◦ Security rich
◦ Built to spec
Dedicated Server → Palworld → Upload Existing World
How to upload an existing world to your Palworld server
You’ve built a world you’re proud of in Palworld—maybe a massive base, a carefully bred team of Pals, or just a personal paradise you want to share. The good news? You don’t have to start over when setting up a dedicated server. You can upload your existing Palworld world so you and your friends can keep playing exactly where you left off.
But if you’ve never hosted a server before, the upload process might seem confusing. Let’s walk through it step-by-step and make sure your world transfers safely and correctly.
Just want to jump in?
If you just need a server upgrade, you can get started right now. Our dedicated servers combine the best hardware with industry-leading services.
Understanding Palworld server file structure
Before you upload anything, it’s important to know where Palworld stores your world files, and where your server looks for them. If you put your files in the wrong place or miss a folder, the server will just generate a brand-new world instead.
Where your local Palworld saves are located
If you’re playing Palworld through Steam on Windows, your single-player world files are usually stored here:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Pal\Saved\SaveGames
A few notes:
- You might not see the AppData folder right away. It’s hidden by default. To find it, press Win + R, type %appdata%, and hit Enter. Then navigate up one folder to Local.
- Inside SaveGames, you’ll see subfolders with long random numbers and letters (your Steam ID). Your world save is inside one of these folders.
If you’re using Linux through Proton or Wine, or playing on a different setup, the path might vary slightly. Always check where your saves are located before uploading.
Where Palworld servers store world files
On a dedicated server, Palworld usually saves world data in a very similar path, but inside the server’s own file structure. For example:
[ServerFolder]/Pal/Saved/SaveGames
If you’re renting a server from a hosting provider, they might give you a custom file path (like /home/palworldserver/savegames/). Check your host’s documentation or ask support if you aren’t sure.
You’ll need to upload your local save into the correct folder to make it load.
How to prepare your Palworld world for upload
Uploading isn’t just drag-and-drop. If you skip preparation, you might overwrite good files or end up with a corrupted save. Here’s what you need to do first.
Step 1: Backup your existing world
Always make a backup before touching your save files. It’s fast and can save you a huge headache.
- Go to your local Palworld save folder.
- Copy the entire world save folder (not just individual files).
- Paste it somewhere safe, like your Desktop or an external drive.
- (Optional but recommended) Right-click the folder, choose “Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder” to make a zip file
Zipping helps prevent file corruption during upload and keeps everything organized.
Step 2: Check for version compatibility
Your local Palworld game version and your server version must match exactly. Otherwise, you might get weird crashes or missing features.
To check your local version:
- Open Steam.
- Go to Palworld > Properties > Updates
- Make sure you’re updated to the latest version
To check your server version:
- If you’re self-hosting, open SteamCMD and run an update check.
- If you’re renting a server, check the version number in your host’s control panel.
If your server is out of date, update it before uploading your world.
Uploading your world to your Palworld server
Now that your world is backed up and versions are matched, you’re ready to upload.
If you’re self-hosting your Palworld server
Follow these steps carefully:
- Stop your server. Never upload files while the server is running. Close the server application completely.
- Navigate to your server’s save folder. This will usually be under something like [YourServerFolder]/Pal/Saved/SaveGames.
- Delete or back up the server’s existing save files. It’s safest to move them to a backup folder in case you need to roll back.
- Unzip and upload your local save files into the server’s SaveGames folder. Make sure the folder structure matches exactly what was there before.
- Check configuration files. If your server has a PalWorldSettings.ini or a similar config file, make sure the world name matches the folder you uploaded. Some servers load worlds based on specific file names.
- Restart your server. Launch it like normal. If everything worked, your existing world should load!
If you’re using a managed hosting provider
Most hosting providers give you a web dashboard and FTP access. Here’s how to upload through FTP:
- Stop the server from your host’s dashboard.
- Download and install FileZilla (or another FTP client).
- Connect to your server using the FTP credentials provided by your host (you’ll usually find these in your server control panel).
- Navigate to the SaveGames directory on the server.
- Upload your zipped local world files and unzip them if your host supports it. Otherwise, unzip them first on your computer and upload the full folder.
- Double-check the folder names. Some hosts are picky — the save folder might need to match a specific format.
- Start the server from your host dashboard and verify your world loaded.
If you aren’t sure where to upload or the server fails to load your save, your hosting provider’s support team can usually help.
Common issues and troubleshooting
If your world doesn’t load properly the first time, don’t panic. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.
World not showing up
- Wrong file path: Make sure you uploaded the files into the right SaveGames folder.
- Wrong folder structure: Some servers expect your save files inside a folder named after your Steam ID. Double-check how your files are nested.
- World name mismatch: Check your server config files. If the server is looking for a world called “MyWorld” but you uploaded “World1234,” it won’t find it.
Server crashes after world upload
- Corrupted save files: Try uploading a fresh backup.
- Version mismatch: Double-check that your local Palworld and server are on the same update.
- Incomplete upload: Make sure every save file copied over successfully.
Save file permissions issues (Linux servers)
If you’re running a Linux server and you manually upload files, the server might not have permission to access them.
Use these commands:
chown -R [yourserveruser]:[yourserveruser] /path/to/SaveGames
chmod -R 755 /path/to/SaveGames
Replace [yourserveruser] with your server username.
How to keep your uploaded world safe
After you’ve uploaded your world, you should immediately set up a backup system.
- Manual backups: Copy your server’s SaveGames folder to your local machine regularly.
- Automated backups: Use a script (cron job for Linux) or your hosting provider’s built-in backup tools.
- Cloud backups: Upload zipped saves to Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud storage service.
Backing up every few days — or before major changes — will save you if the server crashes or files get corrupted.
Bonus: How to transfer your Palworld world between servers
If you ever decide to move to a new hosting provider or switch from self-hosted to a managed server, the process is almost identical:
- Download the SaveGames folder from your old server
- Upload it to the new server’s SaveGames folder
- Make sure the server config matches the world name
- Start the new server and verify the world loads
As long as both servers are running compatible Palworld versions, you should be good to go.
Next steps for uploading an existing world to your Palworld server
Uploading your Palworld world to a server keeps your progress alive and opens up new multiplayer possibilities. Taking the time to prep your files properly will make sure everything runs smoothly — and you won’t risk losing your world to mistakes.
Ready to get started? Find your local Palworld saves, make a backup, and follow the upload steps above. Your world is just a few clicks away from becoming a full-blown multiplayer experience.
Need a dedicated server for your world? Click below to see our exclusive gaming server options, or start a chat now to talk to one of our hosting experts.
Ready to get started?
Liquid Web is known for providing high-performance dedicated server hosting solutions. Choose from bare metal or a fully manage dedicated server, and get 99.999% uptime, rich security features, and much more.
Additional resources
What is a game server? →
A complete beginner’s guide, including different types, how they work, benefits, and more
Palworld dedicated server benefits →
Learn the pros and cons of using a dedi server for your Palworld game
How to set up a Palworld dedicated server →
Server requirements, setup, tips, server management, and more