Install and Configure a Valheim Dedicated Server on a Windows VPS

Hosting a Valheim dedicated server on a Windows VPS allows you to create a persistent multiplayer world for your community or friends. This guide will walk you through installing, configuring, and optimizing a Valheim server on a Windows Server VPS.

📌 Prerequisites

A Windows Server VPS (2016, 2019, or 2022) from VolticHost
Administrator access
At least 4GB RAM (8GB+ recommended for larger servers)
SteamCMD installed (to download and update Valheim server files)
Ports 2456-2458 open in the firewall

1️⃣ Install and Set Up SteamCMD

Download SteamCMD from:
👉 https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD
Extract steamcmd.zip to C:\steamcmd.
Open Command Prompt (Admin) and navigate to the SteamCMD folder:
```
cd C:\steamcmd
```
Run SteamCMD:
```
steamcmd.exe
```
Log in as an anonymous user:
```
login anonymous
```
Set the installation directory for Valheim:
```
force_install_dir C:\ValheimServer
```
Download the Valheim server files:
```
app_update 896660 validate
```
Once complete, exit SteamCMD:
```
quit
```

✅ Valheim server files are now installed!

2️⃣ Configure the Valheim Server

Open File Explorer and navigate to:
```
C:\ValheimServer
```
Right-click inside the folder, select New → Text Document.
Name the file start_server.bat and open it in Notepad.

Paste the following script:

@echo off
cd /d C:\ValheimServer
start valheim_server.exe -name "YourServerName" -port 2456 -world "YourWorld" -password "YourPassword" -public 1

Replace YourServerName, YourWorld, and YourPassword with your custom settings.
Save and close the file.

✅ Your Valheim server is now configured!

3️⃣ Open Valheim Server Ports in Windows Firewall

Open Windows Defender Firewall (Win + R, type wf.msc, press Enter).
Click Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules → New Rule.
Select Port, then click Next.
Choose UDP, enter 2456-2458, then click Next.
Select Allow the connection, then click Next again.
Apply to Domain, Private, and Public networks.
Name the rule Valheim Server Ports and click Finish.

✅ Your Valheim server is now accessible online!

4️⃣ Start the Valheim Server

Open Command Prompt (Admin).
Navigate to the Valheim server folder:
```
cd C:\ValheimServer
```
Run the server using the batch script:
```
start_server.bat
```
Keep the window open while the server is running.

✅ Your Valheim server is now online!

5️⃣ Connect to Your Valheim Server

Find Your Public IP

To share your server with others, find your VPS public IP address:

ipconfig

Join the Server from Valheim

Open Valheim.
Click Start Game → Join Game.
Click Add Server and enter your VPS IP:2456.
Click Connect, enter the server password, and join the world.

✅ Players can now join your Valheim server!

6️⃣ Automate Server Startup (Optional)

To start the server automatically when Windows boots:

Open Task Scheduler (Win + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter).
Click Create Basic Task (right panel).
Name it Start Valheim Server → Click Next.
Select When the computer starts → Click Next.
Select Start a program → Click Next.
Browse to start_server.bat inside C:\ValheimServer.
Click Finish.

✅ Your Valheim server will now start automatically on reboot!

🎉 Conclusion

You've successfully set up a Valheim dedicated server on a Windows VPS! Your multiplayer world is now online, ready for friends and players. 🚀

For more assistance, contact VolticHost Support.