Accessing Your Valheim Server Files Through FTP

Modding Valheim or restoring an old save means digging into your server's actual files, and that requires FTP. The directory layout can look intimidating at first glance, especially when you have no idea which folder does what. The HolyHosting panel handles the common operations in a couple of clicks, but you also have the option to use a desktop FTP client when you need more flexibility. This guide walks through both paths and points out the folders that actually matter.

Connecting to Your Valheim FTP

To reach the file system, you need the FTP password set in your control panel. Once you have it, you can browse, edit, download, and upload server files. The built-in tool is fast and convenient, but it has size caps that affect bigger transfers. If that becomes a problem, a third-party FTP client is the workaround. For that route, you will also need the FTP address, port, and username from the panel. After connecting, you will see a stack of directories. Only a handful are worth your attention, and the sections below cover both connection methods and the folders that matter.

Option 1: The Built-In Panel

The fastest way in is the file manager inside the HolyHosting control panel. Open it, enter the password, and you are already looking at your server files. From there you can move, edit, or download anything you have permission for. The trade-off is the file size limit, which can block larger downloads, and certain file types may not render in the in-browser editor. For those edge cases, an external client is more flexible. Steps to get connected through the panel:

• Open your server panel and open the File Manager.

• Type your password into the prompt and press Login.

• You should now see the full directory tree, ready for downloads, uploads, or edits. Confirm you are on the correct server profile before changing anything.

Option 2: An External FTP Client

For larger transfers, batch uploads, or simply working in a tool you already know, a desktop FTP application is the better route. FileZilla and Cyberduck are both solid choices, free, and widely trusted. They handle big files without the panel's size limits and offer features like queueing and folder syncing. Here is the flow:

• Download and install an FTP client. FileZilla is the usual pick.

• Open the application once installation is done.

• In your server panel, open your FTP/SFTP details section.

• Copy the FTP Address, Port, Username, and Password.

• Paste those into the FTP client.

• Press Quickconnect or its equivalent.

• You should now see the same directories you would have via the panel, just with fewer limits.

Folders Worth Knowing

Once you are in, the file tree includes saves, configuration, mod folders, and a bunch of other things. The exact layout depends on whether Valheim Plus is active. If you want it, switch the version selector in your panel and restart the server. Valheim Plus opens up mod support, which adds new folders vanilla servers do not have. Other useful sections live under the server settings and config files area in the main panel.

For backups, the world files are gold. You can download them to keep a snapshot, then re-upload later if something goes sideways. They live in `…/worlds_local`, and you will usually see several entries for whatever saves the server has used. This applies to both vanilla and modded setups. The names in the directory match what you see in the world list in your panel, so keep an eye on which one is your active world.

Valheim Plus widens the game with mods and config tweaks. Mods go in `…/BepInEx/plugins`. Config files live in `…/BepInEx/config`, and the main one to look at is `valheim_plus.cfg`, which controls a long list of toggles and values. None of this applies to a vanilla server, so do not expect those folders to appear unless Valheim Plus is the active game version.

When the Connection Refuses to Cooperate

Sometimes the FTP just will not connect. Nine times out of ten it is bad credentials. The FTP username is not the same as your panel login, so check the panel for the actual FTP details and copy them carefully. The password is also a frequent culprit, especially if it has been rotated. If you manage multiple servers, make sure you are looking at the right account when grabbing credentials.

Once you are in, transfers can still misbehave. Large folders, like a packed mods directory, often fail because of size or file count. Wrap them in a single archive using WinRAR or 7-Zip before uploading. The panel has built-in compression for downloads, which helps in the other direction. Slow or unstable internet will obviously make any large transfer a slog.

Missing files after a transfer usually trace back to the same compression issue or to the wrong server profile. Each profile keeps its own directory, so if your mods or save are not where you expect them, double-check that you are working with the right profile before assuming the upload failed.

Related Guides

• Additional FTP information
• Uploading existing worlds on Valheim servers
• Installing mods on a Valheim server
• How to become a Valheim server admin