Minecraft how to create minecraft server

How to create a Minecraft Server

Paid and self-hosted servers for all your needs.

Image via Mojang

Setting up a Minecraft can simultaneously be a lot of fun and a major headache. The rewards are worth any difficulties, though. An MC server is a great way to make friends and build a new community. They can also be a source of income so long as you abide by Minecraft’s EULA. Being a server owner can be a big responsibility, but it grants you a lot of creative freedom to construct your server in any way you see fit.

This guide provides a walkthrough for how to create both a paid and self-hosted server. We have also included a lot of information about important subjects that new server owners need to consider. There is no “best” way to manage a server, but we do offer a handful of suggestions and helpful tools for you to use. Ultimately the “best” way to create a server is whatever method fits within your personal budget while also meeting your goals. Keep in mind the end goal, like in any game, is for you and your players to have fun.

Self-hosting vs Paid Hosting

Before you can do anything on your server, you need to decide how it will be hosted. Are you going to host the server on your own PC? Or through a paid hosting service? Both of these are viable options that have a lot of different pros and cons. Ultimately the choice is going to depend on the specs of your PC, your goals in starting the server, and the number of players you are hoping to have on your server. The minimum requirements to host a server are:

These are the bare minimum requirements for a server to run, but it won’t be pretty and will likely crash after prolonged gameplay. If you have a poor internet connection or a lower-end or older PC or laptop that doesn’t meet these minimum requirements, running a self-hosted server is not a viable option for you. Paid hosting platforms such as Apex, Shockbyte, and Cubed Host are a great option for hosting a server, but they do cost money. They can also become very expensive if you have a large player base unless you set up a kind of donation system.

Self-hosting gives you the most control over your server and is the best option if you are only going to host a server for a few friends or to work on your own projects. If you are only using it for a few friends, you also won’t need to leave the server on all the time and instead only have it active when all of you are available to play. Your electrical and internet bills will appreciate not having to keep a device active all the time.

It is possible to run a very large self-hosted server if you have the hardware and internet requirements and can leave it running 24 hours around the clock. You will need a basic understanding of how servers work and some fundamental technical skills if you plan on self-hosting a large server. Self-hosting can cost less in the long run, but it doesn’t have the technical support or security provided by a hosting service. If you are self-hosting a server and something goes wrong, it is on you to fix it without, you are your servers IT guy. This is particularly problematic if you are hosting a large number of players at a time or if you aren’t always going to be readily available to handle any server-side issues.

Vanilla, Mods, or Plugins

There are a lot of different types of MC servers you can create. You can play just standard Minecraft without any extra bells and whistles or add mods and plugins to change the game. You can also dedicate your server to focus on a specific type of gameplay like Skyblock, Prison, or Roleplaying. The flexibility of Minecraft means that the sky is the limit. It is also possible to learn how to create your own mods or plugins to do whatever you like in the game, so long as it doesn’t breach any of the terms of the End User License Agreement for the game and server. Here are some of the differences and considerations between Mods, Plugins, and Vanilla MC to keep in mind when creating your server.

Vanilla

A vanilla Minecraft server is the same as the singleplayer or local multiplayer version of the game. There are no extra frills for you to think about or configure to play. The only real difference is that your game is now available outside your local network. Vanilla MC is a lot of fun as is, which is probably why the game is the best selling ever. The biggest problem with these servers is security and grief prevention. Griefers are unfortunately common in any multiplayer game, and MC is no exception. It is entirely possible to log on one day and find out that some random player has come along and destroyed your world while you weren’t around. The best ways to handle this on vanilla MC is through server backups, whitelisting, and having an active mod team. More information on these measures can be found below under the “Security” heading.

Minecraft mods, like most mods for other games, fundamentally changes the game in some way or another. There are mods for everything from changing how mobs behave to completely changing the game to the point that it is unrecognizable. The vast majority of Minecraft mods need to run on your client, meaning your players will have to download the mods or modpacks to be able to play on your server. Because of this, it is generally a good idea to include a complete list of server mods when you are telling others about your server or posting it on a server list.

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as “server-side mods” that only need to be installed on your server and “client-side only mods,” which are only required on the local MC client and not on the server to be used. Typically mod creators will note if a mod is client or server-side only in the description.

To use mods on a server, you need to install a modding API and loader like Forge, Fabric, or Rift. All of these APIs have their merits. Forge is the most popular and has the most features, while Fabric is a simpler, lightweight API with a smaller but growing community. Either option will require a few more steps for installation than a plugin-based API, but mods tend to change a lot more in the game than the average plugin.

There are a few different places to download mods for your server, but the best, and possibly the safest, are Planet Minecraft and Curse Forge. You can also create your own mods if you have a knack for programming and a love for Minecraft. There are even courses offered on how to create Minecraft mods online with a handful sponsored by some well-known universities.

Modpacks are a bit different from normal mods in that they are much larger and change the game in a much more expansive way. Many popular modpacks make the game almost unrecognizable while providing an amazing experience for players to enjoy. For Modpacks, we recommend Feed the Beast, RLCraft, Pixelmon, Roguelike Adventures and Dungeons, and All the Mods 3. Each of these packs is a blast to play on and is well worth installing on your server.

Plugins

Plugins are similar to mods with two big differences. First, plugins only add functionality to the game without fundamentally changing or modifying it. Second, they are purely server-side and do not require players to install anything client-side. Players can log in and play on servers with plugins without having to do any extra work on their end.

