How to make a Minecraft server in 2026 — step by step
A Minecraft server is your own world that stays online for you and your friends — even when you log off. Here is how to set one up properly, whether you host it at home or rent one.
1. Decide: host at home, or rent a server?
You can run a server on your own PC: download the server .jar, accept the EULA and open port 25565 on your router. It is free, but the world is only online while your PC is on, your home upload speed limits how many players can join, and you expose your home IP address.
Renting a server (Minecraft hosting) keeps the world online 24/7 on a machine in a data centre, gives every player the same connection, and takes care of Java, updates and backups. For anything beyond a quick test with one friend, hosting is usually the easier choice.
2. Choose the server software
The server software decides what you can install. The main options for Java Edition:
| Software | Best for | Add-ons |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | Pure Minecraft, exactly as Mojang ships it | Datapacks only |
| Paper | Survival and community servers — fast and stable | Plugins (Bukkit/Spigot/Paper) + datapacks |
| Purpur | Paper plus many extra gameplay settings | Plugins + datapacks |
| Fabric | Lightweight mods and performance mods | Fabric mods + datapacks |
| Forge | Big classic modpacks | Forge mods + datapacks |
3. Pick enough RAM
RAM is the most important number. As a guide for Paper or Vanilla: 2 GB for 1–5 friends, 4 GB for up to about 15 players, 6–8 GB for a community and 12 GB or more for large modpacks. Mods, many plugins and a big render distance all need more.
Don't give Java all of the machine's memory — the operating system needs some too. Good hosts split it for you automatically.
4. Create the server
- Choose a planPick the RAM that fits your players (you can move up later).
- Choose software and versionPaper for plugins, Fabric or Forge for mods, Vanilla for pure gameplay — and the Minecraft version your players use.
- Start itThe host installs Java and the server and starts it. On EclipsiumX this usually takes about a minute.
- Set the basicsIn server.properties: the MOTD (the line players see in the server list), difficulty, gamemode, max players and whether to use a whitelist.
5. Add plugins, mods or datapacks
Plugins go in the plugins/ folder (Paper, Purpur), mods in mods/ (Fabric, Forge) and datapacks in world/datapacks/. Always download versions made for your exact Minecraft version — most crashes after an install come from a version mismatch or a missing dependency.
Popular first plugins for a survival server: a permissions plugin (LuckPerms), essentials commands, land claiming and an anti-grief tool. Restart the server after installing plugins or mods; datapacks can be loaded with /reload.
6. Bring your world (optional)
To play a single-player world on your server, zip the world folder (the one that contains level.dat) and upload it while the server is stopped. Keep a copy of the current world first. Going back to an older Minecraft version can damage a world, so upgrade rather than downgrade.
7. Invite your friends
Players open Minecraft → Multiplayer → Add Server and enter your server address. An easy name such as your-name.eclipsiumx.com is much nicer to share than an IP and port. If your server uses online-mode=true, only players with a paid Minecraft account can join; use a whitelist to keep a private world private.
8. Keep it healthy
- Make regular backups and download a copy of your world from time to time.
- Update the server and your plugins together, and test big updates on a copy first.
- Watch the console: errors after a restart usually name the plugin or mod that failed.
- If the server lags with more players, add RAM or remove heavy plugins before anything else.