# Squad Server Troubleshooting (/docs/squad/troubleshooting)



Most Squad server issues fall into a few buckets. Find your symptom below.

Server Not Showing in the Browser [#server-not-showing-in-the-browser]

The single most common issue. Work through these in order:

1. **`ShouldAdvertise=true`** — in `Server.cfg`, this must be `true`. `false` hides the server.
2. **`IsLANMatch=false`** — LAN mode keeps the server off the public list.
3. **Ports** — Squad needs its **Game Port** and **Query Port** reachable. On XGamingServer these are set from your allocation automatically (`Port` and `QueryPort` on the startup line); don't hard-code different values in config.
4. **Let it fully start** — the server only advertises once it finishes loading. Watch the **Console** for the map to finish loading before looking for it.
5. **Search precisely** — the in-game browser is slow and paginated. Filter by your **server name** or add it to favourites by IP:QueryPort.
6. **Licensing** — unlicensed (community) servers still list, but licensing removes player caps and adds features. See [Server Licensing](/docs/squad/server-licensing).

> Verify reachability with your query port: an offline query port almost always means the server hasn't finished booting or was restarted.

"Unable to Load a Layer" / Layer Won't Start [#unable-to-load-a-layer--layer-wont-start]

* **Wrong Layer ID** — rotation files use internal **Layer IDs** (`Belaya_AAS_v1`), not display names (`Belaya AAS v1`). A typo drops or skips the layer. See [Map & Layer Rotation](/docs/squad/map-and-layer-rotation).
* **Excluded content** — check `ExcludedLayers.cfg` / `ExcludedLevels.cfg` / `ExcludedFactions.cfg`; an excluded layer or faction can leave a rotation with nothing valid to load.
* **Mod layer missing** — if the layer comes from a mod, that mod must be installed and its ID in the server's mod list. See [Install Mods](/docs/squad/install-mods).
* **Incompatible factions** — forcing two factions from the same alliance on a layer is rejected.

Unexpected Map / Layer Rotation [#unexpected-map--layer-rotation]

* Check **`MapRotationMode`** in `Server.cfg` — `LayerList_Vote` lets players pick, so rotation won't follow your file order.
* **`RandomizeAtStart=true`** shuffles the list on boot.
* With `LayerList*` the server reads `LayerRotation.cfg`; with `LevelList*` it reads `LevelRotation.cfg`. Editing the wrong file has no effect.
* Voting pools come from the `LayerVoting*.cfg` files, not `LayerRotation.cfg` — see [Layer Voting](/docs/squad/layer-voting).

Server Crashes on Start or Mid-Match [#server-crashes-on-start-or-mid-match]

1. Read the **Console** output and the log at `SquadGame/Saved/Logs/`.
2. If you recently added a **mod**, remove it and test — a mod built for a different Squad version is the most common crash cause after an update. See [Install Mods](/docs/squad/install-mods).
3. After a **Squad update**, make sure the server updated too (reinstall/restart pulls the latest build on XGamingServer).
4. Reset a broken config by restoring a fresh default file — see [Reset Server](/docs/squad/reset-server).

Capturing Crash Dumps (Linux) [#capturing-crash-dumps-linux]

If you're reporting a crash to Offworld or support, enable crash uploads:

1. Open `SquadGame/Saved/Config/LinuxServer/Engine.ini` in **Files**.

2. Add:

   ```ini
   [CrashReportClient]
   bAgreeToCrashUpload=true
   ```

3. Restart the server. Crash minidumps and logs then appear in `SquadGame/Saved/Crashes/`, each in its own `crashinfo-SquadGame...` folder.

> Full system-level core dumps require host-level `ulimit`/`systemd-coredump` changes that aren't available inside the container — the minidump above is what you'll collect on a hosted server, and it's what support needs.

Still Stuck? [#still-stuck]

Open a ticket with: your server ID, the exact error, the last \~50 lines of Console output, and whether it started after a game update or config change.

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server.cfg Reference](/docs/squad/server-cfg-reference)
* [Map & Layer Rotation](/docs/squad/map-and-layer-rotation)
* [Server Licensing](/docs/squad/server-licensing)
* [Install Mods](/docs/squad/install-mods)