Running a server with plugins requires an API like Bukkit, Spigot, or Paper. All of these APIs are very popular, but Paper is the one we recommend as it features many different bug fixes, cuts down on lag, and improves performance. The vast majority of plugins are designed to run with the Spigot or Bukkit API. Spigot and Paper are both forks of the original Bukkit API so they can run any of these plugins with ease.

For every server, we recommend installing EssentialsX, WorldGuard, GriefPrevention, Vault, WorldEdit, Core Protect, and some kind of permissions handling plugins like bPermissions or LuckPerms.

Port forwarding

If you are hosting a server yourself or just plan on playing a lot of Minecraft, it is a good idea to use port forwarding to get the best performance and reduce lag. Port forwarding is a very common process used by gamers, but how you do it will depend a lot on the router you use for your internet connection. Since there are a lot of different ways to do this, the best option is to go to portforward.com and choose your router from the list to find the exact instructions you need. You will need the IP address of the device hosting your server or using it to play Minecraft. The ports needed for Minecraft are TCP 25565 and UDP 19132, 19133, and 25565.

Setting up a self-hosted server

Setting up a self-hosted server is very simple. First, you need to create a folder for all of your server files to be kept. You can create this folder anywhere you want, but it is generally a good idea to place it somewhere you won’t forget. You can also name the folder whatever you like, but typically it is a good idea to name it what you would like the server to be called. Once the server folder is created, you will need to download the server.jar from Mojang. The quickest way to do this is from the Minecraft launcher. Open the launcher and click on the “installations” tab. Click on “New…,” and on the next page above the “Version” drop-down, there is a link called “Server.” If you click on the link, your default browser will open to the download page for the jar, and the download should begin automatically. Keep this page open as it has important information on it.

To allow other people to join your new server, you will need to give them your IP address or any DNS you may have created via NoIP. Finding your IP address will vary depending on your operating system. It will generally involve opening your PC settings, navigating to your network settings, and opening your connection or network properties. Look for the line “IPv4 address”. You will see a set of numbers, such as 123.456.0.12. This is the address you will need to give to other people to connect to your server. If there is a slash followed by other numbers, do not include it or the extra numbers as it will not allow you to connect.

Do not under any circumstances give this IP address away on a public space. Only use your computers IP address if you are planning on playing friends or family members you would be willing to give your home address to. If you want this to be a public server, you will need to set up a subdomain via hosts like GoDaddy or Google.

Once all of this is completed, you need to build your server to your liking and start playing.

Choosing your server.jar

Mod Installation

As a self-hosted server admin, you don’t have the option of just picking a modpack from a menu and letting a server host install it for you. Installing mods on a self-hosted server requires a bit more work. You will need a mod loader API like Forge to be able to run the mods you are wanting, and you will need to let your players know which mods they will need to download and install. Forge is the most popular loader, so we will assume you are using it going forward.

First, you will need to download the version of Forge for the modpack or Minecraft version you want to run. Choose the installer to make things a little bit easier and download it somewhere you can find it easily. You will probably be redirected to an ad page. Don’t click on anything and just wait for the red “skip” button to become available in the top corner. When “skip” is available, click on it to start the download. The file should be named something similar to “forge.jar” with some numbers indicating which version you have downloaded.

After the client installation is completed, you need to install the Forge server files. First, create a new folder for Forge to install the necessary files. Then double click on the Forge.jar again, and this time choose the “Install server” radial. Notice that the directory box has probably turned red. Click on the button with the three dots next to it and navigate to the new folder you just created and run the installer. The installer will probably take a few minutes to get all of the files it needs for you to run forge.

Once you have finished all of this, you are now ready to start installing mods and modpacks. To do this, simply download the mods you want and drop them into the new “mods” folder found in your server folder. Be sure to follow the instructions given by the developer on the mod’s page so you can install them correctly. Don’t forget to give your players a full list of mods you are using to install the right ones to play with you.

Plugin Installation

Server Wrappers (optional)

Server wrappers are graphical interfaces that you can use to manage your server, and there are several to choose from. Thankfully most of them let you download and try the control panels for free so you can play around with them and pick the one that suits you. If you decide you want a wrapper, we recommend AMP, Crafty Control, and Multicraft. There are free versions of all of these wrappers, but AMP and Multicraft have limitations on how many servers and players you can have without paying. Multicraft is the most popular control panel available. It has limited one-time purchase options as well as an unlimited subscription option. CubeCoders Limited, the owners of AMP, acquired the popular MCMyAdmin wrapper and integrated it into their services. AMP provides wrappers for a lot of different game servers and makes it easy to switch between them. The unlimited version of the software is available for a one time purchase, but you should definitely try out the free download for a while before you decide to pay for it. Crafty is completely free and opensource with a community of developers working to improve it and help you use it. It is the most lightweight of all the options we have mentioned does not require payment for unlimited service. You can also help improve it if you have some programming or technical knowledge and join the official Discord server.

All three of these options have simple, user-friendly interfaces, and they allow you to manage your server remotely. If you are out and about and want to check on your server or need to do some basic maintenance while you are away from the physical device it is running on, all of these services allow you to connect to the panel remotely and make any changes you need to. The Minecraft wiki has a larger list of available wrappers, but ultimately you should shop around and use the one you like best if you choose to use one at all.

Setting up a paid server

Choosing your server provider

There are a lot of server providers available to choose from. There really is no “best” provider as the vast majority of them offer similar services. Ultimately the best way to choose your provider is to browse around and choose whichever best fits your needs within your budget. Almost all server hosting services have subscription plans that vary from two weeks to two years per payment. Many providers focus on Minecraft, but there are several that also provide servers for other services and games, and many allow you to easily backup and convert your server to other games with relative ease.

