There are two main ways to create one: self-host the server from your own Windows PC or use Valheim hosting, where the server environment is already prepared for you.

Self-hosting requires installing the Valheim server application, configuring the server manually, setting up networking, and keeping your PC running whenever you want the world online. With Valheim hosting, much of that setup is handled for you.

This guide explains how to create a brand-new Valheim server using either method.

What Do You Need To Make A Valheim Server?

If you want to self-host from Windows, you will need:

  • A Windows PC capable of running the server
  • A stable internet connection
  • Steam installed
  • Access to Windows Firewall
  • Access to your router settings if port forwarding is required
  • A server name, world name, and password

Your PC also needs enough CPU and memory for the server workload. Before deciding whether your current hardware is suitable, it is worth checking the Valheim 1.0 server requirements and RAM recommendations, especially if you plan to use mods or have several players online at once.

If you plan to play Valheim from the same PC that is hosting the server, remember that Windows, the game client, and the server will all be sharing the machine's available resources.

How To Make A Valheim Server With Self-Hosting

When self-hosting, the Valheim server runs directly from your Windows PC. You are responsible for installing the server files, configuring the world, setting up networking, and starting or stopping the server yourself.

Install The Valheim Server Files

The Valheim server application is available directly through Steam.

  1. Open Steam.
  2. Go to your Library.
  3. Open the library filter.
  4. Enable Tools.
  5. Search for Valheim Dedicated Server.
  6. Select Install.
  7. Wait for Steam to finish downloading the files.

Valheim Dedicated Server is simply the official name of the server application listed through Steam. Because you are installing and running it from your own PC, this setup is still self-hosting.

Once it has installed, right-click Valheim Dedicated Server in Steam and select Manage > Browse Local Files.

This opens the folder containing the files needed to configure your new server.

Configure Your New Valheim Server

Inside the installation folder, locate start_headless_server.bat.

Before changing it, make a copy of the file and give the copy a recognizable name, such as my_valheim_server.bat.

Using your own copy is important because the original start_headless_server.bat can be replaced when the Valheim server application receives an update. Keeping your settings in a separate copy prevents you from needing to configure everything again.

Right-click your copied .bat file and open it with Notepad.

Inside, you will find the command used to start your server. A basic configuration may look like:

start valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name "My Valheim Server" -port 2456 -world "MyWorld" -password "MyPassword" -public 1 -crossplay

The main settings are:

  • -name sets the name of your Valheim server.
  • -port controls the main network port. The default is 2456.
  • -world determines which world the server loads.
  • -password sets the password required to access the server.
  • -public 1 makes the server visible through the public server browser.
  • -public 0 hides the server from the public browser.
  • -crossplay enables Valheim's crossplay networking backend.

If a world matching the value after -world does not already exist, Valheim creates a new world with that name when the server starts.

Once your settings are configured, save the .bat file.

Configure Networking For A Self-Hosted Valheim Server

The networking setup depends on whether you use -crossplay.

When -crossplay is enabled, Valheim uses its crossplay backend and relay servers. Traditional router port forwarding is therefore not required for outside connections.

If you remove -crossplay, the server uses the Steam backend instead. In this configuration, you need to make sure the required server ports can be accessed through your network.

With the default port setting, Valheim uses UDP ports 2456-2457.

Port forwarding differs between routers, but the general process is:

  1. Find the local IPv4 address of the Windows PC running the server.
  2. Open your router's administration page.
  3. Find the Port Forwarding settings.
  4. Forward UDP ports 2456-2457.
  5. Point the ports to the local IP address of your server PC.
  6. Save the changes.

Windows Firewall may also display a prompt when the Valheim server runs for the first time. Allow the application to communicate through the firewall so the server's network traffic is not blocked.

Start Your New Valheim Server

Once the server configuration and networking are ready, double-click the custom .bat file you created.

A Command Prompt window will open while Valheim starts the server and generates or loads your world.

The first startup may take slightly longer because a new world needs to be created. Keep the Command Prompt window open while the server is running.

Once the console displays Game server connected, the server has successfully started.

When you want to shut the server down, use CTRL+C inside the Command Prompt rather than simply closing the window. This allows the server process to stop correctly.

Because you are self-hosting, the world will only remain available while your Windows PC is powered on, connected to the internet, and running the Valheim server process.

How To Make A Valheim Server With Pine Hosting

If you do not want to install server applications, configure Windows networking, manage startup files, or keep your personal PC online, dedicated Valheim hosting offers a much simpler way to create your server.

With Pine Hosting, you start by purchasing a Valheim hosting plan.

Once purchased, your new server is automatically deployed with the latest available Valheim version already installed. You do not need to manually install the server application, prepare Steam files, configure Windows Firewall, or set up the hosting environment yourself.

After deployment, open your server through the Pine Hosting game panel. From there, you can configure your world and important server settings, manage files, create backups, and control the server.

If you are deciding which plan is suitable for your group, factors such as RAM, CPU allocation, player count, mods, and world size should all be considered. Pine Hosting's plans are designed to scale depending on how demanding your Valheim server becomes.

Unlike self-hosting, your Pine Hosting server runs independently from your personal computer, allowing the world to remain online without requiring your own PC to stay powered on.

Create A Valheim Server With Pine Hosting

If you are comparing providers, choosing the best Valheim hosting means looking at more than just RAM. Server performance, backups, management tools, updates, file access, and support all affect how easily you can manage your world.

Pine Hosting makes creating new Valheim servers simple by removing the manual Windows setup required when self-hosting.

New servers are automatically deployed with the latest Valheim version installed, while the Pine Hosting game panel gives you access to your world, files, backups, settings, and server controls from one place.

Whether you are creating your first multiplayer world or setting up a new Valheim 1.0 server for a group of friends, Pine Hosting lets you get started without manually building and maintaining the server environment yourself.