More than 16 million players have been counted for Valheim globally (SteamCharts 2024), so if you wish to maintain the continuity of your Viking world even when you are offline, hosting a dedicated server of your own is the way to go – no lag, no downtime, just adventures.
In case your Valheim journey is heavily impacted by the fact that whenever a host logs off, the game is no longer accessible, you definitely need to get a dedicated server. Essentially, it is a 24/7, remote, and player-free instance of your local Viking world that still operates. This is the major factor that distinguishes it from a simple local multiplayer game. The game world is detached from the machine of any one player, thus you get the following advantages: the game is available non-stop, it always runs at a higher frame rate as a result of the dedicated hardware, and it is possible for every member of your group to play at any hour of the day, regardless of their time zone. Such a stable environment would be a dream come true for long-term projects, streamers, or groups that want to explore every corner of the Ashlands and beyond.
On Reddit, a user said, “Self-hosting got rid of 90 % of the lag we had in Ashlands,” which means the difference in performance can actually be felt. This tutorial will provide you with the means to set up your realm both through the local DIY (Do-It-Yourself) method and managed hosting, which is known for its reliability.
Key Takeaways
- Dedicated servers allow Valheim worlds to be set up and run 24/7 under your full control.
- There are two options available: a DIY self-host or a managed game host (such as UltaHost).
- On the one hand, hardware and bandwidth define the smoothness of the gameplay; on the other hand, memory is required if mods are to be implemented.
- Backups and updates must not be neglected in order to avoid the loss of worlds.
- The local DIY expense is usually approx $15–$25 /month (power + bandwidth), while managed plans are approx $10–$30 /month with support.
“Valheim’s dedicated servers are more dependent on single-core performance and stable network connections rather than just raw core count.” – Iron Gate AB developer, Steam Community (2024)
What Is a Valheim Dedicated Server?
A dedicated server is a server instance of Valheim’s server software that runs on its own without any connection to a player client. It is in charge of implementing the core game logic, physics, and world data, thus ensuring that your Viking realm is always up and running.
Basically, the main benefit of full admin control is the freedom it gives you to mod and to oversee your community. In addition, dedicated servers allow for cross-play entirely on PC and Xbox since update 0.214.2, which means that friends are not constrained by platforms anymore.
Valheim Server Requirements (Updated 2025)
The underlying design of Valheim is such that it depends very much on the speed of a single-core CPU and a good amount of RAM, especially as worlds get larger and more players join. It is vital to plan the hardware that you will be using correctly, and that is particularly the case if you are going for Ashlands’ expansion.
You ought to have a processor with four cores, and each core should be clocked at 3 GHz because the game handles physics on one thread only. The volume of RAM needed is directly proportional to the number of people in your group and the number of mods that you use. A small vanilla group (2-6 players) can work with 4 GB.
As far as storage is concerned, it is imperative that you have an SSD or an NVMe drive (60 GB minimum) if you want to be able to load your world fast and ensure that the game does not freeze during play sessions. On the networking front, the ideal situation is to have a low latency (40 ms ping) and a stable 250 Mbps connection. Finally, do not forget to open the necessary UDP ports: 2456-2458, in case you decide on a Windows or Ubuntu 22.04 (Linux) server.
| Player Count | Recommended RAM | CPU Priority | Typical Monthly Cost |
| 2-6 (Vanilla) | 4 GB | High Single-Core | $10–$15 |
| 8-10 (Vanilla) | 8 GB | High Single-Core | $15–$25 |
| 10-20 (Modded) | 16 GB+ | High Single-Core | $25–$40 |
How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server on Windows
Installing the server on a Windows VPS or local machine is the most straightforward way for many sysadmins. The first step is to download the Valheim Dedicated Server from the Steam Library. After the files are downloaded, the main management work is to change the start_headless_server.bat file to set the world name, server name, and password.
The most important step is configuring your network: you need to open and forward UDP ports 2456, 2457, and 2458 on your router and Windows Firewall to allow connection from the Internet to your server computer. After running the .bat file to check the connection, you can think about leaving the setup there. To be able to automatically restart your server after reboot or power failure, you can use a tool such as NSSM to run the server as a Windows Service. Last but not least, always maintain a safe backup routine of your valuable world data via a batch script or cloud sync to prevent storage corruption.
How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server on Linux
Usually, the Linux way with the command line and VPS is more efficient in terms of performance and resources, but it might be a little less friendly to those who are not comfortable with the terminal. The first steps are to install dependencies, SteamCMD, and then create a user and directory for security purposes.
The command app_update 896660 validate is used to download and update the server files. The main difficulty here is in writing the custom startup script and systemd unit file (see valheim.service below) that will be used to control the server process. This unit file is necessary to enable the automated startup of the server as well as its reboot in case of failure. The last steps are verifying that firewall rules for ports 2456-2458 are set and installing cron jobs to automate server updates.
