Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBack up a Conan Exiles server by stopping it, copying the complete ConanSandbox/Saved data set, and storing a dated copy somewhere outside the live server. At minimum, preserve game.db and any game_backup_##.db files. For a rebuild or host move, also save the server configuration and ConanSandbox/Mods directory, then record the map, game version and mod load order.
Prefer not to run the server on your own PC? Godlike.Host offers hosted Conan Exiles servers with free DDoS protection and up to three free backups a day.
The exact restore screen depends on your host. A self-hosted installation uses file replacement; managed hosts may offer a control-panel backup list. Legacy and Enhanced installations also use different filenames in some workflows, so verify the branch before copying anything.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What a Conan Exiles backup must contain
A Conan Exiles world is stored in the server’s ConanSandbox/Saved area. The principal database is game.db; numbered files such as game_backup_0.db and game_backup_1.db are older database snapshots that can be used for a rollback. The exact number of backup files varies with the installation and provider.
A database-only copy can recover the world state, but it may not reproduce the server that created it. A restorable, portable backup has three layers:
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
- World data: the complete
ConanSandbox/Saveddirectory, includinggame.db, numbered backups, character and clan data, and map-specific databases that are present. - Configuration: the server settings files that define difficulty, rates, administrator access, passwords, whitelist behavior and other options.
- Mods: the
ConanSandbox/Modsdirectory, plus a written list of mods in load order. A world that references a missing or differently ordered mod may fail to load correctly even when the database is intact.
Keep the original directory structure inside the archive. Do not rename individual files until you are performing a deliberate restore, and never treat a MySQL dump from a hosting account as a Conan world backup. Nitrado states that its separately backed-up MySQL database does not contain Conan Exiles game progress.
Before copying: stop the server and make a recovery point
Announce maintenance
Tell players when the server will stop and how long the maintenance should take. A clean shutdown lets the game finish writing database changes. Copying a database while the process is writing can produce an incomplete or internally inconsistent backup.
Stop or quiesce the process
Use the host’s Stop control or the operating system’s normal service command. Wait until the process has exited and the server log is no longer changing. If your platform offers a maintenance or save command, use it before stopping, but still wait for the process to close before copying files.
Managed providers follow the same principle. GPORTAL documents that its server stops during a backup and starts again automatically. Do not assume a provider’s backup is live or instantaneous; check the current control-panel instructions for your plan.
Preserve the current live database
Before replacing anything during a restore, make a second copy of the current game.db. Name it with the UTC date and a label such as game_before_restore_2026-10-15T1430Z.db. If the older snapshot is wrong, this file is your way back.
Find the save directory on a self-hosted server
Windows installations
Find the folder that contains the server executable, then open ConanSandbox/Saved. The location differs according to whether SteamCMD, a game-server manager or a custom service account installed the files. Search the server’s installation volume for game.db if you do not know the root directory. Confirm that the file’s modified time changes after a normal play session; do not copy a similarly named client save from another installation.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Rank #2
- Easily store and access 5TB of content on the go with the Seagate portable drive, a USB external hard Drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Linux installations
Open the directory used by the service account and locate ConanSandbox/Saved. A typical dedicated-server tree has the same relative path as Windows even though the absolute path is different. Use the service definition or startup script to identify the installation root rather than guessing from a home directory.
Check the contents
A valid world directory normally contains game.db and may contain several game_backup_##.db files. It may also include map- or feature-specific databases and configuration subdirectories. If there is no game.db, verify that you are looking at the dedicated server’s files, that the server has been run at least once, and that the account you are using has permission to read the directory.
Create a complete local archive
Windows: copy, then compress
- Stop the server and wait for the process to exit.
- Create a folder named with the server, map or branch, and UTC timestamp, for example
Exiles-IsleOfSiptah-Enhanced-2026-10-15T1430Z. - Copy the entire
ConanSandbox/Saveddirectory into it. - Copy
ConanSandbox/Modswhen mods are installed or when you may move hosts. - Copy the server configuration files used by the installation.
- Add a text file containing the server version, map, mod list and load order, configuration changes, and the reason for the backup.
- Compress the completed folder only after the copies finish. Open the archive once to verify that
Saved/game.dband the expected mod files are inside.
Windows Task Scheduler can run this process on a schedule. The task should call a script that first stops or signals the service, waits for shutdown, copies the files, creates the archive, writes a log, and starts the service again. Test the script manually before making it unattended.
Linux: timestamped tar archive
The Linux workflow documented for Conan servers archives both ConanSandbox/Saved and ConanSandbox/Mods in a timestamped .tar.gz file. The following pattern illustrates the structure; substitute your real installation and backup directories:
#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail
ROOT=/srv/conan
DEST=/srv/conan-backups
STAMP=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H%M%SZ)
mkdir -p "$DEST"
tar -czf "$DEST/conan-$STAMP.tar.gz"
-C "$ROOT" ConanSandbox/Saved ConanSandbox/Mods
printf '%sn' "$DEST/conan-$STAMP.tar.gz"Run the script only after the service has stopped, or add service-stop and service-start operations that are appropriate for your unit. A cron entry can invoke it at a recurring time, but a schedule is not a substitute for retention: keep several dated archives and copy at least one to another machine or disk.
