---
title: "Managing your Valheim server"
description: "Deploy a 5 AM automated restart schedule, safeguard your worlds_local directory, and resolve common BepInEx log errors quickly."
url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/valheim/managing-your-valheim-server/"
category: "Valheim"
category_url: "https://www.gameserverkings.com/knowledge-base/valheim/"
published: "2026-07-03T22:51:56.274Z"
updated: "2026-08-16T10:55:09.072Z"
source_format: "markdown"
site: "GameServerKings"
---

# Managing your Valheim server

## Scheduled Restarts

A daily restart keeps memory use in check. From the **Schedules** tab:

1. Create a schedule named "Daily Restart".

2. Cron: `0 5 * * *` (5 AM server time, adjust to your quietest hour).

3. Add task: Send Power Action, Restart.

## Backups

The world files in `worlds_local/` are small (a few MB to a few hundred MB). Snapshot daily through the **Backups** tab.

> [!WARNING] A bad mod can corrupt the world
> **Always back up before installing or updating mods**, because a bad mod can corrupt the world. See [taking and restoring a panel snapshot](/knowledge-base/general/how-to-create-a-backup/).

## Common Issues

- **Cannot connect**: Almost always the password. [Valheim requires at least 5 characters](/knowledge-base/valheim/getting-started-with-your-server/); empty passwords are rejected on public servers.
- **Mods will not load**: Check `BepInEx/LogOutput.log` for compile errors or missing dependencies. Most mods need the BepInExPack, which the `bepinex` server type installs by default.
- **World corrupted**: Restore the `.db` and `.fwl` files from the most recent backup.
- **Server crashes after a mod update**: Roll back to the prior mod version. Valheim mods occasionally break across game updates; Thunderstore tracks compatible versions.

## What to Read Next

- [Valheim Server Settings and Launch Arguments](/knowledge-base/valheim/configuration-overview/) for world management and the wipe procedure
- [Console and admin commands](/knowledge-base/valheim/valheim-console-commands/) for `save`, `kick` and `ban`, and why cheats are blocked on dedicated servers
- [How to install mods for your Valheim server](/knowledge-base/valheim/how-to-install-mods/) for the BepInEx setup that most of these issues relate to
- [How to Upload Your Existing World to Your Valheim Server](/knowledge-base/valheim/upload-your-existing-world/) to move a local singleplayer or co-op world onto the server

---

Made with 💜 by GameServerKings