Node.js app fails to start (Passenger) – dead-run.helioho.st – need error details from server logs

[smel]

 

 

Hello,

I am hosting a Node.js API on dead-run.helioho.st (HelioHost / Plesk). The app never starts: every request shows the generic Phusion Passenger error page (“We’re sorry, but something went wrong” / “Web application could not be started by the Phusion Passenger application server”). The Error ID changes on every refresh, so I assume the process crashes on startup each time.

My setup

• Application root: /httpdocs
• Document root: /httpdocs
• Application startup file: server.js
• Node.js version (panel): 23.11.1
• Package manager: npm (I run NPM install from the panel and Restart App)
• Custom environment variable: LEADERBOARD_JSON_ONLY=true (to avoid native SQLite; the app can fall back to a JSON file)

What I have already tried

• Uploaded a CommonJS server.js with module.exports = app (no listen() under Passenger).
• Dependencies: Express 4 and cors in package.json; removed native better-sqlite3 from the critical path when using the env var above.
• Deleted node_modules and ran a fresh npm install, then Restart App.
• Confirmed server.js, package.json, and node_modules are under /httpdocs.
• Cleared browser cache; waited after changes.

What I need from you

1. Please check the Passenger / Node.js logs for my account/domain and tell me the real stack trace (e.g. missing module, permission denied on data/, Node version issue, etc.). I do not have access to /var/log/passenger/passenger.log from my side.
2. If something in my Plesk Node.js settings is wrong (application root vs document root, Node version, or permissions on /httpdocs / data/), please advise what to change.

Sample Error IDs (if helpful): I can provide the latest ID from the Passenger page if you tell me where you prefer I paste it.

Thank you for your help.

Best regards,
smel
Domain: dead-run.helioho.st

 

[Krydos]

Do you have your environment set to development or productions?

[smel]

where do i see my environment ?

Edited just now by smel