Valheim 1.0 Dedicated Server: Update, Deep North and Crossplay

Valheim left early access on 9 September 2026. Version 1.0 adds the Deep North, the final biome with its own creatures, dungeons and final boss, and brings the game to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 with crossplay between all platforms. Here is what that means for your dedicated server.

Updating your server to 1.0

1. Make a backup first. Do it before the first start on 1.0, not afterwards. In the game panel you create one under Backups.
2. Update the server. With auto update switched on (the default on HostValues), a restart installs the latest version. Otherwise run the update from the panel.
3. Update every client. Players and server must run the same version. If someone cannot join after the update, their game is usually still on an older build.

Do you need a new world for the Deep North?

Not necessarily. According to Iron Gate, an existing world does receive the new content, but new biomes only generate properly in areas nobody has explored yet. If your group already sailed far north, that part of the map keeps its old terrain. Iron Gate therefore recommends starting a fresh world for the best experience. Your old saves stay where they are, so you can keep playing them.

A practical approach: keep your old world as a backup and start a new world for 1.0. On a dedicated server you only change the world name in the startup settings; the old world stays in the saves folder.

Crossplay with PS5, Xbox and Switch 2

Valheim 1.0 supports crossplay between PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. A dedicated server needs crossplay switched on for console players to join. It then runs on the PlayFab backend and hands out a six-digit join code.

1. In the HostValues game panel, open Startup and set Crossplay to 1.
2. Restart the server.
3. Open the console and look for the line with join code. That six-digit code is what everyone enters under Join game. The code changes after every restart.

Note: crossplay and mods do not mix. Console players cannot install BepInEx or Valheim Plus, and with crossplay on, a modded server is not usable for mixed groups. Want mods? Keep crossplay off and play on PC only.

What else changes with 1.0

• Players: Valheim stays a game for 1 to 10 players, also on a dedicated server.
• Mods: there is no official mod support, so mods can stop working after the update. Check that your mods have a 1.0 version before you update a modded server.
• Achievements: 1.0 adds achievements. Most cheat commands lock them for that character and world, so be careful with devcommands on a world you care about.

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep my old world in Valheim 1.0?

Yes. Old saves keep working and get the new content, but new biomes only generate properly in areas nobody has explored. For the full Deep North experience Iron Gate recommends a new world.

How do PS5 and Switch 2 players join a dedicated server?

Switch crossplay on in the server settings and restart. Console players then join with the six-digit join code from the server console, which changes after every restart.

Do mods work with crossplay?

No. Console players cannot use mods, so a server for mixed PC and console groups has to stay unmodded.

How many players can join a Valheim 1.0 server?

Up to 10 players, the same as before 1.0.

Ready for the Deep North? With Valheim hosting from HostValues you switch crossplay on with one setting, and backups and the world files are always within reach in the panel.