Where Does HexChat Store Logs?
HexChat logs and config folder on Windows and Linux, how per network logging works, and what to copy when migrating.
Last updated
HexChat writes channel and query logs as text files in a logs subfolder inside its per OS config root. The parent also holds hexchat.conf with preferences, auto join lists and plugin settings. Scrollback and nick colors travel with that tree.
Logging toggles per network under Settings, so missing logs usually mean the checkbox stayed off. Copy the whole config folder with HexChat closed to migrate servers plus histories together. Log filenames embed network and channel names for easy sorting. Autoload scripts in the addons folder start with the same profile.
Where HexChat stores this, by platform
%appdata%\HexChat\logs
Paste into Explorer. Config is hexchat.conf one level up. Copy the full HexChat folder to move networks, nicks and logs at once.
~/.config/hexchat/logs
Same layout as Windows. XChat migration imports from ~/.xchat2 on first run. Keep logs with hexchat.conf on every backup.
Frequently asked questions
Why is HexChat not logging a channel?
Per network logging is off. Open Network List, edit the network, enable logging, and rejoin. Past sessions cannot regenerate, so only new traffic records.
How do I move HexChat to a new machine?
Close HexChat on both ends, copy the full config folder to the same path, then reopen. Re-enter server passwords once and confirm auto join fires.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.