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Learn how to troubleshoot and fix common Stormworks server issues for a smooth gaming experience → Find out more
10 November 20267 min read0 Views0 helpful
Introduction
Setting up and running your own Stormworks game server can be exciting and a lot of fun. It’s a great way to build a customized gaming environment and community, but it also means taking responsibility when things go wrong. Crashes, lag, and configuration issues are common challenges that every server owner will eventually encounter.
To help you spend less time troubleshooting and more time playing, we’ll walk you through the most common issues server owners face and provide solutions to help you fix them quickly and effectively.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Check the console to make sure your server started successfully, and disable any filters in the server list. Also check under Configuration > Startup parameters that Visible to the public is set to true. If the list shows SERVER OUT OF DATE, the game and server versions don’t match.
Common causes include faulty server software, broken or incompatible extensions, system overload, or configuration errors. Temporarily disable any extensions you suspect to narrow down the cause, and keep your server up to date using the Update settings in the Overview.
Common causes include limited server resources (CPU, RAM, or bandwidth), overload from many players or resource-intensive extensions, routing issues, or a server location far from your player base. First, check whether your server meets or exceeds the recommended specifications.
Most network threats are outside your control, but ZAP-Hosting provides built-in protection and mitigation systems. If you suspect an attack, contact our support team for help and next steps.
Create backups regularly so you can restore an older, working version if something goes wrong. We already back up your game server automatically every day. With the ZapX Pass, you can also create and restore your own backups at any time — and with ZapX Pass Pro, you can schedule them to run automatically.
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Stormworks
Issues and solutions
Server issues can have many different causes, and they’re often not immediately obvious. Learn how to analyze common problems step by step and keep everything running smoothly.
General
General issues can include all kinds of unexpected problems that don’t fit into a specific category. They’re often related to basic settings, missing files, or simple configuration mistakes. These can usually be fixed quickly with a few checks and adjustments.
Server not visible
If your server doesn’t appear in the list, it may not have finished initializing successfully. This can be caused by an incorrect configuration or damaged files, for example. You can usually find more information in your server’s console. You should also make sure that no incorrect filters are active in the server list that could prevent your server from appearing.
For Stormworks, also check under Configuration > Startup parameters that Visible to the public is set to true. If it’s set to false, your server is intentionally hidden from the public list. If the list shows your server as [SERVER OUT OF DATE], the game and server versions don’t match. Find out how to fix this in our guide Connect to the server.
Crashes
Nothing ends a good gaming session faster than an unexpected crash. Crashes can be caused by faulty server software, broken or incompatible extensions (such as plugins, mods, resources, or frameworks), system overload, or configuration errors.
Keep your server up to date
Always running the latest version of your game server is essential for stability, security, and compatibility. Game updates, framework changes, or updates to third-party tools can otherwise cause serious problems if your server is out of date.
An outdated game server can cause crashes, unexpected behavior, or even startup issues. In Stormworks, players also can’t join a server running a different version from their game.
In your game server’s Overview, check Update settings to see which version is installed and choose whether updates should be applied automatically. When a new server version is available, ZapX displays an Update available notification, which you can apply directly by clicking Apply update.
Faulty or problematic extensions (frameworks, plugins, mods, resources)
Crashes are often caused by faulty or outdated extensions. Whether it’s a framework, plugin, mod, or resource, problems can occur when an extension isn’t compatible with the current game version or has bugs in its code.
This can lead to unexpected server crashes, freezes, or errors, especially when multiple problematic extensions interact. If you suspect an extension is causing the issue, temporarily disable it and see whether your server runs reliably without it. This is a quick way to identify the extension causing problems.
Make sure all the extensions you use are up to date, actively maintained, and tested for compatibility with the current game version to avoid crashes and downtime.
To isolate the cause of crash issues, it often helps to temporarily disable additional content. Start with a minimal configuration and check whether the problem persists. If it’s gone, add extensions, mods, or resources back one at a time, testing after each step. This helps you pinpoint the element causing the issue. This method saves time and ensures that your troubleshooting is based on facts rather than guesswork.
Performance
Smooth server performance is essential for a good gaming experience. Issues such as lag, delays, or sudden crashes often occur when the server configuration isn’t optimal, the hardware doesn’t meet the requirements, or installed extensions overload the system.
