Factorio Mod Error: Troubleshooting What Items Do I Have?

Are you encountering errors while using the "What Items Do I Have?" mod in Factorio? This guide will help you understand the common issues and provide solutions to get your game back on track. We'll break down the error messages, explain what they mean, and offer practical steps to resolve them. Let's dive in and fix those pesky mod problems!

Understanding the Error Messages

When a mod causes an error in Factorio, the game usually displays a detailed error message in the console. These messages can seem daunting at first, but they contain crucial information for troubleshooting. The provided error logs point to several specific issues related to the "What Items Do I Have?" mod and its interaction with other mods, particularly "P.U.M.P.".

The first error we see is:

Error while running event what-items-do-i-have::on_lua_shortcut (ID 42)
what-items-do-i-have/control.lua:344: attempt to call global 'get_player' (a nil value)
stack traceback:
what-items-do-i-have/control.lua:344: in function <what-items-do-i-have/control.lua:340>

This error indicates that the mod is trying to use the get_player function, but it's not available. This often happens if the mod is trying to access player-specific data or interact with the player, but something is preventing it from doing so. The "nil value" means the game can't find the player object at that specific moment.

The second error is a more general game crash:

15122.771 Error MainLoop.cpp:1468: Exception at tick 3515146: The mod P.U.M.P. (2.1.15) caused a non-recoverable error.
Please report this error to the mod author.

This is a critical error, meaning the game has crashed. In this case, the "P.U.M.P." mod is identified as the cause. This could be due to an incompatibility between "P.U.M.P." and other mods, or a bug within the mod itself. This type of error usually requires an update or a fix from the mod author.

The third error is related to the GUI:

Error while running event pump::on_gui_click (ID 1)
The mod What Items Do I Have? (1.2.13) caused a non-recoverable error.
Please report this error to the mod author.

This error indicates that an issue occurred when interacting with the game's graphical user interface (GUI), specifically related to a click event. Again, "What Items Do I Have?" is listed as the cause, suggesting a problem with how it handles GUI interactions.

Finally, we have an item-related error:

Error while running event what-items-do-i-have::on_runtime_mod_setting_changed (ID 69)
Invalid ItemID: expected LuaItemPrototype, LuaItemStack, LuaItem or string.
stack traceback:
[C]: in function 'get_item_count'
__what-items-do-i-have__/control.lua:257: in function 'search'
__what-items-do-i-have__/control.lua:322: in function <__what-items-do-i-have__/control.lua:320>

This error suggests that the mod is trying to find an item, but the item ID it's using is invalid. It's expecting an item identifier (like a string or object representing an item) but is receiving something else, leading to this error. This can happen due to a typo in the item name, a change in item definitions due to other mods, or a corrupted item definition.

These errors collectively highlight problems within "What Items Do I Have?" itself and potential conflicts with other mods. Let's delve into solutions.

Troubleshooting Steps

Now that we understand the error messages, let's work through the steps to fix the problems. Troubleshooting mod errors in Factorio can often involve a process of elimination and some trial and error.

1. Update Your Mods:

The first and easiest step is to ensure that all your mods are up-to-date. Mod authors frequently release updates to fix bugs and incompatibilities. Open the Factorio mod manager, and update "What Items Do I Have?" and "P.U.M.P." and any other mods you have installed. Restart Factorio after updating.

2. Check Mod Dependencies:

Some mods depend on other mods to function correctly. Make sure that all the necessary dependencies for "What Items Do I Have?" and "P.U.M.P." are installed and updated. The Factorio mod manager will usually alert you if a dependency is missing. Check the mod descriptions on the Factorio mod portal for dependency information.

3. Review Load Order:

The order in which mods load can sometimes affect their compatibility. There's no specific load order that always works, but experimenting with the load order is essential if you encounter these types of errors. In the mod manager, try changing the load order of "What Items Do I Have?" and "P.U.M.P." to see if the errors disappear. Sometimes, moving a mod higher or lower in the load order can resolve conflicts. Try disabling all other mods, and see if the base game and affected mods work as intended.

