Troubleshooting REDnode
Start with the logs
REDnode writes its logs to red4ext\logs in the game folder. Close the game first: some are only complete after it exits.
| Log | Look for |
|---|---|
red4ext-*.log |
A line saying REDnode has been loaded. If it’s missing, REDnode never started |
rednode-*.log |
The plugin: REDnode 0.23.1 loading, and that it started the host |
rednode-overlay.log |
The overlay host: packages found, started and refused, permissions, the MCP server |
rednode-mods.log |
What Node mods printed, and their crashes |
r6\logs\redscript_rCURRENT.log |
Script errors, if the game stopped at startup |
When you ask for help, include the first lines of the plugin and host logs, and the lines around the problem.
Problems and fixes
No REDNODE tab at the main menu
- Check
red4ext-*.logfor REDnode. If RED4ext has no log at all, RED4ext itself isn’t working: install or update it for your game version. - If RED4ext loaded but REDnode isn’t mentioned, the deploy went somewhere else. Run the deploy again with
-GameDirset to your game folder. - If REDnode loaded, check
rednode-overlay.log. If it’s missing or old, the host didn’t start. Make surered4ext\plugins\REDnode\host\REDnode-overlay.exeexists; if not, runnpm run overlay:packageand deploy again. - Security software may stop a game plugin from starting another program. If the host is blocked, allow
REDnode-overlay.exe.
The launcher says GAME OFF
The overlay host isn’t connected to the game. It can show for a moment while the game starts. If it stays, quit the game and start it again, then check rednode-overlay.log and the plugin log for errors. Only one host can run at a time: if you started one by hand (npm run overlay), close it before starting the game, or the game’s own host exits.
The game stops at startup after deploying
Usually a script error: check r6\logs\redscript_rCURRENT.log. REDnode needs redscript installed. To check whether REDnode is the cause, remove it (.\tools\deploy-native.ps1 -Remove, after copying out packages you want to keep) and start the game again.
The deploy script stops
| Message | Fix |
|---|---|
RED4ext not found under ... |
Your game isn’t in the default Steam folder. Add -GameDir '<your game folder>' |
Close the game first. |
The game locks REDnode’s files while it runs. Quit it, wait for it to close, and run the script again |
Nothing staged. Run tools\build-native.ps1 first. |
Build first: .\tools\build-native.ps1, then npm run overlay:package |
The build fails
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The Build Tools install runs out of memory or hangs | Close Steam and your browser. If an install is already running in the background, wait for it instead of starting another |
| The first plugin build fails to download | Its first run downloads the RED4ext SDK. Check your internet connection and run it again |
| Packaging says Electron is missing | Run node node_modules/electron/install.js once in the REDnode folder |
The developer setup has every tool’s exact version.
A window I expect isn’t showing
Work down this list:
| Check | Fix |
|---|---|
| Is the overlay hidden? | Press F10 until windows show |
| Is it pinned to the HUD? | Unpinned windows show only in interactive mode. Pin it in the Mod Manager or from its title bar |
| Is it in another space? | Check the Mod Manager’s Space column, or switch spaces with Ctrl+1 to 9 |
| Is a package in solo mode? | The tab shows SOLO. Press End |
| Did you close it? | “Window closed” with Show in the launcher or Mod Manager brings it back |
| Is a game menu open? | Many windows hide with menus, photo mode and loading screens |
| Is the package on? | Switch it on in the Mod Manager |
A new package isn’t in the launcher
New packages start unpinned. Open the Mod Manager and use the New filter, then switch it on and pin it. If it isn’t in the Mod Manager either, check rednode-overlay.log: a package whose manifest names a file that doesn’t exist yet is skipped until the file is there.
A mod shows CRASHED or NOT RESPONDING
Only that mod is affected; the game and other mods keep running. Read Last error in the Mod Manager or the Mod log, then press Restart. If it keeps crashing, send its author the error: Copy in the Mod log puts it on the clipboard. A mod stopped at a debugger breakpoint shows NOT RESPONDING too; that’s expected.
A package says NEEDS, or “Needs …”
It requires a mod your game doesn’t have, or has in an older version. The Mod Manager’s Requires list says which and what version. Install it with EDGEdeck or your mod manager and restart the game.
A package’s feature does nothing
It may be waiting for a permission. Look for Asks for … in its launcher row or Mod Manager details, and switch Allowed on if you trust it. Features that need REDbridge also need REDbridge installed: use Get REDbridge in EDGEdeck.
“That game object no longer exists”
A mod used a game object from before a save load, or one the game removed. It’s the mod’s mistake, not yours: it should fetch objects again after each load. Restarting the mod usually clears it.
Windows flicker, show garbage or don’t update
Switch GPU sharing off at the bottom of the launcher. Every window reopens with the other way of drawing. If that fixes it, report it with your graphics card and the host log.
The cursor vanishes, or interactive mode ends by itself
Press F10 to get back to interactive mode. Fixes for both went into earlier versions and passed their tests, so if it happens on 0.23.1, report it with the plugin log: it records when the game leaves and comes back to the front.
A HUD widget stays up in a cutscene, or hides in a conversation
Which scenes count as cutscenes is still being confirmed. Note what was happening and report it: it helps settle it.
The game runs slowly, or runs out of memory
The game alone needs 12 to 16 GB of RAM. Each open REDnode window adds roughly 60 to 100 MB and each mod process about 100 MB. Switch off windows you don’t need, put mods in a shared process, and close other programs. The Perf sample shows what the overlay costs.
Claude Code can’t reach REDnode
| Check | Fix |
|---|---|
| Is the game running? | The server only runs with the game. claude mcp list showing rednode failing while the game is closed is normal |
| Is MCP server on? | Switch it on in the launcher |
| Did you run the setup command? | Press Copy setup and run the command in a terminal once |
| Is it a new session? | Claude Code loads MCP servers when a session starts. Start a new one |
Hot reload doesn’t pick up my changes
Switch Hot reload on in the launcher. Make sure you’re editing the copy in the game’s apps folder, not one elsewhere.
Something else
Ask on Discord with your logs’ first lines, or open an issue on REDnode’s repo.