Short answers to the most common questions. Each links to the full guide.
Getting started
What happens the first time I open my server? A short setup asks what the server is for, the version, your world and a name. The server starts when you click Finish Setup. Full guide
How do I know it is ready? The Console shows a line starting with Done and ending For help, type "help". Full guide
Which server type should I choose? Paper, unless you want a modpack or mods. Full guide
Should I host it myself or rent one? Your own PC is free but only runs while it is on. Full guide
How much memory do I need? It depends on players, view distance, the world and what you add. Your server's RAM graph with players on is the number that counts. Full guide
Joining and friends
How do my friends join? Copy the address from the Play with friends card. In Minecraft: Multiplayer, Add Server, paste it, Done, then join. Full guide
Can friends on phones, tablets or consoles join? Phones, tablets and Windows join a Java server once crossplay is on. Consoles join from their Friends tab with console joining. Full guide
How do I turn on crossplay? Enable crossplay on Ports & Network, then restart. Full guide
Can I send friends one link? Yes: Invite friends on the Play with friends card makes a link that adds them to the whitelist. Full guide
A friend cannot join. What do I check? Run Can my friends join? on the Overview page. Full guide
They see "You are not white-listed on this server". Add them on the Players page, or turn the whitelist off. Full guide
They see Outdated client or Outdated server. Their game and the server run different versions. Full guide
Can players on another version join? On a plugin server, with ViaVersion. Full guide
Can a friend help me run the server? Yes, invite them on Team & Roles with a role. Full guide
Players
How do I make my server private? Switch Whitelist on and add your friends. Full guide
How do I op myself? Players, Operators, type your name, Make operator. Full guide
How do I kick or ban someone? The menu on their name on the Active players card. Unban with Pardon on the Players page. Full guide
Where do I manage the whitelist, ops and bans? On the Players page. Full guide
Who is online? The Active players card, or list in the Console. Full guide
How do I change the player limit? Edit slots on the Active players card. Full guide
How do I set up ranks and permissions? With LuckPerms. Full guide
Should I turn off online mode? No, unless the server is behind your own proxy. Full guide
Settings
Where are the settings? Settings, Server Properties (Java). Full guide
How do I change the MOTD and icon? In the Server list look card on the same page. Full guide
How do I change difficulty or game mode? Difficulty and Game mode in Server Properties. Full guide
How do I turn on keep inventory? Settings, Game Rules, Keep inventory. No restart needed. Full guide
How do I turn PvP off? The Pvp game rule on recent versions, the PvP switch on older ones. Full guide
Where are the other game rules? Settings, Game Rules. Full guide
Command blocks do nothing. Check Command blocks work in Game Rules, or the Command blocks switch on older versions. Full guide
Players are kicked for flying. Switch Allow flight on. Full guide
Players cannot build near spawn. That is spawn protection. Full guide
Can I use my own seed? Yes, for a new world. Full guide
Can I make a hardcore server? Yes, when the world is created. Full guide
How do I change view distance? The Performance for your plan card, or the settings themselves. Full guide
Can I connect a Discord bot or RCON tool? Yes, switch on Enable remote console. Full guide
Versions and server types
How do I change the version or type? Edit Server Type on the Overview page. To keep your world, untick Delete my existing files and start clean on the review step. Full guide
Does my server update by itself? Paper, Purpur and Folia take new builds of your version at each start. A new Minecraft version is your choice. Full guide
Can I go back to an older version? Not with the same world, unless you restore a backup made before. Full guide
Can I change the Java version? Yes, under Settings, Launch Details. Full guide
Can I add JVM flags? Yes, under Startup Parameters. Memory flags are set by the panel. Full guide
Can I run my own jar? Yes, with the Custom Jar type. Full guide
Worlds and backups
Is my world backed up? When your plan includes backups, an Automatic backup runs every night. Its time is editable on Backups. Full guide
How do I back up or restore by hand? On Backups in the left menu. Full guide
Can I upload my own world? Yes, from your PC or another host. Full guide
Can I download my world? Yes. Full guide
Can I keep several worlds? Yes, and switch between them. Full guide
How do I start a fresh world? Delete the world on the Worlds tab, or run World Reset on Quick Tasks. Plugins, settings, whitelist and operators stay. Full guide
How do I restart the server every day? With a schedule in Quick Tasks. Full guide
Plugins, mods and modpacks
How do I install plugins? Modding, Plugins, on Paper, Purpur, Spigot or Folia. Full guide
How do I install mods? Modding, Mods, on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge or Quilt. Full guide
How do I install a modpack? Choose A modpack in the setup, or use Modding, Modpacks. On a server you already play on, a modpack replaces its mods, config and world, so back up first. Full guide
Do my players need the mods? For mods that add blocks or items, yes. Full guide
Does a plugin need a database? Some can use one. Full guide
Problems
My server stopped. Why? When the panel recognises the cause, a Why your server stopped card on the Overview page names it and offers a fix. Full guide
My server is laggy. Check Server health first, then the usual causes. Full guide
Something else is broken. Minecraft server problems and fixes
