Fix: SBA Kicks & Shop Issues On Bungeecord Servers

Hey guys! Running a Bungeecord server can be super fun, but sometimes you run into weird issues, right? Today, we're diving deep into a frustrating problem some of you might be experiencing: SBA (likely referring to a server-side anti-cheat or plugin) kicking players and shops not spawning correctly. It's a head-scratcher when things go sideways, but don't worry, we'll break it down and get your server back on track.

Understanding the Problem: SBA Kicks and Shop Spawn Issues

So, you're experiencing SBA kicks and your shops aren't spawning as they should. This can be incredibly disruptive, especially if you've built a thriving community and economy around your server. Imagine players getting randomly disconnected and key trading hubs just not showing up – that's a recipe for frustration! Let's try to figure out what's going on.

First, let’s define the problem clearly. SBA, in this context, probably refers to a server-side anti-cheat system or a plugin with similar functionalities. These systems are designed to protect your server from cheaters and exploiters, but sometimes they can be a bit overzealous and kick legitimate players. The kicks themselves can manifest in various ways, such as disconnect messages, error codes, or simply being sent back to the Bungeecord lobby. Understanding the specific message or error can provide valuable clues.

Then there's the issue of shop spawning. If you're using a plugin that handles shop creation and management (like ChestShop, Shopkeepers, or similar), you might find that new shops aren't being created, existing shops are disappearing, or shop inventories are getting wiped. This can cripple your server's economy and player trading, making it a high-priority issue to resolve. These shop problems might be tied to the SBA system, but they could also be caused by other factors, like plugin conflicts, world-related issues, or even database corruption.

It's also essential to check your server's logs. The logs act like a detailed diary of everything happening on your server, including errors, warnings, and plugin activity. They can be your best friend when troubleshooting. Look for any messages related to the SBA system, shop plugins, or any other plugins you suspect might be involved. Error messages, in particular, can point you directly to the source of the problem. For example, a "NullPointerException" might indicate a programming error in a plugin, while a "PermissionsException" could mean a player or plugin lacks the necessary permissions to perform an action. Don’t be intimidated by the technical jargon; focus on keywords and error types, and you’ll start to piece things together.

Is Bungeecord the Culprit?

One of the first questions you might ask is whether Bungeecord itself is causing the problem. Bungeecord acts as a proxy, connecting multiple Minecraft servers together into a single network. While Bungeecord is generally stable, misconfigurations or compatibility issues with plugins can sometimes lead to unexpected behavior. In this case, it's a valid question to consider.

Bungeecord's role as a proxy means that it handles player connections and data flow between different servers. If there's a problem with the Bungeecord configuration, such as incorrect IP forwarding, authentication issues, or resource limitations, it can certainly lead to disconnects and other problems. For example, if the ip_forward setting in your Bungeecord configuration isn't properly set up, players might be kicked due to authentication failures. Similarly, if Bungeecord's memory allocation is too low, it might struggle to handle a large number of players or complex plugin interactions, leading to crashes or disconnects.

However, Bungeecord is unlikely to be the direct cause of shop spawning issues. Shop spawning is typically handled by plugins running on the individual Spigot or Paper servers connected to your Bungeecord network. While Bungeecord facilitates the connection between these servers, it doesn't directly manage the game world or plugin behavior on each server. So, while we need to consider Bungeecord's configuration, we should also focus our attention on the plugins and server settings on the individual game servers.

To check if Bungeecord is contributing to the problem, you can start by examining its configuration file (config.yml). Look for any unusual settings or errors. Pay close attention to the listeners section, which defines how Bungeecord handles incoming connections, and the servers section, which lists the connected Minecraft servers. Ensure that the server addresses and ports are correctly configured. Also, check the Bungeecord logs for any error messages or warnings. These logs can provide valuable insights into Bungeecord's operation and any potential issues.

Paper 1.21.4: Potential Issues and Considerations

You mentioned you're running on Paper 1.21.4. Paper is a highly optimized fork of Spigot, designed to improve server performance and stability. While Paper is generally excellent, it's important to consider its potential impact on plugin compatibility and server behavior.

Paper, being a modified version of Spigot, introduces its own set of features and optimizations. These changes can sometimes lead to conflicts with plugins that aren't specifically designed for Paper. While most popular plugins are compatible with Paper, it's always a good idea to check for any known issues or compatibility warnings, especially if you're using older or less common plugins.

Moreover, Paper's optimizations, while beneficial for performance, can sometimes alter the way certain game mechanics work. This can indirectly affect plugin behavior, especially if a plugin relies on specific vanilla Minecraft mechanics. For instance, Paper's optimized chunk loading or entity handling might interact differently with a shop plugin's code, leading to unexpected shop spawning issues.

The version number, 1.21.4, is also significant. Minecraft versions receive regular updates, and each update can introduce changes to the game's API (Application Programming Interface), which plugins use to interact with the game. If a plugin isn't updated to be compatible with the latest Minecraft version, it might exhibit bugs or even fail to load entirely. So, if you recently updated your server to 1.21.4, it's crucial to ensure that all your plugins are compatible with this version.

To troubleshoot Paper-related issues, start by checking the Paper documentation and forums for any known bugs or compatibility issues with the plugins you're using. You can also try updating Paper to the latest build, as newer builds often include bug fixes and performance improvements. If you suspect a specific Paper optimization is causing the problem, you might try disabling it (if possible) to see if it resolves the issue. However, remember that disabling optimizations might negatively impact your server's performance, so do this carefully and monitor the results.

WorldGuard and Skin Restorer: Possible Conflicts?

You also mentioned having WorldGuard and Skin Restorer installed. These are both popular plugins, but they can sometimes cause conflicts with other plugins or server systems. Let's take a closer look at each.

