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How to Install Valheim Dedicated Server on Ubuntu 24.04

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How to Install Valheim Dedicated Server on Ubuntu 24.04

Running your own Valheim dedicated server gives your group a persistent Viking world that stays online 24/7, even when the host is offline. You get full control over the save files, admin commands, mods, and backups, and you pay a flat monthly rate regardless of how many players join. This guide walks through every step from a fresh Ubuntu 24.04 VPS to a production-ready server with systemd, crossplay, BepInEx mods, and automated backups.

Want an easier path? Our CloudCore Starter VPS runs Valheim comfortably for under EUR 8 per month. Deploy a Starter VPS and follow along.

Why Self-Host Valheim?

Prerequisites

Step 1: Update System and Install Dependencies

Step 2: Create the steam User

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

Step 4: Install the Valheim Server Files

Step 5: Create the Custom Start Script

Step 6: Open the UDP Firewall Ports

Step 7: Create the systemd Service

Step 8: Configure Admin Access

Step 9: Install BepInEx for Mods

Step 10: Set Up Automated Backups

Connecting from the Valheim Client

Troubleshooting

FAQ

Related Guides

Why Self-Host Valheim?

Valheim is a lightweight game from a server perspective. A dedicated instance typically consumes around 2 GB of RAM, one or two CPU cores, and minimal bandwidth. That makes it a perfect candidate for a small VPS rather than a managed game-hosting plan.

Cost savings vs managed hosting:

Hosting option	Typical monthly cost	Slots	Mods allowed	SSH access
Managed Valheim host (10 slots)	EUR 15 - 25	10	Limited	No
Shared game panel	EUR 8 - 12	10	Some	No
CloudCore Starter VPS	EUR 7.99	Unlimited	Any	Yes

Running on your own VPS saves roughly 75% versus a comparable managed host, and the savings grow if you add more game servers to the same machine. Beyond price, self-hosting gets you:

Full filesystem access for instant backups, mod sideloading, and save migration
No slot limits -- Valheim allows up to 10 concurrent players regardless of host
Any mod you want via BepInEx, not a curated subset
Room to grow -- add a Terraria or Factorio server on the same box later
Data ownership -- your world file, your schedule, your SSH key

The official Valheim wiki confirms the technical requirements are modest, which is why a EUR 7.99 VPS handles a full group without breaking a sweat.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

A VPS running Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with root or sudo access
SSH access (OpenSSH on Linux/macOS, PuTTY or Windows Terminal on Windows)
At least 4 GB of RAM and 2 vCPU cores
At least 10 GB of free disk space for the server files, world saves, and backups
The SteamID64s of every intended admin (look yours up at steamid.io)

Recommended Plan: CloudCore Starter

Valheim is light, but it still needs predictable CPU scheduling and steady bandwidth. The CloudCore Starter plan is the sweet spot:

- 2 vCPU cores

- 4 GB RAM

- 50 GB NVMe SSD

- Unmetered bandwidth

- EUR 7.99/month

That is enough for a 10-player Valheim world plus OS overhead, with headroom for a Discord bot or backup script on the side.

Connect to your server via SSH to get started:

ssh root@your-server-ip

Step 1: Update System and Install Dependencies

Start by updating your package index and installing the 32-bit libraries SteamCMD requires. Valheim's server binary itself is 64-bit, but SteamCMD ships as a 32-bit tool.

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y \
  curl wget tar unzip \
  lib32gcc-s1 libsdl2-2.0-0 \
  ufw rsync

Expected output (abbreviated):

Setting up lib32gcc-s1 (14.2.0-4ubuntu2) ...
Setting up libsdl2-2.0-0:amd64 (2.30.0+dfsg-1) ...
Setting up steamcmd dependencies ...

If the kernel was updated, reboot before continuing:

sudo reboot

Step 2: Create the steam User

For security, never run SteamCMD or the Valheim server as root. Create a dedicated unprivileged user called steam:

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash steam
sudo passwd steam

Switch to the new user for the remaining install steps:

sudo -iu steam

Your prompt should now read something like steam@your-server:~$. Every command from here through Step 5 runs as this user.

