# How to Reset Player Data on a Minecraft Server

> Learn the steps to reset player data on your Minecraft server hosted with Beacon Hosting, including file removal and server restart instructions.

Source: https://www.beaconhosting.org/knowledgebase/how-to-reset-player-data-on-a-minecraft-server
Category: Minecraft
Last updated: 2026-09-09

# **How to Reset Player Data on a Minecraft Java Server**

If you need to reset player data on your Minecraft Java server hosted with Beacon Hosting, this guide will walk you through the process. Resetting player data can help resolve issues or provide a fresh start for players.

> **[WARNING]** This guide is for **Java Edition**. Bedrock stores player data differently inside `worlds/` and is not covered here.

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## **Step 1: Back up and stop the server**

1. Log in at [www.beaconhosting.org/auth/login](https://www.beaconhosting.org/auth/login)
2. Open **Your Servers** and select your Minecraft Java server
3. Create a backup from **Backups** before making changes
4. Stop the server from **Console** before editing world files

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## **Step 2: Access your server files**

Go to **Files** in the server sidebar, or connect with **SFTP** from **Settings → SFTP Access**.

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## **Step 3: Locate the player data folder**

Open your main world folder. By default this is `world`, but the name comes from `level-name` in `server.properties` (**Files** → Visual Editor → **Commonly used**).

Inside that world folder, open:

- `playerdata/` — inventories, location, and progress
- `stats/` (optional) — statistics and advancements

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## **Step 4: Delete player data files**

Delete the files inside `playerdata/` to reset all player progress, inventories, and locations. Delete `stats/` as well if you also want to reset statistics and advancements.

To reset one player only, delete that player’s `.dat` file from `playerdata/` (and their file in `stats/` if present).

This action is irreversible unless you restore from a backup.

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## **Step 5: Restart your server**

Start the server again from **Console**.

> **[WARNING]** Resetting player data permanently removes affected progress, inventories, and locations. Create a backup from **Backups** first if you might need to restore.

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