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Can You Use Console Commands on a Valheim Server? The Definitive Guide

Yes, you can use console commands on a Valheim server, but only if you are an admin. Enabling the console is the first step, followed by authenticating as an admin. Once these steps are completed, you have access to a powerful suite of commands to manage and customize your Valheim experience. This article details how to use console commands on a Valheim server, covering everything from enabling the console to common command usage and troubleshooting.

Enabling the Console and Becoming an Admin

Before you can unleash the power of console commands, you need to take a few crucial preparatory steps. These steps involve modifying the game’s launch options and adding yourself to the admin list.

Activating the Console

By default, the Valheim console is disabled. To enable it, follow these instructions:

Open Steam: Launch the Steam client.
Go to Library: Navigate to your game library.
Find Valheim: Locate Valheim in your list of games.
Right-Click and Select Properties: Right-click on Valheim and select “Properties.”
Enter Launch Options: In the “General” tab, find the “Launch Options” text box.
Add the Flag: Type -console into the Launch Options box. This flag tells the game to enable the console.
Close Properties: Close the Properties window.

Now, when you launch Valheim, you should be able to open the console in-game by pressing the F5 key.

Becoming a Server Admin

Simply having the console enabled isn’t enough. You need to be recognized as an admin by the server to use most commands. This involves editing the server’s adminlist.txt file.

Locate the Admin List File: Find the adminlist.txt file on your server. The location will vary depending on how your server is hosted. If you’re hosting the server locally, it is often located within the /.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/adminlist.txt path on Linux or in the Valheim folder in your AppData directory on Windows (typically C:Users[Your Username]AppDataLocalLowIronGateValheimadminlist.txt). If you’re using a hosting provider, you’ll usually find it in a file manager or control panel provided by the host.
Find Your SteamID64: You’ll need your SteamID64. This is a unique numerical identifier for your Steam account. You can find it using online tools like SteamID Finder.
Add Your SteamID64 to the Admin List: Open the adminlist.txt file using a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit). Add your SteamID64 on a new line. Save the file.
Restart the Server: For the changes to take effect, you must restart your Valheim server.

Once the server restarts, you should be recognized as an admin. Open the console in-game with F5 and type imacheater. If successful, the command will execute without error. If you receive an error message stating that you are not allowed to use cheat commands, double-check your SteamID64 in the adminlist.txt file and ensure the server has been restarted.

Common Console Commands in Valheim

Once you are an admin, a world of possibilities opens up. Here are some of the most useful and frequently used console commands in Valheim:

imacheater: This is the master command that enables cheat mode. You need to run this command first to use most of the following commands.
help: Lists available console commands.
god: Toggles god mode, making you invulnerable to damage.
ghost: Toggles ghost mode, allowing you to fly through objects.
fly: Enables flying mode.
pos: Displays your current coordinates. Useful for teleportation or locating specific areas.
goto [x,y,z]: Teleports you to the specified coordinates. Replace [x,y,z] with the actual coordinate values.
killall: Kills all nearby creatures.
tame: Tames all nearby creatures.
location: Sets the spawn location.
freefly: Enables a free-flying camera mode.
removedrops: Removes all item drops in the area. Useful for clearing clutter.
setskill [skill] [level]: Sets the specified skill to the given level. For example, setskill Jump 50 would set your Jump skill to level 50.
raiseskill [skill] [amount]: Raises the specified skill by the given amount.
resetskill [skill]: Resets the specified skill to 0.
dpsdebug: Toggles damage per second (DPS) debug output.
debugmode: Enables creative debug mode, granting access to building without resources, instant crafting, and other creative features. Z toggles flying, K kills all entities in a radius, B repairs all items.
spawn [item] [quantity] [level]: Spawns the specified item. Replace [item] with the item’s internal name, [quantity] with the number of items, and [level] with the item’s level (if applicable). Finding the correct item name might require some research online.
wind [angle] [intensity]: Sets the wind direction and intensity. Useful for testing sailing or creating cinematic scenes. wind 0 1 sets a light breeze from the north.
resetwind: Resets the wind to its default settings.
event [event name]: Starts a specific game event.
stopevent: Stops the current game event.
skiptime [seconds]: Skips the specified number of seconds.
sleep: Skips to the next day.

