Valheim server problems

Common Valheim server problems and how to fix them. Settings named here are on your Startup page, see Valheim settings.

My server does not show up in the server list

Why it happens: Valheim’s list is slow to add new servers, often 5 to 15 minutes after the server starts. It also stays hidden if Public Server (PUBLIC_SERVER) is off.

How to fix it:

1. Wait until the status says Online, then wait about 15 minutes.
2. On Startup, check Public Server is 1. Setting it to 0 hides the server on purpose.
3. Search for the exact Server Name (SERVER_NAME). Use the Community tab.
4. If it is still missing, join by IP instead (see below).

How do I join by IP and port?

Why it happens: Valheim uses a game port and a query port. The query port is the game port plus one, and Steam’s server list uses it.

How to fix it:

1. Find your address and port on the Network page.
2. In Valheim, choose Join Game, then Join by IP, and enter address:port.
3. If it does not work, some players report success with the port one number higher, since that is the query port Steam uses.
4. To save it, in Steam open View, Game Servers, Favorites, add the address with the query port.
5. If neither works, open a ticket and we will check the ports.

Server password rejected, or server will not start with a password

Why it happens: Valheim needs a password of at least 5 characters. A password that is too short, or that looks like the server or world name, can stop the server from starting or being joined.

How to fix it:

1. Stop the server.
2. On Startup, set Server Password (PASSWORD) to at least 5 characters, and different from your Server Name and World Name.
3. Start the server and read the Console.
4. Players get “Incorrect password” if they mistyped it. Passwords are case sensitive.

Incompatible version, or “Incompatible version, server is running version …”

Why it happens: Valheim clients and servers must be the same version. After a Valheim update, either side can be behind.

How to fix it:

1. Restart the server so it can check for updates. Make sure Auto Update (AUTO_UPDATE) is 1.
2. Ask players to restart Steam so Valheim updates.
3. If you use a Beta Branch (SRCDS_BETAID), players must be on the same beta branch. Leave it blank for the normal version.
4. Modded servers: mods may need to update too. See the mod sections below.

Server will not start or crashes after a Valheim update

Why it happens: An update can break mods or leave a bad file during the download.

How to fix it:

1. Read the last lines of the Console and see Server keeps restarting.
2. For a modded edition, remove mods and test.
3. Try a restart.
4. If it fails, open a ticket with the Console text. Do not use Reinstall before backing up your world.

What is my world called and where is it saved?

Why it happens: The world name is set by World Name (WORLD), and the save is two files with that name.

How to fix it:

1. The default is Dedicated. Changing World Name loads a different world, or creates a new empty one if none matches.
2. In Files, world files end in .db and .fwl. They are normally under a worlds_local folder inside the game’s config folder. Turn on hidden files or search if you cannot see it.
3. To move a world from single player, upload both files with the same name. Set World Name to that name.

I changed World Name and my world vanished

Why it happens: The server loaded a new world because no files match the new name. The old world is still there.

How to fix it:

1. Stop the server.
2. Set World Name back to the old name on Startup.
3. Start the server. Your original world loads again.

How do I back up or restore my world?

Why it happens: Valheim keeps its own automatic backups, and you can add panel backups.

How to fix it:

1. Use panel Backups before big changes.
2. Valheim’s own backups are controlled by Backup Interval, Backup Count, Backup Shorttime and Backup Longtime on Startup.
3. To restore, stop the server, and put the .db and .fwl files back in the world folder. Or restore a panel backup.

Progress lost after a crash

Why it happens: Valheim only saves on an interval. Anything since the last save is lost if the server stops uncleanly.

How to fix it:

1. Lower Backup Interval (BACKUP_INTERVAL, in seconds) if you want more frequent saves. The default is 1800.
2. Use Stop, not Kill.
3. Restore from a backup if the world is corrupt.

How do I set admins?

Why it happens: Valheim admins are a list of Steam IDs in a text file. There is no admin variable on Startup.

How to fix it:

1. Find each player’s SteamID64.
2. In Files, look for adminlist.txt. It is usually in the folder that contains the worlds_local folder, not inside it.
3. Add one SteamID64 per line, save, and restart the server. In game, players can see their ID by pressing F2.
4. If the file is missing, create it. If you cannot find the folder, open a ticket.

Crossplay: players on Xbox or Game Pass cannot join

Why it happens: Crossplay must be on for the server. The setting is Enable Crossplay (ENABLE_CROSSPLAY).

How to fix it:

1. Stop the server.
2. On Startup, set Enable Crossplay to 1 and save.
3. Start the server and give it several minutes.
4. The default is different per edition: it is 1 for standard Valheim and 0 for BepInEx and Plus Mod. If crossplay still fails, open a ticket.

Mods do not load (BepInEx)

Why it happens: BepInEx is the mod loader. Mods live in its folders, and every player must also have the same mods for most mods.

How to fix it:

1. Your server must be the BepInEx edition, chosen at checkout.
2. Upload mods with Files into the BepInEx plugins folder (usually BepInEx/plugins).
3. Check the Console for lines about BepInEx loading and for errors from each mod.
4. To install a whole modpack, put its Dependency String in ModPack (V_MODPACK) on Startup. Changing it needs a server reinstall, so back up first.
5. If the modpack updates, you must update the string yourself.

Players get kicked or cannot join with mods (client and server mismatch)

Why it happens: Many mods must be the same version on the server and on every player. Mismatched mods cause errors or kicks.

How to fix it:

1. Make a list of the mods and exact versions on the server.
2. Have players install the same versions. A mod manager profile that matches the server is the easiest way.
3. Remove the mod you suspect and test.
4. We cannot promise that any mod works. Ask the mod’s author for support.

Valheim Plus settings do not apply

Why it happens: Valheim Plus reads its own config file, which is usually valheim_plus.cfg in the BepInEx config folder. Players also need Valheim Plus installed.

How to fix it:

1. Stop the server.
2. Edit the Valheim Plus config file in Files.
3. Start the server. Check the Valheim Plus documentation for which options players must match.
4. Check the Console for config errors, such as bad indentation.

Server is laggy or has rubber-banding

Why it happens: Valheim servers slow down with big worlds, many built structures, or a low connection to a player.

How to fix it:

1. Restart the server on a schedule: see Schedules.
2. Reduce very large builds and dropped items.
3. If the Console shows “Out of memory: true”, see Out of memory.

Still stuck?

Open a ticket or ask on Discord. See Contact support.