Minecraft Server Setup Guide 2026

Complete step-by-step tutorial to set up your own Minecraft server

Free TutorialStep-by-Step GuideCode ExamplesTroubleshooting Tips

Minecraft

Mojang Studios • November 18, 2011

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Minecraft Server Requirements

What You'll Need

Software Requirements

Minecraft Java Edition
Buy Minecraft
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 17+ - we recommend Eclipse Adoptium Temurin
Download Java
Minecraft Server JAR file
Download Server JAR
Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB+ recommended)
Port 25565 forwarded on your router
Stable internet connection with good upload speed
SSD storage recommended for better performance

Hardware Requirements

Minimum (5-10 players)

• CPU: Intel Core i3
• RAM: 4 GB RAM
• Storage: 1 GB
• Network: 10+ Mbps upload

Recommended (20+ players)

• CPU: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8 GB RAM
• Storage: 4 GB (SSD)
• Network: 50+ Mbps upload

Step-by-Step Minecraft Server Setup

Step 1: Download Minecraft Server JAR from minecraft

Download Minecraft Server JAR from minecraft.net/download/server

Step 2: Create a new folder for your server files and navigate to it

Create a new folder for your server files and navigate to it

Code Example:

bash

mkdir minecraft-server
cd minecraft-server

Step 3: Place the downloaded server JAR file in the folder and run it to generate initial files

Place the downloaded server JAR file in the folder and run it to generate initial files

Code Example:

bash

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar server.jar nogui

Step 4: Accept the EULA by editing the eula

Accept the EULA by editing the eula.txt file

Code Example:

properties

eula=true

Step 5: Configure server

Configure server.properties for your preferences. Here are some common settings:

Code Example:

properties

server-port=25565
gamemode=survival
difficulty=normal
max-players=20
motd=My Minecraft Server
white-list=false
pvp=true

Step 6: Forward port 25565 on your router to your server computer's local IP

Forward port 25565 on your router to your server computer's local IP

Step 7: Start the server with more memory allocation for better performance

Start the server with more memory allocation for better performance

Code Example:

bash

java -Xmx2G -Xms2G -jar server.jar nogui

Step 8: Share your public IP address with friends to let them connect

Share your public IP address with friends to let them connect

Minecraft Server Configuration

Basic Settings

Server NameMy Minecraft Server

Max Players20

Game Modesurvival

Difficultynormal

Advanced Settings

Performance Optimization

• Allocate 1GB RAM per 4-6 players
• Use SSD storage for better performance
• Optimize view distance based on player count
• Enable server-side optimizations

Security Settings

• Set strong admin passwords
• Configure firewall rules
• Enable whitelist if needed
• Regular backup schedule

Common Minecraft Server Issues & Solutions

🚫 Players Can't Connect to Server

Symptoms: Server appears offline, connection timeouts

Solutions:

Check port forwarding configuration (port 25565 for Minecraft)
Verify firewall settings allow server traffic
Confirm server is running and listening on correct port
Test with local IP first, then external IP

⚠️ Server Lag and Performance Issues

Symptoms: Slow response, block lag, entity lag

Solutions:

Increase RAM allocation (minimum 2GB recommended)
Reduce view distance in server properties
Limit entity spawning and mob farms
Use performance optimization plugins

💥 Server Crashes Frequently

Symptoms: Unexpected shutdowns, error messages

Solutions:

Check server logs for error messages
Ensure sufficient RAM allocation
Update server software to latest version
Remove problematic plugins or mods

Server Setup Complete! 🎉

Your Minecraft server is ready. Now let's get players to join!

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