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Change Valheim Server Player Limit: Easy Steps

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Change Valheim Server Player Limit: Easy Steps

This guide shows you how to raise or lower the maximum number of players who can join your Valheim dedicated server. You’ll edit one line in a configuration file, and the change takes effect the next time the server starts. No special tools are needed beyond access to the server’s files.

What You’ll Need

  • Access to the server’s file system (via FTP, a file manager in your hosting panel, or a local folder if you run the server on your own PC).
  • A text editor such as Notepad, Visual Studio Code, or any plain text editor (avoid rich text editors like Word).
  • Knowledge of where your server’s configuration file (valheim_server.cfg) is located.

Step-by-Step

  1. Stop the server. If the server is currently running, shut it down cleanly. On most hosting panels, there’s a “Stop” button. For a local server, close the console window or use the stop command. Editing the config while the server is running can cause your changes to be overwritten when the server exits.
  2. Locate the configuration file. The file is named valheim_server.cfg. It is usually found in the server’s root directory, often alongside the executable or in a folder like config. If you’re using a hosting provider, check their documentation for the exact path.
  3. Open the file with a text editor. Right-click the file and choose “Open with” then select your text editor. Do not use Word or other word processors that might save in a different format.
  4. Find the playerLimit setting. Look for a line that starts with playerLimit. It will look something like:
    playerLimit=10
  5. Change the number. Replace the number after the equals sign with your desired maximum. For example, to allow 5 players, change it to playerLimit=5. The default is 10, and the maximum is 64.
  6. Save the file. Use Ctrl+S (or Cmd+S on Mac) to save your changes. Make sure the file remains named valheim_server.cfg and is not saved as a .txt or .cfg.txt file.
  7. Restart the server. Start the server again. The new player limit will be active immediately. You can verify by joining the server and checking the player count in the server list or by asking friends to try joining.

Common Mistakes

  • Editing while the server is running: The server may overwrite your changes on shutdown. Always stop the server first.
  • Saving the file with a wrong extension: Some editors may append .txt. Make sure the final file name is exactly valheim_server.cfg.
  • Using a word processor: Programs like Microsoft Word can add hidden formatting that breaks the config file. Use a plain text editor.
  • Changing the wrong line: There might be other settings like serverName or worldName. Double-check you’re editing playerLimit.
  • Setting an unrealistic limit: The game engine has a hard cap of 64. Setting a higher number may cause errors or be ignored.

Tips

  • Back up the config file before making changes. If something goes wrong, you can restore the original.
  • Use a value that matches your server’s performance. More players require more CPU and RAM. If your server struggles, lower the limit.
  • Combine with password protection: If you lower the limit, consider setting a password to prevent random players from filling the slots.
  • Check the server logs after restarting to confirm the new limit is loaded. Look for a line like “Player limit: 5”.
  • If using a hosting panel, some panels have a GUI field for player limit. Editing the file directly also works, but the panel might override it.

Troubleshooting

My changes don’t seem to take effect. First, ensure the server was fully stopped before editing. Also, verify the file path is correct—maybe you edited a backup or the wrong server’s config. Check the server logs for errors.

The server won’t start after editing. This usually means the file has a syntax error. Revert to your backup and try again, making sure you only changed the number.

Players still see the old limit. The server may have cached the old value. Try a full restart, not just a reload. Also, ensure you saved the file in UTF-8 encoding without BOM (most text editors do this by default).

I can’t find the config file. If you’re using a dedicated server from Steam, the file is in the server’s root folder. For a local server (not dedicated), the file is in the world save folder, not the game folder. Look for %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\ on Windows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum player limit in Valheim?

The maximum is 64 players. The default is 10.

Can I change the player limit without stopping the server?

No. The server reads the config file only at startup. You must stop, edit, and restart.

Will changing the player limit affect my world or character data?

No. It only affects how many players can connect simultaneously. Your world and characters are unaffected.

Does the player limit apply to the local co-op mode?

No. This guide is for dedicated servers. In local co-op, the limit is tied to the game’s internal settings and is not changed via this file.

Can I set the player limit higher than 64?

Technically you can type a higher number, but the game engine will not allow more than 64 connections. It may cause instability.

Why is my server showing a different limit than I set?

Check if you edited the correct file. Some hosting panels generate the config from their own settings. Also, ensure the file is saved in the correct format (plain text, no extra extensions).

Related

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