Four great options that we recommend are Apex Hosting, ElixirNode, CubedHost, and Shockbyte. Apex and CubedHost only host Minecraft servers while ElixrNode and Shockbyte also provide other services for gaming and business servers. Apex, Shockbyte, and ElixirNode all use variations of the popular Multicraft server control panel while CubedHost uses Crafty Control, more on server wrappers can be found in the section below. These hosts are about average in cost, and all provide good customer service, support services, and excellent server security features, including DDOS protection and automated server backups. While these are good options to choose from for your host, it is still a good idea to do your research on other hosts and pick the one that fits you best.

Server Wrappers

Most online server hosts will give you access to your server through a server wrapper. A server wrapper is just a (typically) user-friendly control panel where you can interact with your server and make any changes you need. The most popular server wrappers for Minecraft are Multicraft, AMP, and Crafty Control though there are many others out there that may be used. Most server providers provide a database on how to interact and manage your server with the wrapper, but you can also go directly to the wrapper’s website and forums for more information. Luckily most wrappers are very user friendly and pretty self-explanatory. Multicraft is probably the most commonly used overall, so we will assume that this is the control panel that you will be using going forward in this guide, all of the information provided will be fairly similar for other wrappers. If you need any help with your server or navigating your server wrapper, contact the server host for more information or check the wiki or database they provide on their sites and forums.

Choosing your server.jar installation

Mod Installation

Mod installation on a pre-paid server is typically very simple. The first thing to do is select a mod loader or modpack from your server control panel the same way you would choose a game version. After you select a mod loader or modpack, you need to navigate to your servers’ root directory through your control panel or FTP software like Filezilla. From there, just drop the mod into the “Mods” folder and install it according to the mod developer’s instructions. If there is no “mods” folder, then you need to either create one or you are not running a server with a mod loader API like Forge and need to install one. Be sure to update your server description and make an announcement so that players can install the mod if needed.

Plugin Installation

Security

Server Backups

Backing up your server periodically is just a good rule of thumb both for server security and maintenance. If someone griefs your server to the point that it would be irreparable or just way too time-consuming to get everything back to normal, it is probably better to just go back to a previous version of the world. The same can be said if you are doing some kind of major server maintenance and make some kind of mistake, having a backup on hand can be the ultimate undo button. Most paid servers will already come pre-configured to backup your worlds periodically. You can configure these backups to control how often they occur and how many backups are kept before old ones start being deleted. Configuring automatic backups can usually be done from a side menu in your server control panel. You can also restore your server and worlds from a previous backup in the same menu. Even with automatic backups available on paid servers, both paid and self-hosted server owners should perform regular manual backups and keep copies of the files on a drive or another machine they can access in case there has been a serious accident. By keeping a separate copy, you will not need to start completely over should you lose any or all of your server files.

Rules

Creating a set of rules for your server and making sure players are aware of those rules from the very beginning can go a long way for maintaining server integrity. Most servers will have a small wall with signs listing their rules near the spawn area. They should also be posted in the server description wherever you decide to share it and discord if you have one. However, these rules are useless if you do not consistently enforce them without bias.

Moderators

The larger your server gets, the harder it will be to manage it. Moderators are essential for any server once it gets past the first dozen or so regular players. Moderator or Mods are players that you grant a certain level of administrative power over the server. Typically you want mods to have the power to kick, mute, and ban players that break the rules of your server or are just a general nuisance. Mods also tend to have the ability to fly and/or access the creative menu to quickly move around the server and fix any problems that griefers may have caused. How you pick your mods is up to you. Some servers create applications via Google forms for interested players to fill out. Regardless of the method, you use to pick a mod, take great care to choose someone you can trust with your server and your players.

Whitelisting

Whitelisting allows you to create a list of who is allowed to join the server. All you need is their Minecraft account name. This is the name that appears when they first logon in-game. To activate the whitelist type /whitelist on in the console. While the whitelist is active, only those on the list can join. To see who is on the list type /whitelist list. If you want to add someone to the list, use /whitelist add player-name-here. If you get into an argument with someone and decide they are no longer part of your friend group, remove them from the list using /whitelist remove player-name. Finally, you can turn the whitelist off and make the server available to anyone with the address by using /whitelist off. If you run these commands through the console, you do not need to include the / before each command line. If you are running a public server, whitelisting is very useful if you and your staff need to get on for a little while to do maintenance without any other players being around.

Security Plugins/Mods

Aside from security provided by your host or any measures you take as an admin, Plugins, and Mods designed for server security will be your best friend. Do your research into which ones will be most useful to you and easiest to use. For plugins: WorldGuard, Core Protect, and Grief Prevention, as we mentioned above, are all extremely useful. They allow you to implement basic anti-griefing restrictions, create protected regions on your server, and roll back any changes made in the world by griefers or simple mishaps. EssentialsX also comes with basic security features like allowing you to view commands and private messages of anyone you believe may cause trouble (we do not condone spying on or stalking your players). Mods like OpGuard and CommandViewer also provide a lot of the same useful preventative and protective functions.

Command Blocks

Command blocks are unique blocks typically only available through console commands. They act as redstone devices that can be used to run console commands on your server. These commands can be very simple or so complex that they completely change the entire world your server is running. Some of the most unique adventure worlds currently available make use of command blocks to create unique experiences. Unless you are running a whitelisted or technical server, it is generally a good idea to disable command blocks altogether. If a griefer logs on and manages to get hold of a command block, they can do a huge amount of damage to your server. You can disable command blocks from your server properties file in the root folder. Command blocks can only be spawned and placed in Creative mode by players with Operator permissions, this reinforces the need to only pick mods you trust if you find it necessary to enable command blocks.

