My server keeps crashing or restarting
Short answer: Check three things: the Activity page (did a person or schedule restart it?), the memory graph on the Console page (is it hitting the limit?), and the log just before the stop (which mod or error?). Most crashes are memory limits or a mod.
Before you begin
Section titled “Before you begin”- You need: access to Console, Activity and Files.
- Note the time of the last crash, with your time zone.
- Time needed: 10 to 20 minutes.
What this guide covers
Section titled “What this guide covers”- Telling a crash from a planned restart
- Common causes and fixes
1. Was it a crash?
Section titled “1. Was it a crash?”- Open Activity. Restarts by people show their name; schedules show as schedule tasks.
- Open Schedules. A restart schedule may be running at that time.
- Check https://status.hostitcreateit.com for maintenance or an outage at that time.
If none of these explain it, it was a crash.
2. Check memory
Section titled “2. Check memory”- On the Console page, watch the Memory graph while players are on.
- If it climbs to your plan’s limit just before each crash, the server is running out of memory.
Fixes: lower view distance or world size settings, reduce mods, restart nightly to clear memory build-up (see Setting up automatic restarts and backups with schedules), or upgrade your plan.
3. Read the log
Section titled “3. Read the log”- Find the log from the crash in Files (see How to view server logs and share them with support). The live console clears on restart.
- Look at the last lines before the stop for
ERROR,Exception,Killedor a mod name.
| Clue | Likely cause |
|---|---|
Killed, OutOfMemoryError |
Memory limit reached |
| A mod name in the error | That mod: update or remove it (see Removing mods safely) |
| “Watchdog”, “server not responding”, “can’t keep up” | The server is overloaded: too many entities, players or heavy mods |
| Crash right after a game update | Mods not yet updated (see Updating your game server) |
Expected result
Section titled “Expected result”You know whether it was a planned restart, a memory problem or a specific error, and you’ve applied the matching fix.
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Upgrading straight away. If a mod is crashing, more memory won’t help.
- Restarting to clear the error before copying it. Save the log first.
Troubleshooting
Section titled “Troubleshooting”| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Crashes at the same time every day | A schedule, or heavy activity at that time | Check Schedules and Activity |
| CPU Load at its limit for long periods | The game needs more processing than your plan has | Reduce load (entities, mods), or upgrade |
| Status page shows “High load: games may lag” | The whole machine is busy | Nothing to do; we’re on it |
When to contact support
Section titled “When to contact support”Contact support if crashes continue with memory well under the limit and no clear error in the log. Include the crash times, the log extract and your mod list. See How to contact support with useful diagnostic information.
Related guides
Section titled “Related guides”- My server will not start
- How to view server logs and share them with support
- Checking the status page
Last reviewed: 2026-10-05 · Applies to: Game Panel (hici 0.4.2)