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Rescue mode starts your VPS from a small separate Linux system instead of its own disk. From there you can repair your normal system: fix a server that won’t boot, undo bad settings or copy your files to safety. Your data stays on the disk.

Difficulty

Advanced

Time

10–30 minutes

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Start a rescue session

1

Open your server

Go to Servers and click Manage next to the server.
2

Open Options › Rescue

Click Options, then Rescue.
Rescue tab with an explanation, a rescue system list showing Linux (Debian Live) Rescue v1, and a Create Rescue Session button

Options › Rescue

3

Choose a rescue system

Pick a system from the list, for example Linux (Debian Live) Rescue v1.
4

Create the session

Click Create Rescue Session, then click Create Rescue Session again in the confirmation. The server restarts automatically, and the connection details are sent to your email once the session is active.
Create Rescue Session dialog explaining that the server restarts and connection details are emailed, with Cancel and Create Rescue Session buttons

Confirm the rescue session

5

Wait for the session to start

It usually takes under a minute. When it’s ready, a blue Rescue Session Active banner appears at the top of your server page.
Rescue Session Active banner with an End Rescue Session button, and the Rescue tab showing a second End Rescue Session button

A rescue session is active

6

Connect

Use the details from the email to connect over SSH, or use the VNC console.

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Repair your server

Your server’s own disk isn’t running while you’re in rescue mode, so you can safely check it and change it. Typical jobs:
  • Check the disk for errors with the Linux filesystem check tool.
  • Open your normal system’s files by attaching (mounting) its disk, then edit the setting that broke it, such as the SSH or network configuration.
  • Copy important files to another server or your computer before a rebuild.
Not comfortable with these steps? Open a ticket with VPS & Dedicated Servers and tell us what happened.

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End the session

When you’re done, click End Rescue Session. You’ll find it in the banner at the top of the server page and on the Options › Rescue tab. Click End Rescue Session again to confirm. The server restarts automatically and boots back into its normal system.
Your server stays in rescue mode until you end the session. Your websites and services are offline while it’s in rescue mode.

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Rescue mode, VNC or rebuild?

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026