Host Security

When choosing a paid server host, be sure to check their security features. Almost all hosts feature DDOS protection as well as other security features such as automatic backups and whitelisting. As a rule of thumb, if a host doesn’t mention security features somewhere on their main page or during sign up, pick a different one. If you have any questions about server security, most hosting services will be happy to answer and direct you to more information upon your request.

How to create a server for Minecraft Multiplayer? 9 best Minecraft servers

What’s the best way to set up a reliable Minecraft Multiplayer server? In this article we’ll be sharing with you 9 of the very best servers for your Minecraft Multiplayer experience. You’ll learn about how to set up and host your Minecraft Multiplayer server, together with price comparisons, the pros and cons of each service, and lots of other great advice to help you get started.

Minecraft has been around since 2021 and remains hugely popular due to its extremely entertaining and diverse gameplay. But the real fun starts when you create your own server to play with friends (and even make new ones).

If you’re thinking of creating your own Minecraft world, keep reading to find out everything you need to know to do it the right way.

What is a Minecraft server?

A server is a combination of hardware and software platforms that allows developers and administrators to run their websites, complex applications, and virtual online worlds.

It’s basically a powerful computer launched remotely on one of the hundreds of data centers around the globe. It is online 24/7, and runs a special software that makes it possible for multiple users to access the web services or gaming realms residing on its hard drive.

Minecraft servers are more targeted. At a technical level, they are not too different from any VDS or dedicated servers. The real difference is in the software that they run.

These specialised servers are made to create unique Minecraft worlds online, allowing people to play together, change the rules of the game and communicate with each other.

Why do you need your own Minecraft server?

When creating your own Minecraft world, it’s natural to want your own set of rules. The best way to do this is to have Minecraft on your own personal Minecraft Multiplayer server. You can set it up exactly the way you want it, invite the players you want to play with, and change anything at any moment.

Having your personal Minecraft Multiplayer server gives you control over many elements of the game such as:

Changing characteristics of the vanilla Minecraft world — the creatures inhabiting it, the materials it contains, etc.

Providing individual collections of accessible materials that players can use for crafting.

Choosing the most convenient way to create and maintain a virtual Minecraft realm as an administrator or game master.

Having the opportunity to make money from your Minecraft server.

Playing exclusively with your closest friends without being disturbed by strangers.

Building your very own private and cozy Minecraft world.

If the above sounds like a lot of fun, then you definitely should consider creating your private server.

How to play Minecraft online

Minecraft is a great game to play alone, but the fun multiplies when you join someone or invite friends to play together. That’s why so many Minecraft fans are eager to find the best way to play the game online. And that’s why you need a server.

We will guide you through different ways to create Minecraft servers, showing you the best way to set up your own, explaining how to play with your friends for free and what great Minecraft servers (with engaging and entertaining mods) already exist.

How to make a server in Minecraft using Realms

The developers of Minecraft — Mojang in conjunction with Microsoft — created Project Realms. A Realm is an individual Minecraft server. It can be as unique or normal as you want it, and it’s a great way to play Minecraft officially.

All you have to do to get started, is to subscribe to Realms Plus. This is Microsoft’s service that allows you to create your personal realm on its servers, where you can play with up to ten friends.

The Realms service guarantees safe and reliable resources to play Minecraft online, without worrying about software settings, updating game clients, creating data backups, etc.

However, it comes with two major drawbacks:

You have to use a licensed version of Minecraft and pay to play.

You have to deal with Microsoft’s restrictions. No cheats, no mods, no custom rules or plugins.

If you really want to have your own unique experience, free from all restrictions, then Realms is not for you. But don’t worry. There are many other solutions for you to check out below.

How to create your own Minecraft server

The first thing you have to do is download the Minecraft server that suits your needs. There are two server types:

Vanilla. That is the classic implementation of the Minecraft server as offered by the developers of the game. Just like Realms, it has restrictions on modes and plugins, but it still allows you to create a more personal and unique experience, and save all the data on your PC or dedicated server.

Bukkit. This is a project created by enthusiasts who wanted to break free of Microsoft’s restrictions, and explore Minecraft’s unlimited possibilities with modifications created by third-party developers and fans of the game.

Both of these servers are available online and can be downloaded for free.

Vanilla is available on the official Minecraft website. To work with it, you must download Minecraft Server and launch it via the Java command-line interface.

Download and install Java

Open the command prompt of your operating system

For Windows: select the Start button and type cmd, you’ll see Command Prompt in the list

Linux: press Ctrl+Alt+t keys at the same time

Your server is now up.

Next, you’ll need to configure your server and find a way to connect to it. The method for doing this depends on what kind of hosting you’ve chosen.

To create a Bukkit-server, you’ll need to download Forge and install it. Once it has downloaded, you’ll need to launch it and set up the parameters of the server.

Where to host your server

For your server to be accessible, it needs a place to live.

If you’ve downloaded a server and launched it on your computer, your server will only be online for as long as your computer is running it. Turn the computer off (or even close the command line while running Minecraft server), and bye-bye custom Minecraft world.

So you need a computer that will remain online and accessible for the players 24/7.

For this, you can use a generic hosting provider and rent a dedicated server to host your game world.

Once you have remote access to your rented server:

Download your chosen Minecraft server onto it

Set up your connection parameters, find the IP-address and ports to connect, etc.

While this is a very popular method for setting up your own Minecraft Multiplayer server, we agree that it involves a bit of work.

