Valheim Console Commands: Enable, Spawn Items, Xbox, Server

October 29, 2026 · Cheat Codes, Survival

Quick answer: In Valheim, enter a world and press F5 to open the console. On Steam, add -console to the launch options first, or turn on the console in Settings. Type devcommands to unlock cheats, then use commands like spawn Wolf 3 2 or raiseskill run 50. Xbox has the console enabled by default.

Valheim has a built-in developer console. It is hidden on PC until you enable it, and cheat commands stay locked until you type devcommands.

This guide covers how to open the console on PC, Game Pass and Xbox, the commands that are confirmed in more than one source, how to spawn items, and why cheats usually do not work on a dedicated server.

How to open the console in Valheim

Steam: right-click Valheim in your library, open Properties, and add -console under Launch options. Launch the game from Steam. Alternatively, open Settings, go to the Gameplay tab and switch on the console option, if your version has it.
Microsoft Store / Game Pass on PC: make a shortcut to Valheim.exe, add a space and -console to the end of the Target field, and start the game from that shortcut.
Load into a world and press F5. On a controller, press LB + LT + Start together.
Type devcommands and press Enter. Cheat commands do not work until you do this. Type it again to turn cheats off.
Type a command and press Enter. Type help to list what your game accepts.

Valheim's official support page says the console is enabled by default on Xbox, so no setup is needed there (use LB + LT + Start). Mac App Store players can launch the game from Terminal with the -console argument.

Before you use commands: One guide citing the 1.0 FAQ says most cheat commands, including spawn, flag your character and world as locked out of achievements. Check the current Iron Gate notes if achievements matter to you. Vanilla dedicated servers do not accept cheat commands, even from admins. See the dedicated server section below.

How Valheim commands work

Items and creatures use prefab names, for example Blackmetal or Wolf. Names are written without spaces.
Square brackets in guides mean a value you replace. Do not type the brackets.
Commands that need devcommands are marked in the tables below.

Valheim commands list

Unlock and basic cheats (need devcommands first)

Command	What it does
`devcommands`	Turns cheat mode on or off. Run this first.
`god`	Keeps your health from dropping below 1.
`ghost`	Enemies stop noticing you.
`heal`	Refills your health and stamina.
`pos`	Prints your current coordinates.
`tame`	Tames every tameable creature nearby.
`killall`	Kills nearby creatures, including your tamed ones.

Spawn items and creatures

Spawn takes a prefab name, then an amount, then an optional level.

Command	What it does
`spawn Blackmetal 50`	Spawns 50 black metal.
`spawn Wolf 3 2`	Spawns 3 wolves at level 2.
`spawn Deer 1 2`	Spawns one deer at level 2.

Skills, map and time (need devcommands)

Command	What it does
`raiseskill run 50`	Raises the run skill by 50.
`exploremap`	Reveals the whole map.
`resetmap`	Hides the map again.
`tod 0.5`	Sets time of day. 0 to 1 is the range, -1 returns to normal.

Server admin commands (admin list required)

Command	What it does
`kick PlayerName`	Disconnects a player without banning them.
`ban PlayerName`	Bans a player until you unban them.
`unban PlayerName`	Removes a ban, using the same identifier you banned with.
`banned`	Lists banned players.
`save`	Forces a world save.

Valheim console commands to spawn items

Open the console, run devcommands, then type spawn followed by the prefab name and amount. The prefab name is the internal item name, so it can differ slightly from the name shown in the inventory.

The spawned stack drops next to your character. If a name is not recognised, check the spelling and capital letters against a prefab list on the Valheim wiki.

spawn Blackmetal 50
spawn Wolf 3 2

Valheim console commands on Xbox

On Xbox the console is on by default. Load into a world and hold LB + LT, then press Start to open it.

Run devcommands, then use the commands listed above.

Valheim dedicated server console commands

There are two different things here. Admin commands (kick, ban, unban, banned, save) work if your ID is in the server's adminlist.txt. Cheat commands (spawn, god, and so on) do not work on a vanilla dedicated server, and sources say you need a server devcommands mod that runs on BepInEx.

To use admin commands: add your platform ID to adminlist.txt, one ID per line, restart the server, join with that account, open the console with F5 and type the command. Use the exact ID shown in the in-game F2 panel. One guide shows the format Steam_76561197960287930. Older guides show a plain SteamID64, so use whichever your server version accepts.

On many rented servers the file sits in the server's .config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim folder, not the server root. Do not add comments or extra spaces to the file.

Valheim console commands in multiplayer

In a world you host yourself, devcommands works for you as it does in single player. On a dedicated server the rules above apply, and cheat commands are blocked unless a server mod allows them.

Why Valheim console commands are not working

F5 does nothing: the console is not enabled. Add -console to the launch options, or start the game from the shortcut that has it.
F5 still does nothing on a laptop: turn off Function mode so the F5 key registers as F5.
Commands say they are unknown or do not run: type devcommands first.
Console still blocked on Game Pass: launch through the shortcut with -console, or run the game as administrator if file permissions get in the way.
Cheats fail on a server: vanilla dedicated servers block them. Use admin commands, or ask the host to install a server devcommands mod.
Admin commands fail on a server: check the exact ID in adminlist.txt, then restart the server.

Valheim console commands FAQ

How do I enable console commands in Valheim?

On Steam, add -console to the launch options, load a world and press F5. Then type devcommands to unlock cheats. Xbox has the console on by default.

How do I use console commands in Valheim?

Press F5 in a world, type devcommands, press Enter, then type a command such as spawn Wolf 3 2 and press Enter.

Are there Valheim console commands on Xbox?

Yes. The console is enabled by default on Xbox. Press LB + LT + Start, run devcommands, then type commands with a keyboard.

How do I spawn items with Valheim console commands?

Run devcommands, then type spawn followed by the prefab name and amount, for example spawn Blackmetal 50.

Why are my Valheim console commands not working?

Usually the console is not enabled, devcommands was not run, or you are on a dedicated server that blocks cheat commands.

Can I use console commands on a Valheim dedicated server?

Admin commands like kick, ban and save work for IDs in adminlist.txt. Cheat commands need a server devcommands mod.

Do Valheim console commands disable achievements?

One guide citing the 1.0 FAQ says most cheat commands lock achievements for that character and world. Check the current game notes to be sure.

Sources

Valheim official support: How to Enable Developer Mode
GameServerKings: Valheim console commands
Wabbanode: All Valheim admin commands
Nodecraft: Valheim admin commands overview