How to backup a dedicated server?

[Badmethod]

I tried the support forums but I don't think they get read all that much so trying here, hope that's ok if not please delete.

Hi guys. Can't seem to find a definitive  answer to this question so I thought I'd ask here. All I want to do is make sure my dedicated server is backed up but all the answers I have found so far are confusing. Do I do it from the server terminal window while the game is running via some sort of command or do I log in via single player on the server computer and do some sort of save that way? Wife and I are rather invested in this save and don't want to lose it hehe. Any and all help appreciated. 

[Thorfinn]

Whenever we back it up, we shut down the server, then either manually back up the save file, or if it was a single player world opened to the multi, through the Backup button. For what it's worth, we've only had to restore one backup, and that's because the guy hosting it had a flaky hard drive. We have never had to restore a dedicated server, though we have migrated one.

Edited December 31, 2023 by Thorfinn

[Badmethod]

Thank you for the reply Thorfinn, (love the Vinland name by the way.  ) Going to backup the save itself at regular intervals and keep it safe somewhere. Probably on my NaS. Thank you again for the reply.

[MilkyMilk]

I Know this post is like 2 years old but how do I manually back up the server?

[Zunedoodle]

On 9/20/2025 at 9:10 PM, MilkyMilk said:

I Know this post is like 2 years old but how do I manually back up the server?

Shut down the server and go to where you have your local saves. It should be under %appdata% roaming\vintagestorydata\saves. Just copy the save file into the backup file, or make a new file named backup and save the world save there. You could also save the serverconfig.json file as well, since that is your server settings.