Preserve your world before switching saves, importing archives, changing persistent world rules, or updating the game. A backup is most useful when you know what it contains and have tested that it can restore meaningful progress.

Full-server backup

Use Server Manage → Backups to request a MaximusHost server backup. Wait for its completion state, then check the recorded archive details. A queued job is not the same as a finished recovery point.

Before a major change, allow the game to complete a world save and stop the server if the workflow calls for it. If a restore is needed, select the intended backup and follow the Backups restore flow. Expect progress made after that backup to be absent.

Full-server backups can include configuration as well as world data. Before restarting after restore, verify the selected world, password policy, and server settings are still what you intend.

Valheim automatic backup settings

Under Properties → Settings, Valheim exposes the world-save interval, number of built-in automatic backups, and short/long backup intervals. These belong to the game itself; they are not the same as MaximusHost full-server backup scheduling and retention.

Worlds can display backup-named save copies separately. Treat those as alternate preserved saves. Selecting one does not mean the original world was overwritten.

World-only export and import

For a portable world copy, use the supported .tar.gz world-only export/import actions under Worlds. Stop the server before import. The manager validates archives and adds them as a distinct world, without automatically selecting or replacing the current world.

Keep the original archive and confirm the imported save appears complete. Select it only after checking the target name, then start and join the game to verify the world actually contains the expected structures and progress.

Older saves may consist of a matching .fwl and .db pair; newer Valheim saves can use a chunked generation. Do not manually combine parts from different generations or mistake one file for a complete backup.

Rehearse a restore

On a disposable test world, place a distinctive structure and save. Take a backup, change the structure, and restore from the earlier recovery point. Rejoin and verify that the expected older state has returned.

Also test a world-only export and import under a separate unused name. Confirm both the imported and original worlds still exist. A test of the actual game is more informative than an archive-success status alone.

Troubleshooting

If a restored server launches a blank world, stop it and verify the selected world before making another change. If an archive import is rejected, check that it matches the supported world-only format and that the name doesn't collide with an existing save.

If restoration appears incomplete, preserve the current server state for investigation. Report the server ID, approximate operation time, backup identifier, and non-sensitive messages. Never paste passwords or credentials into a support ticket.

For an overview of world selection and rules, see Worlds and Settings. For joining after recovery, see Connection and Passwords.