So let’s look at some other solutions.

How to host a Minecraft server for free

The process of creating and setting up a free Minecraft server is almost the same as for the paid version.

First, you have to find a free hosting provider that will allow you to host your data on its hardware. This isn’t exactly easy, as not many people like sharing their property with others for free.

Moreover, you’ll be forced to use a non-official Minecraft server application created by a third party. The same goes for the game client, since the original game isn’t free and there’s no way to override this.

If you’re ok with all of the above, you just need to download the Bukkit-server and launch it via the Forge Minecraft server app on your free hosting. The method is identical to the one we explained above for the non-free options.

Why you shouldn’t host your server for free

Yes, you can host your Minecraft server for free. But we would strongly advise against doing so.

Free hosting providers are typically slow and unreliable. Don’t you want your virtual world to be alive and well at all times? Free hosting would definitely spoil the whole experience with its poor performance.

If you’re not paying money, the provider has no obligation towards you. So, if at any point they decide to shut down your virtual world, they can do so without asking and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Free hosting providers still need to pay the bills. This means they might display advertisements on your site or even in your gaming chat. This can be very annoying to say the least. And if you have minors playing on your server, some of the ads being displayed might not be appropriate for their age, which could get you in trouble.

One other way that free hosting providers will make money is by selling your personal data. Not all of them do it, but do you really want to take that risk?

The hardware restrictions of free hosting will limit you dramatically. You won’t be able to invite as many friends to play as you wish, and you’ll have severe limitations on how many materials, constructions, and NPCs you can add.

If you wanted to start your own Minecraft server to have unlimited creative freedom and a reliable platform, a free server will only lead to disappointment.

Luckily, there’s another option you can use.

How to Create a Minecraft Server

Why use someone else’s server when you can build your own?

In This Article

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Setting up your own server to play Minecraft takes a little time, but it’s worth the effort to play with your friends in a secure setting. Read on to learn how to make a Minecraft server for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

What You’ll Need

How to Host a Minecraft Server

Depending on your computer’s capabilities, you may or may not be able to host a server and play Minecraft on the same device. It’s recommended to use a remote hosting service for your server. The official Minecraft Forum has a list of free and premium hosting services. Some, like Server.pro, allow you to make a Minecraft server for free, but most web hosting companies charge a monthly fee.

Hosting your own server can open your computer to outside attacks. Using a premium hosting provider helps you avoid such risks.

Setting Up Port Forwarding

If you just plan to play with friends on a local network, you can disregard this section; however, for the rest of the world to access your server, you must enable port forwarding on your router. Since every router is different, consult your router’s manual for more specific guidance on setting up port forwarding. Nonetheless, you can follow the same steps regardless of which OS you are using.

Setting up port forwarding opens your network to outside security risks.

Visit your router’s homepage by entering your default gateway IP address into a web browser’s search bar. See How to Find Your Default Gateway IP Address.

You’ll be prompted to enter a username and a password. Consult your router’s manual or look up your router on PortForward.com to find the default username and password. This information might also be found on the router itself.

After your router reboots, locate the Port Forwarding section on your router’s homepage. It may be under advanced settings. Check the router’s manual for help if necessary.

From here, you can set up rules for port forward. Depending on your router, you might have to select a button that says Add or something similar to proceed. Name the rule «Minecraft.»

In the two port fields, enter the default Minecraft server port: 25565.

Enter your computer’s static IP address in the IP or Address field.

Select both the TCP and UDP protocols. You may see a drop-down menu or boxes you can check.

Click Save or Apply.

After your router reboots, your server should be accessible to players around the world.

How to Create a Minecraft Server for Windows

The screenshots and instructions below refer to Windows 10. Other versions of Windows have different interfaces, but the steps for setting up the server are the same:

Download and install the newest version of Java.

Some configuration files will have appeared in your folder. Open the file named eula.txt. If asked which program to open it with, choose your text editor, such as Notepad.

In the editor, find the line eula=false and replace it with eula=true, then save the file and close it.

Double-click the server file again. This time, your server should start up successfully, and more files will appear within the folder. When you see a «Done» message in the server window, type «stop» in the text box and press Enter. The server should close.

Go to File > Save As and name the file «run.bat.»

Select Save as type, then select All Files.

Choose your minecraft_server folder for the location and select Save. Whenever you want to launch your server, just double-click the run.bat file you created.

You can now invite other Minecraft players to join your server. They just need to know your public IP address, or your local IP address if you’re playing on the same network.

To check if your server is accessible, enter your public IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker. Your server will only be publicly available if you previously set up port forwarding. To look up your public IP address, simply enter «my IP address» into Google.

How to Set Up a Minecraft Server for Mac

To run a Minecraft server on a Mac, you must have macOS 10.8 or later. To upgrade your OS, visit Apple Support.

From the Apple menu, go to System Preferences and look for the Java icon. Open it to launch the Java Control Panel.

Click the Update tab, then select Update Now.

When the installer window appears, select Install Update > Install and Relaunch.

Download the Minecraft server software.

Create a new folder named «minecraft_server» and drag the server software file into it.

Once in TextEdit, select Format > Make Plain Text > OK.

Type the following into the document:

#!/bin/bash

cd «$(dirname «$0″)»

Just replace with the name of the server file.

Open the Mac terminal by going to Applications > Utilities, then double-click the Terminal application.

In the terminal window, type «chmod a+x» (without the quotation marks) followed by a single space, and then press Enter.

Drag and drop the start.command file you created into the terminal window, then press Enter again.

