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This guide covers every setting that shapes your Minecraft server: the Server Properties page, your server type and version, the Java version and a few settings you still change by hand, such as the world seed.

Difficulty

Beginner to intermediate

Time

15 minutes

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Server Properties

Open your server and click Server Properties in the sidebar. The page shows the settings of server.properties in plain language.
Server Properties page with an intro explaining that only changed settings are written, an Allow cracked players toggle and the MOTD editor with a preview of the server icon and name, a colour palette and formatting buttons

The Server Properties page with the MOTD editor

How it works:
  • Only the settings you change are written. The rest of the file stays as it is.
  • A setting you haven’t changed shows a DEFAULT badge.
  • The page detects your server type and version. Settings your version doesn’t have are switched off.
  • Changes apply the next time the server starts.

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The settings

Gameplay group on the Server Properties page with Difficulty, Default game mode, Force game mode on join, Hardcore, Player versus player, Allow flying and spawn toggles, several marked with a DEFAULT badge

Gameplay settings on the Server Properties page

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Save your changes

A bar at the bottom of the page shows No unsaved changes or how many changes you’ve made.

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MOTD and server icon

The MOTD editor shows a live preview of how your server looks in the multiplayer list.
1

Type your message

Type in the text box. Press Enter to start the second line. The MOTD has two lines.
2

Add colour and formatting

Select some text, then click a colour or Bold, Strike, Underline, Italic or Obfuscated. Reset clears formatting. You can also align text left, centre or right.
3

Change the name or icon

Click the server name or icon in the preview to change it.
4

Save

Click Save and restart, or Save and restart later.
You can also set the icon by hand: upload a 64 × 64 pixel PNG named server-icon.png to the main folder of your server with the file manager, then restart.
Minecraft caches server icons. If you still see the old icon, remove the server from your multiplayer list and add it again.

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Command blocks

Switch on Command blocks and save. To place and edit a command block, a player needs operator level 2 or higher and Creative mode. Command blocks don’t work inside Spawn protection, so set it to 0 or build away from spawn. To stop command blocks filling the console, run the gamerule in admin and commands that turns off command block output.

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Choose a server type

Click Version Changer in the sidebar. The status line at the top shows what is installed, for example Currently installed: Paper 26.1.1 (#29).
Version Changer page listing server type cards such as Vanilla, Paper, Fabric, Forge, NeoForge, Velocity and Purpur, each with a count of versions and builds

Version Changer shows each server type with its versions and builds

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Change your server type or version

You can’t safely downgrade a world. Opening a world in an older version than it was last played on can corrupt it. Always make a backup first.
1

Make a backup

Click Backups, then Create backup. Name it something like “Before version change”. See backups.
2

Pick the server type

In Version Changer, click the server type you want.
3

Choose version and build

Pick a Minecraft Version. The Build is set to the newest one for you. Minecraft now uses year-based versions, so 26.1 comes after 1.21.11.
Change Minecraft Version for Paper dialog with Minecraft Version and Build drop-downs, toggles for Delete Server Files, Accept EULA and Restart server afterwards if it was running, and Cancel and Change Version buttons

The Change Minecraft Version dialog

4

Choose your options

  • Delete Server Files: wipes every file on your server first, including worlds. Leave it off unless you want a clean start.
  • Accept EULA: switch it on only if you have read and accept the Minecraft EULA. The server won’t start until the EULA is accepted.
  • Restart server afterwards if it was running: on by default.
5

Click Change Version

A progress window shows each step, from Preparing to Done. It usually takes a few seconds.
Progress dialog Changing Minecraft Version for Paper with all steps ticked and the message Version changed, Paper 26.1.1 (#29) is installed

Version changed

Use Version Changer to change your version. Don’t use Settings > Reinstall for this. Moving between plugin and mod server types (for example Paper to Fabric) means your plugins stop loading, and the sidebar shows Mods instead of Plugins.

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Java version (Docker image)

Each Minecraft version needs a certain Java version. Version Changer picks the right one for you. To check or change it, click Startup and look at Docker Image. If the console shows UnsupportedClassVersionError, the Java version is too old for your server. Pick a newer Docker Image and restart. See startup variables.

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Startup settings

Startup page with a read-only Startup Command using optimised Java flags, a Docker Image drop-down with Java versions from 25 to 8, and variables for Minecraft Version, Server Jar File and Build Number

The Startup page for a Minecraft server

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Use a custom world seed

Server Properties doesn’t have a seed field yet, so you set it in server.properties. A seed only affects a new world.
1

Make a backup

Your current world isn’t deleted by these steps, but a backup is always wise.
2

Stop the server

Click Stop.
3

Edit server.properties

Open Files, click server.properties and set:
Changing level-name to a new folder name makes the server create a fresh world. Your old world stays in its folder.
4

Save and start

Click Save Content, then Start. The new world is generated from your seed.
Seeds depend on the Minecraft version. A seed from an older version can give a different world on a newer one. You can switch back to the old world on the Worlds page.

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Allow cracked players

Cracked (non-premium) players use a Minecraft copy without a paid Microsoft account. To let them join, switch on Allow cracked players in Server Properties and click Save and restart. This sets online-mode=false.
With this on, the server no longer checks accounts with Mojang. Anyone can join with any name, including yours or an operator’s.
  • Turn on the Whitelist and add only people you know.
  • Install a login plugin such as AuthMe Reloaded or nLogin so players must register a password.
  • Player UUIDs change. Inventories, ender chests, claims and permissions are tied to the old UUIDs, so they look “lost” when you switch. Add operators and whitelist entries again afterwards.
Decide before your world has a lot of player progress. Switching back later causes the same UUID problem in reverse.

Getting started

First setup checklist.

Plugins, mods and modpacks

Add content to your server.

Worlds

Install, upload and switch worlds.

Performance

Reduce lag and memory use.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026