If you’re into the survival games business, you might not need to look further than Valheim. Developed by Iron Gate Studio, a Swedish firm and published by Coffee Stain Publishing, this game came out in early 2021 when many people were under lockdown. Valheim provided a great opportunity for many gamers to remain entertained and keep their mind busy as they were playing the game.
Valheim is an open-world kind of game, but it can also be easily considered an inline co-op title. In other words, you are free to play the game alongside your friends or enemies if that’s what you want. In other words, learning how to set up your own dedicated server on Valheim is practically a “must” if you want to play the game online.
Thanks to RockPaperShotgun.com, we know the steps for creating a dedicated server on Valheim!
How to set up a dedicated server in Valheim
Here are the steps you need to follow to set up a dedicated server in Valheim:
Step 1: Grab the Valheim Dedicated Server tool
The very first thing you need to do when you’re willing to set up your own dedicated server on Valheim is to grab and install the Valheim Dedicated Server on Steam. If you own Valheim on Steam, you surely have to copy the Dedicated Server tool in your Steam Library.
Step 2: Edit the “start_headless_server” file
Next up, after you’ve installed the Valheim Dedicated Server tool, you need to right-click on it within your Steam Library and head over to “Manage -> Browse Local Files.” In that place, you’ll find a file called “start_headless_server,” and you need to back it up on your PC. The next step is to open the original file in your Notepad editor. Once you find the line that begins with “valheim_server,” you need to change the content from the quotes after the following words:
- name: Add a name for your server
- world: Choose a name for your world.
- password: Choose a password.
The next step is to save and exit the file.
Step 3: Copy the world files to your host computer
Your world files need to be on the PC that will be hosting the server. Otherwise, if you’re hosting and playing on the same computer, this step is not necessary.
You need to type “%userprofile%\appdata\locallow\irongate\valheim” in your Windows Explorer. Then, you will have to copy all of the files that are related to the world you want and add them to the right world folder from your host computer.
Step 4: Find your IP address
In order to locate your IP address, you will have to hit “Start+R,” type “cmd,” and hit the Enter button. Once the window appears, you will have to type “ipconfig” and choose the Enter button.
Step 5: Set up Port Forwarding for those outside your household
Once you have your own dedicated server in Valheim, it’s possible you might not want only people from your own household to join the fun. Therefore, there are two more steps that you need to take. First, you need to log into your router account and set up the Port Forwarding feature for ports 2456-2458. Second, you will have to allow ports 2456-2458 through the Firewall of your computer.
Once you’re determined to set up Port Forwarding, you will have to type in your Default Gateway IP Address in your browser. You will then have the chance to log into your router and set up Port Forwarding for ports 2456-2458 in the case of both UDP and TCP.
Step 6: Allow the Ports to pass through your Firewall
To allow the Ports through the Firewall of your machine, you need to follow these steps:
- Hit the Start+R command and type in “wf.msc,” then select Enter to activate your Firewall Advanced Settings.
- Select the “Inbound Rules,” then right-click the option and choose “New Rule.”
- Select the “Port” option, then choose “TCP,” and enter the specific local ports “2456-2458.” Next up, select “Allow the Connection,” keep all of the boxes on the next display ticked, and give a name of the rule. Select “Finish.”
- To set up another rule for the same ports, repeat the same process, only that you will have to use “UDP” instead of “TCP.”
That’s all. You are now free to run your Dedicated Server tool for Valheim. You will have the possibility to jump into the server with your friends when a message appears in the console that tells you “Game Server Connected.”
Valheim works for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S consoles, as well as for computers that run on Windows or Linux.
