How to Host Valheim Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Devs

Greetings, fellow developers! If you’re looking to host your own Valheim server, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to set up and manage your own server, including software installation, server configuration, and troubleshooting. Let’s get started!

Part 1: Preparing Your System

Before we dive into hosting a Valheim server, you’ll need to make sure your system meets the minimum requirements. Here’s what you’ll need:

Component	Minimum Requirement
CPU	2 GHz Dual-Core
RAM	4 GB
Storage	10 GB
Operating System	Windows or Linux

If your system meets these requirements, you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Step 1: Installing SteamCMD

The first thing you’ll need to do is install SteamCMD, the command-line version of the Steam client. This tool will allow us to download and manage Valheim server files.

To download SteamCMD, open a terminal or command prompt and enter the following command:

sudo apt-get install steamcmd

Step 2: Creating a Dedicated Server Account

Next, you’ll need to create a dedicated server account on Steam. This account will be used exclusively to host your Valheim server.

To create a new account, go to the Steam website and click “Join Steam” in the top right corner. Follow the prompts to create your account.

Step 3: Downloading Valheim Server Files

Now that you have SteamCMD and a dedicated server account, it’s time to download the Valheim server files. To do that, enter the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

./steamcmd.sh +login username +force_install_dir /path/to/valheim/server +app_update 896660 validate +exit

Replace ‘username’ with your dedicated server account’s username, and /path/to/valheim/server with the directory where you want your server files to be stored.

Step 4: Configuring Your Server

With the server files downloaded, it’s time to configure your Valheim server. Navigate to the directory where you installed the server files and open the file named ‘start_server.sh’ in a text editor.

Inside this file, you’ll find the default server settings. You can modify these settings by changing the values of the variables. Here are some of the most important variables:

Variable	Description
WORLD_NAME	The name of your world
SERVER_NAME	The name of your server, as it appears in the server list
SERVER_PASSWORD	The password required to join your server
SERVER_PORT	The port your server will listen on

Once you’ve configured your server how you like, save the file and exit the text editor.

Part 2: Launching and Managing Your Server

Step 1: Launching Your Server

With your server configured, it’s time to launch it. Navigate to your Valheim server directory in your terminal or command prompt and enter the following command:

./start_server.sh

Your server will now start up, and you should see output in your terminal or command prompt indicating that it’s running.

Step 2: Managing Your Server

Once your server is running, you can manage it using various console commands. Here are some of the most commonly used commands:

Command	Description
help	Displays a list of available console commands
quit	Stops the server and shuts it down
kick [playername]	Kicks a player from the server
ban [playername]	Bans a player from the server

You can enter commands by typing them directly into the terminal or command prompt running your server.

Step 3: Troubleshooting Your Server

If you encounter any problems with your Valheim server, there are several things you can do to troubleshoot. Here are some of the most common issues and their solutions:

Problem: Can’t Connect to Server

If you can’t connect to your server, check the following:

• Make sure your server is running and hasn’t crashed
• Check that your firewall isn’t blocking incoming connections on the server port
• Make sure your server’s IP address and port are correct
• Ensure that the server is not full, and that there is room for you to join

Problem: Server Crashing or Lagging

If your server is crashing or experiencing lag, try the following:

• Restart your server
• Check your server logs for error messages
• Try running your server on a more powerful system
• Optimize your server settings to reduce resource usage

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I host a Valheim server on my home computer?

Yes, you can host a Valheim server on your home computer. However, keep in mind that Valheim is a resource-intensive game, and your server may struggle to keep up with high player counts. It’s recommended to use a dedicated server or a cloud hosting service like AWS or Google Cloud.

2. How many players can join my Valheim server?

Valheim servers can support up to 10 players by default, but this can be increased by modifying your server settings.

3. Can I modify my server settings after it’s been launched?

Yes, you can modify your server settings at any time by editing the ‘start_server.sh’ file and restarting your server.

4. Can I use mods on my Valheim server?

Yes, you can use mods on your Valheim server. However, make sure that all players have the same mods installed, or there may be compatibility issues.

5. How do I update my Valheim server to the latest version?

To update your Valheim server to the latest version, simply run the following command:

./steamcmd.sh +login username +force_install_dir /path/to/valheim/server +app_update 896660 validate +exit

This will download and install the latest version of the server files.

6. How do I backup my Valheim server?

To backup your Valheim server, simply make a copy of your server files and store them in a safe location. You can also use backup software like Rsync or Duplicity to automate the process.

That’s it for our guide on hosting a Valheim server. We hope you found it helpful! If you have any additional questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.