The console shows live server activity. Logs preserve activity for later review. Together, they are the fastest way to understand startup failures, crashes, mod problems, and player connection errors.
What to look for
- The first ERROR, FATAL, or exception that appears before repeated errors.
- Names of mods, plugins, maps, or configuration files mentioned in the message.
- Version mismatches, missing dependencies, invalid settings, memory errors, or corrupted files.
- The exact time the problem occurred.
Using console commands
Only enter commands documented for your game or a trusted mod. Console commands are game-specific, and an incorrect command can change or delete server data. Never paste commands from an unknown person without understanding what they do.
Sharing logs with support
Include the relevant error plus several lines before and after it. Also provide the approximate time, what you were doing, and the last change made. Remove passwords, tokens, database credentials, and other secrets before sharing.
Clearing the console does not repair a problem; it only removes the visible history.
