How do you add a Minecraft server icon?
Save the image as a PNG of exactly 64×64 pixels, name it server-icon.png, upload it to the server's main folder and restart the server. Minecraft Java shows it next to the server name in the "Multiplayer" list.
The game's requirements are strict:
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| File name | server-icon.png (lowercase) |
| Format | A real PNG |
| Size | Exactly 64×64 px |
| Location | The server's main folder, next to server.properties |
| When it applies | After a server restart |
Renaming a .jpg to .png doesn't make it a PNG – the game won't load such a file. The image has to be saved as PNG in an image editor or converted.
How do you set the server icon on Spot.gg?
Under "Configuration" → "Most popular" → "Appearance in the server list" click "Choose file" or "or choose from the icon catalog", then restart the server. You don't need to prepare a 64×64 file yourself.
- Your own image – the panel accepts PNG, JPG and WEBP and fits it to 64×64 px without cropping (any empty space stays transparent), then saves it as
server-icon.png. Simple, square images with a big subject work best, because the icon is small in the game. - Icon catalog – ready-made 64×64 px icons: click one and choose "Use icon".
- Shortcut – you can also change the icon by clicking it next to the server address in the panel's top bar ("Change server icon").
Next to the fields there's a "Server list preview" that shows the icon and description the way players will see them. After saving, click "Restart now" – the server only loads the icon on startup.
If you'd rather upload a ready server-icon.png in the "Files" tab or over SFTP, the panel picks up the new icon itself after the server restarts.
Why isn't the server icon showing?
Usually the file has the wrong size, isn't a real PNG, has a different name, or the server wasn't restarted. Check in this order:
- Size – exactly 64×64 px, not 128×128 or 63×64.
- Format – saved as PNG, not a JPG with a changed extension.
- Name and location –
server-icon.pngin the server's main folder, not in the world folder orplugins. - Restart – the server only reads the icon on startup.
- Refresh the list – click "Refresh" in the game's server list, or remove the server and add it again.
- Plugins – some MOTD and server-list plugins can replace the icon. If you use one, check its config.
On Spot.gg, when the server can't load the icon, the panel shows it in the server's error list (the bug icon in the top bar) with an explanation of what's wrong with the file.
What is a Minecraft server MOTD?
The MOTD (message of the day) is the server description players see under its name in the server list – up to two lines of text, with colors and formatting. It's set by the motd option in server.properties, which defaults to A Minecraft Server.
Use the MOTD for whatever will convince a player to join: the server name, the game mode (e.g. survival, modpack), the version or a short slogan. Lines that are too long get cut off, so keep it short.
How do you make a colored MOTD?
Colors and styles are added with codes: the § (section sign) followed by a formatting character, e.g. §6 is gold and §l is bold. Start the second line with the newline sequence \n.
| Code | Color | Code | Color |
|---|---|---|---|
§0 |
Black | §8 |
Dark gray |
§1 |
Dark blue | §9 |
Blue |
§2 |
Dark green | §a |
Green |
§3 |
Dark aqua | §b |
Aqua |
§4 |
Dark red | §c |
Red |
§5 |
Dark purple | §d |
Light purple |
§6 |
Gold | §e |
Yellow |
§7 |
Gray | §f |
White |
| Code | Style |
|---|---|
§l |
Bold |
§o |
Italic |
§n |
Underline |
§m |
Strikethrough |
§k |
Randomly changing (obfuscated) characters |
§r |
Reset – back to plain text |
Example in server.properties:
motd=§6§lMy Server§r §7- survival 1.21\n§aJoin with your friends!
Order matters: a color code clears earlier styles, so put the color first and the style after it (§6§l, not §l§6). If you see garbled characters instead of § in the file, you can write § in its place.
A regular server supports only these 16 colors. HEX colors and gradients need a plugin, such as MiniMOTD on Paper or Purpur.
How do you set the MOTD in the Spot.gg panel?
Under "Configuration" → "Most popular" → "Appearance in the server list" type the description in the "Description" field, select part of the text and choose a color or style. You don't need to know the § codes – the editor writes them for you.
- The editor allows at most two lines, just like the game.
- You can choose from Minecraft's 16 colors plus bold, italic, underline and strikethrough.
- The "Server list preview" shows right away how the description will look in the game.
- After saving, click "Restart now" so players see the new description.
The motd option is also in the "server.properties" tab if you prefer typing codes by hand. The file's other options are covered in Minecraft server.properties.
FAQ
What size is a Minecraft server icon?
Exactly 64×64 pixels, in PNG format, in a file named server-icon.png. On Spot.gg you can upload a bigger PNG, JPG or WEBP image – the panel scales it to 64×64 itself.
Can the server icon be animated?
No. Minecraft Java shows the server icon as a static PNG image.
Where do you upload server-icon.png?
To the server's main folder, where server.properties is. On Spot.gg it's easiest to set the icon under "Configuration" – the panel saves the file in the right place and format.
How many lines can a MOTD have?
Two. In server.properties you separate the second line with \n; in the Spot.gg panel editor you just press Enter.
Why does my MOTD show strange characters instead of colors?
Usually the § sign was saved in the wrong encoding. Write § instead, or set the description in the panel editor, which saves the codes correctly.