This guide explains the basic steps to recover an inaccessible Linux VPS hosted with Domains.co.za.
A Linux Virtual Private Server (VPS) provides dedicated resources and full administrative control, making it ideal for hosting websites, applications, databases, and development environments. However, there may be times when your VPS becomes inaccessible due to configuration errors, firewall rules, failed software updates, resource exhaustion, or network issues.
If you cannot connect to your VPS using SSH or your hosted services are unavailable, it is important to identify the cause before making any changes. Many access issues can be resolved by checking the server’s status, restarting services, reviewing firewall settings, or restoring the VPS from a recent backup.
IMPORTANT
Before restoring backups or making significant configuration changes, ensure you have a recent backup of your VPS and understand that some recovery actions may overwrite existing data.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Before You Begin
Before troubleshooting your Linux VPS, ensure that:
- You have access to the Domains.co.za Customer Portal.
- You know your VPS root username and password or SSH credentials.
- You have the VPS IP address available.
- You have a recent VPS backup or snapshot if restoration becomes necessary.
How to Recover an Inaccessible Linux VPS
Step 1: Access Your VPS Management
1. Login to your Domains.co.za Customer Portal using your username and password.
2. Open the Manage Services drop-down menu.
3. Select VPS Hosting and click Manage next to your domain.
4. Under Quick Manage select VNC Console.
Step 2: Check the VPS Status
1. Confirm that your VPS is powered on.
2. Review the current server status.
3. Restart the VPS if it appears to be unresponsive.
Allow several minutes for the operating system to boot before attempting to reconnect.
Step 3: Test SSH Connectivity
Open your preferred SSH client.
Attempt to connect using:
ssh root@your-server-ipIf the connection fails, verify that:
- The IP address is correct.
- Your Internet connection is working.
- Port 22 has not been blocked.
Step 4: Review Firewall Configuration
If you regain access:
1. Verify that SSH traffic is permitted.
2. Confirm that firewall rules have not blocked remote connections.
3. Save any changes before disconnecting.
Step 5: Check Available Resources
Review server utilisation, including:
- CPU usage.
- Memory usage.
- Disk space.
A completely full disk or exhausted memory may prevent services from operating correctly.
Step 6: Restore from Backup (If Required)
If the VPS cannot be recovered through normal troubleshooting:
1. Open your available VPS backups or snapshots.
2. Select the most recent healthy backup.
3. Begin the restore process.
4. Verify that services operate normally after restoration.
Troubleshooting
I Cannot Connect Using SSH: Verify that the VPS is running, the correct IP address is being used, and that SSH access has not been blocked by firewall rules.
My Website Is Offline: Check that the web server service is running and that the VPS has sufficient system resources available.
The VPS Is Running Slowly: High CPU, memory, or storage usage may affect overall server performance. Review resource utilisation to identify any bottlenecks.
The Server Will Not Boot: Restart the VPS from the management interface. If the issue continues, restore a recent backup or contact Support.
Additional Information
- Linux VPS Hosting provides full root access, allowing you to manage the server environment.
- Keeping regular VPS backups makes disaster recovery significantly easier.
- Monitoring server resources can help prevent unexpected outages.
- Firewall changes should always be tested carefully before ending an SSH session.
- Regular operating system updates improve both security and stability.
- Restarting services may resolve temporary configuration or resource issues without requiring a full reboot.
- If your VPS remains inaccessible after completing these checks, contact the Domains.co.za Support team.
Login to Domains.co.za Account
1. Go to the Domains.co.za website Account Login page.
2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.
3. You will see the Domains.co.za Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.
