📘 Complete Guide to Setting Up a Valheim Dedicated Server (2025)

If you're a fan of Valheim, the popular Viking-themed survival game, you may want to host your own dedicated server for a seamless multiplayer experience.

This guide walks you through setting up a Valheim dedicated server on different platforms, including Mac, Linux, Xbox, and Steam, covering the setup process, server requirements, and essential tips to ensure smooth gameplay.

🌍 What is a Valheim Dedicated Server?

A Valheim dedicated server is a server specifically set up to host a persistent game world for you and your friends to explore, build, and survive in Valheim. Hosting your own dedicated server ensures you have full control over the game world, mods, settings, and more.

Benefits of Running Your Own Dedicated Server:

• Unlimited uptime: The server runs 24/7, even when you are not online.
• Custom settings: Modify the game world’s settings, including difficulty, weather, and mod support.
• Access to mods: Easily install and manage mods for your own custom gameplay experience.

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📂 Valheim Dedicated Server Setup

Setting up a Valheim dedicated server is straightforward but differs depending on your platform. Here's how to set it up on Mac, Xbox, Steam, and Linux.

🖥️ Setting Up Valheim Dedicated Server on Steam (Windows/Linux)

1. Download and Install SteamCMD:

   • Install SteamCMD, which allows you to download the necessary Valheim server files. This will be used to install and update the server.
   • Download SteamCMD from the official website.

2. Download the Valheim Dedicated Server:

   • Open SteamCMD and enter the following commands to download the Valheim server:

   login anonymous
   force_install_dir ./valheim_server/
   app_update 896660 validate
   exit

Configure the Server:

Navigate to the server directory (./valheim_server/), and you will see a file named start_server.sh or start_server.bat. Edit the server settings by modifying the start_server.sh file and include your world name, password, and server settings.

Run the Server:

Launch the server with the following command:

./start_server.sh

🍏 Setting Up Valheim Dedicated Server on Mac
Install Homebrew (if not already installed):

Open Terminal and install Homebrew with:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Install Valheim Dedicated Server via Homebrew:

Install the Valheim server using Homebrew:

brew install --cask valheim-server

Configure Server:

After installation, you can access your server configuration files. Modify your start_server.sh file for custom settings.

Start the Server:

Run the server by entering the following command in Terminal:

valheim-server start

🎮 Setting Up Valheim Dedicated Server on Xbox

Currently, Valheim dedicated server support is not officially available for Xbox consoles. However, you can still host a server on your PC or use cloud-based services to run a server that can be accessed from your Xbox.

To play Valheim on Xbox, you will need a PC-hosted server or a cloud-based server with Xbox cross-play enabled.

🖥️ Setting Up Valheim Dedicated Server on Linux

1. Install SteamCMD:

Use the package manager for your Linux distribution to install SteamCMD, then log in to SteamCMD.

2. Download and Install Valheim Server:

Run the following command to download the Valheim server:

steamcmd +login anonymous +force_install_dir /path/to/valheim +app_update 896660 validate +quit

3. Configure the Server:

Edit the start_server.sh file with your preferred settings.

4. Run the Server:

Launch the server with:

./start_server.sh

📥 Valheim Dedicated Server Download

To download the Valheim dedicated server, you will need SteamCMD, a free tool provided by Steam that lets you download and update game servers. You can find the download instructions for SteamCMD on the official Steam website.

Make sure to download the latest version for compatibility with the newest Valheim server updates.

💻 Valheim Dedicated Server Requirements

Before setting up your server, make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements:

• OS: Windows 7 or later, macOS (10.9 or higher), or a modern Linux distribution

• CPU: At least 2 cores (quad-core recommended for higher player counts)

• RAM: Minimum 4GB (8GB+ recommended for larger servers)

• Storage: At least 5GB free disk space

• Internet: A stable internet connection with good bandwidth (minimum of 1 Mbps download/upload)

💬 Valheim Dedicated Server Reddit

For help, troubleshooting, and community discussion, Reddit has an active community for Valheim server hosting. Visit the Valheim Reddit community for tips, guides, and user experiences.

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to find Valheim seed on dedicated server?

To find the world seed on your Valheim dedicated server, you can check the worlds directory where the server is installed. Inside this directory, there is a .db file for each world you’ve created. The seed is stored in the worldname file as part of the world’s metadata.

How to setup Valheim dedicated server?

To set up a Valheim dedicated server:

1. Download SteamCMD and use it to install the Valheim server.

2. Configure your start_server.sh or start_server.bat file with your server details (name, password, world settings).

3. Run the server by executing the appropriate command for your OS.

How to change Valheim dedicated server settings?
To change your server settings, you need to:

1. Open the start_server.sh or start_server.bat file.

2. Modify the settings such as world name, password, and server settings.

3. Restart the server for the changes to take effect.