Open VanillaChapter 16 · Help
Troubleshooting
The common messages and fixes, for the launcher, the browser, the game and hosting, and where the logs are.
Find your logs #
Launcher: Settings → Folders → Open logs. The files that matter are launcher.log, update.log and web-backend.log. Attach them to a bug report (they don't contain your password).
Launcher messages #
| Message | Fix |
|---|---|
| CHOOSE YOUR GAME'S DATA FOLDER | Press PLAY and pick your game's Data folder (or the folder with WoW.exe), or let it download a client |
| Missing X.MPQ / X is damaged | That client is incomplete: pick another folder or Download & install |
| This is build N; Open Vanilla needs Vanilla Client v1.3 (build 5875) | Wrong version: Open Vanilla needs Vanilla Client v1.3 (English, build 5875) |
| Wow.exe wasn't found there | Pick the folder that contains WoW.exe, not its parent |
| SERVER OFFLINE | The realm is down; check #server-status on Discord, or Play Solo |
| This realm has no website set | Pick another realm, or add its portal URL on the Realms page |
| Open Vanilla is offline | The central services can't be reached; you can still play Solo and join friends directly |
| That isn't an Open Vanilla invite link | Copy the whole link again, or use Join by address |
| Host key changed | Ask your friend for a new invite link; don't join until they confirm |
| The update couldn't be applied | It retries next start; details in Logs\update.log |
| Windows says Unknown publisher | The launcher isn't code-signed yet: More info → Run anyway, or check the checksum first |
Browser messages #
See Playing in the browser. The usual fix for a black screen is updating the browser and graphics driver (the client needs WebGPU).
In the game #
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| A Vanilla Remastered window is lost off-screen | /wnl reset |
| The interface feels wrong after a change | /setup and pick a preset, or /vanilla for pure Vanilla |
| An addon errors | Turn it off in /addons; for your own addons ask an AI agent with the Fix an addon error prompt (AI) |
| Stuck, dead in a bad spot, talents broken | Help → Talk to a GM (Tickets) |
| Quest pins or threat missing | Those need the realm; on some realms they're not available |
Hosting #
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Information is not valid" at login | Reset the account's password in the server window |
| The server window closes straight away | Python isn't on PATH: reinstall Python and tick "Add to PATH" |
| The database won't start | Something else uses port 3310; close it |
| Friends can't connect | Forward TCP 3724 and 8085; check your firewall; give them your public address |
More in the Host Guidebook's Troubleshooting.
Still stuck? #
Ask in the Discord help forum with what you did, what you expected, what happened, and your logs. Security problems: report them privately (security.html).