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Understanding Network Issues

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Experiencing lag, desync, or connection issues in Valheim? This guide explains the game’s unique networking architecture and provides practical solutions for common problems.

To get started, here’s some valuable information to consider about crossplay functionality in Valheim.

These are common Microsoft PlayFab errors you may encounter when using crossplay.

Error CodeDescriptionSolution
4098Invalid handleNetwork or PlayFab connection issue. Try disabling crossplay, restarting your router, or reconnecting.
4133Network endpoint limit reachedWait for the PlayFab network to clear up, disable crossplay, or try staggering concurrent player connections.

Understanding Valheim’s Distributed Game Logic

Section titled “Understanding Valheim’s Distributed Game Logic”

When performance issues occur, identifying the region authority (the player controlling that area) becomes crucial. The symptoms are consistent: delayed interactions, stuttering enemy movements, slow building destruction. Since authority transfers only when the controlling player leaves the area, a simple fix exists - have them briefly exit and re-enter to force reassignment to another player.

This distributed model explains why server hardware upgrades rarely solve lag issues. The bottleneck isn’t server CPU or RAM - it’s the network path between the controlling client and server. One player’s unstable connection becomes everyone’s problem when they hold authority over a busy area.

Desync manifests when client and server states diverge while maintaining the appearance of connection. Actions complete client-side but don’t persist server-side. In multiplayer, players will witness different realities - one may see enemies dead while another dodges their attacks.

The distributed authority system makes desync particularly problematic. The controlling client might be properly synced while other players in the zone experience state mismatches. Quick reconnection remains the most reliable solution when you notice symptoms like non-persistent inventory changes or conflicting world states between players.

IssueWhat’s HappeningSolution
Crossplay LagMicrosoft’s relay servers add extra latency in most casesDisable crossplay if cross-platform play isn’t needed.
Zone Authority LagA player with connectivity issues is controlling the areaEnsure the in-game zone leader has a known good connection to the server.
DesyncThe game shows different things to different playersReconnect to the server.
Connection TimeoutsNetwork issues between you and the serverAs a quick test, restart your router or try mobile data, and consider following the steps below to further narrow down the problem. Refer to the steps below if crossplay is enabled.

The distributed architecture means traditional server optimization has a limited impact. Upgrading server hardware won’t fix authority-related lag, and these same issues can occur on even the latest gaming hardware. Network path quality between the controlling client and server determines area performance.

For optimal gameplay, players with stable, low-latency connections should enter new areas first to claim authority. On PC, while connected to your server you can press the F2 key to display your basic connection information.

Understanding these mechanics transforms troubleshooting from guesswork to targeted solutions. The system’s sensitivity to individual connections isn’t a flaw to fix but a current reality to manage.

If your server has crossplay enabled, try these solutions:

  1. Disable crossplay - If your players are on Steam and you don’t require cross-platform connectivity, we highly recommend disabling crossplay. Disabling crossplay temporarily makes servers inaccessible. To resolve this issue, restart your game, wait and try again, or contact a bro on Discord.
  2. Check for PlayFab errors - Review your server log for specific PlayFab error codes.
  3. Have a player with a known good connection lead your group.
  4. Restart device and router - A simple restart can potentially resolve temporary network issues.
  5. Wait and try again, or try a different location - The PlayFab network may simply be experiencing intermittent congestion related issues. Trying again later or testing a different server location may resolve the issue. Refer to our Change Server Location Guide. If the issues are local, a different general location may resolve them.

If your server has crossplay disabled, try these solutions:

  1. Restart device and router - A simple restart can potentially resolve temporary network issues.
  2. Have a player with a known good connection lead your group.
  3. For PC-only servers, consider installing a mod such as Better Networking - See our installing mods guide.
  4. More Information - Have an affected player run an MTR test following our General Network Troubleshooting Guide, and attach the results in a support ticket, our team will review your results to determine the best course of action to get you back into the action ASAP.

Need a second opinion? Contact a bro and we’ll provide expert support for the troubleshooting process. Discord