How to Wipe a DayZ Server Safely (Full, Partial, Loot)

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through wiping a DayZ server — whether you want a full reset (map, characters, bases, and loot), a partial wipe (keep characters or bases), or just a loot reset to refresh item spawns. You’ll learn the exact steps for both Nitrado-style control panels and manual file edits, plus how to avoid common mistakes that corrupt save files or wipe the wrong data.

What You’ll Need

Access to your server’s control panel (web interface or FTP).
Your server’s storage folder path (usually storage_<serverID> or similar).
Optional: a backup tool or the ability to download files via FTP.
Basic familiarity with file management (zipping, deleting, renaming).

Step-by-Step

Before you start, decide what type of wipe you need. The table below shows what each wipe removes:

Type	Removes	Keeps
Full Wipe	All characters, bases, vehicles, loot, map data	Server settings, mods, player list (if not in storage)
Partial Wipe (Character/Building)	Characters or buildings (depending on choice)	Other data (loot, vehicles, etc.)
Loot Reset	All loot spawns (items in world and containers)	Characters, bases, vehicles

Full Wipe

Stop the server completely from your control panel. Do not skip this — wiping while the server is running can corrupt files.
Locate the storage folder. In most hosting panels, this is under File Manager or FTP. The folder is usually named storage_<yourServerID> (e.g., storage_12345).
Back up the storage folder (optional but recommended). Download it via FTP or use your panel’s backup feature. This ensures you can restore if something goes wrong.
Delete the contents of the storage folder. Do not delete the folder itself — just the files inside. You can select all and delete, or if your panel has a “Reset” button, use that.
Restart the server. The game will regenerate fresh files automatically.
Verify the wipe by logging into the game and checking that the map is empty, characters are gone, and loot spawns are fresh.

Partial Wipe (Character or Building)

Stop the server.
Navigate to the storage folder as above.
For a character wipe: delete the players.db file (or the entire players folder if present). This resets all player data, including inventory and stats.
For a building wipe: delete the buildings.bin file (or buildings folder). This removes all placed bases and constructions.
Restart the server and verify that only the intended data was cleared.

Loot Reset

Stop the server.
Navigate to the storage folder.
Delete the loot.xml file (or the loot folder). This clears all spawned loot.
Restart the server. The server will respawn loot based on your server’s loot economy settings.
Note: Some servers also require clearing the cache folder inside storage to force a full loot respawn. Check your host’s documentation.

Common Mistakes

Deleting the wrong folder: Make sure you’re in the correct storage directory. Deleting the server’s root folder can break the installation.
Not stopping the server: Always stop the server first. Wiping a running server can cause file corruption and lost data.
Deleting the storage folder itself: The server expects the folder to exist. If you delete it, the server may recreate it, but it’s safer to just delete contents.
Forgetting to clear cache: On some hosts, the cache folder holds loot spawn data. If loot doesn’t reset, clear the cache as well.
Not backing up: If you accidentally delete more than intended, a backup is your only safety net.

Tips

Schedule wipes: If you run a community server, announce wipes in advance and schedule them during off-peak hours.
Use the control panel’s reset feature: Many hosting panels (like Nitrado) have a one-click “Reset” button that handles the file deletion for you. Always prefer this over manual deletion if available.
Keep a backup of a clean storage folder: After a fresh install, copy the storage folder to a safe place. Then you can quickly restore it for a full wipe without waiting for regeneration.
Test on a test server: If you’re unsure, try the wipe on a test server first to see the exact file structure.

Troubleshooting

Server won’t start after wipe: This usually means you deleted the wrong files. Restore from backup, or if no backup, reinstall the server (this will wipe everything, including settings).

Loot didn’t reset: Clear the cache folder inside storage. Also verify that your loot economy settings aren’t set to a very low spawn rate.

Characters still exist after partial wipe: You may have deleted the wrong file. Check that you deleted players.db (for characters) and not players folder if it’s a directory. Some hosts use different naming.

Bases still standing: Make sure you deleted buildings.bin or the buildings folder. If you’re using a mod that stores base data in a different file, check the mod’s documentation.

Server error on startup: If you deleted a file that the server expects to exist, it may error. Let the server generate a fresh file by deleting the entire storage folder and letting it recreate, or restore from backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a loot reset delete player bases?

No, a loot reset only clears item spawns. Bases, vehicles, and characters are stored in separate files and remain untouched.

How often should I wipe my DayZ server?

It depends on your community. Some servers wipe monthly to keep things fresh, others only when needed (e.g., after a major update). Loot resets can be done weekly to prevent item hoarding.

Can I wipe only certain areas of the map?

No, the wipe process is all-or-nothing for the data type you choose. To clear a specific area, you’d need a mod or admin tool that allows selective deletion.

Does wiping delete my server settings and mods?

No, wiping only affects the storage folder. Server configuration files (like serverDZ.cfg) and mods are in separate folders and remain untouched.

What’s the difference between a soft and hard wipe?

A soft wipe usually means a loot reset, while a hard wipe is a full character and base wipe. Some servers use these terms interchangeably, so always check with your host or community.

Can I wipe a server without stopping it?

Technically you can delete files while it’s running, but it’s highly risky and can corrupt your save. Always stop the server first.

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