If your game server will not start, avoid repeatedly pressing Start. Repeated attempts can hide the original error and make troubleshooting harder.
Check these items in order
- Read the console: Start the server once and review the newest error near the bottom of the console or startup log.
- Wait for active tasks: Allow any installation, update, restore, or backup task to finish before starting the server.
- Check resource usage: Confirm the server is not out of memory or storage space.
- Review recent changes: Undo the newest mod, plugin, map, startup-variable, or configuration change.
- Check configuration syntax: A missing quote, comma, bracket, or invalid value can prevent startup.
- Verify versions: Make sure the game, mod loader, plugins, and mods are compatible with one another.
- Try a clean restart: Stop the server, wait until it is fully offline, and start it once.
If it still will not start
Copy the latest console error and note what changed immediately before the problem began. Then submit a support ticket with the server name, game, approximate time of the failed start, and any steps you already tried.
Important: Do not reinstall the server or restore an older backup until you have downloaded anything you need from the current files.
