Troubleshooting

8 min read

Running into issues with your server? This guide covers the most common problems and their solutions. Most issues can be resolved in just a few minutes.

Server Won't Start

If your server fails to start or immediately crashes after starting, try these solutions:

1. Check the Console for Error Messages

The console will display error messages that indicate what went wrong. Common errors include:

  • Out of Memory: Your server needs more RAM. Reduce plugins/mods and lower view distance to cut memory usage.
  • Port Already in Use: Another process is using your server's port. Restart your server from the panel.
  • Missing Dependencies: Some mods require specific libraries. Check the mod documentation.

2. Verify Your Startup Configuration

Incorrect startup settings can prevent your server from booting:

  1. Go to the Startup tab in your control panel.
  2. Verify your server version matches your installed mods/plugins.
  3. Check that the server.jar file exists in your Files tab.
  4. Ensure Java version compatibility (Java 17+ for Minecraft 1.18+, Java 8 for older versions).

3. Remove Recently Added Mods/Plugins

If your server stopped working after installing new mods or plugins:

  1. Access your server files via the Files tab or SFTP.
  2. Navigate to the plugins or mods folder.
  3. Remove the recently added files.
  4. Restart your server.

Connection Issues

If you or your players can't connect to the server, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Server Status

First, verify your server is actually running:

  • Open your control panel and check the server status indicator.
  • The power button should show Running (green).
  • If it shows Offline (red), click Start.

2. Verify Server Address

Make sure you're using the correct connection address:

  • Your server address is displayed on the dashboard (e.g., myserver.playwithbao.com).
  • Do NOT include http:// or https:// in the server address.
  • If using a custom port, include it with a colon (e.g., play.example.com:25565).

3. Check Firewall and Antivirus

Sometimes security software blocks Minecraft connections:

  • Temporarily disable your firewall/antivirus and try connecting again.
  • If this fixes the issue, add Minecraft as an exception in your security software.
  • For Windows Firewall: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.

4. Whitelist Configuration

If your server has whitelist enabled, players must be added:

  1. Open the Console tab in your control panel.
  2. Type whitelist add USERNAME (replace USERNAME with the player's Minecraft username).
  3. Press Enter to execute the command.
  4. Have the player try connecting again.

Server Lag and Performance Issues

If your server is running slowly or experiencing lag spikes, try these optimizations:

1. Monitor Resource Usage

Check your server's CPU and RAM usage in the control panel dashboard:

  • RAM at 100%: Your server needs more memory. Remove plugins/mods and lower view distance.
  • CPU at 100%: Too many entities, redstone contraptions, or chunk generation happening. Reduce render distance.
  • Disk I/O High: Too many world saves or backup operations. Adjust save intervals in server.properties.

2. Reduce View Distance

Lower view distance significantly improves performance:

  1. Go to the Files tab and open server.properties.
  2. Find the line view-distance=10.
  3. Change it to a lower value (6 to 8 is recommended for free servers).
  4. Save the file and restart your server.

3. Optimize Plugins and Mods

Some plugins/mods are resource-intensive. Consider these alternatives:

  • Use Paper or Purpur instead of Spigot for better performance.
  • Remove unnecessary plugins (especially heavy ones like world generators or complex economy systems).
  • Use Spark plugin to identify performance bottlenecks.
  • Limit mob spawning with plugins like ClearLagg.

4. World Optimization

Large or corrupted worlds can cause severe lag:

  • Pre-generate your world using a plugin like Chunky to avoid lag during exploration.
  • Set a world border to limit world size: /worldborder set 5000.
  • Clean up entities regularly with /kill @e[type=!player].
  • Consider starting fresh if your world has excessive builds or corruption.

Backup and Data Recovery

Lost data or need to roll back changes? Here's how to use backups:

1. Accessing Backups

  1. Navigate to the Backups tab in your control panel.
  2. You'll see a list of automatic daily backups and any manual backups you created.
  3. Backups are stored for 7 days before being automatically deleted.

2. Restoring a Backup

Warning: Restoring a backup will overwrite all current server files.

  1. Stop your server first (important!).
  2. Find the backup you want to restore.
  3. Click the Restore button next to it.
  4. Wait for the restoration to complete (this may take 2-5 minutes).
  5. Start your server again.

3. Creating Manual Backups

Before making major changes, always create a manual backup:

  1. Go to the Backups tab.
  2. Click Create Backup.
  3. Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Before installing X plugin").
  4. Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding with your changes.

File Manager Issues

Having trouble with the web-based file manager? Try these solutions:

1. File Upload Fails

  • File too large: Use SFTP for files larger than 100MB.
  • Upload timeout: Check your internet connection or try again during off-peak hours.
  • Disk space full: Delete unnecessary files or upgrade your storage plan.

2. Can't Edit or Delete Files

  • Make sure your server is stopped before editing critical files like server.properties.
  • Check file permissions in the SFTP client if you still can't modify files.
  • Some system files are protected and can't be deleted (this is intentional).

3. Use SFTP Instead

For advanced file management, SFTP is more reliable:

  • See our SFTP Guide for setup instructions.
  • SFTP allows batch operations, folder uploads, and better error handling.
  • Recommended clients: FileZilla (Windows/Mac/Linux), WinSCP (Windows).

Still Need Help?

If your issue isn't covered here or you need additional assistance:

  • Check our status page: Visit status.baohost.com for ongoing incidents.
  • Join our Discord: Get real-time help from our community and support team.
  • Submit a ticket: Log in to your panel and create a support ticket with detailed information about your issue.
  • Include these details: Server name, error messages from console, what you were doing when the issue occurred, and steps you've already tried.