# How to Enable Crossplay on Your Valheim Server (/docs/valheim/crossplay-setup)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Valheim supports crossplay between Steam, Xbox, Microsoft Store, and Game Pass via Microsoft's PlayFab relay service. When crossplay is enabled, the server uses relay networking — **port forwarding is not required** for external connections.

Enable Crossplay [#enable-crossplay]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open Startup [#open-startup]

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), click **Startup** in the sidebar.

    {/* Screenshot needed: Startup tab with Crossplay variable */}
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Toggle Crossplay on [#toggle-crossplay-on]

    Find the **Crossplay** variable (maps to `-crossplay`) and enable it.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Restart the server [#restart-the-server]

    Go to **Console** and restart.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Get the join code [#get-the-join-code]

    Once the server starts, check **Console** for a 6-character **join code** in the startup output. Players use this code to connect from any platform.
  </Step>
</Steps>

How Players Connect [#how-players-connect]

| Platform            | Method                                  |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Steam**           | Server browser, direct IP, or join code |
| **Xbox**            | Join code (no IP method)                |
| **Microsoft Store** | Join code                               |
| **Game Pass PC**    | Join code                               |

The join code is the easiest way for cross-platform groups — share it once and everyone uses the same code regardless of platform.

Crossplay Limitations [#crossplay-limitations]

| Limitation            | Details                                                                                              |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mods**              | Xbox/Game Pass players cannot install mods. Modded servers will reject them entirely                 |
| **Performance**       | Relay networking adds latency compared to direct connect. Players in different regions may notice it |
| **Connection issues** | If PlayFab has an outage, all crossplay servers become unreachable                                   |

Crossplay-Compatible Mods [#crossplay-compatible-mods]

Server-only mods (mods that run on the server but don't require client-side files) work with crossplay if **all players** including console users have them — but console players can't install mods, so this rarely works in practice. For modded servers, you'll usually want crossplay **disabled** and use direct IP for Steam-only players.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Connect to Your Server](/docs/valheim/join-server)
* [Server Launch Parameters](/docs/valheim/server-launch-parameters)
* [Network Troubleshooting](/docs/valheim/fix-network)