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

SteamCMD is Valve's command-line client for downloading game server binaries. Install it into the steam user's home directory:

mkdir -p ~/steamcmd && cd ~/steamcmd
curl -sSL https://steamcdn-a.akamaihd.net/client/installer/steamcmd_linux.tar.gz | tar -xz

Verify the installer:

ls -l ~/steamcmd

You should see steamcmd.sh and a linux32 directory. Launch SteamCMD once to pull its self-updates:

./steamcmd.sh +quit

Expected output (abbreviated):

Redirecting stderr to '/home/steam/Steam/logs/stderr.txt'
[  0%] Checking for available updates...
[----] Verifying installation...
Steam Console Client (c) Valve Corporation - version ...
Loading Steam API...OK

SteamCMD is ready.

Step 4: Install the Valheim Server Files

The Valheim dedicated server is Steam app ID 896660 (this is separate from the game itself, which is app 892970). Download it with SteamCMD into ~/valheim:

~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh \
  +force_install_dir /home/steam/valheim \
  +login anonymous \
  +app_update 896660 validate \
  +quit

The anonymous login works because the dedicated server is a free download. Expect roughly 1 GB of data and a few minutes on typical VPS bandwidth.

Expected final output:

Success! App '896660' fully installed.

Confirm the files landed correctly:

ls ~/valheim

You should see valheim_server.x86_64, start_server.sh, start_server_xterm.sh, and supporting .so libraries.

Step 5: Create the Custom Start Script

The bundled start_server_xterm.sh assumes an X11 session, which a headless VPS does not have. Replace it with a clean script that reads the server name, world name, and password from environment variables, making the systemd unit in Step 7 cleaner.

Create ~/valheim/start.sh:

cat > ~/valheim/start.sh <<'EOF'
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
Defaults -- override via systemd Environment= entries
: "${SERVER_NAME:=My Valheim Server}"
: "${WORLD_NAME:=Midgard}"
: "${SERVER_PASS:=changeme12}"
: "${SERVER_PORT:=2456}"
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/home/steam/valheim/linux64:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH:-}"
export SteamAppId=892970
cd /home/steam/valheim
exec ./valheim_server.x86_64 \
  -name       "${SERVER_NAME}" \
  -port       "${SERVER_PORT}" \
  -world      "${WORLD_NAME}" \
  -password   "${SERVER_PASS}" \
  -public     1 \
  -crossplay \
  -savedir    /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim \
  -logFile    /home/steam/valheim/logs/valheim-$(date +%Y-%m-%d).log
EOFchmod +x ~/valheim/start.sh
mkdir -p ~/valheim/logs

Key flags explained:

-name -- The display name in the server browser. Supports spaces when quoted.
-port 2456 -- The main game port. The server also binds 2457 and 2458 automatically.
-world "Midgard" -- Matches the .fwl and .db filenames in the save directory.
-password -- Valheim requires passwords of at least 5 characters and will refuse to start otherwise. The password cannot appear inside the server name.
-public 1 -- Advertises the server in the community list. Set to 0 for a whitelist-style private server.
-crossplay -- Registers the server with the Microsoft Playfab backend so Xbox and PlayStation players can connect. Without this flag, only Steam players can see it.
-savedir -- Explicit save path so backups and admin files are easy to find.
-logFile -- Writes a dated log file for troubleshooting; still mirrors to journal via systemd.

Security tip: Change SERVER_PASS in Step 7 to something unique. Do not reuse your Steam password.

Step 6: Open the UDP Firewall Ports

Valheim uses three consecutive UDP ports. Many guides only open 2456; that leaves the server invisible to the server browser because the Steam query port (2457) is blocked.

Switch back to your sudo-capable user first:

exit   # back to the admin user

Configure UFW:

sudo ufw allow 22/tcp comment 'SSH'
sudo ufw allow 2456:2458/udp comment 'Valheim'
sudo ufw --force enable
sudo ufw status numbered

Expected output:

Status: active
     To                         Action      From
     --                         ------      ----
[ 1] 22/tcp                     ALLOW IN    Anywhere          # SSH
[ 2] 2456:2458/udp              ALLOW IN    Anywhere          # Valheim

If your VPS provider also exposes a network-level firewall (Contabo Cloud Panel, OVH Network Firewall, Hetzner Firewalls), mirror the same rule there.

Step 7: Create the systemd Service

Running the server under systemd gives you automatic restarts on crash, start-on-boot, and unified log access with journalctl.

