Terraria - Automatic Updates (Default)
- Manual Update (If Auto-Update Fails)
- Installing a Specific Version
- Checking Your Current Version
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Will updating delete my world or player data?
- What if the version I need isn’t in the dropdown?
- Should I use “Latest” or pick a specific version?
- How often does Terraria update?
Keep your vanilla Terraria server up to date by restarting it - updates download automatically as long as the auto update setting is enabled (which it is by default). If the auto-update doesn’t work, you can manually reinstall or select a specific version. Running tModLoader instead? See How to Update tModLoader.
Automatic Updates (Default)
Vanilla Terraria servers automatically download and install updates when you restart them. This is the easiest way to stay current - no version management needed.
When Re-Logic releases a new Terraria update, just restart your server:
- Stop your server from the game panel
- Start your server again
- The update downloads and installs automatically
Your world data, player files, and server configuration stay intact during the update. You don’t need to change any settings or specify version numbers unless you’re troubleshooting or want to run a specific older version.
Manual Update (If Auto-Update Fails)
If your server stays on an old version after restarting, the auto-update might have failed. Reinstalling the server fixes this by re-downloading the Terraria server files.
- Navigate to Advanced → Server Actions
- Click Reinstall Server
- Confirm the reinstall when prompted
- Wait for the process to complete
- Start your server
Reinstalling sounds destructive, but it only replaces the Terraria server executable. Your worlds, player data, and configuration files are preserved - nothing gets deleted.
Installing a Specific Version
Most servers should stay on the latest version, but if you need to run a specific older version of Terraria (for world compatibility or testing), you can select it manually.
- Go to Server Options
- Find the [ADVANCED] Terraria Version dropdown
- Select your desired version, or leave it as “Latest” for automatic updates
- Restart your server to apply the change
If the version you need isn’t in the dropdown, contact our support team and we’ll add it for you.
Checking Your Current Version
To verify which Terraria version your server is running:
- Check the Console tab in your game panel when the server starts - the version appears in the startup logs
- Compare against the latest version listed on Terraria’s official website or the Steam store page
If your version doesn’t match the latest release and you’ve already restarted, follow the manual update steps above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will updating delete my world or player data?
No. Both automatic updates and manual reinstalls preserve your world files, player data, and server configuration. We still recommend keeping backups of important worlds, but updates are designed to be safe.
What if the version I need isn’t in the dropdown?
Contact our support team via ticket or Discord. We can add specific Terraria versions to the dropdown on request - just let us know which version number you need.
Should I use “Latest” or pick a specific version?
Most users should stick with “Latest.” This ensures your server auto-updates when new Terraria versions release. Only choose a specific version if you need to stay on an older build for compatibility reasons.
How often does Terraria update?
Terraria receives major content updates every few months, with smaller patches and bug fixes in between. Your server will automatically grab these updates on restart as long as the version is set to “Latest.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanilla Terraria servers auto-update when restarted. If that doesn't work, reinstall from Advanced → Server Actions.
No. Both auto-updates and manual reinstalls preserve your world data, player files, and server configuration.
Go to Server Options → [ADVANCED] Terraria Version dropdown and select your desired version.