Help CenterServer logs are the backbone of debugging, or simply just checking various attributes of your server. They can be extremely useful in finding what's going wrong with your server in the event of it not starting! So how do we read them?
Finding your Server Logs
Minecraft server logs will always be stored in the following folders: logs and crash-reports
The Logs folder will contain debug and log files:
The file Latest.log contains the logs of the last time the server was run. If you need older logs, download and extract the logs from the dated .gz files using a program such as WinRAR or 7Zip, then open in a text document.
Reading the Logs
Minecraft logs are quite thick with text, and can be difficult to read. The most important bits I'll try to showcase below. Note that between versions, including between the loaders themselves (I.E Paper, Forge, and Fabric) may look different, but the general information you can gather will remain the same.
Minecraft/Modloader Versions
Most, if not all loaders, will output their versions during the initial startup of the server, and typically can always be found near the beginning of the logs
In this example from the latest.log, we see that I have Minecraft 1.21.8 with Forge v50.0.1.
Regardless of loader, Minecraft will always state the version it is using prior to the generation of the world:
You'll always find this a few lines above the "Preparing level 'world'" text.
Mod Mismatches (Forge)
Forge has the unique capacity to detect mod rejections while someone is joining a server. It won't always work, but sometimes it can help to ascertain what mods aren't matched up for you to be able to join your server. You'll specifically find these rejections in the debug.log file, which will be either marked as "missing" or "rejected" near "Version Test":
In this case, I tried joining but was rejected due to me missing the mod "Storage Drawers". If you have a lot of rejections, it's likely the modpack on the server does not match the modpack you have installed!
Basics in Crash Reports
Crash Reports are another vital portion of debugging. They'll have a ton of information regarding the reason as to why your server has gone haywire most of the time if one is generated after a crash. This portion will go over the very barebones areas to help you get a basic feel.
All Crash Reports can be found under the crash-reports folder. As you can see, my server's already bit the dust:
Opening it, we can find the date of the crash, alongside a general summary of what happened. In my case, a mod failed to load:
Scrolling down a little, we'll find the portion that gives us a detailed walkthrough of the crash:
Below this, under Details, we'll see the mod that failed, the Failure Message, Mod Version, and a link to the mod's github. Most of the time, the Failure Message will be what you're looking for:
In my case, the mod Farmer's Delight wants Minecraft to be Version 1.19.2, but instead, I've installed it for Minecraft 1.21.8
To fix this, I'd have to install a version of Farmer's Delight that supports 1.21.8, or remove the mod entirely if there is no version that supports it.
Generally speaking, you can also upload this section to an AI model, such as ChatGPT or CoPilot, to read through and weed out the root of the crash. At the very least, you'll want to upload everything below the -- Head -- and above -- System Details --. You can also upload the crash log file itself to have it check for you, which should be able to give you a decent idea of what's gone wrong if you aren't entirely sure what to look for here, or if it hasn't given a specific failure message or resolution!
FAQs about SimpleGameHosting
Q: What is SimpleGameHosting?
A: SimpleGameHosting provides easy-to-use Minecraft server hosting, helping players set up multiplayer servers quickly and without hassle.
Q: Does SimpleGameHosting offer customer support?
A: Yes! SimpleGameHosting has a dedicated support team to help with any issues or questions regarding Minecraft server hosting.
Q: Can I host a modded Minecraft server with SimpleGameHosting?
A: Absolutely! SimpleGameHosting allows users to run modded Minecraft servers, perfect for players who want to customize their gaming experience.