Verify an archive instead of trusting its creation message
- List the archive and confirm that
ConanSandbox/Saved/game.dbis present. - Confirm that expected
game_backup_##.dbfiles, configuration files and mod files are included. - Check the archive size against previous runs; a sudden tiny archive usually indicates a path or permission error.
- Record the SHA-256 hash if you need to prove that a stored copy has not changed.
- Perform a test restore to a non-public test instance before relying on the backup for a major migration.
Where to store backups and how many to keep
A backup left in the same server directory is not an independent recovery copy. Disk failure, an incorrect command, ransomware or an accidental deletion can remove both the live world and its backup. Keep one working copy locally for quick restores and at least one dated copy on a different disk or machine. An external hard drive or SSD is a practical destination for a personal copy; disconnect it after the transfer if it is not needed online.
Rank #3
- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Use names that sort chronologically, such as server-map-branch-YYYY-MM-DDTHHMMZ. Retain enough history to cover the interval in which corruption might go unnoticed. A simple rotation might keep the last seven daily archives, four weekly archives and a monthly archive, but choose a retention period that fits your storage and how often the world changes.
Store a small manifest beside each archive. Include the Conan server build, map, Legacy or Enhanced branch, operating system, active mods and order, configuration checksum, backup timestamp in UTC, and the person or script that created it. This turns a pile of files into a reproducible recovery point.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Restore the current server from a self-hosted backup
Restore the whole archive
- Stop the Conan Exiles server and wait for a clean shutdown.
- Move the current
ConanSandbox/Saveddirectory to a quarantine name rather than deleting it. - Extract the selected archive into a temporary directory and inspect its manifest.
- Copy the archived
Saveddirectory into the original installation path. - Restore the matching configuration and mod files if the archive was made for a different server state.
- Check file ownership and permissions, especially on Linux where the service may run under a dedicated account.
- Start the server, watch the log for database or mod errors, and connect with an administrator account.
- Inspect the map, player and clan state before announcing that the rollback is complete.
Do not overwrite the only copy of the current database. Keeping the quarantined directory allows you to compare files or return to the pre-restore state.
Roll back to a numbered database
For a file-level rollback, stop the server, copy the current game.db to a safe name, copy the chosen game_backup_##.db into the same directory, and rename that copy to game.db. Restart only after the rename is complete. Conan Exiles server-configuration guidance warns that renaming a backup to game.db can overwrite the existing file, which is why preserving the original first matters.
Use the timestamp and file size to choose a candidate, then verify the result in game. Numbering is not a universal age indicator across every installation, so do not assume that game_backup_1.db is newer than game_backup_0.db without checking your provider’s convention.
Managed-host backup and restore workflows
GPORTAL’s documented workflow
GPORTAL’s guide places manual backup creation at My Servers → select the server → Administration → Backup → Create Backup. The service stops while the backup is made and restarts automatically. Its documentation explicitly says that backups are not created automatically, so schedule your own downloads or create backups before major changes instead of assuming daily protection.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
For an older save, the documented sequence is to stop the server, open the savegame setting, choose the desired prior save, save the selection, and start the server. GPORTAL describes its numbered saves as five-minute intervals and says the smallest number is the newest in that interface. Treat those statements as provider-specific behavior, not a guarantee for every Conan installation.
Nitrado’s documented workflow
Nitrado states that server backups are created by its system every 24 hours and can be accessed through Tools → Restore backup. The 24-hour interval is the provider’s documented cadence, not a universal Conan Exiles rule. Before restoring, determine which snapshot you need and whether the panel will stop and restart the server automatically.
Download an independent copy through the provider’s file manager or FTP facility when available. A hosted restore protects against some mistakes, but an off-server copy is what lets you move to another host or recover if the account itself becomes unavailable.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Questions to ask any host
| Capability | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic or manual cadence | Determines how much recent progress a restore can lose. | Frequency, trigger, timezone and whether manual snapshots are possible. |
| Retention | Older snapshots are essential when corruption is discovered late. | Number of copies, age limits and deletion behavior. |
| Off-server download | Enables independent recovery and migration. | File-manager or FTP access to Saved, configuration and mods. |
| Restore behavior | Players can lose progress if writes continue during replacement. | Whether restore stops and restarts the service and how downtime is shown. |
| Branch support | Legacy and Enhanced use different paths and filenames in some workflows. | Import instructions for the exact branch and map. |
| Mod and configuration portability | A database alone may not recreate the running server. | Which settings and mod files are included in the provider snapshot. |
Move a Conan Exiles world to another host
- Create a clean, stopped-server archive containing
ConanSandbox/Saved, configuration andConanSandbox/Mods. - Write down the source server’s map, branch, build, mod IDs and order, rates, and important settings.
