How to set up a Minecraft server in 2024

Everything you need to know about how to set up your own Minecraft server

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

If you’re keen to set up your ownMinecraftserver, it’s not as hard as you’d think. It means you can enjoy a more personal experience with you and some friends, being in full control of what mods, shaders, and more are available on your server.

While you could use one of thebest game server hostswith thebestMinecraftserver hosting servicesdesigned with the popular game in mind, you don’t have to throw money at the problem if you don’t want to.

Making your own server can be an involved process so you’ll need to be comfortable using the command line prompt on Windows, but it’s worth it. A little more complicated than learninghow to installMinecraftmods, you’ll have full control so you can use admin commands to spawn items, change the time or day, or pretty much anything else you can think of.

Assuming you feel good about using the command line prompt and you’re ready to potentially troubleshoot some issues, here’s how to set up your ownMinecraftserver.

How to set up your own Minecraft server in 2024

To set up aMinecraftserver, you need to have the latest version of Java installed on your PC. You can check what version you have installed by opening a command prompt and entering ‘java -version’ to see the version number. The quicker method is to simply head to theJava siteand install the latest version to be sure.

Once Java is up-to-date, download theMinecraftserver software from theofficial site. Place the file in a folder that you dedicate solely to theMinecraftserver setup. It’ll work in any folder but it’s neater and more convenient if you set up a specific place for it and its files.

In some cases, you can simply double-click the server.jar file to open it. A better method is to open it via the command prompt. Open a command prompt window then browse to the folder the Minecraft server files are by typing cd C:\Users\username\ followed by the name of the folder. Once you’ve browsed to that location, type java -jar server.jar -nogui to open the file.

Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.

Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.

The first time the Minecraft server is loaded, it won’t work fully. Instead, it’ll expand to include all the server files in your chosen folder. To make it work, open the eula.txt file that’s now available in the folder and change ‘eula=false’ to ‘eula=true’. Close and save the file before relaunching the server by typing ‘java -jar server.jar’.

The server will now launch with a basic graphical user interface allowing you to see how much memory is being used, how many players are currently logged on, and other details.

Tips on starting your Minecraft server

It’s always possible to launch theMinecraftserver by following the steps above but in the long term, a better solution is to create a batch file to have it launch in a more efficient way.

Here’s what you need to do to create the batch/bat file:

How to configure your Minecraft server

Now you’ve got the basics sorted for yourMinecraftserver, you’ll want to configure it. Check the server.properties file for your options.

Here’s a look at the key components. Most are fairly self-explanatory but it’s useful to know how to make quick differences easily.

How to set up port forwarding

Port forwardingsettings on your routervaries depending on your router brand. The default port number for yourMinecraftserver is 25565 unless you change it under server.properties.

You don’t need to set up port forwarding if you’re solely setting up a server for players on the same local network as you. For playing online though, you’ll need to forward TCP port 25565 on your router to allow other players to join. You will also need to enter your server’s local IP address as the server IP for the forwarded port. To find your local IP, open a Command Prompt and type ‘ipconfig’.

Once you have your public IP and have port forwarding set up, it’s recommended to not share it publicly. Only share it with people you know and trust as it can potentially be a security risk for your home network. That’s another reason why some people prefer to use dedicated Minecraft server hosting services.

How to join the Minecraft server

Once yourMinecraftserver is set up, joining it is as simple as joining any of the best Minecraft servers.

Choose multiplayer from theMinecraftmenu. Click add server then enter the server name. Enter the public IP address of your server then click done.

You’re now connected to the server as a player. If you’re using the graphical user interface on the server configuration, you can check you’re connected by looking at the players' list.

Looking for more on Minecraft? Head on over to our pages on thebest Minecraft seeds, thebest Minecraft shaders, thebest Minecraft texture packs, and thebest Minecraft serversto help your block-filled experience go up a few levels.

Valve just single-handedly upgraded content creation for PC gamers – Steam’s Game Recording feature is now available to all

The future of PC gaming will be AI-driven - AMD confirms machine learning FSR 4 for 2025, launching in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Owl Labs Meeting Owl 4+ review