Spawnkeep

Valheim dedicated server launch options

Source checked 29 Sept 2026; game-version match unverified.Official

These are the arguments the official guide lists for the server’s start script. Values and defaults are as the guide states them; the guide is dated April 11, 2024, and we did not test the arguments against a specific 1.0.x build.

Arguments

Argument What it does (per the official guide)
-name "My server" The name shown in the server list.
-port 2456 The port. It must match your router’s port forwarding. Valheim uses this port and the next one; the default pair is 2456-2457.
-world "Dedicated" Creates a world with that name, or selects an existing one by name.
-password "Secret" Sets the password.
-savedir [PATH] Overrides the folder where worlds and permission files are stored. Default: ../%USERPROFILE%/AppData/LocalLow/IronGate/Valheim on Windows, ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim on Linux.
-public 1 Visibility. 1 (default) lists the server in the browser; 0 hides it so it can only be joined with the Join IP button. The guide suggests 0 for a local LAN server.
-logFile "d:\log.txt" Where to save the log file.
-saveinterval 1800 How often the world is saved, in seconds. Default: 1800 (30 minutes).
-backups 4 How many automatic backups are kept. The first uses the “short” interval and the rest the “long” one. Default: one backup about 2 hours old and three 12 hours apart.
-backupshort 7200 Interval before the first automatic backups, in seconds. Default: 7200 (2 hours).
-backuplong 43200 Interval between the following automatic backups, in seconds. Default: 43200 (12 hours).
-crossplay Runs the server on the Crossplay backend (PlayFab) so players on any platform can join. Without it the Steam backend is used and only Steam users can see and join.
-instanceid "1" Needed when you host several servers on the same port from the same MAC address: give each a unique value so they get unique PlayFab IDs.
-preset hard Sets a world modifier preset and overwrites any earlier modifiers. Valid: Normal, Casual, Easy, Hard, Hardcore, Immersive, Hammer.
-modifier raids none Sets one world modifier. If combined with a preset, put it after the preset.
-setkey nomap Sets a world modifier checkbox key. Valid: nobuildcost, playerevents, passivemobs, nomap.

Source for the whole table: official guide, “List of console commands”.

Valid -modifier values

Modifier Values
Combat veryeasy, easy, hard, veryhard
DeathPenalty casual, veryeasy, easy, hard, hardcore
Resources muchless, less, more, muchmore, most
Raids none, muchless, less, more, muchmore
Portals casual, hard, veryhard

Source: official guide.

Admin, ban and permitted lists

adminlist.txt, bannedlist.txt and permittedlist.txt live in the save folder. Add one Platform User ID per line, in the form [Platform]_[User ID] (case sensitive); get it from the server log or the in-game F2 panel. Putting anyone on the permitted list bans everyone else (official guide).

Admin console commands

Press F5 in game to open the console. The guide lists Kick PLAYERNAME, Ban PLAYERNAME, Unban PLAYERNAME and Banned (lists banned players) (official guide).

Sources