How to reset your world or change the seed
Stop the server, delete or rename the world folder(s), set a new level-seed in Properties if you want, and start the server to generate a fresh world.
- Difficulty:
- Beginner
- Time:
- 5 minutes
On this page
When the server starts and cannot find a world folder, it creates a new one. So to reset your world, you stop the server, remove the old world folder and start again. To get a specific world, set the seed first.
Deleting a world cannot be undone. Create a backup in Backups first, or rename the folder instead of deleting it so you can switch back later.
Reset the whole world
Click Stop and wait until the server is Offline.
Open Files. Find the world folder. Its name is the
level-namesetting, normallyworld.Delete it, or rename it (for example to
world_old).On Paper, Purpur or Folia 1.21.11 and older, or Spigot, also delete or rename
world_netherandworld_the_end. On 26.1 and newer, Paper keeps everything insideworld, so there is nothing else to remove.Optional: set a new seed (see below).
Click Start. A new world is generated, which takes a little longer than a normal start.
A quicker alternative: change level-name in Properties to a new name such as season2. The server creates a new world with that name and keeps the old one untouched.
Use a specific seed
Stop the server.
Open Properties, search for
level-seed, and type the seed (numbers or text) in its box. Leave it empty for a random seed.Click SAVE.
Delete or rename the old world as above, then Start.
The seed is only used when a world is created. Changing it does nothing to an existing world (only brand-new chunks would use it, which creates ugly borders, so don't do that). A seed from a video or website gives the same world only on the same Minecraft version and edition it was made for. You can check the current world's seed with the seed command in the console.
You can also change the world type for new worlds with level-type, for example minecraft:flat or minecraft:amplified. See server.properties explained.
Reset only the Nether or the End
Stop the server, then delete only the folder for that dimension. It regenerates the next time a player enters it.
Your server | Nether folder | End folder |
|---|---|---|
26.1 and newer (Vanilla, Paper, Fabric…) |
|
|
Vanilla, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge on 1.21.11 and older |
|
|
Paper, Purpur on 1.21.11 and older, and Spigot |
|
|
Depending on your version and software, a reset End may not spawn a new Ender Dragon by itself. Players can always summon one again by placing four End Crystals on the exit portal. Make sure nobody has important items or builds there. Plugins that store locations (homes, warps, land claims) in those dimensions may point to places that no longer exist.
Delete only some chunks
Want to regenerate just one area, or remove corrupted chunks, without resetting the whole world? Endercloud offers a MCASelector – Delete Chunks egg for this. You switch to it in Settings → Change Egg (Wipe Server Files off), delete the chunks, then switch back to your normal egg. Back up and download first. Steps: How to reinstall or change your server type.
Bedrock servers
Stop the server, then delete or rename the folder in worlds that matches level-name. Set level-seed in server.properties if you want, and start the server. Bedrock keeps all dimensions in one world folder, so you cannot reset just the Nether by deleting a folder.
Frequently asked questions
Do players keep their inventories after a reset?
No. Player data is stored inside the world folder, so a new world means empty inventories and no advancements. Plugin data (ranks, money) is stored separately and usually stays.
Should I pre-generate the new world?
It helps a lot with lag when players explore. See Pre-generate your world with Chunky.
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