Source-reviewed guide
Valheim Dedicated Server Requirements
Official Windows and Linux requirements, Docker library minimums, and port requirements for a Valheim dedicated server. Hardware sizing is withheld until it can be sourced or measured.
Reviewed 2026-09-17
Update — September 2026: Valheim 1.0 and Deep North were released on September 9, 2026. Launch-era guidance below should be read alongside the September 11 hotfixes, including the Steam achievement opt-in. See patch notes.
Valheim's official FAQ states dedicated servers are capped at ten players. The official dedicated-server guide documents the software, library, and network requirements below. It does not publish minimum or recommended CPU, RAM, storage, or bandwidth figures, so this page does not invent any either.
Supported platforms
| Platform | Launch script | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | start_headless_server.bat | No additional packages documented |
| Linux | start_server.sh | Requires the packages below |
| Linux (older distributions) | docker_start_server.sh | Docker path for systems below the documented library versions |
Linux package and library requirements
The official guide lists three additional packages needed to run the native Linux binary:
libatomic1libpulse-devlibpulse0
For Docker specifically, the guide states the dedicated server has minimum requirements of:
GLIBC_2.29GLIBCXX_3.4.26
If your distribution's library versions are older than these, use docker_start_server.sh rather than the native binary.
Network and port requirements
| Item | Documented value |
|---|---|
| Default port range | 2456-2457 (base port and base port + 1) |
| Steam backend | Port forwarding required for outside players |
| PlayFab crossplay backend | Port forwarding not required; traffic uses a relay |
See the configuration generator for the full set of launch arguments, and the crossplay guide before choosing a backend.
Player cap
Valheim's official FAQ states dedicated servers support up to ten players. Iron Gate has not published a supported path beyond that limit.
What Iron Gate has not published
- Minimum or recommended CPU.
- Minimum or recommended RAM.
- Minimum or recommended storage.
- Bandwidth or throughput guidance.
- A supported way to exceed the ten-player cap.
Hardware sizing remains unverified here without an Iron Gate specification or repeatable, disclosed measurements — consistent with the editorial policy.
Sources: Official 1.0 patch notes, September 11 hotfix, 1.0 FAQ, Official Valheim FAQ, A Guide to Dedicated Servers.