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Restore Server Backup

Palworld Guide • Updated Jan 6, 2026

Restore Server Backup

Sometimes disaster strikes - accidental deletions, game corruption, or problematic updates. Palworld automatically creates backups that can restore your world and player data to previous states. This guide helps you safely restore your server and get back to adventuring with your Pals.

⚠️ Critical: Always stop your server completely before attempting backup restoration. Performing restores while server is running can cause save corruption or data loss.

Understanding Palworld Backup System

  • Automatic Creation: Backups created during autosave intervals
  • World Data: Terrain, structures, and environmental objects
  • Player Progress: Character levels, inventory, and Pal data
  • Base Information: Buildings, containers, and crafted items
  • Time-Based Organization: Backup files organized by timestamp

When to Restore Backups

🔄 Common Recovery Scenarios

  • Griefer Attacks: Malicious players destroying bases
  • Save Corruption: Game crashes or power outages
  • Update Issues: Buggy patches breaking world functionality
  • Accidental Loss: Mistakenly deleting important items
  • Testing Gone Wrong: Experimental base designs gone wrong

Pre-Restore Preparation

Step 1: Server Shutdown

  1. Access your server control panel
  2. Click the STOP button to completely shut down server
  3. Wait for server status to show "Stopped"
  4. Verify no processes are running

Step 2: Safety Backup

  1. Open File Manager
  2. Navigate to your save directory
  3. Create a manual backup of current world
  4. Download important save files to local computer

Manual Backup Restoration

Step 3: Navigate to Save Directory

  1. In File Manager, go to: /Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0//
  2. Locate your world save folder (typically long random string)
  3. Enter the backup/world/ subdirectory
  4. Find the backup folder with your target save ID

Step 4: Identify Target Backup

Inside the backup directory, you'll find:

File/Folder Purpose
Level.sav Main world data file
LevelMeta.sav World metadata and settings
Players/ Player character data and progress
backup/world/ Timestamped backup files

Step 5: Restore Process

  1. Copy the contents of your chosen backup folder
  2. Navigate back to main save directory
  3. Paste the backup contents into /Pal/Saved/SaveGames/0///
  4. Confirm file replacement when prompted
  5. Verify all files have been copied successfully
💡 Pro Tip: Look for backup folders with timestamps matching when your world was in good condition. Backups are typically named with date/time stamps for easy identification.

Step 6: Server Restart

  1. Return to server control panel
  2. Click START button to restart server
  3. Monitor startup logs for errors
  4. Test server connection and functionality

Alternative Restoration Methods

Using Control Panel Backup Tool

Many hosting providers offer one-click backup restoration:

  1. Access Backup Manager in your control panel
  2. Browse available backup timestamps
  3. Click Restore on your desired backup
  4. Confirm restoration and wait for completion

External Backup Files

If you have downloaded backup files:

  1. Upload your backup file to server
  2. Extract if compressed (.zip, .tar.gz)
  3. Place files in appropriate directory
  4. Ensure file permissions are correct

Troubleshooting

Restore Fails to Load

  • Verify backup file integrity and completeness
  • Check for version compatibility issues
  • Ensure server is completely stopped during restore
  • Try restoring from a different backup timestamp

Missing Player Data

  • Restore both world and player backup folders
  • Check Players directory contains all character files
  • Verify save IDs match between world and players
  • Consider recent manual character backups if available

World Corruption After Restore

  • Try restoring from an earlier backup
  • Check for incompatible mods or versions
  • Verify backup files weren't corrupted
  • Consider starting fresh world if necessary

Prevention Strategies

🛡️ Best Practices

  • Regular Backups: Configure automatic backup schedules
  • External Storage: Download backups periodically
  • Admin Protection: Use strong passwords and whitelists
  • Update Testing: Test updates on staging servers first
  • Player Education: Teach proper server etiquette

Backup Frequency Recommendations

Server Type Backup Frequency Retention Period
Private Server Every 2 hours 7 days
Public Server Every hour 14 days
Community Server Every 30 minutes 30 days

Advanced Recovery

For complex scenarios:

  • Partial Restore: Restore specific buildings or areas
  • Player Data Recovery: Restore individual character progress
  • Base Reconstruction: Recreate specific bases from backups
  • Pal Recovery: Restore specific Pal data or inventories

Emergency Support

If standard restore methods fail:

  • Contact your hosting provider's support team
  • Join Palworld community Discord for expert help
  • Consider professional data recovery services
  • Document all steps taken for troubleshooting

Protect your Palworld adventure with reliable hosting services featuring automated backups, one-click restoration, and expert support to keep your world safe and your Pals happy.

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