Minecraft server.properties Explained: Every Setting

server.properties is the main settings file of a Minecraft Java server. It sets the MOTD, difficulty, game mode, player slots, view distance, whitelist, online mode and world options. On a FREAKHOSTING server you change the most used settings on the Server Properties page in plain language, and the rest by editing server.properties in Files. Changes apply the next time the server starts.

Works on	Panel page	File
Every Minecraft Java server type	Server Properties	`server.properties` in the main folder

How does the Server Properties page work?

It shows the settings of server.properties in plain language.
Only what you change is 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 Minecraft version. Settings your version doesn’t have are switched off.
The bar at the bottom has Discard, Save and Save and restart.

Server Properties page in the FREAKHOSTING Game Panel with an explanation that only changed settings are written, the Allow cracked players toggle and the MOTD editor with a live preview — The Server Properties page

Settings on the Server Properties page

Panel setting	`server.properties` key	Default	What it does
Allow cracked players	`online-mode`	`true` (cracked off)	On sets `online-mode=false`: accounts aren’t checked with Mojang. See non-premium players.
MOTD	`motd`	`A Minecraft Server`	Two lines under your server name in the multiplayer list. See MOTD.
Difficulty	`difficulty`	`easy`	`peaceful`, `easy`, `normal` or `hard`. Peaceful removes hostile mobs.
Default game mode	`gamemode`	`survival`	The mode new players start in.
Force game mode on join	`force-gamemode`	`false`	Puts players back in the default mode every time they join.
Hardcore	`hardcore`	`false`	One life: players who die can only spectate. Set it before the world is created.
Player versus player	`pvp`	`true`	Lets players hurt each other.
Allow flying	`allow-flight`	`false`	Off kicks anyone who flies in Survival. Turn it on for fly plugins or mods with flight.
Allow the Nether	`allow-nether`	`true`	Lets players use Nether portals.
Spawn monsters	`spawn-monsters`	`true`	Hostile mobs spawn.
Spawn animals, Spawn villagers	`spawn-animals`, `spawn-npcs`	`true`	Older versions only (see below).
Generate structures	`generate-structures`	`true`	Villages, temples and other structures in new chunks.
Player slots	`max-players`	`20`	The most players online at once.
View distance	`view-distance`	`10`	How far players see, in chunks. The panel allows 2–32. The biggest lever on memory use.
Simulation distance	`simulation-distance`	`10`	How far from players the world keeps running, in chunks (3–32).
Spawn protection	`spawn-protection`	`16`	Radius in blocks around spawn where only operators can build. `0` turns it off.
Idle kick	`player-idle-timeout`	`0`	Kicks players idle this many minutes. `0` means never.
Command blocks	`enable-command-block`	`false`	Lets command blocks run. See command blocks.
Whitelist	`white-list`	`false` (`true` from 26.3)	Only listed players can join. Manage the names on Players. See whitelist.
Enforce whitelist immediately	`enforce-whitelist`	`false`	Kicks online players who aren’t on the whitelist when it reloads.

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

Which settings changed in newer Minecraft versions?

Version	Change
1.21.2	`spawn-animals` and `spawn-npcs` were removed from `server.properties`.
1.21.9	`pvp`, `allow-nether`, `enable-command-block` and `spawn-monsters` became game rules: `pvp`, `allow_entering_nether_using_portals`, `command_blocks_work` and `spawn_monsters`.
26.3	`white-list` is `true` by default on new servers.

On these versions, change these settings with the game rule instead of the switch on the Server Properties page, for example gamerule pvp false in the console. See the gamerules list.

Settings you change in the file

These keys aren’t on the Server Properties page. Stop the server, open server.properties in Files, edit, click Save Content and start the server.

