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To back up a Terraria server safely, stop the server first—or run save in a TShock console—then copy the world’s .wld file and, for tModLoader worlds, its matching .twld file to storage away from the server. To restore it, stop the server, replace the files in the server’s Worlds folder, make the configured world name match the filename without .wld, and restart. Keeping the entire Worlds folder is safer because it preserves related files and makes a rollback easier.
What a Terraria server backup must contain
A Terraria world is primarily stored in a file ending in .wld. That is the file you need for a vanilla server restore. A tModLoader world has an additional companion file ending in .twld; copy the matching pair together. The safest manual backup is the complete Worlds folder rather than one selected file, because it preserves every world and any associated files in one consistent set.
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Back up to a location that is not on the same server disk. A second local disk protects against an accidental overwrite, but an off-server copy is needed if the machine, virtual server, or hosting account becomes unavailable. Keep dated copies instead of one continually overwritten archive so you can choose a point before corruption, a bad build, or an unwanted change.
- Vanilla world: the
.wldfile. - tModLoader world: the
.wldfile and its matching.twldfile. - Safer set: the whole Worlds folder, copied while the server is stopped.
- Separate player data: Server-Side Characters (SSC) data requires its own backup plan; a world copy does not automatically prove that character inventories are protected.
Where Terraria world files are stored
The exact location depends on whether you are working with a local game installation or a hosted server. A hosting panel may expose a different-looking file tree, but the world files are normally under a directory named saves/Worlds/.
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| Environment | Typical Worlds location | What to copy |
|---|---|---|
| Windows local installation | DocumentsMy GamesTerrariaWorlds |
The target .wld; add .twld for tModLoader |
| Linux local installation | ~/.local/share/Terraria/Worlds/ |
The target .wld; add .twld for tModLoader |
| Typical hosted server | saves/Worlds/ |
The world file, companion file when applicable, or the complete Worlds folder |
If you cannot find the folder, first stop the server and use the panel’s file manager or the server’s configured save directory. Do not assume that a copy of the local client’s Worlds folder is the same as the hosted server’s active world; a server can be running from a separate installation or mounted directory.
Why you must stop or save before copying
Terraria may be writing the world while players are connected. Copying during that write can capture a partially written file, producing a backup that looks complete but will not load correctly. The reliable order is to stop the process, wait until the panel reports it has fully stopped, and then copy the files.
If a TShock console is available and a full stop would be inconvenient, issue save first and wait for the save to finish before copying. A manual save is useful for an immediate snapshot, but it does not remove the need to stop the server when you are replacing files during a restore.
The default hosted web console often accepts status controls but does not accept typed server commands. In that situation, use the panel’s stop button rather than assuming that entering save will work. A real TShock console or terminal is required for the command.
Manual backup procedure
1. Announce a short maintenance window
Tell players that the server will be unavailable and record the intended backup time. A timestamp and a short note—such as “before mod update”—makes later selection much easier.
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2. Stop the server or save from TShock
- Use the hosting panel’s Stop control, or stop the server process normally.
- If you have a TShock console and need a live snapshot, run
save, wait for completion, and then stop the server before copying. - Confirm that the process is no longer writing files. Do not copy while the server is still shutting down.
3. Locate the active Worlds folder
Open the server’s file manager, terminal directory, or local path. On a host, this is commonly saves/Worlds/; on a local Windows or Linux installation, use the paths in the table above. Check the file’s modification time against the maintenance window so you do not copy an inactive world from another installation.
4. Copy a consistent file set
- For a vanilla world, copy the required
.wldfile. - For a tModLoader world, copy the same-named
.wldand.twldfiles. - Prefer copying the entire Worlds folder when storage allows it.
- Place the copy in an off-server directory, external storage, or a backup service, and add a date and server name to the folder or archive name.
5. Verify the copy
Check that the destination contains the expected files and that their sizes are not zero. Keep the original filename intact; changing it can make the server configuration point at the wrong world. For a high-value server, perform a test restore on a separate instance instead of waiting for an emergency.
The .bak file is not a complete backup strategy
Terraria writes a .bak copy of the previous save. That file protects against one failed or damaged write, but it is overwritten on the next save. It is therefore a short-lived fallback, not an archive of multiple restore points and not protection against disk loss, accidental deletion, a bad mod update, or a server compromise.
Do not rely on the presence of World.wld.bak as proof that your server is backed up. Make independent copies of the active world and retain several dated versions away from the server.
How to restore a Terraria world file
1. Stop the server completely
Do not replace a world while Terraria or TShock has it open. Stop the server from the panel or terminal and wait for the process to exit. If the current world might still be useful, copy it to a quarantine folder before changing anything.
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2. Identify the restore point
Choose a dated backup that predates the problem. For a tModLoader server, confirm that the backup contains both the .wld and matching .twld. If you only have a vanilla .wld for a modded world, the world may not load with its mod-specific data intact.
3. Replace the active files
- Open the server’s Worlds folder, commonly
saves/Worlds/on a host. - Move the current world file out of the folder or rename it as a temporary safety copy.
- Copy the selected
.wldinto the folder. - For tModLoader, copy its matching
.twldbeside it. - Preserve normal file permissions and ownership when working over a terminal or managed host.
4. Match the configured world name
The server’s world setting must use the filename without the .wld extension. If the file is Adventure-2026-10-01.wld, the configured world name must be Adventure-2026-10-01. A mismatch can cause the server to fail to find the file or create/load a different world instead.
5. Start and inspect the result
Start the server and watch the console or panel log for world-loading errors. Join with an administrator account, check the spawn area, and verify a few known builds, chests, and progression markers. If the server creates a new world, stop it immediately; that usually indicates a filename, path, permission, or mod compatibility problem rather than a successful restore.
