> ## 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 Install Plugins on a Minecraft Server > How to install plugins on a Minecraft server: open Plugins, search Modrinth, Hangar, SpigotMC or CurseForge, click Install and restart the server. To install plugins on a FREAKHOSTING Minecraft server, open your server in the Game Panel, click **Plugins**, search Modrinth, Hangar, SpigotMC or CurseForge, open a plugin and click **Install** next to a version. Then restart the server: plugins only load when the server starts. The **Installed** tab lets you update, disable or remove plugins. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Panel page | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 2 minutes per plugin | Plugin servers such as Paper, Purpur and Spigot | Plugins | ## Before you start * Your server must run a plugin server, such as **Paper**. The **Plugins** page doesn't appear on Fabric, Forge, NeoForge or Quilt (those show **Mods**). To switch, see [how to install Paper](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-minecraft-paper.md). * Make a backup before adding several plugins at once: **Backups** > **Create backup**. ## How to install a plugin **1. Open Plugins** Open your server in the [Game Panel](https://games.freakhosting.com) and click **Plugins** in the sidebar. The **Browse** tab opens. **2. Search and filter** Type in **Search plugins**. Change the filters if you need to: | Filter | What it does | | - | - | | **Source** | **Modrinth** (default), **Hangar**, **SpigotMC** or **CurseForge**. | | **Minecraft version** | Set to your server's version for you. | | **Loaders** | **Paper**, **Spigot** and **Bukkit** are selected by default. | | **Sort by** | Order by **Relevance** and other options. | ![Minecraft Plugins page on the Browse tab with a restart info banner, Source, Minecraft version, Loaders and Sort filters, a Search plugins box and plugin cards](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-plugins-browse.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=f6dbd1a1c53c46427ed858e947bacd9d) Browsing plugins **3. Choose a version** Click a plugin. **Versions for this server** lists versions that match your server. Switch on **Show all versions** to see the rest. Click **Install** next to the version you want. ![Plugin dialog with author, summary, a View on Modrinth link and a Versions for this server list showing version number, Release tag, Minecraft versions, loaders, age, downloads, size and Install button](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-plugin-versions.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=bf5bdb0c85ade1c5cbee7db7032f016e) Choosing a plugin version **4. Restart the server** You see a message such as **Installed — Chunky 1.5.3 (Chunky-Bukkit-1.5.3.jar) — Restart the server to load it.** Click **Restart** at the top of the page. ![Green Installed message with the plugin name, version and jar file and the note Restart the server to load it, and an Installed badge on the version row](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-plugin-installed-msg.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=c5ea700c1b0adc6b4c153e03d29a62da) Plugin installed **5. Check it loaded** In the **Console**, type `plugins`. Loaded plugins are listed in green. > [!TIP] > > Read the description before you install. A few projects in the results are client mods rather than server plugins, and do nothing on your server. ## How to update, disable or remove a plugin Click the **Installed** tab. It shows how many plugins you have and how many updates are available. ![Plugins Installed tab showing 1 plugin and 0 updates available, a Check for updates button and a plugin row with version, jar file, size, enable toggle and delete icon](https://mintcdn.com/freakhostingltd/oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc/images/games/minecraft/mc-plugins-installed-tab.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=oRNjFa_9Ix118Tkc\&q=85\&s=a3e8e759297a7967b6cfa966570b98ff) Installed plugins | Action | How | | - | - | | Check for updates | Click **Check for updates**. | | Update | Open the plugin on **Browse** and install the newer version. Installing another version replaces the old one. | | Disable or enable | Use the toggle on the plugin's row. The plugin stays on the server. | | Remove | Click the bin icon. | Restart the server after every change. Avoid `/reload`: the panel warns that a reload can break plugins, so a restart is the safe way. A removed plugin's settings stay in its folder inside `plugins/`. Delete that folder in the [file manager](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-use-the-file-manager.md) if you don't need them. ## What if a plugin isn't listed? Some authors don't allow downloads through other sites, and some plugins are only sold on their own page. Download the `.jar` file from the official page, then upload it to the `plugins` folder in **Files** or over [SFTP](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/game-panel/how-to-connect-via-sftp.md) and restart. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need to restart after installing a plugin? Yes. Plugins load when the server starts, so restart after you install, update, enable, disable or remove one. ### Can I install plugins on a Fabric or Forge server? No. Fabric, Forge and NeoForge use mods, not plugins. Use the **Mods** page, or switch to Paper in Version Changer. ### Why does a plugin show an error in the console? It may not support your Minecraft version, or it needs another plugin (a dependency) such as Vault. Check the plugin's page for its requirements. ### Which plugins should I start with? See our list of [recommended plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/recommended-plugins.md). ## Related guides > **[Minecraft server guide](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-hosting-guide.md)** > > Every Minecraft guide in one place. > **[Recommended plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/recommended-plugins.md)** > > Free plugins worth installing. > **[MySQL for plugins](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-create-a-mysql-database-for-plugins.md)** > > Give a plugin its own database. > **[Install Paper](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/how-to-install-minecraft-paper.md)** > > Switch to a plugin server. > **[Server crashing](https://help.freakhosting.com/games/minecraft/minecraft-server-crashing-or-out-of-memory.md)** > > Fix crashes after adding a plugin. > [!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.