Protecting Your Project Zomboid World
Regular backups are essential for any Project Zomboid server. This guide will show you how to create, manage, and restore backups to protect your world from data loss, corruption, or unwanted changes.
Why Backups Are Critical
Backups protect against several common scenarios:
- Server crashes that corrupt save files
- Mod conflicts that damage world data
- Accidental changes or deletions
- Griefing or unwanted player actions
- Failed updates or configuration changes
A good backup strategy can save you hours of work and prevent the loss of player progress.
Types of Backups
Rivix offers several backup options for your Project Zomboid server:
Automated Backups
Scheduled backups that run automatically:
- Daily backups - Created once per day at a specified time
- Pre-update backups - Created before server updates
- Rotating backups - Older backups are automatically deleted
Manual Backups
On-demand backups you create when needed:
- Full server backups - Complete backup of all server files
- World-only backups - Just the world save files
- Configuration backups - Server settings and configuration files
Setting Up Automated Backups
Configure automated backups through the Rivix control panel:
- Log in to your control panel
- Navigate to the "Backups" section
- Click "Configure Automated Backups"
- Set your preferences:
- Backup frequency (daily, every 2 days, weekly)
- Time of day for backups (choose a low-traffic time)
- Number of backups to retain (recommended: at least 7)
- Backup type (full server or world-only)
- Save your settings
Creating Manual Backups
Create manual backups before making significant changes:
- Log in to your control panel
- Navigate to the "Backups" section
- Click "Create Manual Backup"
- Choose backup options:
- Full server backup
- World-only backup
- Configuration backup
- Add a description (e.g., "Before mod update" or "Pre-wipe backup")
- Click "Create Backup"
Managing Backups
Keep your backups organized and efficient:
Viewing Backups
- Go to the "Backups" section in your control panel
- See a list of all available backups with:
- Creation date and time
- Backup type
- File size
- Description (if provided)
Downloading Backups
Save important backups to your local computer:
- Find the backup you want to download
- Click the "Download" button
- Save the backup file to your computer
Local copies provide extra protection against server issues.
Deleting Old Backups
Manage your storage space by removing unnecessary backups:
- Select backups you no longer need
- Click "Delete Selected"
- Confirm the deletion
Always keep at least 3-5 recent backups before deleting older ones.
Restoring from a Backup
When you need to recover your server from a backup:
Full Server Restore
- Stop your server from the control panel
- Go to the "Backups" section
- Find the backup you want to restore
- Click "Restore" next to the backup
- Confirm the restoration
- Wait for the process to complete
- Start your server
Warning: This will completely replace all current server files with the backup version.
Selective File Restore
To restore specific files without a full restore:
- Download the backup to your computer
- Extract the files you need
- Use the file manager in the control panel to upload these files
- Replace the current files with your backup versions
Best Practices for Backups
Follow these guidelines for effective backup management:
- Create a backup before installing new mods
- Back up before changing server settings
- Make a backup before updating the game version
- Download important backups to your local computer
- Use descriptive names for manual backups
- Test restoring from backups occasionally
- Keep at least 7 days of backups if possible
Troubleshooting Backup Issues
Backup Creation Fails
- Check if your server has sufficient disk space
- Ensure the server is in a stable state
- Try creating a smaller backup (world-only)
Restore Process Fails
- Verify the backup file is not corrupted
- Ensure the server is completely stopped before restoring
- Check server logs for specific error messages
- Try a different backup if one is corrupted
Need More Help?
If you encounter issues with backups or restoration, please contact our support team through the support ticket system or join our Discord server for assistance.