Valheim | How to set up a dedicated server

The world of Valheim is harmful, particularly for Vikings who hunt alone. Fortunately, the sport permits for on-line co-op with up to ten gamers. However, in the event you’re taking part in on public servers, you gained’t have management over who you play with or the seed used to generate the world. For a extra personalised expertise, you’ll need to set up a dedicated Valheim server. It takes a little bit of labor, however with persistence, anybody can host their very personal Valheim server. Here’s what you want to do.

How to set up a dedicated Valheim server

In order to set up your personal Valheim server, you first want to obtain the Dedicated Valheim Server software. You’ll additionally need to modify the applying’s batch file so as to customise your dedicated server. Finally, you’ll want to enable incoming connections by means of Windows Firewall, and/or set up port forwarding in order that gamers exterior your own home community can be part of the server.

Aside from port forwarding, the entire course of is comparatively painless. Still, it will possibly appear a little daunting, particularly to gamers who aren’t completely aware of PC community configuration. To hold issues so simple as doable, we’ve damaged down every of the steps under.

Download the Valheim Dedicated Server software

This half is simple. The Valheim Dedicated Server comes free with the sport when bought on Steam. You can discover it by looking for Valheim in your Steam library — the server software will present up below Tools. It’s proper round one gigabyte, so it shouldn’t take too lengthy to obtain and set up.

It’s doable to run each Valheim and the dedicated server software from the identical machine. However, doing so may have an effect on system efficiency. If you’re involved about your server hogging native PC assets — or in the event you’re experiencing lag or stuttering in Valheim — you could contemplate working the applying on a separate system. Older PCs with not less than a dual-core processor ought to have the option to deal with it simply positive. Alternatively, you could possibly construct a budget gaming PC utilizing value-oriented elements.

Configure the server’s batch file

Valheim setup dedicated server - Configure batch file

Once the dedicated server software has been put in, you’ll need to customise your server settings. To accomplish that, you’ll want to modify the app’s batch file situated within the set up listing. The file is named “start_headless_server.bat”, and it’s discovered wherever you put in Steam video games. The default listing is C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonValheim dedicated server.

Open the set up listing, then make a copy of the unique batch file. Store it someplace protected in case you make any errors. After that, proper click on on start_headless_server.bat, then click on Edit to open the file in Notepad. At the underside of the file you’ll see a few values that may be adjusted:

  • -name “My Server”
    • Replace the “My Server” textual content with no matter you need your server to be named
  • -port 2456
    • This is the default Steam question port used for connections. It’s greatest to depart this setting as-is, although superior customers might want to change the worth primarily based on firewall and port forwarding settings (see under)
  • -world “Dedicated”
    • Here you possibly can change the phrase “Dedicated” with the title of your in-game world
  • -password “Secret”
    • Replace the phrase “Secret” with no matter password you want. Alternatively, you possibly can take away the complete string to run an open server

After you’ve made your modifications, it’s smart to create one more backup of the batch file. This is only for protected preserving in case one thing goes unsuitable.

Allow incoming connections and set up port forwarding

Valheim setup dedicated server - Run server application

This is essentially the most difficult step, and one that will show troublesome for less-experienced PC customers. In a nutshell, you want to enable entry to your Valheim dedicated server by means of the Windows firewall. This includes opening port 2456, the default Steam question port, or the port quantity you selected within the step above. You can also want to set up port forwarding inside your router in order that customers exterior of your own home community can join.

Here’s how to open the Steam question port for incoming connections by means of Windows Firewall settings:

  1. From the Start menu, sort in Windows Firewall, then open the Windows Defender Firewall software
  2. Right click on on Inbound Rules, then click on New Rule
  3. Click on Port, then click on Next
  4. In “Specific native ports,” sort in “2456”
  5. Click Next, be certain “Allow the connection” is chosen, then click on Next once more
  6. Continue clicking Next till reaching the Name possibility, then give the rule a title of your selecting
  7. Finally, click on Finish

With this completed, you should have allowed Windows Firewall to settle for incoming TCP connections by means of port 2456. At this level, you may additionally contemplate port forwarding together with your router. Unfortunately, since each router is a little completely different, no single information will probably be ready to present all required particulars. Luckily, PortForward.com offers a wonderful useful resource on how to set up port forwarding on a number of {hardware}.

Run the Valheim Dedicated Server

With the entire above configurations accomplished, all that’s left is to open the Valheim Dedicated Server software. Running the app will open a command immediate window that can start filling with textual content — don’t fear, that is regular. However, when first began, Windows Firewall will probably attempt to restrict the connections allowed by the server. If you propose to have others be part of your recreation from exterior your own home, ensure to enable entry from exterior networks.

That’s all there may be to it. Now you’re prepared to discover the wilds of Valheim with up to 9 different associates. If you run into any extra hassle, ensure to try our information on what to do in case your Valheim dedicated server is not showing up. We’ve additionally bought some hints on what to do if Valheim freezes or crashes. Happy looking, Viking.

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