> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.wasabihosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Valheim Server Configuration Guide

> Configure your Valheim server hosting instance — startup parameters, world files, passwords, ports, crossplay, backups, and uploading an existing world.

Valheim dedicated servers are configured almost entirely through **startup parameters** — there's no big config file to edit. On your Wasabi Hosting server, these parameters are exposed in the **Startup** tab of the [Game Panel](https://panel.wasabihosting.com). This guide explains each parameter and how to manage your world files.

## Startup Parameters

| Parameter       | Example                 | Description                                                                                                            |
| --------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-name`         | `-name "Midgard"`       | Server name shown in the server browser.                                                                               |
| `-world`        | `-world "Dedicated"`    | World name. Must match the world file names (`Dedicated.db`/`Dedicated.fwl`). A new world is generated if none exists. |
| `-password`     | `-password "odinrules"` | Join password. **Minimum 5 characters**, and it must **not** be contained in the server name.                          |
| `-port`         | `-port 2456`            | Game port. The server uses this port and the next two (`2456`–`2458` by default).                                      |
| `-public`       | `-public 1`             | `1` lists the server in the community browser; `0` hides it (joinable via IP/favorites only).                          |
| `-crossplay`    | `-crossplay`            | Enables crossplay via a join code so non-Steam players can join. Omit for Steam-only.                                  |
| `-savedir`      | `-savedir "/path"`      | Custom save location for worlds and lists. Usually leave at the panel default.                                         |
| `-saveinterval` | `-saveinterval 1800`    | Seconds between world saves (default `1800` = 30 minutes).                                                             |
| `-backups`      | `-backups 4`            | Number of automatic rolling world backups the server keeps.                                                            |
| `-backupshort`  | `-backupshort 7200`     | Seconds until the first automatic backup (default `7200`).                                                             |
| `-backuplong`   | `-backuplong 43200`     | Interval in seconds for subsequent backups (default `43200`).                                                          |

<Warning>
  If the password is shorter than 5 characters or appears inside the server name, the server **refuses to start** — this is the most common cause of a Valheim server that boots and immediately stops. Check the panel Console log if your server won't stay online.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Edit in the Startup tab">
    Open your server in the Game Panel and go to **Startup**. Edit the variables (name, world, password, etc.) — the panel assembles them into the launch command for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart the server">
    Startup parameters are read only at boot. Restart the server to apply any change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify in the console">
    Watch the Console during boot — the log prints the world name being loaded and confirms when the server is ready.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## World Files

Your world consists of two files, stored in the server's `worlds_local` folder:

| File            | Contents                                                                             |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `WorldName.db`  | The world itself — terrain modifications, buildings, items, player-placed everything |
| `WorldName.fwl` | World metadata — name and seed                                                       |

Both files are required and must share the same base name, which must match your `-world` parameter. The server also writes rolling `.db.old`/backup copies alongside them depending on your backup parameters.

## Uploading an Existing World

Want to move the world you've been hosting from your PC onto the server? Your local worlds live at:

```
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local
```

<Steps>
  <Step title="Stop the server">
    Never swap world files while the server is running — a save would overwrite your upload.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the .db and .fwl files">
    Using the panel **File Manager** or SFTP (see [file management](/server/file-management)), upload both `YourWorld.db` and `YourWorld.fwl` into the server's `worlds_local` folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the world name">
    In the **Startup** tab, set `-world` to the exact base name of the files (e.g. `YourWorld` — no extension, case matters).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start and verify">
    Start the server and confirm in the Console that it loads your world instead of generating a new one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  The same process in reverse lets you **download** the server world to play or archive locally. Take a panel backup before swapping worlds — see [backups](/server/backups).
</Tip>

## Save Behavior

* The world autosaves every 30 minutes by default (`-saveinterval`) and saves on graceful shutdown.
* **Always stop the server from the panel** rather than killing it, so the final save completes.
* The `-backups`, `-backupshort`, and `-backuplong` parameters control Valheim's own rolling world backups — these complement (not replace) the panel's [backup system](/server/backups), which snapshots your whole server.

## Common Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I run multiple worlds on one server?">
    You can store multiple world file pairs in `worlds_local`, but the server loads only one at a time — whichever `-world` points to. Switch worlds by changing the parameter and restarting.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I regenerate the world from scratch?">
    Stop the server, delete (or rename) the world's `.db` and `.fwl` files, and start again — a fresh world with a new seed generates under the same `-world` name. Back up first.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I remove the password?">
    Not on a standard dedicated server — Valheim requires a password of at least 5 characters. Use `permittedlist.txt` (whitelist) on top of it for a truly private server; see [admin commands](/games/valheim/admin-commands).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

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