Minecraft Server Backups: Back Up, Restore and Roll Back a World
The safest way to back up a Minecraft server is the panel's Backups tab: it copies the server's files for you, and you can restore one with a click. If you want to copy files by hand while the server is running, first run save-all flush, then save-off, copy the files, and run save-on afterwards. Without that, the copy can catch a world part-way through a write.
This guide explains what to back up, the three save commands, how to restore and roll back, and a routine that covers updates and resets. The commands were checked on 2026-11-15 against the Minecraft Wiki. Where a folder layout depends on your server software or version, check the Files tab to see which one you have.
- On the Backups tab, choose what to back up and click Back up now. Use Automatic backups for a schedule, with times in Chicago time.
save-all flushwrites all chunks to disk straight away and freezes the server for a short time.save-offstops writing to the world files and queues changes.save-onturns writing back on.- Never leave
save-offon. Changes only queue while it is active, so runsave-onas soon as your copy is finished. - To roll back, use Restore on a backup. The server stops, its files are replaced, and it starts again if it was running.
- Take a backup before updating, changing server software, adding mods or resetting a world, and star the one you want to keep.
On this page
What to back up
- The world folder. It is named by
level-nameinserver.propertiesand isworldby default. That has the map, builds and player data. On Paper, Spigot and Purpur servers up to 1.21.11 the Nether and End are separate folders next to it (world_netherandworld_the_end). Host documentation reports that on 26.1 and later the dimensions are stored inside the world folder, so check the Files tab. - Settings.
server.properties,ops.json,whitelist.jsonand the ban files. - Plugins or mods and their configs. Config folders hold the settings and data that took you time to set up.
- The server jar and start settings if you want to be able to rebuild the same setup exactly.
On the Backups tab, World and settings is the quick option, and Whole server includes everything. Use Whole server before big changes.
Back up with the panel
- Open the Backups tab
Sign in at panel.chicagoservers.co, open your server and go to the Backups tab.
- Choose the scope
Pick World and settings or Whole server. Add a note that you will understand later, such as before 26.3 update.
- Back up now
Click Back up now. The backup appears under Your backups.
- Schedule and protect
Turn on Automatic backups for a regular schedule. Star a backup you do not want replaced.
The save commands
These three commands are for Java Edition servers. Run them on the Console tab, with or without the slash.
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
save-all | Marks all chunks and player data to be saved. They are written over time. |
save-all flush | Writes everything immediately. The server freezes for a short time while it does. |
save-off | Stops the server writing to the world files. Changes are queued. It fails if saving is already off. |
save-on | Allows the server to write to the world files again. It fails if saving was not turned off. |
- Flush the world
Write everything to disk so the files are current.
save-all flush - Pause saving
Stop the server from changing the files while you copy them.
save-off - Copy the files
Download the world folder from the Files tab or copy it by SFTP.
- Turn saving back on
Do not skip this. While saving is off, changes only queue and a crash can lose them.
save-on
Restore or roll back
- Pick the backup
On the Backups tab find the backup under Your backups and click Restore.
- Put it back
Choose Put it back. The server stops, its files are replaced, and it starts again if it was running. Leave Save the current files as a restore point first ticked so you can undo the restore.
- Check the world
Join and check your builds, inventories and the Nether and End before you tell players it is done.
Anything players did after the backup is lost, so tell them first. If you only want one player's data or one region back, the backup can also be downloaded and the specific file copied into place with the server stopped.
A backup routine that works
- Automatic daily backups for any active world, with a few kept at a time.
- A manual backup, starred, before every update, software change, mod change or world reset. See the seed guide before you reset a world.
- An off-server copy now and then.
- A test restore on a spare server when it matters, so you know your backups work.
Backup problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Changes are missing after a crash | save-off was left on, or the server crashed before it saved. Run save-on after every manual copy. |
| The restored world is the old one but settings are new | You restored only the world. Restore World and settings or Whole server for both. |
| The Nether or End looks different after restoring | The dimension folders were not part of the copy. Check the layout for your version on the Files tab. |
save-all fails | The storage is full or something else has the world open. |
| Players cannot join after a restore | The server may still be starting, or the restored settings turned the whitelist on. See the whitelist guide. |
| The backup is very large | Plugin data, logs or old worlds are included. Clear what you do not need. |
Moving to a new world or Minecraft version? Read the server.properties guide and see Minecraft server hosting for what is included.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up a Minecraft server?
Use the Backups tab in the panel: choose World and settings or Whole server and click Back up now. For a manual copy, run save-all flush and save-off, copy the files, then run save-on.
What does save-all flush do?
It writes all chunks to disk immediately and freezes the server for a short time while it does. Plain save-all marks them to be written over time.
Is it safe to copy the world folder while the server is running?
Not without preparation. Run save-all flush and save-off first so the files are not being written, and run save-on when you are done.
How do I restore a Minecraft server backup?
On the Backups tab click Restore next to the backup, then Put it back. The server stops, files are replaced and it starts again if it was running.
Should I leave save-off on?
No. While it is on, changes are only queued, so a crash can lose them. Run save-on as soon as your copy is finished.
Where is the Minecraft world folder?
It is named by level-name in server.properties, which is world by default, in the server's main folder. Open the Files tab to see it and whether your dimensions are inside it or in separate folders.