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How backups work and how to keep a copy of your server

Create, download and restore backups in the ESN panel, and how to keep your own copy of your files with Archive or SFTP when your server has no backup slots.

Keeping a copy of your files means a mistake, a bad plugin or a broken update never costs you your work.

Panel backups

Open your server and go to Backups. The page shows how many backup slots your server has.

  • Create Backup saves the server's files. Give it a name, and optionally list files to leave out.
  • Use the menu next to a backup to Download it, Restore it, Lock it (so it can't be deleted by mistake) or Delete it.
  • Restore replaces your current files with the backup. Stop the server first.

If your server has no backup slots

Backup slots depend on your server, and some have none. If the Backups page says you can't create backups, keep your own copy instead:

  1. Stop the server, so files like Minecraft worlds aren't mid-save.
  2. In Files, tick the files and folders you want, or the select-all box, and choose Archive. This makes one compressed .tar.gz file on your server.
  3. Open that file's menu and choose Download. Keep it on your computer.
  4. Delete the archive from the server afterward, so it doesn't use your disk space.

You can also copy everything to your computer with SFTP.

Restoring your own copy

Stop the server, upload your .tar.gz in Files, choose Unarchive, and move the files back into place. If you're not sure, ask in the ESN Hosting Discord first.

Good habit: keep a copy before changing Minecraft versions, adding big plugins or modpacks, or rewriting your bot.

Still stuck? Ask in the ESN Hosting Discord. Last updated October 27, 2026.