How to Upload a World to Your Valheim Server

Before You Start

Valheim worlds consist of two files: WorldName.db (the world data) and WorldName.fwl (the world metadata). You need both. If your world is named Midgard, you need Midgard.db and Midgard.fwl.

Always back up your save files before doing anything. Copy them to a separate folder on your desktop before you begin.

Step 1: Find Your World Files

Where your saves live depends on how you bought Valheim:

Steam (Most Common)

Valheim saves can be in one of two places depending on whether Steam Cloud sync is on.

Local saves (Steam Cloud sync off, or synced copies downloaded locally):

C:\Users\YourName\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\

The AppData folder is hidden by default. To see it: open File Explorer → type %AppData% in the address bar → go up one level to AppData → then navigate LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local.

Steam Cloud saves (Steam Cloud sync on):

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\YOUR_STEAM_ID\892970\remote\worlds\

Replace YOUR_STEAM_ID with your numeric Steam ID — it's the folder name inside userdata. If you have multiple folders, open each one; the Valheim folder is 892970.

Not sure which folder has your world? Check the file modification date — your most recent session will have the newest timestamps.

Xbox / Game Pass (PC)

Xbox Game Pass worlds aren't directly accessible as files. You need to move them to local storage first:

1. Launch Valheim from Game Pass
2. On the main menu, click Manage Saves
3. Find your world, click the three-dot menu, and select Move to Local
4. Exit the game
5. Your world files are now in: C:\Users\YourName\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\

Step 2: Upload to the Panel

1. Stop your server from the panel — never upload files to a running server
2. In the panel, go to File Manager
3. Navigate to the worlds directory — usually /home/container/.config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds/ or /worlds/ depending on your server egg
4. Upload both the .db and .fwl files
5. Once uploaded, go to the Startup tab and make sure the World Name variable matches your world's filename exactly (without the extension)
6. Start your server

The server will load your world on startup. Connect and confirm the world loaded correctly (your existing structures and progress should be there).

Step 3: Verify It Worked

Connect to the server and look around. If you see your existing builds and the map is familiar, you're done.

If the world loaded but something looks off (missing builds, different seed), double-check that the World Name in the startup settings exactly matches the filename — it's case-sensitive.

Troubleshooting

Server starts but world is empty / like a fresh world → The World Name in startup settings doesn't match the filename. Check for typos or capitalization differences.

Server won't start after upload → The .db file may be corrupted. Restore your backup, or try loading the .db.old backup file that Valheim creates automatically:

1. Delete the current .db file from the panel File Manager
2. Rename WorldName.db.old → WorldName.db
3. Restart the server

I don't see a .fwl file → If you only have a .db file, Valheim can regenerate the .fwl on first load. Upload just the .db and start the server — it will create the .fwl automatically.

Xbox world still can't be found after "Move to Local" → Make sure you're logged in with the same Xbox account in the Game Pass app. The worlds_local folder may be inside a user-specific subdirectory if you've logged in with multiple accounts.