Most problems with a Squad server come down to a few causes. Start with the one that matches what you see.
Players cannot find the server in the in-game browser
Why: Unlicensed servers are listed under the Custom servers menu, not the main Server browser list. The server can also be hidden if Advertise Server is off, or missing for players who have updated because the server is on an older game version.
Fix: Look under Custom servers and search for the server name. Check that Advertise Server is on, then restart the server with Auto Update on so it picks up the latest game version.
The server disappeared after a Squad update
Why: Players on the new version no longer see a server that is still on the old build.
Fix: Restart the server with Auto Update on and give the first start time, since Squad is a large download.
AdminChangeLayer or AdminSetNextLayer says the layer cannot be loaded
Why: The layer name is mistyped, the layer or its map is listed in the excluded layers or excluded levels files (Jensen's Range is excluded by default), or a modded layer's mod is not loaded.
Fix: Check the layer name against the Squad wiki map list. In Files, open SquadGame, then ServerConfig, and remove the layer or map from ExcludedLayers.cfg or ExcludedLevels.cfg, save, and restart the server. For a mod layer, check the mod folder is in Plugins, Mods.
The map rotation does not follow the order you set
Why: The rotation mode in the server's main settings file decides which rotation file is used, and a freshly installed server starts in layer voting mode. If the rotation list is randomised at start, your order is shuffled.
Fix: In SquadGame, ServerConfig, set the rotation mode to LayerList in Server.cfg, list your layers in LayerRotation.cfg, and set RandomizeAtStart to false. Save and restart the server.
I added myself to the admin list but the admin commands do nothing
Why: The Admins.cfg entry needs a SteamID64 (not a Steam name or short ID), a group defined with the permission the command needs, and the entry has to match the group name exactly.
Fix: Check the Group= and Admin= lines in SquadGame, ServerConfig, Admins.cfg. Stop the server, save the file, start the server and try again from the in-game console, opened with the tilde key pressed twice.
Players cannot switch teams
Why: Allow Team Change is off, or Prevent Team Change If Unbalanced or Enforce Team Balance is blocking a move that would make the teams uneven.
Fix: Change those settings in Settings, then Game Settings and restart. Admins with the balance permission can switch regardless of team sizes.
The server runs out of memory or restarts when players join
Why: Squad uses nearly 4 GB of memory with nobody connected, so small plans have almost no headroom.
Fix: Move to a larger plan, and turn Record Demos off if you do not need recordings.
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.
