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💥 Troubleshooting 💥

Game server not starting / crashing​

caution

Please make sure you’ve tested all steps (1–9) before contacting support.

1. Check the logs​

Check the logs for any crashes or error messages that may indicate why your server is not starting.
Review the Activities tab for recent changes or Docker startup errors.
Search online for solutions based on the error messages you find.
If the issue is related to a specific game, mod, or plugin, reach out to the relevant developer, as GameServerApp (GSA) may not be able to resolve those errors.

2. Check the system​

Ensure your machine has enough available memory and disk space to run the server.

3. Recently updated game or mod?​

Visit the Activities section to see if any recent updates were applied (game, mod, plugin).
If an update occurred, check with the developers for any known issues with the latest version.

4. Create a backup​

Before proceeding with any changes, create a backup of your game server.

5. Update game server​

Run a manual game server update, even if no new version is available.
This process will validate and repair any damaged game server files.

6. Default config​

Activate the Default config on your server and restart it.

Working now?

If the server works with the Default config, your original config likely contains issues.

Create a new config template and carefully copy sections from your old config, testing the server after each addition.

7. Default map​

Try launching the server with the default map.

Working now?

Your selected map may be broken or you may have entered an incorrect custom map path.

8. Remove all mods & plugins​

Ensure that no mods or plugins are being loaded (check the logs), then restart your server.

Working now?

One of the mods or plugins was likely causing the issue.
Re-enable them one at a time, restarting the server each time, until the problem reappears. This will help identify the cause.

9. Reinstall game server​

If none of the above steps help, try re-installing the game server.
This can resolve deeper, less obvious issues.

Increased memory usage​

What is causing increased usage​

It’s normal for game servers to consume more memory over time as they store NPCs, players, items, and buildings in active memory.
As more content is created, memory usage increases.

Restarting the game server​

To rule out temporary glitches, restart your game server and observe what happens to the memory usage.

What to expect and what to do:​

  • If memory usage returns to normal but increases again over time:

    • Check for memory leaks in the game server (contact the game developer).
    • Check for memory leaks in mods or plugins (contact mod/plugin developers).

  • If memory usage is already high immediately after starting:

    • Consider upgrading your server’s memory.

Memory leak​

If memory increases rapidly again after a restart, you may be dealing with a memory leak.
This could originate from the game server software, a mod, or a plugin.

Unfortunately, GSA cannot resolve memory leaks.
Please report the issue to the developers responsible for the game or mod/plugin.

Not showing on game server list​

Some games suffer from a known issue where servers may not appear in the in-game browser.
This happens because the browser can only display a maximum of 5000 servers, a problem since there are over 10,000 servers available.
There’s no guarantee yours will appear.

We recommend registering your server on external server listing websites to help new players find you.
You can also add your server to your favorites list via Steam, or use the free Community website for direct access to your server.

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