Why Host a Dedicated Valheim Server?
Valheim has captivated millions of players with its Viking survival gameplay. While you can host a world from your own PC, a dedicated server offers huge advantages:
- 24/7 Availability: Friends can play even when you're offline
- Better Performance: Dedicated hardware means less lag
- More Players: Support up to 10+ players smoothly
- No Impact on Your PC: Your gaming PC stays free for playing
Getting Started with Valheim Server Hosting
Option 1: Use a Hosting Provider (Recommended)
The easiest way to run a Valheim server is through a hosting provider like DoomHosting:
- Select a Valheim server plan
- Choose your server location
- Your server is ready in minutes — no technical setup required
- Use the control panel to manage settings, install mods, and create backups
Option 2: Self-Hosting
If you prefer to self-host, you'll need:
- A PC or VPS with at least 4GB RAM
- SteamCMD installed
- Port forwarding configured (UDP 2456-2458)
Essential Server Configuration
server_args Configuration
Key settings to customize your server:
-name "Your Server Name"
-port 2456
-world "YourWorldName"
-password "YourPassword"
-public 1
World Modifiers
Valheim now supports world modifiers that let you customize difficulty:
- Combat: Adjust enemy damage and health
- Death Penalty: Configure what happens when you die
- Resources: Change resource drop rates
- Raids: Control enemy raid frequency
- Portals: Enable or disable portal restrictions
Recommended Mods for Valheim Servers
Quality of Life Mods
- Valheim Plus: The essential mod for server customization
- Equipment & Quick Slots: Extra inventory slots for gear
- PlantEverything: Expanded farming options
Building Mods
- BuildShare: Import and export building blueprints
- Gizmo: Precision rotation for building pieces
- PlanBuild: Plan and ghost-build structures
Performance Mods
- ValheimRAFT Optimizations: Better performance for large bases
- Render Limits: Reduce rendering load in busy areas
Performance Tips
- RAM: Allocate at least 4GB for a Valheim server, 6GB+ for modded
- Backups: Always backup before installing mods or updating
- World Size: Larger explored worlds use more resources
- Player Count: Scale resources with player count — add 512MB RAM per 2 additional players
- Regular Restarts: Schedule restarts every 12-24 hours
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Players Can't Connect
- Verify port forwarding (UDP 2456-2458) if self-hosting
- Check that the server password is shared correctly
- Ensure the server is fully started before connecting
Server Crashes
- Check RAM usage — you may need more
- Remove recently added mods to identify conflicts
- Verify server files with SteamCMD
Lag and Desync
- Reduce max players if hardware is limited
- Clear old world data in unexplored areas
- Upgrade to better hardware — Valheim benefits from fast CPUs
Start Your Valheim Server Today
Skip the technical headaches and get playing in minutes. DoomHosting offers optimized Valheim server hosting with instant setup, automatic backups, and mod support.
Launch your Valheim server and start your Viking adventure today.