---
title: "How to Rebuild (Reinstall) Your Self-Managed VPS"
id: "90032"
type: "ht_kb"
slug: "how-to-rebuild-your-self-managed-vps"
published_at: "2026-10-13T00:40:18+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-10-27T22:33:55+00:00"
url: "https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-rebuild-your-self-managed-vps/"
markdown_url: "https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-rebuild-your-self-managed-vps.md"
excerpt: "This article explains how to rebuild your Self-Managed VPS from the GreenGeeks dashboard. Use a rebuild to start over with a fresh operating system, switch to a different OS or app such as Docker Host, or recover a server you..."
taxonomy_ht_kb_category:
  - "Self Managed VPS Hosting"
  - "Server Questions"
---

This article explains how to rebuild your Self-Managed VPS from the GreenGeeks dashboard. Use a rebuild to start over with a fresh operating system, switch to a different OS or app such as Docker Host, or recover a server you can no longer repair.

## Table of Contents

- [Before You Rebuild](#before-you-rebuild)
- [What a Rebuild Keeps and Erases](#what-a-rebuild-keeps-and-erases)
- [How to Reinstall the Current Operating System](#how-to-reinstall-the-current-operating-system)
- [How to Install a Different Operating System or App](#how-to-install-a-different-operating-system-or-app)
- [After the Rebuild](#after-the-rebuild)

## Before You Rebuild

**A rebuild permanently erases everything on your server’s disk and cannot be undone.** GreenGeeks does not keep backups of Self-Managed VPS data and cannot restore it.

- Copy any files, databases, and configuration you want to keep to a location outside the server.
- Try the [Terminal or Console (VNC)](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-use-the-terminal-and-console-vnc/) first if you are rebuilding only because you cannot log in. Most lockouts can be fixed without erasing the server.

## What a Rebuild Keeps and Erases

| Kept | Erased |
| --- | --- |
| IP address | All files, databases, and installed software |
| Server region | Users and settings inside the server |
| Hostname | Docker containers, images, and volumes |
| SSH keys saved to your GreenGeeks account | Firewall rules in the dashboard |
|  | The server’s SSH host keys |

**Firewall rules are deleted by a rebuild.** Write down your rules before you rebuild so you can add them again.

## How to Reinstall the Current Operating System

1. Log in to your GreenGeeks dashboard.
2. Select **Servers** in the left menu.
3. Click **Manage** next to your Self-Managed VPS.
4. Select **Settings** in the left menu.
5. Select **Rebuild**.

1. Confirm **Reinstall the current OS** is selected.
2. Select the SSH keys to install on the rebuilt server under **SSH Keys**.
3. Click **Rebuild Server**.
4. Type `REBUILD` in the confirmation field.

1. Click **Rebuild Now**.

The rebuild usually takes a minute or two. The page updates automatically when the server is ready.

## How to Install a Different Operating System or App

1. Open the **Rebuild** page by following steps 1 to 5 in [How to Reinstall the Current Operating System](#how-to-reinstall-the-current-operating-system) .
2. Select **Install a different OS or application**.

1. Select the **Operating System** tab or the **Application** tab.
2. Click the OS or app you want to install, such as **Docker Host**.

1. Click **Use This**.

1. Check the **Domain** field. Apps require a domain, which is used for the app’s address and HTTPS certificate. Keep the existing free domain, enter your own, or click **Generate** to create a new free subdomain.
2. Select the SSH keys to install on the rebuilt server under **SSH Keys**.
3. Click **Rebuild Server**.
4. Type `REBUILD` in the confirmation field.
5. Click **Rebuild Now**.

The available templates are:

| Template | Type | Includes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ubuntu | Operating System | Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS |
| Docker Host | Application | Ubuntu 26.04 LTS with Docker Engine and Docker Compose, plus the Docker app catalog in your dashboard |

To deploy apps such as WordPress on a Docker Host server, see [How to Deploy Apps on a Docker Host Self-Managed VPS](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-deploy-apps-on-a-docker-host-self-managed-vps/)

## After the Rebuild

- **Log in again:** use the root password on the **Overview** page or one of the SSH keys you selected.
- **Clear the SSH warning:** your computer shows a **REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS CHANGED** warning the first time you connect. See [How to Connect to Your Self-Managed VPS](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-connect-to-your-self-managed-vps/)
- **Restore your data:** copy your backups back to the server.
- **Add your firewall rules again:** the rebuild deletes them. See [How to Manage the Self-Managed VPS Firewall](https://www.greengeeks.com/support/article/how-to-manage-the-self-managed-vps-firewall/)
- **Secure the server:** install updates.

If the rebuild does not finish or the server does not come online afterward, open a support ticket. Failed rebuilds are covered by GreenGeeks support.