Now you can open the start.command file to run the server. When you double-click the file, a new window will open, and you might see some error messages. Don’t worry about them; the server should now be ready to play Minecraft.

Invite others to join your server by sharing your public or local IP address. Enter your public IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker to confirm it’s accessible to the outside world. Find your public IP address by entering «my IP address» into Google.

How to Set Up a Minecraft Server on Linux

It’s possible to make a Minecraft server with any Linux distribution. The steps below are for building a Minecraft server for Ubuntu 16.04. Set up is done entirely through the command terminal.

Since you want as much free RAM as possible, you should use an outside hosting service to run your server. Set up an account with one of the services listed on the Minecraft Forum before you begin building your server.

Connect to your hosting service via SSH by entering the following into your command terminal:

ssh username@ipaddress

Replace «ipaddress» with your host’s IP address and username with your username. You may be asked to enter your password for your hosting service. Follow the prompts to complete the process.

Install Java by entering the following into the command terminal:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install default-jdk

If prompted, enter Y when asked to authorize installation.

Install Screen to keep your server running when you’re not connected. Enter:

sudo apt-get install screen

Create a directory for your server files and open it by entering the following:

mkdir minecraft

cd minecraft

Install wget. Enter:

sudo apt-get install wget

Download the Minecraft server files using the wget command. Enter:

Consult the Minecraft download page to make sure the above URL is up-to-date.

Accept the end-user license agreement with this command:

echo «eula=true» > eula.txt

Run Screen by entering:

Start your server with the following command:

Feel free to adjust the -Xmx and -Xms settings to allocate more memory for the server if your host will allow it.

You can confirm that your server is accessible by entering the IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker.

How to Connect to Your Minecraft Server

If you’re hosting your own Minecraft server, the server window must remain open for others to access it.

Open Minecraft and log in to your Minecraft account.

Select Multiplayer from the Minecraft menu.

Select Add Server in the lower-right of the screen.

Give your server a name.

Remember the whole world can see it, so don’t use any vulgar or offensive language.

Enter your host’s IP address into the Server Address box. If you’re hosting the server, enter your private IP address, which is different than your public IP address.

Select Done at the bottom of the window.

Select your server’s name when it appears at the top of the screen, then select Join Server.

Assuming you properly prepared you router, players from around the world can now connect to your server.

You might need to disable your computer’s firewall before others can connect to your server locally; however, doing so can leave your computer vulnerable to outside attacks, so only share your private IP address with individuals who you trust.

Setting up a modded Minecraft server involves most of the same steps as above, with one exception. You’ll also install Minecraft Forge, which gives you access to mods. Once you’ve set up Forge and your server, you can download Minecraft mods to change how the game works.

Others can join your server (or you can join someone else’s) by opening Minecraft, navigating to Multiplayer > Direct Connect, and entering the public IP address associated with the server. Alternatively, players on your Wi-Fi network can just enter your private IP address.

The saddle, which lets you ride your tamed animals and skeletons, is only available by looking in chests around your world; you can’t craft a saddle in Minecraft. In a Creative world, however, you can use the command block in Minecraft to get a saddle by opening the Chat box and typing either /give @[username] saddle 1 or /give @[username] saddle 1 0.

How To Create a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu 20.04

The author selected the Tech Education Fund to receive a donation as part of the Write for DOnations program.

Introduction

Minecraft is a popular sandbox video game. Originally released in 2009, it allows players to build, explore, craft, and survive in a block 3D generated world. As of late 2019, it was the second best-selling video game of all time. In this tutorial, you will create your own Minecraft server so that you and your friends can play together. Specifically, you will install the necessary software packages to run Minecraft, configure the server to run, and then deploy the game.

Alternately, you can explore DigitalOcean’s One-Click Minecraft: Java Edition Server as another installation path.

This tutorial uses the Java version of Minecraft. If you purchased your version of Minecraft through the Microsoft App Store, you will be unable to connect to this server. Most versions of Minecraft purchased on gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch are also the Microsoft version of Minecraft. These consoles are also unable to connect to the server built in this tutorial. You can obtain the Java version of Minecraft here.

Prerequisites

In order to follow this guide, you’ll need:

A server with a fresh installation of Ubuntu 20.04, a non-root user with sudo privileges, and SSH enabled. You can follow this guide to initialize your server and complete these steps. Minecraft can be resource-intensive, so keep that in mind when selecting your server size. If you are using DigitalOcean and need more resources, you can always resize your Droplet to add more CPUs and RAM.

A copy of Minecraft Java Edition installed on a local Mac, Windows, or Linux machine.

Step 1 — Installing the Necessary Software Packages and Configure the Firewall

With your server initialized, your first step is to install Java; you’ll need it to run Minecraft.

Update the package index for the APT package manager:

Next, install the OpenJDK version 16 of Java, specifically the headless JRE. This is a minimal version of Java that removes the support for GUI applications. This makes it ideal for running Java applications on a server:

You also need to use a software called screen to create detachable server sessions. screen allows you to create a terminal session and detach from it, leaving the process started on it running. This is important because if you were to start your server and then close your terminal, this would kill the session and stop your server. Install screen now:

Now that you have the packages installed we need to enable the firewall to allow traffic to come in to our Minecraft server. In the initial server setup that you performed you only allowed traffic from SSH. Now you need to allow for traffic to come in via port 25565, which is the default port that Minecraft uses to allow connections. Add the necessary firewall rule by running the following command:

Now that you have Java installed and your firewall properly configured, you will download the Minecraft server from the Minecraft website.

