> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Set Up a Minecraft Server: First Steps on FREAKHOSTING > How to set up a Minecraft server on FREAKHOSTING: pick a server type in Version Changer, accept the EULA, start it, join, op yourself and make a backup. To set up a Minecraft server on FREAKHOSTING, open it in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com), click **Version Changer**, pick a server type such as **Paper**, choose a Minecraft version, switch on **Accept EULA** and click **Change Version**. Then start the server, add its address in Minecraft under **Multiplayer** > **Add Server**, make yourself an operator on the **Players** page and create your first backup. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel pages | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | About 10 minutes | Minecraft: Java Edition | Version Changer, Console, Players, Backups | ## Before you start * You have your Game Panel login details. See [how to sign in to the Game Panel](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-login-and-access-the-game-panel.md). * You have Minecraft: Java Edition on your computer. ## How to set up your Minecraft server step by step **1. Open your server** Sign in at [games.freakhosting.com](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Manage server** on your Minecraft server's card. **2. Choose a server type and version** Click **Version Changer** in the sidebar. Click a server type, for example **Paper** for plugins or **Fabric** for mods. Pick a **Minecraft Version**. The **Build** is set to the newest one for you. ![Minecraft Version Changer page with cards for Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Velocity, Purpur and other server types, each showing its number of versions and builds](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-version-changer.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=0e5ed5ea91eea402212794be1fa4d1c1) Version Changer lists every server type you can install **3. Accept the Minecraft EULA** A Minecraft server only starts after you accept the [Minecraft EULA](https://www.minecraft.net/eula) (End User Licence Agreement). If you have read it and agree, switch on **Accept EULA** in the dialog. You can also do it later by setting `eula=true` in `eula.txt`. See [how to accept the Minecraft EULA](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-accept-the-minecraft-eula.md). **4. Install the version** Click **Change Version**. A progress window runs from **Preparing** to **Done**. This usually takes a few seconds. **5. Start the server** Click **Start** at the top of the page and open **Console**. The server is ready when the console shows a line that starts with `Done` and ends with `For help, type "help"`. See [how to use the server console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-server-console.md). ## How do I join my Minecraft server? Your server address is on the server card on the dashboard and in the **Copy address** box next to the console. It looks like `203.0.113.10:25565`. **1. Copy the address** Click the copy icon next to the address. **2. Add the server in Minecraft** Open Minecraft: Java Edition, click **Multiplayer**, then **Add Server**. Paste the address, including the port after the colon, into **Server Address** and click **Done**. **3. Join** Select your server in the list and click **Join Server**. Your game version must match the server version. If it doesn't, Minecraft shows **Outdated client** or **Outdated server**. See [how to fix the outdated client or server error](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/outdated-client-or-server-error.md). ## How do I make myself an admin? An op (operator) is a player with admin rights. Click **Players** in the sidebar, open the **Opped** tab and click the **+** tile. Type your Minecraft username, choose **Operator level** 4, click **Look up player** and then **Add operator**. Full steps: [how to op someone on your Minecraft server](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-give-and-remove-op-on-your-minecraft-server.md). ## Make your first backup Click **Backups** in the sidebar, then **Create backup**. A backup is a copy of your server files that you can go back to if something breaks. To make backups happen on their own, [set up automatic backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-set-up-automatic-backups.md). > [!TIP] > > The **Overview** page shows a **Getting started** checklist. It ticks off starting the server, sharing your address and making your first backup. ## What the Minecraft pages in the sidebar do | Page | Use it to | | - | - | | **Server Properties** | Change MOTD, difficulty, game mode, player slots, view distance and whitelist. | | **Players** | Manage operators, the whitelist, banned players and banned IPs. | | **Worlds** | Install ready-made worlds and choose the active world. | | **Plugins** | Install plugins. Shown on plugin servers such as Paper. | | **Mods** | Install mods. Shown instead of **Plugins** on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge and Quilt. | | **Modpacks** | Install a full modpack from CurseForge, Modrinth or Feed The Beast. | | **Version Changer** | Install or change your server type and Minecraft version. | ## Frequently asked questions ### Which server type should I choose? Choose **Paper** if you want plugins, **Fabric** or **NeoForge** if you want mods, and **Vanilla** for the plain Mojang server. You can switch later with Version Changer. See [how to change your Minecraft server version](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/changing-your-minecraft-server-version.md). ### Why does my server stop right after I start it? Usually the Minecraft EULA is not accepted yet. Accept it in Version Changer or in `eula.txt`, then start the server again. ### Can Bedrock players join? Not on their own. Your server runs Java Edition. Bedrock players (phones, consoles, Windows Bedrock) can join after you install Geyser. See [how to set up GeyserMC](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-configure-geysermc-on-your-minecraft-server.md). ### Do I need to type the port? Yes, unless your port is `25565`, the Minecraft default. Always paste the full address with the port to be safe. ## Related guides > **[Minecraft server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-hosting-guide.md)** > > Every Minecraft guide in one place. > **[Change your server version](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/changing-your-minecraft-server-version.md)** > > Use Version Changer safely. > **[Install plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-plugins.md)** > > Add plugins from the Plugins page. > **[Install a modpack](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-a-minecraft-modpack.md)** > > One-click modpacks from CurseForge, Modrinth and FTB. > **[Can't connect](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/cant-connect-to-your-minecraft-server.md)** > > Fix connection problems. > **[Backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-create-and-restore-backups.md)** > > Create and restore backups. > [!NOTE] > > **Tested by the FREAKHOSTING team** on our Game Panel on 29 October 2026 (Minecraft 26.1, Paper and Fabric). Steps may differ slightly if the game or its plugins change. *** > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** October 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.