Upload Existing World to Valheim Server

This guide walks you through moving a single-player or dedicated Valheim world into a dedicated server so you and friends can play on the same map. You will need the world files from your local save, access to the server’s file system (via FTP, SFTP, or a web panel), and the server stopped while you copy files. No mods are required for a basic transfer.

What You’ll Need

Your Valheim world files (the .db and .fwl files, and optionally the .db.old and .fwl.old backups).
Access to the server’s file system (FTP/SFTP credentials, or a web-based file manager from your hosting provider).
The ability to stop and start the server (via control panel or command line).
A text editor (like Notepad) if you want to rename the world.

Step-by-Step

Find your local world files. On Windows, press Win+R, type %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds, and press Enter. On Linux (if you played locally), look in ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds. On macOS, the path is ~/Library/Application Support/unity.IronGate.Valheim/worlds.
Identify the world files. Each world has two main files: the .db file (contains world data) and the .fwl file (contains the world seed and metadata). There may also be .db.old and .fwl.old backups; you can ignore those unless you want to roll back.
Note the world name. The file name (without extension) is the world name. For example, MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl mean the world is called “MyWorld”.
Stop the server. Log into your server’s control panel or SSH and stop the Valheim server process. Do not skip this; copying files while the server is running can corrupt the world.
Locate the server’s world folder. On a typical Linux dedicated server, the default path is ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds. If you are using a hosting panel, there is usually a “worlds” folder in the server’s directory. If you are unsure, search for an existing .fwl file on the server.
Upload the files. Use your FTP/SFTP client or the web file manager to upload your .db and .fwl files to that worlds folder. Overwrite any existing files with the same name.
Set the world name in the server config. Open the server’s start script or config file (often start_server.sh or valheim_server.service). Find the line that includes -world "SomeName". Change SomeName to exactly match your uploaded world’s file name (without extensions). For example, if you uploaded MyWorld.db, set -world "MyWorld".
Start the server. Start the server from your control panel or with the start script. Watch the console logs for a line like “Loading world MyWorld” to confirm it picked up your world.
Test the connection. Join the server from your Valheim client. You should load into your world with your buildings and character progress intact. If you do not see your world, double-check the world name in the config and that the files are in the correct folder.

Common Mistakes

Uploading to the wrong folder. The server looks for worlds in a specific directory. If you put the files in the main game folder instead of the worlds subfolder, the server will not see them.
Forgetting to stop the server. Copying files while the server is running can cause the world to be overwritten or corrupted. Always stop the server first.
Mismatched file names. The -world argument must match the .db/.fwl file names exactly, including case sensitivity on Linux. If the server expects MyWorld but you uploaded myworld.db, it will generate a new world.
Only uploading one file. You need both the .db and .fwl files. If you only upload one, the server may create a new world or fail to load.
Using the .old files. The .old files are backups. If you accidentally upload those instead of the main files, you might get an older version of the world.

Tips

Back up your local files before uploading. Copy the entire worlds folder to a safe place. This protects you if something goes wrong during the transfer.
Use the same world name. Keeping the world name identical avoids confusion and prevents the server from creating a new world.
Check file permissions. On Linux, ensure the uploaded files have read/write permissions for the user running the server (usually chmod 644 for files and chmod 755 for directories). If the server cannot read the files, it will not load the world.
Test with a backup world first. If you are unsure about the process, upload a copy of your world (rename it to something like TestWorld) and test that before overwriting your main world on the server.

Troubleshooting

The server starts but generates a new world. This usually means the server did not find your files. Check that the world name in the config matches the file names exactly, and that the files are in the correct folder. Also verify the file extensions are lowercase (.db and .fwl).
The server crashes on startup. This can happen if the world files are corrupted or incompatible. Try uploading the .old backup files instead, or restore your local backup and re-upload.
Players join but see a different world. Make sure you are connecting to the correct server IP and port. If you have multiple Valheim servers running, ensure the world files are in the correct server’s folder.
World loads but buildings are missing. This may be because you uploaded an older version of the world. Check the timestamp of the .db file on the server. If it is not the latest, re-upload the correct file.
Cannot connect to the server at all. Check that the server is running and the firewall allows the Valheim port (default 2456). Also verify your client is using the correct IP and port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to convert the world files?
A: No, Valheim uses the same file format for local and dedicated servers. You can simply copy the files.

Q: Can I upload a world from a modded client to a vanilla server?
A: It depends on the mods. Mods that add items or terrain may cause issues on a vanilla server. If the world uses modded content, the server should also have those mods installed.

Q: What if I want to rename the world after uploading?
A: You can rename the .db and .fwl files, but you must also update the -world argument in the server config to match the new name. Make sure both files are renamed consistently.

Q: How do I transfer a world from a Linux local install?
A: The path is ~/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds. The files are the same, so you can upload them to the server in the same way.

Q: Will my character progress transfer with the world?
A: No, character data is stored separately on the server. Players will start with new characters unless you also transfer character files (which is more complex and not recommended).

Q: Can I upload a world while the server is running?
A: It is not recommended. The server may overwrite the files or read them incorrectly. Always stop the server first.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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