Common Issues

Before You Start Troubleshooting

📊 Check Service Status First: Before troubleshooting your specific server, check our Service Status Page to see if there are any ongoing platform issues that might be affecting your server.

If there’s a known issue affecting multiple servers, wait for the all-clear before troubleshooting individual server problems.

Server Won’t Start

Check Server Status

First, verify the server status in your control panel:

Platform Status: Check status.gamelords.gg for system-wide issues
Server State: Check if server shows as “Starting”, “Stopped”, or “Error”
Console Output: Look for error messages in the console
Resource Usage: Verify sufficient RAM and storage
Recent Changes: Consider any recent configuration modifications

Common Startup Issues

Port Binding Errors

Error: “Failed to bind to port” or “Address already in use”

Solutions:

Change server port in configuration
Wait 5-10 minutes if recently stopped
Contact support if port conflicts persist
Check for multiple server instances

Configuration File Errors

Error: “Invalid configuration” or parsing errors

Solutions:

Validate configuration file syntax
Check for missing quotation marks or brackets
Restore from backup configuration
Use default configuration as baseline

Insufficient Resources

Error: “Out of memory” or performance warnings

Solutions:

Upgrade server plan for more RAM
Reduce max players or world size
Remove resource-heavy mods or plugins
Optimize server settings

Missing Game Files

Error: “Missing required files” or crash on startup

Solutions:

Verify game files through control panel
Reinstall server if files are corrupted
Check for recent game updates
Restore from backup if available

Connection Problems

Players Can’t Connect

Server Accessibility

Server Status: Ensure server is online and running
IP Address: Verify correct IP and port
Firewall Issues: Check local firewall settings
Network Problems: Try from different network

Game-Specific Issues

Minecraft:

Version mismatch between client and server
Whitelist enabled (players not added)
Server in offline mode
Incorrect port (default: 25565)

Rust:

BattlEye or EAC authentication issues
Server wipe in progress
Queue system full
Client verification problems

ARK:

Password protection enabled
Mod synchronization required
Character transfer restrictions
Server not responding to queries

High Ping/Latency

Network Optimization

Server Location: Choose server closest to players
Internet Connection: Check local network quality
Peak Hours: Consider time-based traffic patterns
ISP Routing: Some routes may be suboptimal

Server-Side Solutions

Reduce max players if overloaded
Optimize game settings for performance
Remove laggy plugins or mods
Monitor resource usage

Frequent Disconnections

Stability Issues

Check Console: Look for crash or error patterns
Resource Monitoring: Watch CPU, RAM, and storage
Plugin Problems: Disable problematic modifications
Network Stability: Monitor for connection drops

Client-Side Solutions

Update game client to latest version
Verify game file integrity
Reset network adapter settings
Try different connection methods

Performance Issues

Low Server FPS

Optimization Steps

Reduce Entity Count: Limit spawned objects/NPCs
Lower View Distance: Decrease render distance
Optimize Plugins: Remove or update heavy plugins
Map Optimization: Choose less complex maps

Game-Specific Optimizations

Minecraft:

view-distance=8
simulation-distance=6
entity-activation-range.animals=16
entity-activation-range.monsters=24

Rust:

fps.limit 30
server.tickrate 20
spawn.max_density 0.5

CS2:

fps_max 300
sv_maxrate 786432
sv_mincmdrate 64
sv_maxcmdrate 128

High Memory Usage

Memory Management

Monitor Usage: Check RAM consumption over time
Memory Leaks: Look for gradually increasing usage
Restart Schedule: Implement regular restarts
Optimize Settings: Reduce memory-intensive features

Solutions by Game Type

Survival Games: Limit building complexity and entity counts
FPS Games: Reduce player count or map complexity
Sandbox Games: Implement cleanup systems
RPG Games: Manage NPC spawns and world persistence

Slow Loading Times

Storage Optimization

SSD vs HDD: Upgrade to SSD storage if available
File Organization: Keep server files organized
Cache Management: Clear unnecessary cache files
Defragmentation: Regular maintenance (HDD only)

Content Delivery

FastDL: Set up fast download servers
Compression: Use compressed files where possible
CDN: Consider content delivery networks
Local Caching: Enable client-side caching

Game-Specific Problems

Minecraft Issues

World Generation Problems

Corrupted chunks: Delete and regenerate affected areas
Missing biomes: Check world generation settings
Lag spikes: Reduce pre-generation or chunk loading
Border issues: Verify world border settings

Plugin Conflicts

Common Conflict Patterns:
  - Economy plugins interfering with each other
  - Permission plugins causing command failures
  - Chat plugins conflicting with moderation tools
  - World management plugins overlapping features

Performance Optimization

Use Paper instead of Vanilla for better performance
Implement view distance optimization
Configure entity activation ranges
Set up automatic restarts

Rust Server Issues

Wipe Problems

Map corruption: Backup before wipes
Player data loss: Separate map and blueprint wipes
Mod compatibility: Update mods after wipes
Save timing: Coordinate wipes with player activity