4. Investigate Mod Conflicts:

Mod conflicts are a common source of errors. If updating and adjusting the load order doesn't work, there might be a conflict with other mods you've installed. The game logs don't provide a list of conflicts, so you'll have to find them through a process of elimination.

• Disable Mods: Disable mods one by one, starting with those that interact with the inventory, GUI, or item management. After disabling each mod, test if the error persists. If the error disappears after disabling a specific mod, you've likely identified the culprit.
• Test with a Minimal Set: Create a new game with only "What Items Do I Have?" and its dependencies enabled. If the error doesn't appear, you can gradually add other mods back in, testing after each addition, until the error reappears. This will help you identify the conflicting mod.

5. Examine Item IDs and Names:

The "Invalid ItemID" error suggests a problem with item names or identifiers. Check the mod settings or configurations for "What Items Do I Have?" to see if it allows you to specify item names or types. If so, make sure the item names match the item definitions in your game exactly (case-sensitive). If you've recently updated mods, item IDs or names might have changed.

6. Reinstall the Mods:

Sometimes, a mod file can become corrupted during installation or updating. Try uninstalling "What Items Do I Have?" and "P.U.M.P.", then reinstalling them. This can fix issues with corrupted files.

7. Check Game Version Compatibility:

Make sure that "What Items Do I Have?" and "P.U.M.P." are compatible with your current Factorio game version. Mod authors usually specify the compatible game version in the mod description. If you are using an older version of the game, there is a good chance that the mod is incompatible with it. Check the mod's description or the Factorio mod portal for compatibility information.

8. Contact Mod Authors:

If you've tried all the above steps and the error persists, it's time to contact the mod authors. They can provide specific assistance, as they are most familiar with the mod's inner workings. Report the error, including the full error log, the mod versions, and the steps you've taken to troubleshoot. You can usually find the mod author's contact information on the Factorio mod portal page for their mod.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Considerations

If the basic troubleshooting steps don't fix the problem, you may need to delve deeper. Here are a few advanced techniques:

1. Review the Mod's Control.lua:

The control.lua file is the primary script that runs the mod's logic. If you are comfortable with programming and Lua, you can examine this file to see how the mod is handling item searches, player interactions, and GUI events. This might help you find the source of the error.

• Backup: Before making any changes, back up the original control.lua file.
• Use a Text Editor: Open the file with a text editor and search for the lines mentioned in the error messages. This can help you understand the context of the errors.
• Debug Print Statements: Add print statements to the code to output values of variables or to track the flow of execution. Be very cautious and remove any changes once you are done.

2. Check for Other Compatibility Issues:

Sometimes, mods that seem unrelated can cause conflicts. For example, mods that change the game's GUI can sometimes interfere with others. Look for any mods that modify inventory screens, item handling, or player interaction. These are the most likely candidates for conflicts. Additionally, any mods that change how entities or the game world behave could be a factor.

3. Performance Issues:

Some mods can be resource-intensive. If you have many mods installed, or if the mod is poorly optimized, it could cause performance issues that might trigger errors. Try reducing the number of mods or optimizing your Factorio settings. Consider disabling graphics-intensive mods to rule out performance as the source of the problem.

4. Factory Reset and Reinstall:

If all else fails, consider reinstalling Factorio. This ensures a clean base installation. Back up your saves first! After reinstalling, reinstall mods one by one to avoid issues. While this is a drastic step, it can solve problems caused by corrupted game files or persistent mod conflicts.

Conclusion

Encountering errors with the "What Items Do I Have?" mod can be frustrating, but with a systematic approach, you can usually identify and fix the problem. Remember to start with the simple solutions like updating mods and checking dependencies. If you still have trouble, investigate mod conflicts and, if necessary, contact the mod authors for further assistance. Happy Factorioing!

For more in-depth information and assistance, check out the Factorio Modding documentation: Factorio Modding Documentation. This resource is incredibly valuable for understanding how mods work and resolving complex issues.