How to Delete a Stardew Valley Server: What You Need to Know

Stardew Valley's multiplayer mode lets you farm cooperatively with friends, but there comes a point where some players want to remove a server entirely — whether to free up space, end a save, or start fresh. The process isn't always obvious, partly because "deleting a server" means different things depending on how that server was set up in the first place.

Here's a clear breakdown of how server deletion works across the main hosting setups.

What "Deleting a Server" Actually Means in Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley doesn't run servers in the traditional sense of a persistent backend you log into. Instead, multiplayer is built around save files and hosting sessions. When someone "hosts a server," they're essentially loading a save file and opening it to other players.

So deleting a server usually means one of two things:

• Deleting the save file associated with the multiplayer farm
• Shutting down a dedicated server instance (if you used a third-party hosting tool or a service like a Raspberry Pi or VPS)

These are meaningfully different processes, and confusing them is a common source of frustration.

How to Delete a Stardew Valley Save File (Hosted via the Game)

If your "server" was just a regular game session where one player hosted through the in-game multiplayer menu, the server data lives entirely in that player's save files.

On Windows

Save files are stored here by default:

C:Users[YourUsername]AppDataRoamingStardewValleySaves 

Each save is a folder named after your farm and a numerical ID (e.g., YourFarm_123456789). To delete the server:

1. Navigate to that folder path (you may need to enable hidden folders in Windows Explorer)
2. Locate the save folder for the relevant farm
3. Delete the entire folder — both the main save file and the _old backup inside it

On macOS

The save path is:

~/.config/StardewValley/Saves/ 

You'll need to access hidden folders via Finder > Go > Go to Folder and type the path manually.

On Linux

Saves are typically found at:

~/.config/StardewValley/Saves/ 

The same folder-deletion method applies.

Through Steam (All Platforms)

If Steam Cloud Sync is enabled, deleting the local folder isn't always enough. The save may re-download the next time you launch the game. To fully delete it:

1. Go to Steam > View > Cloud Saves (or access through your Steam account settings online)
2. Find Stardew Valley and manage or delete the associated cloud save
3. Then delete the local save folder

⚠️ This is permanent. There's no in-game recycle bin. Back up the folder elsewhere first if there's any chance you want it later.

How to Delete a Dedicated Stardew Valley Server

Some players run dedicated servers using tools like SMAPI (Stardew Modding API) alongside server-hosting scripts, or they rent a VPS or game server from a hosting provider. This is more common for larger co-op groups or always-on servers.

If You Used a Self-Hosted Setup (VPS or Local Machine)

The steps depend on your setup, but generally:

1. Stop the server process — kill the running instance via your server management panel, terminal (kill [PID]), or the relevant script
2. Delete the server files — this includes the Stardew Valley installation folder on that machine and any associated save data
3. Remove startup services — if the server was configured to auto-launch (via systemd, cron, or a startup script), disable or delete those entries

The save data on a dedicated server is stored in the same relative path as a local install, just on the host machine's file system.

If You Used a Game Hosting Service

Providers like Nodecraft, Shockbyte, or similar platforms have their own dashboards. The process typically involves:

1. Logging into your hosting panel
2. Navigating to your server instance
3. Using the Delete or Terminate option — which removes both the server files and the save

Check whether your provider keeps backups before confirming deletion, and whether billing stops immediately or at the end of a billing cycle.

Key Variables That Affect the Process 🎮

Not every player's situation is the same. The right deletion steps depend on:

One point worth noting: farmhand players (those who joined someone else's server) don't have a server to delete. Their local data is minimal — mostly character files. The authoritative save lives with the host.

A Note on Mods and SMAPI Servers

If the server was running with SMAPI mods, there may be additional mod-generated save data stored in:

%AppData%StardewValleydata 

or in mod-specific subfolders inside the Saves directory. Some mods write their own data files alongside the standard save. If a clean removal matters — say, you're freeing up space or troubleshooting — it's worth checking those locations as well.

Whether you're cleaning up an old co-op farm, shutting down a hosted server, or troubleshooting a fresh start, the right approach depends heavily on how the server was created and where it lives. The method that works for a casual in-game hosted session looks very different from what's required for a dedicated VPS setup — and your specific platform adds another layer to consider.