How do I back up my Valheim server world?

Backing up your Valheim server world is a crucial step to ensure your progress and builds are safe from potential data loss or corruption. Valheim, being a survival game, involves significant time investment in building, exploring, and gathering resources. Losing your world due to a server crash or accidental deletion can be devastating. Fortunately, the process of backing up your world is straightforward and can be done manually or through automated tools.\n\nTo begin, you need to locate your Valheim world files. These files are stored on the machine hosting the server, whether it''s your local PC or a dedicated server. On Windows, the default location for these files is in the AppData folder. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds. Here, you will find two files for each world: a .fwl file and a .db file. The .fwl file contains metadata about the world, while the .db file stores the actual world data, including terrain, structures, and player progress.\n\nIf you''re hosting a dedicated server, the world files are stored in the same directory as the server executable. Look for the worlds_local folder within the server files. It’s important to note that if you’re using a third-party hosting service, you may need to access the server files through their control panel or FTP. Always check with your hosting provider for specific instructions.\n\nTo back up your world, simply copy the .fwl and .db files to a safe location, such as an external hard drive, cloud storage, or another folder on your computer. For added security, consider creating multiple backups and storing them in different locations. This ensures that even if one backup fails, you still have others to fall back on. You can also compress the files into a .zip archive to save space and make it easier to manage.\n\nFor players who want to automate the backup process, there are tools and scripts available that can create scheduled backups. For example, you can use a simple batch script on Windows to copy the world files to a backup folder at regular intervals. Alternatively, third-party server management tools like Valheim Plus or dedicated server hosting platforms often include built-in backup features. These tools can save you time and ensure your world is backed up consistently without manual intervention.\n\nOne common challenge players face is accidentally overwriting or deleting their world files. To avoid this, always rename your backup files with a clear and descriptive name, such as including the date or version number. For example, MyWorld_Backup_20231015.zip makes it easy to identify when the backup was created. Additionally, avoid modifying the original world files directly unless you’re confident in what you’re doing.\n\nAnother practical tip is to back up your character files as well. These files are stored in the same directory as the world files but are named after your character. Backing up both your world and character ensures that all your progress, inventory, and skills are preserved. This is especially important if you’ve spent a lot of time gathering rare resources like Black Metal or crafting high-tier items like the Draugr Fang bow.\n\nIn conclusion, backing up your Valheim server world is a simple yet essential task that can save you from losing hours of hard work. By locating your world files, creating manual or automated backups, and following best practices like naming and storing backups securely, you can protect your progress and enjoy the game with peace of mind. Whether you’re a new player building your first longhouse or an experienced Viking exploring the Mistlands, taking the time to back up your world is always worth it.