Getting Your Valheim Server 1.0-Ready: Checklist for September 9

What do I need to do before September 9?

Valheim 1.0 releases on September 9, 2026 — simultaneously on all platforms, including PS5 and Switch 2 (full details in the 1.0 release overview). For your server that means six things to sort out beforehand, and release day goes off without drama. Existing owners get 1.0 for free; anyone who doesn’t own the game yet pays $29.99 instead of $19.99 from September 9 — so stragglers in your group should buy before then.

#	To-do	Why
1	Create a backup	Big version jumps are the classic moment for world damage
2	Plan the update	Client and server must match exactly — otherwise “Incompatible Version”
3	Disable BepInEx mods	Mods predictably break with the 1.0 update
4	Decide the world question	New content only generates in unexplored areas
5	Decide on crossplay	PS5/Switch 2 friends need crossplay — which rules out mods
6	Check your RAM	Grown world + full group = higher memory demand

1. Create a backup — before release day

Create a manual backup in the panel before September 9. Valheim’s own staggered backup system (details in the configuration guide) runs automatically anyway, but a deliberate snapshot taken right before the big update is the one state you’re guaranteed to be able to roll back to if something goes wrong.

Screenshot coming soon: creating a manual backup in the RespawnHost panel

2. Why your server must update immediately on September 9

Valheim enforces a strict version lock: client and server must run exactly the same version, otherwise joining fails with the “Incompatible Version” error. The moment Steam updates your friends’ clients on September 9, nobody can join a server still running the old version.

At RespawnHost that’s one restart: with the Auto Update startup variable enabled (the default), your server pulls the new version automatically on its next start. So on release day, simply restart once the update is live on Steam.

3. Disable BepInEx mods before 1.0

Valheim has no official mod support — BepInEx, ValheimPlus and friends hook directly into the game version and predictably break with an update this big. Disable mods before September 9 and give mod authors a few days after release to ship their updates. How to cleanly remove and reinstall mods is covered in the mods guide.

4. Fresh world or existing world?

Both work — old worlds and characters remain compatible under 1.0. But: the new Deep North content only generates in areas that haven’t been explored yet. If your group has already sailed the far north, nothing new appears there. For the full 1.0 experience, Iron Gate officially recommends a fresh world — especially since world generation brings changes to all biomes according to art director Robin Eyre, not just the north.

The pragmatic route for most groups: keep the existing world, create a second, fresh world for 1.0 and switch between them as needed — the world transfer guide shows how.

5. Crossplay: on or off?

1.0 brings full crossplay between all platforms — including PS5 and Switch 2. If console friends should join your server, the Crossplay startup variable must be enabled (PlayFab backend). The decision has a catch: crossplay and BepInEx mods are mutually exclusive. Per server you choose: mixed platforms or mods. Switching is thankfully painless — the world stays compatible when you toggle the backend. Details in the crossplay guide.

Two things to clarify with your group up front, so release day brings no disappointment:

• Cross-progression only exists between Xbox and PC (Microsoft ecosystem). Steam, PS5 and Switch 2 saves stay local to the device — your PS5 friend’s character won’t migrate to PC.
• Exactly how PS5 and Switch 2 join dedicated servers hasn’t been confirmed in detail by Iron Gate yet — as soon as it’s officially documented, we’ll update the crossplay guide.

6. Is my RAM enough?

A world that has grown over months, full of builds, needs noticeably more memory than a fresh one — the rule of thumb is 6 GB RAM for 10 players on an explored, built-up world. If the whole group returns for the 1.0 release (and maybe grows with the new consoles), it’s worth checking your plan: recommendations by group size are in the RAM guide.

From September 7 to 29, RespawnHost also runs a −30% promotion on all fixed plans — a good moment for an upgrade or a fresh start.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to do anything myself on September 9? Yes, briefly: restart the server once the Steam update is live (Auto Update pulls the new version), and disable mods beforehand. Without the update, the version lock keeps everyone out.

Will I lose my world with the 1.0 update? No — existing worlds and characters remain compatible. A backup before the update is still mandatory, and Iron Gate recommends a fresh world for the new Deep North content.

Does 1.0 cost anything for existing owners? No, the update is free for everyone who owns the game. Only the purchase price for new buyers rises from $19.99 to $29.99 on September 9 (with regional differences).

Can I keep playing with mods on release day? Don’t count on it. There is no official mod support, and after an update this big, BepInEx mods typically need days to weeks for compatible versions.

Related guides

• Valheim 1.0 & Deep North: the release overview — all the facts about the update
• Deep North: the final biome — what awaits in the far north
• Transferring a world — start fresh, keep the old world
• Setting up crossplay — bring PS5 & Switch 2 friends on board

No server for September 9 yet? Rent a Valheim server — online in under 90 seconds.