Important Note: Using console commands can drastically alter your Valheim experience. Using creative mode and spawning resources can remove the survival challenge. Use these commands responsibly and consider the impact on your gameplay. It is wise to backup your world before implementing significant changes through console commands.

Troubleshooting Console Command Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Console not opening: Double-check that you correctly added the -console launch option in Steam. Restart Steam if necessary.
“Not allowed” error: Ensure your SteamID64 is correctly entered in the adminlist.txt file and that the server has been restarted after editing the file. Triple-check your SteamID64 using a reliable online SteamID finder.
Commands not working after imacheater: Make sure you are typing the commands correctly and that the command you’re trying to use requires cheat mode. Some commands do not require cheat mode to be enabled.
Server crashing after using commands: Certain commands, especially those that significantly alter the game world, can sometimes cause server instability. Avoid using commands excessively or in rapid succession. If crashes persist, restore from a backup.
Item not spawning: The item name may be incorrect. Valheim uses internal names, which may differ from the names displayed in the game. Consult a Valheim item list or wiki for the correct item names. Case sensitivity can also be a factor.
Wind commands having no effect: Check if there are conflicting weather events active. Try using resetwind before setting a new wind direction and intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Valheim Server Console Commands

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the use of console commands on a Valheim server:

Can I use console commands to give items to other players on the server? Yes, but only through spawning the item in the world, and the other player has to pick it up. There is no direct ‘give item’ command to a specific player’s inventory.
Does enabling the console affect other players on the server? No, enabling the console on your client only affects your local game instance. Other players are not affected unless you use commands that impact the shared world.
Can I use console commands on a dedicated Valheim server I rent from a hosting provider? Yes, you can, as long as you have admin access to the server and can edit the adminlist.txt file.
How do I find the internal names of items for the spawn command? Use a Valheim database website or consult online communities and forums. Many resources list the internal names of all items in the game.
Is it possible to ban players using console commands? No, Valheim lacks a built-in ban command. Many server hosting providers offer tools to ban players by SteamID or IP address.
Can I undo a console command if I make a mistake? Some commands, like item spawning, can be “undone” by removing the spawned item. However, many commands are irreversible, such as terrain modifications or skill adjustments. Always back up your world regularly.
Are there any commands to control the weather? While there isn’t a direct “weather” command, you can indirectly influence the weather using the wind command, which affects sailing and visual elements.
Can I use console commands to reset the entire world? No, there isn’t a command to completely reset the world. You would need to manually delete the world files and start a new one.
Do console commands work in single-player mode? Yes, all console commands work in single-player mode after enabling the console and typing imacheater.
Can I use console commands to make myself permanently invisible? There is no direct invisibility command. The ghost command allows you to move through objects, which can be helpful for avoiding enemies, but you are not completely invisible.
How often should I back up my Valheim world? It depends on how frequently you make changes, but backing up your world daily is a good practice, especially if you experiment with console commands.
What is the debugmode command used for, and is it safe to use? The debugmode command enables creative mode. It allows you to build without resources and craft instantly. Use it cautiously, as it can severely alter the game’s progression.
Can I use console commands to prevent raids from happening? There isn’t a command to directly prevent raids. However, you can potentially use commands to kill creatures before they reach your base or modify the game world to make your base less accessible.
Are console commands case-sensitive? Generally, most console commands are not case-sensitive. However, it’s best practice to use the correct casing as shown in command lists, especially for item names.
What happens if I use a console command that causes a permanent change I regret? That is why backing up your world is paramount. You can restore the world to a previous state using the backup files. Without a backup, the change is likely permanent.

Using console commands on a Valheim server is a powerful tool, but it comes with responsibility. Understanding the commands, following the correct procedures for enabling them, and being aware of the potential consequences are crucial for a positive and enjoyable experience. Remember to experiment responsibly and always back up your world!

Can you use console commands on Valheim server?