Valheim Dedicated Server hosting gives a group a persistent world that can remain online even when the person who created it is not playing. In version 1.0, dedicated servers still support up to ten players and can enable full crossplay so friends on PC, Xbox, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 join the same world. Steam provides a separate Valheim Dedicated Server tool, while the Microsoft Store package also includes server files.
The most important setting for a mixed-platform Valheim Dedicated Server is -crossplay. Adding it switches the server to the PlayFab backend and allows non-Steam platforms to connect. It also means normal external router port forwarding is not required because PlayFab relays the connection. Without -crossplay, the server uses the Steam backend and is available only to Steam users. For a group returning for the Deep North, that persistent setup is useful because builders and explorers can use the same world at different times without waiting for one specific person to launch the save.
How to Set Up a Valheim Dedicated Server
- Install Valheim Dedicated Server from Steam’s Tools section.
- Copy the startup script before editing it.
- Set the server name, world, password and port.
- Add -crossplay for mixed-platform players.
- Launch the script and wait for Game server connected.
- Share the Join Code or server details with friends.
Iron Gate recommends editing a copy of the startup script because updates can reset the original.
Important Dedicated Server Arguments
| Argument | Purpose |
|---|---|
| -name | Server name |
| -port 2456 | Main port |
| -world | World name |
| -password | Server password |
| -public 1 | Show in server browser |
| -crossplay | Enable PlayFab crossplay |
| -saveinterval 1800 | Default 30-minute save interval |
Those are the core Valheim Dedicated Server arguments most groups need. More advanced backup and world-modifier options are available in Iron Gate’s server guide.
Do You Need Port Forwarding?
A Steam-backend Valheim Dedicated Server normally needs the appropriate ports forwarded. The PlayFab crossplay backend does not require normal external port forwarding.
Crossplay servers can be joined by Join Code, public IP and port, or the browser, but local or loopback IP joining is not supported through PlayFab.
Can Xbox, PS5 or Switch 2 Host the Dedicated Server Software?
The dedicated Valheim Dedicated Server software itself is intended for PC/server environments. Console players can join a crossplay-enabled dedicated world hosted elsewhere.
Iron Gate specifically says an Xbox console cannot directly host the dedicated server package.
How to Stop the Server Safely
Close a Valheim Dedicated Server with CTRL+C in the command window rather than simply closing the window.
The server also creates backups on its configured schedule, reducing the risk of losing a persistent world.
Where Are World Saves Stored?
Dedicated worlds use the server’s configured save directory. If no custom save directory is set, Valheim uses its normal server save location for that operating system.
Before changing startup arguments or moving a long-running world to 1.0, copy the world files somewhere safe. The server’s automatic backups are useful, but an independent backup gives you another recovery point.
Public vs Private Servers
The public argument controls whether the server appears in the browser. A private server can still be shared directly with the people who know how to connect.
A password remains a good idea for a persistent friends-only world. Server visibility and password protection solve different problems: one controls discovery, while the other controls entry.
The official Valheim dedicated server guide provides the setup and Valheim Dedicated Server arguments used here.
