# Running the server day to day

> Academium SMS Help › Your school server
> For: School Owner, School Admin · Server Edition
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-running-the-server-day-to-day
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

Your school server mostly looks after itself. This article covers the few things to know so staff are never left unable to work.

## Keep it running during school hours

Staff on the Client Edition and in web browsers can only use Academium while the server is running. Staff on the Individual Edition can keep working without it, and their changes are sent to the server when it is back.

In the **Preferences** card on the control panel's Overview tab:

| Windows | Linux |
| --- | --- |
| **Auto-start on launch**: starts the services as soon as the control panel opens. | **Auto-start on system boot**: starts the server automatically when the computer starts. |
| **Auto-start on OS boot**: opens Academium when the computer starts. | |

Turn these on so the server comes back by itself after a power cut or restart. On Linux, the control panel itself is always available while the computer is on.

## Starting, stopping and restarting

Use **Stop** and **Restart** at the top of the control panel. While it is stopped, nobody on the Client Edition or a browser can use Academium. Avoid stopping it during school hours.

On Linux, the **power** button can also restart or shut down the whole computer. See [Linux control panel security and tools](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-linux-control-panel-security-and-tools.md).

> **Warning:** Do not simply switch the server computer off at the wall. Shut it down from the operating system so Academium can close properly. If Academium was not closed properly, the control panel says **Previous session ended unexpectedly** the next time it starts.

## Status messages

The control panel shows a message when something needs attention. The most common ones:

| Message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **No backup taken yet** | Choose **Back Up Now**, and set up a backup schedule. See [Backing up and restoring](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-backing-up-and-restoring.md). |
| **System clock is incorrect** | Choose **Fix Clock**. A wrong date or time on the server affects attendance dates, receipts and records. |
| **Low disk space** | Free up space on the server computer, or move old backups to an external drive. |
| **Drive health warning** / **Drive failure indicators detected** | Back up straight away and contact whoever looks after your school's computers. The drive may be failing. |
| **HDD detected — SSD recommended** | Not urgent. A solid-state drive would make Academium faster. |
| **Subscription expired** | The school owner renews through the Academium portal, or uses an offline renewal file. See [Subscription and the admin password](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-subscription-and-admin-password.md). |

## Updates

When a new version of Academium is available, the control panel lets you know. Install updates outside school hours, because the server restarts.

## Appearance

Under **Preferences → Theme**, choose Light, Dark or System for how the control panel looks. This does not change Academium SMS for your staff.

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