# ACC Server Troubleshooting (/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/troubleshooting)



My config changes do nothing / it keeps resetting [#my-config-changes-do-nothing--it-keeps-resetting]

This is the classic ACC issue, and it's almost always **file encoding**. ACC requires its JSON files in **UTF-16**; a file saved as UTF-8 is silently ignored and the defaults are regenerated.

On XGamingServer this is handled automatically — your config is re-encoded to UTF-16 on every start. If you're still seeing it:

* Make changes via the panel **Startup** variables or our [ACC Config Generator](https://xgamingserver.com/tools/assetto-corsa/acc-config), then **restart**.
* Check your JSON is valid (a stray comma breaks the whole file). Re-generate a clean file if unsure.
* See [Config Files](/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/config-files) for the full explanation.

Server doesn't appear in the server list [#server-doesnt-appear-in-the-server-list]

* Give it a few minutes after the first start — ACC has to register with the official lobby.
* Confirm `registerToLobby` is `1` in `configuration.json` (default).
* A config file that failed to load stops registration — check the console for errors.
* As a fallback, players can join via **Multiplayer → Direct IP**. See [Connecting](/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/connect).

Players can't connect [#players-cant-connect]

* Double-check the **IP and port** from the panel.
* If you set a join **password**, players must enter it exactly.
* Rating requirements (`safetyRatingRequirement`, etc.) in [settings.json](/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/server-settings) will block drivers below the threshold — set them to `-1` to open the server.

Wrong track loads [#wrong-track-loads]

* The `track` key must be the exact lowercase ACC key (e.g. `spa`, not `Spa`). See [Changing the Track](/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/change-track).
* After changing it, **restart** so the config is re-applied.

The race ends immediately / sessions are wrong [#the-race-ends-immediately--sessions-are-wrong]

* Check your `sessions` array in [event.json](/docs/assetto-corsa-competizione/sessions-and-weather) — a `sessionDurationMinutes` of 0 ends a session instantly.
* Make sure session types are valid (`P`, `Q`, `R`).

Still stuck? [#still-stuck]

Open a ticket from the [XGamingServer Panel](https://panel.xgamingserver.com) with the last \~30 lines of your server console and we'll help.