How to Fix a Multi Theft Auto Server Missing From the List

An MTA server that runs but is invisible almost always has one of four causes. Work through them in order, using the panel Console to see what the server actually did at startup.

1. Prove it is joinable

Use Quick Connect in the MTA client with your IP and SERVER_PORT. If you get in, the server is fine and only the listing is missing.

2. Check the ase setting

In mods/deathmatch/mtaserver.conf:

<ase>1</ase>

This is the switch that advertises the server to the master list. Set to 0, the server never appears no matter what else is right. Stop the server, change it, start it, and allow a few minutes for the master list to pick it up.

3. Check serverip is empty

<serverip></serverip>

Leave this empty. Putting an address here binds the server to that specific address, which frequently produces a server that starts, logs no errors, and cannot be reached or listed.

4. Check the resources started

Read the console from the top of the last start. MTA lists every resource as it starts and names any that fail. A server whose gamemode failed to start will still be running, but with nothing to play, and often will not be listed properly.

5. The HTTP port

If players connect and then stall while downloading, the HTTP port is the problem. In the config:

<httpport>22005</httpport>

It must match the SERVER_WEBPORT value on your server overview. A wrong value gives a server that accepts the connection and then fails to hand over any content.

6. Give it time

A newly started server takes a few minutes to appear in the internet list. Use the Favourites tab in the meantime, which works from the moment the server is up.

Other symptoms worth knowing

• Players are refused with a version message. minclientversion in the config is set higher than their client.
• The server restarts in a loop. Read the console for a resource script error. Stop the offending resource by removing its startup="1" line.
• Admin panel missing. The admin resource is not running. Start it with start admin in the console.

What to send support

Open a ticket with your IP, your game and HTTP ports, whether Quick Connect works, and the first hundred lines of console output from a fresh start.