Step 2 — Downloading the Latest Version of Minecraft

You can now use wget and the copied link to download the server:

If you want to download an older version of Minecraft, you can find them archived at mcversions.net. But this tutorial will focus on the current latest release. Now that you have your download let’s start configuring your Minecraft server.

Step 3 — Configuring and Running the Minecraft Server

Now that you have the Minecraft jar downloaded, you are ready to run it.

First, start a screen session by running the screen command:

Once you have read the banner that has appeared, press the SPACE bar. screen will present you with a terminal session like normal. This session is now detachable, which means that you’ll be able to start a command here and leave it running.

You can now perform your initial configuration. Do not be alarmed when this next command throws an error. Minecraft has designed its installation this way so that users must first consent to the company’s licensing agreement. You will do this next:

Before examining this command’s output, let’s take a closer look at all these command-line arguments, which are tuning your server:

The first time you run this command, which normally starts your server, it will instead generate the following error:

First, open eula.txt in nano or your favorite text editor:

Inside this file, you will see a link to the Minecraft EULA. Copy the URL:

Now that you’ve accepted the EULA, it is time to configure the server to your specifications.

In your current working directory, you will also find the newly created server.properties file. This file contains all of the configuration options for your Minecraft server. You can find a detailed list of all server properties on the Official Minecraft Wiki. You will modify this file with your preferred settings before starting your server. This tutorial will cover the fundamental properties:

Your file will appear like this:

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most important properties in this list:

Once you have set the options that you want, save and close the file.

Now that you have changed EULA to true and configured your settings, you can successfully start your server.

Like last time, let’s start your server with 1024M of RAM. Only now, let’s also grant Minecraft the ability to use up to 4G of RAM if it needs it. Remember, you are welcome to adjust this number to fit your server limitations or user needs:

Give the initialization a few moments. Soon your new Minecraft server will start producing an output similar to this:

Once the server is up and running, you will see the following output:

Your server is now running, and you have been dropped into the server administrator control panel. Now type help :

An output like this will appear:

From this terminal you can execute administrator commands and control your Minecraft server. Now let’s use screen to keep your new server running, even after you log out. Then you can connect to your Minecraft client and start a new game.

Step 4 — Keeping the Server Running

Run this command to see all of your screen sessions:

You’ll get an output with the ID of your session, which you’ll need to resume that session:

When you are ready to log out of your server, be sure to detach from the session with Ctrl + A + D and then log out.

Step 5 — Connecting to Your Server from the Minecraft Client

Now that your server is up and running, let’s connect to it through the Minecraft client. Then you can play!

Launch your copy of Minecraft Java Edition and select Multiplayer in the menu.

Next, you will need to add a server to connect to, so click on the Add Server button.

In the Edit Server Info screen that shows up, give your server a name and type in the IP address of your server. This is the same IP address that you used to connect through SSH.

Once you have entered your server name and IP address, you’ll be taken back to the Multiplayer screen where your server will now be listed.

From now on, your server will always appear in this list. Select it and click Join Server.

You are in your server and ready to play!

Conclusion

You now have a Minecraft server running on Ubuntu 20.04 for you and all of your friends to play on! Have fun exploring, crafting, and surviving in a crude 3D world. And remember: watch out for griefers.

Want to learn more? Join the DigitalOcean Community!

Join our DigitalOcean community of over a million developers for free! Get help and share knowledge in our Questions & Answers section, find tutorials and tools that will help you grow as a developer and scale your project or business, and subscribe to topics of interest.

Mason is currently a Sr. Developer Advocate at DigitalOcean who specializes in cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, and Python.

How to make a Minecraft server on Windows, Mac, or Linux

This How to Make a Minecraft Server article was originally published on December 30, 2014 by Shawn Pfunder. It was updated on November 22, 2017 by Andy McIlwain.

Minecraft is the world’s second-most popular video game, having sold over 121 million copies as of February 2017.

But Minecraft is so much more than just a game. It’s also a tool for teaching kids how to code; an open platform to be expanded by mod developers; and it’s the heart of a global community of creators.

If you’re new to Minecraft, the easiest way to start is by buying the game and jumping in. You can even use Minecraft Realms to create your own world – it’s a sort of lightweight alternative to running your own private Minecraft server.

But if you’re interested in the full Minecraft experience, you can take it a step further by launching your own private Minecraft server. With a private server, you’re free to create a Minecraft world of your very own.

In this article we’re going to show you exactly how to do that. We’ll look at how to make a Minecraft server on a Windows PC, on a Mac, and on a Linux hosting plan.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

How to make a Minecraft server on Windows, Mac, or Linux

At a very high level, making a Minecraft server follows a few basic steps:

Install the latest version of Java

Install the latest version of the Minecraft server software

Configure your server & network

Start the server

Check that your server is accessible

Things to keep in mind before you start.

Setting up a server takes some effort. You need a bit of technical know-how to properly configure a Minecraft server.

You should have a basic understanding of computer and networking concepts, which are fundamental to managing any kind of server.

Specifically, you should be comfortable and familiar with:

Running a Minecraft server from home?

You don’t need a top-of-the-line system to run a Minecraft server, but a desktop computer is ideal.

While you can run a Minecraft server and play on the same machine, you’ll need a more powerful system to do it.

And lastly, use a wired ethernet connection for your server instead of wireless. A wired connection is more reliable.

What if you don’t want to host your server at home?

Hosting any kind of server from home means you’re exposing your home network to the world.

If you’d rather not take that risk, then you can use a hosting provider instead. You’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee, but you won’t have to deal with the hassle of managing the server hardware.

