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The most common issues with your Sanctuary Island server on VPS and how to fix them quickly, from startup problems to lag → Learn more
Running your own Sanctuary Island server on a VPS is a lot of fun, but it also means taking responsibility when something goes wrong. Crashes, lag, and configuration issues are typical challenges that every server owner eventually encounters.
To help you spend less time troubleshooting, we’ll cover the most common issues here and show you how to fix them quickly on your VPS.
FAQ
SanctuaryIsland\Saved\Logs\ folder. Start the server with the -log parameter to also see the output in a console window.SanctuaryIslandServer.exe -log manually and watch the output. If a runtime is missing, install it from _CommonRedist or Engine\Extras\Redist in the server directory.1377020). Updates aren’t installed automatically.Game.ini if needed. If that doesn’t help, upgrading your VPS is the easiest solution.Feedback
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The causes of server issues are often not immediately obvious. The best place to start is the server output: start the server with the -log parameter to see its output in a console window. Unreal Engine saves the log files in the SanctuaryIsland\Saved\Logs\ folder. For instructions on setting up your server, see Sanctuary Island: Set up a server on your VPS.
If your server doesn’t appear in the server list, first check the log to make sure it has finished starting. Then check that the game port and Steam query port (usually 7777 and 27015, both UDP) are open in your operating system’s firewall and in your VPS’s Network Firewall. Also make sure no filters are enabled in the server list that could hide your server.
Run SanctuaryIslandServer.exe -log manually and watch the output. If a runtime is missing, install it from the _CommonRedist or Engine\Extras\Redist folders in the server directory. Common causes include a typo in Game.ini (such as a missing semicolon or an incorrect section heading), a port already in use by another program, or insufficient memory. If you changed the configuration, try reverting the change.
Nothing ends a good session faster than an unexpected crash. Possible causes include an outdated server version, faulty mods, an overloaded VPS, or a configuration issue. To get your server running again after a crash, restart SanctuaryIslandServer.exe, for example using the task in Task Scheduler.
An outdated server can cause crashes, unexpected behavior, or startup issues, and often prevents players from connecting with a newer game version. Updates aren’t installed automatically. Stop the server and run the same SteamCMD command you used during installation (App ID 1377020).
Crashes are often caused by faulty or outdated mods and extensions, especially after a game update. Try disabling additional content and starting with a minimal configuration. If the problem goes away, add the content back one item at a time and test after each step. This helps you identify exactly what’s causing the issue.
Issues such as lag or delays often occur when the configuration isn’t suitable, the VPS doesn’t have enough resources, or extensions are overloading the system.
Unsuitable settings can lead to higher resource usage and lag. Check the values in SanctuaryIsland\Saved\Config\WindowsServer\Game.ini, such as PublicConnections or the number of AI animals (MaxAICountTotal, MaxAICountPerPlayer). Stop the server before editing the file.
The amount of memory and CPU your Sanctuary Island server needs depends on the number of players and your settings. The operating system and other programs on your VPS also need resources. You can check how heavily your VPS is being used in the ZapX dashboard under Monitoring. If memory or CPU usage stays at capacity, upgrading your VPS can help. Learn more in Upgrades, downgrades, renewals, and cancellations.
Ping spikes and lag are usually caused by limited VPS resources, a large number of players, or a server location far from your players. First, check resource usage under Monitoring. If you suspect routing issues, see Diagnose network issues with WinMTR/MTR. If you’re still having trouble, contact our support team.
Game servers are sometimes targeted by DDoS attacks that flood the server with traffic. Your VPS is protected by our DDoS protection. You can view past attacks in the DDoS Manager for your VPS in the ZapX dashboard, if it’s available at your location. If you suspect an attack is causing issues, contact our support team.
Regular backups can save you a lot of stress. Before updates, back up the SanctuaryIsland\Saved folder containing your configuration and save files. In addition, your entire VPS is backed up automatically every day. With an active ZapX Pass, you can restore these backups yourself and create your own backups. Learn more in Daily backups, restoring backups, and restricted actions.
These steps should help you resolve your issue. If they don’t, don’t hesitate to contact our support team: simply start a Support Chat in your ZapX customer account. We’re here every day and happy to help! 🙂
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