Common causes include poor configuration, insufficient resources, or unoptimized plugins and mods. Checking and adjusting these areas can resolve most performance issues and keep your game stable and responsive.
Poor server configuration
Incorrect or poorly adjusted server settings can increase resource usage and cause performance issues such as lag or stuttering. Make sure your configuration values match the recommended settings for your game and server size. Review and adjust them as needed to help your server run as efficiently as possible.
You can easily adjust your configuration in the Configuration tab — an AI automatically displays the appropriate settings as form fields. Alternatively, click Edit directly to open the raw text of the relevant file. For Stormworks, always set the server name, password, player count, visibility, admins, save name, and seed under Startup parameters, because your server rewrites these values to server_data/server_config.xml every time it starts.
Game requirements not met
To ensure your game server runs smoothly and reliably, it’s important to choose a configuration that suits your planned project. Requirements vary considerably depending on the game, the use of extensions such as mods, plugins, or resources, and the expected number of players.
ZAP-Hosting provides a recommended minimum configuration during checkout. It’s based on typical use cases and is intended to help you avoid common performance issues such as lag, crashes, or long loading times.
Please follow these recommendations or upgrade your configuration as needed to ensure optimal stability and the best experience for you and your players. This is a minimum recommendation.
Depending on the scope of your project and the amount of additional content, you may need more resources from the start, or your requirements may increase over time. In these cases, upgrading your game server package is an easy way to ensure lasting performance and stability.
Not all extensions are optimized for performance. Whether it’s a framework, plugin, mod, or resource, poor implementation can cause significant performance issues on your server. The functionality may work, but the execution can be inefficient, overly complex, or put unnecessary strain on server resources.
This can lead to high CPU usage, memory leaks, lag, or even crashes, especially when multiple unoptimized components interact. Always make sure extensions are actively maintained, well documented, and tested for performance. If in doubt, community feedback or monitoring your server’s performance can help identify potential issues.
To isolate the cause of performance issues, it often helps to temporarily disable additional content. Start with a minimal configuration and check whether the problem persists. If it’s gone, add extensions, mods, or resources back one at a time, testing after each step. This helps you pinpoint the element causing the issue, whether it’s a conflict, memory leak, or excessive resource usage.
This method saves time and ensures that your troubleshooting is based on facts rather than guesswork.
Network
Network issues can cause lag, delays, or connection drops. There are many possible causes, but they can usually be addressed with the right settings and security measures.
Ping spikes, lag, and network delays
Ping spikes, lag, and network delays are usually caused by limited server resources, such as insufficient CPU power, RAM, or bandwidth.
They can also occur when the server is overloaded by a large number of players or resource-intensive scripts and plugins. Network-related issues such as poor routing, external congestion, or a server location far from your player base can further increase latency.
Background processes, unstable internet connections, packet loss, and outdated or incorrectly configured server software can also cause noticeable performance issues in-game.
If you’re experiencing lag or high ping on your server, there are a few simple steps you can take to improve performance. First, make sure your server meets or exceeds the recommended specifications for your game and project. Choosing a server location near your player base can also help reduce latency.
If you suspect routing issues or external network problems are the cause, don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’ll help you analyze the situation and find the best solution.
DDoS and other network threats
Game servers can occasionally become targets of malicious network attacks, especially Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These flood the server with excessive traffic, causing lag, connection loss, or even complete downtime. In other cases, attackers try to exploit network vulnerabilities or disrupt server stability with repeated connection attempts or unusual data patterns.
Most of these threats are outside the control of regular users, but ZAP-Hosting provides built-in protection and mitigation systems to help protect your server against common and advanced attacks. If you suspect your server is under attack and experiencing issues, contact our support team for help and next steps.
Preventive measures
Regular backups can save you a lot of stress and trouble. Create backups regularly so you always have an older version to fall back on if something goes wrong. We already back up your game server automatically every day. With the ZapX Pass, you can also create and restore your own backups at any time with a single click — and with ZapX Pass Pro, you can even schedule them to run automatically. Find out more in our guide to Backups.
Conclusion
These steps should help you solve your issue. If your problem is listed here, the relevant solution will usually point you in the right direction and get your server back up and running quickly.
If not, don’t hesitate to contact our support team. We’re here every day and happy to help! 🙂
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