Create the unit file:

sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/valheim.service > /dev/null <<'EOF'
[Unit]
Description=Valheim Dedicated Server
After=network-online.target
Wants=network-online.target
[Service]
Type=simple
User=steam
Group=steam
WorkingDirectory=/home/steam/valheim
Environment="SERVER_NAME=My Viking Hall"
Environment="WORLD_NAME=Midgard"
Environment="SERVER_PASS=ReplaceThisPass"
Environment="SERVER_PORT=2456"
ExecStart=/home/steam/valheim/start.sh
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=15
TimeoutStopSec=60
KillSignal=SIGINT
Hardening
NoNewPrivileges=true
PrivateTmp=true
ProtectSystem=full
ProtectHome=read-only
ReadWritePaths=/home/steam/valheim /home/steam/.config[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

Edit the three Environment= lines to your own server name, world name, and a strong password (minimum 5 characters, cannot match the server name).

Reload systemd, enable the service at boot, and start it:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable valheim.service
sudo systemctl start valheim.service

Check status:

sudo systemctl status valheim.service

Expected output (abbreviated):

● valheim.service - Valheim Dedicated Server
     Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/valheim.service; enabled; preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Thu 2026-04-16 10:00:00 UTC; 1min ago
   Main PID: 4321 (start.sh)
      Tasks: 18 (limit: 4915)
     Memory: 1.9G

Tail the live log while the world generates (first boot takes 30-60 seconds):

sudo journalctl -u valheim.service -f

Look for the line Game server connected -- that confirms Playfab crossplay registration succeeded.

Step 8: Configure Admin Access

Valheim reads three flat files for moderation from the world's save directory:

adminlist.txt -- grants in-game admin commands (kick, ban, save, etc.)
permittedlist.txt -- allowlist (only these SteamIDs can connect; optional)
bannedlist.txt -- denylist

Create the admin list:

sudo -u steam mkdir -p /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim
sudo -u steam tee /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/adminlist.txt > /dev/null <<'EOF'
76561198000000001
76561198000000002
EOF

Replace the placeholder IDs with each admin's SteamID64 (the 17-digit form). Use steamid.io to convert a vanity URL.

Restart the server to load the list:

sudo systemctl restart valheim.service

Admins can now press F5 in-game and run:

save -- force-save the world
kick <player> / ban <player>
banned / permitted -- reload the files from disk without restarting
setkey defeated_eikthyr -- manipulate world progression

For a full command reference, see the Valheim wiki dedicated server page.

Step 9: Install BepInEx for Mods

BepInEx is the standard Unity mod loader for Valheim. The Unix build is distinct from the Windows build -- do not mix them up.

Stop the server first:

sudo systemctl stop valheim.service

Download and unpack the BepInEx Unix pack into the Valheim directory (check Thunderstore for the latest URL):

sudo -iu steam
cd ~/valheim
wget -O bepinex.zip "https://valheim.thunderstore.io/package/download/denikson/BepInExPack_Valheim/5.4.2202/"
unzip bepinex.zip -d bepinex-tmp
cp -r bepinex-tmp/BepInExPack_Valheim/* ./
rm -rf bepinex.zip bepinex-tmp

BepInEx ships with a launcher script called start_server_bepinex.sh. Update your start.sh so the Unity doorstop injector loads BepInEx before the server binary executes. Open ~/valheim/start.sh and add these three exports just above the existing export LD_LIBRARY_PATH line:

export DOORSTOP_ENABLE=TRUE
export DOORSTOP_INVOKE_DLL_PATH=/home/steam/valheim/BepInEx/core/BepInEx.Preloader.dll
export LD_PRELOAD="libdoorstop_x64.so ${LD_PRELOAD:-}"

Drop any server-compatible mod .dll files into ~/valheim/BepInEx/plugins/. Popular server mods include ValheimPlus, ServerCharacters, and WorldAdvancedEditCommands.

Exit back to your admin user and restart:

exit
sudo systemctl start valheim.service
sudo journalctl -u valheim.service -f | grep -i bepinex

You should see BepInEx <version> - valheim_server in the logs. Remember that any gameplay-affecting mod must also be installed on every client.