Key	Default	What it does
`level-seed`	empty (random)	The seed for a new world. See custom seed.
`level-name`	`world`	The world folder the server loads. The Worlds page sets this for you with Set active.
`level-type`	`minecraft:normal`	World type for a new world, for example `minecraft:flat`, `minecraft:large_biomes` or `minecraft:amplified`.
`max-world-size`	`29999984`	Furthest distance in blocks from the centre the world border can go.
`resource-pack`	empty	Direct download link to a `.zip` resource pack players get when they join.
`resource-pack-sha1`	empty	SHA-1 of the pack, so players download it again when it changes.
`require-resource-pack`	`false`	Players who decline the pack are disconnected.
`op-permission-level`	`4`	Level new operators get with the `op` command.
`hide-online-players`	`false`	Hides the player list in the multiplayer screen.
`enforce-secure-profile`	`true`	Requires signed chat. Some cracked or modded clients need it off.
`enable-rcon` / `rcon.port` / `rcon.password`	`false` / `25575` / empty	Remote console. Needs an extra port and a strong password.
`enable-query` / `query.port`	`false` / `25565`	Lets server list sites read player counts.
`server-port`	`25565`	The server’s port. Leave it as it is: the panel sets it to your server’s port.

Example server.properties lines:

level-seed=-4172144997902289642
resource-pack=https://example.com/pack.zip
require-resource-pack=false

Edit server.properties only while the server is stopped. A running server can overwrite your changes when it stops.

Frequently asked questions

Where is server.properties on my server?

In the main folder (/home/container). Open Files and click server.properties.

Do I need to restart after changing server.properties?

Yes. Changes apply the next time the server starts. On the Server Properties page, Save and restart does both.

Why did my change disappear?

The server was running when you edited the file and wrote its own copy when it stopped. Stop the server, edit again and start it.

Can I change the server port?

No. Your port is assigned to your server and set by the panel. For an extra port (for example for a web map), open a ticket.

How do I turn off PvP on a new Minecraft version?

On Minecraft 1.21.9 and newer, PvP is a game rule, not a server.properties key. On these versions, change PvP with gamerule pvp false (or true) in the console instead of the Player versus player switch. The same applies to the Nether, command blocks and monster spawning: use the game rules listed above.

Minecraft server guide

Every Minecraft guide in one place.

Gamerules list

Settings that live in the world.

Server commands

Change settings from the console.

Custom world seed

Set level-seed for a new world.

Fix server lag

The right view and simulation distance.

Reviewed by the FREAKHOSTING team on 29 October 2026. Game Panel steps were checked on our panel (Minecraft 26.1, Paper and Fabric). Version changes checked against the official Minecraft release notes; game and plugin details follow their official documentation. Steps may differ slightly if the game change.

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Last Updated: October 2026

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Minecraft server.properties Explained: Every Setting

How does the Server Properties page work?

Settings on the Server Properties page

Which settings changed in newer Minecraft versions?

Settings you change in the file

Frequently asked questions

Where is server.properties on my server?

Do I need to restart after changing server.properties?

Why did my change disappear?

Can I change the server port?

How do I turn off PvP on a new Minecraft version?

Minecraft server guide

Gamerules list

Server commands

Custom world seed

Fix server lag

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting

​How does the Server Properties page work?

​Settings on the Server Properties page

​Which settings changed in newer Minecraft versions?

​Settings you change in the file

​Frequently asked questions

​Where is server.properties on my server?

​Do I need to restart after changing server.properties?

​Why did my change disappear?

​Can I change the server port?

​How do I turn off PvP on a new Minecraft version?

​Related guides

Minecraft server guide

Gamerules list

Server commands

Custom world seed

Fix server lag

​Need Extra Help?

​Save on Your Hosting

How does the Server Properties page work?

Settings on the Server Properties page

Which settings changed in newer Minecraft versions?

Settings you change in the file

Frequently asked questions

Where is server.properties on my server?

Do I need to restart after changing server.properties?

Why did my change disappear?

Can I change the server port?

How do I turn off PvP on a new Minecraft version?

Related guides

Need Extra Help?

Save on Your Hosting