9 Common Server Problems and Expert Solutions
Servers are critical components of a business’s IT infrastructure. They handle network resources and manage data backup and recovery operations. A server issue can lead to unexpected downtime, which impacts business productivity and efficiency. When left unattended for longer hours, these issues cause significant revenue loss and customer dissatisfaction, impacting the company’s reputation.
Understanding how to troubleshoot server problems minimizes the instances of server outages, resulting in numerous benefits, including a competitive advantage. The most common server problems can be categorized into hardware and technical server issues, which affect various components and require different practices to prevent and fix them.
Hardware Server Problems
These server problems affect specific computer hardware components that slow down your system or make it stop functioning completely. If you’re wondering, “Why is my server not working?” focus on fixing these hardware server issues promptly to avoid costly downtime.
1. Power Outages
Power outages often cause servers to malfunction or shut down, interrupting normal workflows and preventing file access for long durations. Some common culprits for power outages include brownouts, blackouts, surges due to severe weather and poor electrical infrastructure in the business premises. Extended power failures may lead to server crashes or irreversible damage to data center components.
The best way to protect your servers from interruptions caused by power source failures is to invest in backup power solutions like an uninterruptible power supply and generators. These systems maintain business continuity even when the main grid is interrupted and ensure your servers shut down correctly following an unexpected outage. Developing a disaster recovery plan and implementing failover strategies also helps with continuity and minimizes downtime.
2. Environmental Factor Interference
Environmental conditions like dust, humidity and temperature fluctuations affect server hardware in various ways. For example, excess dust build up on server equipment clogs fans and heatsinks, causing systems to overheat faster and slow down.
Servers also risk overheating when the air conditioning system is ineffective. Heat accumulating in the room may damage components and reduce server performance. Humidity and moisture accumulating in the surrounding environment can cause component corrosion and short-circuiting.
Invest in a high-quality system that controls the temperature and humidity levels to create an optimal server operating environment. Regularly maintaining server hardware also prevents server issues related to environmental conditions.
3. Hard Drive Failures
Hard drive failures are catastrophic server problems that may lead to permanent data loss. Hard disk drives are delicate objects susceptible to physical damage due to overheating, dropping, scratching or power surges. Logical failures may be caused by data corruption, drive formatting, registry changes, malware, viruses and software bugs.
Some signs of hard drive failures include:
- Poor performance and deteriorating server speed
- Missing or corrupted files and folders
- Concerning noises like whirring or grinding
- Frequent and unexpected reboots
Preventing data losses associated with hard drive failures involves maintaining off-site cloud-storage backup solutions and creating an effective IT disaster recovery strategy. Investing in solid-state drives is another way of mitigating the risk of hardware failure because they have no moving parts, which makes them more durable and less susceptible to mechanical damage.
4. Software Failure
Older software and operating systems affect server performance and make it more challenging to install updates. Outdated software is prone to unvetted patches, security vulnerabilities and corrupted files or drives. Running your servers on outdated software also puts them at risk of failure.
Software updates should be at the top of your server maintenance checklist. Updating your server software promptly and regularly helps you fix bugs and install new features. This approach helps your system operate smoothly and grants access to the latest and most effective version of software programs. It also helps establish a comprehensive patch management policy that dictates the responsibilities, procedures and timelines for implementing updates.
5. Motherboard Failure
Motherboard failures are among the most challenging server issues to diagnose and fix. They often result from electrical failure, overheating or physical damage. Electrical failures are due to power surges and spikes or when motherboard components short-circuit due to contact with a hot swap. Overheating due to blocked fans and excessive humidity may cause physical motherboard damage.
You can prevent motherboard failure by:
- Keeping fans and ventilators clean and free of dust.
- Preventing liquid spills that may cause motherboard failures.
- Replacing legacy equipment that has old motherboards.
- Looking out for exposed metal parts that may cause short-circuiting.
Technical Server Problems
Technical server issues are more challenging to diagnose and fix, which often means you must rely on an experienced managed service provider to address them. Some of the most common technical server problems include:
1. Cybersecurity Threats
There’s a rising risk of cyber attacks that threaten to compromise sensitive data and disrupt normal business operations. Some of the most common cybersecurity vulnerabilities in every business’s server system include ransomware, malware, phishing and data breaches.
Mitigating cybersecurity risks involves regularly performing threat assessments to uncover vulnerabilities and inform your team of the best ways to protect your system. Next, you must establish network access controls to protect your data and technology against external threats. It helps to install firewalls and antivirus software and stay up to date with patch management.
2. System Overload
An overloaded system slows servers down, delays device responses and causes performance freezes and occasional crashes, negatively impacting employee productivity and efficiency. Additionally, it may lead to server bottlenecks and latency problems. Low server capacity, excessive traffic and resource-intensive applications are all contributors to overloaded systems.
You can better manage server loads by regularly monitoring the server’s RAM, CPU and bandwidth usage. Upgrading your current server hardware and moving some resources to another server eases the pressure on your main server.
3. Configuration Issues
Configuration errors cause problems with connecting to servers or result in lost server connection, slow performance, security vulnerabilities and complete application failures. Examples of server configuration errors include incorrect file paths, Secure Sockets Layer certificates, Domain Name System (DNS) records and TCP/IP settings. They can occur due to outdated software, incorrect settings, inadequate resources or mismanagement of server configurations.
Implementing regular software updates and conducting routine monitoring, maintenance and management can effectively prevent server configuration issues. Use server monitoring software and performance testing tools to diagnose server configuration issues. Then, take appropriate measures to resolve and fix the server errors.
4. Network Connectivity Problems
Interrupted internet connectivity affects server performance, resulting in failure to connect to the server, slow data transfer rates, exposed vulnerabilities and poor client-server communication. Network connectivity issues often result from DNS server failures, firewall misconfiguration, faulty network hardware, damaged or obsolete cables and poor network infrastructure.
Regularly inspecting your network infrastructure for outdated routers or switches and damaged cables often helps prevent network connectivity issues. Troubleshooting network connectivity issues is best left to professional managed IT service providers that can conduct extensive network assessments to determine the most effective solutions.
Get a Free Server Network Assessment Today From Kirbtech
Kirbtech is a managed IT service provider that offers expert solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. We offer creative solutions to your unique server issues based on your business’s size, industry, budget and IT priorities. Our team can handle server monitoring, management, migrations, maintenance and upgrades to help you optimize efficiency.
Request a free server management quote or contact us today to learn more about our server solutions.
