Valheim: Server Lags/Desync/Instability

Have you experienced lags/desync/instability playing on your Valheim server? Continue reading to learn more…

Why does this happen?

Valheim multiplayer lag, desync, and instability can have several causes, including network connectivity, client-side simulation, mods, world complexity, or server performance.

Unlike many multiplayer games, Valheim distributes some simulation responsibilities between connected players. This means that a player experiencing connection or performance problems can sometimes affect other players in the same area.

However, not all lag is caused by player connections. Large builds, heavily populated areas, incompatible mods, and server-side issues can also contribute.

The steps below will help you identify the most likely cause before making changes to your server.

This system allows the game to perform a lot of the heavy physics calculations on the client side, rather than on the server, which helps to reduce the load on the server and improve performance. 

However, this system is pretty sensitive to players with poor network connections to the server. If the player controlling the object in an area has a high ping and/or packet loss, this can affect the gameplay experience for other players in the same area, even if they have a good connection to the server. 

TL;DR

Valheim's multiplayer simulation means that one player's connection or performance can affect other players in the same area. However, lag can also result from mods, complex worlds, game performance, or server-related issues.

How do I fix this?

Valheim lag and desync can have several causes. Before changing server settings, we recommend trying the following steps to narrow down what's causing the issue.

Test whether a particular player or area is causing desync

Valheim's multiplayer simulation can sometimes be affected by the performance or connection quality of players sharing an area.

To help identify the cause:

1. Have one player join the server and visit an area where lag normally occurs.
2. Ask a second player to join and travel to the same location.
3. Check whether delays, rubber-banding, or unresponsive enemies begin.
4. Repeat the test with additional players joining one at a time.
5. If the problem appears after a particular player joins, have that player leave and check whether performance improves.
6. Repeat the test with the same players in a different, less populated area.

If the issue only occurs when certain players are together, their connection quality or client performance may be contributing.

If the issue occurs regardless of who joins, or only in a particular location, the cause may instead be related to the world, mods, or game simulation.

Tip: Try a wired connection where possible, and pause large downloads or other bandwidth-intensive applications while testing.

Switch Server Locations

One easy troubleshooting step is to relocate the server to another location. While it would make the most sense to have the server closest to your physical location, it can be worth trying out a different location in case your routing there is better.

1

Go to your DatHost Control Panel

2

Click Edit on your Valheim Server

3

Now at the top of the page, select your desired location

4

Click Save & Reboot your server.

Your server files will be transferred to the new location. Depending on the server and its files, this may take a few minutes. If your connection address changes, you'll need to use the updated address to reconnect.

Check for game updates

Valheim 1.0 introduced several changes to world generation, networking, and game performance. Subsequent updates have also addressed performance and stability issues.

Before troubleshooting further:

1. Make sure all players have updated Valheim to the latest stable version.
2. Restart your DatHost server using Save & Reboot in the control panel to ensure any available server updates are applied.
3. Reconnect and check whether the issue persists.

If the lag began immediately after a game update, make a note of when it started. This information can help our support team investigate further.

Check whether lag occurs in specific areas

Large builds, heavily modified terrain, and areas with many creatures or objects can sometimes affect Valheim's performance.

To check whether your lag is location-specific:

1. Have the affected players travel to a relatively undeveloped area, such as the Meadows.
2. Test movement, combat, and interactions for a few minutes.
3. Return to the area where the lag normally occurs.
4. Compare whether the same delays or rubber-banding happen in both locations.

If performance is noticeably worse in one location, the issue may be related to the number of objects, creatures, or terrain changes in that area.

If the problem happens everywhere, continue with the next steps.

Check your mods and plugins

Valheim 1.0 introduced significant changes that may affect compatibility with older mods. Even mods that worked before the update may cause unexpected behavior, including performance problems, crashes, or desync.

If you're using mods:

1. Check that your installed mods are compatible with Valheim 1.0 and your current game version.
2. Make a backup of your world before changing your mod setup.
3. Update any outdated mods and their dependencies.
4. If the problem continues, temporarily disable compatible-to-remove mods to test whether they're contributing to the issue.
5. Restart the server and compare performance.

Important: Removing mods that add custom items, buildings, or world content can affect your save. Check the mod author's instructions before disabling these mods.

If performance improves without certain mods, re-enable them gradually to identify which one may be causing the issue.

Check your Crossplay settings

If your group is experiencing connection issues or desync, testing your Crossplay settings may help identify the cause.

If everyone playing on your server uses Steam:

1. Open your Valheim server in the DatHost control panel.
2. Click Edit and locate the Crossplay setting.
3. Temporarily disable Crossplay.
4. Click Save & Reboot.
5. Have your players reconnect and test whether the issue continues.

If disabling Crossplay improves connectivity, the issue may be related to the Crossplay connection path rather than the server's overall performance.

Important: If anyone connects from a platform that requires Crossplay, leave this setting enabled. Disabling it may prevent those players from joining.

Still experiencing lag or desync?

If you've tried the steps above and your server is still having problems, please contact our support team. We're happy to take a closer look!

To help us investigate, please include:

• Your server name or connection address.
• The date and approximate time the issue occurred, including your time zone.
• How many players were connected.
• What the lag looks like (rubber-banding, delayed interactions, low FPS, disconnects, etc.).
• Whether it happens everywhere or only in specific areas.
• Whether you're using Crossplay or mods.
• Which troubleshooting steps you've already tried.

Our team can review available server logs and resource usage to help identify potential hosting, connectivity, or game-related issues.

You don't need to reset your world to begin troubleshooting.