Reset 7 Days to Die World Safely (Step-by-Step)

Updated 4 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Resetting the world on a 7 Days to Die server wipes the map and all player progress, giving everyone a fresh start with new terrain, loot, and zombie spawns. This guide walks you through the process safely, ensuring you don’t accidentally delete your server configuration or lose the ability to roll back if needed.

What You’ll Need

Access to your server’s file system (via FTP, file manager, or command line).
The server’s save game folder location (usually SaveGame inside the server directory).
A backup tool (or just the ability to copy/paste folders).

Step-by-Step

Stop the server. Use your hosting control panel or command line to shut down the server completely. Do not just restart; a full stop ensures no files are in use.
Back up the entire server folder. Copy the whole server directory (or at least the SaveGame folder and serverconfig.xml) to a safe location. This is your rollback if anything goes wrong.
Locate the save game folder. Inside your server directory, find the folder named SaveGame. It contains subfolders for each world (e.g., Navezgane, Random Gen).
Delete the world folder(s). Inside SaveGame, you’ll see a folder matching your world name. Delete that entire folder. Do not delete the SaveGame folder itself, and do not delete serverconfig.xml.
Optional: Reset player data. If you want to wipe player inventories, skills, and land claims, also delete the Players folder inside the world folder. If you only want to reset the map but keep player progress, skip this step.
Start the server. Launch the server normally. It will generate a new world with the same seed and settings as defined in serverconfig.xml. If you want a completely different map, change the WorldGenSeed or WorldName in the config before starting.
Verify the reset. Join the server and check that the map is fresh (no existing bases, new terrain). Also check that player data is as expected (if you kept it, they should still have their levels).

Common Mistakes

Deleting the wrong folder. Deleting the entire SaveGame folder or the server root will break the server. Only delete the world-specific subfolder.
Not stopping the server first. If the server is running while you delete files, it may recreate them or become corrupted.
Forgetting to back up. Without a backup, a mistake means permanent loss of the world and player progress.
Changing the seed accidentally. If you don’t want a new map layout, keep the seed unchanged. Editing the seed will generate a different world even if you don’t delete the folder.

Tips

Before resetting, announce it to your players so they can prepare (e.g., store important items in a chest that will be lost).
If you want to keep player levels but reset the map, only delete the world folder’s Region subfolder (which contains the terrain) instead of the whole world folder. This is more advanced but preserves player data.
Use a hosting panel’s “Reset World” button if availableâ€”it automates the process safely.
After resetting, consider adjusting the GameDifficulty or ZombieSpawn settings in serverconfig.xml for a fresh challenge.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start after reset. Check the server logs for errors. Often this is due to a corrupted config or missing files. Restore your backup and try again, ensuring you only deleted the correct folder.
World looks the same. If the map appears unchanged, the server may have cached the old world. Stop the server, delete the world folder again, and also delete the web folder (if present) to clear cached map tiles. Then restart.
Players lost items but kept levels. This happens if you deleted the Players folder but kept the Region folder. To reset everything, delete both. To keep player data, don’t delete Players.
Error about missing world. If the server can’t find the world, the config may point to a non-existent name. Check WorldName in serverconfig.xml and ensure it matches the folder you created (or let the server generate a new one).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will resetting the world delete my server settings?

No. Your serverconfig.xml (game mode, difficulty, etc.) is separate from the world data. It remains intact.

Can I reset the world but keep player levels?

Yes. Delete only the Region folder inside the world folder, not the Players folder. This resets the map but keeps player stats and inventories.

How often should I reset my server?

It depends on your community. Many servers reset every few months to keep the game fresh, but there’s no rule. Some reset only when the map becomes too cluttered or laggy.

Does resetting the world affect mods?

No. Mods are stored in the Mods folder, which is untouched. However, if a mod adds custom blocks, they may not exist in the new world until the mod regenerates them.

Can I reset just the player data without resetting the map?

Yes. Delete the Players folder inside the world folder. This wipes inventories, skills, and land claims, but the map stays as is.

What if I want a completely new map with a different seed?

Change the WorldGenSeed and optionally WorldName in serverconfig.xml, then delete the old world folder. The server will generate a new world with the new seed.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.