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Download the Minecraft: Java Edition server. Want to set up a multiplayer server? Please note: This server setup is only compatible with Minecraft: Java Edition. If you want to run a Minecraft multiplayer server by yourself things get kind of involved (see this wiki article for a tutorial). First make sure you can use java from the command line.
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A basic, un-modded Minecraft server can be run on any modern PC, and probably even the old computer that has been sitting in your closet diligently collecting dust. If you don't ask too much of it, you can even run a Minecraft Server on a Raspberry Pi. At a minimum you'll want:
•2 gigabytes (GB) of free RAM
•A dual-core CPU that runs at 2 GHz or higher
•10 GB of free storage space --- a solid-state drive (SSD) is ideal
•A modern Java Installation
If you plan on running a modded server or hosting a server that will have numerous players, you'll need a beefier system.
Head on over to the Minecraft Download page and go down to the "Server Software" section. This tutorial focuses on the Java Edition, so click "Java Edition Server."
On the next page, look through the text until you find the line that directly links the Minecraft Server JAR file. Click the "minecraft_server.1.19.3.jar link and wait for the download to finish.
Create a Minecraft Server folder somewhere convenient, like your desktop, then move "server.jar" into that folder.
Everything is now ready for us to launch the server for the first time! Click the address bar at the top, clear what is there, type "powershell," then press the Enter key.
Now, copy and paste (or write out) the following command in the PowerShell window, then press Enter:
If you want to devote more (or less) RAM to your server, change the 2G to something else, like 4G. The first number is the maximum amount of RAM it can use (in gigabytes), and the second number is the minimum. Since everything is in Java, you should have at least a few gigs of RAM to devote to Minecraft. Whatever amount of RAM you choose, keep the two numbers the same. Things can get unruly with a decent amount of people playing, especially when you start to do crazy stuff like blowing up huge caverns with massive amounts of TNT.
Related: How to Open JAR Files on Windows 10 and 11
You'll see a huge wall of text appear as the server JAR fetches files and unpacks them in the PowerShell window. And then, it'll stop running and offer you a warning.
Open up the server.properties file in Notepad. You'll see something like this:
There are a ton of things you can customize, but here are some important options:
•level-name: This is the name of your Minecraft world. If you change this name, the server will look for a folder with a matching name, and if none is found, it will generate a new level with this name.
•spawn-monsters: If set to false, monsters such as zombies, skeletons, and creepers will not spawn. Often turned off for "op" or "creative" servers, where everyone builds and survival is not the focus of gameplay.
•spawn-animals: If set to false, animals such as wolves, cows, sheep, and chickens will not spawn.
•pvp: If set to false, players will not be able to harm one another, although you can still inflict damage by pushing other players off of ledges.
After you start Minecraft, click "Multiplayer" to connect to a multiplayer server.
You have two choices. You can directly join a server by entering the URL or IP address, or you can add a server to your list. If you plan on playing on a server regularly, use the "Add Server" function --- it'll save you time.
First, give the server a nickname you will be able to easily remember. If you're playing on the same computer as your server, you can just type "localhost" (without the quotes). Otherwise, plug in your server's IP address and click "Done."
Select the server you just added from the list and click "Join Server."
Hit T to bring up the chat console.
You'll see all of the public messages by users, system messages, and commands that you've executed. Notice narrow grey text bar that appears along the bottom of the screen. Typing something and hitting Enter will send a message to all other players in a group chat. You can execute commands here, too, and they always start with a forward slash (/).
Any server you run on your local PC will be available to other computers on your local area network. However, it won't be accessible to players from the Internet. For that, you'll need to do some port forwarding.
The first thing you should do is assign a static IP address to your PC, or the PC that is hosting the Minecraft server. When you forward a port on your router, the rule is applied to a specific device on your local area network --- however, sometimes, the IP address assigned to your device can change. If that happens, the port forwarding rule you've created will cease to apply, and you'll suddenly find your server can't be accessed from the Internet. You're better off preempting this problem before it happens because it will eventually.
Related: How to Set Up Static DHCP So Your Computer's IP Address Doesn't Change
The easiest way to prevent that is to assign a static IP address to the PC you use to host the Minecraft server. You can assign a static IP address from within Windows, or you can set a static IP address via your router. In this case, it is better to assign the static IP using your router, since you'll need to access your router to do some port forwarding anyway.
Related: How to Find Your Router's IP Address on Any Computer, Smartphone, or Tablet
Once you've assigned the host computer a static IP address, all you need to do is create the port forwarding rule itself. Unfortunately, how this is done varies wildly between routers. For example, Comcast's XFi Gateways require that you use the Xfinity app to forward ports. In most other cases, you can access your router's settings by typing the router's IP address into a browser's address bar. However you do it, your firewall rule must meet two basic requirements:
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- Warning. Note. Running server software on your computer without a clear understanding of what you are doing may make your system vulnerable to attacks from outside.
- Java. Java is a programming language designed to create programs for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM supports many different platforms. By doing this, developers write code for the JVM and any platform supported by the JVM can run the program.
- Common instructions. The general gist of running a Minecraft server is that you will need to install java, run the server, accept the EULA, and run it again.
- Windows instructions. Installing Java. The Minecraft server requires the Java Runtime Environment (also called JRE or simply Java). For your security, you should only use the most recent version of Java.
Jul 18, 2024 · After the server setup process is complete, click Start Instance and wait until the instance appears on the main menu. Once it does, click it and select Manage to begin the configuration process ...
Sep 13, 2024 · Use the space in the center to enter your computer's IP address. To connect to a server hosted on the same computer you are running Minecraft on, enter "0" or "localhost". If you changed the port number in the "server.properties" file, you will need to enter "localhost:" followed by the port number.
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Sep 8, 2024 · On Windows, right-click the desktop → New → Folder. On Mac, click a blank spot on your desktop → File → New Folder. 3. Move the server.jar file into the Server folder. Locate your recent downloads on your computer to find the "server.jar" file. Click and drag the file into the Server folder. 4.
