Playing Valheim with friends is much easier when your world stays online without depending on one player to host every session. A Valheim dedicated server gives your group a persistent world for exploring, building, progressing through bosses, and playing whenever they want.
There are several ways to run a Valheim 1.0 server, from self-hosting on your own PC or VPS to using dedicated Valheim server hosting that handles much of the setup and server management for you. The right option depends on how many players you expect, how much control you want, and whether you plan to use crossplay or mods. This guide explains how to set up a Valheim dedicated server and compares self-hosting with dedicated Valheim hosting.
Running A Valheim 1.0 Server
Existing Valheim servers and worlds can continue to be used with Valheim 1.0, allowing established communities to keep their progress rather than rebuilding everything from scratch.
Before making major changes to a Valheim 1.0 server or updating a long-running world, creating a backup of the .db and .fwl world files is always recommended. Players continuing an older world should also keep in mind that new biome content is generated in areas that have not already been explored.
For Valheim 1.0 multiplayer, crossplay is another important consideration. Groups playing across different supported platforms should make sure crossplay is enabled when configuring their dedicated server so everyone can connect to the same world.
Modded Valheim servers can require additional attention when the game, BepInEx, or individual mods receive updates. Because Valheim does not officially support mods, compatibility can occasionally break after a game update. Regular server backups make it much easier to restore your world if a mod or update causes problems.
What A Valheim Dedicated Server Actually Does
Before jumping into commands, it helps to understand what you are setting up. A Valheim dedicated server is a separate server application that runs your world in the background. Instead of one player opening Valheim and hosting the world from inside the game, the server software keeps the world available for players to join.
That does not automatically mean the server is always online. If you self-host from your personal PC, the server only stays online while that PC is turned on, connected to the internet, and running the server program. If your computer shuts down, restarts, loses internet, or closes the server window, your Valheim world goes offline too.
This is why there are two main ways to host a 1.0 Valheim server. The first is self-hosting, where you handle the setup yourself. This gives you control, but it also means dealing with server files, commands, passwords, ports, firewall rules, updates, and backups. The second is dedicated Valheim hosting, where a hosting provider runs the server for you. That option is usually better if you want a world that is easier to keep online without managing everything manually.
Self-Hosting A Valheim 1.0 Server
Self-hosting a Valheim dedicated server gives you complete control over the server and its files, but you will also be responsible for the initial setup, networking, updates, backups, and keeping the machine online.
For most players self-hosting from a PC, Windows is the simplest option. Before getting started, make sure the computer has a stable internet connection, enough resources to run the server alongside anything else on the system, and access to your router settings if port forwarding is required.
Step 1: Install The Valheim Dedicated Server
Valheim includes a separate dedicated server tool through Steam:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Open the library filter and make sure Tools is enabled.
- Find Valheim Dedicated Server.
- Install it on the computer that will host your server.
Once installed, right-click Valheim Dedicated Server in Steam and select Manage > Browse Local Files to open the server directory.
Step 2: Configure Your Valheim Server
Inside the server directory, locate:
start_headless_server.bat
Before editing it, create a copy of the file and use the copy for your server configuration. Updates can replace the original file, which would otherwise remove any custom settings you have added.
Right-click the copied .bat file and open it with a text editor such as Notepad. The startup line contains the main settings used by your Valheim dedicated server.
Some of the most important options include:
-name– Sets the name players see for your server.-port– Sets the server's network port. The default is2456.-world– Selects the Valheim world the server should load or creates a new one with that name.-password– Sets the password required to join.-public 1– Makes the server visible in the server browser. Change this to0if you want it hidden.-crossplay– Enables the crossplay backend for players joining from supported platforms.
Save the file once you have configured the settings you want.
Step 3: Configure Ports And Your Firewall
If you are using the standard Steam backend, Valheim uses the selected server port and the next port. With the default configuration, this means ports:
2456-2457
These ports need to be allowed through Windows Firewall and may also need to be forwarded through your router so players outside your home network can connect.
Port forwarding works differently depending on the router and internet provider, so you will need to check your router's settings or documentation.
If your Valheim server uses the crossplay backend, external connections are handled through a relay service and port forwarding is not required. This can make crossplay a simpler option for players self-hosting a Valheim server.
Step 4: Start Your Valheim Dedicated Server
Once everything is configured, run your edited start_headless_server.bat file.
Windows may ask whether you want to allow the server through the firewall the first time it starts. Make sure the appropriate network access is allowed.
The server is ready when the console displays:
Game server connected
Players can then connect using the server browser, their connection details, or the available crossplay connection methods depending on how the server is configured.
When shutting the server down, use CTRL + C inside the server console instead of simply closing the window. This allows the server to stop correctly and helps protect your world data.
Where Are Valheim World Files Stored On Windows?
By default, Valheim stores world and server permission data inside:
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim
This is an important folder to back up regularly, especially before server updates, configuration changes, or changes to a long-running Valheim 1.0 server.
Why Dedicated Valheim Hosting Is Easier
Self-hosting works, but it is manual. You manage SteamCMD, firewall rules, router forwarding, world backups, updates, restarts, logs, and uptime. Your home PC must stay powered on, your internet upload speed matters, and some home connections use CGNAT, which can break port forwarding completely.
Dedicated Valheim hosting removes most of that work. Instead of editing scripts and troubleshooting router pages, you get a control panel, quick startup, easier restarts, file access, backups, and hosting hardware that is meant to stay online. It is the better choice for a persistent Viking world because the server is not tied to one friend’s computer, schedule, or internet connection.
Start Your Valheim 1.0 Server With Pine Hosting
Self-hosting gives you full control, but it also means managing hardware, updates, networking, backups, and server performance yourself. With Pine Hosting, you can launch a Valheim 1.0 server without having to manage the technical side of running a dedicated server from home.
Our Valheim 1.0 hosting gives you an easy-to-use control panel, reliable server performance, backups, mod support, and the tools needed to manage your world as your community grows. Whether you're starting a fresh Valheim 1.0 world or continuing an existing server, Pine Hosting makes it easier to keep your world online and available for your players.
Start your Valheim server with Pine Hosting and spend less time managing the server and more time exploring, building, and progressing with your community.
