Latest
Oct 27 · 42.22 pre-release: ladders and crowbar break-insOct 21 · The Indie Stone on Java mods: download responsiblySep 28 · Build 42.21 Stable: zombie duplication fixesAug 26 · Security fixes on every branchAug 17 · Servers now handle up to 254 playersJul 29 · Build 42 goes Stable

Valheim on Linux

The Viking survival game reached 1.0 in September 2026, and Linux was a launch platform the whole way. It is native, Steam Deck Verified, has a Linux dedicated server and crossplays with every console. Here is how it scores, how to host it, what 1.0 added and what developers can learn from Iron Gate. Updated November 2026. Part of our Linux games list.

A Viking longship under sail
Valheim, running natively on Linux · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
01Scorecard

Valheim on Linux: the scorecard

Native Linux build

Yes. Linux has been a launch platform alongside Windows and Mac. Proton is not needed.

Steam Deck

Verified, with full controller support.

Dedicated server

A native Linux dedicated server through SteamCMD.

Crossplay

Full crossplay between Linux, Windows, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.

Engine

Unity, upgraded for 1.0.

Current version

Patch 1.0.20 (October 15, 2026).

Released

1.0 on September 9, 2026, after Early Access began in February 2021.

Developer

Iron Gate, published by Coffee Stain.

Reviews

Metacritic 89.

Verdict

Flawless. Native, Verified, and it hosts on Linux.

02Tests

How it does on our four tests

Runs natively or flawlessly

Pass. Native Linux client.

Steam Deck Verified

Pass.

Hosts on Linux

Pass. Native Linux dedicated server.

Survives updates

Pass. 1.0 shipped on Linux the same day, and patches keep crossplay in sync across all platforms.

Four out of four.

03Setup

Installing and requirements

  1. Buy and install on Steam. The native Linux build is used automatically.
  2. Read Iron Gate's 1.0 FAQ before loading old worlds or mods.
  3. Your characters and worlds live in ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/.
Minimum

Any up-to-date Linux, 2.6 GHz dual core, 8 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 950 or Radeon HD 7970, 2 GB disk.

Recommended

Any up-to-date Linux, i5 or Ryzen 5 at 3 GHz, 16 GB RAM, GeForce GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 580, 2 GB disk.

New in 1.0

A draw distance setting, useful on weaker GPUs and the Deck.

A Viking longship under sail
Sailing in a longship · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
04Deck

On the Steam Deck

  • Valve rates it Verified.
  • It has full controller support, including DualShock and DualSense pads.
  • Steam Cloud syncs your characters between the Deck and your PC.
  • Lower the new draw distance setting for longer battery life.
A rider on a lox under the northern lights
The northern lights · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
05Hosting

Dedicated server on Linux

  1. Install the Valheim Dedicated Server with SteamCMD using an anonymous login: +app_update 896660 validate.
  2. Edit start_server.sh with your server name, port, world name and password (at least 5 characters).
  3. Add -crossplay if console and other platform players should join.
  4. Open UDP ports 2456 and 2457 (or your chosen port and the next one) in your firewall.
  5. Run ./start_server.sh.
Worlds

Stored in ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local by default.

Same PC as a client

Patch 1.0.20 fixed a dedicated server running at an uncapped frame rate when the game on the same PC had v-sync on, which wasted CPU.

Versions

Everyone must be on the same patch. Iron Gate releases crossplay fixes on all platforms together so groups do not split.

The app number, ports and file names are the long-standing defaults. Check Iron Gate's server guide after big updates.

A player building a wooden gate
Building your base together · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
061.0

What Valheim 1.0 added

Deep North

The final biome: deep snow you must clear before building, frozen seas and ponds, and a Jotun invasion to stop.

Gear

40+ new weapons in Nord, Frostfire and Thunderblood sets, new bombs and ammo, 4 new armour sets, 2 capes, 2 trinkets and new staffs.

World

10+ new creatures, new locations, alternate versions of earlier biomes at the world's edges, and idols that unlock a hidden forge for further upgrades.

Building

80+ new build pieces and 5 crafting stations, including the Frigid Kiln and Frost Foundry.

