About SteamworksDirectConnect
From ThunderstoreConnect directly to Steam-only Valheim dedicated servers by IP or domain without waiting for PlayFab lobby lookup.
Steamworks Direct Connect
Author: Zeitsurfer
Steamworks Direct Connect is a small client-side BepInEx plugin for Valheim.
When you join a dedicated server by IP address or domain, the plugin immediately selects the Steamworks backend. Valheim therefore does not need to wait for a PlayFab FindHostByIp lobby lookup before starting the connection.
Features
- Direct connection to Steam-only dedicated servers by IP address or domain
- Avoids failed or unavailable PlayFab lobby searches for these connections
- No installation required on the dedicated server
- Can be enabled or disabled in its generated BepInEx configuration
Requirements
- Valheim on Steam
- BepInExPack Valheim
- A dedicated server running with the Steamworks backend without
-crossplay
Installation
Install the package with a Thunderstore-compatible mod manager and enable it in the client profile used to start Valheim.
For manual installation, copy SteamworksDirectConnect.dll into:
Valheim/BepInEx/plugins/SteamworksDirectConnect/
Configuration
After the first launch, the plugin creates:
BepInEx/config/de.challengehub.steamworksdirectconnect.cfg
Set Enabled = false to temporarily disable the direct Steamworks selection.
Important compatibility notice
Dedicated IP/domain entries are deliberately treated as Steamworks connections while this plugin is enabled. Disable the plugin before joining a PlayFab/crossplay server by IP or domain.
This plugin does not turn a crossplay server into a Steamworks server and does not bypass passwords, bans, allowlists, version checks, or server-side mod requirements.
Deutsch
Steamworks Direct Connect verbindet Valheim bei einer Serveradresse direkt über Steamworks, ohne vorher auf die PlayFab-Lobbysuche zu warten.
Die Mod wird nur auf dem Client benötigt. Sie ist für dedizierte Steam-Server gedacht, die ohne -crossplay gestartet werden.
Solange die Mod aktiv ist, werden dedizierte IP- und Domain-Einträge bewusst als Steamworks-Verbindungen behandelt. Deaktiviere die Mod, bevor du einem PlayFab-/Crossplay-Server per IP oder Domain beitrittst.
Die Konfigurationsdatei lautet:
BepInEx/config/de.challengehub.steamworksdirectconnect.cfg
Support information
When reporting a problem, include the Valheim version, BepInEx version, connection address without its password, and the relevant lines from BepInEx/LogOutput.log.
Highlights
From source dataLoaders
Runs on BepInEx.
Footprint
Rated a light load on a server.
Last update
Its author last shipped an update 3 mo ago.
SteamworksDirectConnect on Nxeon
From our catalogue- One-click install
- Supported on Nxeon Valheim servers, for BepInEx servers. We download it from Thunderstore, place it, and restart the server.
- Server type needed
- BepInEx
- Server load
- light
- Smallest plan we suggest
- Valheim — 4 GB (4 GB RAM). This follows our own load rating above, not a benchmark.
- Latest build
- 1.0.0, released 2026-08-07
Game versions by loader
| Loader | Game versions | Newest |
|---|---|---|
| BepInEx |
From 1 recorded build of SteamworksDirectConnect.
Dependencies
- Required: BepInExPack Valheim
Declared by the newest build that lists any. Required ones are installed with it on one-click installs.
Run SteamworksDirectConnect on a Valheim server
Pick a server or deploy a new one above; it is installed in one click.
What kind of mod it is
From the catalogGameplay & overhauls
New mechanics, content and overhauls that change how the game plays.
Compatibility
- Game
- Valheim
- Loaders
- BepInEx
- Requires
- One-click install needs a BepInEx server.
Verified at the source
- ✓ThunderstoreOfficial listing, checked 2026-10-02Open ↗
- ✓AuthorZeitsurfer, as published on Thunderstore
- ✓LicenseNot published by the sourceFree






