How to Connect to Your Valheim Server

Searching for your server by name is the default way to join, and it works the same on PC, Xbox, and Game Pass. Direct-connecting by IP is available too, as a backup, but only on PC.

Method 1: search by server name (default, all platforms)

1. Open your Dashboard and confirm your Server Name and Server Password are set (both live in the Startup tab if you need to set or check them).
2. From the Valheim main menu, open the server list and search for your Server Name.
3. Select it and enter the Server Password if one is set.
4. Click Join.

This is the same for everyone. Xbox and Game Pass players can't enter an IP at all, so this is the only method that works for them, see How to Enable Crossplay if console players aren't seeing your server yet.

Method 2: direct-connect by IP (PC backup)

Useful if search isn't finding your server, or you just prefer typing the address directly. PC and Steam only, console and Game Pass can't use this method.

1. Open your Dashboard. Your server's address is shown there as an IP and port, for example 173.214.166.150:2456.
2. From the Valheim main menu, open the server list and click Add Server.
3. Enter the IP and port from your Dashboard, then confirm.
4. Select your server from the list and click Join.

Valheim saves this once you've added it, so you won't need to re-enter it next time.

Still stuck?

If the server never appears as "online" or the connection times out, check Console to confirm the server actually finished starting. If it's running fine there and friends still can't connect, open a support ticket with your server ID from the Dashboard.