How to enable crossplay on a Valheim server?

Want your PC and console friends to raid together on your Valheim server? Turn on crossplay in minutes. Clear steps, zero fluff, every click explained.

Prerequisites

• Access to your Oxygenserv panel (login and password)
• A Valheim server installed and started at least once
• UDP ports 2456, 2457, 2458 open on your firewall/router
• Game server and clients updated to the latest version
• A server password set (recommended to keep randoms out)

Detailed steps

1. Cleanly stop the server
   Log into the Oxygenserv panel and open the ‘Console’ tab. Click the red ‘Stop’ button. Wait until logs show something like ‘Server stopped’ so you know it’s fully down. Don’t continue while it’s still shutting down.
2. Enable crossplay in startup settings
   Go to the ‘Startup’ (launch parameters) section. If there’s a ‘Crossplay’ toggle, switch it ON. Otherwise, in ‘Additional arguments’, add exactly -crossplay (separated by a space from other args). Click ‘Save’ at the top; without saving, the server won’t use the new flag.
3. Secure and (optionally) make the server public
   Still in startup settings, set a clear, unique server name. Add a password via the dedicated field or with -password drakkar123 (example). To list it publicly, enable the public option or add -public 1. Crossplay works even if it’s not public; the Join Code is enough for friends to join.
4. Restart and grab the Join Code
   Go back to ‘Console’ and hit the green ‘Start’ or ‘Restart’ button. Watch the logs: after initialization, you’ll see a line like ‘Join code: ABCD-1234’. Write it down; it also appears in-game via Escape > menu and may change each restart. If you don’t see a Join Code, double-check that -crossplay is enabled and try again.
5. Have friends join from PC and consoles
   On PC (Steam/Microsoft Store): ‘Start Game’ > ‘Join Game’ > ‘Join Code’, paste the code and confirm. On Xbox/console: go to ‘Join’ and enter the same Join Code. The server password (if set) will be requested after. Steam players can also direct connect by IP, but consoles require the Join Code.

Tips & optimization

– Use a strong password: 8+ chars; example: drakkar#2025.
– Open/forward UDP ports 2456–2458 to your server; if you change the main port with -port 2456, keep the next two free as well.
– Keep the server name short/unique via -name (e.g., -name VikingHub) for easier discovery on the public list (PC).
– Avoid mods/BepInEx if you need console crossplay; compatibility is limited on consoles.
– If you spot lag spikes, lower player cap and restart; monitor logs to identify peak times.

FAQ

No Join Code shows up. What should I do?

Make sure -crossplay is added and you restarted. Update both server and clients. Confirm UDP 2456–2458 aren’t blocked. If startup errors appear, stop the server, wait 10 seconds, and start again. Remove mods and retest if needed.

Do I still need to open ports when using the Join Code?

Yes. The Join Code handles discovery, but gameplay traffic still needs UDP 2456–2458. If you change the main port, open that one and the next two.

Does crossplay work with mods?

For console crossplay, keep it vanilla. Server/client mods on PC can block crossplay connections. If you want mods, use a separate PC-only server.

Nice. Your Valheim server is crossplay-ready. Share the Join Code and conquer together—any platform, same adventure.

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