How to Make a Minecraft Server: Step-by-Step Guide

How do you make a Minecraft server?

The quickest way: activate a server on a host, pick the engine and Minecraft version, then add the address from the panel in the game under "Multiplayer" → "Add Server". The other way is to download Mojang's official server and run it on your own computer – free, but you'll need port forwarding and your PC has to stay on the whole time people play.

This guide covers Minecraft Java Edition, the computer version with the launcher. If you just want to play together without running a server, see how to play Minecraft with friends.

Hosting or your own computer?

Your own computer is fine for testing and occasional sessions; if the world should keep running when you're offline, hosting is easier. A home server only runs while your PC is on, and friends outside your network can only join after you forward a port on your router.

Your own PC makes sense when:

• you play with a few people, and only when you're online yourself,
• you can access your router settings and have a public IP address (with CGNAT, common on mobile internet and some fibre networks, port forwarding won't work),
• your computer has power to spare, because the server and the game run on it at the same time.

Hosting gives you a permanent address, 24/7 uptime, backups and a panel where you change settings without editing files. For a detailed cost comparison see how much a Minecraft server costs, and for why free hosts shut servers down, see Minecraft server 24/7.

How do you make a Minecraft server on Spot.gg step by step?

Create an account, click "Activate a free server", choose Minecraft, an engine and a version, and the server is ready to play moments later. The first 24 hours are free, no card required.

1. Create an account on Spot.gg and confirm your email address.
2. Choose the game: Minecraft.
3. Choose the game mode. "Engine" is a clean server you build your way (Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge and others). "Modpack" is a ready-made pack that runs without any setup – the catalog has over 1 300 packs.
4. Choose the Minecraft version. It has to match the game version you and your friends play. The latest one is usually best, unless your group plays an older version.
5. Choose the location closest to where you play from.
6. Set the parameters – RAM and disk. The wizard won't let you pick less than the chosen engine or pack needs.
7. Check the summary and activate the server.

After activation the server panel opens. Click "How to connect?" next to the address to see instructions tailored to your server: which game version to launch and which address to enter.

Which Minecraft server engine should you choose?

For playing with friends without mods choose Paper; for mods choose Fabric or NeoForge (or Forge if a mod or pack requires it); choose Vanilla only if you don't want any add-ons. The engine decides whether the server can run plugins or mods and how fast it runs.

Plugins (Paper, Purpur) run on the server only – players join with the regular game. Mods (Fabric, NeoForge, Forge) usually have to be installed in the players' game too. More on that in how to make a modded Minecraft server. Every engine is compared in detail in Paper and other Minecraft server software, and the mod loaders in Forge vs NeoForge vs Fabric.

The engine isn't a permanent choice. On Spot.gg you can switch a Vanilla server to another engine on the same version under "Information" → "Profile" → "Modify" → "Change engine" – the world and settings stay. The same window updates the server to another version ("Update").

How much RAM does a Minecraft server need?

2–4 GB of RAM is enough for a few players without mods, a modded server usually needs about 6 GB, and a large modpack 6 GB or more. A Spot.gg server starts at $3.90 per month; with 4 GB of RAM it's $5.99 / month.

Extra RAM doesn't remove lag once the server has enough: smooth gameplay depends mostly on the CPU, view distance and the number of loaded chunks. You can change RAM and disk at any time with the "Change parameters" button in the panel's top bar. For a full RAM-per-players table, see how much a Minecraft server costs.

How do you make a Minecraft server on your own computer?

Download server.jar from minecraft.net, run it with Java, accept the EULA in eula.txt and start the server again. This is how it works with the official Vanilla server:

1. Install Java in the version your Minecraft version requires. Versions 1.20.5–1.21.x need Java 21, 1.18–1.20.4 need Java 17, and the newest releases may need a newer Java – check the release notes.
2. Download the server from the official Minecraft Java Edition Server page on minecraft.net and put the file in its own folder.
3. Run the server for the first time, e.g. with java -Xmx2G -jar server.jar nogui (2G is the RAM given to the server). It creates its files and stops right away.
4. Accept the EULA: open eula.txt and change eula=false to eula=true.
5. Start the server again. When the console shows Done, the server is running. On the same computer you can join with the address localhost.
6. Change settings in server.properties while the server is stopped. All options are explained in Minecraft server.properties.

