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Restoring Backups

Restore your server to a previous state using a backup. This replaces your current server files with the backup contents.

Important: Restoring a backup will overwrite your current server data. Any changes made since the backup was created will be lost.

When to Restore

Use restore when:

  • An update broke your server
  • You accidentally deleted important files
  • Configuration changes caused problems
  • You want to undo recent changes
  • Corruption occurred

Restoring a Backup

Stop Your Server

For the safest restore, stop your server first:

  1. Go to your server Dashboard
  2. Click Stop
  3. Wait until status shows Offline

You can restore while the server is running, but stopping ensures a clean restore without file conflicts.

Open Backups

Navigate to the Backups section in your server dashboard.

Find Your Backup

Browse your backups to find the one you want:

  • Check the name for description
  • Check the date to ensure it's the right time
  • Check the size matches expectations

Click Restore

Click the Restore button on the backup you want to use.

Confirm Restore

A confirmation dialog appears:

  • Review the backup details
  • Understand that current data will be replaced
  • Click Confirm to proceed

This action cannot be undone. Make sure you've selected the correct backup.

Wait for Completion

The restore process:

  1. Preparing - Getting ready
  2. Extracting - Unpacking backup files
  3. Restoring - Replacing server files
  4. Complete - Ready to start

Start Your Server

Once complete:

  1. Go back to Dashboard
  2. Click Start
  3. Monitor the Console for any issues

After Restoring

Verify the Restore

After starting your server:

  1. Check the console - Look for startup errors
  2. Test basic functions - Ensure the server works
  3. Verify data - Confirm your expected data is present

What's Restored

Everything in the backup is restored:

  • ✓ World data and saves
  • ✓ Configuration files
  • ✓ Plugin/mod settings
  • ✓ Player data
  • ✓ Custom files

What's Lost

Changes made after the backup was created:

  • ✗ New builds or progress
  • ✗ Configuration changes
  • ✗ New plugins/mods installed
  • ✗ Player data since backup

Best Practices

Before Restoring

  1. Create a new backup of current state (if valuable)
  2. Stop the server for clean restore
  3. Verify the backup is the correct one
  4. Notify players if applicable

Choosing the Right Backup

  • Most recent - For recovering from recent issues
  • Stable - Before the problem occurred
  • Milestone - Known good state

Troubleshooting

Restore Failed

If restore fails:

  1. Check server status - Stop it if still running
  2. Try again - Temporary issues may resolve
  3. Check backup - It may be corrupted
  4. Contact support - If issues persist

Server Won't Start After Restore

  1. Check the Console for errors
  2. The backup may have incompatible settings
  3. Try restoring a different backup
  4. Verify game version compatibility

Data Not What Expected

If restored data doesn't match expectations:

  1. Check backup date - You may have chosen wrong backup
  2. Backup may be incomplete - Try another backup
  3. Files were added after - They won't be in old backups

Partial Restore

You cannot restore individual files from a backup through the UI. A restore is all-or-nothing.

Workaround:

  1. Download the backup
  2. Extract on your computer
  3. Find the specific files
  4. Upload just those files

Tips

Create Safety Backup

Before restoring, create a backup of your current state:

"pre-restore-safety-2024-01-15"

This gives you a way back if the restored backup isn't what you need.

Test in Off-Hours

If possible, restore during low-activity times when fewer players are affected.

Document Changes

After restoring, remember to re-apply any intentional changes you made after the backup:

  • Configuration updates
  • New plugins/mods
  • Permission changes

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