This guide explains how to access the rescue system on your HOSTDOG Cloud VPS or dedicated server, what you can do in rescue mode, and how to return to normal operation after making repairs.

When to use rescue mode

Boot into rescue mode when:

  • Your server does not start after an update or configuration change
  • You are locked out due to a firewall misconfiguration or SSH key issue
  • The file system is corrupted and needs repair
  • You need to recover data from a server that cannot boot normally
  • You want to reset the root password

Access the rescue system

Step 1:
Activate rescue mode

Navigate to the HOSTDOG homepage and click the Log in button. Go to Services, select your VPS or dedicated server, and look for the Rescue option in the server management panel. [VERIFY: exact UI path for activating rescue mode in Client Area]

Click Activate Rescue. The system generates temporary root credentials that are displayed on screen or sent to your email.

Important: Write down the temporary rescue credentials immediately. They are only shown once.
Step 2:
Reboot into rescue mode

After activating rescue mode, trigger a reboot from the management panel. The server will start in the rescue environment instead of your normal OS.

Step 3:
Connect via SSH

Connect using the temporary credentials:

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

You are now in a minimal Linux environment. Your server's disks are not mounted automatically — you need to mount them manually to access your files.

Common rescue tasks

Mount your file system

# List available disks
lsblk

# Mount your main partition (typically /dev/sda1 or /dev/vda1)
mount /dev/sda1 /mnt

Fix a broken SSH/firewall configuration

# Edit firewall rules
nano /mnt/etc/ufw/user.rules

# Or reset SSH config
nano /mnt/etc/ssh/sshd_config

Reset the root password

# Chroot into your installed system
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt

# Change the password
passwd root

Repair the file system

# Unmount first, then check
umount /mnt
fsck /dev/sda1

Return to normal mode

After completing your repairs:

  1. Unmount all mounted partitions: umount /mnt
  2. Go back to your server management panel in the Client Area
  3. Deactivate rescue mode
  4. Reboot the server — it will start from your normal operating system
Tip: If the issue persists after your repair attempt, take a snapshot (if possible) and contact HOSTDOG support for further assistance.

Related articles

Need Help? If you cannot resolve the issue in rescue mode, our support team is available 24/7. Navigate to the HOSTDOG homepage and click the Log in button to open a support ticket and we'll assist you promptly.
Tags: HOSTDOG Cloud VPS Dedicated Server Recovery