Guides

Getting started

If you've never run a Minecraft server before, start here.

• Set up a Java Minecraft server on Windows

  From a fresh install to your first friend joining. Vanilla, Paper, Purpur, Forge, Fabric, Quilt, NeoForge or a jar of your own, in the app or by hand at the command line.

• Run a Bedrock server for console and mobile

  For friends on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, phones or Windows 10/11 Bedrock. The official Bedrock Dedicated Server, port 19132 and Geyser if you'd rather put Bedrock players on a Java server.

Mods and modpacks

Built a modded server? Turn it into something you can share.

• Build and share a modpack

  Turn a modded server into a server pack, a client pack and an installer your friends just run. Also how the builder decides which mods go on the client, the server or both.

Connecting players and managing remotely

Once the server's running, players need a way in and you might want to manage it from outside the house.

• Port forwarding and UPnP

  Opening the port by hand on Sky, BT, Virgin, Netgear, TP-Link, ASUS, Linksys or Xfinity routers, or letting UPnP do it. Also what to do if your ISP uses CGNAT.

• Use a relay for a custom address

  If your internet uses CGNAT or you'd rather not touch the router, a relay gives your server an address that works on any connection. Java and Bedrock.

• Use your own domain

  Point a name you own at your server with one CNAME record, so players type mc.yourdomain.com. Steps for Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap and IONOS.

• Manage your server from any browser

  Watch stats, run commands and start or stop the server from your phone or a laptop at work. Also a table of what each role can do when you share a server.

Troubleshooting

The usual reasons a self-hosted server won't start or won't stay up.

• Why your server keeps crashing (and how to fix it)

  Reading the crash report, then out of memory, mod conflicts, version mismatches and world corruption.

• Fix "Unsupported Class Version" Java errors

  The server won't start after an update. Which Java each Minecraft version needs and how to get it.

Next on the list are Discord webhooks, world backups, plugin permissions, scheduled tasks and Velocity proxy networks. If there's one you'd like written, tell us.