Set Up Scheduled Restarts
Configure automatic server restarts to keep your Valheim server running smoothly.
Regular restarts clear memory leaks and cached data, keeping your Valheim server running at peak performance. Use the Schedules feature to automate this.
Why Restart Regularly
Valheim servers gradually use more memory over time, especially with:
- Many players connecting and disconnecting
- Large amounts of world exploration
- Mods running in the background
- Extended uptime without saves
A daily restart fixes most performance issues.
Set Up Automatic Restarts
Go to Schedules
In the sidebar, click Schedules.
Create a new schedule
Click to add a new scheduled task with these settings:
- Action: Restart
- Schedule: Daily at your preferred time (e.g., 4:00 AM)
Save the schedule
The server will automatically restart at the scheduled time.
💡 Tip: Schedule restarts during off-peak hours (early morning) to affect the fewest players. Check your server's player activity patterns to find the best time.
Recommended Restart Frequency
| Server Type | Restart Frequency |
|---|---|
| Small (1–5 players) | Once daily |
| Medium (5–10 players) | Once or twice daily |
| Large (10+ players) | Every 8–12 hours |
| Heavily modded | Every 6–8 hours |
Multiple Schedules
You can create multiple restart schedules. For a busy server:
- 4:00 AM — Early morning restart
- 4:00 PM — Afternoon restart
Restart Warnings
Valheim doesn't have a built-in restart warning system. Players will be disconnected when the restart happens and can reconnect once the server is back up.
📝 Note: The server auto-saves before shutting down, so player progress is preserved. However, any unsaved changes within the last save interval may be lost. Set a shorter save interval in your startup parameters with
-saveinterval 900(15 minutes).
Combine with Auto-Save
For extra safety, create an additional scheduled task to force-save the world before each restart:
- Schedule 1: Power → Send Command →
saveat 3:55 AM - Schedule 2: Power → Restart at 4:00 AM
This ensures the world is saved just before the restart.
Related Guides
See also: Server Performance | Restore Backup | World Save Files
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