Import a map to a Valheim server

Import a map or world to your Valheim server

You started a Valheim game solo or with a few friends and now want to move this world to your nitroserv server?

Just retrieve the two files from your save, send them from the Files tab of the nitroserv Manager, then tell the server which world to load at startup (tadam 🎉).

I'll rent one and follow the rest of the tutorial right after!

Quick answer

To import your Valheim world:

1. start your server for the first time, then stop it;
2. retrieve the .db and .fwl files from your world on your computer;
3. in the nitroserv Manager, open Files then navigate to .config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/;
4. drag and drop your two files into the folder, or click Transfer;
5. open the Dashboard tab;
6. in the Information box, click Edit;
7. enter the name of your save in Map / World, without .db or .fwl;
8. save and start your server (done)

For example, if you import MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl, simply enter MyWorld in Map / World.

Step 1: Start your server for the first time

If your server was just created, start it for the first time from your nitroserv Manager.

Wait until it shows Online in the top left, then stop it.

This first startup allows Valheim to properly create the necessary folders.

For the rest of the import, keep your server stopped!

Step 2: Find your world on your computer

On Windows, your local Valheim saves are usually located in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\.

Each world consists of two files with the same name, for example MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl: you must import both.

Your world doesn't appear in worlds_local?

It's probably saved in Steam Cloud.

From Valheim:

1. open your save management with Manage Saves;
2. select your world;
3. choose Move to Local;
4. then properly close the game.

You should then find its .db and .fwl files in worlds_local.

Step 3: Send your world from the nitroserv Manager

With your server still stopped:

1. open the Files tab of the nitroserv Manager;

2. navigate to .config \ unity3d \ IronGate \ Valheim \ worlds_local, or click on the Files tab of your Manager then paste ?directory=%2F.config%2Funity3d%2FIronGate%2FValheim%2Fworlds_local directly at the end of the url.

3. drag and drop your world's .db and .fwl files directly into the window, or click Transfer to select them on your computer.

   

You should therefore find, for example, MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl in the worlds_local folder.

Step 4: Tell the server which world to load

Once the files are sent:

1. go back to the Dashboard tab;

2. find the Information box, in the top right;

   

3. click Edit;

4. in the Map / World field, enter the exact name of your save;

   

5. confirm the change.

If your files are named MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl, simply enter: MyWorld

No need to add .db or .fwl.

Step 5: Start your server

All that's left is to start your server.

Once online, connect and verify that you find your old world, your constructions and your progress.

And there you have it: no FTP, no command line, no ritual sacrifice to Odin.

What if I want to recover my world from the server?

The procedure also works the other way around.

Stop your server, open Files, navigate to .config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local/, then download the .db and .fwl files corresponding to your world.

You can then place them back in the worlds_local folder on your computer.

What if my server generates a new empty world?

Verify that:

• the .db and .fwl files have exactly the same name;
• you have sent both files;
• they are located in worlds_local;
• the Map / World field matches their name exactly;
• you haven't added .db or .fwl in this field;
• the transfer is complete before starting the server.

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Need help?

If your old world doesn't load, if the server generates a new map or if it doesn't restart properly after the import, we're available on our Discord or via our Twitter account!

You can also contact us directly via ticket from your Manager.