# How to Back Up and Restore Your Project Zomboid Server (/docs/project-zomboid/backups)



Regular backups protect your server from data loss, corruption, and accidental changes. This guide covers how to back up and restore your Project Zomboid server.

What to Back Up [#what-to-back-up]

Project Zomboid saves are located at:

```
Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/[servername]/
```

This folder contains:

* **Map data** — chunk files, explored areas, building states
* **Player data** — `players.db` with all character info
* **Vehicle data** — vehicle positions and conditions
* **Server config** — `[servername].ini` and `_SandboxVars.lua`

Create a Manual Backup [#create-a-manual-backup]

Via XGamingServer Panel [#via-xgamingserver-panel]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Force save the server [#1-force-save-the-server]

    Use the **Console** or in-game chat to force a save:

    ```
    /save
    ```
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Create a backup [#2-create-a-backup]

    Go to **Backups** in your panel sidebar and create a new backup.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Download the backup [#3-download-the-backup]

    Download the backup file for off-site storage.
  </div>
</div>

Via File Manager [#via-file-manager]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Force save [#1-force-save]

    Run `/save` in the console.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Download the save folder [#2-download-the-save-folder]

    Go to **Files**, navigate to `Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/[servername]/`, and download the entire folder.
  </div>
</div>

Set Up Automatic Backups [#set-up-automatic-backups]

On XGamingServer, automatic backups are available through the **Backups** page in your panel. You can configure:

* **Backup frequency** — how often backups are created
* **Retention** — how many backups to keep

> 💡 **Tip:** Set up daily backups and keep at least 7 days of history. This gives you a week of restore points if something goes wrong.

Restore from a Backup [#restore-from-a-backup]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Stop your server [#1-stop-your-server]

    Stop the server from the **Dashboard**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Restore the backup [#2-restore-the-backup]

    Go to **Backups**, find the backup you want to restore, and click **Restore**.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Start the server [#3-start-the-server]

    Start the server from the **Dashboard**.
  </div>
</div>

Restore Specific Files [#restore-specific-files]

If you only need to restore certain data:

Player Data Only [#player-data-only]

Restore just `players.db` from the backup to recover player characters without resetting the world.

World Data Only [#world-data-only]

Restore the map/chunk files while keeping the current `players.db` to reset the world but keep players.

Configuration Only [#configuration-only]

Restore `[servername].ini` and `_SandboxVars.lua` to recover server settings.

Best Practices [#best-practices]

* **Back up before major changes** — mod updates, version updates, config changes
* **Back up before wipes** — always save a copy before resetting
* **Keep off-site backups** — download backups to your local machine periodically
* **Test your backups** — occasionally restore to a test instance to verify they work

Related Guides [#related-guides]

See also: [Reset Server](/docs/project-zomboid/wipe-server) | [Reset World](/docs/project-zomboid/world-reset) | [Configure Your Server](/docs/project-zomboid/server-config)

If you need help, join our [Discord](https://discord.xgamingserver.com/).