Valheim Player Limit: Can a Dedicated Server Hold More Than 10 Players?
Valheim's multiplayer cap is 10 players. It is part of the game itself, so there is no server setting you can change to raise it. Iron Gate kept the cap at 10 for the 1.0 release, according to two hosting providers' documentation we checked on 2026-11-15, so a normal dedicated server should be planned around 10 slots.
This guide explains the limit, how it applies with crossplay, what the mod route involves and its risks, and what actually affects performance when a server is full. If you want sizing numbers, see Valheim server requirements.
- The cap is 10 players and is not adjustable in the Startup tab or in any launch argument.
- Crossplay players use the same 10 slots as PC players.
- Going over 10 needs a BepInEx plugin. That is experimental, PC-only, and breaks when the game updates until the plugin is updated.
- Console players cannot use client-side mods, so a modded server with a raised cap is not a good fit for a mixed group.
- World size and how much has been explored usually matter more to performance than the player count.
On this page
The 10 player limit
Unlike many survival games, Valheim does not expose a max players option for dedicated servers. The Startup tab has fields for the server name, world name, password, listing, crossplay and the backup timings, but no slot count, because the game does not take one. If you see an old guide telling you to add a launch argument for more slots, it does not apply.
If you only ever play with a few friends, this will not matter. If you run a community, plan for people queueing to join, and set a password so the slots are used by the people you intend.
How crossplay affects slots
With Crossplay turned on in the Startup tab, Xbox and Game Pass players join using the Join code shown at the top of the server page. They count toward the same 10 players. Crossplay does not add capacity, and PC players and console players compete for the same slots. Setup details are in the crossplay guide.
Raising the limit with mods
Mods exist that raise the number of players, and they are installed through BepInEx on the server and on every player's PC. You should know the trade-offs before trying:
- Experimental. Many players report instability at higher counts, and the base game was not built for it.
- PC only. Console players cannot install client-side mods, so they would not be able to join a server that needs them.
- Updates break it. After a Valheim update, BepInEx and its plugins can stop working until their authors release a fix.
- More load. More players means more CPU use, more bandwidth and more world activity at once.
If you decide to try it, take a backup first, and follow our BepInEx guide. Do not tell your players the server will always be stable, since it depends on the plugin author.
What decides performance on a full server
Ten players in one place is a very different load from ten players spread across the map. Valheim loads areas around each player, so the CPU and memory used depends on how much of the world is active. A big, heavily built world uses more than a new one. One host suggests about 4 GB of RAM for a vanilla group of 10, but treat that as a rough figure and not a rule. If your server stutters, see the lag and rubber banding guide.
- Encourage players to stay within a reasonable distance of each other during big events.
- Keep an eye on world size and build density over time.
- Take a backup before large changes. See the backup guide.
Looking for a host? See Valheim server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How many players can a Valheim dedicated server have?
10. The cap is built into the game and was kept at 10 for the 1.0 release.
Can I change the max players in Valheim?
Not with a server setting or launch argument. Only a BepInEx plugin can raise it, which is experimental and PC only.
Does crossplay add more player slots in Valheim?
No. Crossplay players use the same 10 slots as PC players.
Can console players join a modded Valheim server?
Not if the mods are client-side, because console players cannot install them.
How much RAM does a 10 player Valheim server need?
It depends on world size and activity. One host suggests about 4 GB for a vanilla group of 10, but use that as a rough guide only.