Fix Valheim Dedicated Server Not Showing in the List

A Valheim dedicated server that won't appear in the browser is almost always ports or the crossplay setting. Here's the fix — plus the reliable way to connect no matter what.

Open the right ports

Valheim needs a small UDP range. Make sure these are open/forwarded to the server:

2456/udp   game
2457/udp   query
2458/udp   (used by some setups)

The crossplay catch

Valheim has two listings: the Steam browser and the crossplay (PlayFab) list. If players use different platforms, the server must run with crossplay enabled, or some players simply won't see it. Add the launch flag:

./valheim_server.x86_64 -name "My Server" -port 2456 \
  -world "Dedicated" -password "secret" -crossplay

Just join directly (most reliable)

The community browser is slow and flaky. Skip it: in Valheim → Start Game → character → Join Game → Join IP, and enter server-ip:2456. This works even when the listing hasn't refreshed.

Open 2456–2457/udp, add -crossplay, and use "Join IP". That combination gets everyone in.

Why a Valheim server still isn't showing after opening ports

• The server needs a few minutes after boot before it registers with the list — this is normal, not a fault.
• A firewall on the server itself (ufw/firewalld) can block the UDP ports even though the router forwards them correctly.
• Running behind CGNAT leaves no way to forward ports at all — see our port forwarding guide for how to check.
• A duplicate or stale server entry with the same name can confuse the list.

How to prevent "server not showing" issues

Test with Join IP every time you restart the server, before worrying about the public list — it tells you immediately whether the server itself is reachable, separate from whether the browser has refreshed yet.

Related Valheim and hosting guides

If players connect but the version doesn't match, see Valheim incompatible version. For a full setup walkthrough, read how to make a Valheim server. For mod recommendations, see best Valheim mods.

Valheim is a trademark of Iron Gate AB / Coffee Stain Publishing. ESAGAMES is an independent hosting provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by Iron Gate or Coffee Stain.