Valheim Server Config Generator
Free Valheim dedicated server config generator. Build the launch command with every official flag (-name, -port, -world, -password, -public, -crossplay, -saveinterval, -backups), set all 5 world modifiers (combat, deathpenalty, resources, raids, portals), toggle -setkey flags (nobuildcost, playerevents, passivemobs, nomap), and edit adminlist / bannedlist / permittedlist files. Linux + Windows scripts included.
Valheim server hosting from XGamingServer — instant setup, DDoS protection, mod support, and 24/7 help. 30% off your first month.
Display name shown in the in-game server browser. Wrap in double quotes if it contains spaces.
Server nameBase UDP port the server listens on. Valheim also uses <port>+1 (2457 by default) for Steam queries, so make sure both are open.
Game port (UDP)Filename (no extension) of the world save in the save directory. If the world does not exist it will be created on first launch.
World namePassword required to join the server. Must be at least 5 characters and must NOT contain or be contained in the world name.
Server password1 = visible in the Community server browser. 0 = invisible (can still be joined directly by IP).
Listed publiclyRuns the server on the PlayFab crossplay backend. Required if Xbox / PlayStation / Game Pass players need to connect. The server appears in the Crossplay browser tab instead of (or in addition to) the Steam browser.
Enable crossplay (PlayFab)Override the default save location for worlds, permittedlist / adminlist / bannedlist and backups. Default on Windows: %USERPROFILE%/AppData/LocalLow/IronGate/Valheim. Default on Linux: ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim.
Save directoryRedirect server log output to a specific file path instead of the Unity default Player.log.
Log file pathSeconds between automatic world saves. Default 1800 (30 minutes).
Autosave interval (s)Number of rolling auto-backups to keep on disk.
Backup slotsSeconds between the first, frequent backups. Default 7200 (2 hours).
Short backup interval (s)Seconds between the subsequent, less frequent backups. Default 43200 (12 hours).
Long backup interval (s)Unique identifier — only needed if hosting multiple Valheim servers on the same port from the same MAC address (rare).
Instance IDApplies a bundle of world modifiers at once. If you set -preset and individual -modifier flags together, the preset is applied FIRST, so individual modifiers after it override the preset.
World presetHow to deploy
- Download the start_server.sh to your Valheim dedicated server root folder
- Make it executable:
chmod +x start_server.sh - Permission files go in your save directory (
~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/or custom-savedir) - Start the server — it picks up the flags on launch
Generate a full Valheim dedicated server launch script
Valheim's dedicated server is unusual — it has no single config file. Everything is controlled via command-line launch parameters passed to valheim_server.exe (Windows) or valheim_server.x86_64 (Linux), plus 3 plain-text permission files that live in the save directory. This generator builds the whole thing: the full launch command, a proper start_server.sh or start_server.bat with the right LD_LIBRARY_PATH + SteamAppId exports, and editable adminlist.txt / bannedlist.txt / permittedlist.txt content.
14 launch parameters with the right defaults: -name (server display name, quoted if spaces), -port (default 2456 UDP, uses 2456-2457), -world (world save filename), -password (5+ char minimum, mandatory for public servers), -public 0/1 (community browser visibility), -crossplay (flag, enables PC ↔ Xbox/PS5), -savedir (custom save path), -logFile, -saveinterval (default 1800 seconds), -backups (rolling count, default 4), -backupshort / -backuplong (timed backup intervals), -instanceid (multi-server uniqueness), -preset (shorthand for difficulty presets).
5 world modifiers with every valid choice verified against the current post-Ashlands / Deep North game: combat (veryeasy → veryhard), deathpenalty (casual → hardcore — hardcore loses ALL skills on death, no tombstone), resources (muchless → most), raids (none → muchmore), portals (casual for all-items → veryhard for no portals at all). 4 -setkey global flags for creative/peaceful/free-building mode: nobuildcost, playerevents, passivemobs, nomap.
5 built-in presets: Vanilla (defaults + public + crossplay), Hardcore (combat veryhard + deathpenalty hardcore + raids muchmore + portals veryhard — the hardest non-modded run), Casual (combat veryeasy + resources muchmore + raids less — new-player-friendly), Crossplay Public (the standard 2-4 player co-op server), Creative Hammer (nobuildcost + passivemobs + nomap — for dedicated building servers).
Admin list, ban list, and permitted (whitelist) list are plain text — one SteamID64 (17 digits) per line. When permittedlist.txt is non-empty the server switches to whitelist mode (only those IDs can connect). Adminlist entries get /ghost, /debugmode, /heal, /kill, /kick, /ban, and other admin commands.
Deploy: download the script to your server root, chmod +x on Linux, run it. Upload the 3 text files to your save directory (typically ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/ on Linux). XGamingServer's Valheim hosting lets you paste this straight in via File Manager — or swap the generated command into the panel's "Server Startup" field.
Valheim Server Config Generator — FAQ
How do I launch a Valheim dedicated server?
Run valheim_server.x86_64 (Linux) or valheim_server.exe (Windows) with -nographics -batchmode and your launch flags. The server NEEDS -name, -port, -world, and -password (min 5 chars). The generator produces a full start_server.sh (Linux) or start_server.bat (Windows) with the right exports (LD_LIBRARY_PATH, SteamAppId=892970).
Where do adminlist.txt and bannedlist.txt go?
In the save directory — by default ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/ on Linux or %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\ on Windows. If you set a custom -savedir, put them there. One 17-digit SteamID64 per line, no comments.
What's the difference between deathpenalty hard and hardcore?
hard loses 75% of your skill progress on death (tombstone still drops). hardcore (added post-Hildir) wipes ALL skills on death AND removes the tombstone — your gear is gone forever. Hardcore is the most punishing deathpenalty Valheim offers without mods.
Does -crossplay actually work?
Yes, since the Hearth & Home + Mistlands updates Valheim supports PC ↔ Xbox / PS5 crossplay. Add the -crossplay flag to your server launch and Xbox/PS players can join via community server browser. No extra config needed.
Can I add more than 10 players to a Valheim server?
Technically yes, but Valheim doesn't enforce a hard player cap at the server config level — the engine becomes unstable around 10+ players (physics, rendering, world-sync). Most serious servers stick to 8-10 max. There's no -maxplayers flag.
Valheim guides
You might also need
Food Stats Database
All 75 Valheim foods ranked by HP/stamina/eitr/regen — filter by biome tier, sort by stat, find best food for tank/mage/balanced builds
Weapon Database
All 88 Valheim weapons — damage, type, knockback, backstab, block — filter by skill (Axes, Swords, Bows, Polearms, Mage) or biome tier
Resource Calculator
Calculate materials needed for any building project
Creature Bestiary
Every Valheim creature with HP and damage-type weaknesses/resistances from the 1.0 game data — including Deep North enemies (Elaking, Moose, Barka, Gammeltroll). Find exactly what each enemy is weak to.
Valheim server admin docs
Read the full Valheim server docs →
Step-by-step guides for installing mods, configuring your server, joining, troubleshooting, and admin commands.
Ready to play?
Run your own Valheim server with XGamingServer
Instant setup, mods & plugins, DDoS protection and 24/7 human support — your server is live in minutes, no port-forwarding required.
Pick your plan
See all plansValheim Server Hosting
Get managed Valheim server hosting with this tool built into your panel — configure, deploy, and play in minutes. Instant setup, DDoS protection, 24/7 support.