# How to Upload a Singleplayer World to Your Valheim Server (/docs/valheim/upload-existing-world)



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

You can upload a world from your local game (or another server) to continue playing it on your XGamingServer Valheim server. The process is the same whether the source world was singleplayer or co-op.

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

A Valheim world is **two files** that must be uploaded together:

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

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

Move from Steam Cloud to Local (if needed) [#move-from-steam-cloud-to-local-if-needed]

If your worlds are saved to Steam Cloud, you need to move them to local storage first.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open Valheim [#open-valheim]

    Launch the game from Steam.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the world selection screen [#open-the-world-selection-screen]

    Click **New Game** to see your world list.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Move to Local [#move-to-local]

    Select your world and click **Move to Local**. The world is now stored on disk instead of Steam Cloud.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Local Save Path (Windows) [#local-save-path-windows]

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

> **Tip:** Press `Win + R`, paste the path above, and press Enter to open the folder directly.

Upload to Your Server [#upload-to-your-server]

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

    In the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com), go to **Console** and stop your server.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open the worlds directory [#open-the-worlds-directory]

    Click **Files** in the sidebar and navigate to your server's worlds directory (typically `worlds_local/`).
  </Step>

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

    Upload **both** the `.fwl` and `.db` files together. They must have matching names (case-sensitive on Linux).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Set the world name [#set-the-world-name]

    Go to **Startup** in the sidebar and set the **World Name** variable to match your uploaded files **without the extension**.

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

    ```
    MyWorld
    ```
  </Step>

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

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

Verify the Upload [#verify-the-upload]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Connect [#connect]

    Join the server. See [Connect to Your Server](/docs/valheim/join-server).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Check your progress [#check-your-progress]

    Verify your bases, progress, and structures are intact.
  </Step>
</Steps>

> **Note:** Character data (skills, inventory, map exploration) is stored on the **player's local device**, not in the world file. Your character carries over to the server with everything intact, but other players' map exploration starts fresh.

Common Issues [#common-issues]

| Problem                              | Fix                                                                                                                     |
| ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| World doesn't load                   | The **World Name** in Startup must match the file name **exactly** (case-sensitive on Linux). Check for trailing spaces |
| Only one of the two files uploaded   | Re-upload — both `.fwl` AND `.db` are required                                                                          |
| "Wrong world loading"                | Another world with the same name may exist in the worlds folder. Delete duplicates                                      |
| "Password matches world name" error  | Valheim refuses to start when these are equal. Change one of them in **Startup**                                        |
| Server creates a fresh world instead | The world name doesn't match. Verify in **Files** that the uploaded files exist with the expected name                  |

Download Your Server World [#download-your-server-world]

To go the other direction (server → local):

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Force a save [#force-a-save]

    Connect to the server, press **F5**, and type:

    ```
    save
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Download the files [#download-the-files]

    In **Files**, navigate to the worlds folder and download both `.fwl` and `.db` files.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Place in your local folder [#place-in-your-local-folder]

    Put the files in your local `worlds_local` folder. The world appears in Valheim's world selection screen on next launch.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Upload a World (alt)](/docs/valheim/import-save)
* [World Save Files](/docs/valheim/world-save-files)
* [Manage Worlds](/docs/valheim/manage-worlds)
* [Backup & Restore](/docs/valheim/backup-restore)