# How to Upload a World to Your Valheim Server (/docs/valheim/import-save)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { Files, Folder, File } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/files';

You can upload a world from singleplayer or a local game to your dedicated server. Each world consists of two files: a `.db` (world data) and a `.fwl` (world metadata including the seed).

Find Your Local World [#find-your-local-world]

On **Windows**, Valheim worlds are stored at:

```
%userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\
```

Each world has two files you need to copy together:

<Files>
  <Folder name="worlds_local" defaultOpen>
    <File name="MyWorld.db" />

    <File name="MyWorld.fwl" />

    <File name="MyWorld.db.old" />

    <File name="MyWorld.fwl.old" />
  </Folder>
</Files>

The `.old` files are automatic backups — you don't need to upload them.

Upload Your World [#upload-your-world]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Stop the server [#stop-the-server]

    Go to **Console** in the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) and stop the server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Back up the existing world [#back-up-the-existing-world]

    Go to **Backups** and create a backup before overwriting.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Upload both files [#upload-both-files]

    Click **Files** in the sidebar. Navigate to the server's worlds directory and upload **both** the `.db` and `.fwl` files. They must have matching names.

    {/* Screenshot needed: File Manager showing worlds directory */}
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Update the world name [#update-the-world-name]

    In **Startup**, find the **World** variable (maps to `-world`) and set it to match your uploaded files (without the extension).

    For example, if you uploaded `MyAwesomeWorld.db` and `MyAwesomeWorld.fwl`, set:

    ```
    MyAwesomeWorld
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Start the server [#start-the-server]

    Start from **Console**. The server loads your uploaded world.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                             | Fix                                                                                                |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| World doesn't load                  | Verify both `.db` and `.fwl` files were uploaded with **matching names** (case-sensitive on Linux) |
| Server creates a new world          | The `-world` startup variable doesn't match your uploaded filename                                 |
| "Password matches world name" error | The server password and world name must be different. Change one of them                           |
| Old version world won't load        | Valheim worlds are forward-compatible but not backward. Update your server to the latest version   |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [World Save Files](/docs/valheim/world-save-files)
* [Manage Worlds](/docs/valheim/manage-worlds)
* [Upload Existing World](/docs/valheim/upload-existing-world)
* [Wipe & Reinstall](/docs/valheim/wipe-reinstall)