Guides
Running a Minecraft server, step by step.
Practical guides for setting up and running a Minecraft server.
Getting started
Making a server, getting friends onto it, and letting Bedrock players join.
How to make a Minecraft serverMost of the work is deciding which edition and software to run. The install itself is one jar, a EULA and a start script.Read guide →- Connect to your Minecraft serverYou need the address and the same game version as the server. Here’s where to put them on Java and Bedrock, and what the first errors mean.Read guide →
- Play Minecraft together without port forwardingYour router won’t cooperate, or you can’t get into it. A tunnel or a virtual LAN gets friends in without opening a port.Read guide →
- Java, Bedrock and crossplay with GeyserBedrock can’t join a Java server on its own. Geyser and Floodgate fix that for phone and Windows players.Read guide →
Server setup
Server software, memory, settings, updates and bringing in an existing world.
- Choose your Minecraft server softwarePlugins mean Paper. Mods mean whichever loader they were built for, and vanilla is for when you want neither.Read guide →
- Paper vs Spigot vs PurpurShort answer: run Paper. This covers when Purpur is worth it, and the rare case where Spigot still makes sense.Read guide →
- How much RAM a Minecraft server needsA few friends on Paper need 2 to 4 GB, modpacks a lot more. Extra memory won’t fix lag, though, and this explains why.Read guide →
- server.properties explainedThe settings you’ll actually change, with their defaults. Stop the server before you edit the file.Read guide →
Plugins & mods
Plugins on Paper, Fabric and Forge mods, and modpack servers that match your players.
- Install plugins on a Paper serverDrop the jar in plugins, restart, check /plugins. When one won’t load, it’s nearly always the version or a missing dependency.Read guide →
- Best Minecraft server plugins, grouped by jobStart with LuckPerms, EssentialsX and CoreProtect. Add the rest when you actually hit the problem they solve.Read guide →
Install a modpack on your serverThe server has to run the exact pack version your players have, minus the client-only mods. Most modpack crashes come from getting one of those wrong.Read guide →- Make a Fabric server and add modsFabric itself takes five minutes. Working out which mods belong on the server takes longer, so that’s most of this guide.Read guide →
- Make a Forge or NeoForge serverRun the installer with --installServer, set RAM in user_jvm_args.txt and start it. Then keep client-only mods out of the mods folder.Read guide →
Players & permissions
Deciding who can join and who can run commands.
Backups
What to keep, and how to put a world back without making it worse.
Performance
Finding the actual cause of lag before changing settings.
Troubleshooting
When nobody can join, or the server keeps crashing.
- Fix “Can’t connect to server”Read the exact error first, because it usually names the cause. If it doesn’t, go down the checks in order.Read guide →
- Read server logs and crash reportsOpen latest.log, find the first error and look for a plugin or mod name under it. That’s usually your answer.Read guide →
Not covered here? Ask us and we’ll help, then probably write it up.