Automated Backups and Restores
Configure backup schedules and restore your server data with confidence.
By Lodgichost Team · Last updated: August 19, 2026
Every Minecraft server is one bad update, one corrupted chunk, or one hostile incident away from losing months of player progress. A community that has built bases, stored valuable items, and accumulated playtime has real value, and losing it is the single most demoralising thing that can happen to a server. Backups exist to make that loss impossible: they give you a clean snapshot of everything — world, plugins, configs, and player data — that you can roll back to in minutes. Our automated daily backups run without you lifting a finger, but understanding how they work, how to restore them, and how to test them turns a safety net into a genuine disaster-recovery plan.
How Backups Work
Lodgichost automatically creates daily encrypted backups of your entire server — including world files, plugins, configs, and player data. Backups are stored on separate infrastructure from your live server, ensuring your data is safe even in the event of hardware failure.
Configuring Backup Frequency
You can configure backup frequency and retention settings in the portal's Backup section. Available schedules depend on your plan:
| Plan | Auto Backup | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Spark | Daily | 7 days |
| Pulse | Daily | 14 days |
| Core+ | Twice daily | 30 days |
Restoring a Backup
To restore a backup, go to the Backups section in your portal, select the backup you want to restore, and click "Restore". The server will be temporarily stopped while the backup is applied, then automatically restarted.
You can also download backups for local storage or migrate to another server. Partial restore (e.g., restoring only the world folder) is available via the file manager by extracting the backup ZIP manually.
Manual Backups
In addition to automated backups, you can create manual backups at any time:
- Use the "Create Backup" button in the portal — instant one-click backup of your entire server.
- Connect via SFTP and manually copy your world folder to your local machine.
- Use an in-game command like /save-all followed by copying the world files.
- Schedule a server restart during off-peak hours to trigger a clean state backup.
We recommend creating a manual backup before making major changes like updating the server version or installing large modpacks.
Backup Best Practices
Following a few habits means you never discover a backup was missing exactly when you needed it:
- Create a manual backup before every major change — version updates, plugin installs, and modpack changes are the highest-risk moments.
- Check the backup log weekly to confirm automated backups are actually running on schedule.
- Download a copy of your world folder locally after big community events or large builds.
- Periodically restore a backup to a test server to prove it works, rather than trusting it blindly.
Troubleshooting
- Backup failed: Check that your server has sufficient free disk space for the backup process.
- Cannot restore: Verify that the backup is from a compatible server version.
- Partial data loss: Contact support within 24 hours — we may be able to recover data from snapshot storage.
- Long restore time: Large worlds can take several minutes to restore. Do not stop the process once started.
Disaster Recovery Checklist
- Verify backups are running by checking the backup log in the portal.
- Test restore on a separate server periodically to ensure backup integrity.
- Maintain off-site copies of critical configuration files.
- Document your server setup procedure for rapid redeployment if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are backups created automatically?
Spark plans receive daily backups kept for 7 days, Pulse plans daily backups kept for 14 days, and Core+ plans back up twice daily with 30 days of retention. You can also trigger a manual backup at any time from the portal.
Can I restore just one file or the whole server?
Yes. The portal's Restore button rolls the entire server back, but if you only need a single file or folder you can open the backup ZIP in the file manager and extract exactly what you need.
Does restoring a backup interrupt my players?
Yes — the server is briefly stopped while the backup applies, then restarts automatically. Because of this, announce restores ahead of time so players do not lose unsaved progress.
Are backups encrypted and stored safely?
Yes. Every backup is encrypted at rest and stored on infrastructure separate from your live server, so a hardware failure on one node does not put your data at risk.
What happens if a backup fails?
A failed backup is logged in the portal so you can act on it. The most common cause is running out of disk space — clearing up rooms or upgrading your plan restores backup success.
Related Guides
- Updating Your Server — back up before every update
- Import an Existing World — restore individual worlds
- Installing and Managing Plugins — back up plugin configs