Valheim Self Hosted Server Guide for Dev

Welcome, Dev, to our comprehensive guide on setting up a self-hosted Valheim server. Valheim is an incredibly popular game, but the game’s servers can be crowded and unreliable. By hosting your own server, you can create a personalized experience for your friends and family. In this guide, we will take you through the entire process of setting up a self-hosted Valheim server, from the initial setup to troubleshooting common issues.

Before you begin – Hardware Requirements

Before you start thinking about setting up your own Valheim server, you need to ensure that your hardware can handle the load. Here are the recommended hardware requirements for hosting a Valheim server:

Processor	Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.3GHz or AMD FX-6300 @ 3.5GHz
Memory	4GB RAM
Storage	Minimum 2GB free space
Network	Minimum 10 Mbps Upload / Download speed

If your hardware does not meet these requirements, you may experience performance issues and lag when hosting a Valheim server.

Step 1: Install SteamCMD

The first step in setting up your Valheim server is to install SteamCMD. SteamCMD is a command-line tool that allows you to install and update Steam games and dedicated servers. Here’s how to install SteamCMD:

1. Download the SteamCMD installer from the official website: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD#Downloading_SteamCMD
2. Extract the SteamCMD installer to a directory on your computer.
3. Open a command prompt or terminal window and navigate to the directory where you extracted the SteamCMD installer.
4. Run the following command to update SteamCMD: ./steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +force_install_dir ./valheim_server +app_update 896660 validate +exit

Step 2: Create a Valheim Server

Once you have installed SteamCMD, you can use it to create a Valheim server. Here’s how:

1. Create a new directory for your server files. For example, you could create a directory called “valheim_server”.
2. Navigate to the directory where you installed SteamCMD, and then navigate to the “steamapps/common/Valheim dedicated server” directory.
3. Copy the contents of this directory to the directory you created in Step 1. Make sure to include subdirectories and files.
4. Navigate to the directory where you copied the Valheim server files.
5. Run the following command to start your server: ./valheim_server.x86_64 -name "MyServerName" -port 2456 -world "Dedicated" -password "MyServerPassword"

Step 3: Configure Your Server Settings

Now that you have created your Valheim server, you can configure your server settings. Here are some of the most important settings to configure:

Server Name

You can change your server name by modifying the “-name” parameter when starting your server.

Server Password

You can set a password for your server by modifying the “-password” parameter when starting your server. This will prevent unauthorized users from accessing your server.

World Seed

You can set a specific world seed for your server by modifying the “-world” parameter when starting your server. This will ensure that your server generates the same world every time it is started.

Max Players

You can set the maximum number of players allowed on your server by modifying the “-maxplayers” parameter when starting your server. The default value is 10.

Step 4: Port Forwarding

In order for your Valheim server to be accessible from the internet, you need to configure port forwarding on your router. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your router’s configuration page.
2. Navigate to the Port Forwarding section.
3. Create a new port forwarding rule for port 2456 (TCP/UDP).
4. Map the rule to the local IP address of the computer hosting your Valheim server.

Step 5: Invite Your Friends

Now that you have set up your Valheim server and configured your server settings, it’s time to invite your friends to join your server. Here’s how:

1. Share your server IP address and port number with your friends.
2. Have your friends launch Valheim and click the “Join Game” button.
3. Enter your server IP address and port number into the server search bar.
4. Click “Join Game” to connect to your server.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should I host my own Valheim server?

Hosting your own Valheim server allows you to create a personalized experience for your friends and family. It also gives you more control over the server settings and can improve server reliability and performance.

What are the hardware requirements for hosting a Valheim server?

The recommended hardware requirements for hosting a Valheim server are an Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.3GHz or AMD FX-6300 @ 3.5GHz processor, 4GB RAM, and minimum 10 Mbps Upload / Download speed.

How do I install SteamCMD?

You can download the SteamCMD installer from the official website and extract it to a directory on your computer. You can then use the command-line tool to install and update Steam games and dedicated servers.

How do I configure my Valheim server settings?

You can configure your server settings by modifying the appropriate parameters when starting your server. Some of the most important settings to configure include the server name, password, world seed, and maximum number of players.

Why do I need to port forward my Valheim server?

Port forwarding allows your Valheim server to be accessible from the internet. Without port forwarding, your server will only be accessible on your local network.

How do I invite my friends to join my Valheim server?

You can share your server IP address and port number with your friends, and they can use this information to join your server from the Valheim client. You can also set a server password to prevent unauthorized access.

We hope this guide has been helpful in setting up your very own Valheim server. Enjoy your personalized gaming experience!