# Setting Up a Valheim Server

> Set up a Valheim dedicated server: world transfer, mods with Valheim Plus, performance tips and configuration.

**Short answer:** Yes! Upload the .db and .fwl files via FTP into the server's worlds folder.

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Game | Valheim |
| Category | Configuration |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Reading time | 8 min |
| Last updated | 2026-09-16 |
| Language | en |
| Source | https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten |
| Other language | https://agrarchaoten.com/guides/valheim-server-einrichten |

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## Contents

- [Valheim server overview](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#ueberblick)
- [Valheim 1.0: Deep North and crossplay](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#version-1-0)
- [Setting up the server](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#einrichten)
- [Transferring your world to the server](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#welt-uebertragen)
- [Installing mods](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#mods)
- [Controlling the server from Discord](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#discord)
- [Performance tips](https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten#tipps)

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## Valheim server — overview

Valheim is a Viking survival game for up to 10 players on a dedicated server. The server keeps running even when nobody is online — your world keeps growing. In this guide we explain everything from the basic setup to mods with Valheim Plus.

**What you need:** A Valheim dedicated server (e.g. at [Agrar Chaoten](https://agrarchaoten.com/gameserver/valheim)) and optionally an FTP client for mods and world transfers.

## Valheim 1.0: Deep North and crossplay

Valheim reached version 1.0 on **9 September 2026** after five years in Early Access. Three things matter for server owners:

- **Deep North:** the eighth and final biome sits at the far north of the map.
- **Existing worlds keep working.** You do not have to start over — the Deep North generates in areas nobody has explored yet, so a world whose north is already mapped will show less new content.
- **Crossplay:** PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 play together, but only on servers started with the `-crossplay` flag, which routes connections through PlayFab instead of Steam. How console players join is covered in [Setting up Valheim crossplay](https://agrarchaoten.com/guides/valheim-crossplay-einrichten).

**Join code for consoles:** a crossplay server is issued a fresh six-digit code every time it starts. Console players enter it under "Join → Add server", while PC players still use IP and port. At Agrar Chaoten crossplay is on by default, and you find the current code in your customer area and in Discord via `!server status`.

## Setting up the server

**1. Set the world name**

Enter the world name in the web interface (corresponds to the parameter `-world "WorldName"`). The name determines the file name — choose it carefully, renaming it later can cause problems.

**2. Set a server password**

A password protects your server from strangers. Valheim requires at least 5 characters. Password-protected servers are still visible in the list — with a lock icon.

**3. Start the server & connect**

Start the server and connect in-game via "Add server" with the IP:Port combination (default port: 2456). Or search for the server by its name in the community list.

## Transferring a singleplayer world to the server

You can upload your local Valheim world to the server and continue playing there with friends.

**1. Find your local world files**

Your worlds are located under: `%AppData%\..\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\`. You need two files: `WorldName.db` and `WorldName.fwl`.

**2. Upload via FTP**

Upload both files to the server's worlds folder via FTP. You'll find the exact path in your order confirmation.

**3. Adjust the world name**

Make sure the world name in the web interface matches the file name exactly (without the file extension).

**Characters stay local:** Valheim stores characters on the player's PC — not on the server. Every player keeps their character across all servers.

## Installing mods (BepInEx / Valheim Plus)

Valheim mods run through **BepInEx** as the mod framework. The most popular mod package is **Valheim Plus**, which bundles dozens of improvements like faster crafting, a better UI and adjustable game parameters.

**1. Install BepInEx**

Download BepInEx for Valheim servers from [Thunderstore.io](https://thunderstore.io). Extract all files from the ZIP directly into the server's main directory (not into a subfolder).

**2. Add mods**

Download mods as DLL files from Thunderstore or Nexusmods and place them in `BepInEx/plugins/`. Valheim Plus comes with its own configuration file that you can adjust.

**3. Sync mods with your fellow players**

All players need to have the same mods installed. The Thunderstore Mod Manager (Overwolf app) makes this a lot easier — you can share a modpack.

## Start and stop the server from Discord

At Agrar Chaoten you control your Valheim server straight from your own Discord. No detour through the panel, and you don't have to hand out login details: anyone in the channel can start the server.

**1. Invite the bot**

In your customer area open the **Discord** tab of your server and click "Add bot". Someone with the "Manage Server" permission in your Discord has to do the inviting.

**2. Get a code**

In the same tab, click "Generate code". The code is valid for 30 minutes and works exactly once.

**3. Connect the channel**

In the channel that should control the server, type `!server verbinden ABC123`. The bot confirms right away.

After that you have three commands:

- `!server start` — boots the server, you can connect after about a minute
- `!server stop` — shuts the server down
- `!server status` — shows status, address and the current player count

**Channel permissions:** In that channel the bot needs "View Channel", "Send Messages", "Embed Links" and "Read Message History". Without them it can read the command but cannot answer.

**Only that one channel:** The bot reacts nowhere else. Type `!server trennen` to disconnect it again — you can also do that from the customer area.

## Performance tips

**World backups:** Regularly back up the .db and .fwl files via FTP — that's your entire game progress.

**Valheim Plus recommended:** Even without other mods, Valheim Plus is worth it — it fixes many QoL issues and lets you adjust game parameters like resource amounts and crafting speed.

**Server runs 24/7:** A Valheim dedicated server consumes resources even without players. That's intentional — it allows the world to process events and spawns even without active players.

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## Frequently asked questions

**Q: Can I upload my single-player world to the server?**
A: Yes! Upload the .db and .fwl files via FTP into the server's worlds folder.

**Q: Are characters saved on the server?**
A: No, Valheim stores characters locally. Every player keeps their character across all servers.

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## About this guide

This guide was written by Agrar Chaoten — a German game server host specialising in Valheim.
Rent a server: https://agrarchaoten.com/gameserver

*Source: https://agrarchaoten.com/en/guides/valheim-server-einrichten*
*Agrar Chaoten — https://agrarchaoten.com*
*Support: support@agrarchaoten.com | Discord: https://discord.gg/YgredRdvY6*