For friends outside your network to join, forward port 25565 TCP on your router to the local IP of the computer running the server, allow Java through the system firewall and give your friends your public IP address. Keep in mind that home public IPs often change and the computer has to stay on the whole time.

How do you join your own Minecraft server?

In Minecraft Java click "Multiplayer" → "Add Server", enter the address in "Server Address" and click "Done". Then double-click the server in the list.

• The game version has to match the server. In the Minecraft Launcher, pick the same version under "Installations" as the server runs. A different version ends with "Outdated client" or "Outdated server".
• On Spot.gg you don't need to type a port with the main address. The main address (your "Custom address" on the .spot.gs domain, e.g. yourname.spot.gs) tells the game the port through an SRV DNS record. The technical address sID-xxxxx.spot.gs has no SRV record, so it only works with the port, e.g. sID-xxxxx.spot.gs:25570 – you'll find it in the "Network" tab. You can change the custom address under "Configuration".
• A modded server needs the same mods in the game. For a modpack, "How to connect?" walks you through installing the same pack in the CurseForge launcher or the Modrinth App.

All server addresses and ports, including extra ports for plugins and mods (e.g. voice chat or a web map), are in the "Network" tab. IP vs address vs port and every common join error are explained in how to join a Minecraft server.

What should you set up after the first start?

Decide who can join, whitelist your friends, give yourself OP, and set a server icon and description. On Spot.gg the key settings are under "Configuration" → "Most popular", each with its own "Save" button:

• "Who can join" – "Original accounts only" (online mode) or "All players" (offline mode too). With offline mode, always add a login plugin – see Minecraft offline mode server.
• "Player slots" – how many players can be online at once.
• "Appearance in the server list" – icon and description (MOTD), with a preview of how the server looks in the game. Step by step in Minecraft server icon and MOTD.
• "Performance" – view and simulation distance. Lower values mean less load on the server.
• "World" – world name and seed, if you want to start on a specific map.

Operators, the whitelist and bans are managed in the "Console" tab, and all admin commands are covered in Minecraft server commands. Plugins and mods install with one click in the "Addons" tab. On a paid server backups run automatically once a day, and you can make an extra one with "Create backup" in "Backups".

How do you move an existing world to a new server?

Zip the world folder, upload it in the "Files" tab, extract it and enter the folder name in the "World name" field. Singleplayer worlds are in the saves folder inside your .minecraft directory.

1. Stop the server with the "Stop" button.
2. On your computer, zip the world folder.
3. In the "Files" tab drag the .zip onto the page, then click the "Extract" icon.
4. Under "Configuration" → "Most popular" → "World" enter the extracted folder's name in "World name" and save.
5. Start the server.

A modded world only works on a server with the same mods and the same version. If you're moving from Aternos, Minecraft server 24/7 explains how to bring your world over.

FAQ

Can you make a Minecraft server for free?

Yes. You can run a server on your own computer or use a hosting free trial. On Spot.gg every server starts with 24 hours free, no card required, and then costs from $3.90 per month. Why free hosts have limits is explained in Minecraft server 24/7.

What port does a Minecraft Java server use?

25565 TCP by default. That's the port you forward on your router when the server runs on your computer. On Spot.gg the port is assigned automatically and players only enter the server address, without a port.

Does a hosted server run when my computer is off?

Yes. The server runs in a data center, independently of your computer, so your friends can play even when you're not around.

Can players without a paid Minecraft account join my server?

Only if you set "Who can join" to "All players" (online-mode=false). In that case always install a login plugin or mod with passwords, because without one anyone can join under someone else's name – including the admin's.

How do you make a modded Minecraft server?

In the wizard pick a ready-made modpack, or the Fabric, NeoForge or Forge engine and add mods in the "Addons" tab. Players need the same mods and the same game version. Details in how to make a modded Minecraft server.

How do you change the Minecraft server version?

On Spot.gg go to "Information" → "Profile" → "Modify" → "Update" and pick another version. On a paid server the window lets you make a backup first. Downgrading can damage the world, so never go back a version without a backup.