How to troubleshoot a StarRupture server that will not start

Start with the last change made to the service. Most configuration failures can be narrowed down without reinstalling the server.

1. Open Configuration Files and check that DSSettings.txt is valid JSON. Look for missing quotation marks, commas or braces.
2. Confirm that LoadSavedGame and StartNewGame are not both enabled, and that SaveGameName names a file that exists when loading a save.
3. Stop the service, run Steam Update and wait for it to finish.
4. Start the server once and open Log Viewer. Check the first relevant error in StarRupture.log.

If the same error remains, restore your separate known-good DSSettings.txt copy or submit a support ticket with the relevant log lines. Do not repeatedly reinstall files without checking the log.