My server will not start
Short answer: Read the last lines of the Console just before the server went back to Offline. The error there almost always names the cause: usually a recent mod, a settings change, a full disk or not enough memory. Undo the most recent change, then try once more.
Before you begin
Section titled “Before you begin”- You need: access to the Console page.
- Think back: what changed since the server last started fine? (A mod, a setting, a game update, a restore.)
- Time needed: 5 to 15 minutes.
What this guide covers
Section titled “What this guide covers”- Messages that stop the server before it starts
- Reading the console for the cause
- The most common causes and their fixes
Step 1: is the server blocked?
Section titled “Step 1: is the server blocked?”Some states stop the server from starting at all. In each of them the status next to the server name stays on Connecting and the buttons do nothing, so check these first:
| Check | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The server’s card on the Servers page says Suspended | Usually an unpaid invoice | See Why is my server suspended? |
| You (or a subuser) just reinstalled the server | It is still installing | Wait a few minutes; large games can take longer |
| A restore card on the Console page says Restoring | A restore is in progress | Wait for it to finish |
| None of these | The panel can’t reach the machine your server runs on | Check status.hostitcreateit.com |
Step 2: read the console
Section titled “Step 2: read the console”- Go to [Game Panel] > [Your Server] > Console and select Start.
- Watch the output until the status goes back to Offline. The panel adds a line such as
Server marked as offline.... - Scroll up from that line. Look for
ERROR,Exception,FATAL,KilledorCrash. The first error is usually the cause; later ones are often knock-on effects. - Copy those lines somewhere safe before you try anything else. See How to view server logs and share them with support.
Step 3: match the cause
Section titled “Step 3: match the cause”| What the console shows | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A mod or plugin name next to the error, “missing dependency”, “incompatible” | A mod that doesn’t match the game version or needs another mod | Remove the most recently added mod: see Removing mods safely |
| A config file name and a line number, “parse error”, “unexpected” | A typo in a settings file | Undo your edit, or restore the backup from before it (see How to create and restore a backup) |
Killed, OutOfMemoryError, “out of memory” |
The server needs more memory than your plan has | Remove heavy mods, lower view distance or world size settings, or upgrade your plan |
| “No space left on device”, disk graph at its limit | Disk full | Delete old logs, unused worlds or downloads in Files |
| Minecraft asks you to accept the EULA | Minecraft needs the Minecraft EULA accepted once | Select I Accept in the window that opens |
| “Version mismatch”, or the error started right after a game update | The game updated and a mod or setting didn’t | See Updating your game server |
| Nothing at all, then Offline | The game exited without saying why | Try once more; then contact support |
Step 4: try again, once
Section titled “Step 4: try again, once”- After one fix, select Start again and watch the console.
- If it fails with the same error, don’t keep restarting. Repeated starts can overwrite the log you need.
Expected result
Section titled “Expected result”The status changes to Online and the console shows your game’s ready message.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Changing several things at once. Undo one change at a time so you know which one fixed it.
- Reinstalling straight away. A reinstall rarely fixes mod or settings errors, and can overwrite files. See How to reinstall or reset a game server only when the game files themselves are damaged.
- Starting over and over. It won’t change the result, and it hides the original error.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Starts, runs a few minutes, then stops | Not a start-up problem | See My server keeps crashing or restarting |
| Start is greyed out | The page is still Connecting, or you lack the start permission | Wait a few seconds; ask the server owner for access |
When to contact support
Section titled “When to contact support”Contact support if the console shows no clear error, if the error isn’t in the table above, or if the server still won’t start after you’ve undone your most recent change. Include the console lines from step 4 and what changed recently. See How to contact support with useful diagnostic information.
Related guides
Section titled “Related guides”- How to view server logs and share them with support
- Removing mods safely
- How to create and restore a backup
- My server keeps crashing or restarting
Last reviewed: 2026-10-05 · Applies to: Game Panel (hici 0.4.2)