Valheim Version Mismatch

What Causes Version Mismatch

When Iron Gate releases a Valheim update, both the game client and the dedicated server must be updated to the same version. If they are on different versions, Valheim rejects the connection with an "Incompatible version" or "Version mismatch" error.

Steam updates the game client automatically for each player. The dedicated server is updated by GameGrid: a fleet sweep detects the new build and, unless you have turned auto-update off, applies it for you.

The mismatch is therefore usually a matter of timing - the sweep has not reached your server yet, or auto-update is switched off on it. Restarting the server does NOT fetch a new build; the Game Updates card on the Admin tab is where updates are applied.

Fix: Server Needs Update

If the server is on an older build than the players:

1. Open the server and go to the Admin tab.

2. Look at the Game Updates card. It shows the build your server is running, and an "Update available" badge with the new version when there is one.

3. Click "Update now".

4. The platform stages the build, takes a pre-update backup, warns anyone playing, stops the server, moves it to the new build and starts it again. That takes several minutes on a large patch.

5. The card reports the outcome on its own - the build that landed, or the reason it failed. You can leave the page while it runs.

6. If it fails, your server is left on the build it was already running, and the message says why.

If there is no "Update available" badge, your server is already on the newest build the platform can see, and the mismatch is on the client side.

Fix: Player Needs Update

If a player is on an older version than the server:

1. Steam usually auto-updates the game. Have the player restart Steam to force the update.

2. If auto-update is disabled, the player can manually update: right-click Valheim in Steam > Properties > Updates > "Always keep this game updated".

3. For Xbox/Game Pass: the update comes through the Microsoft Store / Xbox app. Have the player check for updates there.

Xbox and Game Pass updates can be delayed compared to Steam. There is nothing to do about that on the server side but wait.

Fix: Modded Server on Update

If you are running mods and a Valheim update just released:

1. Turn "Automatically apply game updates" OFF in the Game Updates card on the Admin tab, and do not press "Update now". That switch is the only way to hold a server on its current build - there is no version pin.

2. Check for updated versions of each mod you use.

3. Remove any mod that has not been updated from BepInEx/plugins/ using the Files tab.

4. Apply the update with "Update now", then restart and check the Console tab and BepInEx/LogOutput.log for errors.

5. Reinstall the mods as their updates land, one at a time, restarting after each.

BepInEx and the GameGrid Bridge are reinstalled by the platform on every start, so those two never need updating by hand.

Preventing Version Mismatch

GameGrid applies updates for you unless you tell it not to. To minimise disruption:

1. Leave "Automatically apply game updates" ON in the Game Updates card on the Admin tab, unless you run mods. It is on by default.

2. Notify your players when an update lands so they update their clients.

3. For modded servers, turn auto-update off and apply the update yourself once your mods are compatible.

4. The platform takes a backup immediately before every update. Take a labelled manual one as well before a big patch, from the Backups tab.