Valheim Server Guide

Getting Started

Welcome to Valheim! This guide covers everything you need to run a successful dedicated server for you and your fellow Vikings.

Step 1: First-Time Setup

1. Log in to your control panel
2. Set a Server Name (shown in server browser)
3. Set a Server Password (minimum 5 characters, required)
4. Choose or create a World Name
5. Click Start to launch your server

Server Settings

Recommended Settings

• 2-5 players: Standard settings work great
• 6-10 players: Monitor performance, consider reducing view distance
• 10+ players: May experience lag during boss fights or heavy building

World Management

Creating a New World

1. Stop your server
2. Change the World Name to a new name
3. Start the server - a new world will generate

Transferring an Existing World

1. Locate your local world files:
   %appdata%\..\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local
2. Upload worldname.fwl and worldname.db via SFTP or control panel
3. Set the World Name to match your uploaded files
4. Restart the server

Biomes Overview

Valheim features procedurally generated worlds with distinct biomes, each offering unique challenges:

Installing Mods (BepInEx)

Valheim mods require BepInEx, a modding framework. Most servers support it out of the box.

Setting Up BepInEx

1. Enable BepInEx in your control panel (if available)
2. Or download from Thunderstore
3. Upload to your server's root directory
4. Restart the server

Popular Mods

Admin & Console Commands

Press F5 in-game to open the console. You must first enable the console and be added as admin.

Enabling Admin

1. Find your Steam ID (use steamid.io)
2. Add your Steam ID to the adminlist.txt file on the server
3. Restart the server or type kick to reload admin list

Player Management

Admin, Banned & Permitted Lists

Valheim uses text files to manage permissions:

• adminlist.txt - Steam IDs with admin access
• bannedlist.txt - Steam IDs that are banned
• permittedlist.txt - Whitelist (if enabled)

Finding Steam IDs

1. Go to steamid.io
2. Enter the player's Steam profile URL
3. Copy the steamID64 (17-digit number)
4. Add one Steam ID per line in the appropriate text file

How Valheim Multiplayer Actually Works

Understanding Valheim's architecture can help explain performance quirks and how to optimize your group play.

The Zone System (Community Research)

According to extensive player testing and modding community research, Valheim's world appears to be divided into zones (approximately 64×64 meters). Here's how it seems to work:

1. The server coordinates — It saves the world, handles logins, and relays data between players
2. Players may host zones around them — When you enter a zone, your PC likely handles simulation of enemies, creatures, and physics in that area
3. First player in may become zone host — The first player to enter an area appears to take on hosting duties
4. Ownership transfers — If the zone host leaves, another player seems to take over

🖥️ Tips for Lower-Spec Players

• Join after your friends — Let higher-spec players log in and load the area first
• Stay behind during fights — Let others engage enemies first
• Lower your graphics settings — This helps YOUR frame rate regardless of zone hosting
• Avoid being first into dungeons — Crypts and caves spawn many enemies at once
• Communicate! — Tell your group "I've got a slower PC, you go first"

💪 Tips for Higher-Spec Players

• Log in first — Load the spawn area before lower-spec friends join
• Take point on exploration — Your PC likely handles spawns better
• Engage bosses first — Stay closest to handle the demanding fights
• Enter dungeons ahead of others — You'll load and simulate enemies more smoothly
• Be patient — Lower-spec friends may still have FPS drops on their end

Performance Optimization

Reducing Server Lag

• Limit base complexity: Massive builds with many workbenches cause lag
• Clean up drops: Use removedrops command periodically
• Avoid terrain modifications: Digging and leveling increase save file size and latency due to loading the large save files

Backup Your World

Create regular backups of your world files:

• worldname.db - The actual world data
• worldname.fwl - World metadata

Troubleshooting