A PlayNHost DayZ server takes longest to start when it is installing a DayZ update, fetching a map's mission files for the first time, or checking every file because Validate Server Files is on. The Console shows which step is running. Players can join when it prints Mission read.
Find the slow step
- Open your server in the panel and click the Console tab.
- Find the last line printed and match it below.
| Console shows | What is happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
[UPDATE]: Checking for game server updates with App ID: 223350..., then Steam's own lines, with no [UPDATE]: Game server is up to date! yet | Steam is checking for a DayZ server update, or downloading one | Wait. A download happens once per update |
File validation enabled. (This may take extra time to complete) | Validate Server Files is on: every server file is checked | Turn it off under Settings, Game Settings, once the repair is done |
[pnh-dayz] Fetching the ... mission files from release ... | The map you picked had no mission files yet | Wait. It happens once per map |
Making mod ... files/folders lowercase... | Make Mod Files Lowercase is on | Turn it off after one start |
| The game's own start-up lines | DayZ is loading the map and the world | Wait for Mission read. |
Stopping takes time too
DayZ can take more than two minutes to stop, which is why a Restart is slower than you may expect. The panel's own wipe schedule waits 150 seconds after a stop for the same reason. Do not force-stop the server while it is stopping unless it is stuck: Bohemia's server configuration page warns that a shutdown that is not graceful can harm player characters and the saving of the server's storage. See How to start, stop, restart and force-stop your server.
If it never reaches Mission read.
There was an error while attempting to run the start command.means the game exited with an error. Read the lines above it.- If the server stops and the Overview page shows This server ran out of memory: How much RAM does a DayZ server need?
- After an edit to
serverDZ.cfg, undo it: How to edit serverDZ.cfg on your DayZ server. - More: DayZ server problems and fixes and How to fix a server that will not start.