- Install the destination server on the same branch and map before uploading data.
- Stop the destination instance before replacing its newly created
Saveddirectory. - Upload the archive, extract it, and preserve the destination’s original files under a quarantine name.
- Install the same mods in the same order. Do not let the destination silently substitute different versions.
- Apply the recorded configuration and correct file ownership.
- Start privately, inspect the world and test an administrator login, then open it to players.
If the destination host uses a different directory layout, map the relative paths rather than copying an absolute path from the old machine. Ask the host whether its panel expects a compressed archive, individual files or a provider-specific import operation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Legacy and Enhanced: migration precautions
Back up before changing branches
Funcom’s Enhanced migration notice recommends preserving the Exiled Lands game.db and Isle of Siptah dlc_siptah.db before the update. Make that backup while the server is stopped, and retain the complete archive as well; the two named files are minimum migration targets, not a replacement for configuration and mod data.
Understand the conversion statement
The Funcom Help Center says: “Your save files from UE4 should remain in place throughout the update process and will be converted to separate Conan Exiles Enhanced save files when the updated server is run.” This describes an expected conversion path, not permission to delete the UE4 files. Keep the pre-update archive until the Enhanced world has been opened and checked.
Best Value
- [Upgraded Version] - This external hard drive features a mirrored logo stripe combined with a striped anti-slip design, and the rounded corners of the casing make it easier to grip. The stripes also have a heat dissipation function, ensuring stable and fast data transfer.
- 【Ultra-thin and quiet】 - The motherboard adopts JMicron 578 noise-free solution, giving you a quiet working environment. Lightweight and portable size designed to fit in your pocket for easy portability.
- 【Ultra-Fast Data Transfers】 - Pairing this external hard drive with JMicron 578 solution USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 interfaces enables blazing-fast data transfer. It boasts theoretical read speeds of up to 125MB/s and write speeds of up to 103MB/s.
- 【Plug and Play】 - With no software to install, just plug it in and the drive is ready to use.The hard disk chip is wrapped with an aluminum anti-interference layer to increase heat dissipation and protect data.
- 【What You Get】 - 1 x Portable Hard Drive, 1 x USB 3.0 Cable, 1 x User Manual, Gift-type shell packaging ,Three-year manufacturer's warranty and free technical support services.
Check the Enhanced filename and path
Nitrado’s import guide identifies an Enhanced local-world file as game_0.db under Steam/steamapps/common/Conan Exiles/ConanSandbox/Saved. That filename is different from the familiar server-side game.db workflow. Confirm whether you are importing a local Enhanced world, a dedicated Legacy server, or an Enhanced hosted server before uploading or renaming anything.
| Situation | File or directory to protect | Caution |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy or standard dedicated-server rollback | ConanSandbox/Saved/game.db and available game_backup_##.db files |
Stop the process before copying or replacing files. |
| Isle of Siptah before Enhanced migration | dlc_siptah.db plus the complete Saved directory |
Keep the pre-update archive until conversion is verified. |
| Enhanced local-world import described by Nitrado | game_0.db in the documented Steam path |
Do not assume this filename applies to every host or server branch. |
Troubleshoot a failed restore
The server starts with a new world
Stop it immediately to avoid writing over the restored state. Check that the file is in the active server’s ConanSandbox/Saved directory, that it is named exactly as the branch expects, and that the service account can read it. A common mistake is restoring into the client installation or one level above the actual server path.
The database is rejected or the server crashes
Return to the quarantined pre-restore directory and start the server to confirm that the installation itself still works. Then test an older archive. Verify that the backup came from the same map and compatible branch, and inspect the server log for a missing mod or permission error.
Players, clans or buildings are missing
Confirm that you restored the complete Saved directory rather than only one database file. Check whether the selected snapshot predates the missing content, and verify that map-specific databases were included. If the provider has five-minute or daily snapshots, the exact selection determines how much progress is absent.
Mods cause startup errors
Compare the archived mod list and load order with the destination installation. Restore the matching mod files where permitted, or temporarily disable a suspect mod on a private test instance. Do not experiment on the only copy of the live world.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Build a backup routine that is actually recoverable
- Every change: take a manual snapshot before installing a mod, changing map settings, or applying a game update.
- On a schedule: use cron on Linux or Task Scheduler on Windows to create dated archives.
- After creation: inspect the archive and write its manifest; do not rely on a successful exit code alone.
- Off-site: copy archives to a different disk or machine and periodically test that they can be read.
- Before migration: make a final stopped-server archive and preserve it until the new host has passed an in-game inspection.
- During upgrades: keep the Legacy or UE4 archive, especially the named
game.dbanddlc_siptah.dbfiles, until Enhanced conversion is confirmed.
A backup is useful only if you can identify the correct version, extract it without ambiguity and start a compatible server. Recording the branch, map, mods and configuration beside every archive is what makes that possible.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
