Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Prefer not to run the server on your own PC? Godlike.Host offers hosted Don't Starve Together servers with free DDoS protection and up to three free backups a day.
If Don’t Starve Together remains on “Server Is Generating World,” wait about five minutes first, then rebuild the world settings from a fresh default preset, especially if Land Branch is set to NEVER while Land Loop is ALWAYS. Remove every mod, reduce world complexity, clear a stuck session folder, verify the game files, and use the generation log if the problem persists.
What the message means
“Server Is Generating World” appears while Don’t Starve Together creates the map layout, resources, creatures and set pieces defined by the world configuration. A long pause is not automatically a crash: a developer has said generation can take up to about five minutes in unlucky cases. Leave the game window in the foreground and allow that time to pass before force-quitting.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf the screen is still unchanged after roughly five minutes, treat it as a failed generation attempt. There is no published statistic for how often this happens. One undated Klei bug-tracker report estimated that a default-size world hung about half the time for that reporter; that estimate is not a measured rate for all players or versions.
Fix the world-generation setting combination first
The strongest confirmed trigger is the combination of Land Branch: NEVER and Land Loop: ALWAYS. A Klei bug-tracker report describes this pairing producing the generation loop. The same report said large worlds usually finished while default-size worlds often stalled, but that observation came from one reporter and should not be treated as a universal rule.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Change the settings
- From the main menu, open the screen used to host or create a world.
- Open the world-generation settings or the preset editor.
- Find the land-generation section.
- Change Land Branch from NEVER to another available value.
- Change Land Loop from ALWAYS to another available value.
- Save the configuration and create a new test world.
Do not test the changed values by repeatedly reopening the same failed session. Generate a new world so the game is not reusing the stuck attempt.
Rebuild a damaged custom preset
Several player reports point to saved custom presets rather than the underlying game installation. One player reported that a saved custom preset caused the hang and that manually editing a standard preset for each session worked. Another fixed the problem by making a new copy of the default preset and then modifying that copy.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Use a clean preset copy
- Open the preset list in the world-creation screen.
- Select the default preset supplied by the game.
- Use the command to create a new copy; do not overwrite the original default.
- Give the copy a new name so it is clearly separate from the old custom preset.
- Change only the settings you actually need, including the land options described above.
- Save the copy and generate a test world before adding further customisation.
If the clean copy works, reapply your preferred changes in small groups. Generate a test world after each group. This identifies the setting or combination that reintroduces the loop without sacrificing the working baseline.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Make the first test world as simple as possible
World generation has more work to do when the map is large or contains many optional resources and creatures. Players troubleshooting this screen commonly recommend a smaller world, no extra resource settings, no extra creature settings, and no mods. These changes are diagnostic: a simple world can show whether complexity is contributing to the failure.
Recommended test configuration
- Choose a smaller world size rather than a large map.
- Set optional resource additions to their normal or disabled values.
- Set optional creature additions to their normal or disabled values.
- Use the fresh copy of the default preset.
- Leave every mod disabled.
- In the game options, enable netbook mode or disable small textures if those options are available in your installation.
Generate once with this minimal configuration. If it succeeds, restore one category at a time. A successful small, unmodded world does not prove that every larger configuration is safe; it only establishes that the basic generator can complete.
Remove all mods, including files that can be reinstalled
The Klei bug-tracker troubleshooting guidance begins with removing all mods. A mod can alter world-generation rules, add prefabs or creatures, or leave incompatible files behind after it is disabled in the menu. Workshop subscriptions can also reinstall content, so simply turning a mod off may not be enough for a clean test.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Perform a clean mod test
- Open the game’s mod-management screen and disable every enabled mod.
- Exit Don’t Starve Together completely rather than returning only to the main menu.
- Unsubscribe from Workshop mods temporarily so the client does not automatically restore them.
- Open the game installation folder and remove the mod files there, following the Klei troubleshooting guidance for your platform.
- Restart the game and create a new world from the clean default copy.
Keep a note of which subscriptions you removed. If generation works, restore mods individually or in very small groups, generating a test world after each change. Do not restore the entire collection at once, because that hides the offending item and can recreate the same loop.
