Sometimes the fastest fix is a fresh start. Your VPS panel gives you two tools for that — reinstall and rescue mode. Here's when to use each.
Reinstall (a clean OS)
A reinstall wipes the disk and lays down a fresh operating system. Reach for it when:
- You want a clean slate to start a new project.
- The system is broken beyond an easy repair.
- You'd like to switch to a different OS image.
This erases everything on the VPS. Back up anything you need first. Then, from your service page, open Manage → Reinstall, pick the OS image, confirm, and give it a few minutes. You'll get a fresh root password for the new install.
Rescue mode (fix without wiping)
Locked out by a bad config, a broken SSH setup, or a full disk — but you don't want to lose your data? Rescue mode boots the VPS into a small temporary environment while leaving your real disk untouched, so you can mount it and fix the problem.
Typical rescue workflow:
- Boot into rescue mode from the panel.
- Mount your main disk (the panel or rescue shell tells you the device, e.g.
/dev/sda1). - Fix what's broken — reset a password, edit a config file, clear space, repair fstab.
- Reboot back into your normal system.
Rescue mode is the non-destructive option; always try it before a reinstall if your data matters.
Reset the root password
If you just need a new root password (not a full reinstall), use Manage → Reset password on the service page — no wipe, no downtime.
Stuck? Open a ticket with what you tried and the error you're seeing, and we'll jump in.