[Unit]
Description=Valheim Dedicated Server
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target
[Service]
ExecStart=/path/to/your/start.sh
User=valheim
Restart=always
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
Hosting Mods and Using ValheimPlus
The use of mods, which includes a celebrated framework like ValheimPlus, is one way to substantially prolong the lifespan of Valheim, but it comes with significant complexity in server administration. The most important rule is version synchronization: the mod versions on the server have to be the same as the versions on each player’s client.
Back up of the world and configuration files should be the first thing to do before any game update or mod patch. Such a precaution enables rolling back the server very quickly in case a patch mod compatibility is broken. Admins should be aware that raising the mod limit will increase their RAM usage, and therefore, they should periodically check their list in order to avoid using mods that are incompatible with each other or that are too demanding in terms of resources.
DIY vs Managed Hosting – Which Is Right for You?
The decision of whether to go with a managed provider or self-hosting is mainly based on what you value most: cost or convenience.
| Option | Monthly Cost | Pros | Cons |
| DIY (local PC/VPS) | $15–$25+ power | Full freedom to configure all server settings. | Requires technical knowledge, maintenance, and time. |
| Managed Host (UltaHost example range) | $10–$30 | Assured uptime, backups, and embedded support are among the services provided. | Service is paid for on a monthly basis and requires a continuous subscription to the provider. |
DIY self-hosting lets you have full technical control, but at the same time, you are responsible for everything – hardware failure, bandwidth issues, security, and manual updates. It is a great idea for experienced system administrators or small groups that run highly customized setups.
On the other hand, managed hosting is the option for stability. Providers take care of the infrastructure, security (like DDoS protection), and maintenance; thus, they deliver a high uptime to you at a fixed monthly rate, and you can concentrate on the game itself.
What to Look for in a Managed Valheim Host
When deciding on a managed solution, you should consider the features that come with it apart from the price. A good Valheim host should have the following features:
- Performance: Fast single-core CPU and NVMe SSD storage are must-haves for low latency and quick world manipulations.
- Reliability: A 99.9% uptime pledge and data centers located sensibly from a geographical point of view, facilitate a smooth gaming experience for your team.
- Security: Gratis DDoS protection is a very important defense to prevent network disruptions.
- Data Integrity: Be sure to check for automated, frequent backups of the world and straightforward restoration features.
- Support: Non-stop technical support is very valuable, especially during the installation of mods or when you are facing issues due to the latest patch.
How UltaHost Helps with Valheim Server Hosting
UltaHost is here to do precisely that – provide serious Game Server and VPS Hosting that is fast and efficient and specifically designed for hardcore games like Valheim. With the use of quick and efficient NVMe storage and locations all over the globe, we do our best to get rid of issues like lag in the game. As part of the deal for the server you rent with us, you get the 99.9% uptime pledge as well as the world auto-backup, which is done without your intervention and is absolutely free. Even more, if the server gets under attack, it will resist it, as there is free DDoS protection provided. Over and beyond the 24/7 support, contact our specialized crew for the setup, move, and mod installation, and troubleshooting. You keep on journeying while we take care of business! We also have scalable packages so that you can upgrade your resource easily as your community or world gets bigger.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Even a server that has been set up perfectly will sometimes have issues. Simply understanding what causes most of these issues can really help you save a lot of time.
If the server is not showing up, the very first things to do are to review your port forwarding rules, firewall settings, and check if both client and server are running the same version of Valheim. Disconnects or lag are caused by the system’s performance most of the time; thus, you should keep an eye on your network bandwidth and server CPU/RAM usage to locate the bottlenecks. The direst situation, that is, the corruption of the world file, demands that you stop the server immediately and take the .db and .fwl files from your most recent backup to replace the ones in use. When it comes to mod mismatches, it is almost always that the client and server mod versions being exactly the same that solves the problem.
Best Practices for Performance and Scaling
The foundation of a great server is routine maintenance and forward planning to sustain peak performance.
As a daily ritual, give your server the gift of scheduled auto-restarts to help the memory stay free and the performance stable, in particular, in worlds that have been going on for a long time. The load on the CPU/RAM should be constantly checked in order to discover any bottlenecks before they disturb the game. Start doing backups now so that you will never be at risk; organize your backup plan like this: keep the last three days of world saves.
When the number of your group’s players is above ten, and you want to continue scaling, then your way should be to add more RAM and CPU speed or get a dedicated server solution. At last, keep a check on your mods from time to time so that you can be free of the outdated ones and mods that consume too many resources.
FAQs
Can I run a Valheim server for free?
Yes, but the uptime and reliability will be completely dependent on your home PC’s uptime, internet connection stability, and bandwidth.
How many players can join a Valheim server?
The number is 10 officially; however, 20+ can be possible on high-RAM servers.
Does cross-play work on dedicated servers?
Yes – server config should have the -crossplay flag from v0.214.2.
Do I need a static IP?
Definitely for consistency, UltaHost is offering a static IP along with VPS/Dedicated plans.
How do I restore a corrupted world?
Get the backup copies of the save folder or host panel, and then replace the “.db” and “.fwl” files with the copies.
