Welcome to ChicagoServers

Running into trouble with your Arma Reforger server? Whether it’s startup crashes, mod errors, or connection issues, this guide will help you diagnose and fix the most common problems — all within your ChicagoServers control panel.

1. Server Not Starting or Crashing

Common Causes:

• Incorrect formatting in server_config.json

• Problematic or outdated mods

• Misconfigured "a2s" (Steam query) settings

How to Fix:

• Validate Your Config File: Use a JSON validator to check for any missing commas, brackets, or other syntax errors in server_config.json.

• Remove Mods Temporarily: Remove all mods from the "mods" list in your config. If the server starts, re-add them one at a time to find the issue.

• Check A2S Block: If you're using the "a2s" block and it's misconfigured, remove or correct it. It’s not required for most setups.

2. Players Can't Connect

Common Causes:

• Required ports not open

• Server is not visible in the browser

• Game and server version mismatch

How to Fix:

• Open Required Ports: Make sure your server has UDP ports like 2001 and 17777 open. This is handled for you on ChicagoServers, but double-check your firewall if you’ve added custom rules.

• Set Visibility to True: Open your server_config.json and confirm this line exists:

  "visible": true

• Update Game and Server: Ensure both your local game and your server installation are using the latest Arma Reforger version. You can update your server directly in the ChicagoServers control panel.

3. Mods Not Working

Common Causes:

• Incorrect mod version or ID

• Outdated or broken mods

How to Fix:

• Verify Mod Entries: Each mod must include the exact modId, name, and version in your server_config.json:

  "mods": [ { "modId": "1234567890", "name": "My Cool Mod", "version": "1.0.2" } ]

• Remove Old Mod Files: If a mod update causes problems, delete the old mod folder in the addons directory to force a redownload when the server restarts.

4. Server Not Showing in the Server List

Common Causes:

• Visibility is turned off

• Misconfigured "a2s" block

How to Fix:

• Ensure Visibility Is Enabled:

  "visible": true

• Try Removing A2S Block: If you’ve added an "a2s" section manually, try removing it. In many cases, this resolves visibility issues.

5. Players Stuck on Loading Screen

Common Causes:

• Corrupted mods

• Client/server version mismatch

How to Fix:

• Clear Mod Cache (Client-Side): Have players remove old mod files on their PCs from:

  Documents\My Games\ArmaReforger\addons\

• Recheck Server Mods: Make sure all mods on the server are updated and listed correctly with matching versions.