Food and farming

20+ new foods, and kale, oats and poteitr to plant.

Quality of life

A grappling hook, upgradeable pockets from Haldor, achievements, unlockable cinematics, all hair and beard styles from the start, and a new draw distance setting.

Platforms

PC, Linux, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, plus PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, all with crossplay.

A longship frozen in sea ice
The Deep North · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
07Patches

Patches since 1.0

  • Oct 15, 2026 1.0.20: more trophy drops from starred monsters, fairer rare drops, a fix for items wrongly flagged as cheated, and the dedicated server CPU fix.
  • Oct 6, 2026 1.0.17.
  • Sep 25, 2026 1.0.16.
  • Sep 18, 2026 1.0.15.
  • Sep 17, 2026 1.0.14.
  • Sep 11, 2026 Hotfixes 1.0.10 and 1.0.12.
  • Sep 9, 2026 Valheim 1.0.
A battle with a stone golem in the mountains
Fighting a stone golem in the mountains · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
08Files

Files and backups

WhatWhere
Local worlds~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/
Local characters~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/characters_local/
Log~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/Player.log

Valheim saves the world every 30 minutes and keeps rolling backups next to it, four by default. On a dedicated server, tune them with these start-up options:

OptionWhat it does
-saveintervalSeconds between saves (1800 by default)
-backupsHow many automatic backups to keep
-backupshortAge of the first backup, in seconds
-backuplongGap between the later backups, in seconds

Before a big patch or a new mod, copy the whole worlds_local folder somewhere safe.

09Mods

Mods on native Linux

Most Valheim mods use BepInEx. The BepInExPack for Valheim on Thunderstore includes Linux start scripts, so you can mod the native build without Proton.

  1. Unpack the pack into the Valheim game folder.
  2. Make the script executable: chmod u+x start_game_bepinex.sh
  3. Set the Steam launch option ./start_game_bepinex.sh %command% and start the game from Steam.
  4. For a server, make start_server_bepinex.sh executable, copy your usual server options into it, and run it.

After a big patch, mods can break until their authors update them. Back up your worlds first, and check each mod supports your Valheim version.

10Devs

For developers: what Iron Gate gets right

  • Linux as a launch platform, listed next to PC and Mac in every release announcement.
  • Crossplay everywhere, from Linux to Switch 2, with patches held back until every platform can ship together.
  • A native Linux dedicated server, and fixes for it in regular patches.
  • Simple, honest requirements: "any up to date version" of Linux.
  • A public test branch before big patches.
11Gallery

Screenshots

A troll in the forest
Trolls in the Black Forest · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
A camp in the Black Forest
A camp in the woods · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
Players exploring a misty swamp
Exploring the swamp · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
A player in a torch-lit crypt
Crypts and dungeons · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
Enemies in a dark crypt
What waits in the dark · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
A fiery portal at night
A fiery portal · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
A giant silhouette under the aurora
Something huge in the north · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
Inside a Viking workshop
Crafting at home · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
The build menu
Hundreds of build pieces · Official screenshot, Iron Gate
Animated art of two Viking warriors
Valheim art · Official art, Iron Gate
?Q&A

Quick answers

Does Valheim run on Linux?

Yes. Valheim has a native Linux build on Steam.

Is Valheim Steam Deck Verified?

Yes, with full controller support.

Can I host a Valheim server on Linux?

Yes. Install the dedicated server with SteamCMD (app 896660), set your options in start_server.sh and open UDP 2456 and 2457.

Does Valheim have crossplay on Linux?

Yes. Linux players can play with Windows, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 players.

When did Valheim 1.0 come out?

September 9, 2026.

Where are Valheim worlds on Linux?

In ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/, with characters in characters_local.

Can I mod native Linux Valheim?

Yes. The BepInExPack for Valheim includes start_game_bepinex.sh; set it as the launch option with ./start_game_bepinex.sh %command%.

Does Valheim back up my world?

Yes. It saves every 30 minutes and keeps four rolling backups by default. Servers can change this with -backups, -backupshort and -backuplong.

Added November 2026: BepInExPack_Valheim Linux instructions (Thunderstore); backup options as documented by server hosts; Unity data paths for the native build.