In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up a private server for the popular game Valheim. Creating a private server allows you to play with your friends in a controlled environment, where you can customize settings and ensure a smooth gaming experience.
Step 1: Downloading the Valheim Server Software
To begin, you need to download the Valheim Dedicated Server software from the official website. Visit valheimservers.io and click on the “Download” button. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system, whether it’s Windows or Linux.
Step 2: Installing and Configuring the Server
Once the download is complete, extract the contents of the downloaded file to a location of your choice on your computer. Open the extracted folder and locate the “start_headless_server.bat” file for Windows or “start_headless_server.sh” for Linux.
Note: If you’re using Linux, you may need to make this file executable. To do this, open a terminal window in the extracted folder and run the following command:
chmod +x start_headless_server.sh
To configure your server settings, open the “start_headless_server.bat” or “start_headless_server.sh” file using a text editor like Notepad++ or Gedit.
Setting Up Server Name and Password
In this section of the configuration file, you can specify your server name and password by modifying these lines:
- -name “YourServerName”: Replace “YourServerName” with your desired server name.
- -password “YourServerPassword”: Replace “YourServerPassword” with your chosen server password.
Port Forwarding
If you want your friends to join your private server over the internet, you’ll need to set up port forwarding on your router. By default, Valheim uses port 2456 for game traffic and port 2457 for Steam.
To set up port forwarding, access your router’s settings page by typing its IP address into a web browser. Locate the port forwarding section and add a new rule with the following details:
- Service Name: Valheim
- Internal Port: 2456-2457
- External Port: 2456-2457
- Internal IP Address: Your computer’s local IP address (e.g., 192.168.x.x)
Step 3: Launching the Server
To start the Valheim server, simply double-click on the “start_headless_server.bat” file for Windows or run “./start_headless_server.sh” in the terminal for Linux.
If everything is set up correctly, you should see a console window displaying messages related to the server’s initialization process. Wait until you see a message indicating that the server has successfully started.
Step 4: Connecting to Your Private Server
To connect to your private server in Valheim, follow these steps:
- Launch Valheim on your computer.
- Click on “Join Game” from the main menu.
- In the server browser, select the “Community” tab.
- Type your server’s IP address in the “IP” field. If you’re hosting the server on the same computer you’re playing on, you can use “127.0.1”.
- Enter your server password if you have set one.
- Click on “Connect” to join your private server.
Congratulations! You have successfully created and connected to your own private Valheim server. Enjoy playing with your friends in this dedicated environment!
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we have covered the steps required to make a Valheim private server. We started by downloading and installing the Valheim Dedicated Server software, configuring the server settings, setting up port forwarding, launching the server, and finally connecting to it in Valheim.
By setting up a private server, you can enjoy a customized gaming experience with your friends and ensure smooth gameplay without any external interruptions. Have fun exploring and surviving in the world of Valheim!