Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about credits, servers, and account access. For a problem happening now, start with Troubleshooting rather than repeating payments or server actions.

Billing and credits

Is this a subscription?

No. Buy credits in advance and use them at each server's displayed hourly rate. There is no monthly credit reset. See How Pay-As-You-Go Works.

When am I charged?

Creating a server, or starting one without unused prepaid time, requires one full hour upfront. A stopped server with a positive Banked Hour remainder can resume that time. An upgrade may require additional credit. When the paid time runs out, another full hour is charged if the server continues running. Review actual hosting charges in Cost & Usage.

Does a stopped server use credits?

No. Stop pauses billing and preserves unused paid time as that server's Banked Hour for its next start. Verify the server reaches Stopped; closing your browser, leaving the game, or seeing Error is not a substitute for stopping. See Stopping Pauses Billing.

What happens when my Credit Balance is too low?

If the owner's balance cannot cover the next hour, the server is stopped, not deleted, and the balance does not go below zero. Confirm a top-up, then return to Console and select Start. Buying credits alone does not start it. Shared servers always use their owner's balance.

Do credits expire?

Credits remain in Credit Balance until used; they do not reset each month. Keep enough for all servers you intend to run, since they share the same owner's wallet.

Can I get a refund for unused credits?

Unused credits are not refundable simply because you change your mind. Mandatory consumer rights and remedies for billing errors still apply. Stop servers you are not using to avoid new hourly charges. For a suspected payment or billing error, contact support with the relevant reference rather than making another payment.

Can I change my wallet currency?

No. The wallet currency assigned when the account is created remains fixed. It determines prices, top-up amounts, and checkout options. Changing the website language does not change that currency. See Your Wallet Currency.

Which payment options will I see?

USD accounts use PayPal. When DOKU is shown for an IDR account on Buy Credits, choose from the methods available in its checkout. Only methods actually displayed are available. See Buying Credits.

Why has completed checkout not changed my Credit Balance?

Closing checkout is not proof of payment. Check the original payment result and receipt, then refresh Console. For DOKU, use Check payment status when shown. Running servers may have spent credit after the top-up, so the balance alone is not enough.

If the provider confirms payment but the app does not confirm that credits were added, keep the order reference and contact support. Do not pay again as a test. See My Payment Didn't Add Credits.

Servers

How do I create a server?

Select Create Server in Console, choose the game, and complete the wizard. Review the region, Server tier, Server size, game settings, supported mods, and hourly rate before confirming once. Then wait for startup. See Creating a Server.

What is the difference between Server tier and Server size?

Server tier identifies the hosting option available in a region. Server size chooses capacity within that tier, such as Small, Medium, or Large. Compare the offered specifications and price, not just the size name. Increasing size does not automatically change a game's player-limit setting. See Choosing a Server Tier and Server Size.

Can I change the region, Server tier, or Server size later?

Yes, with permission to edit Server Settings. Applying a change to a running server restarts it and disconnects players; a stopped server uses the new configuration at its next start. An upscale can charge the displayed difference immediately; a downscale has no extra change charge. Check the confirmation and current connection address afterward. See Server Settings.

How do friends join the game?

Share the game's current connection details privately and follow the relevant game guide. Some games use a server or world search instead of direct IP connection. A website share link grants access to server controls; it is not the game address. See Connecting & Inviting Players.

What does a share link allow?

It grants the permissions of its role. A login-required link adds the signed-in visitor as a member, so the server appears in their Console. With Allow anonymous, someone holding the link can use that role without signing in. The owner's wallet still pays server costs.

Give only the permissions needed. Revoking a link does not remove members who already joined; review memberships separately. See Roles & Sharing.

Can I manage connected players?

For supported games, Player Management offers the actions implemented for that game. You need the relevant permission, and the server must be Running for live actions. Not every game supports the same actions. See Player Management.

Can I schedule the server?

Use Automation to save Auto-start and Auto-shutdown for selected days, times, and a timezone. Starts follow normal credit rules; a failed or skipped occurrence is not retried later. Supported games also offer Repeating Broadcast, sending one message per interval only while running. See Automation.

Are saves kept when I stop or restart?

Stopping and restarting are designed to preserve supported games' current save data, not a history of every save. Console has no self-service save download, version list, or restore control. Deletion is permanent. For missing progress or a backup warning, stop further play and follow save-data troubleshooting; recovery cannot be promised.

How do I apply game settings or mods?

For Game Settings, stop the server, wait for Stopped, save the change, verify it saved, then start again. An option may apply only to a newly generated world; check the game guide first.

Mods appears only for games with supported mod management. Confirm required fields and dependencies and accept Save & Restart when offered for a running server. Do not remove mods from an existing world without checking its requirements. See Settings or Mods Didn't Apply.

How long does starting take?

It varies by game, downloads, and world size. Wait while Starting, then allow game loading to finish after Running. Do not repeatedly start or restart it. If there is no visible progress or an error repeats, keep the status message and Activity Log times for startup troubleshooting.

Account and access

Do I need a separate password?

No. Use an option shown on the sign-in page: Google, Facebook, or Microsoft. Microsoft sign-in uses a personal account, not a work or school account. HourlyGameServer.com does not issue a separate account password. See Signing In.

Can I use another sign-in option later?

Only when it resolves to the same account; choosing another provider does not guarantee that it will. If your usual servers or balance are missing, sign out and use the provider and identity you used before. Do not create duplicate servers or buy more credits to test the account. Contact support if you still cannot find it.

How do I stop paying without losing the server?

Select Stop and verify Stopped. Use Delete Server only for permanent removal of the server and its save data; it cannot be undone. See Starting, Stopping, and Restarting.

How do I contact support?

Open the server's 24/7 Customer Support section if your role permits it. Include the symptom, expected result, time and timezone, and checks already tried. Keep passwords and tokens out of messages and attachments.

If you have no server or cannot sign in, email support@hourlygameserver.com. You do not need to buy a server to get help with an account or payment. See the support-case steps.