Valheim can't actually do local-network multiplayer, even with a local dedicated server. It has to connect out to the Steam servers for the SteamWorks API.

I found this out when my internet went down for a week early this year in 5ft of snow. My wife and I were snowed in, we had power, I had a dedicated server all spooled up and we were going to bash some Draugr.
Nope. No internet, no multiplayer. At all.

So the root of your problem is that at least part of the game data is having to go out to an offsite server and come back at WAN transfer speeds instead of LAN.

Originally posted by Hylox, Bane of Titans:

i have no idea how to do that, i also have a bud that plays with us via internet so lan wouldn't work

It would work with something called virtual LAN. ZeroTier, Hamachi, or anything like that.

LAN is pretty sweet. You would have zero lag. It's the only way I play Valheim, tbh.

Frankly if you're having netcode issues yet the majority of the players are in the same household - it actually sounds insane to pay for a third party server. You could have a better experience, for free...and you're opting to pay for a worse experience. All because you're too lazy to do a few minutes of research? Come on man, get it together.

Originally posted by He Who Has No Name:

Valheim can't actually do local-network multiplayer, even with a local dedicated server. It has to connect out to the Steam servers for the SteamWorks API.

I found this out when my internet went down for a week early this year in 5ft of snow. My wife and I were snowed in, we had power, I had a dedicated server all spooled up and we were going to bash some Draugr.
Nope. No internet, no multiplayer. At all.

So the root of your problem is that at least part of the game data is having to go out to an offsite server and come back at WAN transfer speeds instead of LAN.

That doesn't sound right, if the server is in your internal network and you use its internal IP it shouldn't be happening. Yeah maybe you need to contact Steam, but all the data exchange shouldn't have to leave your network. Now I want to try it.

Originally posted by He Who Has No Name:

Valheim can't actually do local-network multiplayer, even with a local dedicated server. It has to connect out to the Steam servers for the SteamWorks API.

I found this out when my internet went down for a week early this year in 5ft of snow. My wife and I were snowed in, we had power, I had a dedicated server all spooled up and we were going to bash some Draugr.
Nope. No internet, no multiplayer. At all.

So the root of your problem is that at least part of the game data is having to go out to an offsite server and come back at WAN transfer speeds instead of LAN.

oh that is sad on so many levels..local MP is usually the introduction to MP. and teaches basics of LAN and server to all and sundry. Buys a round of Drinks for all concerned !!

Originally posted by Cap'n Bells:

Originally posted by He Who Has No Name:

Valheim can't actually do local-network multiplayer, even with a local dedicated server. It has to connect out to the Steam servers for the SteamWorks API.

I found this out when my internet went down for a week early this year in 5ft of snow. My wife and I were snowed in, we had power, I had a dedicated server all spooled up and we were going to bash some Draugr.
Nope. No internet, no multiplayer. At all.

So the root of your problem is that at least part of the game data is having to go out to an offsite server and come back at WAN transfer speeds instead of LAN.

oh that is sad on so many levels..local MP is usually the introduction to MP. and teaches basics of LAN and server to all and sundry. Buys a round of Drinks for all concerned !!

He's just wrong. Connecting to Steam for authentication and LAN support are mutually exclusive concepts. You can have a game with LAN support which also requires authentication from Steam servers. Valheims' LAN works fine. I can vouch for this because I only play the game via LAN in a place with almost zero internet.

Originally posted by vinyblaster:

Originally posted by He Who Has No Name:

Valheim can't actually do local-network multiplayer, even with a local dedicated server. It has to connect out to the Steam servers for the SteamWorks API.

I found this out when my internet went down for a week early this year in 5ft of snow. My wife and I were snowed in, we had power, I had a dedicated server all spooled up and we were going to bash some Draugr.
Nope. No internet, no multiplayer. At all.

So the root of your problem is that at least part of the game data is having to go out to an offsite server and come back at WAN transfer speeds instead of LAN.

That doesn't sound right, if the server is in your internal network and you use its internal IP it shouldn't be happening. Yeah maybe you need to contact Steam, but all the data exchange shouldn't have to leave your network. Now I want to try it.

+1 lemme know how u go please

Build your own server from an old PC and then LAN it between the three of you?

i have no idea how to do that, i also have a bud that plays with us via internet so lan wouldn't work

Losing internet because of that seems like th issue is with you modem and/or isp. The game could be leggy, but losing internet is not normal.

That being said, yes the connection layer could do with some improvements. Pings and lags can be really horrible.

the modem could be part of the issue but we don't really have much of an issue unless we play valhiem, we live in the middle of a forest and the only decent isp we have is unlimitedville, it's either that or hughsnet which has a data limit so it's not much of a choice. I'm hoping next year we will be able to get starlink from tesla, maybe that might fix the issue

Originally posted by Hylox, Bane of Titans:

. our internet speed is 40 mbps so it should be able to handle the game just fine

FYI your internet speed is two numbers... mainly advertised ONLY as download speed (in your case 40Mbps) but your Upload speed can be considerably less ie around 10Mbps Wont solve your problem but may explain it ..Skall!!

my upload is 28 mbps

If you got your modem from your ISP ask for a new one. Or ask them why it would shut off the internet... they may be limiting you in some way without telling you.


Otherwise you might just have an old modem that needs replacement.

Wired or wifi? Although I can't see that as causing the internet outage either.

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

If you got your modem from your ISP ask for a new one. Or ask them why it would shut off the internet... they may be limiting you in some way without telling you.


Otherwise you might just have an old modem that needs replacement.

Wired or wifi? Although I can't see that as causing the internet outage either.

On this point if the household Modem isnt Dual Band wont the upload speed from both players be shared (or are you both using Blue String) (lan cable :-) ) if using wifi to your modem i strongly suggest blue string for each.. (edit or at least Lan wire one so the wifi is exclusive to the other... try this first)

Also you said 3 people live in same house.. if 3rd person is downloading movies then bye bye internet :-)