Update Enshrouded Server Without Losing World

Updating your Enshrouded dedicated server doesn’t have to mean starting over. This guide walks you through a safe update that preserves your world, characters, and progress. You’ll back up your save files, install the new server version, and restore your world—all without losing anything.

What You’ll Need

• Access to your server’s file system (via FTP, SSH, or your hosting provider’s file manager).
• The server’s save folder location. On a typical Linux install via SteamCMD, it’s ~/.config/unity3d/Keen Software House/EnshroudedServer/. On Windows, it’s usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\unity3d\Keen Software House\EnshroudedServer\.
• A backup tool or just a way to copy folders (zip, tar, or your file manager).
• SteamCMD or your hosting provider’s update method (for dedicated servers).
• Sufficient disk space for the backup and the updated game files.

Step-by-Step

1. Stop the server completely. Use your control panel’s stop button, or run kill on the server process. Do not skip this—updating while the server is running can corrupt the world.
2. Locate your save folder. Navigate to the path shown above. On Linux, you can use find ~ -name "EnshroudedServer" if you’re unsure. On Windows, check the AppData folder (make sure hidden files are visible).
3. Back up the entire save folder. Copy the whole EnshroudedServer folder to a safe location outside the server directory. Name it something like EnshroudedServer_backup_YYYYMMDD. If you’re using a hosting panel, use its backup feature or download the folder via FTP.
4. Verify the backup is complete. Check that the folder contains subfolders like saves and logs. The saves folder holds your world files (with .wld and .hgm extensions). If the backup is empty or missing these, don’t proceed—redo the backup.
5. Update the server files. Use SteamCMD to update Enshrouded Dedicated Server (app ID 2278520). Example command: steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2278520 validate +quit. If you’re using a hosting provider, use their update button or follow their instructions.
6. Start the server once. Launch the server to let it generate new configuration files. Then stop it again immediately. This ensures the new version has created its default files, which you’ll then overwrite with your backup.
7. Copy your backup back. Replace the new (empty) save folder with your backup. Overwrite any existing files. On Linux, you can use cp -r /path/to/backup/EnshroudedServer/* ~/.config/unity3d/Keen Software House/EnshroudedServer/.
8. Start the server normally. Launch the server again. Watch the logs to confirm it loads your world. You should see a message like “Loading world” or the world name in the console.
9. Test in-game. Join the server and verify your character and world are intact. Check a few chests and buildings to be sure.

Common Mistakes

• Not stopping the server before backup. Copying files while the server is running can result in a corrupted backup.
• Backing up the wrong folder. Some users back up the game installation folder instead of the save folder. The saves are in the Unity config folder, not in the SteamCMD install directory.
• Overwriting the save folder with the new version’s files. After the update, the server may create a fresh save. If you copy that over your backup, you lose your world. Always replace the new files with your backup, not the other way around.
• Skipping the “start once” step. If you don’t let the new version generate its config files, your old config might be incompatible and cause crashes.
• Not verifying the backup. A backup that is empty or missing the saves folder is useless. Always check before updating.

Tips

• Keep multiple backups. Rotate them: keep the last two or three, so you can roll back if something goes wrong after the update.
• Schedule updates during off-peak hours. This gives you time to troubleshoot without players waiting.
• Read the patch notes. Sometimes updates change save formats. Knowing what changed helps you anticipate issues.
• Use a script for automation. If you run a Linux server, write a simple shell script that stops the server, backs up, updates, and restarts. This reduces human error.
• Check the server log after starting. Look for any lines with “ERROR” or “WARNING” related to world loading.

Troubleshooting

Server fails to start after update. Check the logs for missing or corrupted files. If you suspect the save is incompatible, try restoring the backup again. If that fails, try starting a new world to see if the server runs at all—if it does, the issue is with your save. In that case, wait for a hotfix or contact the game’s support.

World loads but characters are missing. This can happen if the save folder structure changed. Verify that your backup includes the saves subfolder and that you copied it into the correct location. Sometimes the server creates a new character folder with a different name—check if your old characters are in a subfolder like characters.

Players can’t join after update. Ensure the server’s port (default 15636) is open and that the server is running the same version as the clients. If the update changed the protocol, clients may need to update too.

Backup is corrupted. If you have no valid backup, you may be out of luck. Some community tools exist, but they are not official and may not work. Always keep a backup before updating.

SteamCMD errors during update. Run steamcmd +login anonymous +app_update 2278520 validate +quit again. If it fails, check your internet connection and disk space. Sometimes the Steam servers are busy—wait and retry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update without stopping the server? No. Stopping the server is essential to avoid file corruption. The game world is being written to disk constantly; interrupting that can break your save.

Where exactly are the save files on Windows? The default path is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\unity3d\Keen Software House\EnshroudedServer\. You may need to enable “Show hidden files” in Explorer to see the AppData folder.

Do I need to back up the whole EnshroudedServer folder or just the saves subfolder? Back up the whole folder. It contains config files and logs that might be useful for troubleshooting. The important part is the saves subfolder, but extra files don’t hurt.

Will my world be compatible with the new version? Usually yes, but not always. The developers try to keep saves compatible, but major updates can break them. That’s why the backup is crucial—if the new version can’t load your world, you can roll back.

How do I roll back to the previous version if the update breaks my world? Restore your backup and start the server. If the server version is now newer than the client, you may need to downgrade the server. You can use SteamCMD to install a specific build (if available) or wait for a hotfix.

Can I update the server while players are online? No. You must stop the server, update, and restart. Players will be disconnected. Announce the maintenance window in advance.

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