Can I run a Valheim dedicated server on a VPS, and will it stay online 24/7?

Yes. Valheim`s dedicated server binary runs as a background process — the world stays loaded whether any player is online or not. Use systemd or a screen/tmux session to keep it running after you close SSH. Unlike hosting from your own PC, the VPS doesn`t go offline when you quit the game.

How much RAM does a Valheim server need for 2–10 players?

2GB RAM covers a small group of 2-4 players on a fresh world. For 6-10 players with an explored map, 4GB is the practical minimum. Heavily modded servers or large explored worlds can push to 6-8GB due to zone loading. CPU load is light — 2 vCPUs is sufficient for most setups.

Can Xbox players join my server through crossplay?

Yes, with a flag. Start the server with the -crossplay argument in your start script. This registers the server with the Playfab backend that Xbox uses. PC players connect via IP as usual; Xbox players find the server by name in the community browser. Both platforms need to be on the same game version.

How do I add mods like ValheimPlus or BepInEx to my server?

Install BepInEx for Linux first — download the Unix build, extract to your server directory, and run the server once to generate the plugin folder. Then drop ValheimPlus or other mods into BepInEx/plugins/. ValheimPlus requires the same version on both server and client. Restart the server after adding any mod. For mod updates, replace the plugin files and restart — no reinstall needed.

How do I install a Valheim server on a VPS with SteamCMD?

Install SteamCMD on your VPS, then use it to download the Valheim server files (App ID 896660) anonymously — no Steam account required. After download, edit the start script to set your server name, world name, and password, then launch it. Set up systemd to restart the process automatically on reboot.

Which ports does Valheim use, and how do I open them?

Valheim uses UDP ports 2456 and 2457. Open both in your firewall — on UFW that`s a single command allowing the 2456-2457 UDP range. Port 2456 handles game traffic, 2457 handles queries. No TCP rules are needed for standard gameplay.

Run Your Own Valheim Server on a VPS

BlueVPS.com

PC and Xbox crossplay — configure your server for cross-platform play out of the box
Full mod support — install BepInEx, ValheimPlus, or any mod without restrictions
True 24/7 uptime — server runs without the host player being online

Deploy Valheim VPS

Run Your Own Valheim Server on a VPS

Valheim Server Hosting Pricing

Valheim Server Hosting FAQ