Game server won't start or stuck installing: how to fix it

Fix a game server in the panel that is stuck on installing or stops with "exited with code": read the install output and the console, back up before a reinstall, the wrong startup file, RAM, the Java version (Docker image) and a port already in use.

  • 1:15 video
  • English captions & transcript
  • 4 November 2026
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Transcript

The full narration, chapter by chapter. Click a time to play the video from there.

Intro

Game server won't start, or stuck on installing? The console almost always tells you why. Here's how to read it, and fix it.

Stuck on installing

Stuck on installing? The install runs in a temporary container. Open the console, and read the install output. Usually it's a download that failed, a wrong setting, or a full disk. Fix it, then press Reinstall in Settings.

Back up first

Careful: reinstalling can replace your files, so take a backup first.

Exited with code

If the server starts and then stops with "exited with code", scroll up in the console. The most common causes: the startup file name doesn't match, like the wrong jar, there isn't enough RAM, the wrong Java version, or the EULA isn't accepted.

Java version

For the Java version, open Startup and pick the Docker image that matches the game version. Newer Minecraft needs a newer Java.

Port in use

And if you see "address already in use", the port is taken. Every server needs its own free port, in the Network tab.

Recap

Quick recap: read the console, fix the startup, RAM, Java or port, and back up before you reinstall. On ESAGAMES, we watch the nodes for you.

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