How to make your Valheim server public or private

Public Server decides whether your Valheim server is listed in the in-game server browser. On lists it. Off hides it, and players join with the address or the join code instead. A password is required either way. To let in only certain players, use the allow list under Access.

Change it

1. Open your server in the panel and click Settings, then Game Settings.
2. Find Public Server and flip the switch. It saves at once.
3. Restart the server so the change takes effect.

What each setting means

Iron Gate's own guide says the same: a server that is not public is joined with the Join IP button.

Keep strangers out

• Public or not, the server asks for the password. Change it before you share the address: How to change your Valheim server name and password.
• Only chosen players: add them on the Allowed tab of Access, on the Active players card. As soon as the list has one player, everyone who is not on it is refused, and anyone online who is not on it is removed within seconds. Add yourself first. See How to ban players or allow only some players on your Valheim server.
• Troublemakers: ban them from the card: How to kick or ban a player on your Valheim server.

A password rule to remember

While Public Server is on, the password must not appear inside the World Name. If you turn it off, that check is skipped. See Valheim server stops at start with a password error.

If your server does not show in the list

See Valheim server does not appear in the server list.