TheGameHosting Team
To backup Valheim server worlds, stop the server and copy the two world files, YourWorld.db and YourWorld.fwl, from the worlds_local folder, plus adminlist.txt, bannedlist.txt and permittedlist.txt. The server also keeps its own rotating backups. On TheGameHosting you press Create backup on the Backups page and the whole server is saved.
A Valheim world holds every longship, portal network and base your crew built. A bad update, a mod that breaks the save or a griefer on an open server can undo weeks of play. If you need to back up your server, these are the files that matter and the fastest way to protect them.
What files a Valheim server backup needs
| File | What it holds |
|---|---|
YourWorld.db | Terrain, buildings, chests and everything you changed in the world |
YourWorld.fwl | World name, seed and metadata |
adminlist.txt, bannedlist.txt, permittedlist.txt | Admins, bans and the whitelist |
Both world files have the same name and only work as a pair. On a server you run yourself they are in worlds_local: on Windows under %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local, on Linux under ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local, unless you moved the save path with -savedir. The three lists sit in the same save folder.
Heads-up: characters are not on the server. Each player’s character, inventory and skills stay on their own device, so a server backup protects the world, not the gear in players’ pockets.
Backup Valheim server files by hand, step by step
- Warn the players and ask them to log out so their last changes reach the world.
- Stop the server. Never copy the world files while it is running: the copy can catch a half-written file. In our panel, press Stop on the Console page.
- Open the save folder and find
worlds_local. - Copy
YourWorld.dbandYourWorld.fwltogether, plus the three.txtlists, to another disk or cloud folder. - Name the copy with the date, for example
valheim-2026-11-11-before-ashlands. - Start the server and join to check the world loads.
To restore, stop the server, put both files back in worlds_local (replacing the current pair) and start it with -world "YourWorld" matching the file names exactly, capital letters included. If the server creates a brand-new world instead, the name does not match.
The server’s automatic backups
Iron Gate’s dedicated server manual documents startup flags that make the server save and back up the world on its own:
| Flag | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|
-saveinterval 1800 | Seconds between world saves | 1800 (30 min) |
-backups 4 | Automatic backups kept | 4 |
-backupshort 7200 | Interval for the first backup | 2 hours |
-backuplong 43200 | Interval for the rest | 12 hours |
They help with a corrupted save, but they live on the same machine as the world: if the disk dies or someone deletes the server folder, they go too. Keep at least one copy somewhere else. The full flag list is in our Valheim dedicated server setup guide.
Back up a Valheim server in our panel
- Open your server in the panel and press Stop on the Console page.
- Go to Backups → Create backup and give it a name, like “Before Queen fight”.
- When it shows in the list with its size and date, start the server again.
The backup covers the whole server, so the world pair, the admin lists and any mods you added are in it. Need a copy on your PC? Connect over sFTP and download the two world files. To go back in time, pick a backup on the Backups page and restore it; restoring replaces the current files.
For hands-off protection, open Schedules and create a task that makes a backup and restarts the server every night at a quiet hour.
When to make a Valheim backup
- Before a game update or a new biome patch.
- Before adding or updating mods. One broken mod can damage the save; see Valheim server mods.
- Before risky admin commands, such as regenerating locations. Our Valheim admin guide lists them.
- Before a boss fight or a raid on a hard world modifier, if your crew likes a safety net.
- Before switching the plan to another game with the Game Changer.
Keep your Valheim world safe on TheGameHosting
A Valheim server on TheGameHosting gives you one-click backups, Schedules for nightly backups and restarts, and the File Manager and sFTP to upload or download your .db and .fwl files. It runs 24/7 in Dallas or Amsterdam on AMD 9950X/7950X3D CPUs with DDR5 and NVMe, with DDoS protection, so the world is there whenever your crew logs in. Valheim needs 4 GB of RAM, from $3.69 USD/month. See the server plans and use code FULL2026 for 15% off for life.
FAQ
Where are Valheim dedicated server worlds saved?
In the worlds_local folder of the server’s save path: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local on Windows and ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local on Linux, unless -savedir changes it.
Does a Valheim server back up automatically?
Yes. It saves every 30 minutes and keeps 4 automatic backups by default. Change it with -saveinterval, -backups, -backupshort and -backuplong.
Do I need both the .db and .fwl files?
Yes. The .db holds the world and the .fwl its name and seed. Copy and restore them together, with the same name.
Does a server backup save my Valheim character?
No. Characters are stored on each player’s own device. The server backup protects the world, buildings and chests.
Hosting for these games
Written by TheGameHosting Team, the people who run our servers in Dallas and Amsterdam and answer your tickets.
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