Most problems with a Sons of the Forest server come down to a few causes. Start with the one that matches what you see.
The first start looks like it failed and the server never appears in the list
Why: On a brand new server the first start creates a setup file and then needs one restart.
Fix: Restart the server once from the panel and wait for the console to finish loading before trying to join.
Players cannot join after a Sons of the Forest update
Why: The server is on an older build than the players.
Fix: Make sure Auto Update is on and restart the server so it downloads the newest build.
Changing Difficulty did nothing
Why: Difficulty is only read when a brand new world is created.
Fix: Download a backup, then start a new world by choosing an unused Save Slot (the old world stays on disk), or by deleting the old save, which permanently removes that world and all progress. Choose the difficulty first.
My uploaded world does not load, or the server starts a blank world
Why: The Save Slot does not match the slot number the world was saved under.
Fix: Set Save Slot to the world's slot number and restart.
Server password is refused when saving
Why: The panel accepts only letters, numbers, dots, dashes and underscores, up to 32 characters.
Fix: Pick a password using only those characters.
I added my SteamID64 but I am not an admin
Why: The file is only read at start, or the ID line is wrong.
Fix: Check the file holds the 17-digit SteamID64 alone on a line, then restart the server and rejoin.
The first start after turning on RedLoader takes minutes
Why: The loader rebuilds the game's support files once.
Fix: Wait for it to finish. Later starts are normal speed.
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.
