Troubleshooting & Common Issues

Resolve Surviving Mars troubleshooting issues. Find solutions for common problems like Power Grid Failures to keep your Martian colony running smoothly.

Even the most meticulously planned Martian colony can encounter unexpected challenges. This section provides detailed troubleshooting steps for common issues faced by aspiring Space Governors, ensuring your colony thrives despite the red planet's best efforts to stop you.

Power Grid Failures & Blackouts

A sudden loss of power can cripple your colony, leading to resource depletion, building malfunctions, and even colonist morale drops. Identifying and rectifying the cause quickly is paramount.

• Check Power Production:
  • Navigate to the Info Bar at the top of your screen and select the Power Overlay (lightning bolt icon).
  • Observe the Power Production vs. Power Consumption meters. If consumption exceeds production, you have a deficit.
  • Identify underperforming or damaged power generators. Solar Panels are inactive at night and during Dust Storms. Wind Turbines are less effective during Dust Storms and calm periods.
  • Actionable Step: Build additional Solar Panels (with Power Accumulators for night storage), Wind Turbines, or a Stirling Generator for consistent power. Ensure Power Cables connect all buildings to the grid.
• Inspect Power Cable Integrity:
  • Dust Storms and Meteors can damage Power Cables.
  • Use the Power Overlay to visually inspect cables for red segments, indicating damage.
  • Actionable Step: Select the damaged cable segment and click "Repair." Prioritize repairs with available Machine Parts. Consider building redundant power lines or upgrading to Heavy Power Cables in high-traffic or high-risk areas.
• Overloaded Substations:
  • Each Substation has a maximum power output. Connecting too many high-consumption buildings to a single substation can cause localized blackouts.
  • Actionable Step: Build additional Substations to distribute the power load. Ensure each substation is adequately connected to your main power grid.

Water Shortages & Hydration Crises

Water is life on Mars. A lack of it can quickly lead to colonist suffering and building shutdowns.

• Monitor Water Production & Consumption:
  • Access the Info Bar and select the Water Overlay (water drop icon).
  • Compare Water Production to Water Consumption. A deficit means your colonists are thirsty.
  • Actionable Step: Build more Water Extractors over viable underground water deposits. Research and construct Moisture Vaporators for atmospheric water collection, especially in areas without underground sources.
• Check Water Pipe Network:
  • Similar to power cables, Water Pipes can be damaged by environmental hazards.
  • Use the Water Overlay to identify broken pipe segments (red coloration).
  • Actionable Step: Repair damaged pipes using Machine Parts. Consider building redundant pipe networks to critical domes and facilities.
• Depleted Water Deposits:
  • Underground water deposits are finite. Over time, Water Extractors can deplete them.
  • Actionable Step: Use the Resource Overlay (pickaxe icon) to scan for new water deposits. Relocate or build new Water Extractors over fresh sources. Research and deploy Deep Water Extractors for access to deeper, larger reserves.

Oxygen Depletion & Suffocation Risks

Without breathable air, your colonists won't last long. Maintaining a stable oxygen supply is crucial.

• Verify Oxygen Production:
  • Open the Info Bar and select the Oxygen Overlay (air tank icon).
  • Ensure Oxygen Production exceeds Oxygen Consumption.
  • Actionable Step: Build more Oxygen Generators. These require Water, so ensure your water supply is stable.
• Inspect Oxygen Pipe Integrity:
  • Oxygen Pipes, like other infrastructure, are vulnerable to damage.
  • Use the Oxygen Overlay to locate broken pipe segments.
  • Actionable Step: Repair damaged pipes with Machine Parts. Ensure all domes and life support buildings are properly connected to the oxygen network.
• Dome Leaks:
  • Domes can occasionally suffer structural integrity issues, leading to oxygen leaks.
  • A notification will appear if a dome is leaking.
  • Actionable Step: Select the affected dome and initiate repairs. This will consume Metals and Machine Parts. Prioritize repairs to prevent colonist deaths.

Colonist Unhappiness & Morale Drops

Unhappy colonists are unproductive colonists, and can even lead to crime and rebellion.

• Identify Causes of Unhappiness:
  • Click on any colonist or dome and check their "Morale" tab. Common causes include:
    • Lack of Comfort/Service: Insufficient Diners, Grocers, Infirmaries, Parks, etc.
    • Low Sanity: Caused by long working hours, lack of leisure, or traumatic events.
    • Homelessness: Not enough Living Quarters or Apartments.
    • Unsuitable Work: Colonists working jobs they are not specialized for.
    • Fear of Disaster: Frequent Dust Storms, Cold Waves, or Meteor Showers without adequate protection.
  • Actionable Step: Address the specific needs. Build more service buildings, ensure adequate housing, and assign colonists to appropriate jobs. Consider building a Medical Post or Infirmary to treat sanity issues.
• Dome Specialization:
  • Trying to make every dome do everything can be inefficient.
  • Actionable Step: Specialize domes. For example, a "Residential Dome" with many living quarters and services, an "Industrial Dome" for factories, and a "Research Dome" for labs. This allows for better resource allocation and colonist satisfaction.
• Disaster Preparedness:
  • Environmental disasters significantly impact morale.
  • Actionable Step: Build Dust Scanners and Meteor Defenses to mitigate the impact of disasters. Ensure all critical infrastructure is protected or redundant.

Resource Shortages (Metals, Rare Metals, Polymers, Machine Parts, Electronics)

Running out of crucial resources will halt construction and maintenance, leading to a cascade of problems.

• Monitor Resource Stockpiles:
  • Check the Info Bar at the top of the screen for current resource counts.
  • Actionable Step: If a resource is low, identify its source and increase production.
• Metals:
  • Source: Surface deposits (harvested by RC Commander or RC Transport), underground deposits (mined by Metal Extractors).
  • Actionable Step: Deploy more RC Transports to gather surface metals. Build additional Metal Extractors over new deposits. Research Deep Metal Extractors for larger reserves.
• Rare Metals:
  • Source: Underground deposits (mined by Rare Metal Extractors).
  • Actionable Step: Prioritize finding and exploiting new Rare Metal deposits. These are crucial for trade and advanced building construction. Consider building a Space Elevator for increased export capacity.
• Polymers:
  • Source: Produced in Polymer Factories (requires Water and Concrete).
  • Actionable Step: Build more Polymer Factories. Ensure adequate supplies of Water and Concrete are available.
• Machine Parts:
  • Source: Produced in Machine Part Factories (requires Metals).
  • Actionable Step: Increase Metal production and build more Machine Part Factories. These are vital for building maintenance and advanced construction.
• Electronics:
  • Source: Produced in Electronics Factories (requires Rare Metals and Metals).
  • Actionable Step: Boost Rare Metal and Metal production. Construct more Electronics Factories. These are critical for high-tech buildings and research.
• Trade & Imports:
  • If local production cannot meet demand, consider importing resources from Earth.
  • Actionable Step: Open the Trade Route menu (rocket icon on the Info Bar) and set up recurring imports for critically low resources. Be mindful of the cost in Funding.