Get a fresh world on your server by deleting only the game’s world or save folder, not every file. Your settings, mods, plugins, and admin lists stay in place.
Reset Your World
- In the Game Control Panel sidebar, click Console
- Click Stop and wait for the server to show as Offline
- Take a backup of the world folder. See Manual Backup, then download the archive with SFTP if you want a copy off the server
- In the sidebar, click File Manager
- Open the folder that holds your world (see the table below)
- Click the … button next to the world folder and select Delete. Leave every other file alone
- Go back to Console and click Start
The server generates a brand new world on startup. This can take a few minutes the first time.
Where Each Game Keeps Its World
Each game has its own guide with the exact path, what is kept, and how to pick a seed.
| Game | Delete only this | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| Minecraft Java | The world folders named after level-name (world by default, plus world_nether and world_the_end on Spigot and older Paper) | Resetting Your World |
| Valheim | The world named after [REQUIRED] World Name in .config/unity3d/IronGate/Valheim/worlds_local | How to Reset Your Valheim World |
| Project Zomboid | Zomboid/Saves/Multiplayer/<server-name> | How to Reset Your Project Zomboid World |
| Vintage Story | The data/Saves/ folder | Regenerating Your World |
What a World Reset Keeps and Loses
| Kept | Lost |
|---|---|
| Your Server Options (server name, password, ports, RAM) | Terrain, builds, and explored areas |
Config files such as server.properties or <server-name>.ini | Player progress stored with the world, such as inventories |
| Mods, plugins, and their configs | In-game settings stored in the world, such as Minecraft game rules |
| Admin, operator, whitelist, and ban lists |
The exact list differs per game. Check the game’s guide above before you delete anything.
When a Full Wipe Is the Right Choice
A full wipe deletes every file on the server, not only the world. Use it when you want to remove mods, plugins, and configs too, or when old files keep the server from starting after a big change.
| Tool | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| FORMAT (Edition Installer, Minecraft Java) | Advanced > Server Actions > Install Different Edition | Deletes all files, then installs the edition you pick. See Using the Edition Installer |
| FORMAT (Install Modpack dialog, Minecraft Java) | Tools > Modpack Manager > Install | Deletes your world, configs, plugins, and mods, then installs the pack. See Modpack Installation |
| Switch Game | Bottom of the sidebar | Wipes the server and installs a different game. See Switching Games |
| Reinstall Server | Advanced > Server Actions | Replaces the game files. It does not delete your world, so it does not give you a new world on its own |
Back up before any of these. A full wipe cannot be undone.
Still Not Working?
If the server keeps loading your old world or will not start after a reset, contact our support team with:
- Your Server UUID
- The game and the folder you deleted or renamed
- The last 50 lines of the Console output after starting
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Delete only the game's world or save folder. The server generates a new world on the next start and keeps your config files, mods, plugins, and admin lists.
No. Reinstall Server replaces the game files but leaves your world in place. To get a new world, delete the world or save folder.
Only from a backup. Take a manual backup first. WinterNode also keeps automatic backups every 12 hours for 45 days, which support can restore.
See Cancel Your Service in the Accounting and Billing section of the help center. Cancelling does not reset your world.