# How to Connect to Your Valheim Server (/docs/valheim/join-server)



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

Find Your Server Address [#find-your-server-address]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the panel [#open-the-panel]

    Log in to the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and select your Valheim server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Copy the IP and port [#copy-the-ip-and-port]

    Click **Network** in the sidebar. Your address uses port **2456** (UDP) by default.

    {/* Screenshot needed: Network page showing IP and port */}
  </Step>
</Steps>

Connect to Your Server [#connect-to-your-server]

<Tabs items={['Server Browser', 'Direct IP', 'Join Code (Crossplay)']}>
  <Tab value="Server Browser">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Launch Valheim [#launch-valheim]

        Open the game from Steam, Xbox, or Microsoft Store.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Open multiplayer [#open-multiplayer]

        Select your character and click **Start**. Choose a world (or create one), then click **Start**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Find your server [#find-your-server]

        In the **Join Game** screen, switch to the **Community** tab. Use the search bar to find your server by name.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Connect [#connect]

        Select your server and click **Connect**. Enter the password if prompted.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > Your server must have `-public 1` in startup parameters to appear in the browser.
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Direct IP">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Join IP [#open-join-ip]

        In the **Join Game** screen, click **Join IP**.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Enter the address [#enter-the-address]

        Type your server IP and port:

        ```
        123.45.67.89:2456
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Connect [#connect-1]

        Enter the password if prompted.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > Direct IP works even when the server is set to private (`-public 0`).
  </Tab>

  <Tab value="Join Code (Crossplay)">
    When `-crossplay` is enabled, your server gets a **6-character join code** that works on any platform — no IP forwarding required.

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

        Check your server console output for the join code (something like `ABC123`). Or look in your server logs.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Use the join code [#use-the-join-code]

        In **Join Game**, switch to the **Join Code** field and enter the code.
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Connect [#connect-2]

        Enter the password if prompted.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    > Join codes work for **all platforms** — Steam, Xbox, Microsoft Store, and Game Pass — when the server has crossplay enabled.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Required Ports [#required-ports]

| Port     | Protocol | Purpose                            |
| -------- | -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **2456** | UDP      | Game traffic                       |
| **2457** | UDP      | Steam query (auto = game port + 1) |
| **2458** | UDP      | A2S query (auto = game port + 2)   |

Can't Connect? [#cant-connect]

| Problem                   | Fix                                                                                                     |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Server not in browser     | Wait 1–2 minutes after startup. Verify `-public 1` in startup parameters                                |
| "Wrong password"          | Password must be at least **5 characters** and **cannot match** the world name                          |
| "Version mismatch"        | Update the server. See [Update Guide](/docs/valheim/update-guide)                                       |
| Xbox/Game Pass can't join | Add `-crossplay` to startup. See [Crossplay Setup](/docs/valheim/crossplay-setup)                       |
| Mods missing              | The server has client-required mods. Subscribe to them on Thunderstore and install via your mod manager |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Launch Parameters](/docs/valheim/server-launch-parameters)
* [Crossplay Setup](/docs/valheim/crossplay-setup)
* [Set a Password](/docs/valheim/server-password)
* [Network Troubleshooting](/docs/valheim/fix-network)