Valheim Server Troubleshooting

Valheim Server Troubleshooting

Running into issues with your Valheim server? This guide covers the most common problems and their solutions.

Connection Issues

"Could Not Connect" / Server Unreachable

Symptoms: Players cannot connect to the server at all.

Solutions (check in order):

1. Is the server running? Check the HostedGG dashboard — the status should show "Running"
2. Correct IP and port? Double-check the IP:Port shown in your dashboard Console tab
3. Include the port: Always use the format IP:PORT (e.g., 123.45.67.89:2456)
4. Server still starting? After a restart, Valheim can take 1-3 minutes to fully load the world
5. Check server console for RED error messages that might indicate a crash

"Disconnected" Immediately After Joining

Symptoms: Player connects briefly, then gets kicked.

Solutions:

"Incompatible Version"

Symptoms: Error message showing different version numbers.

This happens when:

• The game updated but the server hasn't restarted yet
• You're running an older/newer version than the server
• Crossplay with different platform update schedules

Solutions:

1. Restart the server — This usually triggers an auto-update
2. Check for game update — Verify your local game is up to date on Steam
3. Platform desync — After a patch, Steam/Xbox/Game Pass may update at different times. Wait for all platforms to update
4. Force update — In the HostedGG dashboard, use the reinstall option to force the latest version

Server Not Showing in Server Browser

Symptoms: Server works via IP but isn't searchable.

Solutions:

1. Wait 10-15 minutes — Server registration with the master server list takes time
2. Check "Public" setting — Must be enabled for server browser listing
3. Server name too long? — Keep it under 64 characters
4. Use Join IP instead — The server browser is unreliable. Always share your IP:Port directly

World & Save Issues

World Not Loading / Stuck on "Loading..."

Solutions:

1. Check world file size — Open File Manager, navigate to the worlds folder. Files should be more than a few KB
2. World name mismatch — The World Name setting must exactly match the .fwl/.db filenames (case-sensitive)
3. Corrupted save — Restore from a backup (see Backups Guide)
4. Disk full — Check storage usage in the dashboard

Progress Lost / World Reset

Possible causes:

• World Name was changed — The server created a new world. Revert to the old World Name
• Files deleted — Check if world files still exist in the File Manager
• Restore point — Use a backup to recover

Buildings Disappeared

This is usually caused by one of:

1. Structure support collapse — Buildings can collapse if the support structure is broken
2. Raid damage — A raid event destroyed structures while nobody was defending
3. Terrain changes — Terraforming too close to structures can break them

Unfortunately, structure destruction isn't reversible without a backup restore.

Performance Issues

General Lag / Rubberbanding

See our full Performance Optimization Guide. Quick fixes:

1. Restart the server — Clears memory and resets state
2. Check player spread — Players in many different biomes increases load
3. Remove dropped items — Admin command: removedrops
4. Check for mod errors — View BepInEx/LogOutput.log for error spam
5. Upgrade your plan — If consistent, you may need more RAM

Periodic Freezes (Every 30 Minutes)

This is normal. Valheim freezes briefly during world saves. The default save interval is 1800 seconds (30 minutes).

To make freezes shorter (but more frequent):

1. Open Settings in the dashboard
2. Reduce the Save Interval to 900-1200 seconds

High RAM Usage

Valheim RAM usage grows over time, especially with:

• Large explored areas
• Heavy terraforming
• Many build pieces
• Multiple mods

Solutions:

1. Schedule regular server restarts (daily recommended)
2. Avoid excessive terraforming
3. Remove unused mods

Mod Issues

Mods Not Loading After Installing BepInEx

1. Verify winhttp.dll exists in the server root directory
2. Check doorstop_config.ini has enabled=true
3. Look at BepInEx/LogOutput.log for loading errors
4. Make sure you installed the Valheim-specific BepInEx pack, not the generic one

Server Crashes After Adding a Mod

1. Remove the last mod you installed
2. Restart the server
3. If it works, the removed mod is incompatible
4. Check if the mod requires specific dependencies (many mods need other mods to work)
5. Verify mod compatibility with your Valheim version

"NullReferenceException" in BepInEx Logs

This usually means:

• A mod is outdated and not compatible with the current Valheim version
• A required dependency mod is missing
• Two mods are conflicting

Solution: Update all mods, or remove mods one at a time to find the culprit.

Crossplay Issues

Join Code Not Appearing

1. Ensure crossplay is enabled in Settings
2. Wait 2-3 minutes after server start for PlayFab registration
3. Check the console — The code appears as: Session "ServerName" with join code XXXXXX registered
4. Restart the server if the code doesn't appear after 5 minutes

Xbox Player Can't Connect

See our detailed Crossplay Guide. Quick checks:

1. Both players on same Valheim version?
2. Join Code entered correctly (case-sensitive)?
3. Password doesn't contain special characters?

Admin Issues

Admin Commands Not Working

1. Check adminlist.txt contains your correct Steam64 ID
2. Rejoin the server after adding yourself to the admin list
3. Type devcommands in the console before using admin commands
4. Verify you're using the correct command syntax

Can't Ban a Player

1. You need the player's Steam64 ID, not their display name
2. Add the ID to bannedlist.txt in the File Manager
3. Or use the in-game command: ban [steamID]
4. The player won't be removed until they disconnect or you kick them first

Emergency Recovery

If your server is completely broken:

Option A: Restart and Wait

1. Stop the server from the dashboard
2. Wait 30 seconds
3. Start the server
4. Wait 3 minutes for full world load

Option B: Restore from Backup

1. Go to the Backups tab
2. Select the most recent working backup
3. Click Restore
4. Restart the server

Option C: Clean Reinstall (Last Resort)

1. Download your world files first (File Manager → worlds folder)
2. Use the Reinstall option in the dashboard
3. Re-upload your world files
4. Reconfigure settings

Still Need Help?

If none of these solutions work:

• Join our Discord: discord.gg/xGn3D5drZt — Our team and community can help debug
• Submit a support ticket: HostedGG Support
• Check our other Valheim guides:
  • Server Setup
  • Performance Guide
  • Crossplay Guide
  • Mods Guide

Related Blog Posts

• How to Play Valheim With Friends
• Dedicated Server vs Hosting — Which Is Better?
• Valheim Server Setup Guide