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Valheim / Controls & gameplay

Valheim: Dedicated server loads an empty or wrong world

If your dedicated server suddenly starts with a fresh, empty world, the old one is usually not lost. According to Iron Gate, the server creates a new world when the name after -world does not exactly match an existing world, or looks in the wrong place if -savedir differs. Iron Gate fixed rare data bugs in patches 1.0.17 and 1.0.21.

Updated: ·2 min read·Windows / PC
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STRAIGHT TO THE SOLUTION

Start here

01Stop the server cleanly and back up↓02Use a version with the data fixes↓03Check startup arguments↓
01

Stop the server cleanly and back up

  1. Stop the server with Ctrl+C in the console window, not with the X. Back up the whole save folder, even if the world looks empty.
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim
02

Use a version with the data fixes

  1. Update the server and client to at least 1.0.21. Patch 1.0.17 fixes a rare bug that could erase all objects in parts of the world when a large world file was split; 1.0.21 fixes a Steam cache issue after world files were changed outside the game.
  2. If you copied world files or restored a backup, fully restart the game before checking the world.
03

Check startup arguments

  1. Open your copy of start_headless_server.bat and compare the value after -world with your world's file name. A different name creates a new world.
  2. Check -savedir: if it points to a different folder than before, the server will not find your world. Steam resets the original start file on updates, which is why custom arguments often vanish after updating.
04

Check the world

  1. Start with the corrected name and path and wait for the Game server connected message. Check a known location such as your base.
  2. Keep the accidentally created empty world separately until you are sure everything is right.
05

If the world is still missing

  1. Look in the save folder for the world files and their automatic backups. The number and intervals of backups are controlled by -backups, -backupshort and -backuplong.
  2. Only restore a backup while the server is stopped, and restart the game afterwards.

Related guide

Sources and current status

Frequently asked questions

Does an empty world mean the old one was deleted?

Usually not. A different name or save path loads a new world instead of the existing one.

Why are my startup arguments gone after an update?

Steam resets the original start file on every update. Iron Gate recommends editing a copy.

Are there automatic backups?

Yes. The server creates backups according to -backups, -backupshort and -backuplong.

Can I keep several worlds on one server?

Yes. The server loads the world named after -world. Keep a separate copy of the start file with the matching name for each world.

← All fixes for Valheim