How to set up your Valheim server: key settings

Most of what you want to change on a Valheim server is on one page of the panel.

Open Game Settings

1. Open your server in the panel and click the Settings tab.
2. Click Game Settings.

3. Change a value and click outside the field, or press Enter. The panel saves it. Switches save as soon as you flip them.
4. Restart the server so the change takes effect. See How to start, stop, restart and force-stop your server.

Options most owners change first

• Server Name. The name shown in the server browser and to joining players; up to 60 characters, no double quote or backslash.
• Server Password. Required by Valheim: 5 to 20 characters, and it must not be part of the server name. Your server starts with a password already set; open Settings, then Game Settings, and change it before you invite anyone.
• World Name. The world the server loads (up to 20 characters); change it to start a fresh world or to switch back to one you already have.
• Public Server. On lists the server in the in-game browser; off keeps it joinable only by address or join code.
• Enable Crossplay. On by default on the standard server, which lets Xbox, PlayStation and other non-Steam players join with the join code. Turn it off for a Steam-only server; console players then cannot join.
• Auto Update. On downloads the newest Valheim build at every start; off holds the server on its current version.
• Backup Interval. How often the world is saved, in seconds; default 1800 (30 minutes).
• Backup Count. How many automatic backups the game keeps; default 4 (one short-interval backup, the rest long-interval).
• Backup Shorttime. Seconds between the first automatic backups; default 7200 (2 hours).
• Backup Longtime. Seconds between the later automatic backups; default 43200 (12 hours).
• Beta Branch. Leave blank for the normal live version; only applies while Auto Update is on.
• Beta Password. Only needed if the beta branch you entered is protected by a password from the developers. Leave blank otherwise.

All of these are found under Settings, then Game Settings. A change takes effect at the next start or restart. Only the Valheim BepInEx server type has a ModPack setting, and a change to it does not take effect on a normal restart (ask support to apply it). Player slots are not configurable: Valheim is hard-capped at 10 players without mods.

Every option is listed in Valheim server settings: every option explained.