Back up the complete world save before editing it
- Step 1: Close Valheim, open the in-game save manager or the owner’s server file manager, and identify whether the world is local, cloud-backed, or server-owned.
- Step 2: Copy the complete relevant world and companion save files to a dated folder outside the active save location; do not overwrite the original.
- Step 3: Load the copied world in a separate profile, check the world name and inventory, and only then edit, move, or migrate the working copy.
On Windows, local world saves are normally under %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local; older installations may use the worlds folder instead. A world uses a matching .db file and .fwl file, so copy both together while Valheim is closed. Steam Cloud or a dedicated server can own a different authoritative copy; do not overwrite the local file until the active save is identified.
The expensive mistake is editing the only copy. A successful backup must load as the intended world with the expected buildings, inventory, portals, settings, and seed—not merely contain a file with the right name.
- Close Valheim before checking or moving local, cloud, or server saves.
- Copy the relevant companion files to a dated folder outside the active save location.
- Load the copy in a separate profile and check world name and inventory before touching the original.
Save ownership check
| Save type | Ask or locate | Prove the copy |
|---|---|---|
| Local | World name and complete relevant save set | Load the copy and check world name and inventory |
| Cloud-backed | Which copy is current and when it last synced | Load the downloaded copy before changing sync settings |
| Server-owned | Server owner, save location, permission, and backup destination | Restore through the server workflow and test joining |
Confirm the result in game
The copied world appears and loads successfully before the original is edited or moved.
If joining or applying the setting fails
- Stop overwriting files when the copy does not load.
- Locate the server owner and backup source if the world is not local.
- Keep the untouched copy outside the active save folder.