I can't access my server, what do I do?

There are a few things to try if your server is down and inaccessible which you can find below:

Check the Server Status Page:

You can check the Contabo Server Status page here. Any issues with Contabo data centers will be posted here, so if you're having issues accessing your server it is best to first check this page to see if there are any ongoing issues. If there aren't any larger issues please follow the steps below.

Try restarting your server:

It is always recommended to try restarting your server when your having issues accessing it. You can find a guide on how to do this here.

Try connecting to your server via VNC:

If you have a VPS or VDS with Contabo you can try connecting to your server via VNC. There is a guide on how to connect to your server via VNC here.

If your server is reachable via VNC but unreachable via other methods it is likely due to a misconfiguration of the firewall or that the port was changed.

Use the "can't connect to server" interactive guide:

You can use the"can't connect to server" interactive guide to give you immediate help when you're unable to connect to your server. The guide will help you diagnose the issue with your server and provide you with a variety of solutions. From there, you will be also able to create a support ticket if necessary. 

You can access the interactive guide with the following steps:

1. Open the Customer Control Panel.
2. From the blue "control panel" section on the left hand side of the page click "Your services".
3. Click the "Manage" button next to the server you're having issues connecting to.
4. Click the option "I can't connect to this server" from the dropdown. 

The form should then open up and you can navigate through the form to find a solution to your issue. 

If this is your first time trying to connect to your server we also have a guide here that give you the basic steps to connecting to your server.

Boot a rescue system:

Try to boot a rescue system (like a live CD) into the RAM of your server. This option is available for Virtual Private Servers (VPS) and Virtual Dedicated Servers (VDS).

Through it you will be able to access the system, make changes, correct any errors, and boot the system again normally. This option is free of charge and you can do it on your own immediately using the Customer Control Panel. Please follow the steps below to try using a rescue system:

1. Log in to the Customer Control Panel.
2. Click "Your services" from the control panel on the left hand side of the page.
3. Click the "Manage" button next to the effected server.
4. Click the option "Rescue System".
5. Select the type of rescue system you would like to run from the dropdown. Details about each rescue system can be seen at the top of the page.
6. Enter the server password in the "Password" text box.
7. Re-enter the server password in the "Password (confirm)" text box.
8. Click "Start rescue system"

After a short wait you should be able to access your server and fix the issue that is making it inaccessible.

This option is best to use if you know the cause of your servers issue and need to regain access to fix the issue.

KVMoIP:

A KVMoIP can be added to dedicated server. KVMoIP means Keyboard Video Mouse over Internet Protocol. It will enable you to operate as if you were sitting in front of the machine. You can use this option to access your server and make the required changes to get it back up and running. 

To get a KVMoIP setup on your server you will need to reach out the customer support team.

You can contact the Customer Support team via the "Get in Touch" section of the support home page here.

This option is best to use if you know the cause of your servers issue and need to regain access to fix the issue.