Using TShock automatic backups
TShock exposes scheduled-backup controls in config.json, located in the TShock folder beside TerrariaServer.exe in a typical installation. The relevant keys are:
| Key | Purpose | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
BackupInterval |
Minutes between scheduled backups | An interval of zero disables interval-based backups according to the reported implementation behavior. |
BackupKeepFor |
Minutes to retain scheduled backups | Older files are eligible for cleanup after the retention period. |
SaveWorldOnLastPlayerExit |
Controls whether the world is saved when the last player leaves | This affects save timing; it is not a substitute for off-server copies. |
Configure the schedule
- Stop TShock before editing
config.json, or use the host’s supported configuration editor. - Make a copy of the existing JSON before changing it.
- Set
BackupIntervalandBackupKeepForto the minute values appropriate for your activity and available storage. - Leave valid JSON syntax: use quotation marks around keys, commas between properties, and no trailing comma after the final property.
- Save the file and restart TShock.
- After the first interval has elapsed, inspect the reported backup directory and the server log.
Published TShock documentation copies show conflicting example defaults: one lists BackupInterval as 0 and BackupKeepFor as 60, while general-development documentation lists 10 and 240. Treat the generated config.json from your installed TShock version as authoritative rather than assuming either example applies.
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Scheduled files are commonly reported under tshock/backups/, but that location is not confirmed for every build or hosting layout. Check the actual folder tree and logs after enabling the feature. A user report describes a missing backup folder even with valid JSON; in another case, restarting helped. Consider those observations troubleshooting clues, not guarantees.
Hosting-panel controls
Some hosting panels expose TShock backup interval and retention settings through a file manager or a dedicated backup page. The panel may write config.json for you. Confirm the resulting key values in the file and verify that a backup is actually created; a saved form alone does not prove that the running server loaded the change.
Designing a backup schedule that survives mistakes
Automatic TShock snapshots are useful for short-term rollback, while off-server copies protect against larger failures. Use both layers when the world matters.
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- During normal operation: use a scheduled interval that matches how much progress players could lose between snapshots.
- Retention: keep enough dated points to cover discovery of a slow corruption problem, not just the last save.
- Off-server protection: periodically export the Worlds folder to storage the server cannot overwrite.
- Verification: test at least one restore on a separate instance and record the exact world name and file pair.
When storage is limited, retain frequent local snapshots for quick recovery and fewer, longer-lived off-server archives. Do not let an automatic cleanup policy delete the only copy of a world that predates a known problem.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Back up Server-Side Characters separately
World files contain the world, not necessarily every player’s character and inventory. TShock’s Server-Side Characters feature stores player data separately. A third-party utility, TDiffBackup, states that it does not back up SSC data; that is a warning to verify your own character-data procedure instead of assuming a world archive includes it.
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The exact SQLite storage location for SSC data has not been established here, so do not move or delete a database based on an assumed path. Identify the storage file and format used by your TShock installation, include it in a coordinated backup, and test that character inventories survive a restore. If your host supplies a TShock-specific backup option, ask whether it includes SSC rather than inferring coverage from the world backup setting.
Troubleshooting failed backups and restores
The restored world does not appear
- Confirm the file is in the server’s active Worlds folder, not only in the client’s local folder.
- Check that the configured world name exactly matches the filename without
.wld. - Make sure the server process was stopped before replacement.
- Check permissions and ownership so the server account can read the file.
- For tModLoader, put the matching
.twldbeside the.wldand use the compatible mod set.
The server starts a new or different world
Stop it immediately to avoid overwriting the intended restore point. Recheck the path, filename, startup selection, and world-name setting. A launch configuration can select a world or world directory with options such as -world or -worldselectpath, but the documented behavior of these flags can vary by server version; use the options supported by your installed build and confirm the effective path in the startup log.
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TShock backups never appear
- Open the generated
config.jsonand confirm the keys are spelled exactly asBackupIntervalandBackupKeepFor. - Ensure
BackupIntervalis greater than zero when you expect scheduled backups. - Validate the JSON and restart TShock after editing.
- Wait through a complete interval; a backup is not necessarily created immediately when the server starts.
- Inspect
tshock/backups/, other panel-designated backup locations, and the server log. - Check disk space and write permissions.
The backup file is corrupt
Determine whether the copy was made while the server was saving. If so, discard that copy and make a new one after a clean stop. Try the preceding dated archive rather than relying on the single .bak file, which may already have been overwritten.
Players lose characters after a successful world restore
This usually means the world was restored without the separate SSC data. Restore the matching character-data backup using the procedure for your TShock installation, and do not guess at an unverified database path.
A practical restore test
A backup is only trustworthy when it can be opened. Create a temporary server instance on a different directory or machine, stop the production server only if your test arrangement requires it, and restore a dated copy into the test Worlds folder. Use the same Terraria, TShock, tModLoader, and mod versions where possible. Start the test instance with a distinct port or access restriction, inspect several builds and inventories, then remove the temporary instance. Record what files were needed and how long the restore took; that becomes your emergency checklist.
Quick Recap
Quick emergency checklist
- Stop the server before copying or replacing world files.
- Copy
.wld; include matching.twldfor tModLoader. - Prefer the entire Worlds folder for a consistent set.
- Store copies off the server and keep dated versions.
- Never treat the rotating
.bakfile as your only backup. - For TShock, check
BackupInterval,BackupKeepFor, andSaveWorldOnLastPlayerExitin the generatedconfig.json. - Verify where scheduled files are actually written after restarting.
- Back up SSC character data separately.
- On restore, match the server’s world name to the filename without
.wld. - Join and inspect the restored world before declaring the recovery complete.
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