Satisfactory Dedicated Server Saves: Autosaves, Backups and Restoring a Save
A Satisfactory dedicated server saves into its own server folder, separate from the saves on your own PC. By default it writes an autosave every 300 seconds and keeps three rotating autosaves, so the oldest is replaced as new ones are written. Those rolling saves protect you from a crash, but not from a bad decision made an hour ago, so you also need backups you control.
This guide explains the defaults, how to take and restore a backup on ChicagoServers, and what to check before updating. It was checked on 2026-11-15 against two hosting guides, which agree on the autosave defaults, and our own settings guide. Some details come from a single source and are marked.
- Server saves are
.savfiles in aserverfolder. Blueprints are kept in ablueprintsfolder beside it. - Defaults: autosave every 300 seconds, 3 rotating autosaves, named like
SessionName_autosave_0.sav. - On ChicagoServers, Rotating autosaves kept on the Startup tab sets how many are kept.
- Steam and Epic cloud sync covers your own game saves, not the server's, so the server's autosaves and your backups are the only safety net.
- Take a backup on the Backups tab before every game update.
On this page
How the server saves
| Setting | Default | Where to change it |
|---|---|---|
| Autosave interval | 300 seconds | Server Manager in the game |
| Rotating autosaves kept | 3 | Startup tab, or mNumRotatingAutosaves in Engine.ini |
Autosave file names follow the pattern session name, then _autosave_, then a number from 0 to 2. When the limit is reached, the oldest autosave is deleted to make room. Raising the number kept gives you more history, at the cost of disk space. The ini key lives under [/Script/FactoryGame.FGSaveSession], and on ChicagoServers the panel writes it for you from the Startup field, so use that field instead of editing the file.
Where saves live
- Server saves: the
serverfolder insideSaveGames. On ChicagoServers, browse to it on the Files tab. - Your own game saves: in
SaveGameson your PC, in a folder named after your Steam or Epic account ID. These are not the server's saves. - Blueprints: a
blueprintsfolder besideserver, created once a blueprint has been saved. - Server Manager settings (name, passwords, auto-load session) are in a separate
ServerSettingsfile, not in a save.
Paths differ for a Windows machine you run yourself, and again if the server runs as a Windows service. The setup guide lists them. See the Satisfactory dedicated server setup guide.
Why cloud sync will not save you
According to one hosting guide, Steam and Epic cloud sync applies to the saves on your own computer and not to a dedicated server's server folder. Treat the server as having no automatic off-site copy. Download backups regularly if the world matters to you, and use the general backup guide for a routine.
Take a backup
- Save in game first
Make sure a recent save exists, either by waiting for an autosave or by saving from the game, so the backup contains your latest work.
- Open Backups
Go to panel.chicagoservers.co, choose your Satisfactory server and open the Backups tab.
- Choose what to include
World and settings covers saves and settings. Whole server is better before a big change.
- Back up now
Click Back up now. Star a backup to keep it, and use Automatic backups (scheduled in Chicago time) for a routine.
You can also download the .sav files yourself from the Files tab or over SFTP. See how to use SFTP.
Restore a save
- Restore from the panel
On Backups, click Restore on the backup, leave Save the current files as a restore point first ticked and choose Put it back. The server stops, the files are replaced, and it starts again if it was running.
- Or upload a single save
Stop the server, upload the
.savto theserverfolder on the Files tab, and start it. You can also use the Manage Saves tab in Server Manager to upload a save. - Load it
In Server Manager, load the save as the active session. If you use Auto-Load Session Name, make sure it matches the session you want.
- Check your factory
Join and check that buildings, research and blueprints look right.
Before you update
- Take a backup first. A host's documentation warns that a save from a newer game version may not load on an older one, which matters if you roll back.
- Update with Update now on the Steam update bar, then check in Server Manager that the session loaded.
- If you run mods, see the Satisfactory mods guide before updating.
- Keep at least one backup that you never overwrite.
Looking for a host? See Satisfactory server hosting.
Frequently asked questions
How often does a Satisfactory dedicated server autosave?
Every 300 seconds by default, and it keeps three rotating autosaves unless you change the setting.
Where are Satisfactory dedicated server saves stored?
As .sav files in a server folder inside SaveGames. Blueprints are kept in a blueprints folder beside it.
How many autosaves does a Satisfactory server keep?
Three by default. On ChicagoServers you can change it with Rotating autosaves kept on the Startup tab.
Does Steam cloud sync back up my Satisfactory server?
According to one hosting guide, no. Cloud sync covers saves on your own computer, not the dedicated server's folder.
How do I restore a Satisfactory save on my server?
Use Restore on the Backups tab, or upload the .sav to the server folder and load it from Server Manager.