Step 10: Set Up Automated Backups

Valheim writes world data to /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/ as paired .fwl (world metadata) and .db (terrain + objects) files. A single corrupted save can erase weeks of progress, so daily backups are non-negotiable.

Create a backup script:

sudo tee /usr/local/bin/valheim-backup.sh > /dev/null <<'EOF'
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
SRC="/home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/"
DEST="/home/steam/backups/$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H%M)"
KEEP_DAYS=14
mkdir -p "${DEST}"
rsync -a --delete "${SRC}" "${DEST}/"
Prune backups older than KEEP_DAYS
find /home/steam/backups -maxdepth 1 -type d -mtime "+${KEEP_DAYS}" -exec rm -rf {} \;
EOF
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/valheim-backup.sh
sudo chown steam:steam /usr/local/bin/valheim-backup.sh

Schedule it via cron as the steam user:

sudo -u steam crontab -e

Add the following line to run backups every 6 hours:

0 /6    /usr/local/bin/valheim-backup.sh >> /home/steam/backups/backup.log 2>&1

Off-site backup (strongly recommended): pipe the backup directory to a second machine nightly:

rsync -az --delete /home/steam/backups/ [email protected]:/srv/valheim-backups/

Test restoration at least once: stop the service, copy a backup over worlds_local/, and start again.

Connecting from the Valheim Client

Your server is now live. To join:

Launch Valheim and select a character.

Choose Start Game -> Join Game -> Join IP.

Enter your-server-ip:2456 and the password.

To use the community browser instead, wait about 60 seconds after boot for Playfab to index the server, then switch to the Community tab (not Steam) and search by name. Crossplay servers take 2 - 3 minutes to appear on Xbox and PlayStation client lists the first time.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Cause	Solution
Server not visible in browser	UDP 2457 blocked, or Playfab still indexing	Confirm `ufw status` shows 2456:2458/udp open. Wait 2 - 3 minutes after first boot. Check provider-level firewall.
`Password cannot be contained in server name`	Valheim rejects weak passwords or substring matches	Change `SERVER_PASS` in `valheim.service` to a unique value with at least 5 chars.
`libsteam_api.so: cannot open shared object file`	`LD_LIBRARY_PATH` not exported	Verify `export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="/home/steam/valheim/linux64:..."` is present in `start.sh`.
Server starts then crashes with `IL2CPP` error	Wrong SteamCMD architecture or missing `lib32gcc-s1`	Re-run `sudo apt install -y lib32gcc-s1 libsdl2-2.0-0`.
Clients see `Incompatible version`	Server updated after Valheim patch; client is older	Run `~/steamcmd/steamcmd.sh +login anonymous +app_update 896660 validate +quit` and restart the service.
Saves vanish after reboot	Default `~/.config/unity3d/...` blocked by systemd `ProtectHome=read-only`	Confirm `ReadWritePaths=/home/steam/valheim /home/steam/.config` is in the unit file.
High CPU when world is empty	BepInEx plugin CPU loop or infinite log	Check `~/valheim/BepInEx/LogOutput.log` and disable suspect plugins.

Tailing Logs

The systemd journal is your first stop:

sudo journalctl -u valheim.service -f
sudo journalctl -u valheim.service -n 200 --no-pager

The dated game log in /home/steam/valheim/logs/ has engine-level detail for Unity errors.

FAQ

How much RAM does a Valheim server need?

A Valheim dedicated server uses approximately 2 GB of RAM for a small world with up to 10 players. Our CloudCore Starter plan with 4 GB RAM is comfortable for most groups. Large, heavily-explored worlds with 10 concurrent players and multiple bases can push usage toward 3 GB, which still fits within Starter without swapping. Upgrade to a 6 GB plan only if you run BepInEx with heavy mods like terrain-altering tools or custom creature packs.

Does the Valheim dedicated server support crossplay between PC and Xbox?

Yes. Launch the server with the -crossplay flag (already included in the start.sh script above) and it will register with Microsoft's Playfab backend, making it discoverable from the cross-platform Community tab in the Valheim client on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Players on any platform can then connect by server name or by IP. Crossplay does not affect mod compatibility -- modded servers are still restricted to clients that can run the same mods, which in practice means PC only.

Which ports does Valheim use?

