How to migrate your Valheim server from TheGameHosting to RiverHosting

Moving your Valheim server from TheGameHosting to RiverHosting is simple when you keep your world files together. In this guide you will get your world files from TheGameHosting, then upload them on the Worlds page of your RiverHosting panel so the same world loads on your new server.

Valheim stores each world as two files. Both are needed for the world to load, so you will always move them as a pair.

Before you start

• A RiverHosting Valheim server. Create it first at https://billing.riverhosting.com and open it in the RiverHosting panel. If it is set to another game, use Game Changer to switch it to Valheim before you upload anything. Switching wipes all files on the server and reinstalls it, so do it before you upload your world.
• Your TheGameHosting panel login (see TheGameHosting).
• Enough free space on your computer for the world files.

1. Step 1: Get your files from TheGameHosting

We could not confirm whether TheGameHosting offers SFTP or FTP, so this guide uses the download method instead. You will get your world files onto your computer, then upload them to RiverHosting.

1. Log in to your TheGameHosting control panel at panel.thegamehosting.com and open your server.
2. The management sidebar there lists Files and Backups. This guide cannot describe what those pages contain or how to download from them, so check TheGameHosting's own documentation or support for how to get your files.
3. Look for your Valheim world files. They are usually a matched pair with the same name, one ending in .db and one ending in .fwl.
4. Save both files together in one folder on your computer.

2. Step 2: Upload your world to RiverHosting

1. Log in to the RiverHosting panel and open your Valheim server.
2. Click Worlds in the GAME section of the sidebar.
3. Click Upload World.
4. Choose both files: World Data (.db) and World Metadata (.fwl). The two file names must match, for example MyWorld.db and MyWorld.fwl.
5. Confirm the upload. Your world will appear in the list with its size and last modified time.

3. Step 3: Make the uploaded world active

1. On the Worlds page, find your uploaded world.
2. Click Set as Active World, then confirm with Set Active.
3. Open World Settings in the GAME section.
4. Make sure the World field matches the name of your uploaded world exactly (the file name without .db or .fwl).
5. Check your Server name and Password while you are there. The password needs at least 5 characters and must not appear inside the server name or world name.
6. Click Save Changes.
7. Go to Console and click Restart. The server loads the world on its next start.

4. Step 4: Join and check your world

1. Wait for the status badge to show ONLINE.
2. In Valheim, choose Join IP and enter the address shown at the top of the panel (IP and port).
3. Enter your server password and check that your buildings and progress are there.

Troubleshooting

• The world does not appear in the list: upload both the .db and .fwl files again, with matching names.
• The world shows as missing a file: check that both files have exactly the same name before the extension.
• You see a new empty world: check that the World field in World Settings matches your world name, save, and restart.
• Settings changes do not apply: Valheim reads its settings only at start, so restart the server after saving.
• Players cannot join: check the address and password, and allow a few minutes if you rely on the server browser listing.
• You cannot find the files at TheGameHosting: check their site or contact their support.

Need help?

If anything gets stuck, the RiverHosting team is happy to help. Visit https://riverhosting.com/support and tell us what you see on screen.