How to Upload Existing Worlds to Your Minecraft Java Edition Server

Uploading your existing Minecraft world to a dedicated server allows you to continue your single-player adventures with friends or preserve your builds on a reliable server. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Access to your Minecraft server's file system (via FTP, control panel, or direct access)
• Your existing world save files from your local Minecraft installation
• Basic understanding of file management

Step 1: Locate Your World Save

Windows

Navigate to: %appdata%\.minecraft\saves\

macOS

Navigate to: ~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves/

Linux

Navigate to: ~/.minecraft/saves/

Find the folder with your world name. This entire folder contains your world data.

Step 2: Prepare Your World Files

1. Make a backup copy of your world folder before proceeding
2. Compress the world folder into a ZIP file for easier upload (optional but recommended for large worlds)

Step 3: Access Your Server Files

Connect to your server using one of these methods:

• FTP Client: Use FileZilla or similar FTP client with your server credentials
• Control Panel: Use the file manager in your hosting provider's control panel
• SSH: Connect via command line if you have SSH access

Step 4: Upload Your World

1. Navigate to your server's root directory
2. Locate the current world folder (usually named world)
3. Important: Backup the existing world folder before replacing it
4. Delete or rename the existing world folder
5. Upload your world folder from Step 1
6. Rename your uploaded folder to world (or match the level-name in server.properties)

Step 5: Update Server Configuration

Edit your server.properties file:

properties level-name=world

Make sure the level-name matches your world folder name.

Step 6: Set Correct Permissions

If using Linux/Unix: bash chown -R minecraft:minecraft /path/to/world chmod -R 755 /path/to/world

Step 7: Start Your Server

1. Start your Minecraft server
2. Monitor the console for any errors
3. Connect to your server and verify your world loaded correctly

Troubleshooting

World Not Loading

• Check that the world folder name matches the level-name in server.properties
• Ensure all world files were uploaded completely
• Verify file permissions are correct

Version Mismatch

• Make sure your server version matches the version your world was created in
• Consider using a world converter if versions differ significantly

Performance Issues

• Large worlds may require more server resources
• Consider increasing server RAM allocation
• Optimize your world using tools like MCASelector

Additional Tips

• Regular Backups: Set up automatic backups to prevent data loss
• World Size: Monitor your world size as it can impact server performance
• Plugins: Some plugins may not be compatible with imported worlds
• Seeds: The world seed will be preserved, allowing continued generation in the same style

Conclusion

You've successfully uploaded your existing world to your Minecraft server! Your builds, progress, and adventures are now accessible on your dedicated server. Remember to maintain regular backups and monitor server performance as your world grows.