A restoreable backup requires configuration, player permissions, and plugin data as well as world folders. Copying random files from the running server may create inconsistent backups.
Step by step
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Shut down the server properly from the console. If you are using a panel, wait until the process stops completely.
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Copy all world sizes, player files, plugin configurations and access lists. Take separate consistent database backups for plugins that use external databases.
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Add Minecraft, server software version and date to archive. Store a copy of the backup off the same disk as the server.
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Start the backup with the same version in a separate directory and verify it with a player, a build and plugin data.
Keep in mind
Creating a backup and restoring from the backup are different controls.