Valheim is one of the most intense exploring and adventure games out there that can be played by up to 10 players at a time. However as good as the game is, it has proved to be a challenge for a lot of PCs to run, in addition to being plagued by different errors and server issues.
In this article, we’re talking about the Valheim incompatible version error, its causes and what you can do to fix the problem.
What causes the Valheim incompatible server error?
This is a rather generic error that can be triggered by a number of different issues. However, some of the most common factors include:
- Outdated game version.
- Missing or corrupt system files.
- Incompatible mods
How to fix the Valheim incompatible server error?
Here are six fixes you can try out.
Restart your game
One of the easiest ways to fix the problem is to restart the game. Restarting games and programs often resolves temporary bugs that can cause crashes or connectivity issues. Once the game is stopped completely (you can verify this using the Task Manager), relaunch it using Steam, and it should work just fine.
Look for an update
While Steam automatically updates your games whenever an update is available, if you don’t have Valheim set to auto-update itself, you can run into this error. Make sure that both Valheim and the Valheim dedicated server are on the latest updates available and then try playing the game again.
Force an update using SteamCMD
While you shouldn’t need to do this, if updating the game from Steam didn’t work, you might want to give SteamCMD a try. You can download the official SteamCMD version from Valve’s site here. Then, create a file named Update.bat in Valheim’s root installation folder and add the following code
[Enter SteamCMD directory here] + login anonymous + force_install_dir [Valheim installation directory] + app_update 896660 validate + exitSave the file and double-click to execute. This will force your Valheim installation to update to the latest version and likely solve the problem.
Verify Game Files
Corrupted game files can often lead to issues like this, not just in Valheim but other games. Luckily, Steam has a built-in feature that verifies your game files and reinstalls any files that might be damaged. Follow these steps.
Step 1: Head over to your Steam Library, right-click on Valheim and select Properties.
Step 2: Head over to the Local Files tab.
Step 3: Click on Verify integrity of local files… and let Steam do its thing.
Now try relaunching the game.
Check your Mods
Valhiem is super popular with modders and the game has hundreds if not thousands of mods available for players to download. However, if you’re joining another player’s server, you need to have the same mods as them. Install the required mods and then try joining the server again to see if that helps fix the issue. Conversely, you can also try disabling all mods and running the game to see if a mod isn’t interfering with the game itself.
Reinstall
If checking game files didn’t work out, your best bet is to delete the game from Steam and reinstall it from scratch. Ensure to overwrite your game save with the new installation, as corrupt saved files can also cause this issue.
Also read: Steam Deck cloud sync error: Quick Fix
