How to host a Valheim Server | Kinetic Hosting

Valheim is a co-operative Viking survival game, and it’s even better when you venture out with friends. Hosting your own Valheim server lets you and your clan explore and build in a world that’s always online.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to host your own Valheim server. And why having a private server matters for multiplayer, and how we, at Kinetic Hosting, will make the process easier.

Key Takeaways

• Why Host Your Own Server: A Valheim server keeps your world running 24/7, so friends can play anytime, even if the original host is offline.

• What You Need: We outline the technical requirements (hardware, internet, game copies) and tools you’ll need.

• Easy Setup with Kinetic: Looking for a fast, easy option? Hosting through Kinetic is straightforward. Simply choose a plan suitable for your group, sign up and select Valheim as your game.

What You Will Need To Host a Valheim Server

Hosting a Valheim server can be done on your hardware or through a game hosting provider. Let’s break down what you’ll need:

Technical Requirements

Hardware & Performance: If you plan to self-host, Valheim’s server has fairly low minimum specs: roughly a quad-core CPU and 2 GB of RAM (8 GB RAM recommended for better performance). You’ll also need at least a couple of gigabytes of storage for world data, and a solid internet connection (developers recommend 10 Mbps upload/download minimum, with 16+ Mbps for best results).

Network & Uptime: For a home-hosted server, you’d typically need to configure port forwarding on your router for Valheim’s default ports (UDP 2456–2457) to allow players to connect. This can be tricky and may expose your network to risks. With Kinetic Hosting, all network configuration is handled for you; your server gets a public IP and DDoS protection out of the box, no port fiddling required.

Account and Game Prerequisites

• Valheim Game Copy: Every player, including you, will need a copy of Valheim to join the server (available on Steam for PC, and Valheim also supports Xbox with crossplay). The server itself doesn’t require a separate game purchase. It runs as a dedicated program.

• Server Credentials: When configuring your server (either on your own or with Kinetic), you’ll set a server name (this is how it appears in the server list) and a password. Valheim does not have a whitelist or dedicated key system to keep them private — even a simple one will be more than secure to play it safe with your friends.

Optional Mods & Configuration Tools

• Valheim Mods: Valheim Plus is a popular mod that adds enhancements and server-side config options (like adjusting gravity weight, structure support, etc.).

• World Generation Tools: By default, Valheim’s world is procedurally generated from a seed. Users can use external tools to generate or preview world seeds to find one they like.

Tip: If you’re self-hosting, you might edit the server startup script or config files to change settings (like server name, world seed, etc.).

How to Host a Valheim Server with Kinetic Hosting

Step 1: Choosing a Plan

Start by selecting a plan that suits your group size and play style. For 2–5 players on small Valheim worlds, 2–4 GB RAM will do. Mid to upper tiers or modded setups may need 4–8 GB. All Kinetic Valheim server plans include DDoS protection, SSD storage, and the Kinetic Panel.

You can also upgrade your plan as your server grows. We recommend starting with one of the base tiers for new players to reduce latency, and rest easy with built-in backups and server snapshots.

Step 2: Registering and Logging In

Signing up with Kinetic is quick: just create an account, select your Valheim server plan, and enter your billing details. Once purchased, your server is automatically deployed and you’ll get an email confirmation. Log in to the Kinetic Panel to manage and configure your server.

Step 3: Selecting Valheim as Your Game

If you chose Valheim during setup, it’ll already be installed. Otherwise, select it from the game list in the Kinetic Panel. The panel supports the latest version of Valheim. You can enable crossplay with Xbox, and provide simple update tools when patches are released.

Step 4: Using the Kinetic Panel for Setup

Our game panel walks you through your server setup with a first-time wizard. Set your server name, password, world name or seed, and visibility (public/private). You can manage admins, view logs, run console commands, and start your server directly from the panel. No technical expertise needed.

Step 5: Installing Mods or Custom Maps

Kinetic supports all Valheim mods, including Valheim Plus. Upload mod files or use one-click installations via the file manager. You can also upload an existing world by transferring your .fwl and .db files and setting the correct world name in the panel. Edit config files via Web settings, then restart the server to apply changes.

What Benefits Will You See with Kinetic?

Here’s a quick overview of why Kinetic stands out as a Valheim server host:

• ✅ Solid DDoS Protection

• ✅ Full Mod Support

• ✅ Low-Latency Performance

• ✅ Kinetic Panel

• ✅ 24/7 Human Support

Kinetic Hosting not only makes it easy to get started, but also makes sure your server runs reliably and can be customised when you want.

How Do You Manage & Customise Your Valheim Server?

Once your server is live, managing it is simple with the Kinetic Panel. You can start, stop, or restart your server, monitor player activity and resource usage, and view logs — all in one place. Adjust settings like server name, password, world seed, or crossplay options in just a few clicks. You can also manage who can join by setting a password, banning users, or granting admin rights via SteamID.

What if I Need Help With My Valheim Server?

If you run into issues, our support team is available 24/7. Whether it’s a mod problem, a server setting that “won’t apply,” or general questions, you’ll get real help from real people, no bots involved. Support is available via tickets and (in some cases) live chat.

For DIY help, Kinetic also provides a knowledge base, tutorials, and video guides covering things like updates and mod installations.

Start Your Valheim Server Today

For more information on getting your Valheim server started, and how our team can help you, check out our Contact Us page if you have questions, or visit our About page to learn more about our mission and services.