Understanding Valheim World Save Files
How Valheim save files work, where they're stored, the .fwl/.db pair, and how to manage them on your dedicated server.
Understanding Valheim's save file structure helps you manage worlds, create backups, and troubleshoot issues.
Save File Structure
Each Valheim world consists of two files:
| File | Extension | Contains |
|---|---|---|
| World metadata | .fwl | World name, seed, UID, version |
| World data | .db | Terrain, buildings, items, creatures, everything |
Both files share the same name (your world name):
MyWorld.fwl
MyWorld.dbSave Location on Server
On XGamingServer, world saves are located at:
.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/Go to Files and navigate to this path to find your world files.
Save Intervals
Valheim auto-saves at regular intervals:
- Default: Every 30 minutes (1800 seconds)
- Configurable: Use the
-saveintervalstartup parameter
-saveinterval 900This sets auto-save to every 15 minutes.
💡 Tip: More frequent saves protect against data loss but can cause brief lag spikes during the save. Every 15–20 minutes is a good balance.
Back Up Your World
Manual Backup
Download both files
In the XGamingServer Panel, click Files in the sidebar, navigate to the worlds folder, and download both .fwl and .db files.
Automatic Backups
Use the Backups page in the panel sidebar to set up scheduled backups. See Backup & Restore.
Upload a World
Upload both files
In Files, navigate to the worlds folder and upload both .fwl and .db files together.
Set the world name
In Startup, set the World Name variable to match your uploaded file name (without the extension).
See Upload an Existing World for a detailed guide.
Multiple Worlds
You can have multiple worlds on your server, but only one runs at a time. Switch worlds by changing the world name in Startup.
All worlds in the worlds_local folder are preserved — switching doesn't delete anything.
Cloud Saves vs Local Saves
Valheim supports both cloud saves and local saves for singleplayer:
- Cloud saves are stored in Steam's cloud storage
- Local saves are in
worlds_local
To upload a cloud save to your server, you must first move it to local storage in the Valheim game settings, then upload the files.
Save File Size
| World State | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
| Fresh world | ~5 MB |
| Moderately explored | 50–100 MB |
| Fully explored with builds | 200–500 MB |
| Heavy modding + exploration | 500 MB+ |
Large save files can cause longer load times and save lag spikes. If your world file is very large, consider starting fresh or reducing build complexity.
Related Guides
See also: Upload Save | Restore Backup | Find World Seed | Reset Server
If you need help, join our Discord.
How is this guide?
Valheim World Modifiers Reference
Customize combat difficulty, death penalties, resource rates, raids, and portal restrictions on your Valheim dedicated server.
How to Find or Set the World Seed on Your Valheim Server
View your current Valheim world seed and learn how to start a new world with a specific seed.