# Valheim Incompatible Version – Fix Client & Server Mismatch

Valheim "Incompatible version" on join? Outdated server, SteamCMD update, BepInEx/mods – fix version mismatch step by step.

**Quick answer:** "Incompatible version" means **client and server run different Valheim versions**. Update server via SteamCMD (`app_update 896660 validate`), restart, wait 2–3 min – fixed in 90% of cases.

**If you landed here:** You see "Incompatible version" on join, friends can't connect or nothing works after a patch.

## 5-minute checklist

- Update Valheim on **client** (Steam library)
- **Stop server** in panel
- **SteamCMD update** / reinstall in panel
- **Restart server**, wait 2–3 min
- Connect via **IP:2456** directly
- Test without **BepInEx/mods**

## Related

- [Valheim won't connect](/en/gameserver/valheim/verbindet-nicht)
- [Valheim won't start](/en/gameserver/valheim/server-startet-nicht)
- [Set up Valheim](/en/gameserver/valheim/setup)
*Products & ordering: [Order game server](https://nexorahost.com/category/gameserver-1) · Manage: [panel.nexorahost.de](https://panel.nexorahost.de) · [My account](https://nexorahost.com/account) · [nexorahost.com](https://nexorahost.com) (Frankfurt · 1 Tbit/s DDoS · 99.9% uptime)*