A Valheim Dedicated Server is a Steam application that offers an alternative way to create and host a Valheim world. You can run it from your PC or a remotely hosted server (such as a dedicated server).
Read on if you want to learn more about Valheim dedicated server hosting and how to create a dedicated server for Valheim.
What is a dedicated server?
A dedicated server is a physical computer that is always running and connected to the Internet. It is one of many other types of servers such as VPS servers, cloud servers, and shared servers.
What makes dedicated servers stand out is their performance, security, and freedom to install any operating system. This is because dedicated servers give you full ownership of a single physical machine. Other server solutions only give you control over a portion of your hardware and software resources.
Dedicated servers in games
In gaming, dedicated server refers to a game server that runs from a PC or is hosted on a server owned by the user. Compared to regular game servers, which are hosted on the servers owned by the game company, dedicated game servers generally provide a variety of benefits to their users.
These benefits can include anything from allowing you to modify the game to various degrees to giving you full control over who can access the server.
Pros and cons of dedicated game servers
Running a dedicated game server is not for everyone. It takes a lot of planning and financial commitment to create a game server. That’s why you should use the table below to compare the pros and cons to see if it’s right for you.
See table
How to set up a dedicated Valheim server in 10 steps
If this is your first time creating a game server, simply follow the 10 steps below to learn how to set up a dedicated Valheim server:
1. Log in to the server
Log in to your dedicated server to start the process.
2. Download Steam
Download the Steam installer from the official website using this link and then click the blue INSTALL STEAM button in the middle of the page.
3. Install Steam
Run the downloaded SteamSetup.exe file and follow the setup wizard to install it on your server.
4. Install Valheim
Launch Steam and open the LIBRARY tab. Now use the search bar to search for Valheim and select it. Finally, use the blue INSTALL button and follow the installation wizard to install it on your server. (Note: This step is optional and only required if you intend to join and play from the dedicated server instead of your PC.)
5. Install Valheim Dedicated Server
Use the search bar again to find the Valheim Dedicated Server and select it. Finally, use the blue INSTALL button and follow the Valheim dedicated server setup wizard to install it on your server.
6. Configure Valheim Dedicated Server Settings
Use Windows Explorer to navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Valheim Dedicated Server\. Now open the start_headless_server.bat file with a text editor such as Notepad and look at the last line of code: valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name “My server” -port 2456 -world “Dedicated” -password “secret” -crossplay. Finally, update the -name and -password values with the ones you plan to share with friends who will join the game.
7. Create a Valheim server
Use the Steam Library search bar once again to find the Valheim Dedicated Server and select it. Then use the green LAUNCH button to launch it. A command prompt window will then appear and after a few moments you should see the following line: Session “Server Name” with binding code ###### and IP ##.##.##. ##: 2456 is active with 0 player(s). Finally, write the join code for the final step.
8. Configure the firewall
If you don’t get the Session is active message from the previous step, you’ll need to configure your server’s firewall by opening ports 2456 and 2458. Your hosting provider can help you with this if you find it overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to reach out. looking for support. (Note: This step is optional and depends on your hosting provider’s firewall settings, as well as your own.)
9. Share Server Credentials
If you want your friends to join the server, you need to provide them with two things: the password you set in step 5 and the join code you received in step 6.
10. Enjoy the game
Congratulations! You have reached the end of our Valheim dedicated server setup guide. Have fun running your own dedicated Valheim server!
final thoughts
Running a dedicated game server will give you benefits such as full control over who can access it, as well as the ability to modify the game to your liking. Also, setting up a Valheim dedicated server doesn’t have to be difficult as long as you use the right guide and choose a good hosting provider. If you choose to host your game server remotely, a dedicated server is a great option, as it provides exceptional security, performance, and full control over the software.