| 1 | # Collector configuration |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Find available collectors in the [Collecting Metrics](/src/collectors/README.md) guide and on our [Integrations page](https://www.netdata.cloud/integrations). |
| 4 | |
| 5 | Each collector's documentation includes detailed setup instructions and configuration options. Most collectors either work automatically without configuration or require minimal setup to begin collecting data. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | > **Info** |
| 8 | > |
| 9 | > Enable and configure Go collectors directly through the UI using the [Dynamic Configuration Manager](/docs/netdata-agent/configuration/dynamic-configuration.md). |
| 10 | |
| 11 | ## Enable or disable Collectors and Plugins |
| 12 | |
| 13 | Most collectors and plugins are enabled by default. You can selectively disable them to optimize performance. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | **To disable plugins**: |
| 16 | |
| 17 | 1. Open `netdata.conf` using [`edit-config`](/docs/netdata-agent/configuration/README.md#edit-configuration-files). |
| 18 | 2. Navigate to the `[plugins]` section |
| 19 | 3. Uncomment the relevant line and set it to `no` |
| 20 | |
| 21 | ```text |
| 22 | [plugins] |
| 23 | proc = yes |
| 24 | python.d = no |
| 25 | ``` |
| 26 | |
| 27 | **To disable specific collectors**: |
| 28 | |
| 29 | 1. Open the corresponding plugin configuration file: |
| 30 | ```bash |
| 31 | sudo ./edit-config go.d.conf |
| 32 | ``` |
| 33 | 2. Uncomment the collector's line and set it to `no`: |
| 34 | ```yaml |
| 35 | modules: |
| 36 | xyz_collector: no |
| 37 | ``` |
| 38 | 3. [Restart](/docs/netdata-agent/start-stop-restart.md) the Agent after making changes. |
| 39 | |
| 40 | ## Adjust data collection frequency |
| 41 | |
| 42 | You can modify how often collectors gather metrics to optimize CPU usage. This can be done globally or for specific collectors. |
| 43 | |
| 44 | ### Global |
| 45 | |
| 46 | 1. Open `netdata.conf` using [`edit-config`](/docs/netdata-agent/configuration/README.md#edit-configuration-files). |
| 47 | 2. Set the `update every` value (default is `1`, meaning one-second intervals): |
| 48 | ```text |
| 49 | [global] |
| 50 | update every = 2 |
| 51 | ``` |
| 52 | |
| 53 | 3. [Restart](/docs/netdata-agent/start-stop-restart.md) the Agent after making changes. |
| 54 | |
| 55 | ### Specific Plugin or Collector |
| 56 | |
| 57 | **For Plugins**: |
| 58 | |
| 59 | 1. Open `netdata.conf` using [`edit-config`](/docs/netdata-agent/configuration/README.md#edit-configuration-files). |
| 60 | 2. Locate the plugin's section and set its frequency: |
| 61 | |
| 62 | ```text |
| 63 | [plugin:apps] |
| 64 | update every = 5 |
| 65 | ``` |
| 66 | 3. [Restart](/docs/netdata-agent/start-stop-restart.md) the Agent after making changes. |
| 67 | |
| 68 | **For Collectors**: |
| 69 | |
| 70 | Each collector has its own configuration format and options. Refer to the collector's documentation for specific instructions on adjusting its data collection frequency. |
| 71 | |
| 72 | ## Troubleshoot a collector |
| 73 | |
| 74 | 1. Navigate to the plugins directory. If not found, check the `plugins directory` setting in `netdata.conf`. |
| 75 | ```bash |
| 76 | cd /usr/libexec/netdata/plugins.d/ |
| 77 | ``` |
| 78 | 2. Switch to the netdata user. |
| 79 | ```bash |
| 80 | sudo su -s /bin/bash netdata |
| 81 | ``` |
| 82 | 3. Run debug mode |
| 83 | |
| 84 | ```bash |
| 85 | # Go collectors |
| 86 | ./go.d.plugin -d -m <MODULE_NAME> |
| 87 | |
| 88 | # Python collectors |
| 89 | ./python.d.plugin <MODULE_NAME> debug trace |
| 90 | |
| 91 | # Bash collectors |
| 92 | ./charts.d.plugin debug 1 <MODULE_NAME> |
| 93 | ``` |
| 94 | 4. Analyze output |
| 95 | |
| 96 | The debug output will show: |
| 97 | |
| 98 | - Configuration issues |
| 99 | - Connection problems |
| 100 | - Permission errors |
| 101 | - Other potential failures |
| 102 | |
| 103 | Need help interpreting the results? Join our [Discord community](https://discord.com/invite/2mEmfW735j) for expert assistance. |