Valheim uses UDP ports 2456, 2457, and 2458. Port 2456 is the main game port that clients connect to; 2457 is the Steam query port used by the server browser; 2458 is used for matchmaking. All three must be open in your firewall (and your VPS provider's network firewall, if applicable) for both direct IP connections and server-list discovery to work correctly.

Can I install mods on a Valheim dedicated server?

Yes. Install the BepInEx Unix pack into the server directory (see Step 9), then drop server-compatible mod DLLs into ~/valheim/BepInEx/plugins/. Popular options include ValheimPlus (configuration tweaks), ServerCharacters (server-side character saves), and various quality-of-life mods from the Thunderstore. Every connecting player must have the same mods installed client-side for any mod that affects gameplay -- pure server-side mods like login messages work without client changes.

How do I give myself admin rights on the server?

Edit the adminlist.txt file in /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/ and add each admin's SteamID64 (17-digit form) on its own line. After saving, either restart the service or have an existing admin run /banned in chat to reload the list. Admins can then press F5 in-game and use console commands such as kick, ban, save, and setkey for world progression flags.

Is self-hosting Valheim cheaper than using a paid game host?

Yes, significantly. A CloudCore Starter VPS is EUR 7.99 per month for unlimited slots, a persistent world, and full SSH access. Typical managed Valheim hosts charge EUR 15 - 25 per month for a 10-slot server with limited mod support. That is roughly 75% savings, and the gap grows if you add more game servers or related services to the same VPS. You also keep full filesystem access for instant backups, mod sideloading, and world migration.

How do I back up my Valheim world?

The world data lives in /home/steam/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/ as paired .fwl and .db files. Use the rsync-based script in Step 10 on a 6-hour cron, and strongly consider piping to an off-site target (another VPS, S3-compatible storage, or a home NAS) nightly. Always back up before running a SteamCMD update in case a game patch introduces save-file incompatibility.

Ready to raid Valhalla?

Our CloudCore Starter VPS has the right mix of CPU, RAM, and bandwidth for a smooth Valheim experience:

- 2 vCPU cores, 4 GB RAM, 50 GB NVMe SSD

- Unmetered bandwidth, EU and US locations

- Full root SSH access, any OS

- EUR 7.99/month -- roughly 75% cheaper than managed Valheim hosts

Deploy a Starter VPS and be in-game in under 30 minutes.

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How to Install Valheim Dedicated Server on Ubuntu 24.04

Table of Contents

Why Self-Host Valheim?

Prerequisites

Step 1: Update System and Install Dependencies

Step 2: Create the steam User

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

Step 4: Install the Valheim Server Files

Step 5: Create the Custom Start Script

Defaults -- override via systemd Environment= entries

Step 6: Open the UDP Firewall Ports

Step 7: Create the systemd Service

Hardening

Step 8: Configure Admin Access

Step 9: Install BepInEx for Mods

Step 10: Set Up Automated Backups

Prune backups older than KEEP_DAYS

Connecting from the Valheim Client

Troubleshooting

Tailing Logs

FAQ

How much RAM does a Valheim server need?

Does the Valheim dedicated server support crossplay between PC and Xbox?

Which ports does Valheim use?

Can I install mods on a Valheim dedicated server?

How do I give myself admin rights on the server?

Is self-hosting Valheim cheaper than using a paid game host?

How do I back up my Valheim world?

Related Guides

How to Install Valheim Dedicated Server on Ubuntu 24.04

Table of Contents

Why Self-Host Valheim?

Prerequisites

Step 1: Update System and Install Dependencies

Step 2: Create the steam User

Step 3: Install SteamCMD

Step 4: Install the Valheim Server Files

Step 5: Create the Custom Start Script

Defaults -- override via systemd Environment= entries

Step 6: Open the UDP Firewall Ports

Step 7: Create the systemd Service

Hardening

Step 8: Configure Admin Access

Step 9: Install BepInEx for Mods

Step 10: Set Up Automated Backups

Prune backups older than KEEP_DAYS

Connecting from the Valheim Client

Troubleshooting

Tailing Logs

FAQ

How much RAM does a Valheim server need?

Does the Valheim dedicated server support crossplay between PC and Xbox?

Which ports does Valheim use?

Can I install mods on a Valheim dedicated server?

How do I give myself admin rights on the server?

Is self-hosting Valheim cheaper than using a paid game host?

How do I back up my Valheim world?

Related Guides