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Valheim Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-10-09

Save file location (Windows (worlds)): %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local

Quick answer: On PC, Valheim save files live in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local. Since Valheim 1.0 (Sept 2026) each world is a folder here — copy the whole world folder to back up. Older worlds still use a .db + .fwl pair until 1.0 converts them.
Windows (worlds)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local
Steam Deck / Linux (Proton)
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/892970/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/IronGate/Valheim/ (worlds_local + characters_local)
Windows (characters)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\characters_local

Here's exactly where Valheim stores your worlds and characters on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up.

Save file locations

Windows (worlds)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local\ . Since Valheim 1.0 (Sept 2026) each world is its own FOLDER here (named after the world), holding many .chunk files plus _main*.db2/.fwl2/.chunks/.ok — copy the whole folder. Worlds last saved before 1.0 still appear as a matching .db + .fwl pair until the game loads and converts them (it backs up the original pair first).

Steam Deck / Linux (Proton)
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/892970/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/IronGate/Valheim/ (worlds_local + characters_local)

On Steam Deck the save lives inside the game's Proton prefix, not in your Linux home. AppID 892970. Proton always names the Windows user 'steamuser' (never your Linux username). If the game is installed on a microSD card, look under the card's steamapps/compatdata/ instead. The folder won't appear until you've launched the game at least once.

Windows (characters)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\characters_local

Character files use the .fch extension. Cloud versions of these files sit in worlds_cloud / characters_cloud folders alongside them.

Cloud saves

Valheim uses Steam Cloud. Cloud copies are stored in worlds_cloud and characters_cloud folders next to the local ones. If you back up manually, copy both the local and cloud folders so a sync doesn't overwrite your restore.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Valheim keeps a local copy (worlds_local / characters_local) and a Steam Cloud copy (worlds_cloud / characters_cloud) side by side. Because both live in the same IronGate folder, a manual restore or a bad sync can leave the game loading the wrong one — and since Valheim 1.0 each world is a folder of .db2/.fwl2/.chunk files that must move together.

  1. Close Valheim fully before touching any file so Steam doesn't re-sync mid-copy.
  2. Back up BOTH copies: from %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim copy worlds_local, worlds_cloud, characters_local and characters_cloud so a sync can't overwrite your restore.
  3. Identify the latest world: inside worlds_local\<WorldName> the _main .db2 with the newest modified date is your most recent save; the matching .fwl2 must stay with it.
  4. Exact backup command (Windows CMD): robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\ValheimSaveBackup" worlds_local worlds_cloud characters_local characters_cloud /E
  5. To force the game to use your restored world, keep the local copy and disable Steam Cloud for Valheim (Properties > General) before launching, then re-enable it once the correct world has loaded.
  6. Pre-1.0 worlds appear as a .db + .fwl pair and are converted on first load — the game backs up the original pair first, but copy that pair yourself before loading just in case.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

Valheim worlds corrupt after crashes and cloud-sync merges, and one bad shutdown can wipe a character. Back up the whole Valheim folder before any fix — paste into Command Prompt (Win+R → cmd):

robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Valheim-Save-Backup" /E

/E copies both worlds_local and characters_local at once. Each world is an .fwl + .db pair — keep both files together or the world won't load.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Valheim save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type %localappdata% and press Enter.
  3. AppData\LocalLow is hidden — type %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim in the Run box, then open worlds_local or characters_local.
  4. Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Valheim save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My Valheim save is missing or the folder is empty

You are usually looking in the wrong sub-folder — open the numbered profile/Steam-ID folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync complete before launching.

Valheim progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the Valheim corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.

Want to edit this save (money, items, stats)? See the Valheim save editor guide — which fields are safe to change and how to back up first.

FAQ

Where is the Valheim save file on PC?

Worlds are at C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim\worlds_local and characters at ...\characters_local. LocalLow is hidden, so paste the full path into the Run box.

How do I back up a Valheim world?

On Valheim 1.0 each world is a folder inside worlds_local — copy the entire folder (its .chunk files and _main*.db2/.fwl2/.chunks/.ok) to a safe place. On a pre-1.0 world that hasn’t been converted yet, copy both the world’s .db and .fwl files (same name) instead — both are required.

How do I move a Valheim character to another PC?

Copy the .fch file from characters_local to the same folder on the other PC. If Steam Cloud is on, also copy the characters_cloud copy or disable cloud to avoid an overwrite.

Other games

Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.