A GoDaddy Virtual Private Server is a good fit if you’re just getting started. Just keep in mind that you’re sharing hardware with other users, so keep an eye on resource usage.

If you need a little more oomp and you want to hook up a lot of players, you might try a dedicated server instead.

Make a Minecraft server on your Windows PC

1. Get the latest version of Java.

Open the Windows Control Panel. Under Programs, look for Java, and click Update Now.

If your version is outdated, or if you don’t have Java installed, download it from the official website.

2. Choose a location for your Minecraft server files.

Before you download the Minecraft server software, choose a location on your PC where you’d like to run the server from.

When you first run the server, it’ll create a few configuration files. It’s best to have all of these files stored in a dedicated folder.

You could place this folder on your Desktop, in your Documents folder, in your Programs folder, or anywhere else you’d like. It’s entirely up to you.

3. Download and start the Minecraft server software.

4. Enable port forwarding on your router.

Note: Port forwarding can be a security risk.

If you’re just hosting a server for players on your local network, you don’t need to worry about port forwarding. If, however, you want to make your server accessible to the world, you’ll need to enable port forwarding on your router. (To learn more about port forwarding, check out PortForward.com for tutorials.)

5. Start the Minecraft server.

To start the Minecraft server, open the Windows command prompt.

Navigate to the file path where the Minecraft server file (named something like “minecraft_server.1.12.2.jar”) was installed.

Start the server with the following command:

(Replace with the actual server file name.)

If you’d rather use the server’s UI, exclude the “nogui” parameter:

Once the server is running, you can invite others to connect to your server via your local IP address if they’re on your home network, or via your external/public IP address if they’re not on your home network.

You can find your public IP address by searching for “my ip address” on Google.

To check if your server is accessible, enter your public IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker.

Make a Minecraft server on your Mac

1. Make sure you have Java installed.

Newer versions of MacOS includes Java by default. If you’re running an older version of MacOS (OS X), you may need to download the legacy version of Java from the Apple website.

2. Choose a location for your Minecraft server files.

Create a folder to contain your Minecraft server files. You could create the folder on your desktop, for example, but the choice is completely up to you.

3. Download the Minecraft server software.

Open TextEdit. Set the format to plain text. Enter the following:

(Replace with the actual server file name.)

Open the Terminal and grant permissions for the new start.command file so it can be run. Type chmod a+x with a space after the command. Drag and drop the start.command file into the terminal window. Press Enter.

4. Enable port forwarding on your router.

Note: Port forwarding can be a security risk.

If you’re just hosting a server for players on your local network, you don’t need to worry about port forwarding. If, however, you want to make your server accessible to the world, you’ll need to enable port forwarding on your router. (To learn more about port forwarding, check out PortForward.com for tutorials.)

5. Start the Minecraft server.

Double-click the “start.command” file you created in step 3. A Terminal window will open. You’ll probably see error messages the first time you run the server. This is normal.

Once the server is running, you can invite others to connect to your server via your local IP address if they’re on your home network, or via your external/public IP address if they’re not on your home network.

You can find your public IP address by searching for “my ip address” on Google.

To check if your server is accessible, enter your public IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker.

Make a Minecraft server on a Linux host

If you’re not inclined to host a Minecraft server at home, you can spin up a Linux hosting plan to do it instead. This way you’re not responsible for managing any of the hardware, plus you’re not exposing your private home network to the public.

As mentioned before, a Linux VPS hosting plan from GoDaddy is a lightweight option if you’re experimenting or not expecting a lot of players to join your server. If, however, you’re expecting a lot of players, you should look at using a dedicated Linux server instead.

To follow these steps you’ll need to connect to your hosting with SSH. (If you’re not familiar with the process, this Help article has you covered.)

1. Install Java

While SSH’d into your host as the root user, enter the command:

This’ll list the available OpenJDK packages that can install Java. For this example we’ll select openjdk-7-jdk, which is the OpenJDK 7 Development Kit.

Update the list of available packages from the remote repositories:

Then install the selected software package:

Press “Y” when prompted to authorize the required storage space for installation. Once that’s done, verify that Java has been successfully installed:

You should see the version of Java that has just been installed.

2. Create a location for your Minecraft server files.

Create a directory on your host where the Minecraft server files will be saved, then change to that directory.

3. Download the Minecraft server files.

Within the Minecraft directory, run the wget command to download the Minecraft server files:

(Tip: Double-check the Minecraft download page for the URL to the latest version.)

Next, we’ll need to install and run “screen”, so that your server continues to run even when you’re not connected:

4. Start your Minecraft server.

To make sure everything is running correctly, stop your server with:

Then edit the “server.properties” file and set:

Save the “server.properties” file and restart your server. From there, enter your server IP address into the Minecraft Server Status Checker to see if it’s publicly accessible.

5. Point a domain at your Minecraft server.

Providing players with an easy-to-remember domain name instead of a complicated IP address makes it even easier for people to connect to your Minecraft server.

It’s super simple: Update your domain’s DNS records by adding an “A” record for your domain (using @ as hostname), or subdomain (using something like “mc” as the hostname), that points to your Minecraft server’s IP address.

Note that it can take up to

24 hours for DNS changes to take effect globally.

Additional resources for managing a Minecraft server

We’ve just scratched the surface of making a Minecraft server of your very own. Here are a few resources that dig deeper into setting up, managing, and promoting your server:

As a courtesy, we provide information about how to use certain third-party products, but we do not endorse or directly support third-party products and we are not responsible for the functions or reliability of such products. Third-party marks and logos are registered trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved.