Do I need to own Valheim to install the dedicated server?

No. The Valheim Dedicated Server tool (App ID 896660) is free and downloads with an anonymous SteamCMD login, or from the Tools section of your Steam library. Every player who joins must own the game, though.

Where are Valheim world saves located?

On Windows in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local, on Linux in ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local. Each world is two files: .db for the content and .fwl for the metadata and seed.

My world is empty after the upload, why?

The name passed in -world does not exactly match the files, case included. Valheim then created a brand new world with that name. Stop the server, fix the name and start again.

Valheim Dedicated Server Setup: Full Guide + World Upload

Q: Which ports do I need to open for a Valheim server?

UDP ports 2456 and 2457: the port set with -port and the next one. With -crossplay, connections go through a relay and forwarding is often optional, but it improves stability.

TL;DR

Install Valheim Dedicated Server (App ID 896660, free, anonymous login), copy start_headless_server.bat and edit the launch line (-name, -world, -password of at least 5 characters, -crossplay), open UDP ports 2456 and 2457, then drop your MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl files into worlds_local to get your world back. On a Valheim server at LordHosting, the install is already done and the upload happens from the panel's file manager.

Without a dedicated server, a Valheim world only exists while the host plays. A dedicated server keeps it running all the time. Here is how to set one up and move your world over.

⚙️ Requirements

4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended for a big world or mods.
A Windows or Linux PC or server.
The dedicated server is free: you do not need to own the game to download it.
Access to your router if you host at home, to forward two ports.

⚙️ Step 1: install the server

In Steam: Library > Tools > Valheim Dedicated Server. Or with SteamCMD:

force_install_dir C:\valheimserver
login anonymous
app_update 896660 validate
quit

⚙️ Step 2: configure the launch line

Copy start_headless_server.bat, rename the copy (for example start_myserver.bat) and edit the launch line:

valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name "My Viking Server" -port 2456 -world "MyWorld" -password "secret123" -public 1 -crossplay

Parameter	What it does
`-name`	Name in the server list
`-world`	World name (created if it does not exist)
`-password`	At least 5 characters, cannot contain the server name
`-public 1`	Listed publicly (0 = direct IP only)
`-crossplay`	Enables Steam / Xbox crossplay
`-preset`	Difficulty preset: `casual`, `easy`, `hard`, `hardcore`, `immersive`, `hammer`
`-saveinterval`	Save interval in seconds (1,800 by default)
`-backups`	Number of automatic backups to keep

The password has two rules

At least 5 characters, and it must not contain the server name. Otherwise the server starts but rejects every connection with "incorrect password".

⚙️ Step 3: open the ports

Valheim uses UDP ports 2456 and 2457 (your chosen port and the next one). Forward them to the host machine. With -crossplay, connections go through a relay service so forwarding is often optional, but it improves stability.

On a Valheim server rented from LordHosting, steps 1 to 3 are already done: the server is installed, the ports are open, and the launch parameters are set from the panel.

⚙️ Step 4: upload your existing world

On your PC, open:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local

If your world was saved to Steam Cloud, move it to local first from the world selection screen ("Manage saves").

Copy both world files: MyWorld.db (content) and MyWorld.fwl (metadata and seed).
Paste them into the server's worlds_local folder. On Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local.
Use the exact same name in -world "MyWorld" and restart.

Hosted server: upload both files via SFTP or the panel's file manager into the worlds folder, then set the world name in the launch parameters.

⚙️ Step 5: join the server

In Valheim: Start Game > Join Game, search for your server name, or click "Add server" and enter IP:2456.

⚙️ Common problems

Server not listed: it can take a few minutes to appear. Connect by IP meanwhile.
"Incorrect password" when it is right: make sure it is 5+ characters and does not contain the server name.
Empty world after upload: the -world name does not exactly match the files (case-sensitive).
Xbox players cannot see the server: crossplay is off. Add -crossplay and share the join code shown at startup.

⚙️ Ready-to-paste configuration

A complete Windows launch script, with a difficulty preset and frequent backups. Replace the four values at the top.

@echo off
:: Replace: display name, world name, password (5 characters minimum), preset
set NAME=My Viking Server
set WORLD=MyWorld
set PASS=secret123
set PRESET=normal

set SteamAppId=892970
echo Starting the Valheim server, close this window to stop it.
valheim_server -nographics -batchmode -name "%NAME%" -port 2456 -world "%WORLD%" -password "%PASS%" -public 1 -crossplay -preset %PRESET% -saveinterval 900 -backups 6 -backupshort 7200 -backuplong 43200

-saveinterval 900 saves every 15 minutes, -backups 6 keeps six backups, and the last two parameters set the gap between a short backup (2 h) and a long one (12 h).

✅ Conclusion

A Valheim dedicated server takes five steps, and importing an existing world comes down to two files. To go further, our guides How to mod Valheim with BepInEx and Valheim console commands and cheats cover mods and administration.

Want your world online 24/7 without leaving your PC on? Get a Valheim server and upload your world in a few clicks.

FAQ

All the answers to frequently asked questions about setting up a Valheim server are in the FAQ box below. If a question is missing, contact LordHosting support via Discord or by ticket.