Oxide Plugin Issues

Common Plugin Problems:
- Economics plugins causing money duplication
- Teleportation plugins breaking PvP balance
- Admin tools being accessible to players
- Performance plugins causing crashes

ARK Survival Issues

Save File Corruption

Immediate Action: Stop server immediately
Backup Restoration: Use most recent valid backup
Storage Check: Verify storage device health
Prevention: Enable automatic backups

Mod Compatibility

Load Order: Ensure proper mod loading sequence
Version Matching: Keep mods updated together
Conflict Resolution: Test mod combinations
Fallback Plan: Maintain mod-free backup

Source Engine Games (CS2, TF2, GMod, L4D2)

SourceMod Problems

Common SourceMod Issues:
- Plugin compilation errors
- Database connection failures
- Admin permission conflicts
- Map change problems

Memory Leaks

Regular map changes help prevent buildup
Monitor plugin memory usage
Disable problematic plugins
Restart server during low activity periods

Security Issues

Unauthorized Access

Admin Account Security

Strong Passwords: Use complex RCON passwords
Regular Changes: Update passwords periodically
Access Logs: Monitor admin command usage
Privilege Levels: Use minimal required permissions

Player Security

Anti-cheat: Enable appropriate anti-cheat systems
IP Banning: Block problematic addresses
Hardware Bans: Use HWID bans when available
Community Reporting: Enable player reporting systems

DDoS Protection

Built-in Protection

Game Lords provides DDoS protection, but you can enhance it:

Rate Limiting: Configure connection rate limits
Query Limits: Restrict server query frequency
Connection Limits: Set maximum simultaneous connections
Whitelist Mode: Temporary protection during attacks

Additional Measures

// Example rate limiting configurations
sv_max_queries_sec 3
sv_max_queries_window 30
sv_max_queries_global 60
sv_maxrate 80000

Griefing Prevention

Server-Side Protection

Backup Systems: Regular automatic backups
Permission Systems: Proper role-based permissions
Activity Logging: Track player actions
Rollback Tools: Quick restoration capabilities

Community Moderation

Active Admins: Regular admin presence
Reporting Systems: Easy player reporting
Clear Rules: Published and enforced guidelines
Appeal Process: Fair punishment review system

Data Recovery

Backup Restoration

When to Restore

Server corruption or crashes
Griefing or vandalism
Accidental deletions
Plugin or mod failures

Restoration Process

Stop Server: Always stop before restoration
Backup Current: Save current state (even if corrupted)
Select Restore Point: Choose appropriate backup
Verify Restoration: Test server after restoration
Player Communication: Inform players of any data loss

File Recovery

Corrupted Save Files

Identify Corruption: Check file sizes and timestamps
Partial Recovery: Attempt to recover readable portions
Backup Sources: Check multiple backup locations
Professional Recovery: Contact support for critical data

Prevention Strategies

Multiple Backups: Keep several backup copies
Regular Testing: Verify backup integrity
Off-site Storage: Store backups separately
Automated Systems: Use automated backup solutions

Getting Additional Help

Before Contacting Support

Information to Gather

Error Messages: Complete error text and codes
Server Logs: Recent console output and log files
Configuration Files: Current server settings
Steps to Reproduce: Detailed problem recreation steps
Timeline: When the problem started occurring

Temporary Workarounds

Safe Mode: Start server with minimal configuration
Plugin Isolation: Disable all plugins/mods
Default Settings: Test with default configuration
Alternative Methods: Try different approaches

Support Channels

Priority Support

Critical Issues: Server completely down
Security Problems: Active attacks or breaches
Data Loss: Corrupted or missing critical files
Payment Issues: Billing or subscription problems

Standard Support

Performance Issues: Optimization needs
Configuration Help: Setup assistance
Plugin Problems: Modification troubleshooting
General Questions: Feature inquiries

Community Resources

Game-Specific Communities

Official Forums: Game developer communities
Reddit Communities: r/AdminCraft (Minecraft), r/playrust (Rust), etc.
Discord Servers: Real-time community help
YouTube Tutorials: Video guides and tutorials

Server Administration Resources

Admin Tools: Server management software
Monitoring Services: Uptime and performance tracking
Knowledge Bases: Comprehensive documentation
Professional Services: Paid consultation available

Remember: Most issues have been encountered before. If you can’t find a solution in this documentation:

Still Need Help?

🎫 Create a Support Ticket: For personalized assistance, visit help.gamelords.gg to submit a detailed ticket. Include:

Your server details and game type
Steps you’ve already tried
Screenshots or error messages
When the issue started

💬 Join Our Discord: Connect with our community and support team for real-time help

📧 Emergency Contact: For critical server issues, reach us at support@gamelords.com

Our support team typically responds to tickets within 2-4 hours during business hours and can provide remote assistance when needed.