Most problems with an Icarus server come down to a few causes. Start with the one that matches what you see.
The server does not appear in the in-game list
Why: The in-game browser shows other players' sessions by default, and the server is listed under its own dedicated servers view.
Fix: After choosing Join Session in the HAB menu, use the toggle in the top right corner to switch the browser to dedicated servers, then look for the Server Name you set in the panel.
You join and land in a Server Lobby instead of in the world
Why: The server is running but no prospect has been started yet.
Fix: Start a new prospect or load an existing one from the Server Lobby. An admin can also type LoadProspect or CreateProspect in the chat. If you land inside an old prospect and want the lobby, an admin types /ReturnToLobby first, which kicks all players.
Anybody can join the server
Why: Join Password is empty.
Fix: Set a Join Password (4 to 32 letters, numbers or . _ -) under Settings, then Game Settings, and restart the server. Give it to the people you want on the server.
Admin commands do nothing or you cannot become an admin
Why: No Admin Password is set, you have not logged in yet, or the command was typed without the leading slash while inside a prospect.
Fix: Set Admin Password under Settings, then Game Settings, restart, then type /AdminLogin followed by the password in the in-game chat. Commands inside a prospect need the / or \ in front.
An uploaded prospect is missing or loads as corrupted
Why: The file was edited or renamed, or it was not placed in the Prospects folder of the server.
Fix: Upload the original, unchanged .json file into Icarus, Saved, PlayerData, DedicatedServer, Prospects in Files, then load it by its save name from the Server Lobby. If the file was edited or renamed, go back to your backup.
Changing the server name in the settings file has no effect in the browser
Why: The game ignores the session name in the settings file. The name shown in the browser comes from the Server Name setting in the panel.
Fix: Change Server Name under Settings, then Game Settings (32 characters at most) and restart the server.
The server is on an older game build than the one players have after a patch
Why: Auto Update is switched off, so the server keeps the build it already has.
Fix: Switch Auto Update on under Settings, then Game Settings, and restart the server so it updates.
Still stuck?
Open a ticket in the category that fits and include the last 50 to 100 lines of the console. See How to open a support ticket and How to fix a server that will not start.
