How to Repair or Reinstall Your Game Server from the Settings Page

Sometimes a server gets stuck on a Locked or Installing status, or a setup goes so wrong that starting over is the easiest fix. The Settings page in the RiverHosting panel has two tools for this: Repair Server Status and Reinstall Server. This guide explains what each one does and when to use it.

Before you start

• Log in to the RiverHosting panel at https://panel.riverhosting.com and open your server.
• Check the status badge in the server header. It shows ONLINE, OFFLINE, STARTING, STOPPING, INSTALLING or TRANSFERRING.
• If you are a subuser, you need the Settings (Rename, Reinstall) permission to use these tools. The server owner can change this on the Users page.
• Decide which tool you need. Repair Server Status only unlocks a stuck server. Reinstall Server deletes all files.

1. How to repair a server stuck on Locked or Installing

A server can show INSTALLING for a short time after a reinstall or a game switch. That is normal, so give it a little time first. If the server stays Locked or Installing and you cannot use it, run the repair tool.

1. Open your server in the RiverHosting panel.
2. In the left-hand menu, under SYSTEM, click Settings.
3. Scroll to the Repair & Recovery section.
4. Click Repair Server Status.
5. Check the status badge in the server header. Once the server shows OFFLINE, open the Console page and click Start.

2. How to save your files before a reinstall

If you might want your worlds, saves or settings later, save a copy before you reinstall. You have two easy options, and you can use both.

Option A: Create a backup

1. In the left-hand menu, click Backups.
2. Click Create Backup.
3. Type a Backup Name if you like (it is optional), then confirm.
4. When the backup finishes, use the Download button next to it to keep a copy on your computer.
5. Use Lock on the backup so it cannot be deleted by accident.

Option B: Zip and download a folder

1. In the left-hand menu, click Files.
2. Find the folder you want to keep, such as your world or save folder.
3. Open the menu for that item and click Zip. Large folders can take a few minutes.
4. When you see the message "Created <name>", click Download.

3. How to reinstall your server

Use this when you want a clean start, for example after a broken setup that you cannot fix any other way. Reinstalling deletes all files and resets the server.

1. Make sure you have saved anything important (see section 2).
2. In the left-hand menu, click Settings.
3. Scroll down to the Danger Zone.
4. Click Reinstall Server.
5. Read the warning and follow the confirmation prompt.
6. Watch the status badge in the server header. It shows INSTALLING while the reinstall runs.
7. When the reinstall finishes, open the Console page and click Start.

If you want to play a different game instead, use the Game Changer page. It takes an automatic backup before switching, unless you choose to skip it.

4. How to get files back after a reinstall

If you created a backup, you can bring your files back from the Backups page.

1. Click Backups in the left-hand menu.
2. Find your backup and click Restore.
3. Confirm the restore. The server stops, all current files are deleted and replaced with the backup.
4. Start the server from the Console page when the restore is done.

If you only downloaded a zip file, open Files, click Upload and add the zip. Then open its menu and click Unarchive. Only .zip and several other archive types are supported, and .rar is not.

Troubleshooting

• The server still shows Installing after a long wait: Open Settings and click Repair Server Status in the Repair & Recovery section.
• I cannot see the Settings page or the Reinstall option: Subusers need the Settings (Rename, Reinstall) permission. Ask the server owner to update it on the Users page.
• Reinstall Server is blocked: Your disk is below the game's minimum. Free up space and try again, or ask support for help.
• My files are gone after a reinstall: A reinstall deletes everything and has no undo. Restore a backup from the Backups page if you made one, or check the System Created Backups there.
• The server will not start after a reinstall: Check the Console page for ERROR lines using the ERROR filter, then check the Startup page for your game's variables.

Need help?

If your server is still stuck after trying Repair Server Status, or you are not sure whether a reinstall is the right choice, our team is happy to look at it with you. Visit https://riverhosting.com/support and tell us what the status badge shows.