Clear a stuck client session and verify the installation
A Klei forum user reported that manually deleting a stuck session folder fixed the problem after the folder could not be removed through normal means. The folder is:
Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether/client_save/session
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Delete the session folder safely
- Exit the game and confirm that no Don’t Starve Together process is still running.
- Open your user
Documentsfolder. - Navigate to
Klei/DoNotStarveTogether/client_save. - Delete the
sessionfolder. If your operating system refuses, restart it and try again before launching the game. - Start the game and generate a new test world.
This removes temporary client session data; it is not a replacement for backing up worlds or other saves you need to keep. The successful deletion described above is a single anecdotal case, so an unchanged result means you should continue with the other fixes rather than repeatedly deleting the folder.
Verify the game files through Steam
File verification was also suggested in the Klei forum discussion. In Steam, open your Library, right-click Don’t Starve Together, choose Properties, open Installed Files, and select Verify integrity of game files. Let Steam finish, restart the client if it reports repairs, and test with the clean preset and no mods. Verification can restore altered installation files, but it does not remove Workshop subscriptions or reset a saved world preset, so those steps remain separate.
Use the log when the basic fixes fail
Once a generation attempt has run for about five minutes, force-quit the game and inspect the log rather than making random setting changes. The developer guidance says to send the log from the Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether folder to Klei if generation continues beyond the expected window.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Capture a useful failure report
- Start a generation attempt with the game window kept in the foreground.
- Allow approximately five minutes for an unlucky slow generation.
- If the screen remains stuck, force-quit the game.
- Open
Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogetherand locate the log file created or updated by that run. - Keep the log from the failed attempt and record the exact preset, land settings, world size, resource settings and mod state.
- Send those details and the log to Klei support or the relevant Klei bug-report channel.
Keeping the window in the foreground during generation matters because the developer specifically requested that condition when collecting a log. A log from an earlier run, or from a run interrupted immediately, may not contain the error that caused the current hang.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you host a dedicated server
The available reports concern client-hosted worlds. They do not confirm a dedicated-server-specific fix, and they do not establish the exact log path for every dedicated-server installation. A file often called server_log.txt may exist inside a cluster folder, but that location is not confirmed here.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Apply the confirmed configuration, preset, complexity and mod tests to the dedicated server only if your setup exposes the same world-generation options. Before deleting session or cluster data, back up the server’s worlds and configuration. Confirm the log location for your particular installation instead of assuming that the client path or a file named server_log.txt applies.
A practical decision path
Use this order so each test answers a different question:
- Wait: allow about five minutes, because an unlucky generation can take that long.
- Correct the land combination: do not use Land Branch NEVER with Land Loop ALWAYS.
- Start clean: copy the default preset and use a small, low-resource, low-creature world.
- Remove mods: disable them, unsubscribe, and remove installed mod files before retesting.
- Reset temporary state: delete
Documents/Klei/DoNotStarveTogether/client_save/sessionafter closing the game. - Repair files: run Steam’s integrity verification.
- Escalate with evidence: capture the log from a foreground generation attempt and report it to Klei if the clean test still exceeds the five-minute window.
Change one layer at a time after the clean test succeeds. That preserves a known-working baseline and makes it possible to identify whether a preset edit, mod, resource setting or creature setting causes the regression.
Common mistakes that make the hang return
- Reusing the same custom preset: a saved preset can carry the condition that caused the original loop. Build a new copy of the default instead.
- Testing with mods still present: disabling a menu toggle does not necessarily remove installed files or prevent Workshop reinstallation.
- Changing many settings at once: a successful result then gives no clue which change mattered, while a failure gives no clear next step.
- Quitting too early: stopping a generation after a minute can misclassify a slow run as a hang; use the approximately five-minute threshold.
- Assuming a client fix proves a dedicated-server fix: the available reports do not establish that equivalence or a universal dedicated-server log location.
What to expect after a successful repair
A successful clean test should reach the game world without remaining on the generation screen. Reintroduce your preferred world size, resources, creatures and mods gradually, generating a separate test after each change. If one change brings the loop back, remove that change and keep the last working preset as your baseline. If even the clean default copy with no mods and a simple world still runs beyond about five minutes, stop changing settings and provide Klei with the foreground-captured log and your exact configuration.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
