If you're unable to access your server, follow the steps below. These checks will help you quickly identify whether the issue is local, network-related, or server-side.

You can also follow along with this video guide: How to get your server back online.

1. Check your server status

Before troubleshooting, confirm your server is actually running.

1. Log in to the Customer Panel
2. Go to Servers & Hosting
3. Select the corresponding server
4. Check that your server shows a "Running" status.

If the status is "Offline"/"Stopped": Click the Start button under Quick Action. If that doesn't help, please submit a ticket to the support team.

2. Check your local connectivity

Before investigating server-side issues, make sure the problem is not caused by your local network.

• Try accessing your server from a different network (e.g. mobile hotspot).
• Disable any local firewall, VPN, or corporate network restrictions temporarily.
• Test from another device if possible.

If the connection works from another network, the issue is likely related to your ISP or local configuration.

3. Check the Server Status page

Visit the Contabo Status Page to see if there are any ongoing incidents affecting your server or data center.

If there are no reported issues, continue with the steps below.

4. Restart your server

Before restarting your server, use the Power Off button under Quick Action to fully stop your server, then click the Start button under Quick Action. If it doesn't help, continue with the steps below:

A restart can often resolve temporary issues. You can restart your server at any time, free of charge, through the Customer Panel:

1. Log in to the Customer Panel.
2. Click on "Servers & Hosting" from the left hand side of the page and then "VPS or VDS" depending on the type of server you want to restart. 
3. Click the reboot icon under the "Quick Action" column. 

Please note that this process will shut down and restart your server. If you still have access to the operating system on the server, please consider rebooting from the operating system instead. Suddenly shutting down the server can cause some problems and should be used as a last resort.

5. Try accessing your server via VNC

If you have a VPS or VDS, you can connect via VNC:

• VNC connection guide

If VNC works but other connection methods do not, the issue is likely caused by:

• Firewall configuration
• Incorrect ports
• Network misconfiguration

Use this guide to troubleshoot: Network configuration troubleshooting.

6. Use the “Can’t connect to server” tool

The interactive troubleshooting tool in the Customer Control Panel can help diagnose and resolve common issues.

How to access it:

1. Open the Customer Control Panel
2. Go to Your Services
3. Click Manage next to your server
4. Select "I can't connect to this server"

The tool will guide you through possible causes and solutions, and allows you to create a support ticket if needed.

If the issue persists

Check network configuration changes

If you recently modified your network settings, review this guide: Fix network configuration issues.

Boot into a rescue system

You can boot your server into a rescue system to troubleshoot and fix issues. This doesn't apply to VNC troubleshooting.

• Available for VPS and VDS
• Accessible via the Customer Control Panel

Guide: How to boot a rescue system.

Use KVM over IP (Dedicated Servers)

KVMoIP provides direct access to your server as if you were physically present.

• Available for dedicated servers
• Requires setup by support

Contact support via the Customer Control Panel. How do I submit a ticket to Contabo Customer Support?

Run diagnostics

If you're still unsure about the cause, run diagnostics on your server:

How to run server diagnostics

New to server access?

If this is your first time connecting, see How do I connect to my Contabo server for the first time?

Video guide

If the video does not load, you can watch it on YouTube: Watch here.