How to set up a Minecraft server, step by step

Setting up a Minecraft: Java Edition server takes five steps: pick the server software, pick a plan sized for it, start the server, invite your players, and add plugins, mods or a modpack if you want them. This guide walks through each one and links the full guide for every step.

1. Pick your server software

Your server runs one piece of server software at one Minecraft version, and you can switch later from the panel's JAR Manager tab.

If you don't need mods, start with Paper: it runs plugins and usually performs better than Vanilla on the same plan. How to change your Minecraft version or mod loader covers switching once the server is running.

2. Pick a plan

Minecraft plans are sold by RAM, one plan per GB from 1 to 16 GB, and each plan card says how many players it suits. On Vanilla or Paper a plan holds up to five players per GB, so 4 GB holds up to twenty. With mods or a modpack, N GB holds N to 2N players, because mods cost more memory per player.

• How many players can your Minecraft server hold per GB of RAM? has the figure for every plan and the settings that move it.
• The Minecraft server RAM calculator gives a number for your own setup.
• Running a modpack? Each pack on Modded Minecraft server hosting lists the RAM it wants.

Not sure? Press Find my plan on the Minecraft server hosting page, answer a few questions, and it recommends a plan size. You can move to a bigger plan later without losing your world.

3. Start the server

1. Log in to the dashboard and press Open on your server once its card unlocks.
2. In the Console tab, press Start.
3. The first time, accept the Minecraft EULA with Accept & start.
4. Wait for the Done (…s)! line in the console. The server is now running.

Join your Minecraft server (and fix errors) has screenshots of each step and fixes for the common join errors.

4. Invite your players

Copy the Server address from the panel's left rail, including the port after the colon, and send it to your friends. In Minecraft they choose Multiplayer, then Add Server, and paste it in. For an address with no port, claim a free custom address such as myserver.servers.playyourway.com.au in the Settings tab.

Before you share the address with anyone you don't know, decide who gets in. How to whitelist players and set operators turns on the whitelist and gives your trusted players admin commands.

Bedrock players on phones can join a Java server through the panel's Crossplay tab, which installs Geyser on Paper, Purpur, Fabric or NeoForge. How to let Bedrock players join your Java server covers it.

5. Add plugins, mods or a modpack

What you can add depends on the software you picked in step 1:

• Plugins on Paper or Purpur: How to install plugins on Paper and Purpur.
• Mods on Fabric, Forge or NeoForge: How to install mods on Fabric and Forge.
• A whole modpack in one click from the Modpacks tab: How to install a Minecraft modpack.
• An existing world from your own PC: How to upload a Minecraft world.

Take a backup before any big change. How to create and restore backups shows how, and a backup keeps the old world if a plugin or mod doesn't work out.

Tune it once it's running

• Minecraft server.properties explained covers the settings you'll change first, such as difficulty, game mode and view distance.
• Why is my server lagging? helps when players report lag.
• How often to restart your Minecraft server sets up a restart schedule.

The Minecraft guides list every guide for running your server.