How to Connect to Your Valheim Server

Connecting to Your Valheim Server

Your server's IP address and port are on the Network / Allocations tab of your panel. You'll need these for every method below.

Server password: If you set a password in the panel's startup settings, players must enter it when they connect. Keep it somewhere accessible.

Method 1: Direct IP (Recommended)

This is the most reliable method — no searching, no relying on the community list.

1. Launch Valheim
2. On the main menu, click Start Game → Start
3. Select a local character (or create one)
4. Click Join Game → Join IP
5. Enter your server IP and port in the format IP:PORT (e.g. 45.35.1.100:2456)
6. Click Connect
7. Enter the server password when prompted

You're in.

Method 2: Steam Server Browser (Favorites)

Good if you manage multiple servers or want a quick-launch shortcut outside the game.

1. Open the Steam desktop client
2. In the top menu, click View → Game Servers
3. Click the Favorites tab
4. Click Add a Server (the + button at the bottom right)
5. Enter your server IP and query port — the query port is usually the game port + 1 (e.g. if game port is 2456, query port is 2457)
6. Click Add This Address to Favorites
7. Select the server from the list and click Connect
8. Steam launches Valheim and connects directly

Method 3: Community Server List (Less Reliable)

Players can search for your server by name in-game:

1. Click Join Game → Join
2. Set the filter to Community
3. Search your server's name in the filter box
4. Select the server and click Connect

Heads up: The community list refreshes slowly and your server may not appear for several minutes after a restart. For day-to-day play, Method 1 is faster and more consistent.

Making Your Server Visible to Players

If you want others to find your server in the community list:

• Set a memorable Server Name in the startup parameters
• Make sure Public is enabled (check your panel's startup variables or startup configuration)
• The server can take 5–15 minutes after a restart before it appears in the community list

Troubleshooting

"Failed to connect" → Check that the server is running (green status in the panel) and that you're using the correct IP and port.

"Incompatible Version" → Your game client and server are on different Valheim versions. Restart the server to apply any pending updates; restart Steam to update your client.

Password prompt keeps appearing → You're entering the wrong password. Find the correct one in your panel's startup settings.

Server not in the community list → Use Method 1 (direct IP) instead — community list syncing is slow and outside our control.

See also: Valheim Common Connection Issues for deeper troubleshooting.