Valheim Server Backups: Automatic Saves and How to Restore a World
Valheim worlds are made of two files, and losing them means losing your build. Here is how saving and backups work and how to restore one.
What the world files are
Each world has a .db file (the world data) and a .fwl file (the world metadata). Both share the world name, for example MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl. You need both. They are stored in a worlds_local folder inside the server's save directory, which is set with the -savedir launch option.
Automatic backups
The dedicated server saves on a timer and keeps rolling backups. These launch options control it:
- -saveinterval sets seconds between saves.
- -backups sets how many backups to keep.
- -backupshort sets the interval of short backups, in seconds.
- -backuplong sets the interval of long backups, in seconds.
Check the current Valheim dedicated server readme for the exact default values, as they can change between updates. Backups are stored beside the world files with a timestamp in the name.
Make a manual backup
- Stop the server from the Console tab so the files are not being written.
- Open the Files tab and go to the worlds_local folder.
- Download your world's .db and .fwl files to your computer.
Keep a copy off the server. Automatic backups on the same disk do not help if the server is wiped.
Restore a world
- Stop the server.
- Upload the .db and .fwl files into worlds_local. Choose the backup you want and rename it so the name matches your world exactly, minus the timestamp.
- Make sure the -world launch option matches that name.
- Start the server and check the console for load errors.
Move a single-player world to the server
Single-player worlds live on your PC in the Valheim save folder under worlds_local. Copy both files to the server the same way and set -world to that name.
Tips
- Always back up before updates or adding mods.
- Do not overwrite files while the server is running, because the server may write its own copy over yours on shutdown.
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