WorldGuard is a powerful plugin that allows you to protect regions of your world from unwanted interactions, such as griefing or unauthorized building. It's an essential tool for managing a multiplayer server, but its region protection features can sometimes interfere with other plugins, especially those that involve world interaction, such as shop plugins. For example, if a shop is located within a WorldGuard region with specific flags set (like build: false or item-drop: deny), it might prevent players from interacting with the shop or even cause the shop to despawn. Similarly, WorldGuard's entity protection features could interfere with the spawning or behavior of shopkeepers or other shop-related entities.

Skin Restorer, on the other hand, allows players to change their Minecraft skins without needing to log out and back in. It's a convenience plugin that enhances the player experience. While Skin Restorer is generally less likely to cause major conflicts, it can sometimes interact unexpectedly with other plugins, particularly those that deal with player data or authentication. In rare cases, Skin Restorer might interfere with player sessions or data loading, potentially leading to disconnects or other issues.

To investigate WorldGuard as a potential cause, check your region configurations for any flags that might be interfering with shop spawning or player interaction. Ensure that the regions where shops are located have appropriate permissions set to allow shop creation, item trading, and entity interaction. You can also temporarily disable WorldGuard to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, you'll know that WorldGuard is the culprit, and you can then fine-tune your region settings to address the conflict.

For Skin Restorer, you can try disabling it temporarily to see if it resolves the SBA kicks. If it does, check for any known compatibility issues with your anti-cheat system or other plugins. You might also try updating Skin Restorer to the latest version, as newer versions often include bug fixes and compatibility improvements.

Troubleshooting Steps: A Systematic Approach

Okay, guys, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Troubleshooting server issues can feel like detective work, but a systematic approach can make the process much smoother. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you identify and resolve those SBA kicks and shop spawn problems:

1. Examine the Server Logs: We can't stress this enough – the logs are your best friend! Dig into your server's logs (both Bungeecord and individual server logs) and look for any error messages, warnings, or unusual activity. Pay close attention to messages related to SBA, shop plugins, WorldGuard, and Skin Restorer. Error messages often contain valuable clues about the source of the problem. Copy and paste error messages into a search engine; you might find that others have encountered the same issue and have already found a solution. Don’t just skim the logs; read them carefully and try to understand the context of each message.
2. Disable Plugins (One by One): This is a classic troubleshooting technique. Disable plugins one at a time, restarting your server after each disable. This helps you isolate the problematic plugin. Start with the plugins you suspect most, like SBA, shop plugins, WorldGuard, and Skin Restorer. After disabling a plugin, test your server to see if the issue is resolved. If the kicks stop or shops start spawning correctly, you've found the culprit! Once you've identified the problematic plugin, you can then investigate its configuration or seek updates/alternatives.
3. Check Plugin Configurations: Once you've narrowed down the potential culprits, dive into their configurations. Many plugins have settings that can affect their behavior, and incorrect configurations can lead to unexpected issues. For example, SBA plugins often have configurable kick thresholds, shop plugins have settings for spawn locations and item limits, and WorldGuard has region flags that control interactions within protected areas. Consult the plugin's documentation or configuration file comments to understand what each setting does and ensure they are configured correctly. Look for any settings that might be causing conflicts or interfering with normal operation.
4. Update Plugins and Server Software: Outdated software can be a major source of bugs and compatibility issues. Make sure you're running the latest versions of Paper, Bungeecord, and all your plugins. Plugin developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and ensure compatibility with newer Minecraft versions. Check the plugin's website or Spigot page for updates. Before updating, it's always a good idea to back up your server files in case something goes wrong. Also, read the update notes carefully to understand what changes have been made and if there are any compatibility considerations.
5. Test with Default Configurations: If you've made significant changes to your server's configuration files, it's possible that one of these changes is causing the issue. To rule this out, try temporarily reverting to the default configurations for Bungeecord, Paper, and any suspect plugins. You can usually find the default configuration files on the plugin's website or in its documentation. If the problem disappears when using default configurations, you'll know that one of your custom settings is the culprit. You can then reintroduce your custom settings one by one until you identify the specific setting causing the problem.
6. Check for WorldGuard Conflicts: If you suspect WorldGuard is involved, carefully review your region configurations. Ensure that the regions where shops are located have the necessary permissions for players to interact with them. Check for flags that might be preventing shop creation, item trading, or entity interaction. Try temporarily disabling regions or adjusting flags to see if it resolves the issue. WorldGuard's documentation provides detailed information about flags and permissions, so consult it for guidance.
7. Investigate SBA Settings: If SBA is kicking players excessively, review its configuration. Many SBA plugins allow you to adjust kick thresholds, whitelist certain actions, or disable specific checks. Consult the SBA plugin's documentation to understand its settings and how to configure them. Be careful when adjusting SBA settings, as reducing its sensitivity too much can make your server vulnerable to cheaters. It's a balancing act between preventing false positives and maintaining effective anti-cheat protection.
8. Seek Community Help: Don't hesitate to reach out to the Minecraft server community for help. Forums, Discord servers, and other online communities are filled with experienced server administrators who might have encountered similar issues. Provide as much detail as possible about your setup, the errors you're seeing, and the troubleshooting steps you've already taken. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for others to assist you. Be polite and patient, and you'll likely find someone who can offer valuable advice.

Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Server Smooth

Running a Bungeecord server is a fantastic way to create a diverse and engaging Minecraft experience for your players. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. By understanding the potential causes of SBA kicks and shop spawn issues, and by following a systematic troubleshooting approach, you can keep your server running smoothly and your players happy. Remember, the key is to stay patient, be methodical, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Happy server-ing!