What does a normal first server startup look like?

The first time you start a new server, expect it to take longer than usual. The panel has to download the game files before the server process can run, which can take several minutes depending on the game.

Watch the Console page for progress. You will see download and validation lines, followed by the actual game server boot sequence. A successful start ends with specific confirmation messages: for GMod, look for "Connection to Steam servers successful" and "Gamemode loaded" near the end of the log. Other games show their own equivalent "ready" line, usually something like "Done" or "Server startup complete".

If the server stops immediately after starting rather than staying online, check three things in order: the App ID or server type on the Startup page is correct for your game, the console log for the first error line (scroll up from the bottom, the real cause is often above a wall of follow-on errors), and whether you have hit your plan's memory limit. If none of that resolves it, see the server-not-starting troubleshooting article.